Probiotics from kefir: Evaluating their immunostimulant and antioxidant potential in the carpet shell clam (Ruditapesdecussatus).

This study aimed to investigate the impact of incorporating kefir into the diet on biometric parameters, as well as the immune and antioxidant responses of the carpet shell clam (Ruditapes decussatus) after an experimental infection by Vibrio alginolyticus. Clams were divided into a control group and a treated group. The control group was fed on spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) alone. While, the treated group was fed on spirulina supplemented with 10% dried kefir. After 21 days, clams were immersed in a suspension of V. alginolyticus 5 × 105 CFU mL -1 for 30 min. Seven days after experimental infection, survival was 100% in both groups. The obtained results showed a slight increase in weight and condition index in clams fed with kefir-supplemented diet for 21 days compared to control clams. Regarding antioxidant responses, the treated group showed higher superoxide dismutase activity compared to the control group. However, the malondialdehyde level was lower in the treated clams than in the control. In terms of immune parameters, the treated group showed slightly elevated activities of phenoloxidase, lysozyme and alkaline phosphatase, whereas a decreased lectin activity was observed compared to the control group. The obtained results suggest that kefir enhanced both the antioxidant and immune response of infected clams.

Protective effects of dietary Kefir against aflatoxin B1-induced hepatotoxicity in Nile tilapia fish, Oreochromis niloticus.

The effect of dietary Kefir supplementation on the biometric, biochemical, and histological parameters of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1, 200 µg/kg diet) contamination was studied. The yeasts were dominant in Kefir followed by lactic and acetic acid bacteria. The Kefir showed relatively interesting antioxidant potential in the DPPH• (IC50 = 0.9 ± 0.02 mg/ml) and ABTS•+ (IC50 = 2.2 ± 0.03 mg/ml) scavenging activities, Fe3+-reducing power (EC0.5 = 1.2 ± 0.01 mg/ml), and ß-carotene bleaching assay (IC50 = 3.3 ± 0.02 mg/ml). Three hundred and sixty Nile tilapia weighing 23 ± 5 g were divided into four groups (30 fish/group with 3 replicates), and fed with diets containing Kefir (D2), AFB1 (D3), and Kefir+AFB1 (D4) for 4 weeks, whereas D1 was kept as control group where fish were fed with basal diet. The Kefir supplementation in D4 group significantly increased (p < .05) the percent weight gain as compared to D3 group. Moreover, Kefir improved the antioxidant enzymes in the liver, such as catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, that significantly increased (p < .05) by 2-, 3-, and 1.5-folds, respectively, as compared to D3 group. The Kefir treatment significantly decreased (p < .05) the liver malonaldehyde content by ~50% as compared to D3 group. Histopathological analysis revealed the hepatoprotective effects of Kefir by showing normal liver histological architecture in D4 group, as compared to degenerative changes observed in D3 group. These results suggest that Kefir could be considered as a potential probiotic in Nile tilapia feed to mitigate the AFB1 harmful effects.

Adsorptive removal of direct red 80 and methylene blue from aqueous solution by potato peels: a comparison of anionic and cationic dyes.

Adsorption of direct red 80 (DR 80) and methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions on potato peels (PP) has been compared. The use of peels in decontamination technology is very promising given the near zero-cost for the synthesis of those adsorbents. The selected potato peels were first analyzed by scanning using electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Then the adsorption behavior was studied in a batch system. The adsorption process is affected by various parameters such as the solution pH (2-11), the initial concentration of the dye (20, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg L-1), the adsorbent dose (0.1-3%), the temperature (303.16 K, 313.16 K, and 323.16 K), agitation (up to 250 rpm), as well as the contact time. Adsorption isotherms of the studied dye on the adsorbent were determined and compared with the Langmiur, Freundlich and Temkin adsorption models. The results show that the data was most similar to the Freundlich isotherm (R2 = 0.99). The maximum adsorption capacities (Qmax) of MB and DR 80 by the PP at temperatures 303.16 K, 313.16 K and 323.16 K were found to be approximately 97.08 mg g-1; 45.87 mg g-1; 61.35 mg g-1 and 27.778 mg g-1; 45.45 mg g-1; and 32.258 mg g-1. The kinetic data was compared to the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion models. This revealed that adsorption of methylene blue onto PP abided mostly to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Calculations of various thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy change (ΔH), entropy change (ΔS), and free energy change (ΔG) display the endothermic and spontaneous nature of the adsorption process.

Towards sustainable management of tomato pomace through the recovery of valuable compounds and sequential production of low-cost biosorbent.

The present study focused on the full valorization of the tomato by-product, also known as tomato pomace consisting mainly of tomato peels and tomato seeds, by recovering natural antioxidants and edible oil, and subsequently reutilizing the leftover solid residues for the production of low-cost biosorbent. The tomato peel extract recovered using ethanol as food-grade solvent contained high phenol and flavonoid contents (199.35 ± 0.35-mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g and 102.10 ± 0.03-mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g, respectively). Even its lower content of lycopene (3.67 ± 0.04 mg/100 g), tomato peel extract showed potent antioxidant activity and can be therefore used as natural antioxidants either for food or cosmetic applications. High nutritional quality edible oil (17.15%) was extracted from tomato seeds and showed richness in unsaturated fatty acids (74.62%), with linoleic acid being the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acid (49.70%). After recovery of these valuable compounds, the extraction solid leftovers were used to produce low-cost biosorbent tested for dye removal. Results showed that the highest biosorption yields were increasingly attributed to the acidic, direct, anthraquinone, then reactive dyes. Overall, the obtained results strongly support the complete utilization of tomato pomace for the recovery of valuable compounds and the sequential production of low-cost biosorbent.