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This study investigated the use of Novo Pro-D® (NPD) and Ficin (FC) as alternative proteases for the production of bioactive peptides with reduced allergenicity from whey protein concentrate (WPC). In addition, the use of high hydrostatic pressure processing as pre-treatment of WPC and its impact on the final characteristics of hydrolysates were also evaluated. NPD treatments generated hydrolysates with a 98% reduction of soluble proteins, greater in vitro antioxidant capacity, and less immunoreactivity when compared to FC ones. However, pre-treatment was an essential tool to improve WPC hydrolysis when FC was used, resulting in hydrolysates with less soluble proteins, enhanced antioxidant capacity, and less allergenicity compared with conventional hydrolysis. As for NPD, the pre-treatment of WPC improved the in vitro antioxidant capacity and resulted in a 100% reduction in immunoreactivity to β-lactoglobulin in a shorter processing time. Importantly, bioactive peptides generated by FC displayed an improved ability to induce in vitro arterial relaxation, compared with those obtained from NPD process. Therefore, this study provides innovative evidence regarding how the proteases used for production of whey hydrolysates can improve its biological effects, and discloses the use of high hydrostatic pressure combined with enzymatic hydrolysis as a promising alternative to produce hydrolysates with improved properties.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of coffee species, roast degree and decaffeination on in vitro probiotic bacterial growth, and to identify the major coffee compounds responsible for such effects. Six C. arabica and C. canephora extracts (regular medium and dark roasted and decaffeinated medium roasted), and five bioactive compounds (chlorogenic acid, galactomannan, type 2 arabinogalactan, caffeine and trigonelline) were individually incorporated into a modified low-carbon broth medium-(mMRS), at different concentrations (0.5 to 1.5% soluble coffee and 0.05 to 0.8 mg mL-1 standard solutions). Inulin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) were used as prebiotic references. MRS and mMRS were used as rich and poor medium controls, respectively. The growth of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103-(GG), L. acidophilus LA-5-(LA), Bifidobacterium animalis DN-173010-(BA) and B. animalis subsp. lactis BB12-(BB12), as well as the growth inhibition of non-probiotic Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 were evaluated. Differences in growth between mMRS and treatments (Δlog CFU mL-1) were compared by ANOVA and Tukey's test, and considered when p ≤ 0.05. Overall, after 48 h incubation, the medium roasted arabica coffee extract increased the growth of GG, LA and BA (range: Δlog CFU mL-1 = 0.5 to 1.8), while the dark roasted arabica coffee extract increased BB12 growth (range: Δlog CFU mL-1 = 0.9 to 1.7), in a dose dependent manner. Improved performances of GG, LA and BA were promoted by higher polysaccharides and CGA concentrations, with better performance for Lactobacillus sp. The tested coffee bioactive compounds promoted the poor growth of BB12. Plain caffeine did not promote Bifidobacterium sp. growth and limited the growth of Lactobacillus sp. Regular C. arabica and C. canephora extracts inhibited the growth of E. coli, while the decaffeinated extracts promoted its growth. The present results show that coffee consumption can selectively improve the growth of probiotic strains, thus exerting a prebiotic effect, and show that coffee roasting and decaffeination affect this property and that different strains utilize different coffee components to grow.

The aim of the present study concerns the development, characterization and sensory evaluation of a dual-functional whey hydrolysate. Four concentrations of commercial pepsin (0.48%, 0.95%, 1.43%, 1.91% w/w) were evaluated. The hydrolyses curves and the Reversed-Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography analyses showed a direct relationship between enzyme concentration and degree of hydrolysis. Through mass spectrometry 21 peptides were identified and 5 of them have never been described in the literature before. The hydrolysate produced (PC3) induced a vascular relaxation of 65.02% in phenylephrine-contracted rat aortic rings. PC3 powder presented a homogeneous aspect with a mean particle size of 86.39 μm, high water solubility (>92%) in a wide pH range (1−12) and an increase of 33% in oil absorption capacity, when compared to the unhydrolyzed product. Sensory analysis showed a high acceptance (7.6 in a 9-point hedonic scale) of the hydrolysate among 100 consumers. The results brought the possibility of developing a whey hydrolysate with high vasorelaxant activity, great technological properties and sensory appeal, as an interesting dual-functional ingredient to be incorporated into food products.

A vasorelaxant whey hydrolysate at semi-pilot scale was generated, assessing the influence between two different enzyme inactivation conditions (pH and temperature) and drying technologies (freeze- and spray-drying). Hydrolysis was performed with 1.25% (w/v) whey protein concentrate solution and 1.91% (w/w) pepsin (pH 2, 3 h, 37 °C). Reactions were stopped either by increasing the pH to 7 (5 m NaOH) or by heating the solution at 80 °C for 5 min. Thermally inactivated samples induced a vascular relaxation ex vivo above 70%, while the chemically inactivated ones reached only 20%. Both drying technologies were effective in maintaining the bioactivity of the hydrolysate. These results brought the possibility of developing a whey-based product with high vasorelaxant potential in semi-pilot scale; thermal treatment followed by spray drying seemed to be the more affordable alternative for food and nutraceutical industries to generate this bioactive product.

White wine Pinot noir grape pomace was dried and milled into flour or extracted in hot water and dried. Both ingredients were analysed and compared according to nutritional and biological value. The extract presented higher mineral and soluble fibre content. After a human digestion simulation, phenolic content and antioxidant capacities were also higher in the extract. After a 5 kDa filtration of the digested fractions, the gastric and enteric retentates from the extract showed higher bioactive value, and gallic, vanillic and seringic acids were the main bioaccessible phenolic compounds. As the extract was a more nutritious and functional ingredient compared to the flour, it was incorporated into a yogurt formulation and tested in a sensorial panel. The overall liking score was 6.2 out of 9.0 and 51% of panellists indicated that certainly would buy the product. The results indicated a promising application for the extract as an antioxidant dietary fibre ingredient.

Resumo: O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar as atividades antioxidante e antimicrobiana de hidrolisados proteicos de soro de leite obtidos por diferentes proteases (Alcalase e Flavourzyme) e sua mistura (proporção 50:50). Previamente à hidrólise enzimática, o soro de leite foi concentrado por ultrafiltração com membranas cerâmicas tubulares. A reação enzimática foi realizada de acordo com o método pH-stat, sendo coletadas alíquotas com diferentes graus de hidrólise ( GH), ao longo de cada hidrólise proteica. Os hidrolisados foram analisados quanto a estimativa do teor de peptídeos, atividade antioxidante pelos métodos de captura do radical livre ABTS+ e do radical peroxila (Oxygen radical antioxidant capacity - ORAC), eletroforese e atividade antimicrobiana. Os máximos GH alcançados foram 15%, 52% e 63%, para Flavourzyme, mistura das enzimas e Alcalase, respectivamente. A atividade antioxidante aumentou com o GH. Os hidrolisados proteicos obtidos pela Alcalase apresentaram maiores atividades antioxidantes que os outros hidrolisados. Entretanto, nenhum hidrolisado proteico apresentou atividade antimicrobiana contra as cepas de Salmonella choleraesuis subsp. Enteritidis (ATCC 13076) e Listeria monocytogenes (ATCC 9117). ? Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of whey protein hydrolysates obtained using different commercial proteases (Alcalase and Flavourzyme) as well as their blend (50:50 ratio). Prior to the enzymatic hydrolysis, the whey was concentrated by ultrafiltration using tubular ceramic membranes. The enzymatic reaction was carried out according to the pH-stat method, in which aliquots were collected with different degrees of hydrolysis (DH) during the protein hydrolysis. The protein hydrolysates were evaluated with respect to the estimated peptides content, antioxidant activity by capture of free radical ABTS+ and the peroxyl radical (Oxygen radical antioxidant capacity - ORAC) methods, electrophoresis and antimicrobial activity. The maximum DH values reached were: 15%, 52% and 63% for Flavourzyme, the blend of enzymes and Alcalase, respectively. The antioxidant activity increased with the DH. The protein hydrolysates obtained using Alcalase presented higher antioxidant activities than the other samples. However, no samples presented antimicrobial activity against Salmonella choleraesuis subsp. Enteritidis (ATCC 13076) or Listeria monocytogenes (ATCC 9117). Made available in DSpace on 2019-12-03T18:16:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PenteadoAvaliacaoPotencial2019.pdf: 903616 bytes, checksum: 53c5bd2a02b5b4f390a5ecdbba46f9c8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2019

For many years, it was believed that only amino acids, dipeptides, and tripeptides could be absorbed and thus reach the bloodstream. Nowadays, the bioavailability of oligopeptides is also considered possible, leading to new research. This pilot study investigates the activity of brush border enzymes on undigested whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) and on simulated intestinal digested (ID) whey hydrolysate and the subsequent absorption of resultant peptides through the proximal jejunum of a 7-week old piglet setup in an Ussing chamber model. Amongst all samples taken, 884 oligopeptides were identified. The brush border peptidase activity was intense in the first 10 min of the experiment, producing several new peptides in the apical compartment. With respect to the ID substrate, 286 peptides were detected in the basolateral compartment after 120 min of enzyme activity, originating from &beta, lactoglobulin (60%) and &beta, casein (20%). Nevertheless, only 0.6 to 3.35% of any specific peptide could pass through the epithelial barrier and thus reach the basolateral compartment. This study demonstrates transepithelial jejunum absorption of whey oligopeptides in an ex vivo model. It also confirmed the proteolytic activity of brush border enzymes on these oligopeptides, giving birth to a myriad of new bioactive peptides available for absorption.

Background: The aim of this work was to determine the most favorable conditions for the production of xylooligosaccharides (XOS) from Brazilian Syrah grape pomace. Chemical processes were performed using a rotatable central composite design where the concentration of sulfuric acid or sodium hydroxide and the grape pomace flour/solvent mass ratio were the dependent variables. Enzymatic production was also evaluated using xylanase produced by Aspergillus niger 3T5B8 and Viscozyme® enzymatic commercial cocktail.; Results: Chemical extraction allowed to recover 21.8-74.6% and 5.2-96.3% of total XOS for acidic and alkaline processes respectively. Enzymatic production extracted up to 88.68 ± 0.12% of total XOS using xylanase and up to 84.09 ± 2.40% with Viscozyme® .; Conclusion: The present study demonstrated different feasible methods to produce high-added-value molecules, i.e. XOS, from Syrah grape pomace flour, valorizing this major by-product. The use of enzymatic cocktails demonstrated to be an alternative to the conventional methods, allowing to obtain an eco-friendly and sustainable grape pomace extract. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.; © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

The pericarp of passion fruit can be processed to be used as a new ingredient in the food industry, or as source of pectin. Pericarp samples were taken with a 5 mm cylindrical metal probe to measure the apparent density. Pericarp fractions of eighty fruits at three maturation stages were dried and their flours were quantified and evaluated by instrumental color. The pectin was extracted and its degree of esterification (DE) was quantified. The yield of flour of epicarp and mesocarp reached 3.4% and 4.6% (dry basis) at different maturation stages of passion fruit, respectively. The content of pectin was higher in mesocarp flour, also, its DE increased deeply with the fruit maturation. The mesocarp with the lower density can be separated from the epicarp in a water flow system, which allows the production of clearer flour with the highest content of pectin and the highest DE in ripe fruits.

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of Holder pasteurization (HoP; 62.5°C, 30 min) on the protein profile and activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and lysozyme (LZ) in human milk. Over 6 mo of lactation, human milk samples were analyzed before (raw) and after HoP for GPx and LZ activity and electrophoresis protein profile. Holder pasteurization reduced human milk lactoferrin, immunoglobulin fractions, and GPx activity. In addition, GPx activity, which is high in colostrum and transitional milk, was naturally reduced over the 6-mo lactation period. In contrast, HoP did not affect human milk LZ activity. Besides its critical cellular antioxidant role in protecting the organism from oxidative damage, GPx decreases the redox potential of milk, stimulating the growth of anaerobic microorganisms, such as the probiotic Bifidobacterium. Considering the role of lactoferrin in infant health, we conclude that an important part of its function has been inactivated by pasteurization. These compounds should be replaced by human milk banks after the HoP step to recover lost functionality. Otherwise, an alternative technology to HoP that better retains human milk properties should be used by milk banks to eliminate the risk of transmission of infectious agents.

Grape is the main fruit crop in several countries. Although many grape-based food products can be found in the market, studies have shown that around 75% of the world grape production is destined for the wine industry. Grape pomace is an abundant by-product from the wine industry, which consists of the remaining skin, seeds and stalks and represents around 25% of total grape weight used in the winemaking process. In countries such as Italy, France and Spain, where wine production is more relevant, the annual grape pomace generation can reach nearly 1200 tonnes per year. In order to reach a sustainable winemaking process there is a need of a waste reduction policy. Several studies explore this subject using grape pomace as a source of healthy and technological compounds that could be applied in animal feed, pharmaceutical, cosmetic or food industry to improve stability and nutritional characteristics, and in cosmetic industry, where grape seeds oil is widely used. This review aims to approach the recent winemaking scenario and the benefits achieved when a waste management policy is implemented, as well as to compare available extractive technologies and a wide alternative of uses for grape pomace.

Whey is well-known for the functional and bioactive properties of its proteins and peptides, which are of great interest to food and nutraceutical industries. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of four different commercial proteases (Novo ProD® (NPD), Alcalase® (ALC), Pancreas Trypsin® (TRY), and Flavourzyme® (FLA)) in the generation of hydrolysates with emulsifying and antioxidant activities. Hydrolysis processes were carried out for 5 h, reaching maximum degrees of 18.5, 15.5, 9.2, and 8.7% for NPD, ALC, TRY, and FLA, respectively. All tested enzymes generated very diverse, but conservative peptide profiles when comparing the treatments along the time, with the main enzymatic actions up to 120 min-reaction. An increase in the in vitro antioxidant activity was found for all treatments, achieving 46%, 40%, 40% and 22% for ALC, TRY, NDP and FLA, respectively. TRY hydrolysate maintained or slightly increased its emulsifying capacity along the time, however, a decrease in emulsifying capacity was found for ALC and NPD hydrolysates when compared to the non-hydrolyzed whey protein concentrate (WPC). All tested enzymes generated hydrolysates with enhanced antioxidant and/or emulsifying activities, which may be used as food ingredients and the choice of the enzyme will depend on the need.

International audience; Whey proteins present encrypted biofunctional peptides that need to be released from the native protein to exert their biological activity. Antihypertensive whey peptides are the most studied ones, which can be explained by high prevalence of this chronic degenerative disease. The present study investigated whether the molecular changes occurred during the gastrointestinal digestion of a whey protein hydrolysate could modulate its va-sorelaxant potential in rat aortic rings. Spectrophotometric data and SDS-PAGE gel showed a small degree of hydrolysis during the gastric phase and intense intestinal proteolysis. RP-HPLC revealed the formation of a large peptide profile. During the simulated digestion, 198 peptides were generated and identified and, left-shifted the concentration-response curve of the endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, as recorded for the digested hy-drolysates. In conclusion, gastrointestinal digestion of the whey hydrolysate leads to the generation of bioactive peptides with enhanced vasodilatory potency, reinforcing the relevance of whey-derived products in blood pressure regulation.

In this study, the production of exopolysaccharides (EPS) by three strains of Lactobacillus was investigated, and Lactobacillus plantarum CNPC003 was identified as the largest producer. EPS production was higher (568.4 mg/L) in MRS medium added with fructooligosaccharide (FOS) than in control MRS medium containing glucose (378 mg/L). Carbohydrate and protein content in EPS FOS were 36.95 ± 0.24 g/100g and 0.68 ± 0.08 g/100g, respectively, while EPS GLU showed 42.48 ± 0.04 g/100g carbohydrate and 0.87 ± 0.05 g/100g protein. Infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the polysaccharide structure of the two EPS of L. plantarum CNPC003, and thermal analyses demonstrated the suitable stability of these polymers under high temperatures that can withstand temperatures up to 210 °C. Composition of monosaccharides and heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) spectroscopy showed that these EPS are heteropolysaccharides, mainly constituted of mannose and glucose, with small amounts of galactose and it is suggested that both EPS FOS and EPS GLU are constituted of a branched glucomannan. EPS samples also showed significant in vitro antioxidant capacity, especially EPS FOS, with ABTS radical scavenging activity of 90.88 ± 0.80% at a concentration of 8 mg/mL. These results support its use as a natural antioxidant in the food industry.

Background Grape seed pomace is a valuable by-product from winery/oil extraction industries and a potential source of bioactive compounds. Hot water extraction is the most widely used technology for polysaccharide recovery from plant and seed sources. To obtain an antioxidant fiber-rich extract (AFE) from defatted grape seed pomace, seed:water ratio (1:10-1:20) and extraction temperature (70-90 °C) effects on extraction yield, total sugars, total phenolic compounds and condensed tannins were investigated. Results The best extraction results were achieved at the highest seed:water ratio and temperature. At these conditions, the extraction yield and total sugar content of the freeze-dried AFE were 100.1 g kg-1 and 725.3 g kg-1 , respectively. The AFE presented high total phenolic content (16.2 g GAE kg-1 ), condensed tannins (515.1 mg CAT kg-1 ), soluble (219.1 g kg-1 ) and insoluble fibers (132.4 g kg-1 ), besides protein (171.1 g kg-1 ) and ash (152.6 g kg-1 ). The antioxidant capacity of the AFE was 382.7, 823.7 and 1439.4 μmol Trolox g-1 for DPPH, ABTS and ORAC methods. Conclusion The AFE was shown to be not only an interesting source of fiber with antioxidant capacity, which could become a potential foodstuff, but also an ecofriendly and sustainable alternative to use grape seed pomace. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

The aim of this work was to determine the most favorable conditions for the production of xylooligosaccharides (XOS) from Brazilian Syrah grape pomace. Chemical processes were performed using a rotatable central composite design where the concentration of sulfuric acid or sodium hydroxide and the grape pomace flour/solvent mass ratio were the dependent variables. Enzymatic production was also evaluated using xylanase produced by Aspergillus niger 3T5B8 and ViscozymeChemical extraction allowed to recover 21.8-74.6% and 5.2-96.3% of total XOS for acidic and alkaline processes respectively. Enzymatic production extracted up to 88.68 ± 0.12% of total XOS using xylanase and up to 84.09 ± 2.40% with ViscozymeThe present study demonstrated different feasible methods to produce high-added-value molecules, i.e. XOS, from Syrah grape pomace flour, valorizing this major by-product. The use of enzymatic cocktails demonstrated to be an alternative to the conventional methods, allowing to obtain an eco-friendly and sustainable grape pomace extract. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pepsin hydrolysates of whey protein isolate (WPI) on vascular relaxation and emulsifying capacity. WPI was subjected to pepsin hydrolysis for 5 h. The chromatographic profiles of the samples showed the formation of a wide variety of peptides. Addition of WPI hydrolysates in phenylephrine-contracted rat aortic rings induced a similar concentration-dependent relaxation in both endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded preparations. In endothelium-denuded vessels the maximum relaxation induced by WPI fractions increased along the time, reaching over 70% after 3 h-hydrolysis on. In addition, the vascular relaxation was not associated with an inhibition of the angiotensin-converting enzyme or activation of K + channels. Hydrolysed fractions were further evaluated for the emulsifying capacity (EC) and all tested fractions were able to keep an EC over 60%. These results reinforce the potential of WPI pepsin-hydrolysates as an option in the search for dual function peptides from whey proteins.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar tratamentos térmicos e químicos com Ca2+, no controle da atividade da poligalacturonase e de seus efeitos no rendimento de extração e no grau de esterificação da pectina do albedo da casca de maracujá-amarelo (Passiflora edulis). Utilizaram-se cascas de frutos com coloração verde-clara, as quais foram lavadas, sanitizadas, trituradas e deixadas em repouso em água, para suspensão do albedo. O albedo foi recolhido e submetido à temperatura de 90oC a 30, 60 e 120 min, ou a concentrações de cálcio de 0,01 e 1% durante 1 hora de agitação de 400 rpm, em temperatura ambiente. Realizou-se, também, o tratamento térmico do extrato enzimático bruto obtido do albedo a 65, 75 e 85°C. O tratamento térmico do albedo a 90°C não inativou a poligalacturonase após 120 min. A inativação da enzima extraída do albedo ocorreu após incubação a 65, 75 e 85°C por 30, 20 e 10 min, respectivamente. O tratamento com íons de cálcio a 1% promoveu o bloqueio enzimático e a redução no conteúdo de ácidos urônicos livres (AUL) da pectina. O tratamento do albedo de maracujá com solução de 1% de Ca2+ por 1 hora inibe a atividade da poligalacturonase e reduz o conteúdo de AUL. Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the use of thermal and chemical treatments with Ca2+, in order to control the activity of polygalacturonase and its effects on extraction yield and degree of pectin esterification from albedo of yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) rind. Rinds of fruit with light-green peel were washed, sanitized, grind, and left to stand in water for albedo suspension. Albedo was collected and subjected to a temperature of 90oC for 30, 60, and 120 min, or to calcium levels of 0.01 and 1% during 1 hour of stirring, at 400 rpm, at ambient temperature. Thermal treatment of the crude enzymatic extract obtained from the albedo at 65, 75, and 85oC was also performed. The thermal treatment of the albedo at 90oC did not inactivate polygalacturonase after 120 min. The inactivation of the enzyme extracted from the albedo occurred after incubation at 65, 75, and 85oC for 30, 20, and 10 min, respectively. The treatment with calcium ion solution at 1% promoted enzymatic inactivation and a decrease in the content of free carboxylic acids (FCA) of pectin. The treatment of passion fruit albedo with calcium Ca2+ solution at 1% for 1 hour inhibits the polygalacturonase activity and decreases the content of FCA.

Brazilian grape pomace was extracted in hot water using a factorial design to evaluate polysaccharide recovery. Dependent variables were temperature, particle size and solute:solvent ratio. Polysaccharide yields varied from 3 to 10%, and the highest sugar content was observed when extraction was carried out at 100 °C, from fine particle sizes (≤249 μm), in a 1:12 solute:solvent ratio. Monosaccharide compositions of the flours afforded, in average, Rha,Ara,Xyl,Man,Gal,Glc,GalA in a 3:32:2:13:11:20:19 molar ratio, with varied Glc:GalA ratios. 13C NMR and HSQC spectra confirmed the presence of pectic and glucose-based polysaccharides in the extracts. Phenolic compounds were found after pomace extractions, and cathechin, gallic acid and epicatechin were the main identified compounds. Extracts also presented ABTS radical scavenging capacity (from 8.00 to 46.60 mMol Trolox/100g pomace), which means that these grape pomace flours are rich in antioxidant dietary fiber and have a potential use as food ingredients. Fil: Beres, Carolina. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Centro de Tecnologia. Instituto de Química; Brazil Fil: Beres, Carolina. Embrapa Agroindústria de Alimentos; Brazil. Fil: Simas-Tosin, Fernanda F. Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR). Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular; Brazil. Fil: Cabezudo, Ignacio. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Procesos Biotecnológicos y Químicos (IPROBYQ-CONICET); Argentina. Fil: Freitas, Suely P. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Centro de Tecnologia. Escola de Química; Brazil. Fil: Iacomini, Marcello. Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR). Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular; Brazil. Fil: Mellinger-Silva, Caroline. Embrapa Agroindústria de Alimentos; Brazil. Fil: Cabral, Lourdes M. C. Embrapa Agroindústria de Alimentos; Brazil.

The objective of this work was to obtain a protein hydrolysate from the wastewater generated during shrimp cooking, by coupling ultrafiltration and enzymatic hydrolysis processes. Initially, the effluent was concentrated by ultrafiltration, reaching a protein concentration factor of 3.2. The concentrated effluent was then enzymatically hydrolyzed, aiming at obtaining peptides with antioxidant capacity. The effects of some process variables--temperature (55-75 °C), pH (7-9) and enzyme/substrate (E/S) ratio (0.1-2.5%)--on the degree of hydrolysis and the antioxidant capacity were evaluated. The increase in temperature and pH resulted in lower degree of hydrolysis and higher antioxidant capacity. The conditions selected as the most suitable were: temperature of 75 °C, pH of 9.0 and E/S ratio of 0.1%. The hydrolysates produced at these conditions were also evaluated for total amino acid content and electrophoretic profile, showing a suitable amount of essential amino acids that covers the recommended daily needs.

After industrial processing, one-third of sugarcane culms is converted into residual bagasse. The xylan-rich hemicellulose components of the bagasse were extracted with hot aqueous alkali (AX-CRUDE). Approximately 82% of the extracted hemicelluloses was precipitated with ethanol (AX-PET). Both AX-CRUDE and AX-PET contained an arabinoxylan as confirmed by 13C NMR and methylation analysis. Fraction AX-PET was fed to female Wistar rats with ethanol-induced gastric lesions. Oral administrations of 30, 100, and 300mg/kg reduced the gastric lesion area by over 50%, and replenished ethanol-induced depletion of glutathione. The polysaccharide also increased mucus production by over 70%, indicating its cytoprotective action on experimentally induced gastric ulcers. These findings are significant, since a biologically active compound can be extracted in high yields from an abundant, readily available residue.