Academic literature on the topic 'By-Product valorization'

The aim of this study is to review the innovative techniques based on bioprocessing, thermal or physical treatments which have been proposed during the last few decades to convert rice bran into a valuable food ingredient. Rice bran (Oryza sativa) is the main by-product of rice grain processing. It is produced in large quantities worldwide and it contains a high amount of valuable nutrients and bioactive compounds with significant health-related properties. Despite that, its application in food industry is still scarce because of its sensitivity to oxidation processes, instability and poor technological suitability. Furthermore, the health-related effects of pretreated rice bran are also presented in this review, considering the up-to-date literature focused on both in vivo and in vitro studies. Moreover, in relation to this aspect, a brief description of rice bran arabinoxylans is provided. Finally, the application of rice bran in the food industry and the main technology aspects are concisely summarized.

The by-products of the winemaking process can represent chances for the development of new products. This study focused on the “zero waste” strategy development for by-products generated within winemaking from white and red grape varieties cultivated in the north of Portugal. The phytochemical properties of by-products were identified and characterized. Ohmic heating (OH) as a green extraction method was also applied to grape pomace due to their unknown effects on centesimal and phytochemical compositions. Both protein and carbohydrates were shown to be higher in grape bagasse than in stems. Additionally, red bagasse is richer in bioactive compounds (BC) than white bagasse. The sugar content was 21.91 and 11.01 g/100 g of DW in red and white grape bagasse, respectively. The amount of protein was 12.46 g/100 g of DW for red grape bagasse and 13.18 g/100 g of DW for white. Regarding the extraction methods, two fractions were obtained, a liquid fraction and solid (the remainder after the methodology application). OH presented a higher antioxidant capacity than a conventional (CONV) method. In addition, both extracts presented similar contents of anthocyanins, e.g., delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, petunidin-3-O-glucoside, and peonidin-3-O-glucoside. The solid fraction presented higher amounts of protein and phenols bound to fiber than CONV, which allows its use as a functional ingredient. In conclusion, OH can be an alternative extraction method compared with CONV methods, avoiding non-food grade solvents, thus contributing to circular economy implementation.

The present work aims to design an approach of valorization of agropastoral products and by-products in the wilaya of Naâma (West Algeria). The analysis of the surveys carried out on 364 breeders reveals that lamb production is characterized by a high economic value with a share 85 % of sold products in total production, followed by «Milk» with a rate of 24%. The rate of wool shows that this resource is classified as a low-value by-product since 77% of producers are unable to sold their fleeces. The skin is classified as a by-product without significant value, since only about 03% of breeders sold their product. Our approach of valorization of this production is initiated in a broad conception that integrates several actors. The SWOT matrix for the valorization of agro-pastoral products highlights the internal strengths and strengths and external opportunities offered, identifying internal weaknesses to resolve them while limiting external threats.

The exponential rise of the biodiesel production has resulted in a considerable amount of glycerol as a by-product, which must be valorized to ensure the sector’s long-term viability. As a result, cost-effective glycerol conversions for significant value-added chemicals are essential for the biodiesel production in the long run. Solketal, a glycerol by-product, is obtained as a potential fuel additive in the biodiesel industry. Recently, several heterogeneous acid-catalysts stand out as a promising catalyst for solketal production where biomass-based catalyst gained attraction owing to their biodegradability, eco-friendly, and abundant availability. Furthermore, magnetic nanoparticles-derived catalysts along with sulfonated functionalized catalyzed, zeolites, resins, enzymatic, etc. have proved their efficiency in solketal production. In this review, a wider study on the recent advances of the catalysts has been discussed along with their preparation, various reaction parameters, its application, and efficiency for biodiesel industry. This study opens up incredible prospects for us to use renewable energy sources, which will benefit the industry, the environment, and the economy.

In recent decades, food waste management has become a key priority of industrial and food companies, state authorities and consumers as well. The paper describes the biotechnological processing of mechanically deboned chicken meat (MDCM) by-product, rich in collagen, into gelatins. A factorial design at two levels was used to study three selected process conditions (enzyme conditioning time, gelatin extraction temperature and gelatin extraction time). The efficiency of the technological process of valorization of MDCM by-product into gelatins was evaluated by % conversion of the by-product into gelatins and some qualitative parameters of gelatins (gel strength, viscosity and ash content). Under optimal processing conditions (48–72 h of enzyme conditioning time, 73–78 °C gelatin extraction temperature and 100–150 min gelatin extraction time), MDCM by-product can be processed with 30–32% efficiency into gelatins with a gel strength of 140 Bloom, a viscosity of 2.5 mPa.s and an ash content of 5.0% (which can be reduced by deionization using ion-exchange resins). MDCM is a promising food by-product for valorization into gelatins, which have potential applications in food-, pharmaceutical- and cosmetic fields. The presented technology contributes not only to food sustainability but also to the model of a circular economy.

Mestrado em Biotecnologia
In the perspective of the development of sustainable industrial processes, the recovery and transformation of its by-products are mandatory. The production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) by mixed microbial cultures (MMC) is one of the possible routes to obtain. This study evaluated the possibility of using two industrial byproducts: hardwood sulfite spent liquor (HSSL) and crude glycerol (GC), as feedstock for PHA production by a MMC selected in sequencing batch reactors (SBR1 and SBR2 respectively) using the aerobic dynamic feeding (ADF) strategy. The MMC selected in SBR1, despite not being able to use the main carbon source of HSSL, lignosulphonates, revealed the capacity to consume acetate and xylose to accumulate poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBHV), and glucose biopolymer (GB). A maximum PHA content of 6.6% and a maximum production yield of 0,49 Cmmol HA/Cmmol S were obtained during the selection stage. The analysis of selected microbial community of SBR1, using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) techniques, revealed the dominance of Alphaproteobacteria, in which Paracoccus and Rhodobacter genus were identified, but also the existence of Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria and bacteria belonging to the classes Flavobacteria, Bacteroides Sphingobacteria. The culture selected by SBR2 despite showing the ability to consume both the glycerol and methanol fraction present in the CG, only glycerol appeared to contribute to both poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and GB storage. Using CG, the selected MMC achieved a maximum PHB content of 37.4% and a maximum yield of 0.62 (Cmmol HA / Cmmol S) in an accumulation assay.
Na perspetiva do desenvolvimento de processos industriais sustentáveis, é necessária a valorização e transformação dos subprodutos obtidos. A produção de polihidroxialcanoatos (PHA) com recurso a culturas microbianas mistas (MMC) é um dos processos possíveis para fazer essa valorização. Neste estudo, foi avaliada a possibilidade de usar dois subprodutos: licor de cozimento ao sulfito ácido (HSSL) e glicerol em bruto (CG), como matérias-primas para a produção de PHA para os quais foram selecionadas duas MMC em dois reatores descontínuos sequenciais (SBR1 e SBR2, respetivamente) através da imposição de condições de alimentação dinâmica aeróbia (ADF). A MMC selecionada no SBR1, apesar de não ser capaz de utilizar a principal fonte de carbono presente no HSSL, os lenhosulfonatos, consumiu acetato e xilose acumulando dois biopolímeros: poli(3-hidroxibutirato-co-3-hidroxivalerato) (PHBHV) e biopolímeros de glucose (GB). Durante o período de seleção foi obtido um conteúdo máximo em PHA de 6,6% e um rendimento máximo de 0,49 Cmmol HA/Cmmol S. A comunidade microbiana selecionada no SBR1 foi analisada com recurso a fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) e Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) demonstrando a predominância de Alfaproteobacteria, com os géneros Paracoccus e Rhodobacter a serem identificados, mas também a existência de Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria e também bactérias pertencentes às classes Flavobacteria, Bacteroides, Sphingobacteria. Quanto à MMC selecionada no SBR2, esta demonstrou ter capacidade de consumir tanto a fração de glicerol como a de metanol presente no CG, sendo que apenas o glicerol pareceu contribuiu para o armazenamento tanto de poli-3-hidroxibutirato (PHB) como de GB. Usando o CG, a MMC selecionada atingiu um conteúdo máximo de PHB de 37,4% e um rendimento máximo de 0,62 (Cmmol HA/Cmmol S) num ensaio de acumulação.

Les résidus de biomasse, comme la bagasse de canne à sucre, ont un grand potentiel pour fournir des sources d’énergie renouvelables. Cependant, ses propriétés naturelles telles que sa faible densité, son faible pouvoir calorifique et sa sensibilité à la biodégradation peuvent limiter son utilisation. Pour améliorer son efficacité énergétique, la pyrolyse lente–processus de décomposition thermique dans un environnement pauvre en oxygène–peut être appliquée en transformant la biomasse en un charbon riche en carbone. Dans un scénario typique de pyrolyse lente, la biomasse est lentement chauffée pour produire principalement du charbon, dont les vapeurs organiques sont souvent considérées comme des produits secondaires. Cependant, il y a un intérêt à récupérer ce sous-produit en condensant la vapeur organique générée pendant la pyrolyse à des fins diverses. De plus, ce produit a une longue histoire en raison de ses avantages en tant que bio-pesticide utilisé par les agriculteurs traditionnels, notamment dans les pays asiatiques. Dans cette étude, la bagasse a été pyrolysée pour co-produire du charbon et du liquide de pyrolyse (huile de pyrolyse) en utilisant un réacteur de laboratoire à lit fixe. Différents paramètres ont été testés, tels que les températures (400 °C et 500 °C), la vitesse de chauffe (1 °C/min et 10 °C/min) et le temps de séjour (30 min et 60 min). Cette étude vise à évaluer le potentiel de valorisation de la bagasse dans le but de densifier l’énergie (conversion de la biomasse en charbon) et de valoriser l’utilisation de son sous-produit (liquide de pyrolyse) pour la protection du bois. Les résultats ont montré que le rendement en charbon diminue avec l’augmentation de la température de pyrolyse mais entraîne une amélioration favorable du pouvoir calorifique; tout en générant une masse élevée de rendement liquide. Les conditions de pyrolyse optimales pour co-produire le charbon et le liquide de pyrolyse étaient la température de 500 °C et la vitesse de chauffe de 10 °C/min, donnant 28,97% de charbon et 55,46% de liquide. Les principaux composés du liquid de pyrolyse étaient l’eau, l’acide acétique, le glycolaldéhyde, la 1-hydroxy-2-propanone, le méthanol, l’acide formique, le lévoglucosane, le furfural, suivis de quelques composés phéno- liques et de dérivés du guaiacol. Le liquid de pyrolyse présente également une activité anti-fongique et anti-termite à des concentrations relativement faibles dans les essais biologiques sur boîtes de Pétri. Lorsqu’il est traité au bois de hêtre et de pin, le liquid de pyrolyse indique une bonne protection contre les termites (Reticulitermes flavipes) et les champignons Basidiomycete (Coniophora puteana et Rhodonia placenta, une pourriture cubique et Trametes versicolor, une pourriture fibreuse) à une concentration de 50% et 100%. Cependant, il reste lessivée lorsqu’il est exposé à l’eau ou à une forte humidité, ce qui indique que des études futures devraient être menées pour trouver comment diminuer sa lessivabilité.Mots clés: biomasse, charbon, pyrolyse lente, bagasse de canne à sucre, liquide de pyrolyse, protection du bois
Biomass residue—such as sugarcane bagasse—has great potential in providing renewable energy sources. However, its natural properties such as low density, low calorific value, and biodegradation susceptibility can limit its utilization. To improve its energy efficiency, slow pyrolysis—the process of thermal decomposition in an oxygen-deficient environment—can be applied by transforming the biomass into carbon-rich char. In a typical slow pyrolysis scenario, biomass is slowly heated to produce mainly char, where the organic vapors are often considered secondary products. However, there is an interest to recover this by-product by condensing the organic vapor generated during pyrolysis for various purposes. Moreover, this product has a long history due to its benefits as a bio-pesticide used by traditional farmers, notably in Asian countries. In this study, bagasse was slow-pyrolyzed to co-produce char and pyrolysis liquid using a laboratory fixed bed reactor. Different parameters were tested, such as temperatures (400 °C and 500 °C), heating rate (1 °C/min and 10 °C/min), and holding time (30 min and 60 min). This study aims to evaluate the valorization potential of bagasse with the purpose of energy densification (conversion of biomass into char) and valorizing the utilization of its by-product (pyrolysis liquid) for wood protection.Results showed that the yield of char decrease with the increase of pyrolysis temperature but results in the favorable calorific value improvement; while at the same time generating a high mass of liquid yield. The optimum pyrolysis condition to co-produce char and pyrolysis liquid was at 500 °C temperature and 10 °C/min of heating rate, yielding 28.97% char and 55.46% liquid. The principal compounds of pyrolysis liquid were water, acetic acid, glycolaldehyde, 1-hydroxy-2-propanone, methanol, formic acid, levoglucosan, furfural, followed by some phenol compounds and guaiacol derivatives. Pyrolysis liquid also exhibits anti-fungal and anti-termite activity at relatively low concentrations in the Petri-dishes bioassays. When treated to beech and pine wood, pyrolysis liquid indicates good protection towards termites (Reticulitermes flavipes) and Basidiomycete fungi (Coniophora puteana and Rhodonia placenta, cubic rot and Trametes versicolor, a fibrous rot) at concentration 50% and 100%. However, it remains leachable when exposed to water or high humidity, which indicates that future studies should be conducted to find out how to decrease its leachability.Keywords: biomass, char, slow pyrolysis, sugarcane bagasse, pyrolysis liquid, wood protection

The valorization of agro-industrial wastes represents a huge advantage for the transformation industry and the environment. Particularly, biomasses like spent coffee grounds are largely produced worldwide by coffee-based industries and do not require any pre-treatment for their use as raw material for extraction processes. Indeed, exhaust coffee grounds are usually collected in separated containers, either in coffee shops either in vending machines and are already in powder form. Several authors, analyzing chemical composition of spent coffee grounds, demonstrated their potential use as natural source of antioxidants, which are molecules that can find several applications in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In the first chapter of this work, a brief introduction on the biorefinery concept and proposed reuses of spent coffee grounds, based on literature data, were exposed, focusing the attention on the main valuable step of a potential biorefinery based on coffee: the recovery of high added-value compounds from exhaust coffee by green and innovative techniques and methods finalized to preserve their bioactivity. The antioxidant activity of spent coffee grounds can be traced back to polyphenols, like chlorogenic acid and its isomers, its derivatives, and melanoidins. The antioxidant activity and type of antioxidants that are recoverable from exhaust coffee powder, as well as its chemical composition, are functions of the type of raw material (e.g. Coffea arabica, Coffea canephora), but also the brewing process used for beverage preparation. In this thesis, spent coffee grounds collected by common vending machines, were subjected to a preliminary characterization, whose results were reported in chapter 2, and to a study on different extraction techniques (solid-liquid extraction, high- pressure and temperature-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction and continuous pressurized ultrasound-assisted extraction), solvents, and operating conditions. Indeed, one of the main aims of this research project was to perform the antioxidant recovery from SCG by using green solvents as water-ethanol solutions and to improve the extraction yields by working on the other process variables. A study on the recovery of antioxidants by microwave-assisted extraction was carried out in chapter 3, evaluating process optimization, extraction kinetics and the potential use of the extract for cosmetic purposes. For the study, both response surface modeling and kinetic studies were employed as tools for process optimization and the extracts were evaluated in terms of total polyphenol yield, total flavonoid yield and antiradical power. Chapter 5 deals with the utilization of high pressure and temperature-assisted extraction for antioxidant recovery from spent coffee grounds, while continuous pressurized ultrasound-assisted extraction results were reported in chapter 6. Since antioxidants are subjected to loss of activity when exposed to heat, light, and oxygen, novel and green post-processing (freeze-drying and supercritical antisolvent extraction) and microencapsulation techniques were used for antioxidant activity preservation, and to enhance product features. Thus, spray drying was employed to micro-encapsulate spent coffee grounds extracts using both inulin and maltodextrins as wall materials suitable for food application purposes. Encapsulation was optimized (chapter 4) by investigating process parameters like coating agent composition, inlet temperature, feed flow rate, using response surface methodology. In addition, different preservation techniques, finalized to prevent loss of activity and improve extract bioavailability were evaluated in chapter 5, where also a novel technique, supercritical fluid-assisted liposome formation (SuperLip), was tested for the encapsulation of the produced extracts in liposomes.

[EN] Sustainability is nowadays an investment for the future of any economic activity. The current situation of crisis has had an adverse impact in most industries, including the agri-food sector. However, this industry has been relatively the least affected when compared with other industrial sectors. This is mainly attributed to the fact that food products continue to be basic for consumers despite the economic downturn. Therefore, the agri-food sector is a key element in the European economy and can play a crucial role in the achievement of the objectives set in the EU's strategy for 2020: ensuring a sustainable framework of growth of a more competitive economy. The European agri-food industry has focused on energy efficiency and on reducing greenhouse gases emissions, along with better management of their resources as a way to improve its industrial competitiveness. In this sense, the search for solutions to transform the by-products generated in high value-added ingredients, is a priority. In this context, the juice industry, as fundamental sub-sector within the food sector, and large waste generator, must exploit the opportunity to transform their by-products into useful and profitable products for society. This transformation presents some difficulties which impede the profitability of the process. These difficulties are associated with the by-product, such as its compositional variability and its seasonality, and current techniques of transformation as the high energy cost in dehydration processes. This thesis represents an innovative and sustainable solution for overcoming the disadvantages associated with the high costs of stabilization, turning this by-products into high value-added ingredients, from both, nutritional and technological, points of view. The aim is to develop a microwave coupled with hot air drying technique allowing maximizing profits by using the following strategy: reducing time and operational costs, producing a new ingredient rich in dietary fiber, with interesting technological properties for the development of healthy foods, studying the proposed comprehensive process and analyzing the new generated by-products. The methodological approach of the thesis been focused, on the one hand, on studying phenomena that govern the internal transport of water and energy through the orange peel during its dehydration applying thermodynamics. On the other hand, the energy consumption of the drying process, the technological and sensory properties of the fiber obtained and its potential use as a fat substitute have been compared with the conventional hot air drying method. Finally, the integrated process, including both the combined drying technique and the pretreatments needed for colour and bitter compounds extraction, is proposed as a new route of valorization, in which the new by-products obtained, polyphenols and carotenoid rich extracts, are analysed. This study has analyzed the microwave coupled with hot air process, developing tools that allow the adequate upscaling of the drying operation by adapting it to the best standards of quality of the final product. A monitoring system that ensures these standards has been designed. The quality and the energy consumption of the dietary fiber production process has been improved. The properties associated with its inclusion in food matrices have been optimized. An innovative and sustainable process for the stabilization of industrial by-products and for their further conversion into dietary fiber and other bioactive compounds, applying microwave coupled with hot air drying, has been developed.
[ES] La sostenibilidad es una de las apuestas de futuro en cualquier actividad económica. La situación de crisis ha tenido un impacto adverso en la mayoría de las industrias, incluyendo las de ámbito agroalimentario. Sin embargo, ésta ha sido relativamente la menos afectada cuando se compara con otros sectores industriales. Esto se atribuye al hecho de que los productos alimenticios continúan siendo básicos para los consumidores a pesar de la desaceleración económica. Por lo tanto, esta industria es un pilar fundamental en la economía europea y puede jugar un papel crucial en la consecución de los objetivos marcados en la Estrategia de la UE para 2020: asegurar un marco sostenible de crecimiento de una economía más competitiva. La industria agroalimentaria europea ha apostado por la eficiencia energética y la reducción de emisiones de gases invernadero, junto con una mejor gestión de sus recursos como vía para la mejora de su competitividad industrial. La búsqueda de soluciones para transformar los subproductos generados en ingredientes de alto valor añadido, es una de las prioridades. En este contexto, la industria productora de zumos, como subsector fundamental dentro del sector alimentario, y gran generador de residuos, tiene la oportunidad de transformar sus subproductos en productos útiles y rentables para la sociedad. Esta transformación presenta algunas dificultades que impiden la rentabilidad del proceso. Estas dificultades están asociadas al subproducto, como su variabilidad composicional o su estacionalidad, y a las técnicas actuales de transformación como el elevado coste energético en procesos de deshidratación. Esta tesis se plantea como una solución innovadora y sostenible para, más allá de superar los inconvenientes asociados a los altos costes de estabilización, transformar este subproducto en un ingrediente de alto valor añadido, tanto nutricional como tecnológico. Para ello se propone desarrollar una técnica de secado combinado por aire caliente y microondas que permita maximizar beneficios mediante la siguiente estrategia: reducir el tiempo y el coste energético de la operación, produciendo un nuevo ingrediente rico en fibra dietética con propiedades tecnológicas de interés para el desarrollo de alimentos más saludables, estudiando el proceso integral propuesto y analizando los nuevos subproductos generados. El enfoque metodológico de la tesis ha estado dirigido, por una parte, a estudiar los fenómenos que gobiernan el transporte interno de agua y energía a través de la piel de naranja durante su deshidratación, aplicando termodinámica. Por otra parte, el consumo energético del proceso de secado, las propiedades tecnológicas y sensoriales de la fibra obtenida y su potencial uso como ingrediente sustituto de grasa, se han comparado con el método de secado convencional por aire caliente. Finalmente, el proceso integrado, incluyendo tanto el secado combinado como las etapas previas de extracción de color y compuestos amargos, se propone como una nueva ruta de valorización, en la que se analizan posibles subproductos de interés tales como extractos ricos en polifenoles y carotenoides. En este estudio se ha analizado el proceso combinado de secado con aire caliente y microondas, desarrollando herramientas que permiten dimensionar adecuadamente la operación de secado adaptándola a los estándares óptimos de calidad del producto final. Se ha diseñado un sistema de monitorización que asegure dichos estándares. Se ha mejorado el proceso de obtención de fibra alimentaria respecto a su calidad y a su gasto energético. Se han optimizado las propiedades asociadas a su inclusión en matrices alimentarias. Se ha desarrollado un proceso innovador y sostenible para la estabilización de subproductos vegetales de origen industrial y para su posterior conversión en fibra dietética y otros compuestos bioactivos, aplicando la tecnología de secado por aire caliente y
[CAT] La sostenibilitat és una de les apostes de futur en qualsevol activitat econòmica. L'actual situació de crisi ha tingut un impacte advers en la majoria de les indústries, incloent les d'àmbit agroalimentari. No obstant això, la indústria agroalimentària ha sigut relativament la menys afectada quan es compara amb altres sectors industrials. Açò s'atribuïx principalment al fet de que els productes alimentaris continuen sent bàsics per als consumidors a pesar de la desacceleració econòmica. Per tant, esta indústria és un pilar fonamental en l'economia europea i pot jugar un paper crucial en la consecució dels objectius marcats en l'Estratègia de la UE per a 2020: assegurar un marc sostenible de creixement d'una economia més competitiva. La indústria agroalimentària europea ha apostat per l'eficiència energètica i la reducció d'emissions de gasos d'efecte hivernacle, junt amb una millor gestió dels seus recursos com a via per a la millora del seu vaig competirtu En este sentit, la busca de solucions per a transformar els subproductes generats en ingredients d'alt valor afegit, és una de les prioritats. En este context, la indústria productora de sucs, com subsector fonamental dins del sector alimentari, i gran generador de residus, té el deure i l'oportunitat de transformar els seus subproductes en productes útils i rendibles per a la societat. Esta transformació presenta algunes dificultats que impedixen la rendibilitat del procés. Estes dificultats estan associades al subproducte, com la seua variabilitat composicional o la seua estacionalitat, i a les tècniques actuals de transformació com l'elevat cost energètic en processos de deshidratació. Esta tesi es planteja com una solució innovadora i sostenible per a, més enllà de superar els inconvenients associats als alts costos d'estabilització, transformar este subproducte en un ingredient d'alt valor afegit, tant nutricional com tecnològic. Per a això es proposa desenvolupar una tècnica de'assecat combinat per aire calent i microones que permeta maximitzar beneficis per mitjà de l'estratègia següent: reduir el temps i el cost energètic de l'operació, produint un nou ingredient ric en fibra dietètica amb propietats tecnològiques d'interés per al desenvolupament d'aliments més saludables, estudiant el procés integral proposat i analitzant els nous subproductes generats. L'enfocament metodològic de la tesi ha estat dirigit, d'una banda, a estudiar els fenòmens que governen el transport intern d'aigua i energia a través de la pell de taronja durant la seua deshidratació, aplicant termodinàmica. D'altra banda, el consum energètic del procés de d'assecat, les propietats tecnològiques i sensorials de la fibra obtinguda i el seu potencial ús com a ingredient substitut de greix, s'han comparat amb el mètode d'assecat convencional per aire calent. Finalment, el procés integrat, incloent tant l'assecat combinat com les etapes prèvies d'extracció de color i compostos amargs, es proposa com una nova ruta de valoració, en la que s'analitzen possibles subproductes d'interés com ara extractes rics en polifenoles i carotenoides. En este estudi s'ha analitzat el procés combinat d'assecat amb aire calent i microones, desenvolupant ferramentes que permeten dimensionar adequadament l'operació d'assecat adaptant-la als estàndards òptims de qualitat del producte final. S'ha dissenyat un sistema de monitorització que assegure els dits estàndards. S'ha millorat el procés d'obtenció de fibra alimentaria respecte a la seua qualitat i al seu consum energètic. S'han optimitzat les propietats associades a la seua inclusió en matrius alimentàries. S'ha desenvolupat un procés innovador i sostenible per a l'estabilització de subproductes vegetals d'origen industrial i per a la seua posterior conversió en fibra dietètica i altres compostos bioactius, aplicant la tecnologia d'assecat por aire calent i microones.
Talens Vila, C. (2015). DESARROLLO DE TÉCNICAS COMBINADAS DE SECADO CON AIRE CALIENTE Y MICROONDAS EN LA PRODUCCIÓN DE FIBRA ALIMENTARIA A PARTIR DE SUBPRODUCTOS CÍTRICOS [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/54114
TESIS

L’objectif de ce travail est la valorisation des molécules bioactives présentes initialement dans Gelidium sesquipedale. Les rhodophycées agarophytes dont Gelidium sesquipedale sont exploitées à l’échelle industrielle pour l’agar, un phycocolloïde aux propriétés gélifiantes, qu’elles contiennent en abondance. Une multitude de coproduits sont générés lors de l’extraction de l’agar. Ces derniers, peu étudiés, ne sont pas valorisés alors qu’ils constituent une source potentielle de molécules d’intérêts. En premier lieu, le process industriel d’extraction de l’agar a été adapté à l’échelle du laboratoire afin de récupérer ces co-produits dont l’analyse a montré la richesse en glucides. Ils ont par la suite été fractionnés pour isoler les oligosaccharides dont certains sont connus comme éliciteurs chez les plantes. Ainsi, plusieurs fractions oligosaccharidiques ont été obtenues avec un rendement estimé à 15,7% de Gelidium sesquipedale sec. Les fractions sélectionnées ont été caractérisées par CPG, ESI-MS, RMN et perméthylation ce qui a permis d’élucider les structures des oligosaccharides qu’elles contiennent et de révéler notamment la présence de dérivés de floridoside dont le Gal2glycérol, le Gal3glycérol et le Gal4glycérol qui sont des molécules originales chez Gelidium sesquipedale non décrites à ce jour chez les algues rouges. Une dernière partie a consisté en la mesure de l’activité élicitrice de ces fractions qui a pu être vérifiée sur des plantes de tomate à travers des mesures de marqueurs biochimiques relatifs à l’expression des réactions de défense chez la plante. En conclusion, les coproduits issus de l’extraction de l’agar représentent une source de pSDNs (phyto stimulateur des défenses naturelles chez la plante) ; ils offrent une nouvelle perspective de développement à l’industrie de l’agar
This work aims at promoting the bioactive molecules initially present in Gelidium sesquipedale. The rhodophycea agarophytes, including Gelidium sesquipedale, are used for industrial extraction of agar, a phycocolloid with gelling properties, which they contain in abundance. A multitude of co-products are generated during the extraction of the agar. These co-products have only been studied a little, hence not valued, while they constitute a significant source of molecules of interest. Firstly, the industrial agar extraction process was adapted on a laboratory scale, in order to recover these coproducts, which were subsequently subjected to an analysis, which revealed the presence of carbohydrates as major components. They were submitted to a fractionation process to obtain oligosaccharidic fractions, with a potential of elicitor activity, and a yield estimated at 15.7% of dry Gelidium sesquipedale. Also, a follow-up of co-products from batches of Gelidium sesquipedale harvested in different years from 2014 to 2016, enabled the comparison of the composition of the various co-products, depending on the year of the harvest, and thus to evaluate the variability of the initial resource. In addition, the impact of an extraction factor, being the sodium concentration, and the comparison with an industrial co-product produced by this process, were carried out. The retained fractions were characterized by GPC, ESI-MS, NMR and permethylation that allowed the elucidation of the structures of the oligosaccharides they contain, and revealed in particular the presence of floridoside derivatives including Gal2glycerol, Gal3glycerol and Gal4glycerol, which are original molecules in Gelidium sesquipedale, not described to date in red algae. A final part consisted in measuring the activity of these fractions as elicitor that could be estimated on tomato plants through measurements of biochemical markers relating to the expression of defense reactions in the plant. In conclusion, the co-products from agar extraction represent a source of pSDNs (phyto stimulator of natural defense in the plant) and give a new perspective to the agar industry

Circular Economy (CE) is gaining attention among practitioners and institutions for its potential to increase the eco-performance of production and consumption systems and as a means to reach sustainable development. It intends to recover and valorize waste and residue adding value to these materials while keeping them within society. However, so far, a comprehensive and exhaustive methodology for measuring CE transition and progress towards the achievement of sustainability principles is still lacking. This work presents a preliminary investigation of the consequences of CE implementation in a case study of the manufacturing industry. Spent Bleaching Earth (SBE) is a production residue of vegetable oil refining and, due to the oil therein contained, raises several issues during disposal. It is generally considered a nuisance, a waste, and disposed of at high costs. The company Sfridoo S.r.l. is committed to residue valorization and, in 2020, has implemented an industrial symbiosis match for SBE alternative management that involves its reuse as a by-product in brick manufacturing. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Circular Indicators have been applied to assess and compare a business-as-usual approach and a CE-oriented strategy for SBE management. It was shown that the carbon footprint of 1 ton of SBE following a circular approach might overcome that of a traditional scenario, but this depends on specific conditions and is mainly related to transport and avoided impacts associated with recovered products. Despite that, economic benefits of SBE conversion from waste-to-resource are impressive and savings estimated at around thousands of euros yearly. Resource scarcity is also positively influenced and total waste generated of the system is reduced by about 20%. This research shows that SBE repurposing in the ceramic industry represents a suitable strategy for executing CE at the industrial level and the methods applied a possible approach to address CE implementation.

Les co-produits industriels de la première étape d’extraction d’agar (de l’algue rouge Gelidium sesquipedale) constituent au sein de l’entreprise SETEXAM des volumes importants potentiellement valorisables. L’objectif de ce travail est de démontrer qu’ils peuvent être utilisés en tant qu‘éliciteur, ou stimulateur des défenses naturelles (SDN). D’abord, la composition élémentaire du co-produit alcalin a révélé une teneur en minéraux de 44 % (Na, K éléments majeurs) avec des traces de métaux lourds, mais en dessous de la limite autorisée. Les principaux composés organiques détectés sont des glucides (12,5 %) et une fraction riche en floridoside a été obtenue. Ce composé a été identifié par une méthode originale, la CPG-MS. Le co-produit alcalin, recyclé au cours du procédé industriel, voit sa teneur en glucides diminuer avec l’augmentation du nombre de cycles. Ces co-produits, appliqués sur des plants de tomates cultivées en serre sous stress biotique, sont capables de stimuler des réponses de défense (activités enzymatiques, expression des gènes). La dose optimale (50 mg.L-1) a été déterminée ainsi que les conditions d’applications et la durée d’activation des réponses. En plein champ, les co-produits ont été testés sur vigne et sur tomate, pour leur capacité à réduire les symptômes du mildiou, ou de la cladosporiose. Des résultats prometteurs ont été obtenus comparés à des éliciteurs déjà commercialisés, en conditions de pression modérée. Le co-produit issu de la première étape d’extraction industrielle d’agar a montré une activité comme SDN et peut constituer une solution de protection des cultures permettant une réduction des pesticides pour une agriculture durable et plus respectueuse de l’environnement. Ce travail constitue une base pour un dossier d’homologation du produit qui transformerait ces co-produits de coût en ressource pour l’entreprise
The industrial by-products of the first step of agar extraction (from red alga Gelidium sesquipedale) constitute large volumes at SETEXAM company that might be valorized. The objective of this work is to prove that they can be used as elicitor, or plant defense stimulator (PDS). Firstly, the elemental composition of the alkaline by-product revealed a mineral content of 44% (Na, K major components) with heavy metal traces, but under authorized limits. The principal organic components detected are carbohydrates (12.5%) and a fraction rich in floridoside was obtained. This molecule was identified with an original method, through GC-MS. The alkaline by-product, recycled through the industrial process, has its carbohydrate content diminished as the number of cycles increases. These by-products, applied on tomato plants grown in greenhouse under biotic stress, are capable of stimulating defense responses (enzymatic activities, gene expression). The optimal dose (50 mg.L-1) was determined together with the application conditions and time span of responses. In field, the by-products were tested on grapevine and on tomato, for their capacity to reduce downy mildew, or leaf mold symptoms. Promising results were obtained compared to already commercialized elicitors, for moderate disease pressure. The by-product obtained from the first step of industrial agar extraction showed a PDS activity and can be a solution for culture defense allowing a reduction of pesticides for a durable and environmentally friendly agriculture. This work is a base for a homologation file of the product that would transform these by-products from cost to resource for the company

La racine forcée d’endive est un coproduit de la culture de l’endive, produit caractéristique du Nord de la France, de la Belgique et des Pays-Bas. Actuellement sous utilisé en méthanisation ou en alimentation animale, ce coproduit contient pourtant des molécules d’intérêts à haute valeur ajoutée : les acides caféoylquiniques. Ces molécules possèdent des activités antioxydantes, anti-inflammatoires et permettent de limiter les maladies du désordre métabolique. Ce travail de thèse vise à intensifier le prétraitement, l’extraction, la purification et la fonctionnalisation des acides caféoylquiniques à partir des racines forcées pour développer de nouvelles molécules bioactives biosourcées potentiellement intéressantes pour le secteur cosmétique et nutraceutique. Une dernière partie de la thèse porte sur l’étude technico-économique du procédé pour estimer sa rentabilité économique en fonction du secteur d’application visé. La première partie porte sur l’effet des prétraitements conventionnels (découpe et séchage) ainsi que l’effet d’un prétraitement électrique par champs électriques pulsés sur les teneurs en acides caféoylquiniques dans la biomasse. L’effet de l’ajout d’une solution antioxydante lors de l’extraction est également étudié. Dans un deuxième temps, une optimisation de l’extraction est réalisée à partir de biomasse sèche et fraiche. L’influence de facteurs tels que la température, le ratio solide/liquide, ainsi que la nature du solvant a été étudiée. De plus, des cinétiques d’extraction ont été tracées pour étudier les paramètres cinétiques à l’aide d’un modèle empirique. La pureté de l’extrait obtenu étant faible, des étapes de purification sont donc nécessaires. Par la suite, les travaux se sont portés sur la purification de l’extrait brut à l’aide de résines macroporeuses ainsi que par extraction liquide/liquide. Pour la purification par résine, un screening de résines est réalisé suivi d’une optimisation des conditions opératoires de purification avec la résine choisie. Des modélisations des phénomènes d’adsorption sont réalisées pour déterminer les étapes limitantes ainsi que la capacité maximale d’adsorption. Pour l’extraction liquide/liquide, un screening de solvants verts est effectué à partir d’un milieu aqueux et hydro-éthanolique puis une optimisation des conditions opératoires avec le meilleur solvant est réalisée. La pénultième partie de la thèse cherche à fonctionnaliser par estérification les acides caféoylquiniques à partir d’une solution modèle puis d’un extrait réel. Les conditions d’estérification sont optimisées pour augmenter la vitesse de réaction ainsi que le taux de conversion. Des esters avec différentes longueurs de chaine sont obtenus et l’activité antioxydante ainsi que les propriétés anti-UV sont étudiées. La fonctionnalisation est par la suite effectuée sur un extrait réel. Une étude technico-économique conclut la thèse permettant d’ouvrir sur des perspectives quant aux conditions nécessaires à l’industrialisation du procédé de valorisation des racines forcées d’endive
Forced chicory root is a by-product of Belgian endive culture, a typical crop of northern France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Currently under-utilized in methanation or animal feed, this by-product contains molecules of interest: caffeoylquinic acids. These molecules have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and a potential for reducing metabolic disorders. This thesis aims to intensify the pre-treatment, extraction, purification and functionalization of caffeoylquinic acids from forced chicory roots to develop new bioactive biosourced molecules of potential interest to the cosmetics and nutraceutical sectors. The final part of the thesis deals with a technico-economical study of the process to estimate its economic profitability in relation to the targeted application sector. The first part focuses on the effect of conventional pretreatments (cutting and drying) and the effect of pulsed electric field pretreatment on caffeoylquinic acid content in biomass. The effect of adding an antioxidant solution during extraction is also investigated. Secondly, extraction optimization is carried out using dry or fresh biomass. The influence of factors such as temperature, solid/liquid ratio and solvent type were studied. In addition, extraction kinetics were performed to study kinetic parameters using empirical models. As the purity of the extract obtained is low, purification steps are needed. The thesis then focused on purifying the crude extract obtained using macroporous resins and liquid/liquid extraction. For resin purification, resin screening was carried out, followed by optimization of the purification operating conditions with the chosen resin. Models of adsorption phenomena are carried out to identify the limiting stages and the maximum adsorption capacity. For liquid/liquid extraction, green solvent screening is carried out on aqueous and hydro-ethanolic media, followed by optimization of operating conditions with the best solvent. The penultimate part of the thesis seeks to functionalize caffeoylquinic acids by esterification, starting with a model solution and then a real extract. Esterification conditions are optimized to increase both reaction speed and conversion rate. Esters with different chain lengths were obtained, and biological activities such as antioxidant activity and anti-UV properties were studied. Functionalization is also performed with real extract. A technico-economic study concludes the thesis, opening up prospects for the industrialization of the forced chicory roots valorization process

AbstractThe rapid technological development leads us to identify innovation with technology itself. This becomes the core piece of the innovation process in all sectors. In reality, digital transformation has the power to change the meaning of things (Epifani in Digital sustainability: why sustainability cannot disregard digital transformation. Digital Transformation Institute, Rome, 2020) and therefore needs to cultivate a strategic vision of systems and scenarios that can be implemented only through creative design. Designers, thanks to their ability to see, show, predict (Zurlo in Le strategie del design. Disegnare il valore oltre il prodotto. Libraccio editore, Milan, 2021), and design the future, have the role of meeting the challenges posed by digital evolution. This dichotomy between digital and sustainability is analyzed in the article thanks to the workshop “Space Transformation/Industrial Living Environment,” a pilot project for the valorization of productivity in the Valdelsa Senese area that involves, in interdisciplinary groups, students from the various design fields of the School of Architecture of the University of Florence. Another example of planning is the project SMAG—SMArt Garden (Tuscany Region Call RSI—POR FESR 2014–2020), which develops a product-service system equipped with an advanced technological set-up able to control vital parameters of public or private green spaces, using the Internet of things. These examples underline how the physical and digital worlds are interfacing more and more and getting closer. In this scenario, the role of the project is even more important because it allows to manage and direct the innovation and change processes in the direction of a “digicircular” transformation (Epifani in Digital sustainability: why sustainability cannot disregard digital transformation. Digital Transformation Institute, Rome, 2020).

Chemical recycling of plastics is a promising technology to reduce carbon footprint and ease the pressure of waste treatment. Specifically, highly efficient conversion technologies for polyolefins will be the most effective solution to address the plastic waste crisis, given that polyolefins are the primary contributors to global plastic production. Significant challenges encountered by plastic waste valorization facilities include the uncertainty in the composition of the waste feedstock, process yield, and product price. These variabilities can lead to compromised performance or even render operations infeasible. To address these challenges, this work applied the robust optimization-based framework to design an integrated polyolefin chemical recycling plant. Data-driven surrogate model was built to capture the separation units� behavior and reduce the computational complexity of the optimization problem. It was found that when process yield and price uncertainties were considered, wax products became more favorable, and pyrolysis became the preferred reaction technology.

The concern on the adverse environmental effects of global warming and fossil fuel challenged human intellect to find renewable, sustainable and environmentally friendly fuel substitutes. This was fully supported by governmental and non-governmental organizations across the globe. The fig (Ficus carica) is an edible Mediterranean fruit that is abundantly cultivated in Turkiye. Waste figs are carcinogenic and toxigenic. Thus, it’s a good option to converting it into value added products. The main objective of this research is to study the effects of cations (Zn2+, Mg2+ and Mn+ ) and electron mediators (Neutral red and Methyl viologen) on the acetogenesis and solventogenesis stages of the ABE process. One factor at a time (OFAT) simple experimental design was employed in this study. Organicacids (lactic, acetic and butyric acid) and organic solvents (ethanol, acetone and butanol) are the main product of the ABE (Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol) fermentation. From the results, maximum concentrations of Lactic, acetic, butyric acid, ethanol, acetone and butanol were recorded at MV15(mg/L), Mg400(mg/L), Mg400 (mg/L) NR15(mg/L), Mn56(mg/L), and MV15(mg/L) respectively.

The concern on the adverse environmental effects of global warming and fossil fuel challenged human intellect to find renewable, sustainable and environmentally friendly fuel substitutes. This was fully supported by governmental and non-governmental organizations across the globe. The fig (Ficus carica) is an edible Mediterranean fruit that is abundantly cultivated in Turkiye. Waste figs are carcinogenic and toxigenic. Thus, it’s a good option to converting it into value added products. The main objective of this research is to study the effects of cations (Zn2+, Mg2+ and Mn+ ) and electron mediators (Neutral red and Methyl viologen) on the acetogenesis and solventogenesis stages of the ABE process. One factor at a time (OFAT) simple experimental design was employed in this study. Organicacids (lactic, acetic and butyric acid) and organic solvents (ethanol, acetone and butanol) are the main product of the ABE (Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol) fermentation. From the results, maximum concentrations of Lactic, acetic, butyric acid, ethanol, acetone and butanol were recorded at MV15(mg/L), Mg400(mg/L), Mg400 (mg/L) NR15(mg/L), Mn56(mg/L), and MV15(mg/L) respectively.

The increasing of world population, industrialization and global consuming, existing market products existed in the along with diversification of raw materials, are responsible for an exponential increase of wastes. This scenario represents loss of resources and ultimately causes air, soils and water pollution. Therefore, proper waste management is currently one of the major challenges faced by modern societies. Textile industries represents, in Portugal, almost 10% of total productive transforming sector and 19% of total employments in the sector composed by almost 7.000 companies. One of the main environmental problems of textile industries is the production of significant quantities of wastes from its different processing steps. According to the Portuguese Institute of Statistics (INE) these industries produce almost 500.000 tons of wastes each year, with the textile cotton waste (TCW) being the most expressive. It was estimated that 4.000 tons of TCW are produced each year in Portugal. In this work an integrated TCW valorisation procedure was evaluated, firstly by its thermal and energetic valorisation with slow pyrolysis followed by the utilization of biochar by-product, in lead and chromium synthetic wastewater decontamination. Pyrolysis experiments were conducted in a small scale rotating pyrolysis reactor with 0.1 m3 of total capacity. Results of pyrolysis experiments showed the formation of 0,241 m3 of biogas for each kilogram of TCW. Results also demonstrated that the biogas is mostly composed by hydrogen (22%), methane (14 %), carbon monoxide (20%) and carbon dioxide (12%), which represents a total high calorific value of 12.3 MJ/Nm3. Regarding biochar, results of elemental analysis demonstrated a high percentage of carbon driving its use as low cost adsorbent. Adsorption experiments were conducted with lead and chromium synthetic wastewaters (25, 50 and 100 mg L−1) in batch vessels with controlled pH. It was evaluated the behaviour of adsorption capacity and removal rate of each metal during 120 minutes of contact time using 5, 10 and 50 g L−1 of adsorbent dosage. Results indicated high affinity of adsorbent with each tested metal with 78% of removal rate in chromium and 95% in lead experiments. This suggests that biochar from TCW pyrolysis may be appropriated to wastewaters treatment, with high contents of heavy metals and it can be an effective alternative to activated carbon.

The paper aims to deepen the debate regarding the design discipline in relation to science, especially focusing on the possible outcomes generated by a concerted action between design and science in addressing the urgent environmental issues.In the research context, interdisciplinarity encourages new results and synergies through the exchange of knowledge and the construction of new paths, also promoting the adoption of different perspectives other than established research perspectives and paradigms. It brings together different scientific approaches, skills, methods and expertise to deal with complexity, to master technical challenges and to carry out research with different complexity levels. Although design is intrinsically interdisciplinary, nowadays the figure of the designer is changing, moving from the role of central planner to that of a participant in the design of complex systems. The boundaries of design as a discipline tend to blur more and more, with designers markedly approaching and operating at the intersection of other disciplines, researching, and even experimenting on matter first hand in their works.However, although there is a lot of data and insights on collaborative research programs, there is a lack of empirical evidence on how to best implement interdisciplinarity, on the added value it produces and on how to overcome narrow disciplinary restrictions.The difference between design and scientific research processes is well-established in design literature, it contrasts design and science on the basis that science is concerned with understanding real needs generally describing the nature course, and design is about using possibilities to create new particular conditions (e.g. a new product).These considerations lead to a critical reflection: if the scientific future occurs out of legitimate necessity, then how does the role of the designer take shape in this scenario, beyond the more recognized contribution of design to scientific research such as constructing models of representation and simulation, designing artifacts for testing and experimentation, ideating scenarios, visualizing scientific ideas and helping to disseminate scientific knowledge? The design can actively join scientific research by bringing new inputs, finding new applications for scientific research outcomes, providing means of experimentation and reflection, challenging scientists’ perceptions and encouraging the pursuit of new research directions. The topic of the sustainable valorisation of agro-industrial waste and by-products – which counts numerous examples in literature- is presented as a case study of virtuous collaboration between design and science. The agro-industrial sector represents a driving force in the global economy however, it is accompanied by remarkable amounts of residues and waste generated by agronomic practices and industrial manufacturing which, according to sustainability and circularity principles, can be transformed into valuable resources through systemic approaches. In particular, the opportunities generated by the collaboration between chemists and designers for the extraction of bioactive compounds from biomasses of the wine and edible flowers production chain are discussed, through the adoption of sustainability and circularity principles through the entire process, as well as a further critical thinking about the recovery of the organic matrix waste generated in laboratory, wherever possible, to solicit design applications.

The aim of the paper is to answer the question of whether EU funding supports tourism in Serbia in a situation where this sector of the economy is facing astonishing figures of decline which is caused by the coronavirus. The paper is divided into two segments. The first part is based on the presentation of the possibility of diversification of the tourist offer in Serbia and the second part provides an overview of the literature related to EU funds. The research is interdisciplinary because it includes selective forms of tourism which united in a single tourist product can contribute to a tourist valorization of all areas and contribute as a response to the crisis caused by the pandemic. Contribution of EU funds can be seen through the connection between investment activities and the increase in tourist traffic. The special goal of the paper is education and raising awareness about the preservation of rural and eco areas, eco production and healthy lifestyles, which will contribute to the tourist offer and also a pleasure and enjoyment for visitors.

Slaughterhouse blood is a valuable by-product since multiple bioactive compounds can be derived out of it. Its solid fraction consists mainly of hemoglobin, which is a good source of antimicrobial and antioxidant peptides that can be released by peptic hydrolysis. Nevertheless, this method has limitations such as low yield, expensive cost of enzyme process, and non-eco-friendly production (high energy consumption and chemical reagents requested). Amount the alternative green technologies for protein valorization, pulsed electric field (PEF) stands out since it allows modifying the physicochemical properties of proteins, promoting the enzymatic hydrolysis, enzyme inactivation, and bioactivity enhancement. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of PEF on the pepsin inactivation and biological activities (antimicrobial and antioxidant) in hemoglobin hydrolysates. Bovine and porcine hemoglobins were hydrolyzed with pepsin for 3 h (37°C, pH 3.0) and treated with PEF (73 pulses, 23.8kV/cm, 90Hz) to inactivate the enzyme. The hydrolysis degree was evaluated, which did not show significant changes after PEF-inactivation of pepsin, whereas the peptide population analysis by RP-UPLC-MS/MS showed some changes in PEF-treated hydrolysates over time, which suggested a residual pepsin activity. Additionally, the impact of pH (3, 7, and 10) on bioactivity was studied. PEF-treatments did not show a significant impact on antimicrobial (antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-yeast activities) and antioxidant activities (DPPH and ORAC). However, higher pH fostered stronger anti-yeast activity (R. mucilaginosa) and DPPH‐scavenging capacity, whereas pH 7 fostered the antifungal activity (M. racemosus). Even though some changes were observed in the peptide population, no negative effects of PEF were found for biological activities. Thus, the utilization of hemoglobin from the meat industry combined with PEF-treatment fits the circular economy concept since derived peptides can be recycled to protect meat and other products against microbial growth and oxidation.

Background. In this proposal we suggest developing a common solution for three seemingly unrelated acute problems: (1) improving sustainability of fast-growing mushroom industry producing worldwide millions of tons of underutilized leftovers; (2) alleviating the epidemic of vitamin D deficiency adversely affecting the public health in both countries and in other regions; (3) reducing spoilage of perishable fruit and vegetable products leading to food wastage. Based on our previous experience we propose utilizing appropriately processed mushroom byproducts as a source of two valuable bioactive materials: antimicrobial and wholesome polysaccharide chitosan and health-strengthening nutrient ergocalciferol⁽ᵛⁱᵗᵃᵐⁱⁿ ᴰ2⁾. ᴬᵈᵈⁱᵗⁱᵒⁿᵃˡ ᵇᵉⁿᵉᶠⁱᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉˢᵉ ᵐᵃᵗᵉʳⁱᵃˡˢ ⁱˢ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᵒʳⁱᵍⁱⁿ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ⁿᵒⁿ⁻ᵃⁿⁱᵐᵃˡ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ⁻ᵍʳᵃᵈᵉ source. We proposed using chitosan and vitamin D as ingredients in active edible coatings on two model foods: highly perishable fresh-cut melon and less perishable health bars. Objectives and work program. The general aim of the project is improving storability, safety and health value of foods by developing and applying a novel active edible coating based on utilization of mushroom industry leftovers. The work plan includes the following tasks: (a) optimizing the UV-B treatment of mushroom leftover stalks to enrich them with vitamin D without compromising chitosan quality - Done; (b) developing effective extraction procedures to yield chitosan and vitamin D from the stalks - Done; (c) utilizing LbL approach to prepare fungal chitosan-based edible coatings with optimal properties - Done; (d) enrichment of the coating matrix with fungal vitamin D utilizing molecular encapsulation and nano-encapsulation approaches - Done, it was found that no encapsulation methods are needed to enrich chitosan matrix with vitamin D; (e) testing the performance of the coating for controlling spoilage of fresh cut melons - Done; (f) testing the performance of the coating for nutritional enhancement and quality preservation of heath bars - Done. Achievements. In this study numerous results were achieved. Mushroom waste, leftover stalks, was treated ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵁⱽ⁻ᴮ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʳᵉᵃᵗᵐᵉⁿᵗ ⁱⁿᵈᵘᶜᵉˢ ᵃ ᵛᵉʳʸ ʰⁱᵍʰ ᵃᶜᶜᵘᵐᵘˡᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵒᶠ ᵛⁱᵗᵃᵐⁱⁿ ᴰ2, ᶠᵃʳ ᵉˣᶜᵉᵉᵈⁱⁿᵍ any other dietary vitamin D source. The straightforward vitamin D extraction procedure and ᵃ ˢⁱᵐᵖˡⁱᶠⁱᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵃˡʸᵗⁱᶜᵃˡ ᵖʳᵒᵗᵒᶜᵒˡ ᶠᵒʳ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ⁻ᵉᶠᶠⁱᶜⁱᵉⁿᵗ ᵈᵉᵗᵉʳᵐⁱⁿᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵛⁱᵗᵃᵐⁱⁿ ᴰ2 ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵉⁿᵗ suitable for routine product quality control were developed. Concerning the fungal chitosan extraction, new freeze-thawing protocol was developed, tested on three different mushroom sources and compared to the classic protocol. The new protocol resulted in up to 2-fold increase in the obtained chitosan yield, up to 3-fold increase in its deacetylation degree, high whitening index and good antimicrobial activity. The fungal chitosan films enriched with Vitamin D were prepared and compared to the films based on animal origin chitosan demonstrating similar density, porosity and water vapor permeability. Layer-by-layer chitosan-alginate electrostatic deposition was used to coat fruit bars. The coatings helped to preserve the quality and increase the shelf-life of fruit bars, delaying degradation of ascorbic acid and antioxidant capacity loss as well as reducing bar softening. Microbiological analyses also showed a delay in yeast and fungal growth when compared with single layer coatings of fungal or animal chitosan or alginate. Edible coatings were also applied on fresh-cut melons and provided significant improvement of physiological quality (firmness, weight ˡᵒˢˢ⁾, ᵐⁱᶜʳᵒᵇⁱᵃˡ ˢᵃᶠᵉᵗʸ ⁽ᵇᵃᶜᵗᵉʳⁱᵃ, ᵐᵒˡᵈ, ʸᵉᵃˢᵗ⁾, ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡ ʳᵉˢᵖⁱʳᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ ᵖʳᵒᶜᵉˢˢ ⁽Cᴼ2, ᴼ²⁾ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵈⁱᵈ not cause off-flavor (EtOH). It was also found that the performance of edible coating from fungal stalk leftovers does not concede to the chitosan coatings sourced from animal or good quality mushrooms. Implications. The proposal helped attaining triple benefit: valorization of mushroom industry byproducts; improving public health by fortification of food products with vitamin D from natural non-animal source; and reducing food wastage by using shelf- life-extending antimicrobial edible coatings. New observations with scientific impact were found. The program resulted in 5 research papers. Several effective and straightforward procedures that can be adopted by mushroom growers and food industries were developed. BARD Report - Project 4784