Microalgae-derived pigments: a 10-year bibliometric review and industry and market trend analysis

Microalgae productive chains are gaining importance as sustainable alternatives to obtain natural pigments. This work presents a review on the most promising pigments and microalgal sources by gathering trends from a 10 year bibliometric survey, a patents search, and an industrial and market analysis built from available market reports, projects and companies’ webpages. The performed analysis pointed out chlorophylls, phycocyanin, astaxanthin, and β-carotene as the most relevant pigments, and Chlorella vulgaris, Spirulina platensis, Haematococcus pluvialis, and Dunaliella salina, respectively, as the most studied sources. Haematococcus is referred in the highest number of patents, corroborating a high technological interest in this microalga. The biorefinery concept, investment in projects and companies related to microalgae cultivation and/or pigment extraction is increasingly growing, particularly, for phycocyanin from Spirulina platensis. These pieces of evidence are a step forward to consolidate the microalgal pigments market, which is expected to grow in the coming years, increasing the prospects of replacing synthetic pigments by natural counterparts.CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020) and LA LSRE-LCM (UIDB/50020/2020) base funding by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC). AIProcMat@N2020 Ref. NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000006, supported by NORTE 2020 under the Portugal 2020 partnership agreement, through ERDF fund. National funding by FCT through the individual research grant SFRH/BD/148281/2019 (Samara C. Silva).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Development of water-in-oil emulsions as delivery vehicles and testing with a natural antimicrobial extract

Water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions have high potential for several industrial areas as delivery systems of hydrophilic compounds. In general, they are less studied than oil-in-water (O/W) systems, namely in what concerns the so-called fluid systems, partly due to problems of instability. In this context, this work aimed to produce stable W/O emulsions from a natural oil, sweet almond oil, to be further tested as vehicles of natural hydrophilic extracts, here exemplified with an aqueous cinnamon extract. Firstly, a baseW/O emulsion using a high-water content (40/60, v/v) was developed by testing di erent mixtures of emulsifiers, namely Tween 80 combined with Span 80 or Span 85 at di erent contents. Among the tested systems, the one using a 54/46 (v/v) Span 80/Tween 80 mixture, and subjected to 12 high-pressure homogenizer (HPH) cycles, revealed to be stable up to 6 months, being chosen for the subsequent functionalization tests with cinnamon extract (1.25–5%; w/v; water-basis). The presence of cinnamon extract leaded to changes in the microstructure as well as in the stability. The antimicrobial and antioxidant analysis were evidenced, and a sustained behavior compatible with an extract distribution within the two phases, oil and water, in particular for the higher extract concentration, was observed.Base Funding—UIDB/00690/2020 of CIMO—Mountain Research Center—funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC). Base Funding—UIDB/50020/2020 of the Associate Laboratory LSRE-LCM—funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Reforms to improve reproducibility and quality must be coordinated across the research ecosystem: the view from the UKRN Local Network Leads

Many disciplines are facing a “reproducibility crisis”, which has precipitated much discussion about how to improve research integrity, reproducibility, and transparency. A unified effort across all sectors, levels, and stages of the research ecosystem is needed to coordinate goals and reforms that focus on open and transparent research practices. Promoting a more positive incentive culture for all ecosystem members is also paramount. In this commentary, we—the Local Network Leads of the UK Reproducibility Network—outline our response to the UK House of Commons Science and Technology Committee’s inquiry on research integrity and reproducibility. We argue that coordinated change is needed to create (1) a positive research culture, (2) a unified stance on improving research quality, (3) common foundations for open and transparent research practice, and (4) the routinisation of this practice. For each of these areas, we outline the roles that individuals, institutions, funders, publishers, and Government can play in shaping the research ecosystem. Working together, these constituent members must also partner with sectoral and coordinating organisations to produce effective and long-lasting reforms that are fit-for-purpose and future-proof. These efforts will strengthen research quality and create research capable of generating far-reaching applications with a sustained impact on society

Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) protein-rich extract as a natural emulsifier for oil-in-water emulsions: optimization through a sequential experimental design strategy

Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) proteins have been proven to present emulsifying properties. In this work, a Spirulina protein-rich extract obtained by ultrasound extraction (SpE) was tested to stabilize oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. For this purpose, a sequential experimental design strategy (Fractional Factorial Design (FFD) 24–1 followed by a Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) 22)) was applied. The effect of four variables, SpE concentration, O/W weight ratio, pH and storage time, on emulsions’ zeta potential and number-mean droplet diameter was considered for the FFD 24–1, indicating SpE concentration and storage time as the relevant variables for the CCRD 22. According to zeta potential and number-mean droplet diameter evaluation, for the studied SpE concentration range (2–5 wt%), quite stable emulsions were obtained along the tested 30-days period. Even so, for 5%, visual inspection revealed extract segregation after 20-days. The optimal solution comprised 4 wt% of SpE, for an O/W weight ratio of 30/70 and a pH of 7.0 (number-mean droplet diameter of 55.66 nm and zeta potential of -43.83 mV). Overall, SpE has proven to be an excellent emulsifier, offering the potential to substitute animal-based proteins and synthetic emulsifiers. In addition, no signs of contamination by microorganisms were observed, suggesting that the SpE may also act as an antimicrobial agent.CIMO (Centro de Investigação de Montanha, Portugal) (UIDB/00690/2020), LSRE-LCM (Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering – Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials, Portugal) (UIDB/50020/2020; UIDP/50020/2020), and ALiCE (Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Portugal) (LA/P/0045/2020), funded by national funds through Fundação para Ciência e a Tecnologia/Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior (FCT/MCTES) (PIDDAC). National funding by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) (Portugal), P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program contract with A. Santamaria-Echart, L. Barros, and A. Fernandes. FCT for the PhD research grant of Samara Cristina da Silva (SFRH/BD/148281/2019) and Giovana Colucci (2021. 05215. BD).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Spray-dried Spirulina platensis as an effective ingredient to improve yogurt formulations: testing different encapsulating solutions

The consumption of foods functionalized with spirulina might have positive health effects. However, spirulinabased food products are usually associated with unpleasant flavor and odor, and can present non-homogeneous appearance, impairing consumers’ acceptance. Moreover, it is important to assure bioactivity maintenance. To develop a novel food ingredient, spirulina was chemically characterized, and spray-dried using two encapsulating materials: i) maltodextrin and ii) maltodextrin crosslinked with citric acid. Thereafter, free and encapsulated spirulina were evaluated for their bioactive properties. Microencapsulated spirulina presented higher thermal stability than the base materials, while showing better anti-inflammatory activity without exerting cytotoxicity. Free and encapsulated spirulina were further added to yogurts to validate their suitability as functionalizing agents. Yogurts added with encapsulated spirulina presented a more homogeneous appearance, and the best solution was spirulina encapsulated in maltodextrin crosslinked with citric acid, considering the nutritional profile, attractive color, and improved antioxidant activity throughout storage time.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Program PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2019); L. Barros, J.C.M. Barreira, R. C. Calhelha, I.P. Fernandes and A. Fernandes thank the national funding by FCT , P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract for their contracts; and C. Pereira also thanks for her contract, though the celebration of program-contract foreseen in No. 4, 5 and 6 of article 23º of Decree-Law No. 57/2016, of 29th August, amended by Law No. 57/2017, of 19th July. Associate Laboratory LSRE-LCM - UID/EQU/50020/2019 - funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC), and Project NORTE- 01-0145-FEDER-000006, funded by NORTE 2020, under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement through ERDF.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Caracterização molecular de rotavírus bovino do grupo A nas regiões Sudeste e Centro-Oeste do Brasil

Rotavirus is an important cause of neonatal diarrhea in humans and several animal species, including calves. A study was conducted to examine 792 fecal samples collected from calves among 65 dairy and beef herds distributed in two of Brazil's major livestock producing regions, aiming to detect the occurrence of rotavirus and perform a molecular characterization of the rotavirus according to G and P genotypes in these regions. A total of 40 (5.05%) samples tested positive for rotavirus by the polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) technique. The molecular characterization was performed by multiplex semi-nested RT-PCR reactions, which indicated that the associations of genotypes circulating in herds in Brazil's southeastern region were G6P[11], G10P[11], G[-]P[5] + [11], G[-]P[6] in the state of Sao Paulo and G6P[11], G8P[5], G11P[11], G10P[11] in the state of Minas Gerais. In the central-western region, the genotypes G6P[5] + [11], G6P[5], G8P[-], G6P[11], G [-] P[1], G[-] P[11], and G[-] P[5] were detected in the state of Goias, while the genotypes G6P[5], G8[P11], G6[P11], G8[P1], G8[P5], G6[P1] were circulating in herds in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. The genotypic diversity of bovine rotavirus found in each region under study underlines the importance of characterizing the circulating samples in order to devise the most effective prophylactic measures.Rotavírus é uma importante causa de diarreia neonatal em humanos e várias espécies animais, incluindo bezerros. Foi realizado um estudo a partir de 792 amostras fecais colhidas de bezerros, provenientes de 65 rebanhos de leite e corte distribuídos em duas das maiores regiões produtoras no Brasil, com o objetivo de se detectar a ocorrência de rotavírus e realizar a sua caracterização molecular quanto aos genotipos G e P nestas regiões. Um total de 40 (5,05%) de amostras testadas foram positivas para rotavírus pela técnica de eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida (PAGE). A caracterização molecular foi realizada através de reações do tipo Multiplex semi-nested RT-PCR demonstrando que as associações de genotipos circulantes em rebanhos da região Sudeste foram G6P[11], G10[P11], G[-]P[5]+[11], G[-]P[6] no Estado de São Paulo e G6P[11], G8P[5], G11P[11], G10P[11] no Estado de Minas Gerais. Na região Centro-Oeste, foram detectados no Estado de Goiás os genotipos G6P[5]+[11], G6P[5], G8P[-], G6P[11], G[-]P[1], G[-]P[11], G[-]P[5] enquanto os genotipos G6P[5], G8[P11], G6[P11], G8[P1], G8[P5], G6[P1] eram circulantes em rebanhos do Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul. A diversidade genotípica de rotavírus bovino encontrada em cada região estudada justifica a importância da caracterização das amostras circulantes para medidas profiláticas mais efetivas.FAPESP (Sao Paulo Research Foundation) [2010/02997-4]Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP

New Trends in Natural Emulsifiers and Emulsion Technology for the Food Industry

The food industry depends on using different additives, which increases the search for effective natural or natural-derived solutions, to the detriment of the synthetic counterparts, a priority in a biobased and circular economy scenario. In this context, different natural emulsifiers are being studied to create a new generation of emulsion-based products. Among them, phospholipids, saponins, proteins, polysaccharides, biosurfactants (e.g., compounds derived from microbial fermentation), and organic-based solid particles (Pickering stabilizers) are being used or start to gather interest from the food industry. This chapter includes the basic theoretical fundamentals of emulsions technology, stabilization mechanisms, and stability. The preparation of oil-in-water (O/W) and water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions, the potential of double emulsions, and the re-emerging Pickering emulsions are discussed. Moreover, the most relevant natural-derived emulsifier families (e.g., origin, stabilization mechanism, and applications) focusing food applications are presented. The document is grounded in a bibliographic review mainly centered on the last 10-years, and bibliometric data was rationalized and used to better establish the hot topics in the proposed thematic

Deep Learning for Space Weather Prediction: Bridging the Gap between Heliophysics Data and Theory

Traditionally, data analysis and theory have been viewed as separate disciplines, each feeding into fundamentally different types of models. Modern deep learning technology is beginning to unify these two disciplines and will produce a new class of predictively powerful space weather models that combine the physical insights gained by data and theory. We call on NASA to invest in the research and infrastructure necessary for the heliophysics' community to take advantage of these advances.Comment: Heliophysics 2050 White Pape