Search Results (476)

The ongoing global climate change has led to an increase in the frequency and complexity of drought events. Pinus yunnanensis, a native tree species in southwest China that possesses significant ecological and economic value, exhibits a high sensitivity to drought stress, particularly in its seedlings. This study investigates the response mechanisms of non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs, defined as the sum of soluble sugars and starch) and the stoichiometric characteristics of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) to repeated drought conditions in Pinus yunnanensis seedlings. We established three treatment groups in a potting water control experiment involving 2-year-old Pinus yunnanensis seedlings: normal water supply (CK), a single drought (D1), and three drought–rewatering cycles (D3). The findings indicated that the frequency of drought occurrences, organ responses, and their interactions significantly influenced the non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) content and its fractions, as well as the C/N/P content and its stoichiometric ratios. Under D3 treatment, stem NSC content increased by 24.97% and 29.08% compared to CK and D1 groups (p < 0.05), respectively, while root NSC content increased by 41.35% and 49.46% versus CK and D1 (p < 0.05). The pronounced accumulation of soluble sugars and starch in stems and roots under D3 suggests a potential stress memory effect. Additionally, NSC content in the stems increased significantly by 77.88%, while the roots enhanced their resource acquisition by dynamically regulating the C/P ratio, which increased by 23.26% (p < 0.05). Needle leaf C content decreased (18.77%) but P uptake increased (8%) to maintain basal metabolism (p < 0.05). Seedling growth was N-limited (needle N/P < 14) and the degree of N limitation was exacerbated by repeated droughts. Phenotypic plasticity indices and principal component analysis revealed that needle nitrogen and phosphorus, soluble sugars in needles, stem C/N ratio (0.61), root C/N ratio (0.53), and stem C/P ratio were crucial for drought adaptation. This study elucidates the physiological mechanisms underlying the resilience of Pinus yunnanensis seedlings to recurrent droughts, as evidenced by their organ-specific strategies for allocating carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, alongside the dynamic regulation of nitrogen storage compounds (NSCs). These findings provide a robust theoretical foundation for implementing drought-resistant afforestation and ecological restoration initiatives targeting Pinus yunnanensis in southwestern China. Full article

The production of bionanocomposite films based on carboxymethyl derivatives of starch and cellulose with sodium montmorillonite (MMT-Na) as a filler was described. The developed films with high absorbency can be used in the preparation of adhesive dressings for wounds oozing as a result of abrasions or tattoos. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), carboxymethyl starch (CMS), and potato starch were used as the raw materials for film manufacturing. Citric acid was used as a crosslinking agent and glycerol as a plasticizer. The following parameters were evaluated for the obtained films: solubility in water, swelling behavior, moisture absorption, and mechanical durability (tensile strength, elongation at break, and Young’s modulus). This study revealed that filler concentration has a significant influence on the stability, durability, and moisture absorption parameters of films. The best nanocomposite with a high absorption capacity was a two-component film CMS/CMC containing 5 pph of sodium montmorillonite and can be used as a base material for wound dressing, among other applications. Full article

The food industry consumes large amounts of water across various processes, and generates wastewater characterized by parameters like biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, pH, suspended solids, and nutrients. To meet environmental standards and enable reuse or valorization, treatment methods such as physicochemical, biological, and membrane-based processes are applied. This review focuses on the valorization of food industry wastewater in the biotechnological production of high-value products, with an emphasis on starch-rich wastewater, wineries and confectionery industry wastewater, and with a focus on new technologies for reduces environmental burden but also supports circular economy principles. Starch-rich wastewaters, particularly those generated by the potato processing industry, offer considerable potential for biotechnological valorization due to their high content of soluble starch, proteins, organic acids, minerals, and lipids. These effluents can be efficiently converted by various fungi (e.g., Aspergillus, Trichoderma) and yeasts (e.g., Rhodotorula, Candida) into value-added products such as lipids for biodiesel, organic acids, microbial proteins, carotenoids, and biofungicides. Similarly, winery wastewaters, characterized by elevated concentrations of sugars and polyphenols, have been successfully utilized as medium for microbial cultivation and product synthesis. Microorganisms belonging to the genera Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Chlorella, Klebsiella, and Xanthomonas have demonstrated the ability to transform these effluents into biofuels, microbial biomass, biopolymers, and proteins, contributing to sustainable bioprocess development. Additionally, wastewater from the confectionery industry, rich in sugars, proteins, and lipids, serves as a favorable fermentation medium for the production of xanthan gum, bioethanol, biopesticides, and bioplastics (e.g., PHA and PHB). Microorganisms of the genera Xanthomonas, Bacillus, Zymomonas, and Cupriavidus are commonly employed in these processes. Although there are still certain regulatory issues, research gaps, and the need for more detailed economic analysis and kinetics of such production, we can conclude that this type of biotechnological production on waste streams has great potential, contributing to environmental sustainability and advancing the principles of the circular economy. Full article

The olive oil sector constitutes a fundamental pillar in the Mediterranean region from socio-economic and cultural perspectives. Nonetheless, it produces significant amounts of waste, leading to numerous environmental issues. These waste streams contain valuable compounds that can be recovered and utilized as inputs for various applications. This study introduces a novel value chain for olive wastes, focused on extracting lignin from olive pomace by ionic liquids and polyphenols from olive mill wastewater, which are then incorporated as hybrid nanoparticles in the formulation of an innovative starch-based biofertilizer. This biofertilizer, obtained by using residual wastewater as a source of soluble nitrogen, acting at the same time as a plasticizer for the biopolymer, was demonstrated to surpass traditional NPK biofertilizers’ efficiency, allowing for root growth and foliage in drought conditions. In order to recognize the environmental impact due to its production and align it with the technical output, the circularity and environmental performance of the proposed system were innovatively evaluated through a combination of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the Material Circularity Indicator (MCI). LCA results indicated that the initial upcycling process was potentially characterized by significant hot spots, primarily related to energy consumption (>0.70 kWh/kg of water) during the early processing stages. As a result, the LCA score of this preliminary version of the biofertilizer may be higher than that of conventional commercial products, due to reliance on thermal processes for water removal and the substantial contribution (56%) of lignin/polyphenol precursors to the total LCA score. Replacing energy-intensive thermal treatments with more efficient alternatives represents a critical area for improvement. The MCI value of 0.84 indicates limited potential for further enhancement. Full article

Triticale (Triticosecale Wittmack) is a versatile forage crop valued for its high yield, balanced nutrition, and environmental adaptability. However, the dough-stage triricale has higher dry matter and starch content but lower water-soluble carbohydrate levels than earlier stages, posing fermentation challenges that may impair silage quality. This study aimed to investigate the effects of lactic acid bacteria inoculation on the fermentation quality, bacterial community, and metabolome of whole-plant triticale silage at the dough stage. Fresh triticale was ensiled for 30 days without or with an inoculant containing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Streptococcus bovis. Fermentation quality, bacterial succession, and metabolic profiles were analyzed at multiple time points. Inoculation significantly improved fermentation quality, characterized by a rapid pH drop, increased lactic acid production, and better preservation of fiber components. Microbial analysis revealed that inoculation successfully established Lactobacillus as the dominant genus while suppressing spoilage bacteria like Enterobacter and Clostridium. Metabolomic analysis on day 30 identified numerous differential metabolites, indicating that inoculation primarily altered pathways related to amino acid and purine metabolism. In conclusion, inoculating dough-stage triticale with this LAB combination effectively directs the fermentation trajectory. It enhances silage quality not only by optimizing organic acid profiles and microbial succession but also by modulating key metabolic pathways, ultimately leading to improved nutrient preservation. Full article

Date seeds, a by-product of the pitted-date industry, are often discarded as waste. This study investigated the interaction between date seed powder and starch at different concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10, and 20 g/25 g composite) and temperatures (40 °C and 70 °C). The results revealed that the hygroscopicity of date seed powder (9.94 g/100 g) was lower than starch (13.39 g/100 g), and its water absorption (75.8%) was also lower than starch (88.3%), leading to a reduced absorbance capacity in composites. However, the solubility increased with a higher date seed content due to its greater solubility (17.8 g/L) compared to starch (1.6 g/L). A morphological analysis showed rough, agglomerated particles in date seed powder, while starch had smooth, spherical shapes. This study also found that the composites formed larger particles at 40 °C and porous structures at 70 °C. Crystallinity decreased from 41.6% to 12.8% (40 °C) and from 24.0% to 11.3% (70 °C). A thermal analysis revealed three endothermic peaks (glass transitions and solid melting), with an additional oil-melting peak in high-seed samples. FTIR spectra showed changes in peak intensities and locations upon seed incorporation. Overall, these findings revealed that, the incorporation of date seed powder–starch composites into bakery formulations offers a promising strategy for developing fiber-enriched products, positioning them as functional ingredients with added nutritional value. Full article

This study addresses the challenge of chitosan (CS) being difficult to dissolve in water due to its highly ordered crystalline structure. Chitosan is modified with chloroacetic acid to reduce its crystallinity and enhance its water solubility. Through single-factor experiments, the optimal conditions for preparing carboxymethyl chitosan film (CMCS) were determined: under conditions of 50 °C, a cellulose substrate (CS) concentration of 18.75 g/L, a NaOH concentration of 112.5 g/L, and a chloroacetic acid concentration of 18.75 g/L, the reaction proceeded for 5 h. Under these conditions, the resulting carboxymethyl chitosan film exhibited the best flocculation effect, forming chitosan films in water that had flocculation activity toward mung bean starch protein wastewater. The successful introduction of carboxyl groups at the N and O positions of the chitosan molecular chain, which reduced the crystallinity of chitosan and enhanced its water solubility, was confirmed through analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The prepared carboxymethyl chitosan film (CMCS) was applied in the flocculation recovery of protein. Through single-factor and response surface experiments, the optimal process conditions for flocculating and recovering protein with CMCS were determined: a CMCS dosage of 1.1 g/L, a reaction time of 39.6 min, a reaction temperature of 42.7 °C, and a pH of 5.2. Under these conditions, the protein recovery rate reached 56.97%. The composition and amino acid profile of the flocculated product were analyzed, revealing that the mung bean protein flocculated product contained 62.33% crude protein. The total essential amino acids (EAAs) accounted for 52.91%, non-essential amino acids (NEAAs) for 47.09%, hydrophobic amino acids for 39.56%, and hydrophilic amino acids for 12.67%. The ratio of aromatic to branched-chain amino acids was 0.31, and the ratio of basic to acidic amino acids was 1.68. These findings indicate that the recovered product has high surface activity and good protein stability, foaming ability, and emulsifying properties. Full article

This study analyzed eight origins of water caltrop: HH; XG; XT; ST; JY; CZ; YN; JX. The evaluations focused on visual appearance, nutritional quality, and bioactive substances. Additionally, the shells and pulp of the JY were examined for the same parameters. The results demonstrated that the JY exhibited the highest total phenolic content (121.74 mg GAE/100 g) and total flavonoid content (196.67 mg GAE/100 g). The XG demonstrated the highest water content (87.35%) and soluble protein content (15.36 mg/g). JX exhibits the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content, as well as the strongest DPPH radical scavenging rate in the fruit pulp, indicating its superior biological activity and antioxidant capacity compared to water caltrop from other regions. In addition, JX has the highest soluble solids and sugar content in fruit pulp, indicating a sweeter taste. The YN exhibited the highest pulp starch and lowest water content. Principal component analysis revealed that the pulp of the ST and the shell of the JY scored the highest. These findings provide valuable insights for evaluating and processing the nutritional quality of water caltrop from different sources and provide a theoretical basis for consumers to choose water caltrop according to their needs. Full article

In the current context of environmental concerns and the search for sustainable food solutions, this study investigated the valorization of Luffa cylindrica seed press cake, a waste byproduct from oil extraction, as a functional ingredient for meat substitute formulations. The research systematically characterized the functional and bioactive properties of L. cylindrica seed press cake powder (LP) and its blends with tapioca flour (TF) at ratios of 30–70%. Techno-functional analyses included: hydration properties (water holding capacity, water absorption capacity, water absorption index, water solubility index, swelling power, oil absorption capacity); rheological characteristics; bioactive profiling through antioxidant assays (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP); and reducing sugar content determination. Meat substitute formulations were developed using an LP30/TF70 blend combined with coral lentils, red beet powder, and water, followed by a sensory evaluation and storage stability assessment. Pure L. cylindrica powder exhibited the highest water holding capacity (3.62 g H₂O/g) and reducing sugar content (8.05 mg GE/g), while tapioca flour showed superior swelling properties. The blends demonstrated complementary functional characteristics, with the LP30/TF70 formulation selected for meat substitute development based on optimal textural properties. The sensory evaluation revealed significant gender differences in acceptance, with women rating the product substantially higher than men across all attributes. The study successfully demonstrated the feasibility of transforming agricultural waste into a valuable functional ingredient, contributing to sustainable food production and representing the first comprehensive evaluation of L. cylindrica seed press cake for food applications. However, the study revealed limitations, including significant antioxidant loss during thermal processing (80–85% reduction); a preliminary sensory evaluation with limited participants showing gender-dependent acceptance; and a reliance on locally available tapioca flour, which may limit global applicability. Future research should focus on processing optimization to preserve bioactive compounds, comprehensive sensory studies with diverse populations, and an investigation of alternative starch sources to enhance the worldwide implementation of this valorization approach. Full article

Incorporating probiotics into edible films offers an effective strategy for delivering viable microorganisms to the body. This study aimed to develop edible films based on three types of pregelatinized cassava starch—pregelatinized native starch (PNS), hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate (HDP), and hydroxypropyl starch (HS)—as carriers for Bacillus coagulans (BC). The interactions between probiotic powder and the polymer matrix, as well as the viability of B. coagulans during film drying and subsequent storage, were evaluated to assess the effectiveness of the films as protective delivery systems at room temperature (25 °C). The addition of BC altered the amorphous-to-ordered structure of the starch matrices. Surface morphology analysis showed BC aggregates on PNS films, whereas HDP and HS films retained smooth surfaces. Incorporation of BC increased the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of PNS films but reduced their elongation at break. Additionally, BC decreased both the light transmittance and water contact angle in PNS films, while 1% BC increased the contact angle in HDP and HS films. BC had no significant effect on the solubility of PNS films but enhanced the solubility of HDP and HS films. Notably, B. coagulans maintained viability around 8 log CFU/g after 90 days of storage at room temperature, supporting the potential of pregelatinized starch-based films as effective probiotic carriers. Full article

In this study, a novel starch-based adhesive (SBA) was proposed, which mainly involved the synthesis of a carboxyl-terminated hyperbranched polymer using bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) and citric acid as raw materials. Subsequently, starch was modified through hyperbranching to enhance the shear strength and water resistance of the SBA. For this purpose, the feasibility of the reaction between DGEBA and citric acid was analyzed using quantum mechanical simulations. Subsequently, both substances were simulated to synthesize carboxyl-terminated hyperbranched polymers with different ratios. Starch was modified through hyperbranching to establish various models of SBAs, and their properties were estimated using molecular dynamics simulations. Theoretical analysis indicates that a DGEBA-to-citric acid ratio of 3:7 yields a SBA with relatively optimal properties. The solubility parameter of this adhesive is 19.05 (J/cm³)¹/², suggesting strong intermolecular interactions between the hyperbranched polymer and starch. The synthesized adhesive exhibits high cohesive strength, with an estimated water contact angle of up to 138°, indicating good hydrophobicity. Furthermore, the system demonstrates favorable mechanical performance, with a shear modulus of 4.34 GPa and a bulk modulus of 8.80 GPa. Additionally, at this ratio, the SBA exhibits a relatively high interaction energy of −408.01 kcal/mol with the cellulose substrate, suggesting that the adhesive possesses favorable shear strength. Full article

In this study, the effects of pregelatinization on the physicochemical properties of corn grits and the quality of cooked waxy corn wrapped in plant leaves were investigated. This investigation was conducted to address the issues of partial gelatinization and poor texture in corn grits when applied to food processing such as cooked waxy corn wrapped in plant leaves. After the corn grits were soaked at 55 °C, they were steamed for 30 min and dried at 45 °C (steam temperature maintained at 100 °C), reaching a gelatinization degree of 48.28%. The modified grits were characterized using Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to analyze pasting properties, retrogradation behavior, crystallinity, molecular structure, and morphology. The results showed that pregelatinization significantly reduced setback viscosity (from 274.83 to 154.52 mPa·s), crystallinity (from 11.12% to 3.62%), and retrogradation tendency while improving solubility, swelling power, and water-holding capacity. When used in cooked waxy corn wrapped in plant leaves, pregelatinized grits enhanced the gelatinization degree (96.11%), texture (reduced hardness by 19.49%, increased chewiness and cohesiveness), and moisture retention during storage. The findings demonstrate that pregelatinization optimizes starch functionality, mitigates retrogradation, and improves the overall quality of traditional corn-based foods, providing a practical approach for industrial applications. Full article

Dual-physical modification is an eco-friendly and waste-free approach for enhancing the functionality of native starches compared with a single modification. In the present study, the individual and combined interrelating effects of hydrothermal (heat moisture (HM) with 15%, 20%, and 25% moisture) and non-thermal (ultrasonication (US) with 200, 400, and 600 power (W)) on the physical modification of Eleocharis tuberosa (Chinese water chestnut (CWCS)) starch were studied. Furthermore, their effects on the morphology, FTIR, XRD, crystallinity, thermal, pasting, swelling power, solubility, rheological characteristics, and in vitro digestibility of native and modified starches were investigated. The results indicated a consistent B-type structure of CWCS, with a significant decrease in the crystallinity (22.32 ± 0.04–28.76 ± 0.02%), which was linked with ΔH (19.65 ± 0.01–12.18 ± 0.06 Jg⁻¹) and amylose content (34.67 ± 0.07–40.73 ± 0.11%). The absorbance ratio 1048/1025 specified that the combination of HM-US compacted the short-range order degree up to 1.30 for HM25–US600-CWCS. The starch treated with HM, followed by the US, considerably amplified the setback, peak, and final viscosities compared with the HM-treated starch. The rheological analysis demonstrated that the fluidity of CWCS was enhanced (G′ > G″, tan δ < 1) by the synergistic effect of HM and US, increasing the resistivity toward deformation during paste development. The dual-modified starch exhibited a slower glucose release rate with increasing moisture (25%) during HM and 600 W during the US, with higher RS contents of 45.83 ± 0.28% and 43.09 ± 0.12%, respectively. Dual-physical modification exhibited a significant aptitude for modifying native starches structurally and functionally as a substitute for product formulation with a low glycemic index. Full article

The bamboo shoots of Dendrocalamus brandisii Kurz. are a type of nutritious and delicious vegetable. However, their quality is vulnerable to mechanical damage and pest infestation, which reduces their economic benefits. In order to study the effects of mechanical damage and pest infestation on the quality of bamboo shoots, the changes in the contents of carbohydrates, water, amino acids, proteins, total phenols, and lignin in bamboo shoots after mechanical damage and insect feeding were assessed through transcriptomics combined with physiology; additionally, these changes were analyzed and compared to the gene expression and physiological changes in bamboo shoots under different treatments. The results show that both mechanical damage and insect feeding can lead to an increase in the contents of starch, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, amino acids, and proteins, as well as a decrease in the contents of water, soluble sugars, and total phenols. Moreover, the changes in the insect feeding group were particularly significant. In addition, through transcriptomic analysis of bamboo shoots after mechanical damage plus insect feeding at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h, 1698, 29,786, 18,853, and 10,544 differentially expressed genes were screened out, respectively. Combined with physiological indexes, the GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that a large number of differentially expressed genes were found in the sucrose and starch metabolism pathways, which might be related to the carbohydrate accumulation in bamboo shoots, suggesting that the impact of insect feeding on the quality of bamboo shoots is greater than that of mechanical damage. This study provides a reference for carbohydrate accumulation in D. brandisii Kurz. bamboo shoots and the impact of Cyrtotrachelus buqueti Guer feeding on their quality, as well as offering some ideas for improving the quality of bamboo shoots. Full article

Toona sinensis (A. Juss.) Roem, classified under the Toona genus of the Meliaceae family, is a fast-growing, woody species endemic to China, valued as both a vegetable crop and medicinal plant. Its seeds achieve rapid germination through a cascade of interconnected physiological, metabolic, and hormonal adaptations. Initially, physiological hydration is driven and accelerated by only two distinct phases of water imbibition. This hydration surge triggers storage reserve mobilization, with soluble sugars, proteins, and lipids undergoing rapid degradation during imbibition, while starch catabolism proceeds gradually—a pattern mirrored by progressive increases in enzymatic activities (amylase, protease, and acid phosphodiesterase (ACP)) that correlate with reserve reallocation. Concurrently, a metabolic shift from glycolysis to the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) optimizes energy utilization, supporting germination acceleration. These biochemical changes are orchestrated by hormonal coordination: elevated gibberellin A₃ (GA₃), zeatin riboside (ZR), and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) levels, coupled with rising GA₃/ABA, IAA/ABA, and ZR/ABA ratios, temporally aligned with germination progression. Finally, structural evidence confirms successful germination completion, as cotyledon lipid droplet breakdown and starch granule synthesis directly correlate with embryonic elongation. Together, these mechanisms underscore T. sinensis’ adaptive strategy, integrating physiological plasticity, metabolic flexibility, and endocrine precision to ensure efficient germination. Full article