Biochemical changes, metal content, and spectroscopic analysis in sewage sludge composted with lignocellulosic residue using FTIR-MIR and FTIR-NIR.

The use of lignocellulosic residues, originating from sawdust, in composting sewage sludge for organic fertilizer production, is a practice of growing interest. However, few studies have explored the effect of the proportion of sawdust and sewage sludge raw materials on composting performance in the humification process. This study assessed the addition of sawdust in the sewage sludge composting process, regarding carbon content, presence of heavy metals, and humification of the organic compost. The experimental design employed was a randomized complete block design with five treatments featuring different proportions of organic residues to achieve C/N ratios between 30-1 (T1: 100% sewage sludge and 0% sawdust, T2: 86% sewage sludge and 14.0% sawdust, T3: 67% sewage sludge and 33% sawdust, T4: 55% sewage sludge and 45% sawdust, and T5: 46.5% sewage sludge and 53.5% sawdust) and five replications, totaling 25 experimental units. The addition of lignocellulosic residue in sewage sludge composting increased the levels of TOC and the C/N ratio, reduced the levels of pH, P, N, Na, Ba, and Cr, and did not interfere with the levels of K, Ca, Mg, S, CEC, labile carbon, and metals Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Pb. The increase in the proportion of sawdust residue favored the degradation of aliphatic groups, increasing the presence of aromatic structures and reducing humification at the end of composting. The use of sawdust as a lignocellulosic residue in sewage sludge composting is a viable and efficient alternative to produce high-quality organomineral fertilizers.

Purification of pineapple bromelain by IMAC chromatography using chlorophyll-activated macroporous matrices.

This study investigated the purification of bromelain obtained from pineapple fruit using a new adsorbent for immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC), with chlorophyll obtained from plant leaves as a chelating agent. The purification of bromelain was evaluated in batches from the crude extract of pineapple pulp (EXT), and the extract precipitated with 50 % ammonium sulfate (EXT.PR), the imidazole buffer (200 mM, pH 7.2) being analyzed and sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.0 + 1.0 NaCl as elution solutions. All methods tested could separate forms of bromelain with molecular weights between ±21 to 25 kDa. Although the technique using EXT.PR stood out in terms of purity, presenting a purification factor of around 3.09 ± 0.31 for elution with imidazole and 4.23 ± 0.12 for acetate buffer solution. In contrast, the EXT methods obtained values between 2.44 ± 0.23 and 3.21 ± 0.74 for elution with imidazole and acetate buffer, respectively, for purification from EXT.PR has lower yield values (around 5 %) than EXT (around 15 %). The number of steps tends to reduce yield and increase process costs, so the purification process in a monolithic bed coupled to the chromatographic system using the crude extract was evaluated. The final product obtained had a purification factor of 6, with a specific enzymatic activity of 59.61 ± 0.00 U·mg-1 and a yield of around 39 %, with only one band observed in the SDS-PAGE electrophoresis analysis, indicating that the matrix produced can separate specific proteins from the total fraction in the raw material. The IMAC matrix immobilized with chlorophyll proved promising and viable for application in protease purification processes.

The Role of Probiotics and Their Metabolites in the Treatment of Depression.

Depression is a common and complex mental and emotional disorder that causes disability, morbidity, and quite often mortality around the world. Depression is closely related to several physical and metabolic conditions causing metabolic depression. Studies have indicated that there is a relationship between the intestinal microbiota and the brain, known as the gut-brain axis. While this microbiota-gut-brain connection is disturbed, dysfunctions of the brain, immune system, endocrine system, and gastrointestinal tract occur. Numerous studies show that intestinal dysbiosis characterized by abnormal microbiota and dysfunction of the microbiota-gut-brain axis could be a direct cause of mental and emotional disorders. Traditional treatment of depression includes psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, and it mainly targets the brain. However, restoration of the intestinal microbiota and functions of the gut-brain axis via using probiotics, their metabolites, prebiotics, and healthy diet may alleviate depressive symptoms. Administration of probiotics labeled as psychobiotics and their metabolites as metabiotics, especially as an adjuvant to antidepressants, improves mental disorders. It is a new approach to the prevention, management, and treatment of mental and emotional illnesses, particularly major depressive disorder and metabolic depression. For the effectiveness of antidepressant therapy, psychobiotics should be administered at a dose higher than 1 billion CFU/day for at least 8 weeks.

The inclusion of detoxified castor bean meal in sugarcane silage increases the carcass weight and the content of unsaturated fatty acids in lamb meat.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and meat quality of lambs fed sugarcane silage containing increasing levels of detoxified castor bean meal (DCBM). Twenty-four Santa Inês male sheep were used, with initial body weight of 25.34 ± 2.57 kg, distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments (0, 70, 140, and 210 g/kg of DCBM in the sugarcane silage). Intake and digestibility of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) were positively influenced (P < 0.05) by the levels of DCBM. There was a linear increase (P < 0.05) on the intake and digestibility of neutral detergent fiber with the inclusion of DCBM. The daily and total gains showed a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) with the inclusion of DCBM, with a maximum point of 241.64 g/d and 18.12 kg at the level of 161.9 g/kg of DCBM. There was a linear increase (P < 0.01) on the hot carcass with the inclusion of DCBM. The inclusion of DCBM did not influence (P > 0.05) the levels of total lipids (2.1%) in lamb meat, but the levels of oleic acid (C18:1 n-6c) and total monounsaturated fatty acids presented a quadratic effect (P < 0.05). It is recommended to include 160 g/kg of detoxified castor bean meal in sugarcane silage.

Application of spectroscopic techniques and chemometric methods to differentiate between true cinnamon and false cinnamon.

The objective of this study was to identify useful chemical markers for the differentiation of true and false cinnamon; to develop a fast and efficient method of differentiation using MIR associated with chemometric methods. A total of 129 cinnamon samples from 3 countries (Brazil, Sri Lanka, and Paraguay) were purchased, being differentiated by visual analysis. The bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, HPLC, and MIR analysis were performed. The data obtained were submitted to PCA and PLS-DA. The results showed that the samples of true cinnamon have a higher concentration of eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, and antioxidant capacity, as well as a lower coumarin content. The PCA showed the separation of two groups of cinnamon samples. PLS-DA was effective in differentiating the studied samples with an accuracy of 94.44% and 100% for the composition and MIR analysis, respectively. The MIR proved to be an alternative for the rapid differentiation of true and false cinnamon.

Spectroscopy NIR and MIR toward predicting simultaneous phenolic contents and antioxidant in red propolis by multivariate analysis.

Conventional methods for determining phenolics and their bioactive properties are expensive, time-consuming, and laborious. This hinders the quality control of red propolis, recognized for having different types of phenolic constituents with different bioactive properties, for example, its antioxidant properties. In this sense, we present a new application of near and medium infrared spectroscopy to predict phenolic constituents, total flavonoids, gallic acid, kaempferol, pyrocatechin, quercetin, and different antioxidant tests (DPPH radical, reducing power and protection of the ß-carotene: linoleic acid system) of red propolis using chemometry. The optimized models showed good predictive capacity with a minimum correlation coefficient of 0.70, low associated error, and figures of merit that indicate the good predictive capacity in the validation of the models. These data show infrared spectroscopy as efficient to simultaneously predict nine quality analyzes of red propolis quickly and simply. This also avoids tedious procedures for traditional chromatographic and spectrophotometric tests.

NIR and MIR spectroscopy for quick detection of the adulteration of cocoa content in chocolates.

The Near (NIR) and Mid (MIR) Infrared Spectroscopy associated with chemometric techniques were used to determine the cocoa solids content in chocolates and detect possible adulterations. Five chocolate formulations (30% to 90%) were produced with different cocoa solids concentrations and 110 commercial samples from 10 different countries with varying concentrations of cocoa solids (30% to 88%) were acquired. All repetions of the produced and commercial chocolates were evaluated using NIR and MIR. Spectroscopic data were submitted to multivariate techniques of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares Regression (PLS). For both spectroscopy techniques, the PCA of the 5 formulations formed 5 distinct groups regarding the cocoa solids and the commercial samples showed a behavior pattern similar to the produced samples. For PLS, the regression equations showed high predictive capacity, with correlation coefficients above 90 and RMSECV values of 0.70 and 1.22, for NIR and MIR, respectively. These models highlighted, approximately, 14% of the commercial samples as possible adulterated products.

Physicochemical and thermal characterization of babassu oils (Orbignya phalerata Mart.) obtained by different extraction methods.

Babassu oil is a raw material widely used in the pharmaceutical and biofuels industry. However, its physical-chemical and thermal characteristics are not widely described in the literature. This article describes these characteristics and, thus, seeks to increase the application of this raw material in the food industry. In this work, two different types of babassu oils, extra-virgin and virgin, were studied. The physicochemical characteristics, lipid profile, composition of the triacylglycerol and thermal properties of both oils were determined. Moreover, the crystallization and melting behavior was determined and the FTIR-ATR spectra of the oils acquired. The results show that the main fatty acids present are medium-chain and the type of extraction modifies the amounts of fatty acids present in each type of oil. Despite this, its physical-chemical characteristics and thermal properties are the same, except color and thermal stability, where extra-virgin oil is lighter and more stable than virgin babassu oil.

Extraction and characterization of native starch obtained from the inhambu tuber.

Starch is the main carbohydrate consumed by humans, obtained from many vegetable sources and known for its non-toxicity, applications and low cost. The aim of this work was the extraction and study of characteristics of non-conventional starch arising from inhambu (Dioscorea trifida L.). Chemical, physicochemical, thermal, morphological, structural and technological properties were evaluated. The starch yield percentage obtained from the extraction, starch and amylose contents of inhambu starch were considerably high, 22.76%, 84.56% and 36.82% respectively. Native starch presented high purity due the low ash, protein and fat content. The thermogravimetric analysis shown 69% weight loss in a 293.12-476.59 °C temperature range and the endothermic peak was at 100.0 °C. The starch granule morphology shown spherical shapes and smooth surfaces and size ranging from 5.06 to 14.59 µm. Considering the unique starch characteristics, its application in different industrial sectors can be foreseen.

Multivariate analysis applied for correlations between analytical measures and sensory profile of goat milk chocolate.

The aim of this work was to characterize goat milk chocolates with different concentrations of cocoa (35%, 45%, 55% and 65%) and apply correlations between sensory features and analytical measures. The chocolates were evaluated through moisture, ashes, fat content, protein, acidity, pH, water activity, texture, instrumental color and sensory profile. The correlations showed that the brown color can be represented by the chromaticity coordinates a* and b* and the flavor attributes (sweet taste and bitter taste), by the ashes analysis, fat content and pH. Canonic scores superior to 0.5 indicate chocolates with better acceptance.

Improvement of texture properties and syneresis of arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) starch gels by using hydrocolloids (guar gum and xanthan gum).

BACKGROUND: The incorporation of hydrocolloids into starch dispersions modifies their techno-functional properties, such as gelatinization, retrogradation, syneresis, and texture, among others. Their main function is to improve these properties and to promote greater stability of starch gels. Thus, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding colloids (guar gum and xanthan gum) on the texture properties (hardness, elasticity, cohesiveness, and gumminess) and syneresis of the starch gels made from the common variety of arrowroot. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression were carried out to analyze the effects of the treatments and variables with their respective interactions. RESULTS: The addition of guar gum and xanthan gum influenced the stability of the starch gels studied, and it was capable of reducing syneresis even at low concentrations, with a greater effect for xanthan gum. Both gums were capable of inhibiting syneresis at concentrations above 0.5%, throughout the storage time studied (5 days). The addition of these hydrocolloids was also shown to influence the following texture parameters: hardness, cohesiveness, and gumminess, but showed no effect on gel elasticity. CONCLUSION: The addition of hydrocolloids was shown to be an alternative way of increasing the stability and enhancing the textural properties of the starch gels in arrowroot. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Aplicação da espectroscopia de infravermelho médio associada à quimiometria para classificação de café verde / Application of medium infrared spectroscopy associated with chemometry for green coffee classification

O agronegócio do café é uma das atividades que mais contribuem para economia brasileira. Objetivou-se avaliar a utilização da espectroscopia no infravermelho médio aliado a análise estatística multivariada para classificar amostras de café. As amostras foram adquiridas em Vitória da Conquista-Bahia e foram utilizadas para obtenção dos espectros no FTIR-ATR – Espectroscopia de Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier com Reflexão Total Atenuada, sob a faixa espectral de 4000 a 600 cm(-1). Os resultados foram avaliados por meio da estatística multivariada Análise de Componentes Principais - ACP. Na ACP dois componentes explicaram 94,49% da variância total dos dados, onde o primeiro componente principal (CP1) explicou 82,1% e o segundo componente principal (CP2) 12,39%. É possível classificar amostras de café por meio destas ferramentas.

Avaliação da composição de diferentes classes de café verde produzidos no sudoeste da Bahia / Evaluation of the composition of different green coffee classes produced in southwest Bahia

O grão de café é uma das matérias-primas de maior importância comercial. Objetivou-se avaliar a atividade antioxidante, os teores de umidade e cinzas e as propriedades ópticas do grão de café verde. Os grãos de café foram moídos e utilizados para as análises, e os resultados obtidos foram submetidos à Análise de Variância (ANOVA). Através das análises foi possível caracterizar o café como sendo muito seco, com umidade abaixo de 12%. Em relação ao teor de cinzas, as amostras analisadas estavam dentro do limite permitido pela legislação. A classe Mole (M) apresentou maior luminosidade em relação às demais podendo ser classificada como de melhor qualidade. Todas as classes apresentaram capacidade antioxidante. Quanto ao teor de compostos fenólicos totais (CFT) não houve diferença significativa entre as classes. Portanto, foi possível avaliar a composição do café verde.

Avaliação de parâmetros de qualidade do óleo de Palma BRS Manicoré / Evaluation of Palma oil BRS Manicoré quality parameters

O óleo de palma híbrido é considerado um produto rico em conteúdo insaturado e mais resistente a doenças. Objetivou-se analisar parâmetros que indicam a qualidade do óleo de Palma BRS Manicoré. As amostras foram avaliadas quanto ao índice de saponificação, índice de refração, compostos fenólicos totais, atividade antioxidante e densidade. Os resultados obtidos foram submetidos à Análise de Variância (ANOVA). Os valores obtidos para índice de refração e índice de saponificação foram pouco inferiores ao limite estabelecido pela legislação. As amostras apresentaram-se ricas em compostos antioxidantes que são benéficos a saúde humana em sua composição. Conclui-se que o óleo UNAUE apresenta atividade antioxidante, o que torna indispensável sua utilização na dieta humana e para outros fins.

Caracterização físico-química do óleo de palma BRS Manicoré / Physical-chemical characterization of palma BRS Manicoré oil

A hibridização entre E. oleifera x E. guineensis dá origem ao óleo de palma nomeado como BRS Manicoré que possui elevado conteúdo de compostos bioativos. Objetivou-se avaliar os aspectos físico-químicos do óleo de palma BRS Manicoré avaliando quatro amostras de óleo hibrido quanto aos aspectos físico-químicos por meio das análises de índice de acidez titulável, acidez em ácido oléico, atividade de água, teores de umidade e cinzas e análise de cor, os resultados obtidos foram submetidos à Análise de Variância (ANOVA). As amostras analisadas apresentaram valores de índice de acidez de acordo com o estabelecido pela legislação, já os valores de acidez por ácido oléico foram maiores em relação ao reportado na legislação para o óleo de palma africano. Foi possível concluir que o óleo de palma demonstrou boa qualidade quanto a sua composição e aos benefícios à saúde humana.

Efeito da adição de óleo de licuri (Syagrus coronata) e Tween 80 em filme de amido de araruta (Maranta arundinacea L. ) / Effect of the addition of licuri oil (Syagrus coronata) and Tween 80 in a film of araruta starch (Maranta arundinacea L. )

O objetivo de trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da adição de óleo de licuri nas propriedades do filme a base de amido de araruta (bioplástico). Foram elaborados dois filmes, um conteúdo óleo de licuri e outro sem o óleo na formulação. Os filmes foram caraterizados através de analises de espessura, solubilidade, atividade de água, permeabilidade a vapor de água, ensaios de tração e analise de cor. Os resultados apontaram que o óleo de licuri reduziu a resistência á tração, o modulo de Young, a atividade de água, a solubilidade e a luminosidade dos filmes de amido de araruta. Além disso, a adição do óleo levou à um aumento da espessura e permeabilidade ao vapor de água. A adição de óleo de licuri influenciou de forma favorável algumas propriedades do filme a base de amido de araruta.

Characterization of starch-based bioplastics from jackfruit seed plasticized with glycerol.

Biodegradable films based on starches from different botanical sources exhibited physicochemical and functional properties which were related with the starch characteristics. However, had inadequate mechanical properties and were hard and brittle. In this research, jackfruit seed starch plasticized with glycerol were developed and characterized. The starch and glycerol concentrations ranged from 2 to 6% w/w and 20 to 60 g/100 g starch, respectively. Bioplastics were obtained by the casting method and characterized in terms of color, mechanical properties, solubility, water vapor permeability (WVP), morphology and free energy of the hydrophobic interaction. Electronic micrographics showed the presence of some intact starch granules. The bioplastics were hydrophilic and those of 6% starch and 40% glycerol were the most hydrophilic ([Formula: see text] = 41.35 mJ m-1). The solubility of the films presented a direct relationship with the starch concentration ranging from 16.42 to 23.26%. Increased opacity and color difference were observed with increasing starch concentration. The WVP ranged from 1.374 × 10-3 to 3.07 × 10-4 g m/day m2 which was positively related with the concentration of starch and glycerol. Tensile strength, percent elongation and Young's Modulus indicated that the jackfruit starch and glycerol provided a film with good mechanical properties. The results replaced that jackfruit starch can be used to develop films, with low opacity, moderate WVP and relatively high mechanical stability, by using glycerol in the gelatinized starch dispersions.

The Impact of Heat-Moisture Treatment on the Properties of Musa paradisiaca L. Starch and Optimization of Process Variables.

Starch stability under the processing conditions can be improved by modifying the granule structure using chemical and/or physical processes. The effect of heat-moisture treatment (HMT) on the physicochemical, morphological, pasting and thermal properties of green banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) starch was investigated. To analyze the changes in starch properties due to the combined effect of the process variables, time (h), moisture (%), and temperature (°C) were considered as independent variables using a central composite rotatable design. The native starch extracted using ammonium hydroxide as an antioxidant contained 80.4% total carbohydrates, 53.7% apparent amylose, 11.46% moisture, and other constituents (ash, protein, lipids), which accounted for less than 1%. The granule morphology was affected by the moisture and temperature used in HMT. A and B type X-ray diffraction patterns were observed in the native and modified starch. Mathematical models that describe the behaviour of modified starch properties as a function of the evaluated parameters were obtained. The variables time and temperature significantly affected the physicochemical, rheological and digestibility properties of starch.

Immobilization of sugars in supermacroporous cryogels for the purification of lectins by affinity chromatography.

Lectins are glycoproteins that bind to carbohydrates or glycoconjugates by specific interactions. The specificity of lectins to various carbohydrates is a determinant factor in the choice of ligand for the chromatographic matrix when using chromatography as a lectin purification technique. In this work, the immobilization of three different aminated carbohydrates on the surface of macroporous polymeric cryogels was evaluated. Carbohydrates were immobilized on cryogel surfaces via the glutaraldehyde method to create spacer arms, reducing steric hindrance. The immobilized N-acetyl-d-glucosamine and N-acetyl-d-mannosamine concentrations contained approximately 130mg of carbohydrate/g dehydrated cryogel, while the N-acetyl-d-galactosamine contained 105mg of carbohydrate/g dehydrated cryogel. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the physical structure and porosity of the chromatographic columns were not affected by the immobilization process, maintaining an elevated hydration capacity and the macroporous structure of the cryogels. Adsorption of concanavalin A on cryogels functionalized with N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (cryo-d-GlcNAc) was tested, as well as its reuse capability. After 5 cycles of use, cryo-d-GlcNAc was shown to be stable, with an adsorptive capacity of around 50mg/g. Carbohydrate immobilization in polyacrylamide cryogels was satisfactory, with promise for applications in lectin purification processes.