Main conclusion
Lipopeptides could help to overcome a large concern in agriculture: resistance against chemical pesticides. These molecules have activity against various phytopathogens and a ...potential to be transformed by genetic engineering.
The exponential rise of pest resistances to different chemical pesticides and the global appeal of consumers for a sustainable agriculture and healthy nutrition have led to the search of new solutions for pest control. Furthermore, new laws require a different stance of producers. Based on that, bacteria of the genus
Bacillus
present a great agricultural potential, producing lipopeptides (LPs) that have high activity against insects, mites, nematodes, and/or phytopathogens that are harmful to plant cultures. Biopesticide activity can be found mainly in three families of
Bacillus
lipopeptides: surfactin, iturin, and fengycin. These molecules have an amphiphilic nature, interfering with biological membrane structures. Their antimicrobial properties include activity against bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, and viruses. Recent studies also highlight the ability of these compounds to stimulate defense mechanisms of plants and biofilm formation, which is a key factor for the successful colonization of biocontrol organisms. The use of molecular biology has also recently been researched for continuous advances and discoveries of new LPs, avoiding possible future problems of resistance against these molecules. As a consequence of the properties and possibilities of LPs, numerous studies and developments as well as the attention of large companies in the field is expected in the near future.
•Volatile aroma compounds through coffee postharvest processing are reviewed.•Chemical changes occurring during postharvest processing are addressed.•A few volatile components of green coffee beans ...are not detected after roasting process.•Microbial-derived, odor-active compounds influence final coffee aroma.•Further research is needed on the volatile changes through drying and storage.
The aim of this review is to describe the volatile aroma compounds of green coffee beans and evaluate sources of variation in the formation and development of coffee aroma through postharvest processing. The findings of this survey showed that the volatile constituents of green coffee beans (e.g., alcohols, aldehydes, and alkanes) have no significant influence on the final coffee aroma composition, as only a few such compounds remain in the beans after roasting. On the other hand, microbial-derived, odor-active compounds produced during removal of the fruit mucilage layer, including esters, higher alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones, can be detected in the final coffee product. Many postharvest processing including drying and storage processes could influence the levels of coffee aroma compositions, which remain to be elucidated. Better understanding of the effect of these processes on coffee aroma composition would assist coffee producers in the optimal selection of postharvest parameters that favor the consistent production of flavorful coffee beans.
In recent years, there has been a strong focus on beneficial foods with probiotic microorganisms and functional organic substances. In this context, there is an increasing interest in the commercial ...use of kefir, since it can be marketed as a natural beverage that has health promoting bacteria. There are numerous commercially available kefir based-products. Kefir may act as a matrix in the effective delivery of probiotic microorganisms in different types of products. Also, the presence of kefir's exopolysaccharides, known as kefiran, which has biological activity, certainly adds value to products. Kefiran can also be used separately in other food products and as a coating film for various food and pharmaceutical products. This article aims to update the information about kefir and its microbiological composition, biological activity of the kefir's microflora and the importance of kefiran as a beneficial health substance.
Gibberellins consist of a large family of plant growth hormones discovered in the 1930s, which are synthesized via the terpenes route from the geranylgeranyl diphosphate and feature a basic structure ...formed by an ent-gibberellane tetracyclic skeleton. Among them, only four have biological activity, including gibberellic acid (GA₃), which acts as a natural plant growth regulator, especially for stem elongation, seed germination, and increased fruit size. It can be obtained from plants, fungi, and bacteria. There are also some reports about microalgae GA₃ producers. Fungi, especially Gibberella fujikuroi, are preferred for GA₃ production via submerged fermentation or solid-state fermentation. Many factors may affect its production, some of which are related to the control and scale-up of fermentation parameters. Different GA₃ products are available on the market. They can be found in liquid or solid formulations containing only GA₃ or a mixture of other biological active gibberellins, which can be applied on a wide variety of cultivars, including crops and fruits. However, the product’s cost still limits its large and continuous application. New low-cost and efficient GA₃ production alternatives are surely welcome. This review deals with the latest scientific and technological advances on production, recovery, formulation, and applications of this important plant growth hormone.
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•Description of cocoa production chain and residual biomass generation.•Cocoa by-products as a source of high-value-added molecules.•Biotechnology as an alternative for the ...biotransformation of cocoa by-products.•Relevance of sustainability, innovation and technology in cocoa industry.
Cocoa beans provide raw materials for global food industries valued in excess of $47 billion in world exportations. Through on-farm processing, about 80% of cocoa fruit is discarded as residual biomass, including cocoa pod husks, cocoa bean shells and cocoa sweatings. Farmers routinely discard these residues/by-products during the initial cocoa bean processing steps, occupying vast areas and raising social and environmental concerns. Alternatively, this residual biomass is used as cocoa tree fertilizer. However, its disposal is performed without proper treatment, resulting in putrid odors and plant diseases. Recently, some studies have reported the use of cocoa by-products in the production of high-value-adding molecules with potential applications in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In this aspect, biotechnological approaches have been shown to be a viable alternative for the transformation of this residual biomass into fine products. This article reviews the biotechnological approaches implemented for the management and exploitation of cocoa by-product. Related topics on cocoa production and residual biomass generation, sustainability and valorization of cocoa chain are addressed and discussed.
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•High titers of Arthrospira maxima biomass cultivated at Laboratory and pilot scale.•Microalgae produced using sugarcane vinasse with BOD and COD reduction.•Peptide fractions obtained ...through biomass enzymatic hydrolysis.•Antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-collagenase properties.
An environmental friendly process was developed to produce Arthrospira maxima's biomass from sugarcane vinasse, which was generated in a bioethanol production chain, at laboratory and pilot scale. Peptides fractions were than obtained from enzymatically hydrolyzed biomass. High microalgae biomass productivities were reached (0.150 g L−1 day−1) coupled with a significant reduction of BOD and COD (89.2 and 81%, respectively). Three peptide fractions were obtained from microalgae biomass through single or sequential enzymatic hydrolysis. Antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and/or anti-collagenase activities of biopetides’ fractions were observed. The PHS showed multi-biological activities. The three peptides fractions could be potential candidates for different applications in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industry.
Gibberellic acid (GA3) is an important phytohormone, a member of gibberellins family, which acts as a promoter and regulator of plant growth. This study aimed to evaluate GA3 production by Fusarium ...moniliforme LPB03 and Gibberella fujikuroi LPB06 using different techniques of fermentation, solid state fermentation (SSF), submerged fermentation (SmF), and semisolid state fermentation (SSSF), and different types of bioreactors. In all techniques, citric pulp (CP), a subproduct obtained from the extraction of orange juice, was employed as the substrate/support. GA3 production by SSF reached 7.60 g kg−1 and 7.34 g kg−1 in Erlenmeyer flasks and column bioreactors, respectively. For SmF, the highest concentration of GA3 obtained was 236.00 mg L−1 in Erlenmeyer flasks, 273.00 mg L−1 in a 10 L stirred tank reactor (STR), and 203.00 mg L−1 in a 1.5 L bubble column reactor (BCR). SSSF was conducted with a CP suspension. In this case, GA3 concentration reached 331.00 mg L−1 in Erlenmeyer flasks and 208 mg L−1 in a BCR. The choice of the fermentation technique is undoubtedly linked to the characteristics and productivity of each process. The methods studied are inexpensive and were found to produce good proportions of GA3, making them suitable for several applications.
Lactic acid is a product that finds several applications in food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. The main objective of this work was the development of a bioprocess to produce
...l(+)-lactic acid using soybean vinasse as substrate. Among ten strains,
Lactobacillus agilis LPB 56 was selected for fermentation, due to its ability to metabolize the complex oligosaccharides. Fermentation was conducted without need for supplementary inorganic nitrogen sources or yeast extract. Kinetic and yield parameters determined at laboratory scale were 0.864 and 0.0162 for
Y
P/S and
Y
X/S, 0.0145
g/L
h (
r
x), 1.32
g/L
h (
r
s) and 1.13
g/L
h (
r
p). The use of vinasse enriched with soybean molasses provided higher lactic acid concentration (138
g/L), the best proportion of inoculum being 25%
(v/v). After scale-up to a pilot plant, kinetic and yield parameters were 0.849 and 0.0353 for
Y
P/S and
Y
X/S, 0.0278
g/L
h (
r
x), 0.915
g/L
h (
r
s) and 0.863
g/L
h (
r
p).
Biological indicators are important tools in infection control via sterilization process monitoring. The use of a standardized spore crop with a well-defined heat resistance will guarantee the ...quality of a biological indicator. Ambient factors during sporulation can affect spore characteristics and properties, including heat resistance. The aim of this study is to evaluate the main sporulation factors responsible for heat resistance in
Geobacillus stearothermophilus
, a useful biological indicator for steam sterilization. A sequence of a three-step optimization of variables (initial pH, nutrient concentration, tryptone, peptone, beef extract, yeast extract, manganese sulfate, magnesium sulfate, calcium chloride and potassium phosphate) was carried out to screen those that have a significant influence on heat resistance of produced spores. The variable exerting greatest influence on
G. stearothermophilus
heat resistance during sporulation was found to be the initial pH. Lower nutrient concentration and alkaline pH around 8.5 tended to enhance decimal reduction time at 121 °C (D
121°C
). A central composite design enabled a fourfold enhancement in heat resistance, and the model obtained accurately describes positive pH and negative manganese sulfate concentration influence on spore heat resistance.
Bacillus endospores have a wide variety of important medical and industrial applications. This is an overview of the fundamental aspects of the life cycle, spore structure and factors that influence ...the spore resistance of spore-forming Bacillus. Bacillus atrophaeus was used as reference microorganism for this review because their spores are widely used to study spore resistance and morphology. Understanding the mechanisms involved in the cell cycle and spore survival is important for developing strategies for spore killing; producing highly resistant spores for biodefense, food and pharmaceutical applications; and developing new bioactive molecules and methods for spore surface display.
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