Selenium-Enriched Probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii CCT 4308 Biomass Production Using Low-Cost Sugarcane Molasses Medium

Abstract Food supplements have been increasingly investigated. Probiotics have several benefits for human and animal health and selenium (Se) is widely recommended against oxidative stress. In this context, the aim of this study was to develop a low-cost bioprocess to produce a functional food product comprising both probiotic and Se accumulation. Yeast cells of Saccharomyces boulardii CCT 4308 were cultivated using sugarcane molasses as substrate. Optimization studies were performed to evaluate the best medium composition for biomass production and Se-accumulation in batch and fed-batch systems. Optimized conditions were defined with a medium composed of 150 g L-1 sugarcane molasses and 12 g L-1 yeast extract, with feeding of 100 g L-1 sugarcane molasses and 100 μg mL-1 of Se incorporation after 4 h and 10 h of fermentation, respectively, during 48 h in STR (stirred tank reactor). Best biomass production reached 14.52 g L-1 with 3.20 mg Se g-1 biomass at 12 h. Process optimization led to 4.82-fold increase in biomass production compared to initial condition. A final Se-enriched S. boulardii CCT 4308 biomass was obtained, which is comparable to commercial products. An alternative probiotic yeast biomass was efficiently produced as a new food-form of Se supplement in a sustainable process using an inexpensive agro-industrial residue.

Formulated products containing a new phytase from Schyzophyllum sp. phytase for application in feed and food processing

A new formulated product containing high yield of phytase from Schizophyllum sp., an important mushroom used for medicinal studies, was developed for application in feed industries and for future use in food processing. The enzyme presented a high activity yield 55.5 U/mL and 6240 U/gds in liquid and solid formulated product, respectively. It showed a good shelf-life in concentrated product, retaining 67.8 percent of its activity after 60 days of storage at room temperature and 90 percent of the activity was maintained in the liquid formulation after the same period. Powder bioformulated product maintained 77 percent of its activity after two months of storage, without the addition of chemical additives, which was named as a new bioformulated product containing high quantities of phytase. After separation and concentration steps, enzyme stability was monitored in two forms: liquid and solid. The liquid product was stable with the presence of manitol and polyethylene glycol at 1 percent (w/v), while solid product was the most stable product without the presence of chemical additives.