Valorization of pineapple processing residues through acetification to produce specialty vinegars enriched with red-Jambo extract of Syzygium malaccense leaf.

The present study proposes the production of vinegars from pineapple processing residues as an eco-friendly strategy for adding value and economic strengthening of the production chain. Pineapple pulp and peel wines were produced and acetificated to vinegar by wild strains of acetic bacteria using Orlean's method (traditional system) followed by enrichment with leaf extract of Red-Jambo, Syzygium malaccense. Appreciable phenolic contents and antioxidant potential were found in pulp and peel vinegars with the added leaf extract. Catechin, epicatechin and caffeic, p-coumaric, ferulic, and gallic acids were the main phenolic compounds found in peel vinegar. The enrichment of the vinegar with the extract promoted an increase in the content of polyphenols (443.6-337.3 mg GAE/L) and antioxidant activity. Peel wines presented higher luminosity (L*) and higher saturation index (C*), and their color tended more toward yellow than pulp wines. Acetification reduced the saturation index (C*) and led to the intensification of the hue angle in the peels vinegar. Each type of pineapple vinegar produced showed biocidal activity against different bacteria and yeast, and the addition of leaf extract potentiated the antimicrobial activity of peel vinegar, especially against Staphalococcus aureus. The vinegars developed could find an attractive market niche in the food sector.

Hydrogel containing (1 → 6)-ß-D-glucan (lasiodiplodan) effectively promotes dermal wound healing.

A hydrogel containing exocellular (1 → 6)-ß-D-glucan (lasiodiplodan, LAS) was developed and its wound healing potential was evaluated. ß-Glucans have attracted much interest by the cosmetic industry sector because of their bioactive and functional properties and in promoting skin health. In the present work an ß-glucan was studied as a healing biomaterial that has not hitherto been reported in the scientific literature. LAS produced by the ascomycete Lasiodiplodia theobromae MMPI was used in the formulation of a healing hydrogel. Physicochemical and microbiological quality parameters, antioxidant potential and stability of the formulation was evaluated. FTIR, thermal analysis and SEM techniques were also employed in the characterization. Wistar rats were used as a biological model to investigate the wound healing potential. Histological analyses of cutaneous tissue from the dorsal region were conducted after 4, 7, 10 and 14 days of treatment, and evaluated re-epithelialization, cell proliferation and collagen production. Physicochemical stability, microbiological quality and antioxidant potential, especially in relation to its ability to scavenge hydroxyl radicals were found. The hydrogel stimulated cell re-epithelialization and proliferation during all days of the treatment, and stimulated an increase of collagen fibers. Lasiodiplodan showed immunomodulatory activity in wound healing and this biomacromolecule could be an alternative compound in wound care.