Utilization of prickly pear waste for baker's yeast production

The feasibility of baker's yeast production using fruits and peels of Opuntia ficus indica (OFI) as carbohydrate feedstock was investigated. Two response surface methodologies involving central composite face centered design (CCFD) were successfully applied. The effects of four independent variables on baker's yeast production from OFI fruit juice was evaluated using the first CCFD. The best results were obtained with 24 H of inoculum age, 30 degrees C temperature, 200 rpm of agitation, and 10% inoculum size. At the maximum point, the biomass concentration reached 9.29 g/L. A second CCFD was performed to optimize the sugar extraction from OFI fruit peels. The potential of these latter as a fermentation substrate was determined. From the experimental results, the OFI fruit peel is an appropriate carbon source for the production of baker's yeast. The maximum biomass concentration was 12.51 g/L. Different nitrogen supplements were added to promote the yields of baker's yeast. Corn steep liquor was found to be the best alternative nutrient source of casein hydrolysate and yeast extract for baker's yeast production.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Plasma and neutrophil fatty acid composition in advanced cancer patients and response to fish oil supplementation

Metabolic demand and altered supply of essential nutrients is poorly characterised in patients with advanced cancer. A possible imbalance or deficiency of essential fatty acids is suggested by reported beneficial effects of fish oil supplementation. To assess fatty acid status (composition of plasma and neutrophil phospholipids) in advanced cancer patients before and after 14 days of supplementation (12±1 g day−1) with fish (eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid) or placebo (olive) oil. Blood was drawn from cancer patients experiencing weight loss of >5% body weight (n=23). Fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids and the major phospholipid classes of isolated neutrophils were determined using gas liquid chromatography. At baseline, patients with advanced cancer exhibited low levels (<30% of normal values) of plasma phospholipids and constituent fatty acids and elevated 20 : 4 n-6 content in neutrophil phospholipids. High n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratios in neutrophil and plasma phospholipids were inversely related to body mass index. Fish oil supplementation raised eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid content in plasma but not neutrophil phospholipids. 20 : 4 n-6 content was reduced in neutrophil PI following supplementation with fish oil. Change in body weight during the supplementation period related directly to increases in eicosapentaenoic acid in plasma. Advanced cancer patients have alterations in lipid metabolism potentially due to nutritional status and/or chemotherapy. Potential obstacles in fatty acid utilisation must be addressed in future trials aiming to improve outcomes using nutritional intervention with fish oils