Evaluation of the Potential of Araucaria angustifolia Seeds as Source of Oligosaccharides, Resistant Starch and Growth of Probiotic Bacteria

“Pinhão”, the seed of Araucaria angustifolia, is an important food, being part of the eating habits of Indigenous communities. In this study, we evaluated the oligosaccharide content, resistant starch and the growth of probiotic bacteria. GF4 (1-fructofuranosylnystose) was the main fructo-oligosaccharides found, in higher contents compared to other food sources. Maltooligosaccharides (MOS) represented the main part of the oligosaccharides profile of Brazilian pine seeds. In descending order of importance was maltoheptaose (G7), maltohexose (G6) and maltotriose (G3). The starches from the variety Sanct josephi presented the highest amount of resistant starch that could stimulate probiotic strains, mainly B. breve and L. plantarum, and may have a prebiotic effect, potentially promoting health benefits. This study advances the understanding of the chemical composition of the main portion of the “pinhão” enhancing awareness of its potential as a healthy food source, contributing to different uses and indirectly with the species preservation.

Alternative uses for tannery wastes:a review of environmental,sustainability,and science

The manufacture of leather covers a wide productive chain and beyond contributes to the economic flow.The various stages of leather processing result in high volumes of solid waste.In Brazil,a daily generation of 375 tons of solid waste is estimated,and landfills are still the most used route to its destination.In this review,emphasis will be given to researches that have sought alternatives for the use of solid waste from the tannery industry.Among the main applications of solid tannery wastes,the following stand out production of adsorbent materials,biodiesel,biogas,biopolymers,applications in agriculture and other applications involving extraction/recovery of compounds of industrial/commercial interest,isolation of microorganisms and production of enzymes and applications in the animal diet.In each alternative of waste application,the technologies used,the opportunities,and the challenges faced are mentioned.We hope that this review can provide valuable information to promote the broad understanding of the possibilities that tannery solid wastes has for the development of biodegradable and agricultural products,wastewater treatment,extraction of compounds of industrial and commercial interest,among others.

Structural Analysis of Extruded Fiber Components of Orange Pulp

X-ray diffractograms, optic and electronic microscopy were used to study the structural changes on extruded orange pulp using a Brabender® laboratory single-screw extruder (GNF 1014/2, 20:1, L/D). The results showed that most of the cellulose would be in the amorphous state, with small crystalline areas in the angular region of 2θ = 14.5°. The evaluated extrusion conditions did not affect the crystallinity of the raw cellulose, maintaining the size of the crystalline regions in the angular region of 2θ = 22.5°. Neutral detergent solubilized the crystalline areas of potassium citrate and cellulose, formed during the extrusion process. However, these conditions did not affect the crystallinity of the raw cellulose. In addition, no change was observed in the crystallinity of pectin. The electron microphotographs allowed for the estimation of the heterogeneity of orange pulp and assessment of the difference of resistance between the walls of the buds and juice vesicles. Thus, it was demonstrated that during the extrusion process most of the porosity and the cellular structure of the endocarp remained unaltered.