Search

The rapid growth of the world population has increased the demand for new food sources, constituting a major challenge concerning the maximum use of existing food resources. The fruits of Amazonian palm trees have excellent nutritional composition and bioactive compounds. This review highlights four fruits of Amazonian palm trees that are still little explored by the food industry: açai (Euterpe oleracea), pupunha (Bactris gasipaes), buriti (Mauritia flexuosa), and tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum). This paper aims to inspire new ideas for researching and developing products for the food industry. It also explores the impacts of Amazonian palm fruits on health, highlighting their role in disease prevention through their nutritional effects.

Bactris gasipaes Kunth belongs to the Arecaceae family and is known in various parts of the world under various names. This fruit presents several hybridizations and wild species containing diverse percentages of nutritional and functional constituents. These constituent properties link its parts, such as pulps, peels, and seeds rich in oils, with a predominance of polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, and polyphenols. Consequentially, these fruits possess pharmacological, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, among other characteristics. Additionally, B. gasipaes byproducts, including starches, fibers, and oils, have a high potential for technological applications. The diversity of the varieties has led to a notable increase in research on a multidisciplinary scale, adding value to these varieties with a focus on their industrial applications and by consolidating acquired patents over the years. However, its industrial potential is still poorly explored, a fact that has presented itself as an opportunity for new research and the design of novel products. This review provides an updated view of the different strands and varieties of peach palm, their identification, technological potential in the food industry, and their bioactive functional properties. Finally, ongoing research on a new variety of this species in the Amazon is also discussed.

Bactris gasipaes var. gasipaes (Arecaceae, Palmae) is an economically and socially important plant species for populations across tropical South and Central America. It has been domesticated from its wild variety, B. gasipaes var. chichagui, since pre-Columbian times. In this study, we sequenced the plastome of the cultivated variety, B. gasipaes Kunth var. gasipaes and compared it with the published plastome of the wild variety. The chloroplast sequence obtained was 156,580 bp. The cultivated chloroplast sequence was conserved compared to the wild type sequence with 99.8% of nucleotide identity. We did, however, identify multiple Single Nucleotide Variants (SNVs), insertions, microsatellites and a resolved region of missing nucleotides. A SNV in one of the core barcode markers (matK) was detected between the wild and cultivated accessions. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out across the Arecaceae family and compared to previous reports, resulting in an identical topology. This study is a step forward in understanding the genome evolution of this species.

Lignocellulosic biomass offers a sustainable and renewable method for producing high-quality fuels and value-added chemicals. In this study, residues from peach palm (top, inner sheath, and meristem), sugarcane (top), and pineapple (mother plant) were characterized based on their physicochemical properties and thermal degradation behavior to estimate their bioenergy potential. The biomass residue kinetic constraints were analyzed using three isoconversional models: the Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS), and differential Friedman (DF) models. Physicochemical characterization showed the peach palm top's notably high cellulose content of 35.71 ± 0.47 % wt. Calorific values of the residues ranged from 13.73 ± 0.08 to 16.91 ± 0.90 MJ kg−1. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the carbonaceous and crystalline nature of the biomass residues. Mean activation energy values ranged from 105.02 to 370.10 kJ mol−1 for KAS, 111.50–360.99 kJ mol−1 for FWO, and 108.60–360.27 kJ mol−1 for DF. Finally, thermodynamic analysis revealed the endothermic nature of the pyrolysis process across the entire conversion range for the samples. Overall, these samples demonstrate major potential as feedstock for biorefineries and the development of Ecuador's circular economy. • Physicochemical characterization and pyrolysis kinetics of low value waste biomass. • Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for pyrolysis of low value waste biomass were calculated. • Activation energy and pre-exponential factor were calculated by using three model-free methods (KAS, FWO, and DF). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we report a successful protocol to obtain in vitro peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) "Diamantes 10" plants through somatic embryogenesis from transverse thin cell layer (TCL) explants, dissected from three sections (basal, medial, and apical) of lateral offshoots of adult plants cultured on different concentrations of 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolonic acid (picloram). After swelling and development of primary callus in all treatments, without any strong effect of explant origin or picloram concentration, it was possible to observe the formation of embryogenic structures and the exact point from where they developed. Browning was also observed and correlated to the induction treatments, although it was not an impairment for the production of embryogenic structures. Subsequent maturation and conversion of somatic embryos into plantlets allowed their acclimatization 17 months after culture initiation (ACI), which was quicker than previous reports with juvenile tissues (from embryos or seed-germinated plantlets). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on peach palm regeneration through somatic embryogenesis from TCL explants from adult plants and could constitute, after fine-tuning the acclimatization stage, a tool for mass clonal propagation of elite genotypes of this open-pollinated crop, as well as for the establishment of conservation strategies of in situ gene bank plant accessions endangered due to aging and other threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we report a successful protocol to obtain in vitro peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) “Diamantes 10” plants through somatic embryogenesis from transverse thin cell layer (TCL) explants, dissected from three sections (basal, medial, and apical) of lateral offshoots of adult plants cultured on different concentrations of 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolonic acid (picloram). After swelling and development of primary callus in all treatments, without any strong effect of explant origin or picloram concentration, it was possible to observe the formation of embryogenic structures and the exact point from where they developed. Browning was also observed and correlated to the induction treatments, although it was not an impairment for the production of embryogenic structures. Subsequent maturation and conversion of somatic embryos into plantlets allowed their acclimatization 17 months after culture initiation (ACI), which was quicker than previous reports with juvenile tissues (from embryos or seed-germinated plantlets). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on peach palm regeneration through somatic embryogenesis from TCL explants from adult plants and could constitute, after fine-tuning the acclimatization stage, a tool for mass clonal propagation of elite genotypes of this open-pollinated crop, as well as for the establishment of conservation strategies of in situ gene bank plant accessions endangered due to aging and other threats.

Bactris gasipaes var. gasipaes (Arecaceae, Palmae) is an economically and socially important plant species for populations across tropical South and Central America. It has been domesticated from its wild variety, B. gasipaes var. chichagui, since pre-Columbian times. In this study, we sequenced the plastome of the cultivated variety, B. gasipaes Kunth var. gasipaes and compared it with the published plastome of the wild variety. The chloroplast sequence obtained was 156,580 bp. The cultivated chloroplast sequence was conserved compared to the wild type sequence with 99.8% of nucleotide identity. We did, however, identify multiple Single Nucleotide Variants (SNVs), insertions, microsatellites and a resolved region of missing nucleotides. A SNV in one of the core barcode markers (matK) was detected between the wild and cultivated accessions. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out across the Arecaceae family and compared to previous reports, resulting in an identical topology. This study is a step forward in understanding the genome evolution of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Biomass-derived synthesis of N-doped carbon dots (N CQDs) using peach palm peels. • Coupling reaction forming an amide bond between N CQDs and l-cysteine (N CQDs/CYS). • Fluorescence of N CQD/CYS is quenching by Hg2+, forming a stable complex. • N CQDs/CYS exhibit high selectivity in fluorescent detection of Hg2+ions. Establishing an effective strategy for Hg2+ determination with good sensitivity and high selectivity is of particular concern. In this work, N-doped carbon quantum dots (N CQDs) were obtained for the first time from peels of peach palm fruit (Bactris gasipaes) through microwave-assisted one-pot synthesis. Surface N CQDs was modified with l-cysteine (N CQDs/CYS) by a chemical reaction (known as amide coupling) between the nitrogen-containing groups (amine group) of l-cysteine ligand and the carboxyl groups of N CQDs. The chemical bonding was examined by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). N CQDs/CYS nanoparticles exhibited a quantum yield of fluorescence (Φ FL) of 25.4%, high solubility in water, and a surface with thiol groups from l-cysteine. Mercury ions induced quenching of fluorescence of N CQDs/CYS at low concentrations (Limit of Detection, LOD = 0.19 μM) with great sensitivity. A significant preference for Hg2+ ions was found because of the high affinity between the thiolate groups of N CQDs/CYS and the analyte. Time-resolved fluorescence measurements were done to study the way that led to fluorescence quenching when Hg2+ ions were present, evidencing a static quenching fluorescence mechanism. The new N CQDs/CYS material could be applied to accurately measure the concentration of Hg2+ ions in water samples in a fast and cost-effective way. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamis borassi Fabricius (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) is widely distributed in South America and is an economic pest in commercially important palms (Arecaceae). In Colombia, peach palm production is of socio-economic importance in the Pacific region but has decreased dramatically due to a weevil complex that attacks the top of the palm. Dynamis borassi is the principal cause of this damage. Despite its importance, the biology of this species is unknown. A rigorous study of life cycle duration, as well as each stage of development, is key to future ecological and behavioural studies and essential in the design of comprehensive pest management plans. We report details of the life history of this pest in a laboratory colony. Life cycle and the larval growth were studied under controlled laboratory conditions (27 ± 1 °C and 75 ± 5% RH) using two artificial diets: Diet 1 without peach palm inflorescences and Diet 2 with 100 g of inflorescences. The egg stage lasted 3.5 ± 0.1 days, the larval stage 165.5 ± 4.7 days for Diet 1 and 153.8 ± 3.9 days for Diet 2, and the pupal stage 37 ± 1.7 days for Diet 1 and 39.7 ± 1.2 days for Diet 2. Twelve instars were observed. The instar when pupation took place varied from instar VII to XII. The weight gain curve had four growth phases with both diets. Each diet produced a different life cycle duration and growth rate. No significant differences were found in the life cycle between the diets.

Bactris gasipaes Kunth belongs to the Arecaceae family and is known in various parts of the world under various names. This fruit presents several hybridizations and wild species containing diverse percentages of nutritional and functional constituents. These constituent properties link its parts, such as pulps, peels, and seeds rich in oils, with a predominance of polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, and polyphenols. Consequentially, these fruits possess pharmacological, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, among other characteristics. Additionally, B. gasipaes byproducts, including starches, fibers, and oils, have a high potential for technological applications. The diversity of the varieties has led to a notable increase in research on a multidisciplinary scale, adding value to these varieties with a focus on their industrial applications and by consolidating acquired patents over the years. However, its industrial potential is still poorly explored, a fact that has presented itself as an opportunity for new research and the design of novel products. This review provides an updated view of the different strands and varieties of peach palm, their identification, technological potential in the food industry, and their bioactive functional properties. Finally, ongoing research on a new variety of this species in the Amazon is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) was commercially introduced in São Paulo in the 1980s, as an alternative for heart-of-palm production, being currently the main species cultivated for this purpose. Phenological studies on fowering/fruiting, in addition to contributing to the breeding program, can provide subsidies for seed production technology. The objective of this research was to evaluate the reproductive phenology of peach palm, to relate the observed patterns with climatic elements and estimate its stages when cultivated in three locations in the State of São Paulo. The experiments were carried out in the IAC Peach Palm Collection, planted in September/1992, in Pariquera-Açu; Pindorama and Mococa. We selected 173, 282 and 150 plants for phenology evaluation and 30, 32 and 33 plants to estimate the stages, between July/June, in different years for each area, between 2013 and 2019. Data were analyzed by the activity index and by the Spearman correlation (rs) between the percentage of peach palms in each phenophase in the month and the climatic variables in the same month, from one and two months earlier. The fowering time depends on the location where the palm is cultivated, infuenced by the average temperature and evapotranspiration in Pariquera-Açu and by precipitation in Mococa. The prevailing climatic elements in fruiting in the three locations are evapotranspiration and average temperature in the month preceding the phenological event and in Mococa it is also infuenced by precipitation. The time for peach palms fowering varies from 41 to 50 days and the fruiting lasts 116 days in Pindorama.

The functional applications of chontaduro (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) flour and starches depend on its ripeness state. However, there are no reports of the physicochemical properties of chontaduro flours and starches nor their associated fatty acid profile. This research aimed to study the physicochemical properties of ripe/unripe chontaduro flours, isolated starches, and fats. Compared to unripe flour, ripe flour exhibited higher (p<0.05) protein (16.79%) but lower lipid content (‐25.72%). Minerals such as K, S, Ca, P, and Mg were the most abundant in the flours (0.025–0.030 g 100 g−1). Ripeness did not impact the morphology of the starch granules and its orthorhombic crystalline structure, but the cooking process partially damaged this structure, characteristic of A‐type starches. Ripe flour showed higher viscosity than unripe flour, while defatted flour did not exhibit increased peak viscosity due to fatty acid loss. There are no changes in the infrared spectra of the oil from unripe/ripe flour, but stearic, oleic, and palmitic acids were identified. The results suggested that chontaduro flour is an important source of minerals (mainly K, S, Ca, P, Mg, and Na), unsaturated fatty acids, and low‐viscosity starch, making it a suitable nutritious ingredient to supplement existing food line under functional terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamis borassi Fabricius (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) is widely distributed in South America and is an economic pest in commercially important palms (Arecaceae). In Colombia, peach palm production is of socio-economic importance in the Pacific region but has decreased dramatically due to a weevil complex that attacks the top of the palm. Dynamis borassi is the principal cause of this damage. Despite its importance, the biology of this species is unknown. A rigorous study of life cycle duration, as well as each stage of development, is key to future ecological and behavioural studies and essential in the design of comprehensive pest management plans. We report details of the life history of this pest in a laboratory colony. Life cycle and the larval growth were studied under controlled laboratory conditions (27 ± 1 °C and 75 ± 5% RH) using two artificial diets: Diet 1 without peach palm inflorescences and Diet 2 with 100 g of inflorescences. The egg stage lasted 3.5 ± 0.1 days, the larval stage 165.5 ± 4.7 days for Diet 1 and 153.8 ± 3.9 days for Diet 2, and the pupal stage 37 ± 1.7 days for Diet 1 and 39.7 ± 1.2 days for Diet 2. Twelve instars were observed. The instar when pupation took place varied from instar VII to XII. The weight gain curve had four growth phases with both diets. Each diet produced a different life cycle duration and growth rate. No significant differences were found in the life cycle between the diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a useful biotechnological tool to promote the conservation of plant genetic resources. Araucaria angustifolia, Acca sellowiana, and Bactris gasipaes are forest species with recognized ecological, cultural, and economic importance in the subtropical Atlantic Forest and the tropical Amazon Forest. SE protocols have been studied for these three species for more than 30 years. Despite the advances obtained during this time, some drawbacks remain. Here we reviewed and discussed the advancements and continuing constraints in the SE of these species, pointing out the more successful procedures. Further, we highlight several of the most pressing issues remaining in the SE protocols for each species. Further development of these protocols will aid in the conservation of these three species. Key Message: Advances and drawbacks of the SE in three forest species of the Atlantic Forest and the Amazon Forest are discussed. Perspectives for overpassing the main shortcomings are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) has been micropropagated from pre-procambial cells that provide stem-like cell niches, (i.e., pre-procambial cells), multipotent, pluripotent and totipotent for direct vascularization, adventitious buds and somatic embryogenesis, respectively. The direct induction of adventitious buds and somatic embryogenesis reduces the frequency of mutations when compared to indirect morphogenesis. Long-term in vitro cultivation of perennial species such as peach palm cause the clones to age and deteriorate; however, the consequences for morphogenesis potential are not fully clear. The morphogenic potential of peach palm clones established and in vitro cultivated for 8 years (regeneration of adventitious buds without callus formation) was investigated in leaves, roots and stem bases using histological and histochemical analyses. Data from long-term cultures (8-years-old) was compared to data from short-term cultures (1-year-old). Morphogenic pathways monitoring for direct induction of somatic embryos and adventitious buds revealed a strong morphogenic reduction potential in the pre-procambial cells, parenchyma cells in the proximal region of stem bases, and external cells of leaf sheaths. Initial cells of shoot apical meristems and pre-procambial cells commit cell reprogramming to the undifferentiated state and subsequent acquisition of cellular competence. These results are applicable in the micropropagation of peach palm, with consideration to obtaining clones and their long-term in vitro culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphology of the larvae of Dynamis borassi (Fabricius) and Rhynchophorus palmarum (Linnaeus) was compared, described and illustrated. A complete definition of subtribe Rhynchophorina at the larval stage was elaborated, based on mature and submature larvae, and characters of the first instar larvae are provided for the first time. Diagnostic characters to distinguish the larvae of D. borassi and R. palmarum are mainly from the epipharynx and maxillae, but the abdominal terminal plate also provides differential features that can aid in the identification. The characterization of both species at the larval stage is expected to be useful in the implementation of new control strategies in palm plantations in South America. For practical reasons, a comparative table is appended in Spanish to serve as a quick diagnostic guide for species identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peach palm has regions adjacent to the heart-of-palm that are normally neglected by the industry, and have potential to be utilized in minimally processed form. We characterized three parts of peach palm, evaluating anatomical, physicochemical and physiological parameters aiming to increase the industrial yield and evaluate shelf-life of the fresh-cut product. Harvested rods were sectioned into apical, median and basal segments, and analyzed for yield, firmness, soluble solids, titratable acidity, vitamin C, sugars and starch. Segments were sampled for anatomy and measurement of ethylene and respiration rates. After fresh-cut operations, segments were stored for 15 days at 5 °C and evaluated for surface color and carbohydrate content. The total yield based on length and fresh-mass was 85% and 70%, respectively. Hearts of palm were firmer toward the edges of apical and basal regions; the median region was the softest (14 N). The median region showed the highest SSC, 8.6 ºBrix and vitamin C, 9.4 mg ascorbic acid 100 g−1 FW, and maintained the highest ethylene production, either whole or sliced. Respiration rate of all regions decreased 1 h after segmentation, the apical region showed the highest rate, 364 mL CO2 kg−1 h−1, followed by median and basal. Yellowing and pronounced color difference occurred after two weeks of storage in all the studied regions. Partially differentiated vascular bundles were present in all regions. Based on firmness and chemical parameters, all regions have potential for use as minimally processed product and can be stored up to 7 days, maintaining the original color. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Pupunha flour is a promising alternative for cookie production. • Micro-NIR obtained excellent predictions for phenolic compound content. • Micro-NIR represents a great advantage when applied in industrial environments. • Even with narrow spectral range, excellent results were obtained. • Pupunha flour is an alternative product aimed at the celiac public. There are several reports of the potential benefits of phenolic compound (PC) in food products, due to their antioxidant activities (AC). However, in recent years, new research results have demonstrated that PC has potential health risks due to the reduction in absorption of protein nutrients and cytotoxic effects. The PC and AC quantifications are laborious and time-consuming methods, therefore it is necessary to develop simple, fast and precise method to determine these parameters, not only in the raw materials, but also in food products. Therefore, this study focused on the potential of Micro-NIR spectrometer data modeled with partial least square regression to predict PC and AC in processed food (cookies) prepared with peach palm (PP), that is rich in PC. The cookies were prepared using 12.5 to 100 % of PP flour in substitution to wheat flour (WF). The NIR model for AC, determined by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method, shows R2cv = 0.93 (regression coefficient of cross-validation step); RMSECV = 0.05; R2p = 0.87 (regression coefficient of prediction step); RMSEP = 0.04; RPD = 2.73, and by 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical capture (ABTS) exhibit R2cv = 0.83; RMSECV = 3.72; R2p = 0.70; RMSEP = 4.12; RPD = 1.76, and for PC, determined by Folin-Ciocalteu, shows R2cv = 0.86; RMSECV = 0.44; R2p = 0.80; RMSEP = 0.43; RPD = 2.04. These excellent results, mainly for FRAP and PC, demonstrated that portable NIR spectrometers could be a fast, simple and reliable method to predict PC and AC in cookies prepared with different proportion of PP flour and WF. Similar models can also be developed to predict PC and AC in other food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid growth of the world population has increased the demand for new food sources, constituting a major challenge concerning the maximum use of existing food resources. The fruits of Amazonian palm trees have excellent nutritional composition and bioactive compounds. This review highlights four fruits of Amazonian palm trees that are still little explored by the food industry: açai ( Euterpe oleracea ), pupunha ( Bactris gasipaes ), buriti ( Mauritia flexuosa ), and tucumã ( Astrocaryum aculeatum ). This paper aims to inspire new ideas for researching and developing products for the food industry. It also explores the impacts of Amazonian palm fruits on health, highlighting their role in disease prevention through their nutritional effects., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that in could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Copyright of Cientifica is the property of Fundacao de Apoio a Pesquisa e Extensao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Highlights • Peels of tucumã and peach palm fruits are promising sources of carotenoids. • Peels of tucumã and peach palm fruits were classified as very high carotenoid sources. • Total carotenoids in the peel of both fruits were superior to those found in the pulp. • The carotenoid profile of tucumã and peach palm was reported for the first time. • β-carotene was the major carotenoid found in tucumã and peach palm peels. Abstract Tucumã (Astrocaryum vulgare) and peach palm (Bactris gasipaes) are Amazonian fruits with high potential to be used as source of carotenoids due to the remarkable yellow-orange colour of their pulp and peel. In this study, for the first time, both the extraction of carotenoids from the peel of tucumã and peach palm fruits and their carotenoid profile were investigated. The carotenoid contents of the peel of both fruits were higher than those found in the pulp. The highest yield of carotenoids from both fruit peels were obtained at the solid-liquid ratio of 1:7 (w/v), 80 min of shaking and by adding 30% of ethyl acetate in acetone, being β-carotene the major carotenoid (7.8 and 7.3 mg/100 g for tucumã and peach palm, respectively), followed by γ-carotene and δ-carotene. Thus, peels of tucumã and peach palm fruits were classified as very high carotenoid sources to be used by any potential interested industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vitro cultures of peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) were established by somatic embryogenesis but some improvements in maturation and conversion steps are still needed. The aim of this study was to analyze morpho-anatomical differences in peach palm leaves from greenhouse cultured plants, in vitro plants developed from in vitro germinated seeds and somatic embryo-derived plants. Expanded leaves were prepared for histological analyses and scanning electron microscopy. No significant difference was found between ex vitro and in vitro cultured plants, but the somatic embryo-derived plants showed structural alterations of the leaves. The epidermal cells were elongated in shape, the mesophyll cells were thicker and the vascular bundle was not very developed. In somatic embryo-derived leaves the cuticle was thinner than in other leaves and epicuticular wax was present but poorly deposited. In in vitro cultured plants, the deposition of epicuticular wax on the leaves was irregular while in the greenhouse plants it was regular and abundant. These alterations in somatic embryo-derived leaves could hinder the acclimatization and development of peach palm plants so it is necessary to improve the protocol for somatic embryogenesis to produce better plants.

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The screw withdrawal resistance and the mechanical behavior of agglomerated panels reinforced with coir and pejibaye fibers were evaluated using through and non-through screw withdrawal tests. Widespread commercially materials, such as Pinus solid wood, Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) and plywood, were also tested in order to compare the behavior and results obtained with the lignocellulosic-reinforced agglomerated panels. Among the conventional materials tested, the highest maximum withdrawal load/thickness ratio was measured in solid wood. Panels reinforced with natural fibers showed lower withdrawal resistance than conventional materials. However, panels reinforced with coir fibers reached about 74% of the maximum strength achieved by MDF samples. Panels reinforced with pejibaye showed the worst mechanical performance. Hybridization between pejibaye and coir fibers resulted, however, in a performance improvement of approximately 50% in the maximum withdrawal load comparing with panels reinforced only with pejibaye fibers. The behavior along screw withdrawal was analyzed and could be split into four different steps. Each of these steps was correlated to the screw withdrawal rate, and also with the interactions between the material and the screw. The mechanisms involved in each step are presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the stability of ß-carotene from peach palm residues (Bactris gasipaes) when using two processes of encapsulation with spray drying: The first process (MC1) consisted of a mixture of maltodextrin: gum arabic as the wall material, an inlet temperature of 160°C, an outlet temperature of 70 °C, flow rate of 12.6 mL/min; the second process (MC2) used gelatin, sugar and lecithin, an inlet temperature of 100°C, an outlet temperature of 65°C, and a flow rate of 3.13 mL/min. The microcapsules (MC1 and MC2) were subjected to physicochemical tests, evaluating their stability for temperature, light, pH and oxygen, as compared to a control of ß-carotene extracted from sunflower oil (RCSO). The results indicated that the microcapsules obtained from process (MC2) had better β-carotene stability (p <0.05), as compared to MC1 and RCSO, with higher levels of retention (88.24%), temperature (90.11%), light (67.36%), pH (84.21%) and oxygen (79.23%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigated the xylanase production by fungi isolates from tropical agroforestry systems using peach-palm industrial waste as a substrate. Trichoderma stromaticum AM7 was the best xylanase producer and there was a 160% increase in xylanase activity after optimizing by the Box-Behnken statistical design. The optimization process demonstrated that the maximum activity occurred at 0.95% nitrogen concentration after 6 days of cultivation at 32°C, which achieved a yield of 1440 U g−1 of dry initial substrate. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy showed degradation of the fibers after cultivation. The optimum pH and temperature for xylanase activity were 5.0 and 50°C, respectively. The extensive degradation of the peach-palm waste and xylanase production by T. stromaticum AM7 was due to the combination of a good physicochemical composition of the culture medium and the characteristics of the selected fungus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By-products generated by agro-industries are important alternatives to low cost sources for food enrichment and nutritional components in the human diet, mainly because of their high levels of fiber and protein. The aim of this study was to develop cookies enriched with by-products applying multicomponent mixture experiments (MME) to perform partial replacement of wheat flour by cassava, peach palm and soy bean flour. The maximum level (component proportion = 1) of each variable was 20% (related to total formulation) of the corresponding wheat flour. Flour characteristics, cookie properties and parameters were evaluated. PF had the highest fiber content (32.60 g kg-1), CF got the highest carbohydrate content (78.44 g kg-1) and SF had the highest protein (29.03 g kg-1) and fat (16.14 g kg-1) contents. We have thus established that it is possible to obtain cookies enriched with low cost by-products that have high fiber content and provide sensorial acceptability. A formulation of MME (33.40%CF+33.40%SF+33.40%PF) was the most appropriate one when simultaneous responses to crude fiber and protein contents, besides the hedonic score, were evaluated. The fiber content increased from 1.87 g kg-1 (control) to 5.95 g kg-1 in enriched cookies. Flours used for enriching cookie production had potential to be utilized as a functional ingredient for food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanical behavior of chonta palm wood (Bactris gasipaes) microparticles reinforced high density polyethylene (HDPE) under high strain-rate compressive and ballistic impact loading were investigated. The palm wood microparticles were introduced into the HDPE via an extrusion process using parallel twin screw extruder to produce biocomposite containing 10, 20, 25, and 30 wt % chonta wood microparticles. In addition to mechanical tests, fractographic analysis was done to understand the failure mechanism in the biocomposites under dynamic and ballistic impact loads. The results indicate that both quasi-static and dynamic mechanical properties of HDPE are enhanced by reinforcement with chonta palm wood particles. The biocomposites containing 25 wt % wood microparticles exhibited the highest strength, stiffness, ballistic impact resistance and impact energy absorption capability. Introduction of microparticles of chonta palm wood as reinforcement into a polymeric matrix such as HDPE is therefore a promising method to develop biocomposites with enhanced capacity to withstand dynamic impact loading and absorb impact energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cientifica is the property of Fundacao de Apoio a Pesquisa e Extensao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The objective of this study was to produce and characterise biodegradable thermoplastic starch (TPS) derived from the fruit of pejibaye palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) plasticised with glycerol and sorbitol. The plasticised starch yielded a strength (σ) of 1.3 ± 0.2 MPa, deformation (ε) of 9.4 ± 1.6%, and Young’s modulus (E) of 191 ± 72.0 MPa. The thermal analysis showed a 61.14% mass loss over the temperature range 290-388°C and an endothermic peak at 130°C. X-ray diffractograms of the TPS revealed peaks corresponding to crystallites of type Vh at 19.4° and type V at 22.6°. Morphological studies, by scanning electron microscopy, showed the plasticised starch had a homogeneous surface, without phase separation and without cracks, with few granules not gelatinised. The analysis of its biodegradation by soil burial tests showed a total mass loss of 84.4 ± 4.4%, after 18 weeks. Biodegradable TPS was successfully obtained from the pejibaye palm fruit, presenting resistant to traction and to the thermal degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]