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Brazil is one of the world's largest beer producers and also a major food producer. These activities generate a large amount of residues which, if disposed of inappropriately, can have adverse effects on the environment. The objective of this research was to evaluate the potential of using these residues for both mushroom cultivation (traditional use) and the production of mycelium-based composites (innovative use). Mushroom production (Pleurotus sajor-caju) was conducted using only brewer's spent grains (fresh and dried) and also mixed with banana leaves (1:1) or peach palm leaves (1:1), which are residues widely available in the northern region of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The productivity of mushrooms cultivated using fresh and dried brewer's spent grains did not exhibit a statistically significant difference, indicating that this residue can be utilized shortly after its generation in the industrial process, thereby reducing costs associated with production. Combining brewer's spent grains with banana or peach palm leaves resulted in enhanced mushroom production (0.41 and 0.38 g day−1, respectively) compared to using the leaves as a sole substrate. The mushrooms produced contain sugars and a minimal sodium content, and are considered a source of phosphorus. In addition, no toxic elements (Hg and Pb) were present. The mycelium-based composites produced using the residual substrate (after the mushroom harvest) exhibited better mechanical properties (compressive strength = 0.04 MPa, density = 242 kg m−3, and low humidity sorption) than those produced using fresh substrate. The results demonstrate the synergistic effect of combining the two approaches under investigation. The use of brewer´s spent enhance the mushroom productivity and the residual substrate enhance the mechanical properties of mycelium-based composites. The compressive strength, density, and air humidity sorption properties are essential for determining the potential applications of mycelium-based composites. The use of brewer's spent grains mixed with banana leaves demonstrated significant promise for mushroom production and subsequent application in the development of mycelium-based composites. These sequential approaches contribute to waste valorization and the rational utilization of natural resources, as the mycelium-based composites are considered for substitution of synthetic materials, thereby promoting sustainability for future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Brazil is one of the world’s largest beer producers and also a major food producer. These activities generate a large amount of residues which, if disposed of inappropriately, can have adverse effects on the environment. The objective of this research was to evaluate the potential of using these residues for both mushroom cultivation (traditional use) and the production of mycelium-based composites (innovative use). Mushroom production (Pleurotus sajor-caju) was conducted using only brewer’s spent grains (fresh and dried) and also mixed with banana leaves (1:1) or peach palm leaves (1:1), which are residues widely available in the northern region of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The productivity of mushrooms cultivated using fresh and dried brewer’s spent grains did not exhibit a statistically significant difference, indicating that this residue can be utilized shortly after its generation in the industrial process, thereby reducing costs associated with production. Combining brewer’s spent grains with banana or peach palm leaves resulted in enhanced mushroom production (0.41 and 0.38 g day−1, respectively) compared to using the leaves as a sole substrate. The mushrooms produced contain sugars and a minimal sodium content, and are considered a source of phosphorus. In addition, no toxic elements (Hg and Pb) were present. The mycelium-based composites produced using the residual substrate (after the mushroom harvest) exhibited better mechanical properties (compressive strength = 0.04 MPa, density = 242 kg m−3, and low humidity sorption) than those produced using fresh substrate. The results demonstrate the synergistic effect of combining the two approaches under investigation. The use of brewer´s spent enhance the mushroom productivity and the residual substrate enhance the mechanical properties of mycelium-based composites. The compressive strength, density, and air humidity sorption properties are essential for determining the potential applications of mycelium-based composites. The use of brewer’s spent grains mixed with banana leaves demonstrated significant promise for mushroom production and subsequent application in the development of mycelium-based composites. These sequential approaches contribute to waste valorization and the rational utilization of natural resources, as the mycelium-based composites are considered for substitution of synthetic materials, thereby promoting sustainability for future generations.

Novel substrates consisted of different fresh agro-industrial residues, their corresponding and commercial spent mushroom substrates (i.e. SMS deriving from laboratory-scale experiments and SMS deriving from industrial-scale experiments by Green Zin S.A. - SMS GZ) and Pleurotus waste (PW; stipes/mishappen mushrooms) were used in blends for a new cultivation cycle of Pleurotus ostreatus and P. eryngii mushrooms in bags. Their impact on the biochemical properties (intra-cellular polysaccharides - IPSs, protein, lipid, total phenolic compounds - TPCs, individual carbohydrates composition of the IPSs) in the first- and second-flush whole mushrooms, pilei and stipes, as well as the fatty acids composition, the antioxidant activity (in the first-flush mushroom parts) and glucan content of stipes were examined. Both species produced satisfactory IPSs quantities in all substrates (28.69–46.38 %, w/w) and significant protein amounts (18.37–26.80 %, w/w). The further SMS addition (80 %, w/w instead of 40 %, w/w) in the cultivation substrates affected positively the mushroom IPSs values, whereas the highest protein content was detected in mushroom's parts cultivated on substrates consisted of fresh agro-industrial residues. Mushroom's lipid content was affected differently by the various substrate combinations, with SMS presence resulting in mushrooms with a lower fat content than those produced in substrates with PW addition. Fresh substrates with PW and those with coffee residue were the most favorable for TPCs production. Regarding production flushes, the nutritional value of mushrooms was comparable between them, only a slight increase in TPCs of second-flush carposomes was detected. Glucose was the predominant monosaccharide of the produced IPSs, combined with a significant production of total and β- glucans. SMSs and PW addition had a positive impact on antioxidant activity, too. A higher quantity of lipids, TPCs and significant antioxidant activity were detected in all Pleurotus pilei than stipes, whereas the latter were richer in IPSs. Both pilei and stipes had a significant protein amount. Hence, the data obtained by this study support the positive effect of different types of SMS and mushroom waste on P. ostreatus and P. eryngii nutritional value.

Obtaining natural pigments from microorganisms is an alternative with high potential for biotechnological application. The use of agro-industrial wastes as substrate for cultivations enables a reduction of the production cost and may add value to potentially polluting byproducts. In this work, the extraction of pigments produced by the bacterium Chryseobacterium sp. strain kr6 was evaluated, employing feather meal as the sole carbon source for bacterial growth. The maximum production of the yellow pigments was observed for cultivation at 30 °C, during 48 h, with 5 g/L feather meal. The pigment extraction from the bacterial biomass was performed with the aid of physical methods and the testing of different organic solvents. The conditions that provided better extraction were using ultrasound with acetone as the solvent, reaching a yield of 180 μg/g biomass after optimization. The pigment was partially characterized via UV-visible, FTIR and mass spectroscopy and CIELAB color parameters, suggesting the presence of molecules belonging to the flexirubin group (aryl polyenes). The antioxidant capacity of the pigment was confirmed via the scavenging of DPPH radical and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) methodologies. Moreover, the pigment extract showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis.

Pleurotus ostreatus, an edible mushroom widely consumed worldwide, generates a by-product known as spent mushroom substrate (SMS). This material has demonstrated biological activity against agricultural crop pathogens. In this study, we evaluated the nematocidal effectiveness of hydroalcoholic extracts (T5, T2, AT5, and AT2) derived from SMS of P. ostreatus against (J2) of the phytonematode Nacobbus aberrans and assessed their potential toxicity towards the non-target nematode Panagrellus redivivus. Among these extracts, AT5 exhibited the highest efficacy against N. aberrans and was the least toxic against P. redivivus. Liquid–liquid partitioning yielded the AQU fraction, which showed significant nematocidal activity against J2 (75.69% ± 8.99 mortality), comparable to chitosan. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of several compounds, including palmitic acid, linoleic acid, and 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol. These findings are consistent with studies confirming the antagonistic effectiveness of these compounds against phytonematodes. Additionally, all extracts exhibited toxicity against P. redivivus, with T2 being the most toxic. Our findings demonstrate that while the AT5 extract displays antagonistic effectiveness against both N. aberrans and P. redivivus, it was the least toxic among the extracts tested. Thus, SMS of P. ostreatus holds potential as a source of nematocidal compounds, which could offer significant benefits for agricultural pest control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obtaining natural pigments from microorganisms is an alternative with high potential for biotechnological application. The use of agro-industrial wastes as substrate for cultivations enables a reduction of the production cost and may add value to potentially polluting byproducts. In this work, the extraction of pigments produced by the bacterium Chryseobacterium sp. strain kr6 was evaluated, employing feather meal as the sole carbon source for bacterial growth. The maximum production of the yellow pigments was observed for cultivation at 30 °C, during 48 h, with 5 g/L feather meal. The pigment extraction from the bacterial biomass was performed with the aid of physical methods and the testing of different organic solvents. The conditions that provided better extraction were using ultrasound with acetone as the solvent, reaching a yield of 180 μg/g biomass after optimization. The pigment was partially characterized via UV-visible, FTIR and mass spectroscopy and CIELAB color parameters, suggesting the presence of molecules belonging to the flexirubin group (aryl polyenes). The antioxidant capacity of the pigment was confirmed via the scavenging of DPPH radical and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) methodologies. Moreover, the pigment extract showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research study compares two methods of cellulose extraction from Theobroma cacao L. (CMT) clone Federación Arauquita 5 (FEAR 5) husks. Method 1 (Lubis) is an alkaline treatment with heating that uses sodium hydroxide and whitening with sodium hypochlorite. In the second method, a soxhlet extraction is conducted for a period of six hours, followed by an alkaline-acidic treatment. Physicochemical and thermographic analyzes are conducted to identify characteristics specific to the extraction method. The results show that the highest mass cellulose yield is obtained by the modified Lubis method 1 with 27.09%. It is concluded that the cellulose obtained can be produced and used to develop biotechnological products, contributing to the circular economy and the sustainable development of cocoa in the Department of Risaralda, Colombia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review critically analyzed the use of biosorbents derived from rice husks and corn residues for nutrient removal from aqueous solutions. Additionally, this review highlighted the use of such biosorbents in wastewater treatment. Furthermore, novel approaches for sustainable nutrient removal from aqueous solutions were identified. A comprehensive understanding of the implementation of biosorption processes using agro-industrial residues based on corn and rice crops is critical for the sustainable management of residues and water bodies in the world to protect and conserve natural resources. Specifically, the review focuses on the exploration, preparation and application of innovative biosorbents to remove various forms of nutrients such as total nitrogen, total phosphorus, nitrates, ammonium and phosphates from aqueous solution, analyzing the sustainability of treatments applied to biomass, such as thermal transformation or chemical modification to reduce environmental impacts. It was found that 95 to 99% of nitrogen and phosphorus can be removed with biosorbents made from rice husks and corn residues, analyzing approximately 50 scientific articles related to these plant materials. Research opportunities were identified, such as the recovery of removed nutrients for soil improvement, life cycle analysis to assess the concept of zero waste, among other aspects. Finally, a scheme is proposed for the selection and application of sustainable biosorbents for the removal of nutrients from aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: To improve the nutritional and functional quality of agro-industrial waste, his study established a ternary mixture of flours made from pineapple, acerola, and passion fruit waste using the simplex-centroid design, as well as to evaluate their effects on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of edible ice cream. Using mixture planning, nine ternary flour components were applied to edible ice cream formulations to evaluate acceptance scores for taste, texture, and overall impression attributes, as well as physicochemical parameters (pH, acidity, soluble solids, and color parameters) and microbiological parameters (thermotolerant coliforms at 45 ºC, Enterobacteriaceae and Salmonella). The simplex-centroid design demonstrated that the cubic model best predicts the results for the analyzed sensory attributes. The response surface graphs indicated the area of greatest acceptance in the formulations with the maximum percentage established for the flour with acerola waste. The highest level of acceptability was given to the ternary mixture of 60%, 30%, and 10% pineapple, passion fruit, and acerola flours, respectively. The results indicated that sorbet enriched with flour composed of the ternary mixture is a product with the potential for exploitation, as well as contributing to the reduction of environmental impacts generated by the large and improper disposal of agro-industrial fruit processing residues in the ecosystem.

This research developed a bio-based polymer composite using polylactic acid (PLA) and agro-industrial residues from coffee by-products (without chemical modification and the use of coupling agents or stabilizers). Agro-industrial residues, such as spent coffee ground (SCG) and coffee silver skin (CSS) as filler, were added into the PLA matrix in different percentages by weight, from 0.5 to 10 wt%. The bio-composites were prepared using solvent-cast films and were characterized by various techniques, including FT-IR, TGA, DSC, XRD, SEM and mechanical tests. Bio-composites' formation was verified using FT-IR and SEM; the material showed good interfacial interaction, with percentages between 3 and 5 wt%. XRD and DSC determined the percentage crystallinity in the bio-composites. SEM found that the bio-composites form crystals, showing their limits after mechanical testing. The bio-composites exhibited enhanced thermal and mechanical properties compared to neat PLA.These bio-based composites show great potential for a wide range of applications in the food industry, including disposable and single-use materials, as well as food packaging. Moreover, their use can significantly contribute to the global demand for eco-friendly materials.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought concerns about the efficacy of respiratory protection equipment, primarily due to their widespread usage during this period. Among the various types of face masks, the N95, PFF3, and PFF2 surgical masks have gained great prominence due to their efficiency, despite the discomfort they may cause. Therefore, thinking of a cost-effective and more comfortable solution, this work aimed to reinforce non-woven face masks with cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs), to improve their filtration efficiency. For this, CNFs were produced using the mechanical processing of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) residues, which underwent plain alkaline pretreatment (CNF-PA) or alkaline pretreatment followed by enzymatic pretreatment (CNF-AE). It was observed that the CNF-AE films developed better characteristics regarding the contact angle, density, porosity, transmittance and transparency as well as vapor permeability compared to the CNF-PA films. The application of CNF on non-woven masks was performed using the spray technique. Bacterial filtration analysis showed filtration efficiency of 99.68% and 99.80% for masks that were coated with CNF-PA and CNF-AE, respectively. Whereas uncoated masks presented a filtration efficiency below 95%, which is the minimum required value. The masks obtained breathability values of 79.75 Pa/cm2 and 106.00 Pa/cm2 for CNF-AE and CNF-PA, respectively, whereas the uncoated masks showed values below 30.00 Pa/cm2. This work shows that the CNF obtained from SCB present good barrier capabilities and should be used for this purpose, especially on protective masks.

The importance and interest in the efficient use and valorization of agro-industrial residues and by-products have grown due to environmental problems associated with improper disposal. Biotechnological production processes, including microbial biosurfactant production, represent a sustainable way to utilize agro-industrial residues and by-products, which are applied as substrates in these processes. Biosurfactants produced by microorganisms using renewable resources are a viable alternative to traditional petrochemical surfactants and have several potential uses in a wide range of industrial sectors due to their minimal ecotoxicity, easy biodegradability, and moderate production conditions. The common applications of biosurfactants, besides in food industry as food additives and preservatives, are in agriculture, environmental protection, the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry, wastewater treatment, the petroleum industry, etc. This review aims to summarize the comprehensive scientific research related to the use of various agro-industrial residues and by-products in the microbial production of biosurfactants, as well as to emphasize the present state and the importance of their sustainable production. Additionally, based on the available biosurfactant market analysis datasets and research studies, the current situation in science and industry and the future perspectives of microbial biosurfactant production have been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeNowadays, the promotion of a circular economy is fundamental to reduce food losses and waste. In this context, the possibility of using food supply chains non-compliant residues emerges. Much interest has been directed toward legume residues, in general and, in particular, to the possibility of combining different plant-matrices to improve nutritional profile, providing high-quality products.MethodsFive different formulations of breads, with a combination of seeds and cereals, were fortified with chickpea and pea protein concentrates. Samples were analyzed and compared with their relative control recipe to determine differences in composition, actual protein quality and integrity, and protein digestibility (performed with the INFOGEST method).ResultsSamples showed a clear improvement in the nutritional profile with higher values of proteins, from averagely 12.9 (control breads) to 29.6% (fortified breads) (17.7–24.7 g/100 g of dry matter respectively), and an improvement in amino acidic profile, with a better balancing of essential amino acids (lysine and sulfur amino acid contents), without affecting protein integrity. Regarding in vitro gastro-intestinal digestibility, sample C (19% chickpea proteins) showed the best results, having a comparable protein digestibility to its control bread—48.8 ± 1.1% versus 51.7 ± 2.3%, respectively.ConclusionThe results showed how the fortification with chickpea and/or pea protein concentrate improved the nutritional profile of bread. These prototypes seem to be a valid strategy to also increase the introduction of high biological value proteins. Furthermore, the not-expected lower digestibility suggested the possible presence of residual anti-nutritional factors in the protein concentrates interfering with protein digestibility. Therefore, it seems of fundamental importance to further investigate these aspects.

Zeolites have been widely applied as catalysts, wastewater treatment agents, gas adsorbents and fertilizers, among others. However, the use of natural zeolites or those synthesized from oversaturated commercial solutions are more explored commercially than the zeolites synthesized from residues. Therefore, the aim of this review is to highlight the importance of zeolites synthesized from agro-industrial residues and their use in agriculture. This review has been divided into three different sections, that is, zeolites, agriculture applications, synthesis of zeolites from residues and their application in plant growth. In the first section, the definition, types and the critical properties of zeolites are explained. The second section gives a brief review of the application of zeolites in agriculture. Finally, the synthesis of zeolites from residues, such as coal ash, rice husk ash and sugarcane ash, with special attention to renewable sources is presented. The optimization of the synthesis of zeolites from residues with the incorporation of specific nutrients necessary for the cultivation of soybeans, corn and sugarcane (considered the most significant crops in Brazilian agriculture in terms of the planted area) can significantly contribute to the concept of circular economy at the industries and the fulfilment of sustainable development objectives, especially, the number 12 (SDO--12--Responsible consumption and production). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal 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.)

Pleurotus ostreatus, an edible mushroom widely consumed worldwide, generates a by-product known as spent mushroom substrate (SMS). This material has demonstrated biological activity against agricultural crop pathogens. In this study, we evaluated the nematocidal effectiveness of hydroalcoholic extracts (T5, T2, AT5, and AT2) derived from SMS of P. ostreatus against (J2) of the phytonematode Nacobbus aberrans and assessed their potential toxicity towards the non-target nematode Panagrellus redivivus. Among these extracts, AT5 exhibited the highest efficacy against N. aberrans and was the least toxic against P. redivivus. Liquid–liquid partitioning yielded the AQU fraction, which showed significant nematocidal activity against J2 (75.69% ± 8.99 mortality), comparable to chitosan. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of several compounds, including palmitic acid, linoleic acid, and 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol. These findings are consistent with studies confirming the antagonistic effectiveness of these compounds against phytonematodes. Additionally, all extracts exhibited toxicity against P. redivivus, with T2 being the most toxic. Our findings demonstrate that while the AT5 extract displays antagonistic effectiveness against both N. aberrans and P. redivivus, it was the least toxic among the extracts tested. Thus, SMS of P. ostreatus holds potential as a source of nematocidal compounds, which could offer significant benefits for agricultural pest control.

This work presents a review related to the obtainment of cellulose from different structures in agro-industrial residues, both for application in the food industry and for the reinforcement of other materials. Cellulose nanofibers are produced by the heart of palm (Bactris gasipaes) industry in Brazil and are used as a stabilizer in avocado oil emulsions; conversely, cellulose nanocrystals are produced in waste from the tequila industry (Agave tequilana Weber var. Azul) in Jalisco, Mexico, and are used for reinforcement applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Farmacia is the property of Societatea de Stiinte Farmaceutice Romania 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 incorporation of materials different from the polymer within the rotational molding process usually results in lowered mechanical properties, where impact strength is of particular concern. In order to overcome this issue, multilayer structures of virgin polyethylene (PE) and banana fiber composites were prepared to determine the impact of the different layers on the performance of the final part. Cycle time has been studied to identify the influence of the addition of fibers in the process. The tensile, flexural and impact properties have been analyzed, finding improvements in Young's modulus of up to 13%, although at the expense of significant decreases in impact strength. A reduction in the fiber size due to the pulverization process was observed, which affected the rheological and mechanical behavior of the composite. The beneficial effects of working in multiple layers have been demonstrated in this work, where composites with up to 5% of banana fiber have been produced in two-layer structures. Finally, the need to add neat polyethylene in the external layer is also highlighted as a way to counteract the reductions in mechanical properties, particularly for flexural elastic modulus and tensile strength, and this also helps with the drop in impact behavior to a lower extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The co-digestion of AP and Ts is promising for batch acidogenic fermentation of VFAs. • Highest VFAs concentration (27 g/L) was found at OLR 3.7 gVS/L.day AP and PPL were co-digested. • TSS accumulation in the MBR was remediated by increasing the HRT to 20 and 30 days. • The irreversible membrane fouling after long period (113 days) of fermentation and filtration. • The VFAs effluent can potentially be used as ruminant feed according to EU directives. Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) supplementation in ruminants' diet as a source of energy and chemical precursors and their effect on animal's physiology and well-being has long been of scientific interest. Production of VFAs through anaerobic digestion of agro-industrial residues not only creates value but also presents an alternative sustainable approach for ruminant feed supplementation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the bioconversion of agro-industrial residues produced in large quantities such as apple pomace (AP), thin stillage (Ts), and potato protein liquor (PPL) to VFAs, fully complying to regulations set for ruminant feed supplement production. In this regard, batch acidogenic fermentation assays (pH 6–10) and semi-continuous immersed membrane bioreactor (iMBR) were applied. In batch assays, at pH 10 the co-digestion of Ts and PPL produced the highest VFAs concentration (14.2 g/L), indicating a yield of 0.85 g COD VFAs /g volatile solids (VS) added. The optimum batch condition was then applied in the iMBR for in situ fermentation and recovery of VFAs at different organic loading rates (OLR). With increasing the OLR to 3.7 gVS/L.day, the highest VFAs concentration of 28.6 g/L (1,2 g COD VFAs /gVS added) was achieved. Successful long-term (114 days) membrane filtration was conducted in a media with a maximum of 40 g/L of total solids (TS), facing irreversible membrane fouling in the final stages. Acidogenic fermentation using an iMBR has the potential to play an important role in the future of feed additive provision through the biorefining of agro-industrial wastes via the carboxylate platform, given the role of VFAs production from organic residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium sp. produces various bioactive pigments widely used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and the food industry. This study investigated the antimicrobial effect of the pigment produced from the highest pigment-producing Fusarium sp. strain and determined the optimum growth conditions and agro-industrial residues to obtain maximum pigment production. Fusarium equiseti, Fusarium graminearum, and Fusarium poae strains were tested in terms of their pigment production levels. Pigment quantification was assessed by a UV--Visible Spectrophotometer at 500 nm. Antimicrobial tests were determined by Disc Diffusion and Well Diffusion Methods. According to our results, the highest amount of pigment-producing strain was F. graminearum (p<0.001) and malt extract broth (MEB) was the optimum growth media (p<0.001). Extracted F. graminearum pigment was antimicrobial against B. cereus and S. aureus with a zone of inhibition diameters of 10.2 and 14.9 mm respectively. Initial pH levels of 8, 150 rpm rotation speed, 30 ºC temperature, and 9 days of incubation under the light condition in MEB media were determined as the optimum growth conditions for the highest reddish pigment production. Moreover, 10-2 times diluted molasses, Turkish feta cheese whey, and Turkish cheddar cheese whey were found as suitable low-cost growth media for reddish pigment production by F. graminearum. Our findings not only represent a pigment that might be used in the food industry as an antimicrobial bio-colorant but also show the potential use of molasses and whey as low-cost growth media for reddish pigment production by F. graminearum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generation of agro-industrial by-products is an economic and environmental problem. However, these raw materials could be a suitable source for obtaining bioactive compounds for technological or nutritional purposes. On the other hand, obesity and metabolic syndrome prevalence are in continuous growth. The classical approach of hypocaloric diet and exercise has shown little long-term adherence. Thus, there is an unending search for new strategies to prevent and treat obesity and related metabolic alterations. In that sense, the revalorization of agro-industrial by-products for functional foods and nutraceutical development has gained relevance. Pomegranate, onion, and grape by-products, among others, have been described as promising raw materials for bioactive compounds obtention. Nevertheless, scientific evidence on the effects of specific sources and bioactive compounds on obesity models and clinical trials is needed. This article aims to show available data from studies on the effect of bioactive compounds obtained from agro-industrial by-products on obesity and metabolic syndrome components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review critically analyzed the use of biosorbents derived from rice husks and corn residues for nutrient removal from aqueous solutions. Additionally, this review highlighted the use of such biosorbents in wastewater treatment. Furthermore, novel approaches for sustainable nutrient removal from aqueous solutions were identified. A comprehensive understanding of the implementation of biosorption processes using agro-industrial residues based on corn and rice crops is critical for the sustainable management of residues and water bodies in the world to protect and conserve natural resources. Specifically, the review focuses on the exploration, preparation and application of innovative biosorbents to remove various forms of nutrients such as total nitrogen, total phosphorus, nitrates, ammonium and phosphates from aqueous solution, analyzing the sustainability of treatments applied to biomass, such as thermal transformation or chemical modification to reduce environmental impacts. It was found that 95 to 99% of nitrogen and phosphorus can be removed with biosorbents made from rice husks and corn residues, analyzing approximately 50 scientific articles related to these plant materials. Research opportunities were identified, such as the recovery of removed nutrients for soil improvement, life cycle analysis to assess the concept of zero waste, among other aspects. Finally, a scheme is proposed for the selection and application of sustainable biosorbents for the removal of nutrients from aqueous solutions.

Abstract The present work aimed to characterize and compare the catalytic properties of amylases from Cunninghamella echinulata and Rhizopus microsporus. The highest production of amylase by C. echinulata, 234.94 U g-1 of dry substrate (or 23.49 U mL-1), was obtained using wheat bran as a substrate, with 50–55% initial moisture and kept at 28 °C for 48 h. The highest production of amylases by R. microsporus, 224.85 U g-1 of dry substrate (or 22.48 U mL-1), was obtained cultivating wheat bran with 65% initial moisture at 45 °C for 24 h. The optimal activity of the amylases was observed at pH 5.0 at 60 °C for C. echinulata enzymes and at pH 4.5 at 65 °C for R. microsporus. The amylases produced by C. echinulata were stable at pH 4.0–8.0, while the R. microsporus enzymes were stable at pH 4.0–10.0. The amylases produced by C. echinulata remained stable for 1 h at 50 °C and the R. microsporus amylases maintained catalytic activity for 1 h at 55 °C. The enzymatic extracts of both fungi hydrolyzed starches from different plant sources and showed potential for liquefaction of starch, however the amylolytic complex of C. echinulata exhibited greater saccharifying potential.

Pectin is a complex versatile heteropolysaccharide of great importance to food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. It is widely used in the food industry due to its thickening, gelling and emulsification properties and in biomedical and biomaterial applications on account of its potential anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects as well as its biodegradability and biocompatibility properties. Pectin is also a soluble dietary fiber with several beneficial gastrointestinal and physiological effects. The multifunctionality of pectin is related to the nature of its molecule that has diverse chemical structures, physicochemical properties and potential functionalities depending on the sources where it is extracted and on the extraction methods. Therefore, this review focuses on the importance of pectin for today's food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, compiling information on its composition and properties as determined by its origins, especially from waste biomass of the fruits and vegetables processing industry, on commercial applications and research needs. The suitability of the different extraction methods was also discussed, considering cost, energy consumption and productivity. Furthermore, the biodegradation of pectin as a complex process performed by a set of enzymes was also reviewed along with application purposes. Finally, future perspectives reveal pectin to be an astounding functional food ingredient requiring continuous research work.

Biosurfactants are surface-active molecules that can reduce the interfacial tension of different phases. Solid-state fermentation provides numerous opportunities to process agro-industrial residues for biosurfactants production and receives less attention for commercial utilization. In the current research, a laboratory-scale rotating drum bioreactor was designed to produce rhamnolipid biosurfactants via solid-state fermentation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PTCC 1047 on soybean meal as a renewable, cheap substrate. The effects of critical operating variables, including airflow rate, initial moisture content of the medium, fermentation temperature, and drum rotation time, affecting production yield in solid-state cultivation were investigated. Moreover, the yield of production in the rotating drum bioreactor was compared with flask fermentation experiments. The results indicated that the aeration of the bed and intermittent rotation of the baffled drum enhanced rhamnolipid production. The results also showed that the production yield at optimum conditions in the flask (250 mL) was 31.72% higher than in the rotating drum bioreactor (3.6 L) with an airflow rate of 6 L/min/Kg dry substrate and a total rotation period of 8 h/day. The optimum fermentation temperature and medium moisture content for rhamnolipid production in both fermentation systems were 35 °C and 75%, respectively. This work indicates that biosurfactant production could be scaled up via solid-state fermentation in a rotating drum bioreactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Rhamnolipids are a group of the extracellular microbial surface-active molecules produced by certain Pseudomonas species with various environmental and industrial applications. The goal of the present research was to identify and optimize key process parameters for Pseudomonas aeruginosa PTCC 1074s synthesis of rhamnolipids utilizing soybean meal in solid state fermentation. A fractional factorial design was used to screen the key nutritional and environmental parameters to achieve the high rhamnolipid production. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the levels of four significant factors. Results The characterization of biosurfactant by TLC, FT-IR and H-NMR showed the rhamnolipids presence. In the optimum conditions (temperature 34.5 °C, humidity 80%, inoculum size 1.4 mL, and glycerol 5%), the experimental value of rhamnolipid production was 19.68 g/kg dry substrate. The obtained rhamnolipid biosurfactant decreased water's surface tension from 71.8 ± 0.4 to 32.2 ± 0.2 mN/m with a critical micelle concentration of nearly 70 mg/L. Additionally, analysis of the emulsification activity revealed that the generated biosurfactant was stable throughout a broad pH, temperature, and NaCl concentration range. Conclusions The current study confirmed the considerable potential of agro-industrial residues in the production of rhamnolipid and enhanced the production yield by screening and optimizing the significant process parameters.

Starch foam is a completely biodegradable material that can replace petroleum‐based foams. However, starch foams are sensitive to water and have poor mechanical properties. Khlum fiber that had been alkali‐treated for 1 h (KF‐1h) showed excellent properties as a reinforcement of starch foam. KF‐1h was added to starch at loadings of 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 wt%. The starch foam composite reinforced with 1 wt% of KF‐1h presented uniformly distributed cells of uniform size, and produced the highest values for flexural stress at maximum load (3.43 MPa), hardness (92.50), and water contact angle (122°) of the studied foams. The modulus of the starch foam composite increased with increments of KF‐1h content but the density and color of the starch foam and the biodegradation process in soil were only slightly affected. This work also demonstrated a practical application of the proposed starch foam composite as a biodegradable food container. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present developed a bioprocess to produce nano-biofertilizers from agro-industrial residues by augmentation of microbial agents and vermitechnology. The agroresidues like coir peat, neem cake, pongamia cake, castor cake and polyculture of microorganisms having psuedomonas florescence, microbacterium laevoniformins and pseudomonas putida are added to initiate the degradation of complex biomolecules in the plant biomass into nanosized nutrients line nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K). The stabilization of produced nano-nutrients are achieved by subjecting to vermitechnology to produce vermicompost aggregates through the associated gut enzymes. The nano-dimension of nutrients are conformed through UV spectrophotometer resulted in higher obsorption compared to control vermicompost. The nano-dimension of nano-nutrients were confirmed by subjecting to dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques which ranged between 25-50nm. The safety and growth efficiency of nano-fertilizer has been assessed using bioassays like seed germination test on raddish vegetable crop which yielded 100 per cent over vermicompost 90 per cent germination efficiency. The growth indices in the potculutre studies reveals 100 per cent over control vermicompost applied plants showing 90 per cent. This gives scientific support to application of nano-biofertilizer to enhance the growth and yield of the crop and also standardized the process to produce nanobiofertilizers using augmented method of microbial polyculture and vermitechnology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many attempts have been made to produce citric acid via simple processing, so, the work presents eco-friendly and low-cost processing for the production of citric acid via solid-state fermentation and utilizes the resulting acid in the leather industry. An attempt to replace the toxic ammonium sulfate as a leather deliming agent with non-toxic citric acid has been tried. Different factors affecting acid production have been studied. The calfskin deliming effect of the acid compared to ammonium sulfate to reduce the ammonium ion load and the total nitrogen in the discharged effluent has been evaluated. It was found that pineapple and apple pomace were proved to be good raw materials for citric acid production with 120 g/L sucrose, 0.3 g/L ammonium phosphate, and 120 g/L fructose, 0.4 g/L peptones. The optimum citric acid secretions (55.4 and 49.6 g/kg dry matter) in the presence of 3% (v/v) methanol and 2% (v/v) ethanol were obtained in the case of the two sources (pineapple and apple pomace). pH 5 and 4; 30 and 25°C; 7 and 5 days of incubation periods in the moisture level of 60% were the optimum for citric acid production on pineapple and apple pomace, respectively. The citric acid showed a significant deliming efficiency, it exhibits greater physical properties enhancement (tensile strength, elongation at break, static tire) of delimed leather samples compared to ammonium sulfate. Moreover, the citric acid discharged delimed effluent has lower toxic nitrogen content compared to ammonium sulfate delimed effluent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastics of petrochemical origin are materials difficult to degrade, and they have caused environmental impacts. The development of new biotechnological strategies for the production of bioplastics has attracted the attention of researchers all over the world, enabling the production of economically more viable, biodegradable materials with different possibilities of application in various industrial sectors. The polyhydroxyalkanoates are biopolymers with physicochemical properties similar to those of polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene commonly used by the industry. These bioplastics can be biosynthesized by various microorganisms and accumulate polyhydroxyalkanoates granules intracellularly. The high cost of polyhydroxyalkanoates production is still a limiting factor for its large-scale production, and the costs associated with the carbon source used are one of the reasons that increase the price of the product. This review discusses the main factors associated with polyhydroxyalkanoates production, providing an overview of the different attempts to produce the biopolymer from the use of low-cost substrates and the development of different fermentation strategies for the production of these polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, clover-grass press cake was treated by liquid hot water at temperatures of 180–200 °C for a reaction time of 5–10 min. Evaluation of pretreatments was based on the monosaccharide yield after enzymatic hydrolysis of the pretreated slurry and solid fraction, respectively. Extraction of up to 48% hemicellulose and 4% cellulose was observed during pretreatment. The optimal pretreatment conditions were identified as 190 °C and 10 min resulting in monosaccharide yields of 90% and 73% of the theoretical maximum by slurry and solid conversion, respectively. At optimal conditions, the C6 monosaccharide yield (83–90%) was fairly equal compared to the C5 monosaccharide yield (56–89%), which increased by slurry conversion due to near-complete monomerization of soluble xylo-oligosaccharides. In this study, we showed that clover-grass press cake possesses considerable potential as feedstock for production of fermentable sugars in a biorefinery context.

The importance and interest in the efficient use and valorization of agro-industrial residues and by-products have grown due to environmental problems associated with improper disposal. Biotechnological production processes, including microbial biosurfactant production, represent a sustainable way to utilize agro-industrial residues and by-products, which are applied as substrates in these processes. Biosurfactants produced by microorganisms using renewable resources are a viable alternative to traditional petrochemical surfactants and have several potential uses in a wide range of industrial sectors due to their minimal ecotoxicity, easy biodegradability, and moderate production conditions. The common applications of biosurfactants, besides in food industry as food additives and preservatives, are in agriculture, environmental protection, the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry, wastewater treatment, the petroleum industry, etc. This review aims to summarize the comprehensive scientific research related to the use of various agro-industrial residues and by-products in the microbial production of biosurfactants, as well as to emphasize the present state and the importance of their sustainable production. Additionally, based on the available biosurfactant market analysis datasets and research studies, the current situation in science and industry and the future perspectives of microbial biosurfactant production have been discussed.

Agricultural and industrial activities around the world lead to the production of large quantities of agro-industrial wastes (e.g., peels of cassava, pineapple, plantain, banana, and yam, as well as rice husks, rice bran , corn husks, corn cobs, palm kernel cake, soybean meal, wheat bran, etc.). These agro-industrial wastes are discarded indiscriminately, thereby polluting the environment and becoming hazardous to human and animal health. Solid-state fermentation (SSF), a microbial fermentation process, is a viable, efficient approach that transforms discarded agro-industrial wastes into a plethora of useful value-added bioproducts. There is growing interest in the application of SSF in valorizing agro-industrial wastes for the production of fermented, protein-rich animal feed within the livestock industry. SSF reduces anti-nutritional factors whose presence hinders the digestibility and bioavailability of nutrients in agro-industrial wastes. Thus, the application of SSF improves the nutrient contents and quality of valorized agro-industrial wastes as animal feed. Fermented animal feed production may be safer, cheaper and enhance the overall growth performance and health of animals. SSF, therefore, as a strategic approach in a circular bioeconomy, presents economic and practical advantages that guarantee efficient recycling and valorization of agro-industrial wastes that ameliorate environmental pollution. This paper reviews the status of global and local Ghanaian biotransformation and valorization of agro-industrial wastes through SSF for the production of nutrient-rich animal feed.

Vinasses represent important final disposal problems due to their physical-chemical composition. This work analyzed the composition of tequila vinasses and increased 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, and phenolic compounds using thermal hydrolysis with hydrogen peroxide as a catalyst. A statistical Taguchi design was used, and a UPLC-MS (XEVO TQS Micro) analysis determined the presence and increase of the components. The treatment at 130 °C, 40 min, and 0.5% of catalyst presented the highest increase for 5-HMF (127 mg/L), furfural (3.07 mg/L), and phenol compounds as chlorogenic (0.36 mg/L), and vanillic acid (2.75 mg/L). Additionally, the highest removal of total sugars (57.3%), sucrose (99.3%), and COD (32.9%). For the treatment T130:30m:0P the syringic (0.74 mg/L) and coumaric (0.013 mg/L) acids obtained the highest increase, and the treatment T120:30m:1P increased 3-hydroxybenzoic (1.30 mg/L) and sinapic (0.06 mg/L) acid. The revaluation of vinasses through thermal treatments provides guidelines to reduce the impact generated on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rhamnolipids are a group of the extracellular microbial surface-active molecules produced by certain Pseudomonas species with various environmental and industrial applications. The goal of the present research was to identify and optimize key process parameters for Pseudomonas aeruginosa PTCC 1074s synthesis of rhamnolipids utilizing soybean meal in solid state fermentation. A fractional factorial design was used to screen the key nutritional and environmental parameters to achieve the high rhamnolipid production. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the levels of four significant factors. Results: The characterization of biosurfactant by TLC, FT-IR and H-NMR showed the rhamnolipids presence. In the optimum conditions (temperature 34.5 °C, humidity 80%, inoculum size 1.4 mL, and glycerol 5%), the experimental value of rhamnolipid production was 19.68 g/kg dry substrate. The obtained rhamnolipid biosurfactant decreased water's surface tension from 71.8 ± 0.4 to 32.2 ± 0.2 mN/m with a critical micelle concentration of nearly 70 mg/L. Additionally, analysis of the emulsification activity revealed that the generated biosurfactant was stable throughout a broad pH, temperature, and NaCl concentration range. Conclusions: The current study confirmed the considerable potential of agro-industrial residues in the production of rhamnolipid and enhanced the production yield by screening and optimizing the significant process parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agro-industrial residues represent more than 60% of organic wastes worldwide, which could be used to generate other by-products or to be incorporated into other production chains. For example, bagasse is a waste from the tequila industry in Mexico that could be implemented for mushroom cultivation. Additionally, the substrate influences the growth, development, and production of secondary metabolites of fungi. This work presents a comparative experiment that studies the metabolite production in Pleurotus djamor mushrooms on agave bagasse and barley straw (traditional substrate). The biological efficiency (BE), yield, phenolics and flavonoids, antioxidant capacity, tannins, and the identification of low molecular weight metabolites were evaluated. Five treatments were proposed according to the following mixtures of agave bagasse: barley straw: T1 (1:0), T2 (3:1), T3 (1:1), T4 (1:3), and T5 (0:1). T2 had the highest yield (13.39 ± 3.23%), BE (56.7 ± 13.71%), and flavonoids (44.25 mg rutin equivalent (RE)/g); T3 obtained the highest phenol content (230.27 mg GAE/g); and T1 the highest tannins content (0.23 mg (+) catechin equivalent (CE)/g). Finally, T1 and T5 are the ones that present the greatest number of primary metabolites, including hydroxycitric acid, 2-deoxy-D-galactose, D-mannose, paromomycin, palmitic acid, pyrrole, mannitol, and DL arabinose, while in T2, T3, and T4 only two chemical compounds were found present (palmitic acid and pyrrole in T2, silicic acid and pyrrole in T3 and 2-deoxy-D-galactose and quinoline in T4). The cultivation substrate influences the concentration of bioactive molecules in the fruiting bodies of P. djamor. Additionally, P. djamor's degradation of agave bagasse residue generates a potential application for agro-industrial residue management at a low cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial exopolysaccharides (EPS) are promising alternatives to synthetic polymers in a variety of applications. Their high production costs, however, limit their use despite their outstanding properties. The use of low-cost substrates such as agro-industrial wastes in their production, can help to boost their market competitiveness. In this work, an alternative low-cost culture medium (CSLM) was developed for EPS production by Rhizobium viscosum CECT908, containing sugarcane molasses (60 g/L) and corn steep liquor (10 mL/L) as sole ingredients. This medium allowed the production of 6.1 ± 0.2 g EPS/L, twice the amount produced in the standard medium (Syn), whose main ingredients were glucose and yeast extract. This is the first report of EPS production by R. viscosum using agro-industrial residues as sole substrates. EPSCSLM and EPSSyn exhibited a similar carbohydrate composition, mainly 4-linked galactose, glucose and mannuronic acid. Although both EPS showed a good fit to the Herschel–Bulkley model, EPSCSLM displayed a higher yield stress and flow consistency index when compared with EPSSyn, due to its higher apparent viscosity. EPSCSLM demonstrated its potential use in Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery by enabling the recovery of nearly 50% of the trapped oil in sand-pack column experiments using a heavy crude oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial proteins, i.e., single-cell proteins or microbial biomass, can be cultivated for food and animal feed due to their high protein content and the fact that they represent a rich source of carbohydrates, minerals, fats, vitamins, and amino acids. Another advantage of single-cell proteins is their rapid production due to the growth rate of microorganisms and the possibility of using agro-industrial waste, residues and by-products for production through this renewable technology. Agro-industrial residues and by-products represent materials obtained from various processes in agriculture and agriculture-related industries; taking into account their composition and characteristics, as well as vast amounts, they have an enormous potential to generate sustainable bioproducts, such as microbial proteins. This review aims to summarize contemporary scientific research related to the production of microbial proteins on various agro-industrial residues and by-products, as well as to emphasize the current state of production of single-cell proteins and the importance of their production to ease the food crisis and support sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the adsorption of the naphthenic acids (NA) presents in an aviation kerosene (AVK) model mix using adsorbents prepared from peanut shell (PS). Both carbonization and the CO 2 activation of the PS favored the adsorptive process. In the factorial design, the activated carbon prepared presented the highest adsorptive capacity for the lowest levels of the variables studied (<0.09 mm and without agitation). The adsorption equilibrium after 360 min, and the process is not only controlled by the intraparticle diffusion step. The adsorption isotherm was best fitted to Langmuir model with a maximum adsorbed amount of 884 mg g−1, whose heat of adsorption indicated that the process was of the physisorption. In the continuous adsorption study, it was verified that the increase of the flow and the concentration of NA decreased the rupture time. The breakthrough time and adsorptive capacity were reduced at each adsorption/desorption cycle. Given the shortage of works on this topic in literature, this study contributes with new findings that describe naphthenic acid adsorption in AVK. [Display omitted] • Characterization of adsorbents prepared for naphthenic acid adsorption. • Adsorption of naphthenic acid in an aviation kerosene model mixture. • Parameters evaluation using factorial design for the adsorptive process. • Model application to predict the naphthenic acid adsorption process. • Study of continuous adsorption of naphthenic acid in a fixed-bed column. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, lavender waste, a residue of the essential oil extract industry, was used to feed Eisenia andrei with mature horse manure at ratios of 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0 on dry weight basis. Vermicomposting was carried out for 70 days in laboratory conditions. Biological parameters such as population build-up, total biomass, mortality and cocoon production were observed and measured. Increasing concentrations of waste affected positively the growth and reproduction of worms in a significant way. The 100% lavender waste combination showed the best cocoon production and even tripled their biomass in the first week. A seed germination test was also made, where no evidence of toxicity was found. The germination index range was, in general terms, above 100. The results indicated that the earthworm E. andrei was able to transform lavender waste into compost and thus play a major role in industrial waste management and apply circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]