Bleachability and characterization by Fourier transform infrared principal component analysis of Acetosolv pulps obtained from sugarcane bagasse

Sugarcane bagasse Acetosolv pulps were bleached by xylanase and the pulps classified by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and principal component analysis (PCA). Pulp was treated with xylanase for 4-8 hwith stirring at 30 degrees C. Some samples were further extracted with NaOH for 1 h at 65 degrees C. FTIR spectra were recorded directly from the dried pulp samples by using the diffuse reflectance technique. Reduction in kappa number of 69% was obtained after sequence xylanase (4 h)-alkaline extraction. During bleaching the viscosity decreased only 12%. FTIR-PCA showed that the first three principal components (PCs) explained more than 90% of the total variance of the pulp spectra. PC2 x PC1 plot showed that the points related to pulps from sequence xylanase (4 h)-alkaline extraction are different from the other. This group is enlarged by plotting PC3 x PC1 or PC3x PC2 containing all pulps submitted to alkaline extraction. PC2 and PC3 are the principal factor for differentiation of the pulps. These PCs suffer influence of the ester bands (1740 and 1244 cm(-1)). On the other hand, the pulps bleached only with xylanase could not be differentiated from the nonbleached pulps.

Evaluation of a new strategy in the elaboration of culture media to produce surfactin from hemicellulosic corncob liquor

The biosurfactant production is characterized by high costs with substrates, which does not make them sufficiently competitive against synthetic surfactants. The insertion of alternative sources of low cost, especially agro-industrial residue, is an excellent alternative to make this competitiveness viable. An alkaline pretreatment was used to extract the hemicellulose from corncob in order to enhance its C5 fraction, common to vegetable biomasses. The hemicellulosic corncob liquor was used with glucose and mineral salt solution as carbon and nutrients sources in a fermentation process for the growth of Bacillus subtilis. It was performed a 2³ full factorial design to determine the best conditions for the surfactin production in relation to the following response variables: surface tension reduction rate (STRR) and emulsification index (EI₂₄), from which were obtained two optimized bioproducts under specific conditions. The optimized biosurfactants found to be effected presenting a critical micelle concentration of 100 mg.L^-1 and a maximum bioremediation potential of 85.18%, as well as maximum values of 57.38% and 65.30% for STRR and EI₂₄ variables, respectively. Overall results pointed for a successful commercial application for the surfactin produced.

Bromelain enzyme from pineapple: in vitro activity study under different micropropagation conditions

The aim of this work was to evaluate the activity of bromelain in pineapple plants (Ananas comosus var. Comosus), Pérola cultivar, produced in vitro in different culture conditions. This enzyme, besides its pharmacological effects, is also employed in food industries, such as breweries and meat processing. In this work, the enzymatic activity was evaluated in the tissues of leaves and stems of plants grown in culture medium without plant growth regulator. The most significant levels of bromelain were observed in leaf tissue after 4 months of culture in vitro in medium with a filter paper bridge, followed by medium gelled by the agar. The results of this study, regarding the different structures of the pineapple (leaves and stems) in vitro showed that the activity of bromelain varied depending on the culture conditions, the time and structure of which was quantified, ensuring a viable strategy in the production of seedlings with high levels of bromelain in subsequent phases of micropropagation.

Potential of pineapple peel in the alternative composition of culture media for biosurfactant production

The large pineapple's consumption and processing have generated a massive amount of waste yearly, which requires adequate treatment measures to avoid damages to the environment. Pineapple peel is one of the main residues obtained from this fruit and a promising strategy to take advantage of its potential is using it for biosurfactant production due to the peel's rich composition in fermentable sugars and nutrients, such as potassium and magnesium that favor the Bacillus subtilis growth and biosurfactant excretion as well. The current research performed a central composite design (CCD) with four independent variables (glucose, pineapple peel, potassium, and magnesium), evaluating substrates' influence on the surface tension reduction rate (STRR) and the emulsification index (EI₂₄). The results indicated that pineapple peel has the necessary potential to act as a partial substitute for glucose and salt nutrients, minimizing the costs of supplementing with exogenous minerals. The highest surface tension reduction rate (57.744%) was obtained at 2.18% glucose (w/v); 14.67% pineapple peel (v/v); 2.38 g/L KH₂PO₄; and 0.15 g/L MgSO₄.7H₂O; whereas to obtain the maximum predicted value for EI₂₄ (61.92%) the medium was composed by 2.24% glucose (w/v); 12.63% pineapple peel (v/v); 2.53 g/L KH₂PO₄; and 0.29 g/L MgSO₄.7H₂O.

Biosurfactants produced from corncob: a bibliometric perspective of a renewable and promising substrate

The reuse of agro-industrial waste has been a recurring issue since the 20th century. With a composition rich in carbohydrates and because of the massive amount of residue produced daily all over the world, corncob became a low-cost and suitable substrate to produce high added-value compounds. Biosurfactants are bioproducts of versatile applications due to their chemical structure with hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions. The current work performed a bibliometric analysis to identify research related to the synthesis of biosurfactants using corncob as substrate. Despite the high availability of corncobs, only nine articles were found in Scopus and Web of Science using different pretreatment processes and microorganisms. After an initial screening, data regarding research organizations, scientific journals, citations, countries, institutions, and keywords were analyzed. Results indicated that corncobs were also used to produce enzymes, adsorbents, activated carbon, and furfural. The presented evaluation updated the status of art, identifying a serious need for more research, especially because of corncob's high potential to provide fermentable sugars and the wide range of variables influencing fermentation processes that still need to be studied. A future association of this low-cost substrate with other methods can result in a promising scenario for technology transference.

Unlocking the potential of biosurfactants: Production, applications, market challenges, and opportunities for agro-industrial waste valorization

Biosurfactants are eco-friendly compounds with unique properties and promising potential as sustainable alternatives to chemical surfactants. The current review explores the multifaceted nature of biosurfactant production and applications, highlighting key fermentative parameters and microorganisms able to convert carbon-containing sources into biosurfactants. A spotlight is given on biosurfactants' obstacles in the global market, focusing on production costs and the challenges of large-scale synthesis. Innovative approaches to valorizing agro-industrial waste were discussed, documenting the utilization of lignocellulosic waste, food waste, oily waste, and agro-industrial wastewater in the segment. This strategy strongly contributes to large-scale, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly biosurfactant production, while the recent advances in waste valorization pave the way for a sustainable society.

Perspectives for application of jabuticaba and its residues

Native tropical fruits have received increasing prominence for being rich sources of bioactive compounds that can add value to industrial processing, in the agricultural sector, and biological and chemical studies. Accordingly, jabuticaba is Brazilian tropical fruit with high growth in the market, with great potential for application in sectors that use anthocyanins and phenolic compounds at some stage of processing. This scenario's perception motivated the development of the present bibliometric study to collect and analyze data extracted from the Scopus platform on the use of jabuticaba and its residues in different applications. The papers were evaluated for annual publication profile, geographical distribution, keywords, research subject areas, most productive journals and authors, most cited papers, and hot issues on selected literature. Among the articles analyzed, Brazil led the ranking of documents registered on the theme, whose growth outlook is optimistic for the coming years, especially with the knowledge of the jabuticaba tree's cultivation and needs. Keywords analysis confirmed the potentiality of the jabuticaba due to its phenolic compounds, opening space for discussion of its benefits in the areas of Agricultural and Biological Sciences; Chemistry; Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, as well as Medicine and Nursing.

Use of corncob and pineapple peel as associated substrates for biosurfactant production

Biosurfactants are amphiphilic biomolecules with promising tensoative and emulsifying properties that find application in the most varied industrial sectors: environment, food, agriculture, petroleum, cosmetics, and hygiene. In the current work, a 23 full-factorial design was performed to evaluate the effect and interactions of pineapple peel and corncob as substrates for biosurfactant production by Bacillus subtilis LMA-ICF-PC 001. In a previous stage, an alkaline pretreatment was applied to corncob samples to extract the xylose-rich hydrolysate. The results indicated that pineapple peel extract and xylose-rich hydrolysate acted as partial glucose substitutes, minimizing production costs with exogenous substrates. Biosurfactant I (obtained at 8.11% pineapple peel extract, 8.11% xylose-rich hydrolysate from corncob, and 2.8109 g/L glucose) exhibited a significant surface tension reduction (52.37%) and a promising bioremediation potential (87.36%). On the other hand, biosurfactant III (obtained at 8.11% pineapple peel extract, 31.89% xylose-rich hydrolysate from corncob, and 2.8109 g/L glucose) exhibited the maximum emulsification index in engine oil (69.60%), the lowest critical micellar concentration (68 mg/L), and the highest biosurfactant production (5.59 g/L). These findings demonstrated that using pineapple peel extract and xylose-rich hydrolysate from corncob effectively supports biosurfactant synthesis by B. subtilis, reinforcing how agro-industrial wastes can substitute traditional carbon sources, contributing to cost reduction and environmental sustainability.

Evaluation of geographical indication for the clay handicraft from a city in the Northeast of Brazil

Geographical indications (GIs) can provide quality perception to a product by recognizing its unique characteristics, which creates the expectation that the registration of a GI is associated with its regional economic development. According to the literature, there are two types of GI: appellation of origin (AO) and indication of source (IS). The present study aimed to evaluate the best practice for obtaining an IS for the clay handicrafts produced in the municipality of Santana do São Francisco, in the northeast region of Brazil. Applied research, with a qualitative structure, was the methodology used to identify and select the ideal agents that potentiate the gains resulting from the GI. The evaluation was based on the methodology defined by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply of Brazil (Mapa), adapted for the qualification of agents able to carry out the necessary actions for the recognition process. The results showed that the Association of Artisans and the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae) could act as the requesting and support entities, respectively, since both fulfill the requirements to work in favor of obtaining an indication of source in Santana do São Francisco.