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Recently, there has been a burgeoning interest in harnessing the potential of biomass and industry byproducts for the development of novel products and materials. In particular, this study explored the efficient valorization of sunflower meal (SFM), an underutilized byproduct of the oil extraction industry, usually discarded or used as low-value animal feed through enzyme-aided fractionation, specifically targeting the extraction and conversion of its abundant carbohydrate component, xylan, into emerging prebiotic compounds—xylo-oligosaccharides (XOSs)—which are recognized as promotors of a healthy gut microbiome and overall human wellbeing. An enzymatic treatment using Alcalase® 2.4 L was implemented for facilitating the recovery of a highly pure hemicellulosic fraction (92.2% carbohydrates) rich in β-(1→4)-linked xylose residues with arabinose and glucuronic acid substitutions (DP-xylan). A further enzymatic treatment of this substrate, using ROHALASE® SEP-VISCO under optimized conditions (70 °C, pH 6, 0.005% v/v enzyme concentration), produced 52.3% of XOSs with a polymerization degree (DP) less than 20 after two hours. Further analyses demonstrated that the majority of the obtained product had a DP less than 6, predominantly consisting of di- and trisaccharides (XOS2 and XOS3) without the significant generation of xylose. These findings highlight the significant potential of SFM for the generation of valuable prebiotic compounds in a sustainable manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibility of using waste tailings produced by flotation in the lead and zinc mine of Grot, Serbia as a potential source of secondary mineral raw materials was examined. The aim of the research was primarily to carry out a detailed characterization in order to determine the dominant minerals, and, for the first time, to trace the changes occurring in the unit cells of the minerals present in that deposit. There was also a need to determine the exact proportions of the present mineral phases for their further application and utilization as natural resources in environmental protection. Samples were taken from three different sections of tailings: the crest of dam (JKB), outlet pipe of the flotation facility (JOF) and hydrocyclone overflow (JHC). Granulometric separation was performed to facilitate the extraction of certain minerals from waste. The results showed that all samples mainly contained quartz, clinochlore, calcite, albite, pyrite and biotite, but their ratios in each sample varied significantly. After characterization, samples were separated into different fractions and their mineralogical compositions were determined. Depending on the fraction, the mineralogical compositions also changed. Mineralogy and geochemical analysis indicate that waste tailings can be used as a secondary mineral raw materials source applicable in various industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there has been a burgeoning interest in harnessing the potential of biomass and industry byproducts for the development of novel products and materials. In particular, this study explored the efficient valorization of sunflower meal (SFM), an underutilized byproduct of the oil extraction industry, usually discarded or used as low-value animal feed through enzyme-aided fractionation, specifically targeting the extraction and conversion of its abundant carbohydrate component, xylan, into emerging prebiotic compounds—xylo-oligosaccharides (XOSs)—which are recognized as promotors of a healthy gut microbiome and overall human wellbeing. An enzymatic treatment using Alcalase® 2.4 L was implemented for facilitating the recovery of a highly pure hemicellulosic fraction (92.2% carbohydrates) rich in β-(1→4)-linked xylose residues with arabinose and glucuronic acid substitutions (DP-xylan). A further enzymatic treatment of this substrate, using ROHALASE® SEP-VISCO under optimized conditions (70 °C, pH 6, 0.005% v/v enzyme concentration), produced 52.3% of XOSs with a polymerization degree (DP) less than 20 after two hours. Further analyses demonstrated that the majority of the obtained product had a DP less than 6, predominantly consisting of di- and trisaccharides (XOS2 and XOS3) without the significant generation of xylose. These findings highlight the significant potential of SFM for the generation of valuable prebiotic compounds in a sustainable manner.

Refining vegetable oils generate residues that can be reused to obtain high-value compounds. Tocopherols, phytosterols, and squalene can be recovered from deodorizer distillates using molecular distillation. However, treatment of the deodorizer distillates is required to obtain better separation results. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the effect of the esterification of a residue composed of mixtures of different types of deodorizer distillates on the efficiency of phytonutrient recovery by molecular distillation. The results showed the best conditions for the esterification were 74 °C, 214 min, 3% H2SO4, and 2:1 molar methanol/free fatty acids ratio. These reaction conditions maintained 97% of total phytonutrients and reduced 90.5% of free fatty acids. Concentration gains for tocopherols (331%), phytosterols (232%), and squalene (300%) were obtained for the esterified residue. Therefore, this work presents an alternative route to obtaining a phytonutrient concentrate by combining steps of esterification and molecular distillation for mixtures of deodorizer distillates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the antioxidants (AOs) used in foods are mainly synthetic, often questioned on health grounds. So, the need for innocuous natural AOs has increased in last years. The peanut skin (PS) is an industrial by-product of low added value, but rich in bioactive phenolic compounds. In this study, the antioxidant capacity of a PS extract (PSE) was examined in a chia oil-based mayonnaise stored during six months (25 °C). The mayonnaise was made using chia oil (68% w/w) added with PSE (2 mg/g fat) and without any AO (control). For the storage test, 30 g were placed in 100 mL amber bottles and at 2, 4 and 6 months the oily phase was extracted (chloroform: methanol). Peroxide index (PI), acidity index (AI), K232, K270, p-Anisidine (pAnV) and TOTOX values were measured. Moreover, the presence of 2,4 heptadienal and 3,5-octadiene-2-one was analyzed by static headspace GC-MS. At the end of the assay, PI, AI, K232, K270, and pAnV for control and PSE mayonnaises were 74.7 and 13.4 meq O2/kg oil; 2.4 and 2.0 mg KOH/kg oil, 10 and 3.55, 1.34 and 0.64, 3.7 and 0.98, respectively. The TOTOX value of the control was approximately six times higher than PSE mayonnaise. 2,4 Heptadienal and 3,5-octadiene-2-one were not detected at initial time but in the control treatment at the end reached 3.75 and 2.15 µg/g, respectively. Differently, in PSE mayonnaise, 3,5-octadiene-2-one was undetected and 2,4 Heptadienal was 0.83 µg/g. In conclusion, PSE represents a potential natural AO to preserve the oxidative stability of chia oil-based mayonnaise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibility of using waste tailings produced by flotation in the lead and zinc mine of Grot, Serbia as a potential source of secondary mineral raw materials was examined. The aim of the research was primarily to carry out a detailed characterization in order to determine the dominant minerals, and, for the first time, to trace the changes occurring in the unit cells of the minerals present in that deposit. There was also a need to determine the exact proportions of the present mineral phases for their further application and utilization as natural resources in environmental protection. Samples were taken from three different sections of tailings: the crest of dam (JKB), outlet pipe of the flotation facility (JOF) and hydrocyclone overflow (JHC). Granulometric separation was performed to facilitate the extraction of certain minerals from waste. The results showed that all samples mainly contained quartz, clinochlore, calcite, albite, pyrite and biotite, but their ratios in each sample varied significantly. After characterization, samples were separated into different fractions and their mineralogical compositions were determined. Depending on the fraction, the mineralogical compositions also changed. Mineralogy and geochemical analysis indicate that waste tailings can be used as a secondary mineral raw materials source applicable in various industries.

This research demonstrated an excellent potential approach for utilizing Miang fermentation broth (MF-broth), a liquid residual byproduct from the Miang fermentation process as a health-targeted beverage. One hundred and twenty yeast strains isolated from Miang samples were screened for their potential to ferment MF-broth and four isolates, P2, P3, P7 and P9 were selected, based on the characteristics of low alcoholic production, probiotic properties, and tannin tolerance. Based on a D1/D2 rDNA sequence analysis, P2 and P7 were identified to be Wikerhamomyces anomalus, while P3 and P9 were Cyberlindnera rhodanensis. Based on the production of unique volatile organic compounds (VOCs), W. anomalus P2 and C. rhodanensis P3 were selected for evaluation of MF-broth fermentation via the single culture fermentation (SF) and co-fermentation (CF) in combination with Saccharomyces cerevisiae TISTR 5088. All selected yeasts showed a capability for growth with 6 to 7 log CFU/mL and the average pH value range of 3.91–4.09. The ethanol content of the fermented MF-broth ranged between 11.56 ± 0.00 and 24.91 ± 0.01 g/L after 120 h fermentation, which is categorized as a low alcoholic beverage. Acetic, citric, glucuronic, lactic, succinic, oxalic and gallic acids slightly increased from initial levels in MF-broth, whereas the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity were retained. The fermented MF-broth showed distinct VOCs profiles between the yeast groups. High titer of isoamyl alcohol was found in all treatments fermented with S. cerevisiae TISTR 5088 and W. anomalus P2. Meanwhile, C. rhodanensis P3 fermented products showed a higher quantity of ester groups, ethyl acetate and isoamyl acetate in both SF and CF. The results of this study confirmed the high possibilities of utilizing MF-broth residual byproduct in for development of health-targeted beverages using the selected non-Saccharomyces yeast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the antioxidants (AOs) used in foods are mainly synthetic, often questioned on health grounds. So, the need for innocuous natural AOs has increased in last years. The peanut skin (PS) is an industrial by-product of low added value, but rich in bioactive phenolic compounds. In this study, the antioxidant capacity of a PS extract (PSE) was examined in a chia oil-based mayonnaise stored during six months (25 °C). The mayonnaise was made using chia oil (68% w/w) added with PSE (2 mg/g fat) and without any AO (control). For the storage test, 30 g were placed in 100 mL amber bottles and at 2, 4 and 6 months the oily phase was extracted (chloroform: methanol). Peroxide index (PI), acidity index (AI), K232, K270, p-Anisidine (pAnV) and TOTOX values were measured. Moreover, the presence of 2,4 heptadienal and 3,5-octadiene-2-one was analyzed by static headspace GC-MS. At the end of the assay, PI, AI, K232, K270, and pAnV for control and PSE mayonnaises were 74.7 and 13.4 meq O2/kg oil; 2.4 and 2.0 mg KOH/kg oil, 10 and 3.55, 1.34 and 0.64, 3.7 and 0.98, respectively. The TOTOX value of the control was approximately six times higher than PSE mayonnaise. 2,4 Heptadienal and 3,5-octadiene-2-one were not detected at initial time but in the control treatment at the end reached 3.75 and 2.15 µg/g, respectively. Differently, in PSE mayonnaise, 3,5-octadiene-2-one was undetected and 2,4 Heptadienal was 0.83 µg/g. In conclusion, PSE represents a potential natural AO to preserve the oxidative stability of chia oil-based mayonnaise.

Collagen is a ubiquitous protein present in the extracellular matrix of all major metazoan animals, with approximately 28 different human collagen types described in the literature, each with unique physicochemical properties. Collagens found broad application in the cosmeceutical, pharmaceutical, and biomedical fields and can be isolated from environmentally sustainable sources such as marine byproducts, which are abundant in the fish processing industry and are highly appealing low-cost sources. In this study, marine collagen was isolated from the skins of Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides), an unexplored byproduct from fish processing plants, using three different collagen extraction methods, due to the use of distinct salting-out methods using a solution of 2.6 M NaCl + 0.05 M Tris-HCl pH = 7.5, (method I); a combination of 0.7 M NaCl followed by a solution of 2.3 M NaCl + 0.05 M Tris-HCl pH = 7.5 (method II); and one method using only 0.9 M NaCl (method III), yielding COLRp_I, COLRp_II, and COLRp_III collagens. These extracted type I collagens were produced with a yield of around 2 and 4% and characterized regarding the physicochemical properties, considering possible biotechnological applications. This work evidenced that the typical triple helix structure conformation was preserved in all extraction methods, but influenced the thermal behavior, intrinsic morphology, and moisture capacity of the collagens, with interest for biotechnological application, as the incorporation as an ingredient in cosmetic formulation. Furthermore, the use of collagen isolated from skin byproducts represents a high economic value with decreasing collagen cost for industrial purposes and is also an environmentally sustainable source for industrial uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, biochar (BC), a co-product of the fixed bed gasification process of Pinus patula wood pellets (PL) and chips (CH), was characterized as soil amendment. The physicochemical properties and the mineral content of the pellet’s biochar (PL-BC) and the chips biochar (CH-BC) were analyzed following the NTC5167 Colombian technical standard. The BET surface area values of the BCs were 367,33 m2/g and 233,56 m2/g for the PL-BC and the CH-BC, respectively, and the pore volume was 0,20 cm3/g for the PL-BC and 0,13 cm3/g for the CH-BC. These characteristics favor the increase of the BCs water-holding capacity (WHC). Properties such as the pH (8,8-9,0), the WHC (219 % - 186,4 %), the total organic carbon (33,8 % - 23,9 %), the metalloid presence (Ca, Mg, K, Mn, Al, Si, and Fe), and the ash (1,92 wt% - 2,74 wt%) and moisture contents (11,13 wt% - 11,63 wt%) for both BCs were found to be within the limits set by the NTC5167 standard. Furthermore, the presence of micro and macronutrients, such as Fe and phosphorus (P), and the alkaline pH, make possible the use of these BCs as amendments for acid soils.

This research demonstrated an excellent potential approach for utilizing Miang fermentation broth (MF-broth), a liquid residual byproduct from the Miang fermentation process as a health-targeted beverage. One hundred and twenty yeast strains isolated from Miang samples were screened for their potential to ferment MF-broth and four isolates, P2, P3, P7 and P9 were selected, based on the characteristics of low alcoholic production, probiotic properties, and tannin tolerance. Based on a D1/D2 rDNA sequence analysis, P2 and P7 were identified to be Wikerhamomyces anomalus, while P3 and P9 were Cyberlindnera rhodanensis. Based on the production of unique volatile organic compounds (VOCs), W. anomalus P2 and C. rhodanensis P3 were selected for evaluation of MF-broth fermentation via the single culture fermentation (SF) and co-fermentation (CF) in combination with Saccharomyces cerevisiae TISTR 5088. All selected yeasts showed a capability for growth with 6 to 7 log CFU/mL and the average pH value range of 3.91–4.09. The ethanol content of the fermented MF-broth ranged between 11.56 ± 0.00 and 24.91 ± 0.01 g/L after 120 h fermentation, which is categorized as a low alcoholic beverage. Acetic, citric, glucuronic, lactic, succinic, oxalic and gallic acids slightly increased from initial levels in MF-broth, whereas the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity were retained. The fermented MF-broth showed distinct VOCs profiles between the yeast groups. High titer of isoamyl alcohol was found in all treatments fermented with S. cerevisiae TISTR 5088 and W. anomalus P2. Meanwhile, C. rhodanensis P3 fermented products showed a higher quantity of ester groups, ethyl acetate and isoamyl acetate in both SF and CF. The results of this study confirmed the high possibilities of utilizing MF-broth residual byproduct in for development of health-targeted beverages using the selected non-Saccharomyces yeast.

It is urgent to expand the market of biodegradable alternatives to oil-derived plastics owing to (i) increasingly limited oil availability/accessibility, and (ii) the dramatic impact of traditional plastics on aquatic life, the food chain, all Earth ecosystems, and ultimately, human health. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are promising biodegradable polymers that can be obtained through microbial fermentation of agro-industrial byproducts, e.g., milk and cheese whey. Here, the PHAaccumulating efficiency of a mixed microbial culture (MMC, derived from activated sludges) grown on dairy byproducts (cheese and scotta whey) was measured. Bioreactor tests featuring temperature and pH control showed that both scotta and pre-treated Toma cheese whey could be used for PHA production by MMC, although scotta cheese whey supported higher PHA yield and productivity. The advantages of open MMCs include their plasticity and versatility to fast changing conditions; furthermore, no growth-medium sterilization is needed prior to fermentation. However, the use of pure cultures of efficient PHA producers may support better metabolic performances. Therefore, PHA-producing strains were isolated from a MMC, leading to the satisfactory identification of two bacterial strains, Citrobacter freundii and Leuconostoc spp., whose ability to accumulate PHAs in synthetic media was confirmed. A more detailed investigation by mass spectrometry revealed that the strain was L. mesenteroides. Although the validation of L. mesenteroides potential to produce PHA through fermentation of agro-industrial byproducts requires further investigations, this is the first study reporting PHA production with the Leuconostoc genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collagen is a ubiquitous protein present in the extracellular matrix of all major metazoan animals, with approximately 28 different human collagen types described in the literature, each with unique physicochemical properties. Collagens found broad application in the cosmeceutical, pharmaceutical, and biomedical fields and can be isolated from environmentally sustainable sources such as marine byproducts, which are abundant in the fish processing industry and are highly appealing low-cost sources. In this study, marine collagen was isolated from the skins of Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides), an unexplored byproduct from fish processing plants, using three different collagen extraction methods, due to the use of distinct salting-out methods using a solution of 2.6 M NaCl + 0.05 M Tris-HCl pH = 7.5, (method I); a combination of 0.7 M NaCl followed by a solution of 2.3 M NaCl + 0.05 M Tris-HCl pH = 7.5 (method II); and one method using only 0.9 M NaCl (method III), yielding COLRp_I, COLRp_II, and COLRp_III collagens. These extracted type I collagens were produced with a yield of around 2 and 4% and characterized regarding the physicochemical properties, considering possible biotechnological applications. This work evidenced that the typical triple helix structure conformation was preserved in all extraction methods, but influenced the thermal behavior, intrinsic morphology, and moisture capacity of the collagens, with interest for biotechnological application, as the incorporation as an ingredient in cosmetic formulation. Furthermore, the use of collagen isolated from skin byproducts represents a high economic value with decreasing collagen cost for industrial purposes and is also an environmentally sustainable source for industrial uses.

It is urgent to expand the market of biodegradable alternatives to oil-derived plastics owing to (i) increasingly limited oil availability/accessibility, and (ii) the dramatic impact of traditional plastics on aquatic life, the food chain, all Earth ecosystems, and ultimately, human health. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are promising biodegradable polymers that can be obtained through microbial fermentation of agro-industrial byproducts, e.g., milk and cheese whey. Here, the PHA-accumulating efficiency of a mixed microbial culture (MMC, derived from activated sludges) grown on dairy byproducts (cheese and scotta whey) was measured. Bioreactor tests featuring temperature and pH control showed that both scotta and pre-treated Toma cheese whey could be used for PHA production by MMC, although scotta cheese whey supported higher PHA yield and productivity. The advantages of open MMCs include their plasticity and versatility to fast changing conditions; furthermore, no growth-medium sterilization is needed prior to fermentation. However, the use of pure cultures of efficient PHA producers may support better metabolic performances. Therefore, PHA-producing strains were isolated from a MMC, leading to the satisfactory identification of two bacterial strains, Citrobacter freundii and Leuconostoc spp., whose ability to accumulate PHAs in synthetic media was confirmed. A more detailed investigation by mass spectrometry revealed that the strain was L. mesenteroides. Although the validation of L. mesenteroides potential to produce PHA through fermentation of agro-industrial byproducts requires further investigations, this is the first study reporting PHA production with the Leuconostoc genus.

With a growing interest in the concept of a circular economy, the use of lignocellulosic residues, such as lignins and humins, as potential renewable feedstock for biorefining processes looks increasingly promising. Many challenges remain for the sustainable use of humins, starting from the need to provide reference data reflecting actual usable feedstocks of such materials. This paper offers the first study, from this perspective, of the potential environmental fate of those materials and components, all related to furanics, a family of compounds the toxicity of which is still a matter of debate. Conventional ecotoxicity and biodegradability tests required by European regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) for the primary evaluation of environmental hazards were conducted in combination with fish immunomarker tests to study possible long‐term effects on aquatic ecosystems. These first results are promising as humins did not give rise to any immediate ecotoxicological concerns, and hence their use could be considered in environment‐friendly applications. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of their environmental and economic interests, food byproducts have been increasingly exploited and valorized for their richness in dietary fibers and antioxidants. Phenolic compounds are antioxidant bioactive molecules highly present in grape byproducts. Herein, the accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) of phenolic compounds from wet and dried grape pomace, at 45 °C, was conducted and the highest phenolic compounds yield (PCY) for wet (16.2 g GAE/100 g DM) and dry (7.28 g GAE/100 g DM) grape pomace extracts were obtained with 70% ethanol/water solvent at 140 °C. The PCY obtained from wet pomace was up to two times better compared to the dry byproduct and up to 15 times better compared to the same food matrices treated with conventional methods. With regard to Resveratrol, the corresponding dry pomace extract had a better free radical scavenging activity (49.12%) than the wet extract (39.8%). The drying pretreatment process seems to ameliorate the antiradical activity, especially when the extraction by ASE is performed at temperatures above 100 °C. HPLC-DAD analysis showed that the diversity of the flavonoid and the non-flavonoid compounds found in the extracts was seriously affected by the extraction temperature and the pretreatment of the raw material. This diversity seems to play a key role in the scavenging activity demonstrated by the extracts. Our results emphasize on ASE usage as a promising method for the preparation of highly concentrated and bioactive phenolic extracts that could be used in several industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial biorefinery of oleic acid into 1,10-decanedioic acid represents a revolutionizing route to the sustainable production of chemically difficult-to-make bifunctional chemicals. However, the carbon atom economy is extremely low (56%) due to the formation of unifunctional n -octanol. Here, we report a panel of recombinant Escherichia coli modules for diverse bifunctionalization, where the desired genetic parts are well distributed into different modules that can be flexibly combined in a plug-and-play manner. The designed ω-functionalizing modules could achieve ω-hydroxylation, consecutive ω-oxidation, or ω-amination of n -octanoic acid. By integrating these advanced modules with the reported oleic acid-cleaving modules, high-value C8 and C10 products, including ω-hydroxy acid, ω-amino acid, and α,ω-dicarboxylic acid, were produced with 100% carbon atom economy. These ω-functionalizing modules enabled the complete use of all of the carbon atoms from oleic acid (released from plant oil) for the green synthesis of structurally diverse bifunctional chemicals.

Persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) fruit's phytochemical profile includes carotenoids, proanthocyanidins, and gallic acid among other phenolic compounds and vitamins. A huge antioxidant potential is present given this richness in antioxidant compounds. These bioactive compounds impact on health benefits. The intersection of nutrition and sustainability, the key idea behind the EAT-Lancet Commission, which could improve human health and decrease the global impact of food-related health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, bring the discussion regarding persimmon beyond the health effects from its consumption, but also on the valorization of a very perishable food that spoils quickly. A broad option of edible products with better storage stability or solutions that apply persimmon and its byproducts in the reinvention of old products or even creating new products, or with new and better packaging for the preservation of food products with postharvest technologies to preserve and extend the shelf-life of persimmon food products. Facing a global food crisis and the climate emergency, new and better day-to-day solutions are needed right now. Therefore, the use of persimmon waste has also been discussed as a good solution to produce biofuel, eco-friendly alternative reductants for fabric dyes, green plant growth regulator, biodegradable and edible films for vegetable packaging, antimicrobial activity against foodborne methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus found in retail pork, anti-Helicobacter pylori agents from pedicel extracts, and persimmon pectin-based emulsifiers to prevent lipid peroxidation, among other solutions presented in the revised literature. It has become clear that the uses for persimmon go far beyond the kitchen table and the health impact consumption demonstrated over the years. The desired sustainable transition is already in progress, however, mechanistic studies and clinical trials are essential and scaling-up is fundamental to the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]