Search Results (1,147)

Fumonisins, primarily produced by Fusarium spp. and Aspergillus section nigri, are common contaminants in maize, cereal grains, and other processed and derived products, representing a significant risk to food safety and public health. This study presents the development and optimisation of a high-performance liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) for the quantification of fumonisin B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) in various food matrices. In contrast with conventional protocols employing potassium phosphate buffers as the mobile phase, the proposed method utilises formic acid, offering enhanced compatibility with liquid chromatography systems. An automated online precolumn derivatisation with o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) was optimised through experimental design and response surface methodology, enabling baseline separation of FB1 and FB2 derivatives in less than 20 min. The method demonstrated high sensitivity, with limits of detection of 0.006 µg mL⁻¹ for FB1 and 0.012 µg mL⁻¹ for FB2, and excellent repeatability (intraday RSD values of 0.85% and 0.83%, respectively). Several solid-phase extraction (SPE) strategies were evaluated to enhance sample clean-up using a variety of food samples, including dried figs, raisins, dates, corn, cornmeal, wheat flour, and rice. FumoniStar Inmunoaffinity columns were the only clean-up method that provided optimal recoveries (70–120%) across all tested food matrices. However, the MultiSep™ 211 column yielded good recoveries for both fumonisins in dried figs and raisins. Additionally, the C18 cartridge achieved acceptable recoveries for both fumonisins in dried figs and wheat flour. Full article

This study investigates the potential of using downgraded chestnuts, which are unsuitable for commercial sale, from five distinct Greek regions to produce chestnut flour and formulate gluten-free biscuits. Chestnuts were dried and milled into flour, which was then used as the sole flour ingredient in the biscuit formulation, in order to assess its nutritional and functional contribution. The moisture, lipid, protein, and ash contents were analyzed in chestnut flour samples, which showed significant regional differences. Chestnut flour biscuits (CFB) were compared to wheat flour biscuits (WFB). CFB exhibited significantly higher ash content (3.01% compared to 0.94% in WFB) and greater antioxidant capacity, with DPPH scavenging activity reaching 70.83%, as opposed to 61.67% in WFB, while maintaining similar moisture and lipid levels. Although CFB showed slightly lower protein content, the elevated mineral and phenolic compound levels contributed to its functional value. These findings indicate that downgraded chestnuts can be upcycled into gluten-free bakery products with improved functional characteristics. Given their antioxidant activity and mineral content, chestnut flour biscuits may serve as a valuable option for gluten-free diets, supporting circular economy principles and reducing food waste. Full article

In recent years, great attention has been paid to second-generation (from agricultural and industrial wastes) lactic acid (LA) production. In the present study, the possibility of two Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains, namely 53 and 2HS, to produce LA from waste materials was investigated. Distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), spent coffee grounds (SCG), wood chips, and cheese whey were used as substrates after pretreatment, and the results were compared with those with lactose as a carbon source. Both strains were capable of assimilating sugars from all waste materials. Nearly 20 g/L LA from 23 g/L reducing sugars (RS) obtained from DDGS, 22 g/L LA from 21 g/L RS from SCG, and 22 g/L LA from 21 g/L whey lactose were produced compared to 22 g/L LA obtained from 22 g/L lactose monohydrate in the fermentation broth. The wood chip hydrolysate (WH) contains only 10 g/L RS, and its fermentation resulted in the production of 5 g/L LA. This amount is twice as low as that produced from 11 g/L lactose monohydrate. A mathematical model was constructed based on the Compertz and Luedeking–Piret equations. Full article

This study investigated the effects of the addition of Rosa rugosa fruit pomace and drying methods on the properties of pasta, such as culinary properties, color, texture, microstructure, phenolics, antioxidant capacity, and sensory properties. In laboratory conditions, the pasta was produced using low-extraction wheat flour with the addition of pomace at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8% (g/100 g flour) and dried using either convective or microwave–vacuum drying. The incorporation of pomace into the pasta caused a notable reduction in lightness and increased redness and yellowness, as well as a decrease in pasta hardness and sensory acceptability. The RFP addition also increased the polyphenol content and antioxidant potential. The microwave–vacuum drying resulted in pasta with shorter cooking times, lower cooking loss, and higher total phenolic content and antioxidant activity compared to convective drying. Although the drying method did not markedly affect sensory attributes, ultrastructural analysis revealed that samples subjected to convective drying had a more compact structure, while microwave–vacuum dried pasta exhibited larger pores and smaller starch granules. Total porosity was higher in microwave–vacuum dried pasta. Taking into account both the level of pomace enrichment and the drying technique, the most optimal outcomes were achieved when microwave–vacuum drying was applied and the pomace addition did not exceed 4%. Full article

Conventional methods for the synthesis of porous carbons are typically time- and energy-consuming and often contribute to the excessive accumulation of waste solvents. An alternative approach is to employ environmentally friendly procedures, such as mechanochemical synthesis, which holds great potential for large-scale production of advanced carbon-based materials in coming years. This review covers mechanochemical syntheses of highly porous carbons, with a particular focus on new adsorbents and catalysts that can be obtained from biomass. Mechanochemically assisted methods are well suited for producing highly porous carbons (e.g., ordered mesoporous carbons, hierarchical porous carbons, porous carbon fibers, and carbon–metal composites) from tannins, lignin, cellulose, coconut shells, nutshells, bamboo waste, dried flowers, and many other low-cost biomass wastes. Most mechanochemically prepared porous carbons are proposed for applications related to adsorption, catalysis, and energy storage. This review aims to offer researchers insights into the potential utilization of biowastes, facilitating the development of cost-effective strategies for the production of porous carbons that meet industrial demands. Full article

The development of slow-release fertilizers (SRFs) based on production residues is a promising strategy to improve nutrient use efficiency and promote circular economy practices in agriculture. In this study, a series of experimental formulations were designed and tested using pumice scraps, liquid and dried blood, and bone meal, aiming at producing sustainable and low-cost N-P-K SRFs. These were processed through mixing and granulation, both in the laboratory and on a semi-industrial scale. The formulations were evaluated through release tests in 2% citric acid solution simulating the acidic conditions of the rhizosphere, and in acetic acid to assess potential nutrient leaching under acid rain conditions. The results showed a progressive cumulative release of macronutrients (NPKs), ranging from approximately 8% at 24 h to 73% after 90 days for the most effective formulation (WBF6). Agronomic trials on lettuce confirmed the effectiveness of WBF6, resulting in significant biomass increases compared with both the untreated control and a conventional fertilizer. The use of livestock waste and minerals facilitated the development of a scalable product aligned with the principles of sustainable agriculture. The observed release behavior, combined with the simplicity of production, positions these formulations as a promising alternative to conventional slow-release fertilizers. Full article

Chronic lung infection is the main predictor of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF), and current pharmacological alternatives are ineffective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. We developed ciprofloxacin (CIP) for inhalation, aiming at improving its solubility through the formation of an amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) using gelatin (GA). CIP and GA were dissolved in varying ratios and then spray-dried, obtaining CIP-GA microspheres in a single step. The dissolution rate, size distribution, morphology, and aerodynamic properties of CIP-GA microspheres were studied, as well as their antimicrobial activity on P. aeruginosa biofilms. Microspheres formulated with a higher GA ratio increased the dissolution of CIP ten-fold at 6 h compared to gelatin-free CIP. Formulations with 75% GA or more could form ASDs and improve CIP’s dissolution rate. CIP-GA microspheres outperformed CIP in eradicating P. aeruginosa biofilm at 24 h. The spray-drying process produced CIP-GA microspheres with good aerodynamic properties, as indicated by a fine particle fraction (FPF) of 67%, a D₅₀ of 3.52 μm, and encapsulation efficiencies above 70%. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of gelatin to enhance the solubility of poorly soluble drugs by forming ASDs. As an FDA-approved excipient for lung delivery, these findings are valuable for particle engineering and facilitating the rapid translation of technologies to the market. Full article

Several species of Fusarium are reported to infect inflorescences of high-THC-containing cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) plants grown in greenhouses in Canada. These include F. graminearum, F. sporotrichiodes, F. proliferatum, and, to a lesser extent, F. oxysporum and F. solani. The greatest concern surrounding the infection of cannabis by these Fusarium species, which cause symptoms of bud rot, is the potential for the accumulation of mycotoxins that may go undetected. In the present study, both naturally infected and artificially infected inflorescence tissues were tested for the presence of fungal-derived toxins using HPLC-MS/MS analysis. Naturally infected cannabis tissues were confirmed to be infected by both F. avenaceum and F. graminearum using PCR. Pure cultures of these two species and F. sporotrichiodes were inoculated onto detached inflorescences of two cannabis genotypes, and after 7 days, they were dried and assayed for mycotoxin presence. In these assays, all Fusarium species grew prolifically over the tissue surface. Tissues infected by F. graminearum contained 3-acetyl DON, DON, and zearalenone in the ranges of 0.13–0.40, 1.18–1.91, and 31.8 to 56.2 μg/g, respectively, depending on the cannabis genotype. In F. sporotrichiodes-infected samples, HT2 and T2 mycotoxins were present at 13.9 and 10.9 μg/g in one genotype and were lower in the other. In F. avenaceum-inoculated tissues, the mycotoxins enniatin A, enniatin A1, enniatin B, and enniatin B1 were produced at varying concentrations, depending on the isolate and cannabis genotype. Unexpectedly, these tissues also contained detectable levels of 3-acetyl DON, DON, and zearalenone, which was attributed to apre-existing natural infection by F. graminearum that was confirmed by RT-qPCR. Beauvericin was detected in tissues infected by F. avenaceum and F. sporotrichiodes, but not by F. graminearum. Naturally infected, dried inflorescences from which F. avenaceum was recovered contained beauvericin, enniatin A1, enniatin B, and enniatin B1 as expected. Uninoculated cannabis inflorescences were free of mycotoxins except for culmorin at 0.348 μg/g, reflecting pre-existing infection by F. graminearum. The mycotoxin levels were markedly different between the two cannabis genotypes, despite comparable mycelial colonization. Tall fescue plants growing in the vicinity of the greenhouse were shown to harbor F. avenaceum and F. graminearum, suggesting a likely external source of inoculum. Isolates of both species from tall fescue produced mycotoxins when inoculated onto cannabis inflorescences. These findings demonstrate that infection by F. graminearum and F. avenaceum, either from artificial inoculation or natural inoculum originating from tall fescue plants, can lead to mycotoxin accumulation in cannabis inflorescences. However, extensive mycelial colonization following prolonged incubation of infected tissues under high humidity conditions is required. Inoculations with Penicillium citrinum and Aspergillus ochraceus under these conditions produced no detectable mycotoxins. The mycotoxins alternariol and tentoxin were detected in several inflorescence samples, likely as a result of natural infection by Alternaria spp. Fusarium avenaceum is reported to infect cannabis inflorescences for the first time and produces mycotoxins in diseased tissues. Full article

The amount of waste generated by society is constantly increasing. Consequently, there is a need to develop new and better methods of treating it. A significant part of municipal waste is biowaste, which can be treated as a source of valuable resources such as nutrients, organic matter, and energy. The present work aims to determine the properties of the tested household biowaste and the possibility of using it as feedstock in slow pyrolysis to obtain biochar. The slow pyrolysis process of the biowaste was carried out in an electrically heated Horizontal Tube Furnace (HTF) at temperatures of 400 °C, 500 °C, and 600 °C in a nitrogen atmosphere. The analysis showed that depending on the type and composition of the biowaste, its properties are different. All the biowaste tested has a high moisture content (between 63.51% and 81.53%), which means that the biowaste needs to be dried before the slow pyrolysis process. The characteristics of kitchen biowaste are similar to those of food waste studied by other researchers in different regions of the world. In addition, the properties of kitchen biowaste are similar to those of the typical biomasses used to produce biochar via slow pyrolysis, such as wood, almond shells, and rice husks. Both kinds of garden biowaste tested may have been contaminated (soil, rocks) during collection, which affected the high ash content of spring (17.75%) and autumn (43.83%) biowaste. This, in turn, affected all the properties of the garden biowaste, which differed significantly from both the literature data of other garden wastes and from the properties of typical biomass feedstocks used to produce biochar in slow pyrolysis. For all biowaste tested, it was shown that as the pyrolysis temperature increases, the yield of biochar decreases. The maximum mass yield of biochar for kitchen, spring garden, and autumn garden biowaste was 36.64%, 66.53%, and 66.99%, respectively. Comparing the characteristics of biowaste before slow pyrolysis, biochar obtained from kitchen biowaste had a high carbon content, fixed carbon, and a higher HHV. In contrast, biochar obtained from garden biowaste had a lower carbon content and a lower HHV. Full article

Powdered oil ingredients are widely used across food, nutrition, and personal care industries, but they are typically produced through encapsulation technologies that involve multiple additives and stabilizers. These systems can compromise oxidative stability, clean-label compliance, and functional performance. Here, we present the development and characterization of a novel high-oleic algal powder (HOAP) produced from a heterotrophically fermented microalgae. The production strain was developed through classical mutagenesis to enhance oleic acid and lipid accumulation. Three independent fermentation batches at a 20 L scale demonstrated strong reproducibility in key metrics, including dried-cell weight (210.0 g per L on average, CV% = 0.7), oil content (62.0% of DCW on average, CV% = 2.0), and oleic acid (88.8% of total fatty acids on average, CV% = 0.1). HOAP exhibited a favorable nutritional profile (e.g., high monounsaturated fat and fiber, low sugar and moisture) and good oxidative stability under ambient and accelerated storage conditions. Microbiological analyses confirmed compliance with food-grade standards, and in silico allergenicity screening revealed no clinically relevant homologs. Unlike traditional oil powders, HOAP does not require encapsulation and retains oil within a natural protein–fiber matrix, offering both functional and clean-labeling advantages. Its compositional attributes and stability profile support potential use in food, nutrition, and the delivery of bioactive nutrients. These findings establish HOAP as a next generation of oil powder ingredients with broad application potential. Full article

The efficient use of renewable lignocellulosic biomass has attracted wide interest, as it promises to reduce the environmental impact of fossil fuel consumption. A recently developed batch-scale process, which produces glycol lignin (GL) from softwood biomass, generates a considerable amount of cellulose-rich solid residues (SRs) as a byproduct. In this study, usable cellulose was isolated from SRs in the form of carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals (O-CNCs). The properties of O-CNCs were investigated to establish a possible integrated biomass utilization system based on the GL production technology. Three different forms of purified SRs—never-dried (N-Cel), freeze-dried (F-Cel), and vacuum-dried (V-Cel) cellulose—were subjected to oxalic acid (OA) hydrolysis at 95 °C for 4 h. The average length of O-CNCs ranged from 90 to 120 nm and the height ranged from 3 to 6 nm for separate particles and from 8 to 20 nm for aggregates. The carboxyl group content was 0.11–0.23 mmol/g O-CNCs. The overall results indicated that the yields, dimensions, surface charges, and thermal stability of the O-CNCs were largely influenced by the nature of the starting cellulose. In addition, O-CNCs prepared from recycled OA exhibited similar properties to those prepared from fresh OA. Full article

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are multifunctional biopolymers that have significant biotechnological potential. In this study, forty-seven strains of Rhodococcus actinomycetes were screened for EPS production and the content of its main components: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. The Rhodococcus strains produced lipid-rich EPS (15.6 mg·L⁻¹ to 71.7 mg·L⁻¹) with carbohydrate concentrations varying from 0.6 mg·L⁻¹ to 58.2 mg·L⁻¹ and low amounts of proteins and nucleic acids. Biofilms of R. ruber IEGM 231 were grown on nitrocellulose filters in the presence of n-hexane, n-hexadecane, or diesel fuel. The distribution of β-polysaccharides, glycoconjugates, and proteins between cells and the extracellular matrix was examined using fluorescence microscopy. The observed release of β-polysaccharides into the biofilm matrix in the presence of n-hexane and diesel fuel was regarded as an adaptation to the assimilation of these toxic hydrocarbons by Rhodococcus cells. Atomic force microscopy of the dried EPS film revealed adhesion forces between 1.0 and 20.0 nN, while some sites were highly adhesive (F_a ≥ 20.0 nN). EPS biosynthetic genes were identified, with two glycosyltransferases correlating with an increase in carbohydrate production. The production of EPS by Rhodococcus cells exhibited strain-specific rather than species-specific patterns, reflecting a high genetic diversity of these bacteria. Full article

Wine vinegar and wine are traditional Spanish products, obtained from grape must by alcoholic fermentation (wine) and subsequent acetification (vinegar). Although these are established products, there is great interest in the development of new products, particularly new vinegars, and among these, the possibility of vinegars containing gluconic acid stands out. Gluconic acid in vinegar, mainly produced by acetic acid bacteria (AAB), is positively valued by consumers. Its content depends on the availability of glucose in the base wine; however, this hexose is preferentially consumed by the indigenous yeast population which conducts the previous alcoholic fermentation. For this reason, the use of non-conventional fructophilic yeasts, which consume fructose rather than glucose, is required. In this work, we isolated, screened, and identified osmophilic and fructophilic non-Saccharomyces yeasts from sun-dried grape must and tested them under different fermentation conditions in synthetic and natural grape musts, in order to obtain a base wine with ethanol and glucose content for the development of new vinegars containing gluconic acid. The isolate of the species Starmerella lactis-condensi was found to be an ideal candidate due to its fructophilic and osmophilic features, which allowed for the production of a base wine with high ethanol (11% v/v) and glucose (up to 200 g/L) content from a natural concentrated must. In fresh must, inoculation with Starmerella lactis-condensi resulted in faster and preferential fructose consumption over glucose compared to the control. However, both sugars were completely consumed at the end of the alcoholic fermentation; therefore, new fermentation strategies should be tested in this type of must. Furthermore, this strain could be of interest in oenology due to its high glycerol yield and low volatile acid production during alcoholic fermentation. The use of this strain could allow for the production of new wines with unique metabolic profiles suitable for further vinegar production. Full article

Background/Objectives: Anthocyanin (ACN)-rich foods are known to influence the gut microbiota composition, but the temporal dynamics and structural specificity of these effects remain poorly understood. This study investigated how distinct ACN-rich fruit supplements impact the gut microbiome over time in the context of a Western-style diet. We hypothesized that ACN-induced microbial shifts would occur rapidly, differ by ACN source, and require continued intake to persist. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were fed the total Western diet (TWD) supplemented with freeze-dried powders from bilberry (BB), tart cherry (TC), chokeberry (CB), elderberry (EB), black currant (BC), or black raspberry (BRB) for 0, 1, 3, or 7 days. Cocoa polyphenols (CPs) were included as a comparator with a distinct polyphenol profile. Fecal microbiota were collected at 0, 1, 3, and 7 days post exposure and analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Results: ACN-rich supplements induced rapid microbial shifts detectable within one day of exposure. However, most changes reverted toward the baseline within days of supplement withdrawal, indicating limited persistence. Among the ACNs, BRB produced the most sustained microbiome alterations. Microbial responses varied by ACN source, suggesting that differences in glycoside and aglycone structures influence the community composition. Conclusions: ACN-rich foods can induce rapid but largely transient alterations in the gut microbiome, with variability linked to the polyphenol structure. These findings highlight the ecological sensitivity of the microbiome to specific dietary components and underscore the importance of sustained intake for maintaining microbial shifts. Full article

In the synthesis of aerogels, the influence of the drying process on the nanostructure is an issue of utmost relevance for tailoring the final properties of these materials. Among the complex parameters affecting this process, the hydrophobicity of the aerogel structure plays a key role. Thus, herein, four different silica aerogel formulations based on tetraethyl orthosilicate and trimethoxymethylsilane were employed to produce aerogels with different wettability properties (from hydrophilic samples to highly hydrophobic). The synthesized gels were dried by three methods, namely freeze-drying, high-temperature supercritical drying with ethanol, and low-temperature supercritical drying with carbon dioxide, and the influence of each procedure on bulk density, porosity, pore size, and specific surface area of the resulting aerogels was analyzed in detail. The direct correlation between the surface hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of the silica gels and the effects of each drying technique was analyzed, providing insights into a proper selection of the drying method depending on both the water affinity of the gel and the desired textural properties and structures. Full article