A process synthesis approach for isolation of isoflavones from okara

Owing to the complexity of food matrices, process synthesis methodologies have not been as widely applied in the food industry as in the chemical industry. Here, we describe the application of a process synthesis methodology to design a system to separate valuable components from a byproduct of the soymilk production. The method yielded a number of potential processing pathways and relevant mechanistic questions, which required experimental input. The combination of considering the overall system on the level of general transformations, heuristics, and additional insights through experiments resulted in a simplified conceptual process design for the separation of isoflavones from okara with a globally more sustainable choice. The holistic approach within process design as an implication of the methodology is discussed

Bioactive Compounds of Camu-Camu (Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh)

Camu-camu is a shrub, native to the Amazon that thrives in areas where flooding is frequent. Genetically, the plant is characterized by a diploid genome and moderate genetic diversity. Several parts of the plant are used in traditional folk medicine to treat a variety of acute and chronic diseases. For over 50 years, the exceptionally high vitamin C content of camu-camu has attracted worldwide attention that continues today because of the recent discovery of several health-promoting phytochemicals with corroborated biological activities (e.g., antioxidant, anti-obesity, antidiabetic). All of these beneficial attributes are well supported by in vitro and in vivo studies as well as human clinical trials. The metabolic precursors of these phytochemicals are synthesized in key metabolic pathways (i.e., the shikimate pathway, the mevalonate pathway). Of these metabolic pathways, we show details for the biosynthesis of betulinic acid, trans-resveratrol, and syringic acid. In conclusion, camu-camu is an exceptional plant for its ability to produce and accumulate significant amounts of a variety of health-promoting phytochemicals. Although several metabolic pathways responsible for the biosynthesis of these phytochemicals have been reconstructed based on fruit and seedling transcriptomes, detailed knowledge of the vast majority of metabolic pathways and their molecular regulatory mechanisms is lacking. Consequently, we must increase our knowledge of the metabolic processes using multi-omic approaches so that we can acquire the skills necessary to develop genetically improved varieties of camu-camu and implement biotechnological applications for the production of these bioactive phytochemicals