Role of Thermal Process on the Physicochemical and Rheological Properties and Antioxidant Capacity of a New Functional Beverage Based on Coconut Water and Rice Flour.

Different substrates have been implemented for the production of functional beverages. To avoid the presence of pathogens, beverages have been subjected to thermal treatments, such as sterilization or pasteurization, which can interfere with the physicochemical, rheological, functional, and organoleptic properties of the final product. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of heat treatment on the physicochemical properties, such as acidity, pH, total solids, density, total and reducing sugar, as well as the antioxidant activity of a beverage formulated from rice flour (RF) and coconut water (CW). Three beverage formulations were evaluated: A (2% RF; 98% CW), B (5% RF; 95% CW), and C (8% RF; 92% CW), each of which was subjected to two heat treatments: sterilized (121 °C/15 psi/15 min) or pasteurized (60 °C/60 min and subsequently 73 °C/15 s). The heat treatments increased the acidity and reducing sugars but decreased pH, total sugar, and antioxidant activity. As for the rheological properties, the mixtures were pseudoplastic fluid. The physicochemical properties from RF and CW mixtures were dependent on the heat treatment, but these can be introduced as new nondairy substrates for the elaboration of functional beverages to be consumed mainly by those lactose intolerant.

Factorial Design to Optimize Dextran Production by the Native Strain Leuconostoc mesenteroides SF3.

Dextran is an extracellular bacterial polysaccharide for which industrial applications have been found in different areas. Several researchers have optimized the fermentation conditions to maximize dextran production. This study aimed to characterize the dextran of Leuconostoc mesenteroides SF3, which was isolated from the aguamiel of Agave salmiana. To maximize the yield of dextran, the effects of sucrose concentration, temperature, and incubation time were studied. The experiments were conducted using a factorial design and a response surface methodology. L. mesenteroides SF3 produced a maximum yield of dextran (23.8 g/L ± 4) after 16 h of incubation at 25 °C with 10% sucrose. The functional properties such as water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, and emulsion activity of this unique dextran were 361.8% ± 3.1, 212.0% ± 6.7, and 58.3% ± 0.7, respectively. These properties indicate that the dextran produced by L. mesenteroides SF3 is a high-quality polysaccharide with potential applications in the food industry, and the optimized conditions for its production could be used for the commercial production of this dextran, which have significant industrial perspectives.

Chitosan as a Coating for Biocontrol in Postharvest Products: A Bibliometric Review.

The aim of this work was to carry out a systematic literature review focused on the scientific production, trends, and characteristics of a knowledge domain of high worldwide importance, namely, the use of chitosan as a coating for postharvest disease biocontrol in fruits and vegetables, which are generated mainly by fungi and bacteria such as Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolonifera, and Botrytis cinerea. For this, the analysis of 875 published documents in the Scopus database was performed for the years 2011 to 2021. The information of the keywords' co-occurrence was visualized and studied using the free access VOSviewer software to show the trend of the topic in general. The study showed a research increase of the chitosan and nanoparticle chitosan coating applications to diminish the postharvest damage by microorganisms (fungi and bacteria), as well as the improvement of the shelf life and quality of the products.

Clarification Processes of Orange Prickly Pear Juice (Opuntia spp.) by Microfiltration.

In this study, fresh orange prickly pear juice (Opuntia spp.) was clarified by a cross-flow microfiltration (MF) process on a laboratory scale. The viability of the process-in terms of productivity (permeate flux of 77.80 L/h) and the rejection of selected membranes towards specific compounds-was analyzed. The quality of the clarified juice was also analyzed for total antioxidants (TEAC), betalains content (mg/100 g wet base), turbidity (NTU) and colorimetry parameters (L, a*, b*, Croma and H). The MF process permitted an excellent level of clarification, reducing the suspended solids and turbidity of the fresh juice. In the clarified juice, a decrease in total antioxidants (2.03 TEAC) and betalains content (4.54 mg/100 g wet basis) was observed as compared to the fresh juice. Furthermore, there were significant changes in color properties due to the effects of the L, a*, b*, C and h° values after removal of turbidity of the juice. The turbidity also decreased (from 164.33 to 0.37 NTU).

Impact of Leuconostoc SD23 intake in obese pregnant rats: benefits for maternal metabolism.

Maternal obesity (MO) during pregnancy and lactation leads to maternal and offspring metabolic dysfunction. Recent research has suggested that probiotics might be a novel approach to counteract these unwanted MO effects. The aim of this research was to analyze the impact of Leuconostoc SD23, a probiotic isolated from aguamiel (traditional Mexican drink), on MO metabolism in rats at the end of lactation (21 days). From weaning through lactation, control female Wistar rats (C) ate chow (5% fat) or high-energy obesogenic diet (MO; 25% fat). Half the C and MO mothers received a daily dose (1 × 1010 CFU/ml) of probiotic orally, control with probiotic (CP) and MO with probiotic (MOP), 1 month before mating and through pregnancy and lactation. Histological analyses of the liver, white adipose tissue and small intestine, body composition, glucose, insulin, triglycerides, and leptin were determined in mothers at the end of lactation. Maternal weight during pregnancy was greater in MO than C mothers, but similar at the end of lactation. Probiotic intervention had no effect on maternal weight. However, at the end of lactation, percentage of body fat was higher in MO than C, CP, and MOP. Serum glucose, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and triglycerides were higher in MO versus C, CP, and MOP. MO small intestine villus height was higher versus MOP, C, and CP. Leuconostoc SD23 did not present adverse effects in C. Conclusions: maternal administration of Leuconostoc SD23 has beneficial effects on maternal metabolism, which holds possibilities for preventing adverse offspring metabolic programming.

Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides SD23 Prevents Metabolic Dysfunction Associated with High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Male Mice.

High-fat diet (HFD) consumption induces obesity and increases blood glucose, insulin resistance, and metabolic disorders. Recent studies suggest that probiotics might be a novel approach to counteract these effects in the treatment of obesity. Here, we evaluated the effect of Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides SD23 on obesity-related metabolic dysfunction. In the present study, mice were randomly divided into four dietary groups: standard diet (C), HFD (OB), standard diet with L. mesenteroides SD23 (CP), and HFD with L. mesenteroides SD23 (OBP). Diets were maintained for 14 weeks. Animal weight was monitored and biochemical and histological analyses were performed after intervention. OB showed metabolic dysfunction, and increased the number of larger adipocytes compared to C. OB induced liver tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression, increased cholesterol, leptin, and glucose levels compared to C. OBP reduced body weight, glucose, cholesterol, and leptin levels and improved glucose tolerance compared to OB. OBP also reduced liver steatosis, the number of larger adipocytes in adipose tissue, and reduced the villus height in the small intestine. OBP decreased expression of TNF-α and increased expression of IL-10 in liver. The parameters evaluated in the CP were similar to the C. This study provides novel evidence that dietary intervention with L. mesenteroides SD23 improves metabolic dysfunction related to obesity in HFD-fed mice.

Utilización de marcadores ITS e ISSR para la caracterización molecular de cepas híbridas de Pleurotus djamor / Use of ITS and ISSR markers in the molecular characterisation of Pleurotus djamor hybrid strains

Antecedentes. La caracterización molecular de cepas silvestres de Pleurotus es importante para la conservación del germoplasma y su posterior uso en la mejora genética. No se han realizado estudios moleculares con los monocariontes utilizados para la producción de cepas híbridas, ni de las cepas reconstituidas obtenidas al aparear tales monocariontes. Por consiguiente, la caracterización molecular de cepas dicarióticas parentales, híbridas y reconstituidas, así como de cepas monocarióticas, es de suma importancia. Objetivos. Caracterizar molecularmente cepas dicarióticas silvestres e híbridas, así como cepas monocarióticas de Pleurotus djamor. Métodos. Se recolectaron cinco cepas silvestres de P. djamor en diferentes estados de México y se identificaron molecularmente mediante la secuenciación de la región ITS1-5.8-ITS2 con los oligonucleótidos universales ITS1 e ITS4. Se seleccionaron dos cepas silvestres y se generaron cuatro cepas híbridas por apareamiento de neohaplontes compatibles. Para la caracterización molecular de las cepas monocarióticas y dicarióticas seleccionadas y producidas se utilizaron seis marcadores ISSR. Resultados. Con los marcadores ITS se obtuvo un producto de amplificación de 700 pb en las cinco cepas silvestres con una similitud del 99-100% con la especie P. djamor. Con los marcadores ISSR se obtuvieron un total de 95 fragmentos con un 99% de polimorfismo. Conclusiones. Las cepas silvestres se identificaron como P. djamor. Los marcadores ISSR generaron bandas polimórficas en las cepas monocarióticas y dicarióticas, y separaron ambos tipos de cepas. El alto grado de polimorfismo indica la diversidad genética de P. djamor, una ventaja para la producción de hongos y para la mejora de la especie (AU)

Background. Molecular characterisation of wild type Pleurotus species is important for germplasm conservation and its further use for genetic improvement. No molecular studies have been performed with monokaryons used for producing hybrid strains, either with the reconstituted strains obtained by pairing those monokaryons. The molecular characterisation of parental dikaryons, hybrid, and reconstituted strains as well as monokaryotic strains, is therefore of utmost importance. Aims. To carry out the molecular identification of Pleurotus djamor strains, i.e. dikaryotic wild type strains, hybrid strains, and the monokaryotic strains used for the hybrid formation. Methods. Five wild type strains of P. djamor from different states in Mexico were collected and molecularly identified by sequencing the ITS1-5.8-ITS2 region using ITS1 and ITS4 universal oligonucleotides. Four hybrid strains were obtained by pairing neohaplonts of two wild type strains selected. Six ISSR markers were used for the molecular characterisation of monokaryotic and dikaryotic strains. Results. Using the ITS markers, an amplified product of 700bp was obtained in five wild type strains, with a 99-100% similarity with P. djamor. A total of 95 fragments were obtained using the ISSR markers, with 99% of polymorphism. Conclusions. Wild type strains were identified as P. djamor, and were clearly grouped with Mexican strains from other states of Mexico. ISSR markers allowed the generation of polymorphic bands in monokaryotic and dikaryotic strains, splitting both types of strains. The high degree of polymorphism indicates the genetic diversity of P. djamor, an advantage in mushroom production and in the improving of the species (AU)

[Use of ITS and ISSR markers in the molecular characterisation of Pleurotus djamor hybrid strains]. / Utilización de marcadores ITS e ISSR para la caracterización molecular de cepas híbridas de Pleurotus djamor.

BACKGROUND: Molecular characterisation of wild type Pleurotus species is important for germplasm conservation and its further use for genetic improvement. No molecular studies have been performed with monokaryons used for producing hybrid strains, either with the reconstituted strains obtained by pairing those monokaryons. The molecular characterisation of parental dikaryons, hybrid, and reconstituted strains as well as monokaryotic strains, is therefore of utmost importance. AIMS: To carry out the molecular identification of Pleurotus djamor strains, i.e. dikaryotic wild type strains, hybrid strains, and the monokaryotic strains used for the hybrid formation. METHODS: Five wild type strains of P. djamor from different states in Mexico were collected and molecularly identified by sequencing the ITS1-5.8-ITS2 region using ITS1 and ITS4 universal oligonucleotides. Four hybrid strains were obtained by pairing neohaplonts of two wild type strains selected. Six ISSR markers were used for the molecular characterisation of monokaryotic and dikaryotic strains. RESULTS: Using the ITS markers, an amplified product of 700bp was obtained in five wild type strains, with a 99-100% similarity with P. djamor. A total of 95 fragments were obtained using the ISSR markers, with 99% of polymorphism. CONCLUSIONS: Wild type strains were identified as P. djamor, and were clearly grouped with Mexican strains from other states of Mexico. ISSR markers allowed the generation of polymorphic bands in monokaryotic and dikaryotic strains, splitting both types of strains. The high degree of polymorphism indicates the genetic diversity of P. djamor, an advantage in mushroom production and in the improving of the species.

Phenolic compounds recovered from agro-food by-products using membrane technologies: An overview.

Typically, the various agro-food by-products of the food industry are treated by standard membrane processes, such as microfiltration, ultrafiltration and nanofiltration, in order to prepare them for final disposal. Recently, however, new membrane technologies have been developed. The recovery, separation and fractionation of high-added-value compounds, such as phenolic compounds from food processing waste, are major current research challenges. The goal of this paper is to provide a critical review of the main agro-food by-products treated by membrane technologies for the recovery of nutraceuticals. State-of-the-art of developments in the field are described. Particular attention is paid to experimental results reported for the recovery of polyphenols and their derivatives of different molecular weight. The literature data are analyzed and discussed in relation to separation processes, molecule properties, membrane characteristics and other interesting phenomena that occur during their recovery.