Starch Production Research Articles

Exogenous Riboflavin Application at Different Growth Stages Regulates Photosynthetic Accumulation and Grain Yield in Fragrant Rice

Fragrant rice has high market value and is popular among consumers because of its pleasant fragrance. Plant growth regulators and trace elements can influence the yield and physiological indices of fragrant rice. Riboflavin, a vital component of plant vitamins, plays a crucial role in plant growth and development, and it is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for sustaining normal photosynthesis and metabolic processes. However, the effects of riboflavin on nutrient accumulation and yield formation in fragrant rice have rarely been reported. Therefore, to further increase the yield and quality of fragrant rice, this study investigated the impact of the foliar application of riboflavin at different growth stages on nutrient accumulation and yield formation in two different genotypes of fragrant rice via a pot experiment. The experimental design consisted of three treatment groups, i.e., the T0 treatment group (control), which was sprayed with water; the T1 treatment group, which was sprayed at the booting stage; and the T2 treatment group, which was sprayed at the flowering stage; in all of these groups, 20 mg·L−1 riboflavin solution was used. The results revealed that the yields of the T1 and T2 treatments increased by 6.56–7.25% and 10.52–13.80%, respectively, compared with those of T0, which was attributed mainly to the increase in 1000-grain weight and grain filling. Furthermore, foliar spraying of riboflavin significantly increased the chlorophyll content, which resulted in the increased production of more total starch, soluble sugars, and sucrose and facilitated their transportation to the seeds. Moreover, applying riboflavin directly to the leaves increased the activity levels of the sucrose synthase (SS) and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) enzymes. Among the three treatments, the T2 treatment had the most pronounced effect. The results revealed that the foliar application of riboflavin could increase photosynthesis and promote the production of nonstructural carbohydrates, thereby increasing the total aboveground biomass of fragrant rice by 17.00–20.91% and 21.07–72.91% under the T1 and T2 treatments, respectively. Additionally, spraying riboflavin promoted rapid increases in the weight of fragrant rice seeds. In conclusion, foliar spraying of riboflavin during the flowering stage of aromatic rice can effectively enhance photosynthetic accumulation and yield, which is a promising physiological regulation strategy and provides new theoretical guidance for high-yield cultivation practices.

Assessing management factors limiting yield and starch content of cassava in the western Brazilian Cerrado

AbstractCassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) was declared the “crop of the 21st century” by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations due to its high starch content and low input requirements. The management factors that govern yields and starch content in cassava in Brazil are still unclear. The aim of this study was to identify the main factors that limit the yield and starch content of cassava fields in Brazilian Cerrado. The data were collected as part of a survey covering 300 cassava fields in two growing seasons (2020–2021 and 2021–2022). Throughout the development cycle, management practices, yield, and percentage starch content in the roots were described. The database was divided into high and low yield tertiles. Mean comparison tests, regression tree analyses, and boundary functions were applied. The importance of genetics, environment, and associated crop constraints on cassava production (yields and starch content) was assessed. The yield gap in cassava was 44.6 Mg ha−1. The most important factors leading to yield and starch losses were variety, planting date, and potassium fertilization. By adapting optimal practices, it is possible to produce an additional 1.5 million tons of cassava on the current cultivation area in the western Brazilian Cerrado, which corresponds to 8.3% of total production in Brazil and could increase the production of cassava starch by more than 400,000 Mg.

Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and carcinogenic risk assessment in street-barbecued foods in China

Street-barbecued foods, despite their popularity, produce carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo[a]anthracene (BaA), chrysene (Chr), benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) due to incomplete charcoal combustion, direct food-fuel contact, and excessive heating. This study analyzed barbecued foods from high-traffic street vendors using high-performance liquid chromatography. Among five food categories (meat, vegetable, aquatic, starch, and soy products), eight foods exceeded China’s BaP limit (5 µg/kg) and twelve exceeded the EU limit (2 µg/kg). The highest BaP and PAH4 levels were found in barbecued beef and pork belly, respectively. Chr levels were notably high due to open flame exposure. Health risk assessments indicated fourteen foods posed elevated carcinogenic risks. This study highlights the necessity of consumption control to mitigate these risks and provides evidence for improving street food safety and dietary security.

Major Insect Pests of Sweet Potatoes in Brazil and the United States, with Information on Crop Production and Regulatory Pest Management.

The sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] is considered one of the most important crops in the world as food, fodder, and raw material for starch and alcohol production. Sweet potato consumption and demand for its value-added products have increased significantly over the past two decades, leading to new cultivars, expansion in acreage, and increased demand in the United States and its export markets. Due to its health benefits, sweet potato production has multiplied over the past decade in Brazil, promoting food security and economic development in rural areas. Their adaptability and nutritional value make them a food of great importance for Brazil. As pest attacks and disease infection are the main limiting aspects that often cause yield loss and quality degradation in sweet potatoes, there is a great demand to develop effective defense strategies to maintain productivity. There is a critical need for research into non-pesticide control approaches that can provide safe, cost-effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly pest and disease management techniques. Pests which feed on roots have trade implications worldwide. For example, sweet potato tuber shipments infested with the sweet potato weevil are generally not allowed for trade in North and South America.

Rapid preparation of anti-retrogradation starch by choline chloride based deep eutectic solvents: A comparative study

Legumes are a widespread and cheap source of starch. However, legume starches are prone to retrogradation in applications. Therefore, enhancing the resistance to retrogradation is important to ensure the quality of starch products. In this study, the effects of amines, alcohols, and carboxylic acids deep eutectic solvents (DESs) on the retrogradation properties of pea starch (PS) were investigated. The results showed that the starches treated with carboxylic acid DESs for only 30 min exhibited low paste viscosity, high paste clarity and anti-retrogradation. The carboxylic acid DESs treatment resulted in holes or cracks appearing on the starch surface, a decrease in molecular ordering, relative crystallinity, and amylose content. The thermal enthalpy of starch as well as the pasting viscosity were substantially reduced after the treatment. The paste clarity and the resistance to retrogradation were significantly improved. Conversely, the structure, pasting and retrogradation properties of starch treated with amine and alcohol DESs exhibited only slight differences compared to PS. The carboxylic acid DESs took a short time for the starch modification, and the modified starch paste with low viscosity, high clarity, and resistance to retrogradation. The study could provide an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective method for the preparation of starch with well anti-retrogradation properties.

Selectivity of pre-emergent herbicides in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and its relationship with the stem cutting planting system

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz, Euphorbiaceae), an important source of food for millions of people in the world, is distributed mainly in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Weeds are important biotic constraints on cassava production, and herbicide application can provide effective weed control in this crop. However, the different possibilities of herbicide selectivity (factors associated and not associated with the plants) must be studied before implementation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the combination of different pre-emergence herbicides and two stem cutting planting systems (vertical and horizontal) on phytotoxicity and several agronomic traits of the cassava crop. The experiment was conducted through a factorial arrangement in a completely random design in Corrientes, Argentina. The factors studied were planting systems (horizontal and vertical position), weed control methods (hoeing or application of diuron, S-metolachlor, pendimethalin or clomazone, 625; 1920; 900 and 1000 g a.i. ha−1, respectively), and cropping seasons (2018–2019 and 2019–2020). The following variables were measured: phytotoxicity, plant height, relative plant stand, total weight of tuberous roots per plant, starch concentration of tuberous roots, and starch production per ha. The highest precipitations occurred in the 2018–2019 cropping season. The vertical planting system in combination with herbicides showed lower phytotoxicity values and higher values of plant height, starch concentration, and starch production per ha than the horizontal planting system. The highest phytotoxicity values were recorded with the application of diuron combined with the horizontal planting system and in the 2018–2019 season, with a 33.33% decrease in relative plant stand compared to the use of hoeing. Starch concentration remained unchanged with the use of clomazone and pendimethalin, whereas the effect of these herbicides on starch production varied with the cropping season, decreasing only in 2019–2020. Starch production was significantly lower with the use of S-metolachlor (up to 55.29% in 2018–2019) and of diuron (up to 60.57% in 2019–2020) than with the use of hoeing. In conclusion, phytotoxicity values were higher for the horizontal planting system than for the vertical system. The herbicide with the highest phytotoxic effect on the cassava crop was diuron; the effect increased when combined with the horizontal planting system in the cropping season with higher rainfall. This work provides the basis for integrated weed management concerning the use of herbicides and their selectivity according to planting systems for cassava crops.

Bioplastic films from starch of Colocasia esculenta and its waste: A smart template for sensing applications

The over usage plastics have possessed serious threat to the ecological system. Thus progressive advancement in fabricating biodegradable and renewable bioplastics is persuasively required to furnish an effective alternative to non-biodegradable plastics. In this view, the current work highlights the production of starch based bioplastic films using waste Colocasia esculenta (taro herb) as a viable starting precursor. The functional ability of developed taro starch based film was further modified by incorporating carbon dots (CQDs) fillers generated from the waste slurry produced during starch extraction from taro herbs. The optimization of films production was achieved by varying the CQDs amount (0.4 %, 0.8 %, 2 % and 4 % w/w) on taro-based films using casting technology. The data illustrates that the addition of CQDs has the ability to enhance the fluorescence property, mechanical properties (Tensile Strength 0.332–4.635 MPa, Elongation at break 42.45–547.63 %) and water resistance ability of films (Moisture content 15–6.4 %, Water Solubility 50–30 % Water Vapour Transmission Rate 2.0012–1.0054 g−2 h−1 and Water Contact Angle 40.6–89.6°). The developed films are found to be thermally stable. The formed films possessed anti-oxidative abilities which safeguard the film from oxidative attacks and ultimately protect the film from the external environment. The fluorescence nanosensor probe has further been developed by utilizing CQDs embedded in a starch-based bioplastic nanocomposite. The developed sensor displayed selective sensing ability towards Fe2+ ion with high sensitivity and accuracy in aqueous medium. Thus, the proposed sensor in this work offers a portable, efficient, low-cost, disposable, non-lethal, and eco-friendly nanosensor for on-site monitoring of metal ion for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. This is one of the primary reports where metal ions sensing is reported for Taro@CQDs nanocomposites based films. Our outcomes of this work hold significant relevance to providing a smart sensory and biodegradable probe for metal ion sensing by using waste resources, thus offering a better and sustainable alternative for environmental remediation applications.

Dynamic/static pressure-induced copolymerization and property changes of lotus seed starch with chlorogenic acid

Pressure promotes the formation of starch-polyphenol complexes, but their classification and properties are still unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of dynamic high-pressure homogenization (10–50 MPa) and static hydrostatic pressure (100–500 MPa) on the copolymerization behavior and properties of lotus seed starch (LS)–endogenous polyphenol chlorogenic acid (CA) complexes. The results showed that both pressures induced LS–CA to form stable inclusion-type complexes and easily destructible noninclusion-type complexes. Increased pressure promoted the formation of inclusion-type complexes, with dynamic pressure having a particularly strong effect. However, noninclusion-type complexes began breaking down at 20 MPa under dynamic pressure and 300 MPa under static pressure. Inclusion-type complexes primarily improve starch ordering, and noninclusion-type complexes enhance water holding capacity, but excessive proportions of either type affect pasting performance. These findings offer insights into transforming specific starch structures through small molecular components and provide a theoretical basis for controlling functional starch product processing.

Improving the technology for manufacturing food additives, starches and starch products using infrared radiation

The paper considers the problems of physical modification of starch products and other food ingredients. The main trends and directions of innovative activity characteristic of the ingredient market have been described. As a result of the experiments, a method for modifying starches, starch products and complex food additives has been developed to improve their microbiological, physicochemical and organoleptic characteristics. It has been proven that when exposed to infrared radiation with a wavelength of 7–10 microns on a layer of a product 1 cm thick for 1 minute, the number of mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms in such a product is reduced to zero. At the same time, the mass fraction of reducing substances as a result of such treatment more than doubles, which indicates the occurrence of the dextrinization process. It is possible to process both starch products that act as carriers in complex mixtures and ready-made additives after completion of the mixing process. The mass fraction of moisture during infrared processing decreases by less than 1 % for maltodextrins and by less than 2 % for complex food additives, which characterizes the resulting technological losses as acceptable. Changing the granulometric composition of complex additives under the influence of infrared radiation improves the flowability of the product, increases the uniformity of distribution of flavoring substances over the surface of the carrier, which in turn makes it possible to reduce the dosage of complex additives in the manufacture of meat and confectionery products. Based on the results obtained, technological diagrams have been developed and described showing the production process step by step, indicating all significant parameters.

Effects of phosphorylation-modified long-chain inulin on wheat starch: Physicochemical properties and retrogradation behaviors

In this research, modification of long-chain inulin (FXL) through phosphorylation (PFXL) to enhance its application in wheat starch (WS) and starch-based products. The impacts of PFXL on the pasting, rheology, microstructure, and retrogradation characteristics of WS were researched. The findings revealed that PFXL significantly reduced both the breakdown and setback values of WS. Additionally, the incorporation of PFXL reduced the viscoelasticity of WS paste and improved its fluidity. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that higher PFXL levels (>5 %) produced small fragments that partially covered the three-dimensional honeycomb structure of WS paste, thereby reducing water loss during short-term storage. PFXL also altered water distribution in WS gels, depending on concentration and storage duration. X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy suggested that PFXL effectively inhibited amylopectin recrystallization. Compared to FXL, PFXL exhibited a more pronounced ability to inhibit the aging of WS in short- and long-term storage.

A comparison of the physicochemical properties, digestibility, and expression patterns of starch-related genes of two supersweet corn hybrids (F1) and their parents

The quality difference of corn largely depends on parental selection. Herein, the structure, digestive characteristics, and expression patterns of starch-related genes of two supersweet maize hybrids and their parents were studied. The structural analysis revealed that the starch of supersweet corn is round or oval, and the particles are smaller compared to those of normal corn. Hybridization changed the grain morphology, crystal, and helical structure of starch. Parents had a significantly different influence on supersweet corn. Notably, hybridization improved the setback value and digestibility of Shantian1500F1 and Shantian2000F1 compared to that of the parents. ZmBEI, ZmPHOH, and ZmAGPL2 genes had a consistent high expression throughout the whole grain formation phase. The results of this study expand our understanding of the breeding of supersweet corn hybrids and the effect of parents on the new strand. These results provide a useful reference for further breeding and studies of supersweet corn for starch production in corn.

Different organic composts application in dryland Mollisol:Residual effect and soil CO2 emission.

Organic compost application plays an important role in improving the fertility of Mollisol. However, the effects of different organic composts on carbon sequestration varies greatly and its internal mechanism are unclear. We conducted a field experiment to explore the residual proportion of different organic composts and their effects on carbon emissions in dryland Mollisol in Northeast China. There were a total of seven treatments, including chemical fertilizer control (SNF), organic composts from cattle excreta (CRH), sheep excreta (SHP), chicken excreta (CKN), residue after corn starch production (BCS), residue with crop straws (HRS) and mushroom residue (WMC). We monitored annual soil CO2 flux by static chamber method, as well as the changes of environmental factors and soil dissolved carbon and nitrogen. The regulatory mechanism of organic component characteristics on carbon residual porprotion of organic composts were examined by neural network analysis. The results showed that compared with the SNF treatment, soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and extractable organic nitrogen increased by 26.3%-103.5% and 21.4%-150.0%, respectively. The aromaticity of soil DOC was significantly reduced. Heterotrophic respiration flux was mainly affected by soil temperature and DOC content, while its temperature sensitivity was significantly reduced in the CKN treatment. Annual accumulation of heterotrophic respiration increased from 203 g·C·m-2 of the control to 234-334 g·C·m-2 under treatments with organic composts applications, with the CKN and HRS treatments showing the strongest impact. The annual carbon residual proportion of different organic composts in Mollisol was in an order of CRH (91.2%)> WMC (82.9%)> BCS (82.6%)> SHP (78.1%)> CKN (70.2%)> HRS (69.3%). Hemicellulose content and C/N of organic composts were the key factors, which explained 58.8% and 32.9% of the total variations of carbon residual proportion. Organic compost from cattle excreta had higher residual proportion due to lower C/N, hemicellulose content and soluble polyphenol content, and thus did not significantly affect Mollisol heterotrophic respiration. Therefore, the application of organic compost from cattle excreta was more efficient to improve organic carbon in dryland Mollisol.

Enzymatic Hydrolysis as an Effective Method for Obtaining Wheat Gluten Hydrolysates Combining Beneficial Functional Properties with Health-Promoting Potential.

The byproduct from wheat starch production contains approximately 70% gluten (WG) and is an inexpensive but demanding protein raw material for the food industry. This study attempted to determine the optimal hydrolysis conditions for such raw material to obtain peptides combining beneficial functional characteristics with health-promoting activity. The proteases Bromelain, Alcalase, Flavourzyme, and a protease from A. saitoi were used for hydrolysis. It was shown that the tested proteases differ both in terms of the effective hydrolysis conditions of gluten and the profile of the released hydrolysates. Bromelain was particularly effective in converting gluten into peptides, combining beneficial health and functional properties. It achieved maximum activity (189 U/g) against WG at pH 6 and 60 °C, and the best-balanced peptides in terms of desired properties were released at a dose of 2.5 U/g. These peptides were free from most allergenic epitopes, effectively inhibited ACE, and, at 0.34 g, were equivalent to the approved dose of BHT. Their emulsifying activity was higher than that of gluten, and the foaming formation and stabilization potential exceeded that of ovalbumin by 10% and 19%, respectively. It seems that Bromelain-released WG hydrolysates are a promising candidate for a safe fat stabilizer and egg white substitute.

Electrification of Oxidized Starch Production – Influence on Product Quality

AbstractIndustrial starch oxidations are commonly carried out using sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). Electrification of this process via continuous generation of NaOCl from sodium chloride (NaCl) in situ has the potential to substantially lower the environmental impact thereof, as brine waste streams are reduced, while occupational health and safety risks associated with the use of NaOCl, such as during transport, handling, and storage, can also be minimized. In the present study, the influence of continuous electrochemical generation of NaOCl from NaCl on the quality of the starch oxidation process is evaluated based on measurements of oxidized starch carboxylate contents (DSCO2H), molecular weights (Mws), and pasting characteristics in comparison to those of commercially available reference oxidized starches produced by oxidation with NaOCl in batch suspension processes. Recycling of the NaCl solution and how this affects the quality of the oxidized starch products is also investigated. By successfully preparing oxidized granular starches almost identical to the reference starches, the results show that it is feasible to electrify the oxidation process and that the original NaCl chloride solution can be recycled at least four times for in situ electrochemical generation of NaOCl.

Effect of Solid-State Fermentation of Hericium erinaceus on the Structure and Physicochemical Properties of Soluble Dietary Fiber from Corn Husk.

Corn husk, a by-product of corn starch production and processing, contains high-quality dietary fiber (DF). Our study compares and analyzes the impact of Hericium erinaceus solid-state fermentation (SSF) on the structure and physicochemical characteristics of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) of corn husks. The study also investigates the kinetics of SSF of H. erinaceus in this process. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) results revealed significant structural changes in corn husk SDF before and after fermentation, with a significant elevation in the functional group numbers. The data indicate that the fermented corn husk SDF's water-holding, swelling, and oil-holding capacities increased to 1.57, 1.95, and 1.80 times those of the pre-fermentation SDF, respectively. Additionally, the results suggest that changes in extracellular enzyme activity and nutrient composition during SSF of H. erinaceus are closely associated with the mycelium growth stage, with a mutual promotion or inhibition relationship between the two. Our study offers a foundation for corn husk SDF fermentation and is relevant to the bioconversion of maize processing by-products.

Preparation of fern root resistant starch by pullulanase and glucoamylase combined with autoclaving-enzymatic method: physicochemical properties and structural characterization.

Fern root starch has a high percentage of amylose and has great potential for application in the field of slow-digesting foods. Clarifying the effect of treatment conditions on fern root starch is key to achieving industrialized production of fern root resistant starch. In the present study, fern root starch was treated by the autoclave-enzymatic method with pullulanase, glucoamylase and mixed enzyme. The content of resistant starch in fern roots treated with mixed enzyme was the highest (24.07 ± 1.11%), which was approximately 320% times that of the native starch, had the best water-holding capacity (151.08%), vital transparency and freeze-thaw stability. By contrast, the solubility, swelling and viscosity were lower than natural starch. In addition, mixed enzyme shows a denser structure, and the crystal form changes from C-type to V-type, with a high relative crystallinity and significantly enhanced thermal stability. After mixed enzyme combined with autoclave treatment, the content of resistant starch in fern root was greatly increased. The modified starch molecules did not produce new functional groups, which made the crystal structure of starch molecules more compact, and resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis and high temperature thermal stability were significantly enhanced. This provides a positive reference for further in-depth study of fern root starch, improvement of utilization value, development and innovation of new food health products, and diabetes treatment. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Isothermal retrogradation preparation of type III resistant starch from extruded-debranched starch: Structure and in vitro digestibility

The extrusion-debranching method is suitable for the industrial production of resistant starch (RS) with high thermal stability. In this study, corn starch treated with extrusion and pullulanase debranching was subjected to different temperatures for different days (1 d, 3 d, and 7 d) and was evaluated by analysing its digestion, crystallization and thermal characteristics. Although the generally accepted optimal retrogradation temperature of starch is 4 °C, it was observed that in vitro digestibility was most reduced by retrogradation at 45 °C, with an RS content of up to 60.19 % on day 7. Retrograding at 45 °C formed more perfect and dense crystals with a mass fractal (Dm) of up to 2.68 and C + V type crystalline pattern. The crystalline pattern of samples stored at 80 °C were A + V and the others were B + V. In addition, samples retrograded at lower temperature showed higher thermal stability. While an increase in storage time at a constant temperature can lead to a reduction in the in vitro digestibility of starch, this effect is not as pronounced as that of temperature.

Yam protein ameliorates cyclophosphamide-induced intestinal immunosuppression by regulating gut microbiota and its metabolites

Yam is a dual-purpose crop used in both medicine and food that is commonly used as a dietary supplement in food processing. Since yam proteins are often lost during the production of yam starch, elucidating the functionally active value of yam proteins is an important guideline for fully utilizing yam in industrial production processes. This study aimed to explore the potential protective effect of yam protein (YP) on cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppression in mice. The results showed that YP can reduce immune damage caused by CTX by reversing immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM), cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, etc.) in the intestines of mice. Moreover, YPs were found to prevent CTX-induced microbiota dysbiosis by enhancing the levels of beneficial bacteria within the microbiome, such as Lactobacillus, and lowering those of Desulfovibrio_R and Helicobacter_A. Metabolomics analyses showed that YP significantly altered differential metabolites (tryptophan, etc.) and metabolic pathways (ABC transporter protein, etc.) associated with immune responses in the gut. Furthermore, important connections were noted between particular microbiomes and metabolites, shedding light on the immunoprotective effects of YPs by regulating gut flora and metabolism. These findings deepen our understanding of the functional properties of YPs and lay a solid foundation for the utilization of yam.

Innovation in Cassava Bagasse Valorization: Efficiency of Convective Drying Enhanced with Ultrasound and Pulsed Electric Fields.

This research proposes an efficient alternative for dehydrating cassava bagasse to address the inherent challenges in the handling, transportation, storage, and preservation of this agro-industrial residue generated in cassava starch production plants. This residue is characterized by high moisture retention, considerable volume, and hydrophilic nature, complicating conventional drying methods. This study evaluates the impact of emerging ultrasound (US) and pulsed electric field (PEF) technologies prior to convective drying to enhance the dehydration efficiency of cassava bagasse, aiming at its valorization and contributing to the sustainability of the cassava starch industry. The findings reveal that pretreatment with ultrasound (US) and pulsed electric fields (PEF) significantly reduces the drying time of cassava bagasse compared to convective drying alone. With probe ultrasound at 26 kHz for 30 min, the drying time is reduced by 72% (3.83 h vs. 14.0 h); with bath ultrasound at 37 kHz for 30 min, it is reduced by 56.0% (6.16 h vs. 14.0 h); and with PEF at 7.5 kV/cm for 30 min, it is reduced by 52.4% (6.66 h vs. 14.0 h). These emerging technologies increased the effective diffusivity and modified the molecular structure of the bagasse, thereby improving mass transfer and drying process efficiency. These results are particularly useful for developing more efficient and sustainable strategies for drying agricultural by-products, with direct implications for the post-industrial treatment of agro-industrial residues with high water content.

Beyond tradition: charting a greener future for cassava starch industry using multi-criteria decision-making

Cassava, a staple food crop, is widely used for starch production, but its inconsistent supply, price volatility, and substantial waste generation pose challenges to the cassava industrial market's growth. This study aims to identify a sustainable biorefinery pathway by optimizing conventional cassava starch plants (business-as-usual, BAU) for economic and environmental benefits. Four scenarios were evaluated: animal feed from peel waste (Scenario 1), fungal protein from thippi waste (Scenario 2), fish feed from digested wastewater (Scenario 3), and conversion of all waste streams into animal feed, fish feed, and fungal protein (Scenario 4). Scenario 4 emerged as the best pathway using the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach, with a performance score of 0.282. Despite the highest energy consumption (18.91 MWh), Scenario 4 was favored for producing four value-added products alongside starch, yielding the highest profit at USD 8.85 million. In contrast, profits for BAU, Scenario 1, Scenario 2, and Scenario 3 were 1.91, 2.30, 5.01, and USD 8.79 million, respectively. Waste valorization in Scenarios 1, 2, 3, and 4 resulted in CO2 avoidance of 36.5., 42.6., 21.7, and 57.45 t CO2eq., respectively. However, producing value-added products increased energy consumption by 13, 73, 7, and 74% compared to BAU (4.58 MWh). The global warming potential analysis showed negative values for scenarios 2 and 4, at -436 and -434 kg CO2eq./t root, respectively. This study highlights the potential of a biorefinery approach for sustainable cassava starch production, providing insights for future research and policy development.