Development Of Bioproducts Research Articles

From Knallgas Bacterium to Promising Biomanufacturing Host: The Evolution of Cupriavidus necator.

The expanding field of synthetic biology requires diversification of microbial chassis to expedite the transition from a fossil fuel-dependent economy to a sustainable bioeconomy. Relying exclusively on established model organisms such as Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae may not suffice to drive the profound advancements needed in biotechnology. In this context, Cupriavidus necator, an extraordinarily versatile microorganism, has emerged as a potential catalyst for transformative breakthroughs in industrial biomanufacturing. This comprehensive book chapter offers an in-depth review of the remarkable technological progress achieved by C. necator in the past decade, with a specific focus on the fields of molecular biology tools, metabolic engineering, and innovative fermentation strategies. Through this exploration, we aim to shed light on the pivotal role of C. necator in shaping the future of sustainable bioprocessing and bioproduct development.

Sustainable lignocellulosic mediterranean biocomposites: Thermogravimetric analysis, mechanical performance, morphological and comparative study

Utilizing accessible agricultural waste to create sustainable materials is a potentially beneficial attempt toward developing better bio-products and a more sustainable socioeconomic environment. Accordingly, this work aims to investigate the mechanical performance enhancement and/or deteriorations as well as morphological and thermal characteristics of certain Mediterranean lignocellulosic fiber composites considering various reinforcement conditions. Several composites of polypropylene pomegranate peel powder (PG) and short corn leaves (CL) were designed and fabricated with various reinforcement conditions to demonstrate their potential characteristics. Moreover, the experimental results of this work were compared with commonly used fiber/PP composites worldwide to demonstrate their appropriateness for producing bio-based composites suitable for various applications. The investigations included determining the tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongations at break properties under various reinforcement conditions, as well as revealing the thermal properties of the fibers to expose their suitability for such bio-based composites to improve utilizing such available waste of fibers into useful materials for various mechanical components. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and derivative thermal gravimetric analysis (DTG) were also carried out to examine thermal stability and to distinguish the maximum degradation temperature (Tmax) of the cellulosic fiber compositions. The outcomes revealed that both types of fibers, pomegranate peel powder and short corn leaves, had positive impacts on the tensile strength and modulus of PP regardless of the weight percentage. The 40 wt% of corn leaves displayed the best improvement in the strength (+29 %) and modulus (+17 %). The 40 wt%, CL-PP reached tensile modulus of 1589.5 MPa, whereas the best modulus for the PG-PP was 1399.4 MPa at 30 wt%. When comparing the tensile strength and modulus of PG/PP and CL/PP composites with those reported in the literature, these composites demonstrated superior tensile properties relative to thirteen other types documented. Regarding the thermal analysis, PG and CL fibers could withstand the processing temperature without degradation, which enables them to be feasibly utilized in bio-based composites to enhance the development of green bio-products. When it comes to the morphological analysis, it was observed that there was a good adhesion between PP and CL, which interprets the enhancement tensile properties.

Extraction and characterization of cellulose from agricultural waste of hemp (<i>Cannabis sativa)</i> and parthenium (<i>Parthenium hysterophorus)</i>

The current study focused on the extraction of cellulose from two selected plants, hemp (Cannabis sativa) and parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus). The research successfully isolated high-purity cellulose from both plants using a chlorination and alkaline extraction process. A higher yield (%) (38.4 ± 0.18) was obtained from hemp compared to parthenium (22 ± 0.82). Characterization techniques were used to probe the structure and properties of the extracted cellulose. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed functional groups characteristic of cellulose, while X-ray diffraction confirmed its highly crystalline structure in both samples. Scanning electron microscopy provided valuable insights into the cellulose morphology, indicating a smoother surface and reduced fiber diameter after treatment due to the removal of noncellulosic components. The research paved the way for the development of eco-friendly bioproducts utilizing cellulose from hemp and parthenium, promoting a more sustainable future.

Circular Bioeconomy in Action: Transforming Food Wastes into Renewable Food Resources.

The growing challenge of food waste management presents a critical opportunity for advancing the circular bioeconomy, aiming to transform waste into valuable resources. This paper explores innovative strategies for converting food wastes into renewable food resources, emphasizing the integration of sustainable technologies and zero-waste principles. The main objective is to demonstrate how these approaches can contribute to a more sustainable food system by reducing environmental impacts and enhancing resource efficiency. Novel contributions of this study include the development of bioproducts from various food waste streams, highlighting the potential of underutilized resources like bread and jackfruit waste. Through case studies and experimental findings, the paper illustrates the successful application of green techniques, such as microbial fermentation and bioprocessing, in valorizing food wastes. The implications of this research extend to policy frameworks, encouraging the adoption of circular bioeconomy models that not only address waste management challenges but also foster economic growth and sustainability. These findings underscore the potential for food waste to serve as a cornerstone in the transition to a circular, regenerative economy.

Saccharification of Different Delignified Sawdust Masses from Various Trees Along the Lagos Lagoon in Nigeria

Sawdust, a major waste product of the forestry industry, is accumulating along the Lagos Lagoon in Lagos, Nigeria, without it being effectively managed. Besides its use in The saccharification of sawdust could contribute to the development of renewable energy sources and feedstock for bioproduct development. The process is, however, not that straightforward as variables such as the type of cellulase enzyme, pretreatment of the cellulose substrate, and optimizing of cellulase to cellulose ratio are a few that need to be optimized for the process to be effective in terms of glucose production.manufacturing sound-absorbing boards to reinforce concrete beams and for energy purposes, its potential as a renewable energy source and feedstock for bio-product development has not yet been realized. Cellulose, a glucose biopolymer and structural component of cellulose can be hydrolyzed by a hydrolytic enzyme known as cellulase. During the process, the enzyme breaks the B-1,4-glucosidic bond, which keeps the glucose units together, and by acting on this bond, numerous glucose units are released. As part of sawdust, the cellulose molecule is not freely available for the degradation action of the cellulase enzyme as it is strongly associated with lignin, which acts as bio-glue, keeping cellulose and hemicellulose together. Delignification is an effective technique that was used to make the sawdust from ten different trees along the Lagos Lagoon in Nigeria more susceptible to saccharification by cellulase isolated from the fungus Aspergillus niger. Delignified and non-delignified sawdust masses between 2 mg and 10 mg were incubated with the A. niger cellulase solution (2 mg.mL-1), whereafter, the amount of sugar produced by the cellulase action was determined. The percentage saccharification of each sawdust material was also linked with the amount of sugar produced during cellulase action. From these investigations was concluded that delignification increased sugar production when almost all the masses of different sawdust materials were degraded. It was also observed that the ratio of sawdust mass to enzyme concentration is an important variable that influences the effectiveness of the saccharification process. The percentage saccharification of the various sawdust materials was also determined, and it indicated that the highest percentage of saccharification was not obtained when the highest amount of sawdust was degraded, producing the highest amount of sugar.

Marine sponge-derived natural products: trends and opportunities for the decade of 2011-2020

The discovery of natural products derived from marine sources has demonstrated a consistent upward trajectory for the decade of 2011-2020, holding significant promise for the development of novel drugs and many other marine bioproducts. In recent years, the spotlight has shifted away from marine sponges (Porifera) towards marine microorganisms as the primary source of discovery. Despite reports of marine sponges spanning 20 different orders and being the subject of 769 papers between 2011 and 2020, they only contributed to 19.29% of all new compounds discovered, in contrast to 51.94% by marine microorganisms and phytoplankton. 563 new compounds were reported from marine sponge-associated microbes, more than doubling the number for the previous decade (2001-2010). It heralds a positive outlook for a sustainable resource strategy as the extraction of bioactive compounds produced by pure cultures of sponge-associated microbes could overcome supply challenges that arise with isolation from host sponges for the same compound. However, the application of novel marine natural products (MNPs) remains challenging due to the limited yield of compounds from large amounts of sponges. This review covers the literature published between 2011 and 2020, focusing on MNPs isolated from marine sponges. A total of 2603 new compounds are documented, detailing their chemical classification, biological activities, source country or geographic locations, and the taxonomic information of the source organisms, including order, family, genus, and species.

Optimizing Polyhydroxyalkanoate production using a novel Bacillus paranthracis isolate: A response surface methodology approach

Microorganisms have emerged as promising resources for producing economical and sustainable bioproducts like Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a biodegradable polymer that can replace synthetic plastics. In this study, we screened a novel isolate, Bacillus paranthracis RSKS-3 strain, to produce PHA from sewage water, identifying it using Whole Genome Sequence. This study represents the first report on optimizing PHA production using B. paranthracis RSKS-3, employing Design Expert 12.0 software. Our findings reveal that four factors (temperature, inoculum size, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and magnesium sulfate) significantly affect PHA production in the Plackett-Burman design experiment. Through Response Surface Methodology, we optimized PHA production to 0.647 g/L with specific values for potassium dihydrogen phosphate (0.55 %), inoculum size (3 %), magnesium sulfate (0.055 %), and a temperature of 35 °C, in agreement with the predicted value of 0.630 g/L. This optimization resulted in a substantial 13.29-fold increase in PHA production from 0.34 g/L to 4.52 g/L, underscoring the promising role of B. paranthracis RSKS-3 in eco-friendly PHA production and advancing sustainable bioproduct development.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of Residue from Bioethanol Production Using Seaweed Biomass.

This study explores the potential of producing bioethanol from seaweed biomass and reusing the residues as antioxidant compounds. Various types of seaweed, including red (Gelidium amansii, Gloiopeltis furcata, Pyropia tenera), brown (Saccharina japonica, Undaria pinnatifida, Ascophyllum nodosum), and green species (Ulva intestinalis, Ulva prolifera, Codium fragile), were pretreated with dilute acid and enzymes and subsequently processed to produce bioethanol with Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4741. Ethanol production followed the utilization of sugars, resulting in the highest yields from red algae > brown algae > green algae due to their high carbohydrate content. The residual biomass was extracted with water, ethanol, or methanol to evaluate its antioxidant activity. Among the nine seaweeds, the A. nodosum bioethanol residue extract (BRE) showed the highest antioxidant activity regarding the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibition of H2O2-treated RAW 264.7 cells. These by-products can be valorized, contributing to a more sustainable and economically viable biorefinery process. This dual approach not only enhances the utilization of marine resources but also supports the development of high-value bioproducts.

Copaiba oil on dentistry: a scoping review

Copaiba oil is a natural product commonly employed in traditional medicine due to qualities as anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial mainly. On dentistry, studies have focused on the use of copaiba in cavity varnishes, endodontic cements, bacterial biofilm control and even in the composition of local anesthetics. The aim of this study was to investigate on the use of copaiba oil within dental specialties. The search was conducted on databases using the primary keywords ‘Copaifera’ and ‘Dentistry’ resulting in 687 studies. Was observed that Copaifera multijuga was the most prevalent species in the evaluated articles, endodontics was the most presente dental specialty in publications. Antimicrobial tests and biocompatibility tests was most prevalents. Based on the results of this study, despite the limited number of evaluated works, it can be concluded that over the years, copaiba has been increasingly used in dentistry, yielding promising results such as the development of new bioproducts that combine copaiba's pharmacological characteristics without compromising the necessary physical attributes for clinical use.

Challenges Faced by The Chemical Industry in Strengthening the Bioeconomy in Brazil

Objective: This study aims to discuss the chemical industry's role in developing new bioeconomic systems in Brazil. Theoretical Framework: The bioeconomy provides significant opportunities for Brazil. By exploring the country's biodiversity and environmental resources, bioeconomic systems can drive the development of innovative technologies and high-value products across various sectors. Additionally, the bioeconomy plays a crucial role in generating quality employment and preserving ecosystems. Achieving this optimistic scenario depends on the efforts of the Brazilian chemical industry in research and development (R&D). Method: This research is documental and descriptive. We reviewed several sectoral reports focusing on the obstacles to using renewable inputs from Brazilian biodiversity in the chemical sector's value chains. Results and Discussion: Brazil's bioeconomy systems face limited R&D investments due to structural bottlenecks related to the national tax system, logistical infrastructure, and high energy costs. These issues have reduced the competitiveness of the Brazilian chemical industry. Furthermore, increased imports of Chinese chemical products following the Ukraine War and the subsequent industry idleness can exacerbate these structural constraints and further erode the chemical sector's R&D funds. Research Implications: The structural problems described in this article can delay the development of renewable energy sources and innovative bioproducts. Originality/Value: We show that the chemical industry possesses the technology and scale necessary to integrate into Federal Government programs in the bioeconomy field. However, the sector's structural problems and low R&D investments tend to inhibit the development of new bioeconomic systems. Brazil must overcome these challenges to establish itself as a global bioeconomy powerhouse.

Ionic liquid interactions with cellulose and the effect of water

Ionic Liquids (ILs) have been used to address issues such as recyclability, cost-effectiveness, and tailored thermophysical properties. This is most relevant to recent efforts directed at dissolving cellulose for filament spinning and bioproduct development. Herein, we introduce a simple method to investigate how interactions between cellulose films (roughness, Rh = 37 nm) and ILs specifically 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([bmim][OAc]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([bmim][Cl]), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([emim][OAc]), and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([emim][Cl]), along with their water mixtures (0, 5, and 10 wt%) affect thermophysical properties relevant to cellulose dissolution (surface tension, γ; contact angle, θ; diffusivities, D; and bulk density, ρ) at 363.15 K and 0.1 MPa under argon and air atmospheres. Thermophysical properties relevant to cellulose dissolution were measured at 363.15 K and 0.1 MPa under argon (surface tension, γ, contact angle, θ), and air (diffusivities, D and bulk density, ρ) atmospheres to reveal the effect of the IL counter ions on the involved interactions with water. In general, water increased γ, θ, but reduced D, which supports experimental observations indicating the detrimental effect of water on IL-cellulose interactions. The [emim]+ cation (in [emim][OAc] and [emim][Cl]), produced a lower contact angle with cellulose while the interfacial properties (γ, θ, D) for ILs with the [OAc]− anion were marginally affected by water. By contrast, the two ILs carrying [Cl]− anions exhibited a significant reduction in D (from 11.7·10-13\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\cdot {10}^{-13}$$\\end{document} to 2.9·10-13m2s-1\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\cdot {10}^{-13} {m}^{2}{s}^{-1}$$\\end{document}) in the cation shift from [emim]+ to [bmim]+ at 363.15 K and 0.1 MPa, with 0% water content. Overall, we present a methodical approach rooted in experimental and theoretical approaches to facilitate our understanding of ionic liquids (ILs), especially within the domain of bioprocessing.Graphical

Amazon Rainforest Hidden Volatiles-Part I: Unveiling New Compounds from Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen Essential Oil.

Motivated by the culinary and ethnopharmacological use of Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen, this study aimed to unveil new chemical compounds from its essential oil (EO). Acmella oleracea, known for its anesthetic and spicy properties, has been used in traditional medicine and cuisine, particularly in Northern Brazil. Through a detailed GC-MS analysis, 180 constituents were identified, including 12 tentatively identified long-chain α-keto esters of various acids. Additionally, 18 new esters were synthesized for structural verification. This research expands the known chemical diversity of A. oleracea EO, providing a basis for potential pharmacological applications. The identification of new natural products, including homologs and analogs of acmellonate, underscores the EO's rich chemical profile and its potential for novel bioproduct development.

The transcriptional regulation of a putative hemicellulose gene, PtrPARVUS2 in poplar

The plant cell wall serves as a critical interface between the plant and its environment, offering protection against various stresses and contributing to biomass production. Hemicellulose is one of the major components of the cell wall, and understanding the transcriptional regulation of its production is essential to fully understanding cell wall formation. This study explores the regulatory mechanisms underlying one of the genes involved in hemicellulose biosynthesis, PtrPARVUS2. Six transcription factors (TFs) were identified from a xylem-biased library to negatively regulate PtrPARVUS2 expression. These TFs, belonging to diverse TF families, were confirmed to bind to specific cis-elements in the PtrPARVUS2 promoter region, as validated by Yeast One-Hybrid (Y1H) assays, transient expression analysis, and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) assays. Furthermore, motif analysis identified putative cis-regulatory elements bound by these TFs, shedding light on the transcriptional regulation of SCW biosynthesis genes. Notably, several TFs targeted genes encoding uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferases (UGTs), crucial enzymes involved in hemicellulose glycosylation. Phylogenetic analysis of UGTs regulated by these TFs highlighted their diverse roles in modulating hemicellulose synthesis. Overall, this study identifies a set of TFs that regulate PARVUS2 in poplar, providing insights into the intricate coordination of TFs and PtrPARVUS2 in SCW formation. Understanding these regulatory mechanisms enhances our ability to engineer plant biomass for tailored applications, including biofuel production and bioproduct development.

Unveiling soil bacterial ecosystems in andean citrus orchards of Santander, Colombia

Citrus cultivation is vital to global agriculture, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the soil microbiome’s diversity for sustainable practices. This study provides initial insights into the bacteriome in citrus crops in Santander, Colombia, employing a holistic approach combining culture-based techniques, sequencing methods, and bioinformatics analyses. The study explores organic and non-organic cultivation systems, revealing statistically significant differences in bacterial community composition between both practices. In general, the communities are dominated by members of the Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria, along with bacterial orders Gaiellales and Burkholderiales, all contributing to intricate ecological processes. Culture-based methods aided in the isolation of potential biotechnologically relevant strains. Among them, strain CP102 showed a pronounced carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) degradation capacity. Genetic analysis of the isolate resulted in the generation of the first closed genome of a member of the species Enterobacter soli and identified an unreported 109 kb plasmid. Further genomic examination revealed genes potentially associated with cellulose degradation in this species, which provides the isolate with biotechnological potential. This research significantly advances the global understanding of citrus-associated bacteriomes, shaping future agricultural practices and promoting the development of sustainable bioproducts.

Environmental Sustainability and Physicochemical Property Screening of Chitin and Chitin-Glucan from 22 Fungal Species.

Thanks to its biobased character with embedded biogenic carbon, chitin can aid in the transition to a sustainable circular economy by replacing fossil carbon from the geosphere. However, meeting current demands for material availability and environmental sustainability requires alternative methods limiting conventional chemical and energy-consuming chitin extraction from crustaceans. To assist future chitinous bioproduct development, this work analyzes the physicochemical properties and potential environmental sustainability of fungal chitin-glucan complexes. A conventional isolation procedure using sodium hydroxide, a weak acid, and short reaction times are applied to the fruiting body of 22 fungal species. Besides, the valorization of underutilized waste streams including Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus brunnescens stipes is investigated. The carbohydrate analysis renders chitin fractions in the range of 9.5-63.5 wt %, while yields vary from 4.2 to 29.9%, and the N-acetylation degree in found in between 53.0 and 98.7%. The sustainability of the process is analyzed using life cycle assessment (LCA), providing impact quantification for global warming potential, terrestrial acidification, freshwater eutrophication, and water use. With 87.5-589.3 kg·CO2-equiv per kilo, potentially lower global warming potential values in comparison to crustacean chitin are achieved. The crystallinity degree ranged from 28 to 78%, while the apparent chitin crystalline size (L020) is between 2.3 and 5.4 nm. Ten of the species yield α-chitin coexisting with semicrystalline glucans. Zwitterionic properties are observed in aqueous solutions, shifting from cationic to anionic at pH 4.5. With its renewable carbon content, fungal chitin is an environmentally sustainable alternative for high-value applications due to its balance of minimal treatment, low carbon footprint, material renewability, ease of isolation, thermal stability, zwitterionic behavior, biodegradability, and noncytotoxicity.

Cell-Free Synthesis: Expediting Biomanufacturing of Chemical and Biological Molecules.

The increasing demand for sustainable alternatives underscores the critical need for a shift away from traditional hydrocarbon-dependent processes. In this landscape, biomanufacturing emerges as a compelling solution, offering a pathway to produce essential chemical materials with significantly reduced environmental impacts. By utilizing engineered microorganisms and biomass as raw materials, biomanufacturing seeks to achieve a carbon-neutral footprint, effectively counteracting the carbon dioxide emissions associated with fossil fuel use. The efficiency and specificity of biocatalysts further contribute to lowering energy consumption and enhancing the sustainability of the production process. Within this context, cell-free synthesis emerges as a promising approach to accelerate the shift towards biomanufacturing. Operating with cellular machinery in a controlled environment, cell-free synthesis offers multiple advantages: it enables the rapid evaluation of biosynthetic pathways and optimization of the conditions for the synthesis of specific chemicals. It also holds potential as an on-demand platform for the production of personalized and specialized products. This review explores recent progress in cell-free synthesis, highlighting its potential to expedite the transformation of chemical processes into more sustainable biomanufacturing practices. We discuss how cell-free techniques not only accelerate the development of new bioproducts but also broaden the horizons for sustainable chemical production. Additionally, we address the challenges of scaling these technologies for commercial use and ensuring their affordability, which are critical for cell-free systems to meet the future demands of industries and fully realize their potential.

Amazon potential: technological prospect on the use of acai oil (Euterpe oleracea) in the development of bioproducts in the last decade (2014-2023)

The acai oil, extracted from Euterpe oleracea, has a wide range of promising biological activities, being produced on a large scale in Brazil, mainly in the Amazon region. Studies highlight its health benefits, including antimicrobial activity, anticancer action, antiatherogenic, anti-hypercholesterolemic, anti-hypertriglyceridemic, anti-inflammatory, and antinociceptive. Acai berry oil also shows potential in technological production. This technological prospecting was carried out between 2014 and 2023 to identify patents related to its use. 15 patent registrations were found, with applications in various sectors such as food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics. Brazil's supremacy in this field, especially by higher education institutions, reflects the country's scientific and innovative potential, highlighting the fundamental role of universities and research centers in generating applied knowledge and in the search for sustainable solutions. It is essential to continue supporting and encouraging research and innovation, promoting strategic partnerships between academia, industry and government, so that the knowledge generated contributes effectively to social, economic and environmental progress, both in Brazil and globally.

Elucidation of Kinetic Studies in Biosurfactant Fermentative Production and Their Behaviour: A Mini Review

Bioprocess engineering, which include kinetic behaviour, is a fundamental form of developing effective product performance and functionality. Kinetic studies are one of the most important steps in any bioprocess and bioproduct development to elucidate the production phase and product behaviour. The lack of comprehensive understanding and limited knowledge of the kinetic behaviour of biosurfactant production, especially in the complex fermentation process involving microorganisms, substrate, and product formation, is major challenge and hinder the development of optimized biosurfactant in the industrial scale. Kinetic studies in the field of biosurfactants need to be emphasized to better understand the mechanisms of biosurfactant formation through biomass growth and substrate consumption. In this mini-review, various kinetic models used in biosurfactant work were critically discussed. The objective of this study is to analyze the kinetic studies of biomass growth, biosurfactant formation and substrate consumption focusing on the biosurfactant itself. This review revealed the various kinetic models used in fermentative biosurfactant production and how the different models were used and interpreted based on different substrates and biosurfactant-producing microorganisms. A key feature of this review is its focus on the biosurfactant, which provides valuable insights into the factors that maximize productivity and improve scale-up. Based on previous works, the logistic model is preferred to represent biomass growth, biosurfactant formation and substrate consumption due to its simplicity and rationale. Throughout this study, the kinetic profile of the biosurfactant able to be established and serve as a foundation for the prediction of the biosurfactant behaviour.

Disciplinary Competencies Overview of the First Cohorts of Undergraduate Students in the Biotechnology Engineering Program under the Tec 21 Model

In the current labor market, developing STEM skills in students is a priority for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The present research assesses the Competence Achievement Degree (CAD) of four disciplinary competencies in undergraduate Biotechnology Engineering students at a private university in Mexico. Descriptive statistics of CADs, considering sociodemographic and academic variables (age, gender, nationality, campus region, provenance, admission origin, and load), are presented. Data, filtered through Python, was statistically analyzed with Minitab software. The disciplinary competence of Innovation Management (BT4) was the strongest among undergraduate students in the 2019 and 2020 cohorts. Meanwhile, the other three competencies (BT1: Bioproduct Development, BT2: Bioreactor Design, and BT3: Bioprocess Design) had CADs above 90%. Although there was no statistical difference between the cohorts for BT1, the average CADs for both cohorts differed for BT4. The CADs differed from the Competence Average Grades (CAGs) for all competencies. However, the 2020 cohort showed the lowest correlation between CADs and CAGs and a few significant associations with the tested variables. These assessments will help to focus on the factors and key elements that influence CAD and subsequently establish and conduct appropriate actions to improve the quality of the academic program.

Suppression of Colletotrichum spp. on grape berries, vine leaves, and plants using Bacillus velezensis S26 endospores

Grape ripe rot and anthracnose are fungal diseases caused by Colletotrichum spp., which negatively impact viticulture. Disease management often involves the use of synthetic fungicides, whose toxicity poses risks to the environment and human health. As a result, biopesticides have been developed as an alternative approach for suppressing plant diseases in the field or postharvest. The present study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory potential of a bacterial inoculant containing endospores of Bacillus velezensis strain S26 against seven isolates of Colletotrichum spp. in grapevines (Vitis vinifera and V. labrusca). The bioassays were performed on grape berries, leaf discs, and micropropagated plants using both a fresh inoculant and an inoculant stored for six months at room temperature. The findings revealed that the biocontrol activity was more pronounced in fruit when compared to vine plants and leaves. Besides, the bacterial inoculant demonstrated a strain-dependent capacity to suppress the pathogen, with higher effectiveness observed in controlling the disease in V. vinifera compared to V. labrusca. Regarding the effect of storage on bacterial antagonism, the stored inoculant maintained its inhibitory ability against the pathogen. In summary, B. velezensis S26 demonstrates potential as a biocontrol agent against Colletotrichum spp. in grapevines, making it suitable for use in the development of bioproducts.