Applications of lignin in the agri-food industry

Of late, valorization of agri-food industrial by-products and their sustainable utilization is gaining much contemplation world-over. Globally, 'Zero Waste Concept' is promoted with main emphasis laid towards generation of minimal wastes and maximal utilization of plantbased agri-food raw materials. One of the wastes/by-products in the agri-food industry are the lignin, which occurs as lignocellulosic biomass. This biomass is deliberated to be an environmental pollutant as they offer resistance to natural biodegradation. Safe disposal of this biomass is often considered a major challenge, especially in low-income countries. Hence, the application of modern technologies to effectively reduce these types of wastes and maximize their potential use/applications is vital in the present day scenario. Nevertheless, in some of the high-income countries, attempts have been made to efficiently utilize lignin as a source of fuel, as a raw material in the paper industry, as a filler material in biopolymer based packaging and for producing bioethanol. However, as of today, agri-food industrial applications remains significantly underexplored. Chemically, lignin is heterogeneous, bio-polymeric, polyphenolic compound, which is present naturally in plants, providing mechanical strength and rigidity. Reports are available wherein purified lignin is established to possess therapeutic values; and are rich in antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-carcinogenic, antidiabetic properties, etc. This chapter is divided into four sub-categories focusing on various technological aspects related to isolation and characterization of lignin; established uses of lignin; proved bioactivities and therapeutic potentials of lignin, and finally on identifying the existing research gaps followed by future recommendations for potential use from agri-food industrial wastes.Theme of this chapter is based on our ongoing project- Valortech, which has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 810630

Fibrin adhesive implant in wound healing repair of dental sockets with topical application of epsilon aminocaproic acid: Histological analysis

The aim of the study was to evaluate wound healing repair of dental sockets after topical application of 5% epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) and the use of fibrin adhesive implant in rats under anticoagulant therapy with warfarin. Sixty Albinus wistar rats were used, divided into three groups of 20. In Group I, the animals were given 0.1 mL/100 mg of 0.9% saline solution per day, beginning 6 days before dental extraction and continuing throughout the experimental period. In Group II, the animals received 0.03 mL of sodium warfarin daily, beginning 6 days before the surgery and continuing until the day of sacrifice; after tooth extractions, the sockets were filled with fibrin adhesive material. In Group III the animals were treated as in Group II, and after extractions, the sockets were irrigated with 5 mL of 5% EACA and filled with the same fibrin adhesive material. All groups presented biological phases of wound healing repair, the differences being evident only in the chronology. The results obtained in Group III were very similar to those of Group I in the last period of wound repair, whereas Group II presented a late chronology compared to the other groups. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Rapid Gel Card Agglutination Assays for Serological Analysis Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Humans

High-throughput and rapid serology assays to detect the antibody response specific to severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in human blood samples are urgently required to improve our understanding of the effects of COVID-19 across the world. Short-term applications include rapid case identification and contact tracing to limit viral spread, while population screening to determine the extent of viral infection across communities is a longer-term need. Assays developed to address these needs should match the ASSURED criteria. We have identified agglutination tests based on the commonly employed blood typing methods as a viable option. These blood typing tests are employed in hospitals worldwide, are high-throughput, fast (10-30 min), and automated in most cases. Herein, we describe the application of agglutination assays to SARS-CoV-2 serology testing by combining column agglutination testing with peptide-antibody bioconjugates, which facilitate red cell cross-linking only in the presence of plasma containing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. This simple, rapid, and easily scalable approach has immediate application in SARS-CoV-2 serological testing and is a useful platform for assay development beyond the COVID-19 pandemic

Adaptação do índice de massa corporal humano para cães Adaptation of human body mass index for dogs

O índice de massa corporal (IMC) é amplamente utilizado por médicos para quantificar a massa corporal de pessoas adultas. O índice elevado de gordura, ou seja, o peso em excesso, está relacionado com problemas cardiovasculares, infertilidade, diabetes, artrite, dificuldade em se locomover ou respirar e prejuízos na cicatrização de feridas. Apesar de todo o estudo que se tem a respeito desses problemas, não há um método preciso e objetivo para se quantificar o excesso de peso em cães. A proposta deste trabalho foi determinar um índice de massa corporal canino (IMCC), a partir do IMC existente para humanos. Foram medidos e pesados 246 animais, sem raça definida e com diferentes condições corporais. Para dar validade ao índice de massa corporal obtido, os animais também foram avaliados por dois veterinários segundo os padrões subjetivos, já existentes. Verificou-se que valores do IMCC entre 11,8 e 15kg m-2 refletem o peso ideal para cães de porte médio, cujo tipo físico possui média de peso entre 10 e 25kg.<br>The index of corporal mass (ICM) is broadlly used to measure the corporal mass of adults. A high fat index is related to heart and circulation problems, infertility, diabetes, arthritis, difficulty to move around or breath and problems with cicatrization. Even though there are several studies about these problems, there is no specific method to evaluate weight excess in dogs objectively and precisely. The purpose of this research was to determine an index of corporal mass for dogs based on the existing IMC for human beings. Two hundred and forty six dogs without defined-breed and with different body conditions were analysed. They were not only measured and weighed, but also evaluated by two distinct veterinarians based on real subjective patterns, which can determine the corporal score. These procedures enabled the acknowledgement of the attained index. The conclusion was that IMCC between 11,8 and 15kg m-2 represent the ideal pattern for dogs of average size that weigh between 10 and 25kilos