SUSPLA: Development of PLA Biofilms from Food Waste, Incorporated with Bioactive Preserving Molecules

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History of secondary metabolites: from ancient myths to modern scientific validation

Publication . Pedrosa, Mariana C.; Lima, Laíres; Aloso-Esteban, José Ignacio; Roriz, Custódio Lobo; Barros, Lillian; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Carocho, Márcio

The study of primary plant metabolism has been the main focus of scientists for several years, seconding research related to the secondary metabolism. Nowadays, with the better understanding of the processes and products involved in primary metabolism, the focus has switched to the expansion of knowledge involving secondary metabolism. Initially, plants were the focus of secondary metabolite studies due to their ease of acquisition and availability, reasons for being a term coined by plant physiologists. Only in the twentieth century has the secondary metabolites from microorganisms began to be recognized and investigated due to the value that these metabolites could bring to science. Not by chance, it was in the twentieth century that the era of antibiotics began. In this chapter, a voyage through the centuries is proposed, focused on secondary metabolism and metabolites, highlighting how they shifted from disregarded molecules to the powerhouses of bioactivity for modern science.

2023Capítulo de livro

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Banana Peels as Substrate for Lactic Acid Production: Upstream Fermentation Bioprocess

Publication . Pedrosa, Mariana C.; Heleno, Sandrina A.; Alvarez, Cristina; Susmozas, Ana; Ballesteros, Ignacio; Pintado, Manuela; Barros, Lillian; Carocho, Márcio

Banana peels account for around 30–40% of the banana’s weight and represent an industrial waste. This biomass can be used as an eco-friendly solution for biotechnological bioprocesses. Still, due to the fibrous nature of banana peels, pretreatment becomes essential to enhance the effectiveness of enzymes on the hydrolysis of complex carbohydrates. This study aims to determine the best pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis conditions to produce a fermentation substrate suitable for producing lactic acid from the peels. Methods: A diluted H2SO4 (0.5% and 0.25%) was used in an autoclave for 10 min at 121 °C. The pretreated material was subjected to several enzymatic hydrolysis tests in which two variables were evaluated for their influence: solid load (10, 15 and 20%), and H2SO4 concentration (0.5 and 0.25% v/v). Commercial enzymes (cellulolytic enzyme mixtures and pectinase) were used. Results: All enzymatic hydrolysis yields of cellulose referring to glucose released in the hydrolysates surpassed 60% in all the conditions tested after pretreatment. After evaluating the pretreatment efficiency, the ideal parameters were defined as 0.25% H2SO4, and cellulolytic enzyme mixtures with 15 and 20% solid load. Subsequently, a screening was carried out in MRS + broth with the most suitable pH and temperature conditions for lactic acid production by Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus. Conclusions: The results showed the potential of BP medium for lactic acid production, with yields of 0.91 g/g sugar in sugar-containing media from enzymatic hydrolysis at 15% solid load and 0.82 g/g sugar in media from 20% solid load assays.

2026Artigo científico

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Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

Número da atribuição

2021.04531.BD