Article
Energy & Fuels
Cong Du, Yimin Li, Ruijuan Xiang, Ying He, Hao Sun, Huanan Wang, Wenjie Yuan
Summary: This study improved the microbial strain K. marxianus 1727 through adaptive laboratory evolution, resulting in enhanced inhibitor resistance, thermotolerance, and utilization of multiple carbon sources for more efficient bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jia Zhang, Teng Xu, Xiaohang Wang, Xiaoyan Jing, Jia Zhang, Jiong Hong, Jian Xu, Jichao Wang
Summary: This study describes a process for converting corncob waste into xylitol and identifies the optimal enzyme genes and fermentation conditions for achieving the highest yield and purity of xylitol from corncob hydrolysate.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ezequiel Hernandez-Becerra, Maria de los Angeles Aguilera-Barreiro, Margarita Contreras-Padilla, Esther Perez-Torrero, Mario E. Rodriguez-Garcia
Summary: Nopal pads undergo changes in chemical composition at different maturity stages. They provide an excellent source of nutrition and should be included in human diets worldwide. Transforming them into powders can reduce product loss during harvest season and their physicochemical properties in the maturity stage can be utilized for treating or preventing nutritional related diseases.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ghanya Al-Naqeb, Cinzia Cafarella, Eugenio Aprea, Giovanna Ferrentino, Alessandra Gasparini, Chiara Buzzanca, Giuseppe Micalizzi, Paola Dugo, Luigi Mondello, Francesca Rigano
Summary: This study evaluated the potential of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) as a green alternative to Soxhlet extraction for obtaining oils from Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) and Opuntia dillenii (OD) seeds. SFE with specific parameters produced oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids and tocopherols. The highest yield was achieved through Soxhlet extraction, and the most abundant fatty acid in all samples was linoleic acid. SFE of OFI seeds from Yemen resulted in the highest gamma-tocopherol content. Overall, SFE demonstrated its suitability for producing oils with potential applications in functional food and nutraceutical products.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wijbrand J. C. Dekker, Raul A. Ortiz-Merino, Astrid Kaljouw, Julius Battjes, Frank W. Wiering, Christiaan Mooiman, Pilar de la Torre, Jack T. Pronk
Summary: The study compared the responses of K. marxianus and S. cerevisiae to different oxygen-limitation conditions, revealing that K. marxianus lacks an effective sterol-uptake mechanism, making it oxygen-dependent. By heterologous expression of a specific enzyme for synthesizing a sterol surrogate, tetrahymanol, K. marxianus was able to grow anaerobically under limited oxygen conditions. These findings open up new possibilities for the development of thermotolerant yeast strains for anaerobic industrial applications.
METABOLIC ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Xiaoxue Yang, Dongmei Wang, Jiong Hong
Summary: The study engineered K. marxianus to efficiently produce carotenoids from xylose and glucose. By employing a two-temperature strategy and optimizing the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway, the researchers achieved higher yields of carotenoids compared to previous studies.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Faten Mannai, Hanedi Elhleli, Ragab Abouzied, Ramzi Khiari, Younes Moussaoui
Summary: Opuntia ficus-indica is a renewable resource that can be used as a cellulose source for producing carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The chemical composition of the plant's fibers was determined and cellulose fibers were extracted and used to synthesize biodegradable hydrogel films, which can potentially replace synthetic polymers in packaging films.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Romina Castaneda-Arriaga, Adriana Perez-Gonzalez, Tiziana Marino, Nino Russo, Annia Galano
Summary: Phenolic acids in nopal can prevent the formation of hydroxyl free radicals by chelating copper ions, thereby reducing the harmful effects caused by oxidative stress.
Article
Plant Sciences
Nicholas A. Niechayev, Jesse A. Mayer, John C. Cushman
Summary: This study investigated the relative contributions of C-3 photosynthesis and crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) during the earliest stages of development in cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) to assess their impact on productivity. The results show that CAM is the primary form of photosynthetic carbon assimilation for cactus pear even at the earliest stages of seedling or daughter cladode development.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Chotika Gosalawit, Panwana Khunnonkwao, Kaemwich Jantama
Summary: In this study, a genetically engineered yeast strain was developed to efficiently produce D-lactate, a high purity and high yield of D-lactate was achieved under suitable fermentation conditions, which has the potential to reduce production costs and increase D-lactate production.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Francisco J. Barba, Cyrielle Garcia, Amandine Fessard, Paulo E. S. Munekata, Jose M. Lorenzo, Aouatif Aboudia, Adbelouahab Ouadia, Fabienne Remize
Summary: Cactus Opuntia ficus indica is a widely distributed plant in arid regions, and its fruit and cladodes are processed into various food products. With its high antioxidant activity, rich nutritional content, and functional features, this cactus has great potential for applications in flour, bakery products, and fermented foods.
FOOD REVIEWS INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Arturo Coronado-Contreras, Xochitl Ruelas-Chacon, Yadira K. Reyes-Acosta, Miriam Desiree Davila-Medina, Juan A. Ascacio-Valdes, Leonardo Sepulveda
Summary: Prickly pear peel residues can be used in solid-state fermentation to obtain bioactive compounds, and factors such as temperature, inoculum, and humidity affect the release and accumulation of tannins. The fermented extracts showed higher antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elias Benramdane, Nadia Chougui, Patricia A. B. Ramos, Nawal Makhloufi, Abderezak Tamendjari, Armando J. D. Silvestre, Sonia A. O. Santos
Summary: The chemical composition and antibacterial activity of lipophilic extracts from three varieties of Opuntia ficus-indica roots from Algeria were investigated for the first time in this study. The study revealed rich compounds and high antibacterial activity, especially against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ambrogina Albergamo, Angela Giorgia Potorti, Giuseppa Di Bella, Nawres Ben Amor, Giovanna Lo Vecchio, Vincenzo Nava, Rossana Rando, Hedi Ben Mansour, Vincenzo Lo Turco
Summary: This study analyzed various dried by-products from the Tunisian O. ficus-indica and found that the peel and fruit of the cactus were abundant in fiber, while the seeds were high in protein and potentially a source of edible oil rich in linoleic acid. The cactus and peel had high levels of magnesium, potassium, manganese, and iron, while the fruit pulp mainly consisted of glucose and arabinose. The peel also contained a significant amount of polyphenols and other bioactive compounds. The findings suggest that the Tunisian prickly pear cactus has potential for sustainable production, waste management, and health benefits.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sofia Trindade, Maria Ines Rouxinol, Ana Cristina Agulheiro-Santos
Summary: The storage behavior of prickly pears under modified atmosphere conditions using different packaging materials was evaluated in this study. The results showed that the biodegradable plastic bag was the most effective method in maintaining the fruit's quality during the 30-day storage period, with a weight loss lower than 5%. The cardboard box had a greater weight loss (>6%) and more fruit contamination by fungi.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Gabriel B. Akanni, Yvette Naude, Henriette L. de Kock, Elna M. Buys
EUROPEAN FOOD RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Gabriel B. Akanni, Henriette L. De Kock, Yvette Naude, Elna M. Buys
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD PROPERTIES
(2018)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Olanrewaju E. Fayemi, Gabriel B. Akanni, James A. Elegbeleye, Olusimbo O. Aboaba, Patrick M. Njage
Summary: The study found that fresh beef and meat products in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria, contain E. coli O157 and non-O157 STEC serogroups, with most isolates showing multidrug resistance. These results suggest that locally processed ready-to-eat meat products pose a potential public health hazard.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Olanrewaju E. Fayemi, Gabriel B. Akanni, Samuel S. Sobowale, Andre Oelofse, Elna M. Buys
Summary: Folate deficiency is common in developing countries. This study explored the potential of using indigenous probiotic LAB to improve folate content in traditional African fermented sorghum gruel. Results showed that certain LAB strains had high folate production and exhibited probiotic characteristics and antimicrobial activity. Fermenting the sorghum gruel with these LAB strains resulted in increased folate content.
JOURNAL OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Grace Abosede Daji, Ezekiel Green, Gabriel Bidemi Akanni, Oluwafemi Ayodeji Adebo
Summary: Fermentation of yellow maize using different inocula yields mahewu products with varying compositions. Comprehensive analysis of the metabolites influencing distinctive characteristics of mahewu from different inocula was conducted using GC-HRTOF-MS. The study provides valuable insights into the metabolome of yellow maize mahewu from different inocula, serving as a foundation for quality control and further research.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Tosin Segun Ogunbiyi, Olanrewaju Emmanuel Fayemi, Gabriel Bidemi Akanni, Christianah Idowu Ayolabi, Tine Hald
Summary: The study investigated the epidemiology of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) among children under 5 years and their exposure environment in Ogun State, Nigeria. The results showed that ETEC was the predominant pathotype of DEC, and consumption of street-vended foods was a significant risk factor for DEC infection. The study highlights the importance of establishing better strategies for diarrhea control and prevention.
