Obtaining and evaluating of enzymatic extracts from hairless canary seed (CDC Maria) as gluten-free bread-improving agents.

In this study, enzyme extracts were obtained from hairless canary seeds (CDC Maria) and used as gluten-free bread improvers. The enzyme extraction was done with a specific protein buffer solution and subsequent centrifugation. The supernatant was called crude enzyme extract, a fraction of this extract was refrigerated (CE) and another fraction was lyophilized (CEL). The lyoprotective effect of corn fiber (CEL + CF), maltodextrin (CEL + M), and inulin (CEL + I) was evaluated. Each enzyme extract was added to a gluten-free bread at 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75% and 1% (w/w). The quality of the gluten-free bread was determined by external and internal characteristically, physical and sensory analysis: analysis of the lamella thickness, the shape factor of pores, the final volume, the aeration percentage, the texture profile analysis, the pore size distribution and shelf-life time. The results showed that the formulation with CEL at 0.5% (w/w) significantly improved the gluten-free bread quality properties, generating an increase of the final volume and aeration percentage, a reduction of the firmness, chewiness and sample aging, and a finer and more uniform crumb structure when compared to a control sample (P < 0.001). This study revealed the potential of a food-improving additive obtained from a natural origin with a high-level production in Argentina.

Selective separation of copper with Lix 864 in a hollow fiber module.

The transfer and separation of Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) ions across a hollow fiber supported liquid membrane containing LIX 864 as the mobile carrier dissolved in kerosene solvent has been investigated. The flux and selectivity for copper has been studied as a function of the feed flow, the carrier concentration in the liquid membrane and the extraction solution acidity. A maximum copper recovery at 30% of LIX (v/v) in the diluent was obtained. The permeation experiments showed that at pH 2 in the extraction solution a highly selective separation of Cu over the other cations can be achieved. Increasing the acidity of the extraction solution copper selectivity decrease and the grade of recuperation sequence is Cu>Co>Ni>Zn. These results suggest that in selected situations, this membrane system can be competitive with the conventional liquid-liquid extraction process, in particular in leaching solutions with low metal concentration.