Centroid Mixture Design Research Articles

Optimization of novel sustainable Dictyota mertensii alginate films with beeswax using a simplex centroid mixture design

The environmental risks of synthetic polymers drive the need for innovative and sustainable film and packaging solutions. This study optimized the formulation of films composed of alginate derived from the brown seaweed Dictyota mertensii (ADM), glycerol, beeswax, and tween 80, aiming to improve their properties. A simplex-centroid blend design was employed to develop and optimize the composite films. The films were characterized based on their morphological properties, moisture content (MC), contact angle (CA), solubility (S), water vapor permeability (WVP), color parameters (L*, a*, and b*), opacity, tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EB), and elastic modulus (E). Contour surfaces were plotted from the studied variables, fourth-order polynomial models were predicted, the influence of the blend components was analyzed, and the response variables were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the F test with 95% confidence. The predicted conditions were experimentally validated. MC, WVP, solubility, opacity, a*, and b* were minimized, whereas CA, L*, TS, EB, and E were maximized, resulting in MC=6.85%, WVP=16.37 g.mm/h.kPa.m2, S=28.87%, CA=83.86°, Opacity=5.60 AU.nm.mm-1, L*=70.31, a*=4.79, b*=21.00, TS=11.76 MPa, EB=12.70%, and E=96.47 MPa. The overall desirability index was 0.70, resulting in an optimal biopolymer matrix of 75.00% ADM, 5.00% glycerol, 7.50% beeswax, and 12.50% Tween 80. The results highlight the potential of alginate films made from the brown seaweed Dictyota mertensii and the sustainable use of natural marine resources.

Optimization of Liquid-State Anaerobic Digestion by Defining the Optimal Composition of a Complex Mixture of Substrates Using a Simplex Centroid Design

This study aimed to define the optimal composition of three heterogeneous substrates of the anaerobic digestion process to maximize methane production. The investigated substrates were sewage sludge (SS), the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW), and horse waste (HW). The optimal composition of these substrates was defined using the mixture design and, more specifically, the simplex–centroid mixture design. Customized methods and materials were employed to study the complex mixture design of these substrates. The findings revealed that the optimal mixture involved all three substrates with the composition 0.17 HW, 0.66 SS, and 0.17 OFMSW, which demonstrated the highest methane yield at 269 NmL·gVS−1. In addition, a mathematical model was developed to predict methane production based on a specific composition of co-substrates. The results were validated at the small pilot scale.

Development and characterization of curcumin nanosuspension-embedded genipin-crosslinked chitosan/polyvinylpyrrolidone hydrogel patch for effective wound healing

This study investigated the development of a genipin-crosslinked chitosan (CS)-based polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) hydrogel containing curcumin nanosuspensions (Cur-NSs) to promote wound healing in an excisional wound model. Cur-NSs were prepared, and a simplex centroid mixture design was employed to optimize hydrogel properties for high water absorption, degree of crosslinking, and sufficient toughness. The in vivo wound healing effect was tested in Wistar rats. The optimized hydrogel consisted of a 70:30 ratio of CS:PVP, crosslinked with a 2 % w/w genipin solution. It exhibited high swelling capability (486 %) while maintaining solidity, robustness, and durability. Incorporating 5 % w/w Cur-NSs resulted in a more compact structure, although with a reduction in swelling properties. The release kinetics of Cur from the hydrogel followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas Fickian diffusion model. In vitro biocompatibility studies demonstrated that the hydrogel was non-toxic to skin fibroblast cells. The in vivo experiment revealed a desirable wound healing rate with over 80 % recovery by day 7. Cur-NSs likely aided wound healing by reducing the inflammatory response and stimulating fibroblast proliferation. Additionally, the CS-based hydrogel provided a moist wound environment with hydration and gas transfer, further accelerating wound closure. These findings suggest that the Cur-NS-embedded hydrogel shows promise as a wound dressing material.

Enhanced production of yellow fever virus through tailored culture media optimization

In the present study, an initial screening was conducted using 12 types of cell culture media, and four media with the best performance were selected for further study. The optimization of four media blend for YFV production was evaluated using an Augmented simplex centroid mixture design. Among all the different models that were investigated, the quadratic model was found to be the most appropriate model for exploring mixture design. It was found that M10 exhibited the greatest impact on YFV production, followed by M9, M4, and M1. The utilization of M1 and M4 media individually yielded higher compared to their blends with other media. The YFV titers were reduced when M1 media was combined with other media. The utilization of M9 and M10 media in combination resulted a higher viral yield compared to their respective concentrations. The optimal ratio for achieving a higher titer of YFV from primary CEFs was found to be approximately 38:62, with M9 and M10 being the most favorable media blend. The use of a media mixture led to a significant increase of virus titer up to 2.6 × 108 PFU/ml or 2 log titer yield, which is equivalent to 1.92 × 105 doses, without any changes to growth conditions or other process factors. This study concluded that the utilization of a mixture design could be efficiently employed to choose the optimal combination of media blends for enhanced viral production from cell culture.

Rice Husk, Brewer's Spent Grain, and Vine Shoot Trimmings as Raw Materials for Sustainable Enzyme Production.

Solid by-products with lignocellulosic structures are considered appropriate substrates for solid-state fermentation (SSF) to produce enzymes with diverse industrial applications. In this work, brewer's spent grain (BSG), rice husk (RH), and vine shoot trimmings (VSTs) were employed as substrates in SSF with Aspergillus niger CECT 2088 to produce cellulases, xylanases, and amylases. The addition of 2% (NH4)2SO4 and 1% K2HPO4 to by-products had a positive effect on enzyme production. Substrate particle size influenced enzyme activity and the overall highest activities were achieved at the largest particle size (10 mm) of BSG and RH and a size of 4 mm for VSTs. Optimal substrate composition was predicted using a simplex centroid mixture design. The highest activities were obtained using 100% BSG for β-glucosidase (363 U/g) and endo-1,4-β-glucanase (189 U/g), 87% BSG and 13% RH for xylanase (627 U/g), and 72% BSG and 28% RH for amylase (263 U/g). Besides the optimal values found, mixtures of BSG with RH or VSTs proved to be alternative substrates to BSG alone. These findings demonstrate that SSF bioprocessing of BSG individually or in mixtures with RH and VSTs is an efficient and sustainable strategy to produce enzymes of significant industrial interest within the circular economy guidelines.

Smart Pasta Design: Tailoring Formulations for Technological Excellence with Sprouted Quinoa and Kiwicha Grains.

The pursuit of developing healthier pasta products without compromising technological properties involves a strategic approach via the customization of raw material formulations and the integration of grain germination and extrusion processes. This study explores the impact of incorporating sprouts from quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) and kiwicha (Chenopodium pallidicaule Aellen) on the physicochemical properties of pasta by employing a centroid mixture design. The desirability function was utilized to identify the optimal ingredient proportions necessary to achieve specific objectives. The study identified optimal formulations for two pasta variations: pasta with the substitution of sprouted quinoa and cushuro powder (PQC), and pasta with partial substitution of sprouted kiwicha and cushuro powder (PKC). The optimal formulation for PKC was determined as 70% wheat flour (WF), 15% sprouted kiwicha flour (SKF), and 15% cushuro powder (CuP), with a desirability score of 0.68. Similarly, for PQC, the optimal formulation comprised 79% WF, 13% sprouted quinoa flour (SQF), and 8% CuP, with a desirability of 0.63. The optimized pasta formulation exhibited longer cooking times (10 and 8 min), increased weight gain (235% and 244%), and minimal loss of solids (1.4 and 1.2%) for PQC and PKC, respectively. Notably, firmness (2.8 and 2.6 N) and breaking strength values (2 and 2.7 N) for PQC and PKC pasta formulations, respectively, were comparable to those of the control sample (2.7 N and 2.6 N for firmness and fracturability, respectively). This research underscores the potential of tailored formulations and innovative processes to enhance the nutritional profile of pasta while maintaining key technological attributes.

Customizable Three-Dimensional Printed Earring Tap for Treating Affections Caused by Aesthetic Perforations.

This work aimed to develop a three-dimensional (3D) wearable drug-loaded earring tap to treat affections caused by aesthetic perforations. The initial phase involved a combination of polymers to prepare filaments for fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing using a centroid mixture design. Optimized filament compositions were used in the second phase to produce 3D printed earring taps containing the anti-inflammatory naringenin. Next, samples were assessed via physicochemical assays followed by in vitro skin permeation studies with porcine ear skin. Two filament compositions were selected for the study's second phase: one to accelerate drug release and another with slow drug dissolution. Both filaments demonstrated chemical compatibility and amorphous behavior. The use of the polymer blend to enhance printability has been confirmed by rheological analysis. The 3D devices facilitated naringenin skin penetration, improving drug recovery from the skin's most superficial layer (3D device A) or inner layers (3D device B). Furthermore, the devices significantly decreased transdermal drug delivery compared to the control containing the free drug. Thus, the resulting systems are promising for producing 3D printed earring taps with topical drug delivery and reinforcing the feasibility of patient-centered drug administration through wearable devices.

Utilization of Peach-palm waste for cost-effective amylase production by Trichoderma stromaticum: Stability and industrial potential

ABSTRACT Amylases are among the most important enzymes for biotechnological and industrial applications. The present work aimed to analyse the use of agro-industrial waste as a low-cost substrate to the obtention of the amylase by the fungus Trichoderma stromaticum AM7 (CCMB617P) under solid state fermentation (SSF). The fungus was able to produce amylase using solely peach palm waste as a substrate (29.2 U/gds), however when a simplex centroid mixture design was applied to optimise the composition of the nitrogen source, peptone, and ammonium phosphate (7:3 w/w) in a total of 1% were added and an increase of the 45% (42.4 U/gds) was observed in relation to the activity initially obtained. The physicochemical characterisation of amylase revealed the optimum activity at pH 4.0 and temperature 50 °C to 60 °C. The amylase retained around 90% of its activity in a pH range from 4.0 to 7.0 and a temperature 40 °C to 70 °C, and 60% in a range from 80 °C to 100 °C, for up to 1 h. Amylase showed an increase in its activity with Al2+, Ag2+, and Co2+, however, the Cu2+negatively influenced the enzymatic activity. The enzyme was stable in the presence of SDS and β-mercaptoethanol. The cost-effective enzyme extraction and stable amylase highlight its strong potential in industry applications, especially in food processes.

Optimization strategy for inulinase production by Aspergillus niger URM5741 and its biochemical characterization, kinetic/thermodynamic study, and application on inulin and sucrose hydrolysis.

Inulinases are enzymes of great interest in the food industry, especially due to their application in the synthesis of fructose and fructo-oligosaccharides. Moreover, some inulinases (I) also present invertase activity (S), making them useful for sucrose hydrolysis processes. In the present study, the production of inulinase by Aspergillus niger URM5741 was evaluated and optimized using two statistical approaches. First, the composition of the cultivation medium was determined through a simplex centroid mixture design, followed by the selection of optimal fermentation conditions using the Box-Behnken design. Based on these experimental designs, the maximum activities of inulinase (16.68 U mL-1) and invertase (27.80 U mL-1) were achieved using a mixture of wheat, soy, and oat brans (5g), along with 2.5% inulin and 40% moisture. The inulinase exhibited optimum temperature and pH of 60°C and 4.0, respectively, displayed a high affinity for both substrates, as evidenced by very-low Michaelis constant values (1.07-1.54mM). A relative thermostability was observed at 55-60°C as indicated by half-lives values (I: 169.06-137.27min; S: 173.29-141.52min) and D-values (I: 561.61-456.00min; S: 575.65-470.11min) which were further confirmed by the high activation energy (123.01 and 143.29kJmol-1). The enzyme demonstrated favorable results in terms of inulin and sucrose hydrolysis, being a maximum release of reducing sugars of 6.04 and 15.80g L-1, respectively. These results indicate that the sequential statistical approach proved to be beneficial to produce inulinase by A. niger URM5741, with the obtained enzyme considered promising for long-term industrial applications.

Digital twin of biomass/coal co-firing circulating fluidized bed boiler by using computational fluid dynamics simulation

Combining biomass fuel with coal in circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boilers is attractive as the increasing of energy demand. The characteristics of biomass/coal co-firing in the industrial boiler are then investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). In this study, fuels of interest are coal, wood chips, and bark. The fuel proportions were set for investigating their effects on the combustion using a simplex centroid mixture design. CFD simulations consist of a standard k-epsilon viscosity flow model, Euler multiphase fluid flow model, and a simplified biomass-char combustion reaction model. The predictive responses of the model are bed temperature, heat flux, and carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) mass flows. The simulation results showed that the operation with coal gave the highest temperature and heat flux, followed by wood chips and bark. On the other hand, the operation with biomass releases fewer gas emissions, CO2 and CO, than those of the operation with coal. The type and proportion of boiler fuel can be easily determined using two methods: predictive equation and ternary contour plot graph, which can be likened to the digital twin of biomass/coal co-firing boiler.

Combination of sweet orange, lentisk and lemon eucalyptus essential oils: Optimization of a new complete antimicrobial formulation using a mixture design methodology

Sweet orange (Citrus × sinensis (L.) Osbeck), lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus L.) and lemon eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora Hook) are medicinal plants known by its culinary virtues. Their volatile oils have demonstrated promising antimicrobial activity against a panel of microbial strains, including those implicated in food deterioration. In this exploratory investigation, we aimed to determine the antimicrobial formulation of sweet orange, lentisk and lemon eucalyptus essential oils (EOs) using the simplex–centroid mixture design approach coupled with a broth microdilution method. EOs were first extracted by hydrodistillation, and then their phytochemical profile was characterized using Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). GC-MS analysis identified d-limonene (14.27%), careen-3 (14.11%), β-myrcene (12.53%) as main components of lentisk EOs, while lemon eucalyptus was dominated by citronellal (39.40%), β-citronellol (16.39%) and 1,8-cineole (9.22%). For sweet orange EOs, d-limonene (87.22%) was the principal compound. The three EOs exhibited promising antimicrobial potential against various microorganisms. Lemon eucalyptus and sweet orange EO showed high activity against most tested microorganisms, while lentisk EO exerted important effect against some microbes but only moderate activity against others. The optimization formulations of antimicrobial potential showed interesting synergistic effects between three EOs. The best combinations predicted on C. albicans, S. aureus, E. coli, S. enterica and B. cereus correspond to 44%/55%/0%, 54%/16%/28%, 43%/22%/33%, 45%/17%/36% and 36%/30%/32% of Citrus sinensis, Pistacia lentiscus and Eucalyptus citriodora EOs, respectively. These findings suggest that the combination of EOs could be used as natural food preservatives and antimicrobial agents. However, further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms of action and efficacy of these EOs against different microorganisms.

Development and characterization of self-micro emulsifying drug delivery system of cilnidipine using simplex centroid mixture design

Objective: The main objective of the current research work was development and characterization of self-micro emulsifying drug delivery system of cilnidipine which is poorly water soluble drug. The improved solubility could offer improved dissolution as well as oral bioavailability. Method: Component excipients were selected based on the preliminary studies, capryol 90 and triacetin (1:1) selected as an oil, tween 80 selected as surfactant, transcutol p selected as co-surfactant based on the maximum solubility and better emulsification efficiency. The ternary phase diagram was constructed to identify the optimum composition of the formulation. Simplex centroid mixture design was applied for selection of optimized batch of SMEDDS. Capryol 90 and triacetin, tween 80 and transcutol p were taken as an independent variables X1, X2 & X3 respectively, while emulsification time (Y1) and % drug release at 2 minute (Y2) were taken as dependent variables. Optimized SMEDDS was evaluated based on % transmittance, emulsification time, globule size, PDI, % drug release, and cloud point. After that, SMEDDS were filled in capsule and short term stability study was done and SMEDDS compared with pure drug for dissolution profile. Result and discussion: Optimized batch containing capryol 90 and triacetin (1:1), tween 80 and transcutol p at a concentration of 10%, 67% and 23% respectively. The solubility of cilnidipine is increased by using capryol 90 and triacetin (1:1) as an oily phase. All the evaluation parameters of the optimized SMEDDS were met the acceptance criteria. Optimized batch of SMEDDS showed > 90% drug release within 2 minutes. Dissolution was improved as compared to the pure drug. Conclusion: A self-micro emulsifying drug delivery system of cilnidipine was developed successfully. Present work demonstrated for improving the dissolution of cilnidipine. This may lead to improved oral bioavailability of cilnidipine for the treatment of hypertension.

Implementation of Design of Experiment (DoE) for process development and optimization of biosimilars

Selection of a suitable basal media, feed, feeding strategy and glycan structures has a pivotal role during the process development and optimization of monoclonal antibodies. Instead of using one-factor-at-time approach or classical approach for media and feed selection, a DoE approach was implemented. A Simplex centroid mixture design was applied to identify the suitable media/media combinations by evaluating cell growth and productivity followed by a full factorial design for screening of the best suitable feed that enhanced the productivity. Optimization of the process was performed using Response surface methodology with central composite design to determine the optimum interaction between the selected media and feeds. Statistically designed experiments were performed to determine the factors influencing glycan. Uridine, MnCl2 and galactose were added as per the factorial design for evaluating their effect on modulating glycosylation. Prediction of the best combination was made with the maximum response titer by Design-Expert software 12.0. A threefold increase in titer (1909 mg/L) and significant improvement in glycosylation were obtained by statistical approach.

Analysis of Antioxidant Constituents of Filtering Infusions from Oak (Quercus sideroxyla Bonpl. and Quercus eduardii Trel.) and Yerbaniz (Tagetes lucida (Sweet) Voss) as Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors.

The antioxidant constituents of ancestral products with ethnobotanical backgrounds are candidates for the study of filtering infusions to aid in pharmacotherapies focused on the treatment of depression and anxiety. Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) is an enzyme that regulates the metabolic breakdown of serotonin and noradrenaline in the nervous system. The goal of this study was to evaluate in vitro and in silico the effect of antioxidant constituents of filtering infusions from yerbaniz (Tagetes lucida (Sweet) Voss) and oak (Quercus sideroxyla Bonpl. and Quercus eduardii Trel.) as monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Materials were dried, ground, and mixed according to a simplex-centroid mixture design for obtaining infusions. Differential analysis of the phenolic constituent's ratio in the different infusions indicates that among the main compounds contributing to MAO-A inhibition are the gallic, chlorogenic, quinic, and shikimic acids, quercetin glucuronide and some glycosylated derivatives of ellagic acid and ellagic acid methyl ether. Infusions of Q. sideroxyla Bonpl. leaves, because of their content (99.45 ± 5.17 µg/mg) and synergy between these constituents for MAO-A inhibition (52.82 ± 3.20%), have the potential to treat depression and anxiety. Therefore, future studies with pharmacological approaches are needed to validate them as therapeutic agents with applications in mental health care.

Extraction of Isoflavones, Alpha-Hydroxy Acids, and Allantoin from Soybean Leaves-Optimization by a Mixture Design of the Experimental Method.

Soybeans are commonly known as a valuable source of biologically active compounds including isoflavones as well as allantoin and alpha-hydroxy acids. Since these compounds exhibit skin therapeutic effects, they are widely used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The presented paper shows the optimization of three solvent systems (ethanol, water, and 1,3-propanediol) to increase the extraction efficiency of isoflavones (daidzin, genistin, 6″-O-malonyldaidzin, 6″-O-malonylglycitin, 6″-O-malonylgenistin), allantoin, and alpha-hydroxy acids (citric acid, malic acid) from soybean leaves. A simplex centroid mixture design for three solvents with interior points was applied for the experimental plan creation. Based on the obtained results of metabolite extraction yield in relation to solvent composition, polynomial regression models were developed. All models were significant, with predicted R-squared values between 0.77 and 0.99, while in all cases the model's lack of fit was not significant. The optimal mixture composition enabling the maximization of extraction efficiency was as follows: 32.9% ethanol, 53.9% water, and 13.3% propanediol (v/v/v). Such a mixture composition provided the extraction of 99%, 91%, 100%, 92%, 99%, 70%, 92%, and 69% of daidzin, genistin, 6″-O-malonyldaidzin, 6″-O-malonylglycitin, 6″-O-malonylgenistin, allantoin, citric acid, and malic acid, respectively. The solvent mixture composition developed provides a good extraction efficiency of the metabolites from soybean leaves and high antioxidant properties.

A design-of-experiment approach for obtaining Symphytum officinale L. extracts for cosmetic purposes

Promotion of wound or bone healing and reduction of inflammation are commonly known therapeutic qualities of comfrey (Symphytum officinale). Given the presence of active constituents, including allantoin and phenolics, comfrey is widely used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The aim of this study was to optimize a three-solvent system (water, ethanol, 1,3-propanediol) to maximize the extraction efficiency of allantoin, rosmarinic acid, rabdosiin, and globoidnan A in accordance with the approach of the simplex centroid mixture design. Polynomial regression models of the mixture composition showed the impact of the extracts on cytotoxicity, metalloproteinase inhibition activity, and antioxidant properties response. Additionally, the physical properties, including surface tension and contact angle of the mixture composition, were measured. Based on the maximization of the extraction efficiency of all compounds, an optimum solvent composition was determined as 30.9% of water, 39.2% of ethanol, and 29.9% of propanediol. Such a mixture allowed extraction of 93.6%, 96.8%, 77.0%, and 97.2% of the total amount of allantoin, rosmarinic acid, rabdosiin, and globoidnan A, respectively. The optimal mixture composition for extraction of the compounds was not correlated with inhibition of metalloproteinase activity and cell viability, while a strong positive relationship with antioxidant properties was observed. The optimized solvent composition ensured good extraction efficiency, and the extract had high antioxidant properties. In the near future, in vivo studies with instrumental methods should be conducted to evaluate the practical application of the extracts in the cosmetic industry.

Development of Persian gum-based microcapsules to speed up the release of cinnamon essential oil in the simulated saliva conditions

In this study, spray-drying technique was used to develop Persian gum-based microcapsules having cinnamon essential oil (CEO) where, using a simple centroid mixture design, the proportion of maltodextrin to Persian gum was optimized. The response factors which were optimized included powder recovery, encapsulation efficiency, and the release of CEO. Based on the formulation optimization, 8.25% maltodextrin and 1.74% Persian gum were required to achieve the optimum microcapsules having the highest powder recovery, encapsulation efficiency and CEO release. The evaluation of the optimum microcapsules was carried out based on particle size, moisture content, solubility, in vitro release, antioxidant activity, Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and chemical compositions through Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Physical interaction between CEO and the wall materials was proved by the results of FTIR. Enhanced water solubility of the CEO and guarding impact on antioxidant activity were observed in the optimum microcapsules. The pattern of the release of encapsulated CEO from simulated saliva is best described as the Fickian diffusion mechanism where immediate release (80%) of the encapsulated CEO was observed. Based on the findings of this study, efficient and novel carriers for the encapsulation of essential oils could be developed through Persian gum microcapsules.

Optimization of Wall Material of Freeze-Dried High-Bioactive Microcapsules with Yellow Onion Rejects Using Simplex Centroid Mixture Design Approach Based on Whey Protein Isolate, Pectin, and Sodium Caseinate as Incorporated Variables.

For the food sector, onion rejects are an appealing source of value-added byproducts. Bioactive compounds were recovered from yellow onion rejects using a pulse electric field process at 6000 v and 60 pulses. The onion extract was encapsulated with whey protein isolate (WPI), pectin (P), and sodium caseinate (SC) with a mass ratio of 1:5 (extract/wall material, w/w). A Simplex lattice with augmented axial points in the mixture design was applied for the optimization of wall material for the encapsulation of onion reject extract by freeze-drying (FD). The optimal wall materials were 47.6 g/100 g (SC), 10.0 g/100 g (P), and 42.4 g/100 g (WPI), with encapsulation yield (EY) of 85.1%, total phenolic content (TPC) of 48.7 mg gallic acid equivalent/g DW, total flavonoid content (TFC) of 92.0 mg quercetin equivalent/g DW, and DPPH capacity of 76.1%, respectively. The morphological properties of the optimal encapsulate demonstrated spherical particles with a rough surface. At optimal conditions, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract (mean diameter of inhibition zone: 18.8 mm) was shown as antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger.

An Optimization of Oregano, Thyme, and Lemongrass Essential Oil Blend to Simultaneous Inactivation of Relevant Foodborne Pathogens by Simplex-Centroid Mixture Design.

(1) Background: This study aimed to use the simplex-centroid mixture design methodology coupled with a microdilution assay to predict optimal essential oil (EO) formulations against three potential foodborne pathogens simultaneously through the desirability (D) function. (2) Methods: Oregano (ORE; Origanum vulgare), thyme (THY; Thymus vulgaris), and lemongrass (LG; Cymbopogon citratus) and their blends were evaluated concerning minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. (3) Results: THY combined with ORE or LG were the most promising EO formulations in inhibiting and killing each bacterium separately. Regarding the simultaneous effect, the optimal proportion for maximum inhibition was composed of 75% ORE, 15% THY, and 10% LG, while for maximum inactivation was 50% ORE, 40% THY, and 10% LG. (4) Conclusion: The multiresponse optimization allowed identifying an EO blend to simultaneously control three potential foodborne pathogens. This first report could be a helpful natural and green alternative for the industry to produce safer food products and mitigate public health risks.

Andean Sprouted Pseudocereals to Produce Healthier Extrudates: Impact in Nutritional and Physicochemical Properties

The tailored formulation of raw materials and the combination of grain germination and extrusion processes could be a promising strategy to achieve the desired goal of developing healthier expanded extrudates without compromising sensory properties. In this study, modifications in the nutritional, bioactive profile and physicochemical properties of corn extrudates as influenced by the complete or partial replacement by sprouted quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) and cañihua (Chenopodium pallidicaule Aellen) were investigated. A simplex centroid mixture design was used to study the effects of formulation on nutritional and physicochemical properties of extrudates, and a desirability function was applied to identify the optimal ingredient ratio in flour blends to achieve desired nutritional, texture and color goals. Partial incorporation of sprouted quinoa flour (SQF) and cañihua flour (SCF) in corn grits (CG)-based extrudates increased phytic acid (PA), total soluble phenolic compounds (TSPC), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and oxygen radical antioxidant activity (ORAC) of the extrudates. Sprouted grain flour usually results in an deleterious effect physicochemical properties of extrudates, but the partial mixture of CG with SQF and SCF circumvented the negative effect of germinated flours, improving technological properties, favoring the expansion index and bulk density and increasing water solubility. Two optimal formulations were identified: 0% CG, 14% SQF and 86% SCF (OPM1) and 24% CG, 17% SQF and 59% SCF (OPM2). The optimized extrudates showed a reduced amount of starch and remarkably higher content of total dietary fiber, protein, lipids, ash, PA, TSPC, GABA and ORAC as compared to those in 100% CG extrudates. During digestion, PA, TSPC, GABA and ORAC showed good stability in physiological conditions. Higher antioxidant activity and amounts of bioaccessible TSPC and GABA were found in OPM1 and OPM2 digestates as compared to those in 100% CG extrudates.