RESUMEN

Aqueous suspensions rely on electrostatic interactions among suspended solids, posing a significant challenge to maintaining stability during storage, particularly in the food and pharmaceutical industries, where synthetic stabilizers are commonly employed. However, there is a growing interest in exploring new materials derived from natural and environmentally friendly sources. This study aimed to optimize the stability parameters of a novel Altoandino Nostoc Sphaericum hydrocolloid (NSH) extracted via micro atomization. Suspensions were prepared by varying the pH, gelatinization temperature and NSH dosage using a 23 factorial arrangement, resulting in eight treatments stored under non-controlled conditions for 20 days. Stability was assessed through turbidity, sedimentation (as sediment transmittance), ζ potential, particle size, color and UV-Vis scanning. Optimization of parameters was conducted using empirical equations, with evaluation based on the correlation coefficient (R2), average relative error (ARE) and X2. The suspensions exhibited high stability throughout the storage period, with optimized control parameters identified at a pH of 4.5, gelatinization temperature of 84.55 °C and NSH dosage of 0.08 g/L. Simulated values included turbidity (99.00%), sedimentation (72.34%), ζ potential (-25.64 mV), particle size (300.00 nm) and color index (-2.00), with simulated results aligning with practical application. These findings suggest the potential use of NSH as a substitute for commercial hydrocolloids, albeit with consideration for color limitations that require further investigation.

RESUMEN

Germination is an effective strategy to improve the nutritional and functional quality of Andean grains such as quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.); it helps reduce anti-nutritional components and enhance the digestibility and sensory aspects of the germinated. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of germination (0, 24, 48, and 72 h) on the physicochemical properties, content of bioactive compounds, and antioxidant capacity of three varieties of quinoa: white, red, and black high Andean from Peru. Color, nutritional composition, mineral content, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity were analyzed. Additionally, infrared spectra were obtained to elucidate structural changes during germination. The results showed color variations and significant increases (p < 0.05) in proteins, fiber, minerals, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity after 72 h of germination, attributed to the activation of enzymatic pathways. In contrast, the infrared spectra showed a decrease in the intensity of functional groups -CH-, -CH2-, C-OH, -OH, and C-N. Correlation analysis showed that flavonoids mainly contributed to antioxidant activity (r = 0.612). Germination represents a promising alternative to develop functional ingredients from germinated quinoa flour with improved nutritional and functional attributes.

RESUMEN

Nanoencapsulation of native potato bioactive compounds by spray-drying improves their stability and bioavailability. The joint effect of the inlet temperature and the ratio of the encapsulant (quinoa starch/gum arabic) on the properties of the nanocapsules is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the best conditions for the nanoencapsulation of these compounds. The effects of two inlet temperatures (96 and 116 °C) and two ratios of the encapsulant (15 and 25% w/v) were evaluated using a factorial design during the spray-drying of native potato phenolic extracts. During the study, measurements of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins, antioxidant capacity, and various physical and structural properties were carried out. Higher inlet temperatures increased bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity. However, a higher concentration of the encapsulant caused the dilution of polyphenols and anthocyanins. Instrumental analyses confirmed the effective encapsulation of the nuclei in the wall materials. Both factors, inlet temperature, and the encapsulant ratio, reduced the nanocapsules' humidity and water activity. Finally, the ideal conditions for the nanoencapsulation of native potato bioactive compounds were determined to be an inlet temperature of 116 °C and an encapsulant ratio of 15% w/v. The nanocapsules obtained show potential for application in the food industry.

Asunto(s)

Chenopodium quinoa , Nanocápsulas , Solanum tuberosum , Almidón , Antioxidantes/química , Goma Arábiga/química , Antocianinas/análisis , Temperatura , Bahías , Fenoles/análisis

RESUMEN

Iron deficiency leads to ferropenic anemia in humans. This study aimed to encapsulate iron-rich ovine and bovine erythrocytes using tara gum and native potato starch as matrices. Solutions containing 20% erythrocytes and different proportions of encapsulants (5, 10, and 20%) were used, followed by spray drying at 120 and 140 °C. Iron content in erythrocytes ranged between 2.24 and 2.52 mg of Fe/g; microcapsules ranged from 1.54 to 2.02 mg of Fe/g. Yields varied from 50.55 to 63.40%, and temperature and encapsulant proportion affected moisture and water activity. Various red hues, sizes, and shapes were observed in the microcapsules. SEM-EDS analysis revealed the surface presence of iron in microcapsules with openings on their exterior, along with a negative zeta potential. Thermal and infrared analyses confirmed core encapsulation within the matrices. Iron release varied between 92.30 and 93.13% at 120 min. Finally, the most effective treatments were those with higher encapsulant percentages and dried at elevated temperatures, which could enable their utilization in functional food fortification to combat anemia in developing countries.

RESUMEN

Ethanolic extracts of propolis and bee honey contain substances beneficial to human health. Mixtures of wall materials were compared in spray-drying microencapsulation of ethanolic extracts of propolis and bee honey rich in bioactive compounds. Maltodextrin and tara gum were used to obtain microencapsulates A, and modified native potato starch and tara gum were used for microencapsulates B. High values of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity were obtained in microcapsules A and B, and the results obtained in terms of encapsulation efficiency, yield, hygroscopicity, solubility, moisture, Aw, bulk density, and color were typical of the spray-drying process. On the other hand, spherical and elliptical microparticles of sizes between 7.83 and 53.7 µm with light and medium stability were observed. Thermogravimetric properties were similar in both microencapsulates; total organic carbon, SEM-EDS, and FTIR analyses corroborated the encapsulation. X-ray diffractogram exhibited amorphous structures, and the release kinetics of phenolic compounds presented high values from 8.13 to 12.58 mg GAE/g between 7 and 13 h. Finally, modified potato starch is a better encapsulant than maltodextrin because it has better core protection and controlled release of the encapsulated bioactive compounds.

RESUMEN

The cellulose from agroindustrial waste can be treated and converted into nanocrystals or nanofibers. It could be used to produce biodegradable and edible films, contributing to the circular economy and being environmentally friendly. This research aimed to develop an edible film elaborated with activated cellulose nanocrystals, native potato starch, and glycerin. The activated cellulose nanocrystals were obtained by basic/acid digestion and esterification with citric acid from corn husks. The starch was extracted from the native potato cultivated at 3500 m of altitude. Four film formulations were elaborated with potato starch (2.6 to 4.4%), cellulose nanocrystals (0.0 to 0.12%), and glycerin (3.0 to 4.2%), by thermoforming at 60 °C. It was observed that the cellulose nanocrystals reported an average size of 676.0 nm. The films mainly present hydroxyl, carbonyl, and carboxyl groups that stabilize the polymeric matrix. It was observed that the addition of cellulose nanocrystals in the films significantly increased (p-value < 0.05) water activity (0.409 to 0.447), whiteness index (96.92 to 97.27), and organic carbon content. In opposition to gelatinization temperature (156.7 to 150.1 °C), transparency (6.69 to 6.17), resistance to traction (22.29 to 14.33 N/mm), and solubility in acidic, basic, ethanol, and water media decreased. However, no significant differences were observed in the thermal decomposition of the films evaluated through TGA analysis. The addition of cellulose nanocrystals in the films gives it good mechanical and thermal resistance qualities, with low solubility, making it a potential food-coating material.

RESUMEN

The avocado fruit is an agro-industrial product with high export demand in Peru due to its sensory and nutritional qualities, which can be affected during storage. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of the application of a coating formulated with potato starch (Solanum tuberosum ssp andigena), nopal mucilage (Opuntia ficus indica), and pectin on the physicochemical and physiological properties during the storage of Fuerte and Hass avocados. Samples were taken in their harvest state from the plantation in "Occobamba", which is cultivated by the Avocado Producers Association in Chincheros, Apurímac, Peru. Physicochemical properties (titratable acidity, pH, total soluble solids) and physiological properties (weight loss, firmness, and color L* a* b*) were determined during 20 days of storage at 20 °C. The elaborated films present high transparency and low aw values. In the coated avocado of the Hass and Fuerte varieties, acidity and total soluble solids decreased significantly (p-value < 0.05) during the storage time. Weight loss and firmness of coated fruits decrease to a lesser extent. Luminosity L*, color index, and color variation showed better attributes for the coated samples. The use of coatings made with potato starch, nopal mucilage, and pectin allows the physicochemical and physiological properties of avocado fruits to be maintained for a longer time during storage.

RESUMEN

Ferropenic anemy is the leading iron deficiency disease in the world. The aim was to encapsulate erythrocytes extracted from the blood of Cavia porcellus, in matrices of tara gum and native potato starch. For microencapsulation, solutions were prepared with 20% erythrocytes; and encapsulants at 5, 10, and 20%. The mixtures were spray-dried at 120 and 140 °C. The iron content in the erythrocytes was 3.30 mg/g and between 2.32 and 2.05 mg/g for the encapsulates (p < 0.05). The yield of the treatments varied between 47.84 and 58.73%. The moisture, water activity, and bulk density were influenced by the temperature and proportion of encapsulants. The total organic carbon in the atomized samples was around 14%. The particles had diverse reddish tonalities, which were heterogeneous in their form and size; openings on their surface were also observed by SEM. The particle size was at the nanometer level, and the zeta potential (ζ) indicated a tendency to agglomerate and precipitation the solutions. The presence of iron was observed on the surface of the atomized by SEM-EDX, and FTIR confirmed the encapsulation due to the presence of the chemical groups OH, C-O, C-H, and N-H in the atomized. On the other hand, high percentages of iron release in vitro were obtained between 88.45 and 94.71%. The treatment with the lowest proportion of encapsulants performed at 140 °C obtained the best results and could potentially be used to fortify different functional foods.

RESUMEN

The removal of heavy metals from wastewater is an environmental challenge which demands the use of environmentally friendly materials that promote a circular economy. This study aimed to apply a novel composite of an activated nanoclay/hydrocolloid in the removal of heavy metals from wastewater. A composite blended under pressure was prepared with spray-dried hydrocolloid derived from Nostoc sphaericum algae and activated nanoclay in an acid medium and 1M NaCl. The composite and components were analyzed through infrared (IR), X-ray (XR), ζ potential, cation exchange capacity (CEC), particle size, and SEM images. The composite was subjected to the adsorption of heavy metals (Pb, As, Zn, and Cd) at pH 4.5 and the removal percentage, kinetics, and adsorption isotherms were evaluated. It was observed that the activated nanoclay and the composite that presented a particle size of around 400 nm significantly increased (p-value < 0.05) the CEC, ζ potential, the functional groups, and chelating components, removing heavy metals above 99% for Pb, As 33%, Cd 15%, and Zn 10%. Adsorption kinetics was adjusted to the pseudo second-order model (R2 > 0.98), and the Langmuir and Freundlich models better represented the sorption isotherm at 20 °C. The formulated composite presents a good ability to remove heavy metals in wastewater.

RESUMEN

The contamination of water resources by effluents from various industries often contains heavy metals, which cause irreversible damage to the environment and health. The objective was to evaluate different biosorbents from the weed Rumex acetosella to remove metal cations in wastewater. Drying, grinding and sieving of the stems was carried out to obtain the biomass, retaining the fractions of 250 to 500 µm and 500 to 750 µm, which served to obtain the biosorbents in natura (unmodified), acidic, alkaline, and mixed. Proximal analysis, PZC, TOC, removal capacity, influence of pH, functional groups, thermal analysis, structural characteristics, adsorption isotherms, and kinetic study were evaluated. The 250 µm mixed treatment was the one that presented the highest removal percentages, mainly due to the OH, NH, -C-H, COOH, and C-O functional groups achieving the removal of up to 96.14% of lead, 36.30% of zinc, 34.10% of cadmium and 32.50% of arsenic. For contact times of 120 min and an optimum pH of 5.0, a loss of cellulose mass of 59% at 328 °C and a change in the surface of the material were also observed, which allowed for obtaining a topography with greater chelating capacity, and the Langmuir and pseudo-second order models were better fitted to the adsorption data. The new biosorbents could be used in wastewater treatment economically and efficiently.

RESUMEN

The search for new natural sources of hydrocolloids with stabilizing, thickening, and good binding capacity, from raw materials that are environmentally friendly and that contribute to the circular economy is a challenge for the food industry. The aim of the study was the preliminary characterization of a spray-dried hydrocolloid from high Andean algae Nostoc sphaericum. Four ecotypes of algae from Peruvian high Andean lagoons located above 4000 m were considered. The samples were collected in the period March−April 2021 and were subjected to a spray drying process in an aqueous medium. The characterization showed that the dehydrated nostoc ecotypes presented high protein and carbohydrate content, making it a potential material for direct use as a functional food for humans. The spray-dried product presented good stability for its use as a hydrocolloid, with zeta potential values (ζ), around 30 mV, evidencing the presence of -CO-, -OH, -COO-, and -CH groups, characteristic of polysaccharides, representing 40% of total organic carbon on average, giving it low water activity values and particle size at the nanometric level. Major minerals such as Ca (>277 mg/100 g), Mg (>19.7 mg/100 g), and Fe (>7.7 mg/100 g) were reported. Spray-dried nostoc is a hydrocolloid material with high potential for the food industry, with good nutritional content and techno-functional behavior.

RESUMEN

Adsorption isotherms provide insight into the thermodynamic properties governed by food storage conditions. Adsorption isotherms of purple corn of the Canteño variety were evaluated at 18, 25, and 30 °C, for the equilibrium relative humidity (ERH) range between 0.065 and 0.95. The equilibrium moisture (Xe) was determined by the continuous weight-change method. Seven mathematical models of isotherms were modeled, using the coefficient of determination R2, mean absolute error (MAE), and estimated standard error (ESE) as the convergence criterion. Thermodynamic parameters such as isosteric heat (qst), Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG), differential entropy (ΔS), activation energy (Ea), and compliance with the isokinetic law were evaluated. It was observed that the adsorption isotherms presented cross-linking around 75% ERH and 17% Xe, suggesting adequate storage conditions at these values. The GAB and Halsey models reported better fit (R2 > 97%, MAE < 10%, ESE < 0.014 and random residual dispersion). The reduction of Xe from 17 to 7%, increases qst, from 7.7022 to 0.0165 kJ/g, while ΔG decreases considerably with the increase in Xe, presenting non-spontaneous endergonic behavior, and linear relationship with ΔS, evidencing compliance with the isokinetic theory, governed by qst. Ea showed that more energy is required to remove water molecules from the upper layers bound to the monolayer, evaluated using CGAB. The models predicted the storage conditions, and the thermodynamic parameters show the structural stability of the purple corn grains of the Canteño variety during storage.

RESUMEN

Propolis is a substance with significant anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiviral activity, which could be used more efficiently at the nano level as an additive in the food industry. The aim was to obtain and characterize nanoencapsulated multi-floral propolis from the agro-ecological region of Apurimac, Peru. For nanoencapsulation, 5% ethanolic extracts propolis with 0.3% gum arabic and 30% maltodextrin were prepared. Then, the mixtures were dried by nano spraying at 120 °C using the smallest nebulizer. The flavonoid content was between 1.81 and 6.66 mg quercetin/g, the phenolic compounds were between 1.76 and 6.13 mg GAE/g, and a high antioxidant capacity was observed. The results of moisture, water activity, bulk density, color, hygroscopicity, solubility, yield, and encapsulation efficiency were typical of the nano spray drying process. The total organic carbon content was around 24%, heterogeneous spherical particles were observed at nanometer level (between 11.1 and 562.6 nm), with different behaviors in colloidal solution, the thermal gravimetric properties were similar in all the encapsulates, the FTIR and EDS analysis confirmed the encapsulation and the X-ray diffraction showed amorphous characteristics in the obtained material; stability and phenolic compound release studies indicated high values of 8.25-12.50 mg GAE/g between 8 and 12 h, the principal component analysis confirmed that the flora, altitude, and climate of the propolis location influenced the content of bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity, and other properties studied. The nanoencapsulate from the district of Huancaray was the one with the best results, allowing its future use as a natural ingredient in functional foods. Nevertheless, technological, sensory, and economic studies should still be carried out.

RESUMEN

Edible films prepared from biological materials are being massively used. This study aimed to prepare edible films from native potato starch of the Allcca sipas variety (Solanum tuberosum subsp. Andigena), nopal mucilage (Opuntia ficus indica), and glycerol. Twelve edible films were prepared with starch, mucilage, and glycerin in different proportions by thermosynthesis. It was observed that mucilage and glycerol have a significant direct effect on film solubility and an inverse effect on aw, while the effect of starch is the opposite. The aw ranged from 0.562 to 0.639. The FTIR analysis showed the interaction of the components in the films being considerably influenced by the addition of mucilage. The TGA/DTA analysis reported low thermal stability in the films, retaining water around 100 °C, and showing a tendency to lose weight when the content of starch is high, while the opposite occurred with the addition of mucilage; it was also observed that around 310 °C, the maximum weight loss was observed between 53.6 and 86.1%. SEM images showed uniform films without cracks. The results are promising and show the possibility of preparing edible films from native potato starch and mucilage.