Enzymatic extraction of hydroxycinnamic acids from coffee pulp

Ferulic, caffeic, p-coumaric and chlorogenic acids are classified as hydroxycinnamic acids, presenting anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In this work, enzymatic extraction has been studied in order to extract high value-added products like hydroxycinnamic acids from coffee pulp. A commercial pectinase and enzyme extract produced by Rhizomucor pusillus strain 23aIV in solid-state fermentation using olive oil or coffee pulp (CP) as an inducer of the feruloyl esterase activity were evaluated separately and mixed. The total content (covalently linked and free) of ferulic, caffeic, p-coumaric and chlorogenic acids was 5276 mg per kg of coffee pulp. Distribution was as follows (in %): chlorogenic acid 58.7, caffeic acid 37.6, ferulic acid 2.1 and p-coumaric acid 1.5. Most of the hydroxycinnamic acids were covalently bound to the cell wall (in %): p-coumaric acid 97.2, caffeic acid 94.4, chlorogenic acid 76.9 and ferulic acid 73.4. The content of covalently linked hydroxycinnamic acid was used to calculate the enzyme extraction yield. The maximum carbon dioxide rate for the solid-state fermentation using olive oil as an inducer was higher and it was reached in a short cultivation time. Nevertheless, the feruloyl esterase (FAE) activity (units per mg of protein) obtained in the fermentation using CP as an inducer was 31.8 % higher in comparison with that obtained in the fermentation using olive oil as the inducer. To our knowledge, this is the first report indicating the composition of both esterified and free ferulic, caffeic, p-coumaric and chlorogenic acids in coffee pulp. The highest yield of extraction of hydroxycinnamic acids was obtained by mixing the produced enzyme extract using coffee pulp as an inducer and a commercial pectinase. Extraction yields were as follows (in %): chlorogenic acid 54.4, ferulic acid 19.8, p-coumaric acid 7.2 and caffeic acid 2.3. An important increase in the added value of coffee pulp was mainly due to the extraction of chlorogenic acid

Effect of stirring on growth and cellulolytic enzymes production by Trichoderma harzianum in a novel bench-scale solid-state fermentation bioreactor

International audienceA novel bench-scale stirred bioreactor for solid-state fermentation was used to determine the effect of the stirring rate on growth and enzymes production by Trichoderma harzianum PBLA. Lab-scale static tubular bioreactors were first used to assess the effect of bioreactor diameter on heat accumulation, growth, and production of cellulases and xylanases. The increased diameters (1.8-4.2 cm) led to increases in temperature up to 36 degrees C (at a rate of 1.08 degrees C/cm), which negatively affected the growth and enzyme production. Afterward, in the bench-scale bioreactor operated at rates up to 3.0 rpm, maximum xylanases production (107 +/- 0.3 U/g dm) was attained at rates of 0.5 and 1.0 rpm, reaching a maximum of 34 +/- 0.3 degrees C. Cellulases production was reduced (up to 79%) due to stirring. Therefore, the production of xylanases by T. harzianum can be performed in this cross-flow stirred SSF bioreactor at rates up to 1.0 rpm, avoiding heat accumulation and damage on metabolic activity

Effect of Azospirillum brasilense and chemical fertilization on the growth, development, yield and fruit quality of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch) [Efecto de Azospirillum brasilense y fertilización quemica sobre el crecimiento, desarrollo, rendimiento y calidad de fruto de fresa (Fragaria x ananassa Duch)]

The effect of chemical fertilization and Azospirillum brasilense on strawberry growth, development, yield and fruit quality was evaluated. Three treatments were applied: T1: application of A. brasilense at a concentration of log 9 colony forming units (CFU) / plant; T2: A. brasilense at a concentration of log 9 CFU/plant + chemical fertilization; T3: chemical fertilization; and T4: control. The variables evaluated were: number of leaves (Nh), of flowers (Nfl) and fruits (Nfr), leaf area (AF), plant dry weight (PS), root length (LR) plant height (AL), yield per plant (RP) and fruit size (TF). Relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), leaf area ratio (RAF) and leaf weight ratio (RPF) were calculated from the dry weight. Results show that the concentration of A. brasilense used caused null effects or inhibited growth and yield; manifested in leaf area reduction, leaf thickness and plant fragility increase, from the higher values of AFE; it also led to less production of biomass, producing reduction of the fruit size and weight. The chemical fertilization in general terms had positive effects on the quality and yield of the fruit, resulting the best treatment in Nh, biomass production, Nfl, and AF variables at 35, 100, 145 and 35 dde, respectively. No significant differences were found in AP, LR, NFR, TCR, TAN, RAF and RPF in any stage of growth

Effect of Azospirillum brasilense and chemical fertilization on the growth, development, yield and fruit quality of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch) [Efecto de Azospirillum brasilense y fertilización química sobre el crecimiento, desarrollo, rendimiento y calidad de fruto de fresa (Fragaria x ananassa Duch)]

The effect of chemical fertilization and Azospirillum brasilense on strawberry growth, development, yield and fruit quality was evaluated. Three treatments were applied: T1: application of A. brasilense at a concentration of log 9 colony forming units (CFU) / plant; T2: A. brasilense at a concentration of log 9 CFU/plant + chemical fertilization; T3: chemical fertilization; and T4: control. The variables evaluated were: number of leaves (Nh), of flowers (Nfl) and fruits (Nfr), leaf area (AF), plant dry weight (PS), root length (LR) plant height (AL), yield per plant (RP) and fruit size (TF). Relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), leaf area ratio (RAF) and leaf weight ratio (RPF) were calculated from the dry weight. Results show that the concentration of A. brasilense used caused null effects or inhibited growth and yield; manifested in leaf area reduction, leaf thickness and plant fragility increase, from the higher values of AFE; it also led to less production of biomass, producing reduction of the fruit size and weight. The chemical fertilization in general terms had positive effects on the quality and yield of the fruit, resulting the best treatment in Nh, biomass production, Nfl, and AF variables at 35, 100, 145 and 35 dde, respectively. No significant differences were found in AP, LR, NFR, TCR, TAN, RAF and RPF in any stage of growth

Biotransformation of ferulic acid to 4-vinylguaiacol by a wild and a diploid strain of Aspergillus niger

Ferulic acid biotransformation has a number of interesting industrial uses. Ferulic acid biotransformation by the wild strain Aspergillus niger C28825 and a diploid strain DAR2, obtained by parasexual recombination, was studied. The wild strain of A. niger C28825 biotransforms ferulic acid to vanillic acid (VA): while the diploid strain DAR2 preferentially decarboxylates ferulic acid to 4-vinylguaiacol (4VG). The latter was identified by mass spectroscopy, H-1 and C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and quantified by HPLC. The diploid strain A. niger DAR2 and the wild strain showed a ferulic acid conversion of 64% and 36%, respectively. Molar yields show that the formation of 4VG was preferred, being as much as 4.4 times higher than the formation of VA in diploid strain cultures. Differential regulation of enzymes involved in the biotransformation of ferulic acid may explain the accumulation of 4VG by diploid DAR2. This strain produced both 4VG and VA

Mexican geophytes I. The genus Polianthes

Members of the genus Polianthes L. are bulbous ornamentals in the Agavaceae, includes 15 species three varieties and a two cultivars native to Mexico. Polianthes tuberosa L. (Tuberose) is the only species cultivated as an ornamental cut flower in tropical and subtropical areas. The cultivation of tuberose occupies a prime position in the floriculture industry in countries such as Mexico, China, India, New Zealand and Taiwan. The Flower colour of all known cultivars of P. tuberosa is white; however, attempts have been made to introduce colors from related species. Besides its use as an ornamental, it is cultivated for use in manufacturing: as a source of fragrant essences in perfumery, to extract polysaccharides and glycosides; in addition P. geminiflora (Llave & Lexarza) Rose is utilized as a source of saponins for soap. The main diseases in this crop are caused by virus and it is affected by a coleoptera (Scyphophorus acupunctatus) whose larva feeds on the bulbs. In this review we will cover the uses, distribution, species, of the genus and the current state of tuberose breeding as a further reference for tuberose breeding programmes

Mexican geophytes I. The genus Polianthes

Members of the genus Polianthes L. are bulbous ornamentals in the Agavaceae, includes 15 species three varieties and a two cultivars native to Mexico. Polianthes tuberosa L. (Tuberose) is the only species cultivated as an ornamental cut flower in tropical and subtropical areas. The cultivation of tuberose occupies a prime position in the floriculture industry in countries such as Mexico, China, India, New Zealand and Taiwan. The Flower colour of all known cultivars of P. tuberosa is white; however, attempts have been made to introduce colors from related species. Besides its use as an ornamental, it is cultivated for use in manufacturing: as a source of fragrant essences in perfumery, to extract polysaccharides and glycosides; in addition P. geminiflora (Llave & Lexarza) Rose is utilized as a source of saponins for soap. The main diseases in this crop are caused by virus and it is affected by a coleoptera (Scyphophorus acupunctatus) whose larva feeds on the bulbs. In this review we will cover the uses, distribution, species, of the genus and the current state of tuberose breeding as a further reference for tuberose breeding programmes

Polianthes breeding

Polianthes tuberosa, known locally as "Tuberose" or "Nardo" has been utilized as an ornamental crop since prehispanic times and also to extract volatile compounds for perfume fabrication. The genus Polianthes (Agavaceae) is endemic to Mexico and it comprises 14 species grouped in two taxonomic sections offering colored flowers ranging from scarlet red to yellow, which is a covetable characteristic over the white tuberoses. Accessions of different species have been collected from the wild and with the aim to develop a breeding program, the different genotypes were characterized by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP).The compatibility among species has been tested and interspecific and intersectional hybridization has been achieved. The results of the present study indicate the molecular variability among species, the creation of interspecific hybrids of Polianthes and the possibility to combine important horticultural traits from wild species into novel tuberose cultivars