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.

Date Seeds as a Natural Source of Dietary Fibers to Improve Texture and Sensory Properties of Wheat Bread.

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of date seed water-soluble polysaccharides (DSP) and hemicellulose (DSH) as dietary fiber sources in enhancing the wheat bread's quality. DSP and DSH were extracted from the three date seed varieties Deglet Nour, Ghars Souf, and Allig. The extraction yields ranged from 3.8% to 6.14% and from 13.29% to 18.8%, for DSP and DSH, respectively. DSP and DSH showed interesting functional properties and were incorporated at 0.5% and 0.75% (w/w) in wheat flour with low bread-making quality (FLBM). The results showed that the addition of 0.75% DSH significantly improved the alveograph profile of the dough, and in a more efficient way than that of DSP. Furthermore, bread evaluation revealed that the addition of DSH considerably improved the volume (by 24.22%) and the texture profile of bread (decrease of the hardness and chewiness by 41.54% and 33.81%, respectively), compared to control bread (prepared with FLBM). A sensory analysis showed that the better overall acceptability was found for bread supplemented with DSH. Results in this work demonstrate that hemicellulose fraction extracted from date seeds (DSH) and added with a level of 0.75% to FLBM represents the component that improved bread quality the best.

Structural, functional, and biological properties of potato peel oligosaccharides.

Enzymatic hydrolysis of water-soluble polysaccharides from potato peel waste (PPPW) generates low molecular weight oligosaccharides with a yield of 63%. The oligosaccharides generated from potato peel polysaccharides (OPPP) were purified by Superdex-30 column. The results showed the presence of 8 peaks (OPPP1-OPPP8). The identification of all the fractions by chromatography analysis (GC-FID) illustrated that the most prominent residues were glucose with traces of galactose, arabinose and rhamnose. Finally, mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF-ToF) analysis showed that the generated oligosaccharides were heterogeneous and contained different degree of polymerization (DP). Indeed, the obtained oligosaccharides fractions OPPP3, OPPP4, OPPP5, OPPP6 and OPPP7 were compose of the following degree of polymerization DP5; DP4; DP2; DP1 and DP1, respectively. Potato peel oligosaccharides (OPPP) efficiency were tested using different concentrations in functional properties. The results showed good foaming and emulsion properties. This study also aimed to investigate the antioxidant activity of OPPP. The items explored included the DPPH radical-scavenging capacity (IC50 OPPP=2.5mg/mL), reducing power (OD: 0.622±0.032 at a concentration of 20mg/mL), ß-carotene bleaching inhibition activity (45.335±3.653%), and also the ABTS radical scavenging activity (14.835±0.1%).These findings indicate that potato peel oligosaccharides have potent antioxidant activities. Hence, one can suggest that these oligosaccharides might contribute as additives in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations.

Improvement of texture and sensory properties of cakes by addition of potato peel powder with high level of dietary fiber and protein.

Demand for health oriented products such as low calories and high fiber product is increasing. The aim of the present work was to determine the effect of the addition of potato peel powders as protein and dietary fiber source on the quality of the dough and the cake. Powders obtained from the two types of peel flour showed interesting water binding capacity and fat absorption capacity. Potato peel flours were incorporated in wheat flours at different concentration. The results showed that peel powders additionally considerably improved the Alveograph profile of dough and the texture of the prepared cakes. In addition color measurements showed a significant difference between the control dough and the dough containing potato peels. The replacement of wheat flour with the potato powders reduced the cake hardness significantly and the L(*) and b(*) dough color values. The increased consumption of cake enriched with potato peel fiber is proposed for health reasons. The study demonstrated that protein/fiber-enriched cake with good sensory quality could be produced by the substitution of wheat flour by 5% of potato peel powder. In addition and technological point of view, the incorporation of potato peel powder at 5% increase the dough strength and elasticity-to-extensibility ratio (P/L).

Evaluation of dough rheological properties and bread texture of pearl millet-wheat flour mix.

This study was undertaken with the objective of formulating composite bread using pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) flours . Rheological and bread making properties of composite flours were evaluated. Mixolab results revealed torque increased and dough stability time decreased upon incorporation of pearl millet flour in wheat flour. The incorporation of millet flour at optimum level (5 %) led to an increase of the dough strength (W) and the elasticity-to-extensibility ratio (P/L) by 31 % and 65 % respectively. The bread texture and volume were also improved. These findings indicated the potentiality of using millet flour in bread making.

Recent advances in Rosaceae gum exudates: From synthesis to food and non-food applications.

In recent years, great interest has been devoted to the development of new applications for natural gums. These molecules were used for a variety of purposes since they are chemically inert, non-toxic, less expensive, biodegradable and widely available. They represent one of the most abundant raw materials used not only in commercial food products, but also in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. Plant gums take their advantages compared to other gums (e.g., from animal and microbial sources) mainly because of their acceptance by consumers. Despite of the well description given in literature for the features of plant gum exudates, there is a lack distinguishing the different families that are producing gums, and their potential applications. Among these gums, the ones produced by Rosaceae family (e.g., almond, apricot, cherry, peach, and plum plants) have been taking special attention. Thus, the aim of this review is to report the recent advances in Rosaceae gum exudates. An emphasis is given for the formation mechanisms of these gums, their chemical composition, functional properties and structures, beneficial properties, as well as their food/non-food applications.

New food from a potato somatic hybrid: nutritional equivalence and safety assessment by a feeding study on rats.

BACKGROUND: Potato tubers from the STBd somatic hybrid line that exhibited improved tolerance to salinity and resistance to fungal and PVY infections were characterised. They were compared for their chemical composition to the Spunta variety produced by conventional agronomic practices. This study aimed to compare nutritional value and safety by feeding rats with STBd or commercial tubers added to the standard diet (20/80 w/w). RESULTS: The analysis of soluble sugar, fat, fibre and ash content of tubers did not reveal any significant differences between the hybrid line and the control Spunta variety. Small differences were observed in dry matter, starch and protein content of hybrid potatoes in comparison to controls. However, all values were within normal ranges reported in the literature. The feeding study on rats showed that overall health, weight gain, food consumption, morphological aspects and weights of organs were comparable between rat groups fed the STBd hybrid and the Spunta variety. CONCLUSION: Taken together, 28 days of consumption of STBd hybrid potato did not exert any adverse effect on rats compared with commercial Spunta potato. The STBd potato line was therefore considered to be as safe for food utilisation as the commercial variety.

Water-soluble polysaccharides from agro-industrial by-products: functional and biological properties.

Water-soluble polysaccharides were isolated from almond (AWSP) and pistachio (PWSP) juice processing by-products. Their chemical and physical characteristics were determined using NMR and Infrared spectroscopic analysis. The complexities of the spectra reflected the heterogeneity of these polysaccharides. The ACE inhibitory activities (IC50 AWSP=2.81mgmL(-1) and IC50 PWSP=2.59mgmL(-1)) and antioxidant properties of AWSP and PWSP were investigated based on the DPPH radical-scavenging capacity assay (IC50 AWSP=2.87mgmL(-1) and IC50 PWSP=1.61mgmL(-1)). Reducing power, ß-carotene bleaching inhibition (IC50AWSP=4.46mgmL(-1) and IC50 PWSP=3.39mgmL(-1)), and ferrous chelating assays (IC50 AWSP=0.22mgmL(-1) and IC50 PWSP=0.19mgmL(-1)) were also performed. The findings revealed that water-soluble polysaccharides exhibited antioxidant and antihypertensive activities. AWSP and PWSP showed excellent interfacial concentration-dependent properties. Overall, the results suggested that both AWSP and PWSP are promising sources of natural antioxidants and ACE inhibitory agents and could, therefore, be used as alternative additives in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations.

Production of mixed-linkage beta-oligosaccharides from lichenan using immobilized Bacillus licheniformis UEB CF lichenase.

Lichenase from Bacillus licheniformis UEB CF was immobilized on Amberlite IR120 H. The immobilization yield and lichenase activity were 87 and 92.81 % of initial activity, respectively. The immobilized enzyme exhibited a shift in the optimal pH from 5.0 to 3.0, but the activity optimal temperature was not affected. The immobilized enzyme showed a residual activity of 50 % after five uses. It also exhibited high storage stability and retained 50 % of its initial activity after 120 days at 4 °C. The main hydrolysis products yielded from lichenan were trisaccharide and tetrasaccharide. The resulting mixed-linkage beta-oligosaccharides could be used as a special nutriment for lactic bacteria.

Improved Mannanase Production from Penicillium occitanis by Fed-Batch Fermentation Using Acacia Seeds.

By applying a fed-batch strategy, production of Penicillium occitanis mannanases could be almost doubled as compared to a batch cultivation on acacia seeds (76 versus 41 U/mL). Also, a 10-fold increase of enzyme activities was observed from shake flask fermentation to the fed-batch fermentation. These production levels were 3-fold higher than those obtained on coconut meal. The high mannanase production using acacia seeds powder as inducer substrate showed the suitability of this culture process for industrial-scale development.