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Malt bagasse (BM) is a byproduct of the brewing industry with low added value but is rich in fiber and proteins, making it a potential product to be incorporated into the formulation of biodegradable films. This work aimed to produce biodegradable films based on wheat flour and PBAT added with different concentrations of BM (0 – 7.5 %) by blown extrusion. The films were characterized by physical, optical, morphological, thermal properties, and compostability. It was possible to produce biodegradable films by blown extrusion with excellent processability. BM increased film opacity with a heterogeneous, rough, and yellowish surface. Also, BM addition in the films reduced their hydrophilicity; however, as the BM concentration increased, there was a reduction in the elongation at break, tensile strength, and thermal stability of the films. The film with 7.5 % BM showed greater fragmentation and mass loss during the composting process, possibly due to the fragile matrix that facilitated the action and degradation by microorganisms. The biodegradable films containing BM are viable alternative for packaging production for different products. • Biodegradable films with malt bagasse were successfully prepared by extrusion. • Malt bagasse reduced the hydrophilicity of the films. • Malt bagasse improved the compostability of the films. • Biodegradable films with potential in the production of packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brewers' spent grain (BSG) is the main by-product derived from the brewing industry, where it accounts for 85% of the total waste generated. The total annual production worldwide of this waste is 39 million tons. This lignocellulosic material is traditionally used as cattle feed and sold at a low retail price (~USD 45.00 per ton). However, efforts for the revalorization of this by-product are emerging since research has established that it can be used as a low-cost source of bioactive molecules and commodity chemicals that can bring value to integral biorefinery ventures. Among commodities, phenolic compounds have attracted attention as added-value products due to their antioxidant properties with applications in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. These phytochemicals have been associated with antiaging and anticancer activities that have potential applications on cosmetic products. This mini-review summarizes the most relevant extraction techniques used for the recovery of phenolic compounds from BSG while discussing their advantages and shortcomings and the potential applications from BSG bioactive extracts in the cosmetic industry and their reported beneficial effects. This mini-review also makes a brief comment on the role of phenolic compounds extraction in the economic feasibility of an integral BSG biorefinery.

Establishing of a bio-based and green society makes it possible to take actions to exploit high value resources that can be converted into valuable biological ingredients. Brewer's spent yeast is a natural byproduct from the brewing industry with high biological and nutritional richness. In the present research, the effect of autolysis and subsequent hydrolysis of spent brewer's yeast, using an extract of Cynara cardunculus was investigated by response surface methodology, to define the optimal conditions with maximized angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity (ACE-I). The models describe maximum autolysis obtained at 70 °C for 5 h followed by hydrolysis at 4% (v/v) E/S ratio for 4.5 h, where the peptide extract obtained had IC 50 of 146 μg mL−1 of protein content. Nanofiltration allowed to produce a fraction with <3 kDa exhibiting highest inhibitory activity (IC 50 84.2 μg mL-1) and showed to be stable in vitro gastrointestinal system maintaining its activity. The results suggest an alternative use of brewer's byproduct as source of beneficial ingredient in the prevention and/or treatment of hypertension, where the protein hydrolysis improves ACE-I activity. • Autolysis and hydrolysis conditions of spent brewer's yeast. • Response surface methodology to maximize angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory peptides. • Enzymatic plant extract to improve antihypertensive peptides in autolyzed yeast extract. • Stable antihypertensive peptides after passage of gastrointestinal tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxins represent a risk to the feed supply chain with an impact on economies and international trade. A high percentage of feed samples have been reported to be contaminated with more than one mycotoxin. In most cases, the concentrations were low enough to ensure compliance with the European Union (EU) guidance values or maximum admitted levels. However, mycotoxin co-contamination might still exert adverse effects on animals due to additive/synergistic interactions. Studies on the fate of mycotoxins during cereal processing, such as milling, production of ethanol fuels, and beer brewing, have shown that mycotoxins are concentrated intofractions that are commonly used as animal feed. Published data show a high variability in mycotoxin repartitioning, mainly due to the type of mycotoxins, the level and extent of fungal contamination, and a failure to understand the complexity of food processing technologies. Precise knowledge of mycotoxin repartitioning during technological processes is critical and may provide a sound technical basis for feed managers to conform to legislation requirements and reduce the risk of severe adverse market and trade repercussions. Regular, economical and straightforward feed testing is critical to reach a quick and accurate diagnosis of feed quality. The use of rapid methods represents a future challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxins represent a risk to the feed supply chain with an impact on economies and international trade. A high percentage of feed samples have been reported to be contaminated with more than one mycotoxin. In most cases, the concentrations were low enough to ensure compliance with the European Union (EU) guidance values or maximum admitted levels. However, mycotoxin co-contamination might still exert adverse effects on animals due to additive/synergistic interactions. Studies on the fate of mycotoxins during cereal processing, such as milling, production of ethanol fuels, and beer brewing, have shown that mycotoxins are concentrated into fractions that are commonly used as animal feed. Published data show a high variability in mycotoxin repartitioning, mainly due to the type of mycotoxins, the level and extent of fungal contamination, and a failure to understand the complexity of food processing technologies. Precise knowledge of mycotoxin repartitioning during technological processes is critical and may provide a sound technical basis for feed managers to conform to legislation requirements and reduce the risk of severe adverse market and trade repercussions. Regular, economical and straightforward feed testing is critical to reach a quick and accurate diagnosis of feed quality. The use of rapid methods represents a future challenge.

This work investigated the effect of biochar produced from brewery byproducts, spent grain and surplus yeast on the physicochemical characteristics of a calcareous loam soil and plant growth of maize (Zea mays L.). Maize is a plant which needs high nitrogen fertilization, while the effect of acidic or neutral biochars on alkaline calcareous soils has only been assessed in a few studies. The effect of biochars on dry weight, as well as the level of macro- and micronutrients in soil, and above- and belowground plant tissues, were investigated, in a 30 day experiment after seedling emergence of maize (Zea mays L.), in the presence and absence of nitrogen fertilization. The results indicated that biochar from organic brewery by-products significantly increased the dry weight of the aboveground part of the plant by 59–186%, relative to the control, without the addition of inorganic N fertilization, and by 46–157% with the addition of inorganic N fertilization. The dry weight of the belowground plant tissues significantly increased by 83–92% and 46–106%, relative to the control, with or without the addition of inorganic N fertilization, respectively. Biochar addition, especially at 5% application rate individually or in a mixture, significantly increased the phosphorus content of plant tissues. The content of potassium in the plants was affected mainly by the addition of biochar derived from surplus yeast, while the concentration of calcium and magnesium in plant tissues was positively affected by spent grain biochar, in absence of inorganic nitrogen fertilization. Addition of biochars produced from brewery byproducts improved soil fertility parameters, particularly the contents of total organic carbon (by 133% and 118% with or without fertilization, respectively), total nitrogen (by 120% and 81% respectively) and available phosphorus in the studied loam calcareous soil. Overall, biochar from brewery wastes showed the potential to enhance plant growth and nutrient availability, thus it is a promising organic fertilizer for sustainable agriculture. • Biochars from brewery byproducts are rich in carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. • Dry weight of maize tissue increased by the addition of biochar. • P concentration of maize tissue increased by the addition of biochar. • Total organic carbon, total nitrogen and available phosphorus increased in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]