Search Results (35)

The tequila industry generates significant quantities of vinasse, a highly polluting byproduct that poses serious environmental challenges. Addressing this issue requires innovative solutions that align with the principles of bioeconomy, transforming waste into valuable resources. This article provides a comprehensive review of 688 scientific articles and 315 patent documents related to vinasse valorization technologies, retrieved from the Scopus and Espacenet databases. The review identifies key types of vinasse valorization, including bioethanol, biofertilizers, biogas, animal feed, biodiesel, and phenolic compounds, and evaluates trends, technical advances, and commercialization pathways. The findings highlight the feasibility of integrating these technologies within the tequila production process, promoting environmental sustainability and economic efficiency, and mention the current limitations of vinasse-based innovations. This study aims to guide researchers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers in developing strategies to harness the full potential of vinasse, contributing to a more sustainable and circular economy. Full article

This work is the first to study the effect of residence time on the volatile composition of distilled fractions of ordinario using a horizontal continuous distiller of our own manufacture. The ordinario used in this research had a high amount of higher alcohols, so its adequate distillation is complicated. The fractions rectified by continuous distillation were compared with those obtained by batch distillation. Five distilled fractions were collected, and their combined volume was subjected to gas chromatography (GC) analysis to determine the principal volatile compounds (furfural, aldehyde, higher alcohols, methanol, and ester contents). A variance analysis of each group of volatile compounds was conducted to evaluate the effect of residence time (2 and 4 h) in continuous distillation compared to batch distillation (4 h). Continuous rectification allowed for obtaining a distillate within the permissible limits specified by the Official Mexican Standard (NOM-006-SCFI-2012). For the continuous 2 h, continuous 4 h, and batch 4 h processes, the higher alcohols, esters, and aldehydes showed a decreasing pattern, while methanol and furfural showed an increasing pattern in relation to the fraction number. An analysis of variance showed no statistically significant differences in terms of the regulated volatile composition (higher alcohols, esters, methanol, and furfural) according to process type (continuous 2 h, continuous 4 h, and batch 4 h), except for aldehydes, which presented differences. This new continuous rectification process increases productivity while reducing the processing time by 50%, keeping the composition and volume of the heart fraction. Full article

The tequila industry faces several environmental challenges due to its high yields of contaminants, especially tequila distillation stillage or tequila vinasses, with ten to twelve liters produced per liter of tequila. All treatments aim to shorten retention times to avoid the need for large equipment or new facilities and the saturation of residues within tequila distilleries. The complexity of tequila vinasses has led to treatments with several stages, whereby most of the organic matter content is reduced, but the treatment range results are insufficient. This study aimed to evaluate a fourth-stage tequila vinasse treatment using an electrocoagulation system that uses inexpensive electrodes (SS cathodes and iron anodes), has a low electrical consumption, and applies low voltages in order to meet safety, economic, and environmental criteria so as to comply with Mexican norm NOM-001-SEMARNAT-2021. Three sets of voltage–amperage controllable power source, a 4 mm cylindrical 304 stainless-steel cathode, and a 9 mm iron anode with 200 mL samples in 250 mL beakers were used; three replicas (R1, R2, and R3) underwent 2 h treatment at 1–6 volts to evaluate the voltage effect and 1–6 h of 5-volt treatment to assess the time effect. All samples were filtered with 8 μm and 0.25 μm meshes. Chemical oxygen demand, pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, and color measurements (SAC for λ 436, 525, and 620 nm) were taken. The experiments determined the optimal voltage and time, considering a hydraulic retention time below 6 h. The results show that electrocoagulation of pretreated tequila vinasses effectively helps in the final removal of organic matter measured as COD, reaching values below 150 COD mg/L at 5–6 h with 5 V treatments and color reduction with 5 V, 1 h treatment. This leads to final polishing that complies with the Mexican wastewater discharge norm criteria. Full article

Mezcal is a Mexican alcoholic beverage elaborated by the distillation of fermented maguey (Agave genus) juice. In Mexico, there is an extensive variety of fermented beverages that embody many of the cultural traditions of this country. They are associated with environmental factors, naturally occurring microbiota, and the local availability of raw materials. Fermentation processes for the elaboration of ancestral beverages are an antique technology used by ethnic groups since pre-Hispanic times; however, these beverages are currently being studied with renewed attention as a source of prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics. An important sector of these products is Agave beverages, such as pulque, tequila, and mezcal. Despite the increasing demand for the last beverage, there are still relatively few studies about the chemistry, biotechnology, and health benefits of mezcal. The main aspects considered in this document are the definitions used in the mezcal industry, characteristics of wild and cultivated Agave species and varieties, mezcal elaboration technology (including juice extraction, fermentation, distillation, and aging), and potential health benefits related to mezcal, including prebiotics and probiotics, and bioactive compounds, such as phenolics and alcohol. These compounds can make mezcal a potentially functional beverage when consumed moderately. Full article

Lactic acid is a vital organic acid with a wide range of industrial applications, particularly in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and biomedical sectors. The conventional production of lactic acid from refined sugars poses high costs and significant environmental impacts, leading to the exploration of alternative raw materials and more sustainable processes. Lignocellulosic biomass, particularly agro-industrial residues such as agave bagasse, represents a promising substrate for lactic acid production. Agave bagasse, a by-product of the tequila and mezcal industries, is rich in fermentable carbohydrates, making it an ideal raw material for biotechnological processes. The use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), particularly genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs), has been shown to enhance fermentation efficiency and lactic acid yield. This review explores the potential of lignocellulosic biomass as a substrate for microbial fermentation to produce lactic acid and other high-value products. It covers the composition and pretreatment of some agricultural residues, the selection of suitable microorganisms, and the optimization of fermentation conditions. The paper highlights the promising future of agro-industrial residue valorization through biotechnological processes and the sustainable production of lactic acid as an alternative to conventional methods. Full article

The intricate relationships between chemical compounds and sensory descriptors in distilled spirits have long intrigued distillers, sensory experts, and consumers alike. The importance and complexity of this relation affect the production, quality, and appreciation of spirits, and the success of a product. Because of that, profoundly investigating the different flavor and aroma combinations that the chemical compounds can give to a desired beverage takes an essential place in the industry. This study aims to study these relationships by employing machine learning techniques to analyze a comprehensive dataset with 3051 chemical compounds and their associated aroma descriptors for seven distilled spirit categories: Baijiu, cachaça, gin, mezcal, rum, tequila, and whisk(e)y. The study uses principal component analysis (PCA) to reduce the dimensionality of the dataset and a clustering machine learning model to identify distinct clusters of aroma descriptors associated with each beverage category. Based on these results, an aroma wheel that encapsulates the diverse olfactory landscapes of various distilled spirits was developed. This flavor wheel is a valuable tool for distillers, sensory experts, and consumers, providing a comprehensive reference for understanding and appreciating the complexities of distilled spirits. Full article

The circular economy, driven by waste elimination, material circulation and nature regeneration, is crucial for business, people, and the environment. With the increasing demand for distilled beverages, managing agricultural waste like spent grains is paramount. While previous studies focused on individual beverages, investigating technologies across different types of beverages has been overlooked. This paper provides a systematic review of agricultural waste valorisation over the past five years, focusing on four representative distilled beverages: whisk(e)y, tequila, baijiu and shochu. Research efforts have primarily focused on bioenergy production from whisk(e)y and tequila waste, whereas extracting functional substances is common for baijiu and shochu. Through integrating different technologies, a “Three-level Valorisation System” was proposed to enhance the translation of agricultural waste into value-added products like proteins. This system is directly relevant to the distilled beverage industry globally and applicable to associated industries such as biofuel and food production. Full article

Agave tequilana stems store fructan polymers, the main carbon source for tequila production. This crop takes six or more years for industrial maturity. In conducive conditions, agave wilt disease increases the incidence of dead plants after the fourth year. Plant susceptibility induced for limited photosynthates for defense is recognized in many crops and is known as “sink-induced loss of resistance”. To establish whether A. tequilana is more prone to agave wilt as it ages, because the reduction of water-soluble carbohydrates in roots, as a consequence of greater assembly of highly polymerized fructans, were quantified roots sucrose, fructose, and glucose, as well as fructans in stems of agave plants of different ages. The damage induced by inoculation with Fusarium solani or F. oxysporum in the roots or xylem bundles, respectively, was recorded. As the agave plant accumulated fructans in the stem as the main sink, the amount of these hexoses diminished in the roots of older plants, and root rot severity increased when plants were inoculated with F. solani, as evidence of more susceptibility. This knowledge could help to structure disease management that reduces the dispersion of agave wilt, dead plants, and economic losses at the end of agave’s long crop cycle. Full article

Tequila vinasse, a byproduct of the tequila industry, is frequently discharged into water bodies or agricultural fields, posing significant ecological and human health risks. Bacterial communities that inhabit these agricultural fields have developed mechanisms to utilize tequila vinasse as a potential nutrient source and to promote plant growth. In this study, strains from the phyla Actinomycetota and Pseudomonadota were isolated from agricultural fields irrigated with tequila vinasse for 2, 10, and 14 years in Jalisco, Mexico. The results showed that strains of Terrabacter, Azotobacter, Agromyces, Prescottella, and Leifsonia tolerate high concentrations of tequila vinasse and promote maize seedling growth in the presence of tequila vinasse. Additionally, some of the strains solubilize potassium and produce siderophores, cellulase, protease, lipase, and esterase. The strains Terrabacter sp. WCNS1C, Azotobacter sp. WCNS1D, and Azotobacter sp. WCNS2A have potential applications in the bioremediation of tequila vinasse in agricultural fields discharged with tequila vinasse. Full article

Agave tequilana Weber var. Blue is used as the primary raw material in tequila production due to its fructans (inulin) content. This study evaluates the formulation of a plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) consortium (Pseudomonas sp. and Shimwellia sp.) to increase sugars in A. tequilana under field conditions. A total of three doses were tested: low (5 L ha⁻¹), medium (10 L ha⁻¹), and high (15 L ha⁻¹), with a cellular density of 1 × 10⁸ CFU mL⁻¹ and one control treatment (without application). Total reducing sugars (TRS), inulin, sucrose, glucose, fructose, and plant growth were measured in agave plants aged 4–5 years at 0 (T0), 3 (T3), 6 (T6), and 12 (T12) months. Yield was recorded at T12. The TRS increased by 3%, and inulin by 5.3% in the high-dose treatment compared to the control at T12. Additionally, a low content of sucrose, glucose, and fructose (approximately 1%) was detected. At T12, the weight of agave heads increased by 31.2% in the medium dose and 22.3% in the high dose compared to the control. The high dose provided a higher inulin content. The A. tequilana plants were five years old and exhibited growth comparable to the standards for 6–7-year-old plants. This study demonstrates a sustainable strategy for tequila production, optimizing the use of natural resources and enhancing industry performance through increased sugar content and yield. Full article

This article describes a part of the POTENTIALS project promoted by the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS) of the EU, which, in general, has aimed to develop business models for the reuse of former industrial and mining sites in different European regions. The goal of this project focused on the creation of so-called eco-industrial parks to enable sustainable energy production and reduce waste and pollution on coal sites in transition. A key aspect was the development of a suitable territorial impact assessment (TIA), a new and complex policy tool for the assessment of the territorial impacts of EU policies and projects on territorial cohesion. Therefore, the special TEQUILA (Territorial Efficiency, Quality and Identity Layer Assessment) approach is used to describe the TIA for this case and emphasizes its application in assessing ex ante the impacts of the transition from a coal site to an eco-industrial park. It underlines the need for a differentiated understanding of the regional characteristics and potential impacts of transition policies or projects. Furthermore, the process and results of applying the TEQUILA methodology, a multicriteria analysis, in the context of regionalized impact models has shown how important it is to select well-defined, expert-based criteria, but at the same time, to establish a system that is flexible and adaptable to the needs of political decision makers and stakeholders considering the normative weights of the criteria. This has been illustrated by some examples. Full article

The purpose of this study was to determine the origin, presence, and fate of the endocrine disruptor di-ethylhexil phthalate (DEHP) during tequila production. For this, three tequila factories (small, medium, and large) were monitored. DEHP concentrations in water, agave, additives, lubricating greases, neoprene seals, and materials of each stage process were analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. DEHP mass balances were performed to identify the processes with significant changes in the inputs/outputs. DEHP was detected in agave at up to 0.08 ± 0.03 mg kg⁻¹, water 0.02 ± 0.01 mg kg⁻¹, lubricant greases 131.05 ± 2.80 mg kg⁻¹, and neoprene seals 369.11 ± 22.52 mg kg⁻¹. Whereas, tequila produced in the large, medium, and small factories contained 0.05 ± 0.01, 0.24 ± 0.04, and 1.43 ± 0.48 mg kg⁻¹ DEHP, respectively. Furthermore, in waste materials (vinasses and bagasse) released, 534.26 ± 349.02, 947.18 ± 65.84, and 5222.60 ± 2836.94 mg of DEHP was detected for every 1000 L of tequila produced. The most significant increase in DEHP occurred during the sugar extraction and distillation stages. Results demonstrate that main raw materials, such as agave and water, contain DEHP, but lubricant greases and neoprene seals are the major sources of DEHP contamination. Identification of the contamination sources can help the tequila industry to take actions to reduce it, protect consumer health and the environment, and prevent circular contamination. Full article

This work presents a review related to the obtainment of cellulose from different structures in agro-industrial residues, both for application in the food industry and for the reinforcement of other materials. Cellulose nanofibers are produced by the heart of palm (Bactris gasipaes) industry in Brazil and are used as a stabilizer in avocado oil emulsions; conversely, cellulose nanocrystals are produced in waste from the tequila industry (Agave tequilana Weber var. Azul) in Jalisco, Mexico, and are used for reinforcement applications. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate the water quality in two streams of the Valles region of Jalisco, Mexico and fully determine if they are being used as tequila vinasse disposal sites. Three sampling campaigns were carried out at eight different points of the two streams that run near tequila factories (TFs). Different physicochemical parameters of water quality were measured: chemical oxygen demand (COD); biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅); total suspended solids (TSSs); total phosphates; fats, oils, and grease (FOG); Kjeldal nitrogen; nitrite; nitrate; pH; conductivity; temperature; dissolved oxygen (DO); and turbidity. Also, the analysis of samples of tequila vinasses (TVs) diluted with tap water were carried out to have a reference for the level of pollution in the streams. Furthermore, due to the fact that COD could be considered the main indicator of pollution with TVs, a linear regression was performed between COD concentrations and the percentage of dilution of TVs (with tap water). A positive correlation was found between these two variables, and based on this analysis, the vinasse content was estimated at each sampling point of the streams. It was found that on average, a volume of 8.5 ± 6.3% and 11.5 ± 4.9% of TVs were present in each sampling point of the Atizcoa and Jarritos Streams, respectively. Additionally, it was found that, in general, the concentration of pollutants increased as the streams passed through the TFs, particularly the Atizcoa Stream. According to the Water National Commission criteria, most of the points would be classified as highly polluted, since they reach concentrations of COD and BOD₅ up to 6590 mg/L and 3775 mg/L, respectively, temperature values up to 37 °C, and DO values of 0.5 mg/L. Therefore, it was confirmed that the streams are being used as tequila vinasse disposal sites. Due to the above, there is an urgent need for tequila companies to implement treatment systems for the vinasse generated, since under current conditions, the monitored streams are practically devoid of aquatic life. Full article

In this work, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), bleached cellulose nanofibers (bCNFs), and unbleached cellulose nanofibers (ubCNFs) isolated by acid hydrolysis from Agave tequilana Weber var. Azul bagasse, an agro-waste from the tequila industry, were used as reinforcements in a thermoplastic starch matrix to obtain environmentally friendly materials that can substitute contaminant polymers. A robust characterization of starting materials and biocomposites was carried out. Biocomposite mechanical, thermal, and antibacterial properties were evaluated, as well as color, crystallinity, morphology, rugosity, lateral texture, electrical conductivity, chemical identity, solubility, and water vapor permeability. Pulp fibers and nanocelluloses were analyzed via SEM, TEM, and AFM. The water vapor permeability (WVP) decreased by up to 20.69% with the presence of CNCs. The solubility decreases with the presence of CNFs and CNCs. The addition of CNCs and CNFs increased the tensile strength and Young’s modulus and decreased the elongation at break. Biocomposites prepared with ubCNF showed the best tensile mechanical properties due to a better adhesion with the matrix. Images of bCNF-based biocomposites demonstrated that bCNFs are good reinforcing agents as the fibers were dispersed within the starch film and embedded within the matrix. Roughness increased with CNF content and decreased with CNC content. Films with CNCs did not show bacterial growth for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. This study offers a new theoretical basis since it demonstrates that different proportions of bleached or unbleached nanofibers and nanocrystals can improve the properties of starch films. Full article