Biodegradation pretreatment of wood of E. grandis, E. dunnii, and E. benthamii to work in biorefinery processes

Nowadays, there is a great interest in using lignocellulosic materials as substrate for the production of biorefi nery products. Eucalypti are good options to use as crops to obtain different kinds of biofuels and derivatives, since their plantations show high adaptation potential to soil and weather conditions in Uruguay. The basic process steps involved in the obtainment of biorefi nery materials are: pretreatment, hydrolysis, fermentation and products separation. As delignifi cation is an important process to obtain biorefi nery products, in this context the evaluation of the biological (BT) and hydrothermal (TT) pretreatment of different species of Eucaliptus was studied. The possibility of obtaining sugars, alcohols and organic acids was the main focus. The results of these investigations show a good production of reducing sugars (4-5 mg/mL for both BT and TT pretreatments), acetic acid (3-8 mg/mL for BT and 3-7 mg/mL for TT) and isopropanol (18-48 mg/mL for BT and 20-30 mg/mL for TT). In conclusion, the results show similar behaviours for BT and TT pretreatments, which is a quite important result since BT is cheaper and cleaner and thus a more attractive technology

Synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline cellulose derived from Pineapple peel residues

Pineapple peel biomass was used as raw material for nanocellulose extraction. The raw material is a residue from the Costa Rican fruit industry. The nanocellulose was obtained by a two-step hydrolysis process. Firstly, the cellulose was hydrolyzed with HCl to obtain microcrystalline cellulose. In the second step, the hydrolysis was carried out using H2SO4 to obtain smaller fragments and decrease the lignin content. A time-dependent study was carried out to determine the particle size decrease depending on the contact time with the H2SO4. The chemical, thermal and morphological properties were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The nanofiber-like cellulose was obtained after 60 minutes of exposure to 65 wt% H2SO4

Preliminary study of the production of hybrid compounds of chitosan and polyphenols derived from lignin from agroindustry and shrimp fishery

En este estudio se prepararon y caracterizaron microcápsulas híbridas del conjugado de polifenoles derivados de la lignina proveniente de la cáscara de piña, y el quitosano obtenido a partir de la quitina de la cáscara del camarón; ambos materiales fueron obtenidos como residuos de la industria agropecuaria y pesquería de camarón de Costa Rica. Con el objetivo de preparar compuestos fenólicos derivados de la lignina, y utilizarlos en la síntesis de las microcápsulas, se realizó la hidrólisis enzimática de la misma en un reactor a presión atmosférica a un pH de 6.8, en buffer de citrato 1 M, durante 6 h a 37ºC. Las enzimas utilizadas fueron extraídas de los cultivos de hongos de Gloeophyllum trabeum (Pers.) Murrill y Phanerochae chrysosporiumin Burdsall. Para la obtención del quitosano se realizó la desacetilación alcalina a partir de exoesqueletos del camarón Heterocarpus vicarius Fazon. Para la preparación de las microcápsulas se empleó una disolución de quitosano en ácido acético, el cual fue mezclado con una disolución acuosa del producto obtenido de la hidrólisis de la lignina y luego añadido a una disolución de vaselina para microemulsionar. Posteriormente, se agregó el glutaraldehído como agente entrecruzante. Se obtuvieron microcápsulas con tamaños entre 5 y 10 μm. Estas microcápsulas son un material promisorio ya que, mediante la formación del complejo, se puede aumentar la solubilidad del quitosano y estabilizar los polifenoles, manteniendo así sus propiedades antioxidantes. Los resultados preliminares obtenidos en esta investigación, muestran el potencial de este material para el encapsulamiento de fármacos y pesticidas.Hybrid microcapsules of the conjugate of polyphenols derived from lignin were prepared and characterized. They were obtained from pineapple peel and chitin from shrimp shell from agroindustry or shrimp fishery of Costa Rica. The phenolic compounds were obtained by hydrolysis of lignin, using the enzyme derivatives from the fungus culture of Gloeophyllum trabeum (Pers.) Murrill and Phanerochaete chrysosporium Burdsall. The reaction was carried out in a reactor with atmospheric pressure, pH 6.8, with a citrate buffer of 1M, for 6 hours at 37°C. The chitosan was obtained by alkaline deacetylation of the Heterocarpus vicarious Fazon, shrimp exoskeletons. Microcapsules were prepared mixing a solution of chitosan dissolved in acetic acid and a solution of polyphenol derivatives from lignin. Afterwards, they were added to a vaseline aqueous solution for the microemulsion formation and glutaraldehyde was added as a crosslinking agent. Microcapsules with sizes between 5 to 10 μm were obtained. These microcapsules are a promising material to increase chitosan solubility and for preventing the oxidation of polyphenols. The preliminary results obtained in this research show the potential of this material for the encapsulation of drugs and pesticides

Biorefinery of rice husk to obtain functionalized bioactive compounds

The biomass industrialization valorisation of grains and cereals is considered an opportunity for the countries where agro-industrial activity is one of its main economic activities, rendering new higher-value products with a concomitant solution to waste accumulation issues. To that end, in this work we describe and characterise bioactive compounds generation from rice husk by semisolid fermentation, obtained from 500 g of the material at room temperature and 60% humidity with mixed cultures of Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Gloeophyllum trabeum. The extract was evaluated in different situations: murine mammary tumour cells (4T1), normal cells (NIH 3T3) and in Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Trichoderma harzianum. The results exhibited that the extract inhibited 4T1 cells at concentrations higher than 20μg/mL, but did not inhibit normal cells, and displayed germicide activity after 3 days incubations. We propose that these functionalized compounds have a potential application in industry/agriculture/medicine obtained from rice husk waste

Biorefinery of biomass of agro-Industrial banana waste to obtain high-value biopolymers

On a worldwide scale, food demand is increasing as a consequence of global population growth. This makes companies push their food supply chains’ limits with a consequent increase in generation of large amounts of untreated waste that are considered of no value to them. Biorefinery technologies offer a suitable alternative for obtaining high-value products by using unconventional raw materials, such as agro-industrial waste. Currently, most biorefineries aim to take advantage of specific residues (by either chemical, biotechnological, or physical treatments) provided by agro-industry in order to develop high-value products for either in-house use or for sale purposes. This article reviews the currently explored possibilities to apply biorefinery-known processes to banana agro-industrial waste in order to generate high-value products out of this residual biomass source. Firstly, the Central and Latin American context regarding biomass and banana residues is presented, followed by advantages of using banana residues as raw materials for the production of distinct biofuels, nanocellulose fibers, different bioplastics, and other high-value products Lastly, additional uses of banana biomass residues are presented, including energy generation and water treatmen

Pineapple agro-industrial biomass to produce biomedical applications in a circular economy context in Costa Rica

Pineapple is a highly demanded fruit in international markets due to its unique appearance and flavor, high fiber content, vitamins, folic acid, and minerals. It makes pineapple production and processing a significant source of income for producing countries, such as Costa Rica. This review collects bibliographic information dating back to the beginnings of pineapple production in Costa Rica to the state of the market today. It details the impacts of its production chain and proposes a biorefinery as a solution to environmental problems. Besides the potentiality of new sustainable markets to contribute to the post-COVID-19 economy in Costa Rica is highlighted. The general characteristics of pineapple by-products -cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and other high-value products like bromelain y saponin- are described, as well as the primary processes for their ex-traction via biorefinery and main applications in the medical field. Finally, a brief description of the main works in the literature involving modeling and simulation studies of pineapple by-products properties is included

Bioethanol production using high density Eucalyptus crops in Uruguay

Experimental scale crops for Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus benthamii, Eucalyptus dunnii and Eucalyptus tereticornis, at 2,220, 4,440 and 6,660 trees ha−1 were established in two soil units, at Paysandú and Tacuarembó, Uruguay. Wood samples were taken from twenty-two-months-old trees, and were used to produce bioethanol by pre-hydrolysis simultaneous saccharyfication and fermentation process (PSSF). Cellulose and lignin content was analyzed. Species and planting density affected biomass production at both sites; the highest value was obtained with E. dunnii at 6,660 trees ha−1 at Paysandú. Cellulose content of wood varied between species at both sites, but only between planting densities at Tacuarembó. The site effect showed that the highest amount of cellulose (14.7 Mg ha−1) was produced at Paysandú. E. benthamii and E. tereticornis wood showed higher lignin contents, conversely, the PSSF yields showed no differences, which led to a bioethanol average of 97 L Mg−1. Bioethanol productivity was associated to the biomass productivity. It was possible to obtain 2,650 L ha−1 of bioethanol using wood from E. benthamii, E. dunnii and E. grandis at 4,440 and 6,660 trees ha−1 at Paysandú, and with E. benthamii at 4,440 and 6,660 trees ha−1, and E. dunnii at 6,660 trees ha−1 at Tacuarembó.ANII: FSE_1_2011_1561

Nuevos materiales poliméricos derivados de fuentes renovables

In the last years it has been worked on the concept of Biomasic as an alternative to Petroquimic. An increasing interest of renewable resources in the area of energy and materials exists. In this work the synthesis of new polymeric materials derived from several renewable sources with emphasis in the valuation of lignins, with an oxidative systems enzymatic presents in two stocks of fungi G. trabeum and P. ostreatus in different combinations starters, were studied. The purpose was the optimization and modeling of the enzimatic production by semi solid fermentation process. The activity on Kraft and Organosolv lignins was analized and it was observed diminution of the molecular weight and an increase of the carbonyl groups in the tests with models and with lignins. We conclude that for both fungus the origin of the lignin as a carbon source is irrelevant. We consider that the production of standardized enzymatic extracts can be an interesting contribution at the time of making modifications in industrial lignins to obtain “well-known functional units”. In future works the kinetic of modification will be studied with the objective to make possible a future industrial application.En las últimas décadas se ha trabajado sobre el concepto de la Biomásica como alternativa de la Petroquímica. Existe un creciente interés en el uso de materiales renovables para energía y nuevos materiales. En este trabajo se estudió la síntesis de nuevos materiales poliméricos derivados de materiales renovables, especialmente lignina, por acción de sistemas enzimáticos oxidativos derivados de G. trabeum y P. ostreatus. El propósito fue la optimización y modelización de la producción de enzimas por fermentación semisólida. Se estudió la actividad en ligninas kraft y organosolv y se observó disminución del peso molecular e incremento de los grupos carboxilo. Se concluye que para los dos hongos el origen de la lignina es irrelevante. Sin embargo, aparecen diferencias cuando se utilizan compuestos modelo de lignina. Se ha observado diferente crecimiento y aparición de sistemas enzimáticos, responsables del peso molecular y el grado de oxidación de los grupos funcionales. Se considera que la producción estandarizada de enzimas favorecerá en el futuro su uso industrial de “unidades definidas” o “bloques”. En trabajos futuros se estudiará la cinética de producción

Obtención por Ɣ-irradiación de cepas de Saccharomyces cerevisiae tolerantes a condiciones de cultivo rigurosas, para la producción de bioetanol

<p>Con el objetivo de obtener nuevas cepas de levadura capaces de resistir condiciones rigurosas de cultivo se sometió un cultivo fresco de Saccharomyces cerevisiae M522 a Ɣ-irradiación. Se generó una colección de cepas y se evaluó su capacidad de crecimiento a elevadas concentraciones de azúcar y etanol. Se seleccionó una de las cepas y se estudió en ella el efecto de los productos de degradación de la lignina, oligómeros fenólicos metoxilados obtenidos de su despolimerización oxidativa por tratamiento biológico. Se estudiaron también las enzimas involucradas. Todos los cultivos fueron evaluados por absorbancia a 660 nm tras 24 horas de incubación a 37 ˚C. En cuanto a las fracciones fenólicas, se obtuvo el perfil por espectrofotometría UV y se identificaron enzimas laccasa, desmetilasa y lig-peroxidasa.Se obtuvo una cepa (SacSV-10) con las mismas características de cultivo que la M522 en YPD. Se logró cultivar la cepa en un caldo con 10 % de etanol, cepa que toleró el efecto de los productos de degradación de la lignina, así como una concentración de glucosa de 40 g/L, y en condiciones anaerobias se obtuvo una biomasa mayor que para la M522. En conclusión, SacSV-10 es un prometedor candidato para usar en producciones de alcohol a partir de residuos lignocelulósicos.</p

Microencapsulación de compuestos de actividad biológica

The microencapsulation process of agents with biological activity (such as DNA, pharmaceuticals, proteins, probiotics, enzymes, etc.), from the technological view, could be defined as the coating process of those agents, under a molecular form, solid particles, or liquid globules, with materials of different nature, that gives particles particles of micrometric size. One of the most used natural polymers for the production of microspheres is chitosan (?-1,4-glucosamine). Various methods have been proposed for the production of microcapsules, divided into three groups: physical processes, chemical processes, and physico-chemical processes. In this work, it were assayed different methodologies for the production of chitosan microspheres and microcapsules. Depending on the methodology used, were obtained differente types of spheres in reference to size and density. The microparticles produced were evaluated with optic microscopy, scanning electronic microscopy, so as were evaluated its stability and liberation of the encapsulated agent.La microencapsulación de compuestos de actividad biológica (ADN, fármacos, proteínas, probióticos, enzimas, etc.), desde el punto de vista tecnológico, podría definirse como el proceso de recubrimiento de dichos compuestos, bajo la forma de moléculas, partículas sólidas o glóbulos líquidos, con materiales de distinta naturaleza, para dar lugar a partículas de tamaño micrométrico. Uno de los polímeros naturales más utilizados para la producción de microesferas es el quitosano (?-1,4- glucosamina). Diversos métodos han sido propuestos para la producción de microcápsulas, divididos en tres grupos: procesos físicos, procesos químicos y procesos físico-químicos. En el presente trabajo se ensayaron distintas metodologías para la producción de microesferas y microcápsulas de quitosano. Según la metodología empleada se obtuvieron distintos tipos de esferas en lo que respecta a tamaño y densidad principalmente. Las micropartículas obtenidas se evaluaron mediante microscopía óptica, electrónica de barrido, así como se realizó la evaluación de su estabilidad y liberación del agente encapsulado. &nbsp