Recent studies have indicated that starch from legumes can potentially be used as an alternative to commercial flour with applications in food and biomaterials; however, some modifications may be ...required first to improve their functionality, as they show relatively lower solubility and functional properties compared to commonly marketed flours (e.g. good water retention capacity). This work used multiple enzymes in flour extracts of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), a legume, to optimize the enzyme hydrolysis process of such extracts by the Response Surface Method (RSM), to increase the digestibility and obtain desirable functional attributes at the nutritional level. The pH, temperature, time and enzyme/substrate (E/S) ratio were evaluated, and the degree of hydrolysis (DH) was calculated as well as the reducing sugar content (%RS), used as response variable. According to the experimental design, the best pH, temperature, time and E/S ratio were 6.8, 43 °C, 1.84% m/m and 270 min, respectively. The %RS for the samples under optimal conditions was 3.49 ± 0.02%, and the in vitro digestibility yielded values of 39.2 ± 0.4, 58.6 ± 0.3 and 2.2 ± 0.2 for slowly digestible starch (SDS), rapidly digestible starch (RDS) and resistant starch (RS), respectively. Total digestibility (TD) was 97.8 ± 0.5. The statistical analysis revealed a strong positive relationship for E/S ratio followed by pH: (E/S) ratio, temperature and pH. Enzymatic hydrolysis carried out on pigeon pea showed an increase in TD. Viscosity, water retention capacity (WRC) and solubility were evaluated showing good response for future applications at the industrial level.
Enzymatic hydrolysis; Starch; Pigeon pea; Total digestibility
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of tourism policy in Colombia and explain the measures being adopted to enhance the competitiveness and the economic contribution of the ...tourism sector.Design methodology approach - The paper presents an historical perspective on tourism in Colombia from 1998 to 2008 and explains the policy initiatives that have been designed to advance the development of tourism and expand the impact of sustainable ecotourism as a strategy for promoting conservation and protection of the Amazon rainforest in Colombia.Findings - The paper discusses the success of Colombia where tourism grew (and is projected to grow) at a rate faster than that predicted for global tourism. The partnerships forged at the national level have also been important to implement policy decisions aimed at the development of sustainable tourism.Practical implications - Member Countries of the Treaty of Amazon Cooperation that have not yet defined or elaborated a mid- to long-term national tourism development strategy would find the Colombia model a useful point of reference.Originality value - This paper holds special value for those working in the areas of tourism policy development and tourism planning in Amazon Member Countries.
The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and ...increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people.