Fabrication of Functional Bioelastomer for Food Packaging from Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) Juice Processing By-Products

A review of the anti-bacterial effects exerted by Aronia melanocarpa

Aronia melanocarpa, a main constituent of black chokeberry, provides a rich source of bioactive molecules including polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins and has been used for long in traditional medicine due to its various health-promoting and disease-alleviating properties. The aim of our literature survey was to provide an actual update of evidence regarding the antibacterial activities exerted by Aronia melanocarpa and its potential application for the treatment of human bacterial pathogenic including food-borne infections. Our survey revealed that distinct ingredients in Aronia melanocarpa do not only inhibit growth of Gram-positive and to a lesser extent of Gram-negative bacteria, but also biofilm formation that is even more pronounced upon combined application. Furthermore, the anti-microbial effects against food-spoiling bacteria underscores the application of defined Aronia-derived molecules in food preservation decreasing the risk for transmission of food-borne pathogens and thereby, improving food safety. Notably, in vivo studies revealed that prophylactic Aronia juice application alleviated murine Listeria monocytogenes-induced enteritis, dampened growth of streptococci involved in dental caries development, and decreased the incidence of urinary tract infections in nursing home residents. In conclusion, Aronia-derived bioactive molecules exhibit promising anti-bacterial and disease-alleviating effects that should be further elucidated in clinical studies.

Biological Activities of Citrus aurantium Leaf Extract by Optimized Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction

Several studies have explored the biological activities of Citrus aurantium flowers, fruits, and seeds, but the bioactivity of C. aurantium leaves, which are treated as waste, remains unclear. Thus, this study developed a pilot-scale ultrasonic-assisted extraction process using the Box-Behnken design (BBD) for the optimized extraction of active compounds from C. aurantium leaves, and their antityrosinase, antioxidant, antiaging, and antimicrobial activities were evaluated. Under optimal conditions in a 150× scaleup configuration (a 30 L ultrasonic machine) of a pilot plant, the total phenolic content was 69.09 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight, which was slightly lower (3.17%) than the theoretical value. The half maximal inhibitory concentration of C. aurantium leaf extract (CALE) for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl-scavenging, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)-scavenging, antityrosinase, anticollagenase, antielastase and anti-matrix metalloprotein-1 activities were 123.5, 58.5, 181.3, 196.4, 216.3, and 326.4 mg/L, respectively. Moreover, the minimal inhibitory concentrations for bacteria and fungi were 150-350 and 500 mg/L, respectively. In total, 17 active compounds were detected in CALE-with linalool, linalyl acetate, limonene, and α-terpineol having the highest concentrations. Finally, the overall transdermal absorption and permeation efficiency of CALE was 95.9%. In conclusion, our CALE demonstrated potential whitening, antioxidant, antiaging, and antimicrobial activities; it was also nontoxic and easily absorbed into the skin as well as inexpensive to produce. Therefore, it has potential applications in various industries.

Development and application of fruit and vegetable based green films with natural bio-actives in meat and dairy products: a review

In recent years, foodborne outbreaks and food plastic waste accumulation in the environment have impelled a hunt for new, sustainable, novel and innovatory food packaging interventions to face microbial contamination, food quality and safety. Pollution caused from wastes generated by agricultural activities is one of chief rising concerns of the environmentalists across the globe. A solution to this problem is effective and economic valorization of residues from agriculture sector. It would ensure that the by-products/residues from one activity act as ingredients/raw materials for another industry. An example is fruit and vegetable waste based green films for food packaging. Edible packaging is a well-researched area of science where numerous biomaterials have been already explored. Along with dynamic barrier properties, these biofilms often exhibit antioxidant and antimicrobial properties as function of the bioactive additives (e.g. essential oils) often incorporated in them. Additionally, these films are made competent by use of recent technologies (e.g. encapsulation, nano-emulsions, radio-sensors) to ensure high end performance and meet the principles of sustainability. Livestock products such as meat, poultry and dairy products are highly perishable and depend largely upon the mercy of packaging materials to enhance their shelf life. In this review, all the above-mentioned aspects are thoroughly covered with a view to project fruit and vegetable based green films (FVBGFs) as a potential and viable packaging material for livestock products, along with a discussion on role of bio-additives, technological interventions, properties and potential applications of FVBGFs in livestock products. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Investigation of Polyphenolic Compounds in Different Varieties of Black Chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa

The purpose of this work was to study the qualitative and quantitative composition of the main groups of biologically active substances in the fresh fruits of five different varieties of black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliot), carried out within the framework of the search for available and cost-effective raw materials for food product fortification. Samples of aronia chokeberry were grown at the Federal Scientific Center named after I.V. Michurin in the Tambov region of Russia. Using a modern chemical-analytical methodology, the contents and profiles of anthocyanin pigments, proanthocyanidins, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, organic acids (malic, quinic, succinic, and citric), monosaccharides, disaccharides, and sorbitol were determined in detail. Based on the results of the study, the most promising varieties were determined in terms of the content of the main biologically active substances.

Health Benefits of Antioxidant Bioactive Compounds in the Fruits and Leaves of Lonicera caerulea L. and Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliot

Lonicera caerulaea L. and Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliot fruits are frequently used for their health benefits as they are rich in bioactive compounds. They are recognized as a source of natural and valuable phytonutrients, which makes them a superfood. L. caerulea presents antioxidant activity three to five times higher than other berries which are more commonly consumed, such as blackberries or strawberries. In addition, their ascorbic acid level is the highest among fruits. The species A. melanocarpa is considered one of the richest known sources of antioxidants, surpassing currants, cranberries, blueberries, elderberries, and gooseberries, and contains one of the highest amounts of sorbitol. The non-edible leaves of genus Aronia became more extensively analyzed as a byproduct or waste material due to their high polyphenol, flavonoid, and phenolic acid content, along with a small amount of anthocyanins, which are used as ingredients in nutraceuticals, herbal teas, bio-cosmetics, cosmeceuticals, food and by the pharmaceutical industry. These plants are a rich source of vitamins, tocopherols, folic acid, and carotenoids. However, they remain outside of mainstream fruit consumption, being well known only to a small audience. This review aims to shed light on L. caerulaea and A. melanocarpa and their bioactive compounds as healthy superfoods with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antimicrobial, and anti-diabetic effects, and hepato-, cardio-, and neuro-protective potential. In this view, we hope to promote their cultivation and processing, increase their commercial availability, and also highlight the ability of these species to be used as potential nutraceutical sources, helpful for human health.

Design of biorefineries towards carbon neutrality: A critical review

The increase in worldwide demand for energy is driven by the rapid increase in population and exponential economic development. This resulted in the fast depletion of fossil fuel supplies and unprecedented levels of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. To valorize biomass into different bioproducts, one of the popular and carbon-neutral alternatives is biorefineries. This system is an appropriate technology in the circular economy model. Various research highlighted the role of biorefineries as a centerpiece in the carbon-neutral ecosystem of technologies of the circular economy model. To fully realize this, various improvements and challenges need to be addressed. This paper presents a critical and timely review of the challenges and future direction of biorefineries as an alternative carbon-neutral energy source.

Antimicrobial, antioxidant, and pH-sensitive polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan-based composite films with aronia extract, cellulose nanocrystals, and grapefruit seed extract

Aronia or black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), and grapefruit seed extract (GSE) were used for the preparation of multifunctional polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan (PVA/CS) composite films with pH-sensitivity, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and UV-barrier properties. Aronia extract showed total phenolic content of 297 ± 0.5 μg GAE/mg aronia extract, potent antioxidant activity, and high color-response efficiency. Isolated CNCs showed a needle-like structure with a length of 470 nm and a width of 35 nm. The tensile strength of the PVA/CS composite film increased by 74% after the incorporation of CNCs, whereas the film flexibility was enhanced by 75% after adding GSE. The PVA/CS-A (aronia extract) composite film showed a significant color change at different pHs and potent antioxidant activity. At the same time, the PVA/CS-G (GSE) showed the highest antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Listeria monocytogenes (Gram-positive) bacteria. The PVA/CS-CGA composite film, reinforced with CNCs/GSE/Aronia extract, showed the highest UV-barrier (95.5%), highest antioxidant activity (95%), potent antimicrobial activity, pH-sensitivity, lowest water vapor permeability (WVP), and desirable mechanical properties. The multifunctional properties of the produced composite films encourage their use as active and intelligent food packaging films to extend shelf life and monitor food quality.

Improved Productivity of Naringin Oleate with Flavonoid and Fatty Acid by Efficient Enzymatic Esterification

Naringin is a flavonoid found in citrus fruits. It exhibits biological activities, such as anticancer and antioxidant effects, but it suffers from low solubility and low stability in lipophilic systems. These drawbacks lead to difficulties in the commercial application of naringin, but they can be overcome through esterification. In this study, naringin oleate was synthesized by enzymatic esterification and optimal conditions for the reaction were investigated. Experiments were conducted focusing on the following parameters: enzyme type, enzyme concentration, molar ratio of naringin to oleic acid, reaction temperature, and reaction solvent. We further confirmed the degree of esterification based on the difference in the initial and the final naringin concentrations. A conversion of 93.10% was obtained under optimized conditions (Lipozyme TL IM 10 g/L, molar ratio 1:20, reaction temperature 40 °C, acetonitrile as solvent, and 48 h reaction time). Thus, naringin oleate, a high value-added material that overcomes the low hydrophobicity of naringin and enhances its performance, was obtained through esterification of naringin using oleic acid. This study presented a method for the efficient enzymatic synthesis that could ensure high conversion within a shorter reaction time compared with that required in previously reported methods.

Enhanced Production of Bacterial Cellulose from Miscanthus as Sustainable Feedstock through Statistical Optimization of Culture Conditions

Biorefineries are attracting attention as an alternative to the petroleum industry to reduce carbon emissions and achieve sustainable development. In particular, because forests play an important role in potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero, alternatives to cellulose produced by plants are required. Bacterial cellulose (BC) can prevent deforestation and has a high potential for use as a biomaterial in various industries such as food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. This study aimed to improve BC production from lignocellulose, a sustainable feedstock, and to optimize the culture conditions for Gluconacetobacter xylinus using Miscanthus hydrolysates as a medium. The productivity of BC was improved using statistical optimization of the major culture parameters which were as follows: temperature, 29 °C; initial pH, 5.1; and sodium alginate concentration, 0.09% (w/v). The predicted and actual values of BC production in the optimal conditions were 14.07 g/L and 14.88 g/L, respectively, confirming that our prediction model was statistically significant. Additionally, BC production using Miscanthus hydrolysates was 1.12-fold higher than in the control group (commercial glucose). Our result indicate that lignocellulose can be used in the BC production processes in the near future.

Development from Jasminum sambac Flower Extracts of Products with Floral Fragrance and Multiple Physiological Activities

To obtain a potential commercial product with floral fragrance and physiological properties from Jasminum sambac flower extracts, enfleurage was conducted for a short time and followed by further extraction through supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). The product extracted through SFE (called 100%SFE) exhibited low physiological activity (including 50.7% antityrosinase activity, 38.6%-45.9% radical scavenging activity, and 6,518-15,003 mg/L half-maximal inhibitory concentration [IC₅₀] of antioxidant activity) and an intense jasmine-like flavor but was nontoxic to CCD-996SK and HEMn cells. By contrast, the residue (called RO) exhibited high physiological activity (94.2%-100%), light jasmine-like flavor, and slight cytotoxicity at the concentration of 4,000 mg/L. When 100%SFE and RO were mixed in the ratio 2 : 8, the resultant mixture exhibited 100% antityrosinase activity, >91.3% radical scavenging activity, strong antioxidant activity (IC₅₀: 273-421 mg/L), high total phenolic content (172.15 mg-GAE/g-extract), noncytotoxicity, and moderately intense jasmine-like flavor; it is also economically competitive. The major antioxidants in these extracts were revealed through gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Additionally, the composition and quality of fragrance were confirmed through GC-MS and sensory evaluation, respectively. The major fragrance components in the 2 : 8 extract mixture were benzyl acetate, β-pinene, pentadecyl-2-propyl ester, citronellol, jasminolactone, linalool, farnesol, and jasmone. On the basis of the results, we strongly suggest that the 2 : 8 mixture of extracts from J. sambac flowers can be a powerful antioxidant, whitening, and nontoxic ingredient that can be employed in the pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, and food industries.

Development of 2,3-Butanediol Production Process from Klebsiella aerogenes ATCC 29007 Using Extracted Sugars of Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Biodiesel-Derived Crude Glycerol

Expectation for renewable energy is increasing due to environmental pollution such as fossil fuel depletion, CO2 emission, and harmful gases. Therefore, in this study, extracted sugars of microalgae, which cause algal blooms and crude glycerol, a biodiesel industry byproduct, were used simultaneously to produce 2,3-BDO. The 2,3-BDO production using only extracted algal sugars was about 4.8 g/L at 18 h, and the production of 2,3-BDO using both extracted algal sugar and crude glycerol was about 7 g/L at 18 h. It was confirmed that the main culture with crude glycerol was increased 1.5-fold compared to the case of using only extracted algal sugars. In addition, four components of the main medium (ammonium sulfate, casein hydrolysate, yeast extract, and crude glycerol) were statistically optimized and the concentrations of the medium were 12, 16, 12, and 13 g/L, respectively. In addition, the final 2,3-BDO production was about 11g/L, which 1.6-fold higher than before the optimization process. As a result, it was confirmed that 2,3-BDO production is possible through the simultaneous use of algal sugars and crude glycerol, which can greatly contribute to the development of zero-waste processes.

Statistical Optimization of Alkali Pretreatment to Improve Sugars Recovery from Spent Coffee Grounds and Utilization in Lactic Acid Fermentation

Biorefinery, which utilizes carbon-neutral biomass as a resource, is attracting attention as a significant alternative in a modern society confronted with climate change. In this study, spent coffee grounds (SCGs) were used as the feedstock for lactic acid fermentation. In order to improve sugar conversion, alkali pretreatment was optimized by a statistical method, namely response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum conditions for the alkali pretreatment of SCGs were determined as follows: 75 °C, 3% potassium hydroxide (KOH) and a time of 2.8 h. The optimum conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated SCGs were determined as follows: enzyme complex loading of 30-unit cellulase, 15-unit cellobiase and 50-unit mannanase per g biomass and a reaction time of 96 h. SCG hydrolysates were used as the carbon source for Lactobacillus cultivation, and the conversions of lactic acid by L. brevis ATCC 8287 and L. parabuchneri ATCC 49374 were 40.1% and 55.8%, respectively. Finally, the maximum lactic acid production by L. parabuchneri ATCC 49374 was estimated to be 101.2 g based on 1000 g of SCGs through the optimization of alkali pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis.

Applications of Natural Antimicrobials in Food Packaging and Preservation

In the food science field, the term "antimicrobial" basically refers to active substances of synthetic or natural origin, that are directly or indirectly present in a specific food, packaging material or food contact surface that affect the viability or the growth of microorganisms in that matrix [...].

Optimization of Lutein Recovery from Tetraselmis suecica by Response Surface Methodology

Microalgae have been attracting attention as feedstock for biorefinery because they have various advantages, such as carbon fixation, high growth rate and high energy yield. The bioactive compounds and lutein contained in microalgae are known to be beneficial for human health, especially eye and brain health. In this study, in order to improve the recovery of bioactive extracts including lutein from Tetraselmis suecica with higher efficiency, an effective solvent was selected, and the extraction parameters such as temperature, time and solid loading were optimized by response surface methodology. The most effective solvent for lutein recovery was identified as 100% methanol, and the optimum condition was determined (42.4 °C, 4.0 h and 125 g/L biomass loading) by calculation of the multiple regression model. The maximum content of recovered lutein was found to be 2.79 mg/mL, and the ABTS radical scavenging activity (IC50) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) value were about 3.36 mg/mL and 561.9 μmol/L, respectively. Finally, the maximum lutein recovery from T. suecica through statistical optimization was estimated to be 22.3 mg/g biomass, which was 3.1-fold improved compared to the control group.

Improved Glucose Recovery from Sicyos angulatus by NaOH Pretreatment and Application to Bioethanol Production

As greenhouse gases and environmental pollution become serious, the demand for alternative energy such as bioethanol has rapidly increased, and a large supply of biomass is required for bioenergy production. Lignocellulosic biomass is the most abundant on the planet and a large part of it, the second-generation biomass, has the advantage of not being a food resource. In this study, Sicyos angulatus, known as an invasive plant (harmful) species, was used as a raw material for bioethanol production. In order to improve enzymatic hydrolysis, S. angulatus was pretreated with different NaOH concentration at 121 °C for 10 min. The optimal NaOH concentration for the pretreatment was determined to be 2% (w/w), and the glucan content (GC) and enzymatic digestibility (ED) were 46.7% and 55.3%, respectively. Through NaOH pretreatment, the GC and ED of S. angulatus were improved by 2.4-fold and 2.5-fold, respectively, compared to the control (untreated S. angulatus). The hydrolysates from S. angulatus were applied to a medium for bioethanol fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae K35. Finally, the maximum ethanol production was found to be 41.3 g based on 1000 g S. angulatus, which was 2.4-fold improved than the control group.