Heat-induced gelation of egg yolk as a function of pH. Does the type of acid make any difference?

The objective of this study was to assess the influence of reducing pH from its native value on the heat-induced gelation behaviour of egg yolk by monitoring its linear viscoelastic properties. Three acids differing in their location in the Hofmeister series were used (hydrochloric, citric, and phosphoric acids) at pH between 2 and 6. The viscoelastic measurements were carried out under small amplitude oscillatory shear, using parallel plate geometry by means of: (i) stress sweep tests to delimit the linear viscoelastic range at different temperatures; (ii) temperature ramp tests to monitor egg yolk protein gelation; and (iii) frequency sweep tests at 20 °C, after the thermal cycle. The microstructure of gels was also evaluated by Cryo-scanning Electronic Microscopy (CryoSEM). Egg yolk undergo dramatic changes in rheological and microstructural properties, when processed at high temperature, depending on pH and the type of acid used. Generally, four different regions take place over heat treatment: (i) a fluid-like region showing a moderate decrease in viscoelastic properties with temperature (ii) a sol-gel transition region involving denaturation, aggregation of protein molecules and association of aggregates to form a gel network; (iii) a plateau region for G′ and G″ and (iv) a reinforcement of the gel network through the regeneration of physical interactions during cooling. This pattern may show a strong dependence on pH and the acid involved. Both effects tend to decrease as the thermal treatment proceeds. Heat treatment also reveals large differences in gel microstructure, depending on pH and on the type of acid used

Estudio de la etapa de mezclado en el desarrollo de los bioplásticos a base de proteína de guisante

El desarrollo de bioplásticos podría ayudar a combatir el problema medioambiental derivado del uso masivo de plásticos procedentes del petróleo, contribuyendo a la producción de materiales de mayor degradabilidad. Todos los bioplásticos objeto de estudio del presente trabajo poseen una relación proteína/plastificante igual a 60/40. Los bioplásticos se obtuvieron en un proceso que consta de una primera etapa de mezclado, resultando una masa homogénea que fue sometida posteriormente a una segunda etapa de moldeo por inyección. El adecuado control de estas etapas es una parte fundamental en el proceso de elaboración de bioplásticos, por lo que el objetivo principal de este trabajo ha sido explorar la influencia de la velocidad de mezclado sobre las masas y los bioplásticos resultantes. Para ello, se realizó una caracterización de los mismos mediante el estudio de su capacidad de absorción de agua, ensayos mecánicos de tracción, y ensayos reológicos en modo dinámico. Entre los resultados obtenidos, puede destacarse que a bajas velocidades de mezclado resultan masas heterogéneas con variabilidad en sus propiedades.The development of bioplastics could avoid the environmental problem derived from the huge use of petroleum-based plastics and contribute to the production of more degradable materials. In this study, bioplastics have a protein/plasticizer ratio of 60/40 from pea protein and glycerol, respectively. They were manufactured in two stages. Firstly, a mixing stage, in which the resulting dough was use in the second stage, an injection molding. The control of these stages is a fundamental part in the process. The main objective of this work is to explore the influence of the speed of mixing on the dough and bioplastics. The characterization of bioplastics was performed by means of water absorption capacity and rheological dynamic tests. Among the results, it can be highlighted that a heterogeneous dough with variability in their properties appears at low mixing speeds.Plan Propio de la Universidad de Sevilla Proyecto: 2017/00000962Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (España) / FEDER, UE CTQ2015-71164

Formation of soy protein-based superabsorbent materials through optimization of a thermal processing

Superabsorbent materials are used in a wide range of products (e.g. personal care, controlled-release of nutrients in agriculture). The present study pretends the development of biodegradable materials from a natural source, a soy protein isolate, which eventually would help to diminish the environmental issues associated to the use of common synthetic materials. Moreover, the present work focuses on the modulation of the water uptake exclusively through the modification of the parameters of the thermal processes carried out during the development of those materials. Firstly, the protein isolate is blended with the plasticizer (glycerol) in a 1/1 ratio. Then, the homogeneous blend is injected using different mould temperatures and, subsequently, the bioplastics obtained are submitted to a dehydrothermal treatment (tdeshid) consisting on the storage of the samples at 50 ºC for a certain time (tdeshid). When the mould temperature is 70 ºC, superabsorbent materials are always obtained at tdeshid, shorter than 12 h. Conversely, viscoelastic properties increase as DHT treatment is longer, reducing the swelling that takes place during water absorption, and resulting more compact matrices. Thus, the present study proves how thermal processing modulation can solely determine the superabsorbent ability of soy protein-based biodegradable materials.Los materiales superabsorbentes son aplicables en campos tan diversos como productos de higiene personal o liberación controlada de nutrientes en agricultura. El presente estudio pretende el desarrollo de materiales biodegradables a partir de una materia prima natural, un aislado de proteína de soja, cuya aplicación supondría una disminución en el uso de materiales sintéticos, repercutiendo beneficiosamente en el medio ambiente; y la modulación de su capacidad de absorción de agua, que se modificará exclusivamente variando las condiciones de los procesos térmicos a los que son sometidas durante su obtención. En primer lugar, el aislado se mezcla con glicerina (plastificante)en una proporción 1/1, para después inyectar la masa homogénea utilizando diferentes temperaturas de moldeo (Tmold). Posteriormente, son sometidas a un tratamiento deshidrotérmico. o almacenamiento a 50ºC, durante cierto periodo de tiempo (tdeshid). Cuando la Tmold utilizada es 70ºC, se obtienen siempre materiales superabsorbentes, cuando el tdeshid seleccionado sea menos de 12h. Por otra parte, las propiedades viscoelásticas aumentan con la duración del tratamiento deshidrotérmico, provocando un menor hinchamiento durante la absorción de agua, resultando matrices menos porosas. Así, el presente estudio permite comprobar cómo modulando exclusivamente las condiciones de procesado pueden conseguirse capacidades superabsorbentes para materiales biodegradables basados en soja.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de España-CTQ2015-71164-

Efecto del procesado sobre las propiedades y morfología de bioplásticos de proteína de soja

La industria de los plásticos ha crecido notablemente en los últimos años. Este crecimiento, ligado a la baja biodegradabilidad de estos materiales, ha causado un grave problema medioambiental. La presente investigación pretende la obtención de materiales con alta capacidad de absorción de agua, que sean biodegradables y obtenidos a partir de fuentes renovables. Deberían además poseer propiedades mecánicas adecuadas para constituir una alternativa real a los plásticos sintéticos. Estos bioplásticos son obtenidos mediante un proceso con diferentes etapas: una de mezclado de los componentes para conformar una masa homogénea; y una segunda de inyección en la que, aplicando presión, la masa es introducida en un molde de forma deseada. La capacidad de absorción de agua es afectada por la composición y las condiciones de procesado. El presente documento estudia cómo la temperatura y duración de la etapa de moldeo, además del tratamiento dehidrotérmico, modifican la capacidad de absorción del bioplástico. Los resultados concluyen que la capacidad de absorción de agua aumenta con menores temperaturas y tiempos de moldeo, a la vez que aumenta cuando el tratamiento dehidrotérmico es más corto. Asimismo, los módulos viscoelásticos poseen una tendencia a disminuir cuando la capacidad de absorción de agua en las muestras aumenta.The remarkable growth experienced by the production and demand of the plastic industry during the last few years has resulted in a serious environmental issue associated specially to their low biodegradability. This work is focused on the manufacture of bioplastics with high water absorption capacity, obtained from renewable sources. Bioplastics produced should have adequate mechanical properties to be able to replace eventually synthetic plastics in specific markets. In order to obtain these bioplastics, two steps were carried out: the first one consists of a mixing stage to achieve a homogenous blend that is injection-molded during the second step. The water uptake capacity of these samples is influenced by both the formulation and the processing conditions of the blends. The present study is focused on the evolution of water uptake values when either the molding conditions (temperature and duration) or the length of a post-dehydrothermal treatment are modified. Results indicated an improvement in the water uptake when lower mold temperatures and shorter compaction stages were used. An analogous improvement was observed when the dehydrotermal process was shorter. Mechanical properties usually decreased as the water uptake of samples was improved.Plan Propio de la Universidad de Sevilla Proyecto: 2017/00000962MINECO (España)/FEDER (UE) proyecto CTQ2015-71164-

Desarrollo de materiales superabsorbentes biodegradables procesados a partir de subproductos agroindustriales

Actualmente se admite la necesidad cada vez más apremiante de desarrollar nuevos materiales con mayor sostenibilidad. Los materiales superabsorbentes constituyen un claro ejemplo, lo cual implica que estén basados en materias primas renovables, de menor coste e impacto ambiental. A pesar de ello, la comercialización de productos superabsorbentes basados en materias primas de origen natural, que sean biocompatibles y biodegradables se encuentra aún bastante limitada, existiendo una evidente necesidad de impulsar la investigación en el sector. El trabajo pretende contribuir a satisfacer esa necesidad, estableciéndose como objetivo principal desarrrollar nuevos materiales que presenten gran capacidad de absorción de agua (absorbentes y superabsobentes), que puedan ser procesados mediante técnicas de eficacia contrastada en la industria de fabricación de plásticos. Todo ello a partir de fuentes naturales renovables tales como proteínas procedentes de subproductos de la industria agroalimentaria. Además de su capacidad absorbente estos materiales deben presentar propiedades mecánicas y biodegradabilidad apropiadas para que puedan suponer una alternativa a los fabricados con polímeros sintéticos. Como resultado del trabajo se pretende adquirir el conocimiento científico y establecer las bases tecnológicas necesarias para conseguir matrices absorbentes y superabsorbentes biodegradables. Asimismo, se evaluará su potencial en productos SAB para higiene personal y para horticultura.There is an increasing need to shift towards the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly materials in the world market nowadays. Superabsorbents polymers (SAP) are a good example of this new type of materials, being based on renewable natural components with a lower cost. Notwithstanding, the productionand commercialization of biocompatible and biodegradable SAP are still very limited, which makes the need of research on this field pretty clear. This work pretends to cover that need establishing as its main objective the development of new materials that display a great water absorption capacity (absorbents and superabsorbents). These materials will be produced from natural renewable sources (proteins obtained as agro-food industry byproducts) through techniques commonly used in the plastic industry. These materials not only should possess a great water absorption capacity but they should present proper mechanical properties and biodegradability, so they could represent an attractive choice to those obtained from synthetic polymers. Eventually, the acquisition of scientific knowledge and the establishment of the technological base needed for the success in the development of those biodegradable SAP matrixes will be pursued with the different activities. Moreover, the potential of SAP materials produced for hygienic and horticulture applications will be studied.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España) proyecto “Desarrrollo de Materiales superabsorbentes biodegradables procesados a partir de subproductos agroindustriales (SABio)” CTQ2015-71164-

Uso de evaluación continua para incrementar la motivación del alumnado en asignaturas de Ingeniería

The guided and evaluated learning at the end of the course is a vestige inherited from the old curricula. With the reduction of the number of students, as well as with the implementation of the new curricula, the teaching system has to be changed, turning towards a way in which the student is the main actor and the teacher carries out a continuous feedback (guided process). In the present research it has been shown that the continued work of students, with real problems associated with Engineering, allows the learning process to be carried out with a greater motivation and, therefore, involvement by the students, improving their academic performanceEl aprendizaje guiado y evaluado al final del curso es un vestigio heredado de los antiguos planes de estudios. Con la reducción del número de alumnos, así como con la implementación de los nuevos planes de estudio se hace necesario cambiar el sistema de enseñanza, virando hacia un modeo en el que el alumno sea el protagonista y que el profesor lleve a cabo un proceso de retroalimentación (guiado) continuado. En el presente estudio queda demostrado que el trabajo continuo de los alumnos con problemas reales asociados a la Ingeniería permite que el proceso de aprendizaje lleve acarreado una mayor motivación y, por ende, implicación por parte de los estudiantes, mejorando el rendimiento de los mismos.Universidad de Sevilla. Ayuda 1.2.3 del III Plan Propio de Docenci

Identificación de biomarcadores en cáncer colorrectal mediante NAPPA arrays. Implicaciones en la respuesta al tratamiento con radioquimioterapia preoperatoria

Comunicaciones a congreso

Tracking the antibody immunome in sporadic colorectal cancer by using antigen self-assembled protein arrays

© 2021 by the authors.Sporadic Colorectal Cancer (sCRC) is the third leading cause of cancer death in the Western world, and the sCRC patients presenting with synchronic metastasis have the poorest prognosis. Genetic alterations accumulated in sCRC tumor cells translate into mutated proteins and/or abnormal protein expression levels, which contribute to the development of sCRC. Then, the tumor-associated proteins (TAAs) might induce the production of auto-antibodies (aAb) via humoral immune response. Here, Nucleic Acid Programmable Protein Arrays (NAPPArray) are employed to identify aAb in plasma samples from a set of 50 sCRC patients compared to seven healthy donors. Our goal was to establish a systematic workflow based on NAPPArray to define differential aAb profiles between healthy individuals and sCRC patients as well as between non-metastatic (n = 38) and metastatic (n = 12) sCRC, in order to gain insight into the role of the humoral immune system in controlling the development and progression of sCRC. Our results showed aAb profile based on 141 TAA including TAAs associated with biological cellular processes altered in genesis and progress of sCRC (e.g., FSCN1, VTI2 and RPS28) that discriminated healthy donors vs. sCRC patients. In addition, the potential capacity of discrimination (between non-metastatic vs. metastatic sCRC) of 7 TAAs (USP5, ML4, MARCKSL1, CKMT1B, HMOX2, VTI2, TP53) have been analyzed individually in an independent cohort of sCRC patients, where two of them (VTI2 and TP53) were validated (AUC ~75%). In turn, these findings provided novel insights into the immunome of sCRC, in combination with transcriptomics profiles and protein antigenicity characterizations, wich might lead to the identification of novel sCRC biomarkers that might be of clinical utility for early diagnosis of the tumor. These results explore the immunomic analysis as potent source for biomarkers with diagnostic and prognostic value in CRC. Additional prospective studies in larger series of patients are required to confirm the clinical utility of these novel sCRC immunomic biomarkers.We gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Spanish Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII) for the grants: FIS PI14/01538, FIS PI17/01930 and CB16/12/00400. We also acknowledge Fondos FEDER (EU) “Una manera de hacer Europa” and Junta Castilla-León (COVID19 grant COV20EDU/00187). Fundación Solórzano FS/38-2017. The Proteomics Unit belongs to ProteoRed, PRB3-ISCIII, supported by grant PT17/0019/0023, of the PE I + D + I 2017-2020, funded by ISCIII and FEDER. CNPq-National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (Brazil) (306258/2019-6) and FAPERJ-Foundation for Research Support of Rio de Janeiro State for the financial support (E-26/201.670/2017 and 210.379/2018). M. González-González is supported by MINECOPTA2019-017870-I.A. Landeira-Viñuela is supported by VIII Centenario-USAL PhD Program. P.J.-V. is supported by JCYL PhD Program and scholarship JCYL-EDU/601/2020. P.D. and E.B. are supported by a JCYL-EDU/346/2013 Ph.D. scholarship