RESUMO
Recent studies have indicated that starch from legumes can potentially be used as an alternative to commercial flour with applications in food and biomaterials; however, some modifications may be required first to improve their functionality, as they show relatively lower solubility and functional properties compared to commonly marketed flours (e.g. good water retention capacity). This work used multiple enzymes in flour extracts of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), a legume, to optimize the enzyme hydrolysis process of such extracts by the Response Surface Method (RSM), to increase the digestibility and obtain desirable functional attributes at the nutritional level. The pH, temperature, time and enzyme/substrate (E/S) ratio were evaluated, and the degree of hydrolysis (DH) was calculated as well as the reducing sugar content (%RS), used as response variable. According to the experimental design, the best pH, temperature, time and E/S ratio were 6.8, 43 °C, 1.84% m/m and 270 min, respectively. The %RS for the samples under optimal conditions was 3.49 ± 0.02%, and the in vitro digestibility yielded values of 39.2 ± 0.4, 58.6 ± 0.3 and 2.2 ± 0.2 for slowly digestible starch (SDS), rapidly digestible starch (RDS) and resistant starch (RS), respectively. Total digestibility (TD) was 97.8 ± 0.5. The statistical analysis revealed a strong positive relationship for E/S ratio followed by pH: (E/S) ratio, temperature and pH. Enzymatic hydrolysis carried out on pigeon pea showed an increase in TD. Viscosity, water retention capacity (WRC) and solubility were evaluated showing good response for future applications at the industrial level.
RESUMO
Background: The infectious diseases in the livestock breeding industry represent a significant drawback that generates substantial economic loss and have led to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics. The formulation of polymeric microparticles loaded with antibiotics for veterinary use can: reduce the number of required doses; protect the drug from inactivation; and maintain a sustained-release of the antibiotic drug at effective levels. Accomplishing all of these goals would have a significant economic and animal health impact on the livestock breeding industry. Results: In this work, we formulated ceftiofur-loaded PHBV microparticles (PHBV-CEF) with a spherical shape, a smooth surface and diameter sizes between 1.65 and 2.37 μm. The encapsulation efficiency was 39.5 +/- 1.1 percent w/w, and we obtained a sustained release of ceftiofur in PBS-buffer (pH 7.4) over 7 days. The antibacterial activity of ceftiofur was preserved after the encapsulation procedure, and toxicity of PHBV-CEF microparticles evaluated by MTS was represented by an IC50 > 10 mg/mL. Conclusions: Our results suggest that PHBV-CEF particles have a potential application for improving the treatment of infectious diseases in the livestock breeding industry.