Potential of Plantain Pseudostems (Musa AAB Simmonds) for Developing Biobased Composite Materials.

A plantain pseudostem was harvested and processed on the same day. The process began with manually separating the sheaths (80.85%) and the core (19.14%). The sheaths were subjected to a mechanical shredding process using paddles, extracting 2.20% of lignocellulosic fibers and 2.12% of sap, compared to the fresh weight of the sheaths. The fibers were washed, dried, combed, and spun in their native state and subjected to a steam explosion treatment, while the sap was subjected to filtration and evaporation. In the case of the core, it was subjected to manual cutting, drying, grinding, and sieving to separate 12.81% of the starch and 6.39% of the short lignocellulosic fibers, compared to the fresh weight of the core. The surface modification method using steam explosion succeeded in removing a low proportion of hemicellulose and lignin in the fibers coming from the shims, according to what was shown by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), achieving increased σmax and ε from the tensile test and greater thermal stability compared to its native state. The sap presented hygroscopic behavior by FT-IR and the highest thermal stability from TGA, while the starch from the core presented the lowest hygroscopic character and thermal stability. Although the pseudostem supplied two types of fibers, lower lignin content was identified in those from the core. Finally, the yarns were elaborated by using the fibers of the sheaths in their native and steam-exploded states, identifying differences in the processing and their respective physical and mechanical properties.

Effect of the Addition of Fique Bagasse Cellulose Nanoparticles on the Mechanical and Structural Properties of Plastic Flexible Films from Cassava Starch.

One of the activities most representative of the agricultural sector in Colombia is the production of biodegradable fique fiber. The efficiency of the defiberization process of the fique leaves is very low since a mere 4% of the total weight of the leaf (cabuya) is used and marketed. The remaining 96%, composed of fique juice and bagasse, is considered to be waste and discarded, impacting the environment. The aim of this work was to study fique bagasse as a source of cellulose nanoparticles (CNCs). CNCs were obtained by acid hydrolysis and added at 10% to films made from cassava thermoplastic starch (TPS) by the casting method. Structural changes in the CNCs, TPS, and their mixtures were characterized by FTIR-ATR and their morphology and particle size by SEM and TEM microscopy, respectively. Thermal properties were analyzed using DSC and TGA, along with their effect on mechanical properties. Changes in the FTIR spectra indicated that the chemical method adequately removed hemicellulose and lignin from the fiber surface of fique bagasse. The CNCs showed a diameter and length of 7.5 ± 3.9 and 52.7 ± 18.1 nm, respectively, and TPS 10% CNC obtained an increase in mechanical strength of 116%. The obtainment of CNCs from lignocellulosic materials can thus be viewed as a favorable option for the subsequent reinforcement of a polymeric matrix.

Preliminary study of physicochemical, thermal, rheological, and interfacial properties of quinoa oil.

Background: The growing popularity of nutrient-rich foods, among which is quinoa, is due to the increasing demand for healthier choices. Oils and hydrolyzed proteins from these foods may help prevent various health issues. The objective of this work was to perform extraction from the endosperm of the grain from high-protein quinoa flour by physical means via a differential abrasive milling process and extracting the oil using an automatic auger extractor at 160°C, as well as characterizing extracted oil. Methods: Quinoa oil extraction and physicochemical characterization were carried out. Chemical and physical quality indexes of quinoa oil were established, and both characterizations were conducted based on international and Columbian standards. Thermal properties were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry, and rheological and interfacial properties of the oil were evaluated using hybrid rheometers and Drop Tensiometers, respectively, to determine its potential for obtaining functional foods. Results: The result was 10.5 g of oil/ 100 g of endosperm, with a moisture content of 0.12%, insoluble impurities of 0.017%, peroxide index of 18.5 meq O 2/kg of oil, saponification index of 189.6 mg potassium hydroxide/g of oil, refractive index of 1.401, and a density of 0.9179 g/cm 3 at 20°C. Regarding contaminating metals, it presented 7 mg of iron/kg of oil, a value higher than previously established limits of 5 mg of iron/kg of oil. The oil contained 24.9% oleic acid, 55.3% linoleic acid, and 4% linolenic acid, demonstrating antioxidant capacity. Quinoa oil showed thermal properties similar to other commercial oils. Conclusions: The interfacial and rheological properties were suitable for the stabilization of emulsions, gels, and foams, which are important in various industrial applications and could facilitate the development of new products. The extracted quinoa oil presented similar characteristics to other commercial oils, which could make it a potential product for commercialization and application in different industries.

Effect of pH on the interfacial and foaming properties of Maillard reaction-modified proteins.

The interfacial and foaming properties of two conjugates obtained by Maillard reaction was determinate, at heating times of 36 and 60 h. The effect of covalent interaction between ß-lactoglobulin (ß-Lg) and two dextran molecular weights (10 and 20 kDa) were evaluated at pH 7 and pH 5, establishing protein controls, mixed systems, and mixing controls for each system. At pH 7, the first conjugate showed an increase in surface activity, while the other showed an opposite effect on the glycosylation process. At pH 5, both conjugates showed a low surface activity, evidenced in the diffusion constants. Less foaming stability was observed at pH 5, compared to pH 7, related to the formation of protein aggregates due to the proximity to their pI. Both conjugates showed greater stability, at both pH 7 and pH 5, with respect to their control systems, due to greater steric-type interaction forces between adjacent bubbles when the interface could be stabilized by glycosylates than when there is only protein. These results indicate that glycosylated b-Lg could find use as an additive and foaming agent, particularly in acidic foods.

Effect of the addition of fique bagasse microparticles in obtaining a biobased material based on cassava starch.

The indiscriminate accumulation of plastic waste has prompted research that leads to obtaining biobased materials. The research aim was to evaluate the effect of incorporating fique bagasse microparticles (FBM) in a cassava starch-based foamed material. First, the FBM extraction conditions were established by acid hydrolysis, for which the effect of acid concentration (5, 10 and 15% H2SO4), temperature (70, 80 and 90 °C) and extraction time (3, 5 and 7 h) on particle size, functional groups, color, and thermal properties was evaluated. The addition of FBM to the foamed material was then carried out. To do this, a completely randomized design with five treatments (0, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.25% FBM) was evaluated. The response variables were the apparent density, expansion and spring index, compressibility, water absorption, thermal properties and FTIR. The results showed that the acid concentration, temperature and time had an effect on the morphological, chemical and thermal properties of FBM, with 10%, 70 °C and 7 h being the conditions that allowed obtaining the smallest particle size (61.69 ± 12.88 µm2). Moreover, the FBM concentration had a significant effect on the physical and mechanical properties of the foam, unleashing the treatment properties of 0.75%. This indicates that FBM have potential for use in obtaining biobased materials.

Ulomoides dermestoides Coleopteran action on Thermoplastic Starch/Poly(lactic acid) films biodegradation: a novel, challenging and sustainable approach for a fast mineralization process.

Ulomoides dermestoides (UL) are macroinvertebrates insects belonging to Tenebrionidae Coleopteran family. They were used to hasten, in five days, the biodegradation-mineralization of thermoplastic starch (TPS)-poly(lactic acid) (PLA) films, otherwise biodegradable under composting conditions. After the contact of TPS-PLA film with UL for five days, TPS was metabolized and PLA was hydrolysed, as evidenced by decreasing of hydroxyl and carbonyl group peaks intensity by FTIR spectra, increasing of 13% of PLA crystallinity by DSC thermograms, reduction of PLA and TPS thermal stability by TGA analysis; faecal residues evidenced two glass transition temperature Tg, at 33 °C and 57 °C, associated with depolymerized TPS and PLA, respectively. SEM micrographs highlighted consumption of TPS-PLA surface, while GPC analysis showed a decrease in PLA concentration by 20% during contact by UL. Mineralization tests evidenced UL boosted effect on TPS biodigestion-biodegradation (80%) and PLA biodisintegration (50%), envisaging a challenging perspective for end-life management of bioplastics in environmental conditions.

A review of trends in the development of bionanocomposites from lignocellulosic and polyacids biomolecules as packing material making alternative: A bibliometric analysis.

Contamination caused by the accumulation of petrochemical-based plastics has reached worrying magnitudes and led to the development of biopolymers as an option to mitigate the problem. This work thus presents a bibliometric analysis of all that concerns the development of such bionanocomposite materials, using ScientoPy and SciMAT software to establish associations between the number of published documents, countries, institutions and most relevant topics. The bionanocomposites topic was found to throw up the biggest number of documents associated (2008) with the different types of raw materials and methods used to obtain nanoparticles and their combination with biopolymeric materials, the result known as a "bionancomposite*". Analysis of the documents related to the application for development of packaging materials from biological molecules, carbohydrate polymers, compounds, conjugates, gels, glucans, hydrogels, membranes, mucilage (source unspecified), mucoadhesives, paper, polymers, polysaccharide, saccharides etc, is also presented, emphasizing mechanical, thermal and barrier properties, which, due to the inclusion of nanoparticles mainly from natural sources of cellulose, show increases of up to 30%. The inclusion of nanoparticles, especially those derived from cellulose sources, generally seeks to increase the properties of bionanocomposite materials. Regarding an increase in mechanical properties, specifically tensile strength, inclusions at percentages not exceeding 10 wt% can register increases that exceed 30% were reported.

Green Bean, Pea and Mesquite Whole Pod Flours Nutritional and Functional Properties and Their Effect on Sourdough Bread.

In this study, proximal composition, mineral analysis, polyphenolic compounds identification, and antioxidant and functional activities were determined in green bean (GBF), mesquite (MF), and pea (PF) flours. Different mixtures of legume flour and wheat flour for bread elaboration were determined by a simplex-centroid design. After that, the proximal composition, color, specific volume, polyphenol content, antioxidant activities, and functional properties of the different breads were evaluated. While GBF and PF have a higher protein content (41-47%), MF has a significant fiber content (19.9%) as well as a higher polyphenol content (474.77 mg GAE/g) and antioxidant capacities. It was possible to identify Ca, K, and Mg and caffeic and enolic acids in the flours. The legume-wheat mixtures affected the fiber, protein content, and the physical properties of bread. Bread with MF contained more fiber; meanwhile, PF and GBF benefit the protein content. With MF, the specific bread volume only decreased by 7%. These legume flours have the potential to increase the nutritional value of bakery goods.

Anaerobic biodegradation under slurry thermophilic conditions of poly(lactic acid)/starch blend compatibilized by maleic anhydride.

TPS/MA/PLA is a blend of thermoplastic starch (TPS) and polylactic acid (PLA) compatibilized by maleic anhydride (MA) that can be a substitute for petro-based plastics in certain applications. At the end of its life, this material must be properly disposed in treatment systems such as composting or anaerobic digestion. The biodegradability of TPS/MA/PLA, PLA, TPS and the non-compatible mixture (TPS/PLA) was evaluated in a slurry thermophilic anaerobic digestion system (STAD) according to ISO 13975-2012 standard. The anaerobic inoculum was prepared from cow manure and the organic fraction of municipal solid waste. After 31 days of incubation, the pure PLA exhibited a 12-day lag phase and 40.41% of biodegradability. TPS, TPS/PLA and TPS/MA/PLA did not exhibit lag phase and reached 92.11%, 65.48% and 64.82% of biodegradation respectively. The slow degradation rate of PLA is attributed to its high glass transition temperature and crystallinity. In TPS/MA/PLA and TPS/PLA, about 50% of PLA and 13% to 10% of the TPS remains undegraded and MA did not affect the biodegradation of TPS/MA/PLA compared to TPS/PLA. Results suggest that, in very short retention times STAD systems, PLA based materials could not exhibit enough biodegradability.

Structural changes of cassava starch and polylactic acid films submitted to biodegradation process.

Polylactic acid (PLA) and starch are compounds used in the manufacture of packaging to replace petroleum products as biodegradable and environmentally friendly materials. This study evaluated the structure and surface of a film manufactured by extrusion from cassava starch and PLA, which underwent a biodegradation process under compost conditions following the guidelines of ISO 4855-2:2007. Samples were taken every week for one month to perform Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) tests to identify functional groups on film, and High-Resolution Optical Microscopy (HROM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) tests, from these techniques Structural changes in the film were evidenced. The addition of PLA increases the carbonyl index. The introduction of anhydrous malic acid (MA) in PLA/TPS mixtures may lead to an increase in the carbonyl index, The TPS/PLA composite film was framed in the three phases of biodegradation: disintegration, fragmentation, and mineralization. In week 4 a reduction in film size was observed with a thinning of the film with fractures that produced fragmentation and disintegration.

Valoración del potencial antioxidante de Mollinedia racemosa (romadizo) / Assessment of antioxidant potential of Mollinedia racemosa (romadizo)

Introducción: Mollinedia racemosa (Schltdl.) Tul. (romadizo), es una especie usada por grupos indígenas y comunidades campesinas de la cuenca del Orinoco colombiano, empleada para tratar fiebres, dolores de cabeza y problemas de estómago, especialmente en el tratamiento del resfriado y como analgésico. Objetivo: evaluar el potencial antioxidante de las hojas de M. racemosa (romadizo). Métodos: se preparó un macerado etanólico de hojas (relación 1:15, vegetal/solvente), renovando el solvente cada 24 h hasta agotar la muestra. El extracto se filtró, se concentró a presión reducida y se almacenó (4 ºC). Se valoró el contenido de compuestos fenólicos, flavonoides y de flavonoles totales. Se estableció además la concentración de alcaloides que posee la planta. Asimismo, se evaluó la actividad antioxidante in vitro del vegetal midiendo la capacidad del extracto etanólico para estabilizar radicales DPPH (1,1-difenil-2-picrilhidracil) y ABTS (ácido 2,2'azinobis-[3 etilbenzotiazolina]-6-sulfónico), y la potencialidad para inhibir la peroxidación de un sistema lipídico. Resultados: el potencial antioxidante de M. racemosa mostró dependencia de la concentración aplicada, que a su vez está correlacionada con la diversidad y cantidad de constituyentes de naturaleza fenólica del vegetal. Concentraciones de 14,59 mg/mL y 17,32 mg/mL se requieren para inhibir 50 por ciento de la cantidad original utilizada de DPPH y ABTS, respectivamente. La actividad inhibitoria de la peroxidación lipídica alcanzó su máxima capacidad a las 360 h (15 d). Conclusiones: los resultados obtenidos permiten concluir que el extracto hidroalcohólico de las hojas de M. racemosa posee un efecto antioxidante y protector de un sistema lipídico.

Introduction: Mollinedia racemosa (Schltdl.) Tul. (romadizo), is one species used by indigenous and peasant communities in the Colombian Orinoco basin, to treat fever, headache and stomach problems, especially in the treatment of cold and as an analgesic. Objective: to evaluate the antioxidant potential of M. racemosa (romadizo) leaves. Methods: ethanolic macerate of leaves was prepared (ratio 1:15, plant/solvent), changing the solvent every 24 h until the sample was exhausted. The extract was filtered, concentrated under reduced pressure and stored (4°C). The content of phenolic compounds, flavonoids and total flavonols were assessed. The concentration of alkaloids of this plant was also established. Additionally, the in vitro antioxidant activity of plant was determined by measuring the ability of ethanol to stabilize radicals DPPH1 (1-diphenil-2-picrilhydracil) and ABTS (2,2'azinobis-[3 etilbenzotiazolin]-6-sulphonic acid) and the potential to inhibit lipid peroxidation. Results: the antioxidant potential of this plant depended on the applied concentration that in turn was correlated to the diversity and quantity of phenols present in the plant. Concentration rates of 14.59 and 17.32 µg/mL were required to inhibit 50 percent (IC50) of the original quantity of DPHH and ABTS respectively. The inhibitory capacity of lipidic peroxidation reached its maximum level after 360 hours (15 days). Conclusions: the results showed that the extract from M. racemosa leaves had antioxidant and protective effect in a lipidic system.