Effect of exogenous metal ions and mechanical stress on rice processed in thermal-solid enzymatic reaction system related to further alcoholic fermentation efficiency

Mitigation of environmental impacts and challenges during hydrogen production

This paper presents hydrogen production methodologies, their impacts on the environment, and mitigation. Three different types of production procedures, namely fossil fuel-based, renewable energy-based, and biological, are presented along with their key technological characteristics and environmental feasibility. The effects of greenhouse gas emissions from its production on different natural cycles are carried out to show the environmental impact. Different production methods, problem identification, and mitigation of environmental impacts are separately pointed out. Analyses are shown for available methods in terms of their production cost, efficiency, maturity level, advantages, problems, and solutions. A comparative analysis is carried out along with different existing methods to find a suitable H2 production method. Finally, the transition pathway from fossil fuel to biohydrogen production is intended to promote biohydrogen for transportation and industrial applications. It demonstrates the possibility and potentiality of biohydrogen production for a sustainable future.

Research Progress on the Physicochemical Properties of Starch-Based Foods by Extrusion Processing

Extrusion is a crucial food processing technique that involves mixing, heating, shearing, molding, and other operations to modify the structures and properties of food components. As the primary energy source material, the extrusion process induces significant physical and chemical changes in starch that impact the quality of final products. This review paper discusses novel technologies for starch extrusion and their influence on the physical and chemical properties of starch-based foods, such as gelatinization and retrogradation properties, structural characteristics, and digestion properties. Additionally, it examines the application of extrusion in starch processing and the interactions between starch and other food components during extrusion. This information sheds light on the structural and property alterations that occur during the extrusion process to create high-quality starch-based foods.

The role of non-starch constituents in the extrusion processing of slow-digesting starch diets: A review

Starch is the main source of energy for the human body through diet, and its digestive properties are closely related to the occurrence of chronic diseases. Extrusion technology, which is characterized by low cost and high efficiency, has been widely used in the field of reducing starch digestibility and modifying starch, and it has great potential for designing and manufacturing precision nutrition for specific populations. However, this aspect of study has not been systemically summarized, so we systematically discuss the role of extrusion and non-starch components in starch modification in this review. This review focuses on the following sections: the effect mechanisms of extrusion on starch digestibility in terms of granule morphology, crystal structure, viscosity and pasting characteristics; the different effects of single or multiple non-starch components on starch digestibility under extrusion; and some of the current applications of extrusion technology in the development of slow-digesting starchy diets. This review summarises the effects of extrusion techniques and non-starch components on starch digestibility under extrusion conditions, and provides the appropriate theoretical basis for the application of starch-based foods in the development of slow-digesting diets, the precise nutritional design of specific populations, and the improvement of the structure of healthy human diets.

Study of the effect of calcium signal participating in the antioxidant mechanism of yeast under high-sugar environment

BACKGROUND

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is susceptible to high-sugar stress in the production of bioethanol, wine and bread. Calcium signal is widely involved in various physiological and metabolic activities of cells. The present study aimed to explore the effects of Ca2+ signal on the antioxidant mechanism of yeast during high-sugar fermentation.

RESULTS

Compared to yeast without available Ca2+, yeast in the high glucose with Ca2+ group had higher dry weight, higher ethanol output at 12 and 24 h and higher glycerol output at 24 and 36 h. During the whole growth process, the trehalose synthesis capacity of yeast in the high glucose with Ca2+ group was lower and intracellular reactive oxygen species content was higher compared to yeast without available Ca2+. Intracellular malondialdehyde content of yeast under high glucose with Ca2+ was significantly lower than yeast under high glucose without available Ca2+ except for 6 h. The superoxide dismutase and catalase activities of yeast and glutathione content were higher in the high glucose with Ca2+ group compared to yeast in high glucose without available Ca2+. The expression levels of SOD1, GSH1, GPX2 genes were higher for high glucose without available Ca2+ at 6 h, while yeast in the high glucose with Ca2+ group had a higher expression of antioxidant-related genes except SOD1 and CTT1 at 12 h. The expression levels of antioxidant-related genes of yeast for high glucose with Ca2+ were higher at 24 h, and those of genes except SOD1 of yeast in the high glucose with Ca2+ group were higher at 36 h.

CONCLUSION

High-glucose stress limited the growth of yeast, while a moderate extracellular Ca2+ signal could improve the antioxidant capacity of yeast in a high-glucose environment by regulating protectant metabolism and enhancing the antioxidant enzyme activity and expression of antioxidant genes in a high-sugar environment. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Fermentation optimization and amylase activity of endophytic Bacillus velezensis D1 isolated from corn seeds

AIMS

In order to acquire quality amylase adopted in practical applications, endophytic bacteria were identified as Bacillus velezensis strain D1 by isolating it from corn seeds. The fermentation conditions and amylase properties of the strain were investigated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The strain D1 was identified via morphological, physiological, and 16S rDNA phylogenetic analysis. The fermentation conditions of secreted amylase were optimized by single factor and orthogonal experiments. The α-amylase gene was expressed in E. coli and purified by means of immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC), upon which the enzyme activity of purified recombinant α-amylase was determined. The results outlined that (1) the strain D1 was identified as Bacillus velezensis. (2) The optimized fermentation conditions for maximum amylase yields included 44 °C for 48 h at pH 7.5. (3) The enzyme had an optimal reaction temperature of 60 °C with strong activity at 50°C and tolerance to 4-hour incubation at 70°C. (4) The enzyme was strongly acid resistant and tolerated at pH5.0-6.0 while the optimal pH was 8.0. (5) Besides, the amylase activity was elevated by the presence of Ca²⁺ and Cu²⁺ . (6) The activity of purified recombinant amylase was 20.59 U/mL under optimal conditions, nearly 7 times that of crude amylase preparations.

CONCLUSIONS

The amylase produced by this strain is strongly tolerant towards acid and high temperatures.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Amylases with thermophilic and acid-resistant characteristics are useful for a wide range of applications in food, brewing, textile, starch, paper, and deterrent industries. The enzyme from Bacillus velezensis D1 can be effectively used in different industries.

Optimization of Initial Cation Concentrations for L-Lactic Acid Production from Fructose by Lactobacillus pentosus Cells

In this study, Box-Behnken design was applied to optimize the initial concentrations of 4 cations for L-lactic acid production from fructose by homologous batch fermentation of Lactobacillus pentosus cells. The optimum initial cation concentrations were obtained as 6.542 mM Mg²⁺, 3.765 mM Mn²⁺, 2.397 mM Cu²⁺, and 3.912 mM Fe²⁺, respectively. The highest L-lactic acid yield and productivity were obtained as 0.935 ± 0.005 g/g fructose and 1.363 ± 0.021 g/(L × h), respectively, with a maximum biomass concentration of 7.97 ± 0.17 g/L. The effectiveness of the optimization by Box-Behnken design was confirmed based on the small errors between predicted results and experimental results shown as 0.3%, - 0.2%, and - 1.2%, respectively. The quadratic models with high accuracy and reliability can be applied to mathematically forecasted the fermentation performance. After the optimization, the lactic acid yield and productivity were significantly improved by 3.7% and 21.0%, respectively.

Effect of anion type on enzymatic hydrolysis of starch-(thermostable α-amylase)-calcium system in a low-moisture solid microenvironment of bioextrusion

The effect of six anions (Cl-, OH-, NO₃-, SO₄²-, C₆H₁₀O₆²- and PO₄³-) on a starch (St)-enzyme (thermostable α-amylase, TαA)-calcium (Ca) system was investigated in a low-moisture solid state. Two levels of Ca salts (1 and 10 mmol/100 g St) added to potato starch with and without TαA were analyzed by FT-IR, DSC and SEM. The surface morphologies of the St-Ca complexes were different in the presence of various anions, and the residual Ca salts around the St granules might decrease the enzymatic action. For bioextrusion, TαA (0.5‰ and 1.5‰) were introduced for a relatively low Ca content (1 mmol/100 g). Significant differences in enzyme activity were observed, increasing the activity of TαA by SO₄²- (146.54 %) > C₆H₁₀O₆²- > Cl- > control > NO₃- > OH- ≈ PO₄³- and C₆H₁₀O₆²- (123.20 %) ≈ Cl- ≈ SO₄²- > control > PO₄³ > OH- > NO₃- for the low and high enzyme levels, respectively.

Enhancement of Thermal Resistance by Metal Ions in Thermotolerant Zymomonas mobilis TISTR 548

The thermal resistance of fermenting microbes is a key characteristic of stable fermentation at high temperatures. Therefore, the effects of various metal ions on the growth of Zymomonas mobilis TISTR 548, a thermotolerant ethanologenic bacterium, at a critical high temperature (CHT) were examined. Addition of Mg2+ and K+ increased CHT by 1°C, but the effects of the addition of Mn2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Al3+, Fe3+, and Zn2+ on CHT were negligible. To understand the physiological functions associated with the addition of Mg2+ or K+, cell morphology, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, and ethanol productivity were investigated at 39°C (i.e., above CHT). Cell elongation was repressed by Mg2+, but not by K+. Addition of both metals reduced intracellular ROS level, with only K+ showing the highest reduction strength, followed by both metals and only Mg2+. Additionally, ethanol productivity was recovered with the addition of both metals. Moreover, the addition of Mg2+ or K+ at a non-permissive temperature in 26 thermosensitive, single gene-disrupted mutants of Z. mobilis TISTR 548 revealed that several mutants showed metal ion-specific growth improvement. Remarkably, K+ repressed growth of two mutants. These results suggest that K+ and Mg2+ enhance cell growth at CHT via different mechanisms, which involve the maintenance of low intracellular ROS levels.

Relationship between enzyme, peptides, amino acids, ion composition, and bitterness of the hydrolysates of Alaska pollock frame

Alaska pollock frame is a kind of byproduct that was rich in protein, amino acids, and mineral elements. However, the unfavorite bitterness may probably be produced in enzymatic processes. In this study, the bitterness accounted from the hydrolysates prepared by neutral proteases, alkaline proteases, papain, flavourzyme, and animal proteases, was investigated. The hydrolysis conditions, amino acids composition, metal ion composition, molecular weight distribution, and peptide composition of the hydrolysates were detected to figure out the relationship between bitterness and compositions of the hydrolysates. The hydrolysate digested by alkaline protease has the highest bitterness intensity, and that amino acids composition, peptide composition, and molecular weight distribution had a significant influence on the bitterness degree. Hydrophobic amino acids and alkaline amino acids, such as leucine, isoleucine, lysine, and so on are likely to contribute to the bitterness and molecular weight distribution of peptides that affect bitterness is mainly lower than 3,000 Da. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Fish bones would produce a bitter taste when reusing them by hydrolysis. Bitterness is one of unfavorable flavor as to consumers. The results of this study are of great significance for the further utilization of Alaska pollock frame. For products obtained from the hydrolysate of Alaska pollock frame, such as condiments and health care product the results of this study provide the processing technology of the lowest bitter hydrolysate, which can effectively improve the flavor and acceptability of the products.

Evaluation studies on the combined effect of hydrothermal treatment and octenyl succinylation on the physic-chemical, structural and digestibility characteristics of sweet potato starch

In order to increase the degree of substitution (DS), a combination of heat-moisture treatment (HMT) and octenyl succinylation (OSA) was used to modify sweet potato starch (SPS). The content of OSA had significant influence on the DS of starch, and DS of HMT OSA-modified SPS (HOSA-SPS) was higher than that of OSA-modified SPS (OSA-SPS), indicating that prior HMT could enhance the reaction. HOSA-SPS showed higher contents of SDS and RS in comparison with OSA-SPS as OSA concentration was beyond 6%. HMT decreased swelling power of starch while OSA modification had a contrary role (p < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed starch was destroyed by OSA modification while HMT had slight effect on the structure. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that crystal type of starch was transformed from C- to A-type resulted from HMT, and remained unchanged by OSA modification. The onset, peak, and conclusion gelatinization temperatures of starch increased by HMT and decreased by OSA modification (p < 0.05).