Computational modelling of extrusion process temperatures on the interactions between black soldier fly larvae protein and corn flour starch.

Insects such as the black soldier fly (BSF) are recently being studied as food sources to address concerns about how to meet the food demand of the growing world population, as conventional production lines for meat proteins are currently unsustainable sources. Studies have been conducted evaluating the use of insect proteins to produce extruded foods such as expanded snacks and meat analogues. However, this field of study is still quite new and not much has been studied beyond digestibility and growth performance. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the compatibility of protein extracted from BSF flour with corn flour starch within an extruded balanced shrimp feed model through molecular dynamics simulations, for which cohesive energy density and solubility parameter (δ) of both components were determined. The calculations' results for the protein molecule systems yielded an average δ of 14.961 MPa0.5, while the δ for starch was calculated to be 23.166 MPa0.5. The range of difference between both δ (10 > Î´ > 7) suggests that the interaction of the BSF protein with corn starch is of a semi-miscible nature. These results suggest that it is possible to obtain a stable starch-protein mixture through the extrusion process.

Improvement in the Thermostability of a Recombinant ß-Glucosidase Immobilized in Zeolite under Different Conditions.

ß-Glucosidase is part of the cellulases and is responsible for degrading cellobiose into glucose, a compound that can be used to produce biofuels. However, the use of the free enzyme makes the process more expensive. Enzyme immobilization improves catalytic characteristics and supports, such as zeolites, which have physical-chemical characteristics and ion exchange capacity that have a promising application in the biotechnological industry. This research aimed to immobilize by adsorption a recombinant ß-glucosidase from Trichoderma reesei, obtained in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), in a commercial zeolite. A Box Behnken statistical design was applied to find the optimal immobilization parameters, the stability against pH and temperature was determined, and the immobilized enzyme was characterized by SEM. The highest enzymatic activity was determined with 100 mg of zeolite at 35 °C and 175 min. Compared to the free enzyme, the immobilized recombinant ß-glucosidase presented greater activity from pH 2 to 4 and greater thermostability. The kinetic parameters were calculated, and a lower KM value was obtained for the immobilized enzyme compared to the free enzyme. The obtained immobilization parameters by a simple adsorption method and the significant operational stability indicate promising applications in different fields.

Effect of glandless cottonseed meal protein and maltodextrin as microencapsulating agents on spray-drying of sugarcane bagasse phenolic compounds.

This study examines the effect of different concentrations of glandless cottonseed meal protein (GCSMP) and maltodextrin (MD) as microencapsulating agents on the shelf life stability of phenolic compounds extracted from sugarcane bagasse (SCB). Sugarcane bagasse showed high antioxidant activity, which remained stable after 30 days of storage at 4°C. The best microencapsulation process was obtained with an MD and GCSMP ratio of 63.6% and 36.4%, respectively. The encapsulating agents' ratio affected the encapsulation efficiency (EE) (p < 0.05), while the spray-drying temperature did not show an effect on the EE of the SCB phenolic compounds (p > 0.05). The antioxidant activity of the microencapsulated phenolic compounds was affected by the MD/GCSMP ratio (p < 0.05). The combination of MD and GCSM showed a higher EE than MD (p < 0.05), while the EE was lower when the ratio of encapsulating agents consisted of either MD or GCSMP alone (p < 0.05). The total phenolic content (TPC) in the microcapsules was not affected by the GCSMP ratio (p < 0.05). The TPC of microencapsulated phenolic compounds was stable up to 100°C for 14 days. GCSMP containing microcapsules showed a corrugated surface compared to a more homogenized surface of MD. The resulting corrugated structure explains the higher EE showed by the GCSMP. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The use of sugarcane bagasse has been shown to add value to waste from agricultural and industrial sources. Glandless cottonseed meal protein is an excellent protective agent of antioxidants and can be extracted from agricultural waste. The encapsulated antioxidants can be used for the development of healthy, functional foods.

Reduction in the in vitro ruminal methane production with the inclusion of Cucurbita foetidissima / Reducción en la producción ruminal de metano in vitro con la inclusión de Cucurbita foetidissima

ABSTRACT Objective. This research aimed to evaluate the inclusion of Cucurbita foetidissima (BG) leaves as a partial or total substitution of alfalfa hay (AH) in beef cattle diets on in vitro methane output, gas kinetics and volatile fatty acids production. Materials and Methods. Five experimental treatments were formulated with the inclusion of BG as alfalfa hay (AH) substitute at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% in experimental treatments denominated CON (control), BG25, BG50, BG75 and BG100, respectively. Results. Lignin and organic matter decreased with BG inclusion (p<0.05). However, NDF, CT and TPC increased with higher levels of BG (p<0.05). Maximum gas production diminished with BG inclusion (p<0.05); whereas, microbial protein production, specific gas production rate and latency period were not affected (p>0.05). Methane production decreased linearly with BG inclusion (p<0.05). Nevertheless, CO2 production showed no changes with inclusion of graded levels of BG in the experimental treatments (p>0.05). Additionally, acetate and butyrate were not affected by BG inclusion (p>0.05); although, propionate increased linearly among treatments (p<0.05). Furthermore, inclusion of 75% of BG reduced 31% in vitro methane production without changes in CO2 production, suggesting an inhibition of endogenous methanogenesis. Conclusions. These results promote the inclusion of BG leaves as a potential and environmentally friendly forage source for beef cattle feeding.

RESUMEN Objetivo. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la inclusión de hojas de Cucurbita foetidissima (BG) como sustituto parcial o total de la alfafa (AH) en la dieta de ganado de engorda sobre la cinética de producción de gas y producción ruminal in vitro de metano y ácidos grasos volátiles. Materiales y Métodos. Se formularon cinco dietas con la inclusión de BG como sustituto de heno de alfalfa a 0, 25, 50, 75 y 100% en los tratamientos experimentales que se denominaron CON (control), BG25, BG50, BG75 y BG100, respectivamente. Resultados. La lignina y la materia orgánica disminuyeron con la inclusión de BG (p<0.05). La máxima producción de gas disminuyó con la inclusión de BG (p<0.05); mientras que la producción de proteína microbiana, la tasa específica de producción de gas y el tiempo de latencia no mostraron cambios(p>0.05). La producción de metano disminuyó linealmente con la inclusión de BG (p<0.05). No obstante, la producción de CO2 no mostró cambios con la inclusión de BG en los tratamientos (p<0.05). Adicionalmente, el acetato y el butirato no fueron afectados por la inclusión de BG (p>0.05); a pesar de que el propionato se incrementó linealmente (p<0.05). Además, la inclusión de BG en un 75% redujo la producción de metano 31% sin afectar la producción de CO2, lo que sugiere una inhibición de la metanogenesis endógena. Conclusiones. Estos resultados promueven la inclusión de hojas de BG como una fuente de forraje potencial y amigable con el ambiente en la alimentación de ganado de engorda.

Antimicrobial, Shelf-Life Stability, and Effect of Maltodextrin and Gum Arabic on the Encapsulation Efficiency of Sugarcane Bagasse Bioactive Compounds.

This study shows the effects of maltodextrins and gum arabic as microencapsulation agents on the stability of sugarcane bagasse extracts and the potential use of the extracts as antimicrobial agents. The bioactive compounds in sugarcane bagasse (SCB) were extracted using 90% methanol and an orbital shaker at a fixed temperature of 50 °C, thereby obtaining a yield of the total phenolic content of 5.91 mg GAE/g. The bioactive compounds identified in the by-product were flavonoids, alkaloids, and lignan (-) Podophyllotoxin. The total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, and shelf-life stability of fresh and microencapsulated TPC were analyzed. This experiment's optimal microencapsulation can be obtained with a ratio of 0.6% maltodextrin (MD)/9.423% gum arabic (GA). Sugarcane bagasse showed high antioxidant activities, which remained stable after 30 days of storage and antimicrobial properties against E. coli, B. cereus, S. aureus, and the modified yeast SGS1. The TPC of the microencapsulated SCB extracts was not affected (p > 0.05) by time or storage temperature due to the combination of MD and GA as encapsulating agents. The antioxidant and antimicrobial capacities of sugarcane bagasse extracts showed their potential use as a source of bioactive compounds for further use as a food additive or nutraceutical. The results are a first step in encapsulating phenolic compounds from SCB as a promising source of antioxidant agents and ultimately a novel resource for functional foods.