Stem Juice Research Articles

Sweet sorghum as alternative carbon sources for Chlorella sp. valued-added compounds production: A mechanistic insight using transcriptomics

Substituting agricultural by-products for glucose as a carbon source is an effective strategy for reducing the cultivation cost of Chlorella sp. However, the response mechanism of Chlorella sp. to variations in carbon sources remains unclear, and the potential of microalgal biomass for food development warrants further exploration. This study used hydrolysate of sweet sorghum stem juice (HSJ) for the mixotrophic cultivation of Chlorella sp. And transcriptomic analysis was performed to investigate the physiological and metabolic mechanisms as well as the biosynthesis of value-added compounds (e.g., pigments and proteins) of Chlorella sp. in response to changes in carbon sources. The HSJ + NM group (HSJ supplemented with nitrogen and minerals) significantly increased total chlorophyll, carotenoids, lutein, and protein levels by 18.02 %, 13.34 %, 35.95 %, and 20.36 %, respectively, compared to the control (adjusted BG-11 medium supplemented with 10 g/L glucose). Notably, transcript levels of genes for multiple key enzymes involved in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, TCA cycle, oxidative phosphorylation pathway, and photosynthesis pathways were significantly up-regulated. The activity of these pathways promoted the pigments and proteins synthesis in Chlorella sp. Encouragingly, the cost of cultivating Chlorella sp. with HSJ + NM (0.495 USD/kg) was 43.35 % of glucose (1.142 USD/kg). Further, by fermenting Chlorella sp. cultures with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and further homogenizing and blending the fermentation broth, we developed a nutritious and palatable Chlorella sp. fermented beverage, addressing the common issue of algal odor in such products. This study provides theoretical and practical foundations for the mixotrophic cultivation of microalgae and the application of microalgal biomass in food innovation.

Enhancing Concrete Properties with Banana Stem Juice Additive: A Study on Workability and Compressive Strength

Additives are integral components of modern concrete mixing materials. This study aimed to evaluate the workability and compressive strength of concrete incorporating banana stem juice as a natural additive (BSJA). A laboratory experiment was conducted to assess the impact of BSJA on concrete properties. Concrete mixtures with a ratio of 1:2:4 were prepared both with and without BSJA. A total of 36 cube specimens were created with varying percentages of banana stem juice, and their compressive strengths were measured. The results indicated that the inclusion of banana stem juice affected the concrete properties. On the 21st day, the compressive strength of the concrete without BSJA was 27.67 N/mm², compared to 29.67 N/mm² for 5% BSJA, 16.33 N/mm² for 10% BSJA, and 8.00 N/mm² for 15% BSJA. The slump values recorded were 15 mm for 0% BSJA, 20 mm for 5% BSJA, 45 mm for 10% BSJA, and 65 mm for 15% BSJA. The average compressive strengths of concrete specimens with 5% BSJA at 14 days (23.3 N/mm²) and 21 days (29.2 N/mm²) were higher than those of specimens without BSJA. Over the 14 and 21-day periods, specimens with BSJA consistently showed higher compressive strengths compared to those without. These results suggest that 5% BSJA enhances the compressive strength properties of concrete.

Efficient butanol production from sweet sorghum stem juice by a co-culture system at an optimum temperature: Insights from oxidation-reduction potential monitoring and pilot scale validation

A two-stage co-culture approach was employed in an acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation. An obligate aerobic bacterium, Arthrobacter sp., was first grown for 6 h at 30 °C to create anaerobic conditions. Subsequently, Clostridium beijerinckii TISTR 1461 was inoculated and a fermentation was performed at 37 °C. To identify an intermediate temperature suitable for both microorganisms, their growth was examined at 30, 34, and 37 °C. C.beijerinckii exhibited the highest specific growth rate at 37 °C, while Arthrobacter sp. displayed similar growth rates at all tested temperatures. Butanol production from a synthetic medium (P2 medium) by C. beijerinckii at different temperatures using oxygen-free nitrogen (OFN) gas flushing as a control treatment revealed that fermentation at 37 °C gave the highest butanol concentration (PB, 9.98 g/L). Consequently, 37 °C was chosen for butanol production from sweet sorghum stem juice (SSJ) by co-culture of these two microorganisms in 1-L screw–capped bottles. Compared to the control treatment, higher PB (11.38 g/L), yield (YB/S, 0.37 g/g) and productivity (QB, 0.24 g/L·h) were achieved using the co-culture system. These results were further confirmed by monitoring the oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) during ABE fermentation in a 2-L stirred-tank bioreactor (STR). Moreover, when the co-culture fermentation at 37 °C was scaled up in a 30-L STR, the PB, YB/S and QB values were comparable to those obtained in the 2-L STR. Therefore, co-culture fermentation of Arthrobacter sp. and C.beijerinckii TISTR 1461 at 37 °C represents a promising method for large-scale butanol production.

Optimizing bioethanol production from sweet sorghum stem juice under very high gravity fermentation and temperature stress conditions

This study optimized ethanol production from sweet sorghum stem juice (SSJ) by Saccharomyces cerevisiae NP01 under very high gravity (VHG) fermentation in 500-mL air–locked flasks at 30 °C. Response surface methodology based on a Box-Behnken design was employed to optimize initial sugar (267 g/L), urea (3.24 g/L), and cell concentration (1.32 × 108cells/mL) for maximization of ethanol concentration (PE), productivity (QP), and sugar consumption (%SC). The experimental values (PE, 119.29 g/L; QP, 2.49 g/L.h and %SC,91.83 %) under optimal conditions were close to the predicted values, verifying the optimization process. Aeration (2.5 vvm for 4 h) increased viable cell counts and decreased glycerol production (a by-product), but not fermentation efficiency. An osmoprotectant (40 mM potassium chloride combined with 10 mM potassium hydroxide, KCl/KOH) at 30 °C had no positive effect on ethanol fermentation efficiency. However, at 25 °C, the osmoprotectant increased PE from 106 to 116 g/L and ethanol yield from 0.46 to 0.49 g/g. At 35–37 °C, it prolonged cell viability, increasing PE by 5–12 g/L and %SC by 3–8 % without affecting ethanol yield. However, at 39 °C, no positive impact occurred on ethanol fermentation efficiency. The findings from this study, particularly the optimized fermentation conditions and stress tolerance strategies, could guide the scale-up to an industrial level of bioethanol production from sweet sorghum stem juice or other feedstocks using VHG fermentation, contributing to the development of more efficient and sustainable biofuel production processes.

Use of spent yeasts from bioethanol production plant as low-cost nitrogen sources for ethanol fermentation from sweet sorghum stem juice in low-cost bioreactors

Two spent yeasts from an ethanol production plant, spent yeast after distillation (SY-AD) and spent yeast after fermentation (SY-AF), were used as low-cost nitrogen sources for ethanol fermentation from sweet sorghum stem juice (SSJ) by a commercial dry yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) in air-locked flasks. SY-AF was the more effective nitrogen source for ethanol fermentation, giving ethanol concentration (PE) and ethanol productivity (QE) values of 95.22 g/L and 1.98 g/L·h, respectively. When SY-AF was disrupted by autolysis, and the spent yeast hydrolysate (SYH) obtained was used as a nitrogen supplement. It was found that ethanol production in terms of PE and QE values increased to 102.20 g/L and 2.83 g/L·h, respectively. When three bioreactors, a stirred-tank bioreactor (STR, a typical bioreactor), a column bioreactor with stirrer (CS-R, a tower bioreactor) and an external loop bioreactor (ELR, a low-cost bioreactor with no agitation), were used for ethanol production from the SSJ supplemented with SYH, the fermentation efficiencies of all bioreactors were not different. Appropriate aeration during fermentation (0.31 vvm for 12 h) in the three bioreactors could enhance the QE value, reaching 3.36 g/L·h. Both the CR-S and ELR could be successfully used for ethanol production from SSJ supplemented with SYH.

Preparation and Evaluation of Stem Juice Powder of Musa Paradisiaca

Preparation and Evaluation of Stem Juice Powder of Musa Paradisiaca

Effect of anaerobic co-digestion of waste chicken feather with banana stem juice for production of biogas

Effect of anaerobic co-digestion of waste chicken feather with banana stem juice for production of biogas

Hepato-protective Effect of Costus afer (Okpete) Juice Extract on Alcohol-induced Liver Toxicity in Adult Female Wistar Rats

Background: The oral intake of alcohol has become a widespread concern due to its high risk to body health. Therefore, our purpose in this study was to reveal the antioxidant efficacies of natural Costus's afer stem juice extract on hepatotoxicity induced by ethanol in adult female wistar rats. Methods: We examined the impacts of liver toxicity, were the experimental animals were given 1ml of 10% ethanol daily for 21 days, thereafter, C. afer was administered to evaluate its ameliorative effect in the female albino wistar rats orally treated with C. afer juice extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) for 7days. The rats were divided into four (4) groups; Group A served as the control group, which was given rat chow and water only. Groups B, C and D were given 1ml of 10% ethanol. Afterwards, groups C and D were treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg using 1ml and 2ml of the juice extract of C. afer, respectively. A liver function test and histological analysis were carried out. Results: The results showed that treatment with C. afer after the oral consumption of ethanol caused elevation in serum liver function parameters (alanine transferases, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphate), which is significant compared to the control group. There was also a slight restoration in histopathological changes in the liver, as revealed by decreased areas of inflammation. Conclusion: The therapeutic efficiency of C. afer juice extract could be due to traces of anti-inflammatory properties and the ROS-scavenging agent. Our findings prove that the elevation of liver function markers by C. afer enables hepatic tissue to suppress inflammatory and oxidative mechanisms, resulting in enhanced liver structure and function. Therefore, C. afer extract is a protective and therapeutic supplement against toxic agents.

Novel Batch and Repeated-Batch Butanol Fermentation from Sweet Sorghum Stem Juice by Co-Culture of Arthrobacter and Immobilized Clostridium in Scaled-Up Bioreactors

This research aims to study butanol fermentation from sweet sorghum stem juice (SSJ) by immobilized Clostridium beijerinckii TISTR 1461 cells on bamboo chopsticks using Arthrobacter sp. as an efficient bacterium for creating anaerobic conditions in scaled-up bioreactors. For batch culture in a 1-L screw-capped bottle, a butanol concentration (PB), butanol productivity (QB), and butanol yield (YB/S) were 12.09 g/L, 0.26 g/L·h and 0.28 g/g, respectively. These values were ~8 to 14% higher than those of a single culture using oxygen-free nitrogen (OFN) gas to generate anaerobic conditions. When butanol fermentation by the co-culture was scaled-up to 5-L and 30-L stirred-tank fermenters, the butanol production efficiency was not different from that using the 1-L bottles. Additionally, repeated-batch butanol fermentation in the 1-L bottles by the co-culture was successfully operated for four successive cycles with high butanol production. All results clearly indicate that Arthrobacter sp. is promising for creation of anaerobic conditions for butanol production by immobilized Clostridium in large scale bioreactors.

Evaluation of Proliferative Potential of Musa Paradisiaca Stem Juice on the Pancreatic Cells of Wistar Rats

Evaluation of Proliferative Potential of Musa Paradisiaca Stem Juice on the Pancreatic Cells of Wistar Rats

Genetic characterization of Indonesian sorghum landraces (<i>Sorghum bicolor</i> (L.) Moench) for yield traits

<abstract> <p>Sorghum (<italic>Sorghum bicolor</italic> (L.) Moench) is the fifth most produced cereal crop in the world. The use of sorghum is very diverse and most parts of the plant, including stem, leaves, grain, panicles, stem juice, and bagasse, can be utilized as human food, animal feed, and material for industry and bioenergy production. The collection of local sorghum genetic resources should be explored to identify potential gene sources for the development of superior varieties. This study was conducted to evaluate the production potential of 40 Indonesian sorghum accessions and to further identify potentially useful accessions. Five accessions belonging to cluster 3 had high biomass productivity, including Coley, Keler, Lao, Lokal Kaltim, and Super 1. In particular, Lokal Kaltim and Lao combined high biomass yield with grain yield. Accessions with high biomass has potential for use as feedstock for biomass energy production and forage.</p> </abstract>

ԽԱՂՈՂԻ ՈՍԿԵՀԱՏ ԵՎ ՃԻԼԱՐ ՍՈՐՏԵՐԻ ՄԵԽԱՆԻԿԱԿԱՆ ԿԱԶՄԻ ՈՒՍՈՒՄՆԱՍԻՐՈՒԹՅՈՒՆԸ

The ratio of stem fruit, skin, pulp, juice, and seeds is determined by mechanical analysis. A grapevine›s ratio between these components is crucial for winemaking, both in terms of yield and quality. This work aims to determine the mechanical composition of the local, less common varieties, Voskehat and Chilar. The weight of the bunch and berries, the number of berries in the bunch, as well as the weight of the seeds and the skin of the ridges are determined. The structure of the bunch, the composition of the berries, and the indicator of the composition of the bunch were calculated: For Chilar grape varieties, this indicator was higher at 1.8, while for Voskehat grape varieties, it was 1.4. Higher juice yields mean higher efficiency of wine production and lower wine costs for technical varieties.

Evaluation of Bioethanol Yield Potential of Different Sweet Sorghum Cultivars Grown as a Second Crop Under Eastern Mediterranean Conditions

Sweet sorghum has a high potential for bioethanol production due to its high fermentable sugar content and biomass yield. This research was carried out to evaluate bioethanol yield potential of six sweet sorghum cultivars (ICSV 93046, ICSV 700, Black Amber, White African, Gülşeker, and Red’s Red) during summer growing season of 2022 under eastern Mediterranean conditions. Cultivars were significantly differed for brix degree, green herbage yield, juice yield, and juice ethanol yields in the study. ICSV 93046 produced the significantly highest fresh stem yield (58811 kg/ha), juice yield (16105 kg/ha), and juice ethanol yield (1194 L/ha) and followed by ICSV 700. On the other hand, the significantly lowest brix degree (10.5 ◦ Bx) and juice ethanol yield (322 L/ha) were achieved by Gülşeker. These results suggested that ICSV 93046 was the most suitable cultivar to be grown as a second crop for bioethanol production under eastern Mediterranean conditions.

Development of Bioactive Plantain Stem Juice Blends and Shelf Life Analysis

The plantain stem is enriched with minerals and it is an underutilized agricultural produce which is low in cost. The study aimed to focus on the detection of phytochemicals present in refrigerated amla, guava and lemon juice incorporated plantain stem juice blends for increased shelf life. Plantain stem juice was added with acidic fruits such as lemon, guava and amla to increase the nutritional and sensorial property. The acceptability of Plantain stem juice blends were determined and standardized using consumer preference study. The formulated juice blends were bottled and studied for refrigerated real time storage stability. The analysis of proximate composition and screening of phytochemicals in plantain stem juice blends showed the good extent of bioactive properties within it and the lemon incorporated plantain stem juice blend showed the maximum sensory score of 7.83 with 12 days extension of shelf-life.

Capability of immobilized Clostridium beijerinckii for batch and repeated-batch butanol fermentation from sweet sorghum stem juice in various bioreactors

Mixing in bioreactors is important for butanol fermentations. The type of impeller (6-blade disc, 2-pitch blade and 3-pitch blade turbines) in a stirred-tank bioreactor (STR) did not affect butanol production by immobilized Clostridium beijerinckii TISTR 1461 on bamboo chopstick pieces. Using a spin-filter in the STR could reduce the fermentation time from 48 h to 36 h. Butanol production from sweet sorghum stem juice (butanol concentration, PB, ∼11 g/L and butanol productivity, QB, 0.30 g/L·h) by the immobilized cells in an internal loop gas-lift bioreactor using a carrier inside the draft tube were similar to those using an STR with a 6-blade disc turbine integrated with a spin-filter. Repeated-batch butanol fermentation in the internal loop gas-lift bioreactor could be operated for four cycles. However, high levels of butanol production could be maintained for only two cycles. Simultaneous immobilization and fermentation was a suitable process for repeated-batch fermentation by immobilized cells. An internal loop gas-lift bioreactor is a potential low-cost bioreactor for batch and repeated-batch butanol fermentation by the immobilized cells.

Development of jelly drink from cultivated banana pseudo stem juice (Musa sapientum L.) and pineapple juice supplemented with pineapple pulp

This study sought to create a new jelly drink using the pseudo stem juice from cultivated banana plants and pineapple juice supplemented with pineapple pulp (CBPP jelly drink). A total of five formulations of pineapple juice/pineapple pulp ratio (20/0, 15/5, 10/10, 5/15, and 0/20) revealed that the selected ratio of pineapple juice/pineapple pulp was the ratio of 5/15 w/w. However, the evaluation panels rated the texture liking score at 5.9 (<6.0) by preference test (9-point hedonic scale), and therefore the addition of kappacarrageenan was tested to improve this texture liking score of the CBPP jelly drink. The four formulations were varied by the amount of kappa-carrageenan (0.4%, 0.5%, 0.6%, and 0.7% w/w of all ingredients). As a result, the sensory evaluation showed that the optimal gelling agent was 0.5% kappa-carrageenan because the texture was appropriate in both elastic and softness parameters. The optimal formulation of the developed CBPP jelly drink consists of cultivated banana pseudo stem juice 73%, pineapple pulp 15%, natural cane sugar 6.7%, pineapple juice 5%, citric acid 0.3%, and kappa-carrageenan 0.5% (w/w of all ingredients). The developed jelly drink contained 13.56% crude fibre, 7.30 N hardness value, and 0.994 water activity. The colour of the product was light orange-yellow with L* a* b* value = 52.11, 1.23, and 18.10 respectively. The aerobic plate count and yeast and mould were less than 10 CFU/g. For antioxidant potential, they had 51.1% DPPH scavenging activity. The consumer acceptability test using 100 consumers indicated that the product was liked very much (Overall liking score = 7.2) and 95% of the consumers accepted the product.

Repeated-Batch Ethanol Fermentation from Sweet Sorghum Stem Juice under a Very High Gravity Condition Using a Stirred Tank Bioreactor Coupled with a Column Bioreactor by Immobilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The ethanol fermentation efficiency of sweet sorghum stem juice (SSJ) under a very high gravity (VHG) condition (250 g/L of sugar) was improved by immobilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae SSJKKU01, using a stirred tank bioreactor (STR) coupled with a column bioreactor (CR). Dried rattan pieces (as carriers for cell immobilization) at 50% of the working volume of the CR were suitable for use in a batch ethanol fermentation. The average ethanol concentration (PE) and ethanol productivity (QP) of repeated-batch fermentation in the CR for eight successive cycles were 109.85 g/L and 1.88 g/L⋅h, respectively. Then an STR coupled with a CR was applied for repeated-batch ethanol fermentation in two systems. System I was an STR (1.8 L working volume), and System II was an STR (1 L) coupled with a CR, referred to as a CR-F (0.8 L). Both systems were connected to a new CR, called CR-I, containing sterile dried rattan pieces at 50% of its working volume. Active yeast cells were inoculated only into the STR, and the medium circulation rate between bioreactors was 5.2 mL/min. The results showed that at least eight successive cycles could be operated with an average PE of 108.51 g/L for System I and 109.44 g/L for System II. The average QP and SC values of both systems were also similar, with values of 1.87 to 1.88 g/L⋅h and 93 to 94%, respectively. The morphology of the carriers with and without immobilized cells before and after the fermentation was investigated. The obtained results demonstrated that a repeated-batch fermentation by immobilized cells on rattan pieces, using an STR coupled with a CR, was successfully used to produce high levels of ethanol from SSJ under a VHG condition.

Effect of different concentrations of stem juice of Oxalis tuberosa Mol. and juice of the fruit of Gaultheria glomerata (Cav.) Sleumer on the antioxidant activity of the heat-treated functional beverage.

Functional beverages with added health benefits are popular among peoples and athletes because they help them recover faster from intense workouts and perform better overall. This research set out to determine how well heat-treated stem juice from Oxalis tuberosa Mol. "oca" and fruit juice from Gaultheria glomerata (Cav.) Sleumer "laqa-laqa" performed as an antioxidant in a functional drink. The "oca" stems and the "laqa-laqa" fruit were collected to obtain the juice. For this study, 30 semi-trained panellists used sensory evaluation to rate four treatments (Bo, B1, B2, and B3) with varying quantities of "oca" and "laqa-laqa" juice. The results concluded that the treatment B2, which included 300 ml of "oca" stem juice, 800 ml of "laqa-laqa" juice, 1000 ml of treated water, and 220 g of refined sugar, was given the highest score after a physicochemical evaluation of its colour, smell, taste, and overall appearance. Similarly, the results showed that the protein content increased by 1.38%, the fat content by 1.08%, the moisture percentage by 99.5%, the ash content by 1.82%, and the carbohydrate content by 6.22% after B2 treatment. Similarly, results revealed significant enhancement in antioxidant profiling such as total polyphenols: 1825 mg of gallic acid/100 g and antioxidant Activity: 89.56% μmol of trolox /100 g. In conclusion, due to its high energy content and antioxidant activity, it may be a viable nutritional option for athletes who engage in rigorous, frequent physical exertion.

Pharmacological Properties of Banana Stem: An Updated Review

Musaceae is a perennial tree-like plant that is cultivated all over the world in various tropical and subtropical regions. The fruit, peel, leaves, pseudo-stem, stalk, and inflorescence (flower) of this plant, among other parts, are utilized in traditional medicine to treat several health problems. The banana stem juice has potential biological effects, including anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-helminthic, wound-healing, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, and anti-urolithic activities. Consequently, it can be said that banana stem juice contains adequate levels of healthy secondary metabolites that are essential for maintaining good health. To find novel approaches for treating and preventing a wide range of medical diseases, more studies into the medicinal potential of banana stem juice can be done. Hence, this review emphasizes Musaceae stem juice's medicinal and nutritional benefits as review.

Detection and pathogenicity of Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains in Penaeus vannamei

Background and purpose: The Vibrio spp. are indigenous bacteria in the marine environment and usually constitute the majority in normal microflora of farmed and wild penaeid shrimp; and are one of the most diverse and vital shrimp pathogens that cause heavy mortalities in aquaculture facilities worldwide. The present study aimed to isolate and characterize the causative agent concerned with mass mortality in Peneaus vannamei collected from the shrimp farms of Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India.Materials and methods: To isolate and characterize the pathogenic bacteria from the hepatic pancreatic tissue of moribund, P. vannamei performed conventional culture tests, physical and biochemical tests, and molecular analysis. In addition to that virulence gene study, bacterial pathogenicity with different salinity and antibacterial activity of the stem extract of Tinospora cordifolia against Vibrio parahaemolyticus were tested.Results: The phenotypic traits, 16s rRNA gene, and phylogenetic tree analysis showed that the isolated pathogen was V. parahaemolyticus strain KKD 02. A study on bacterial pathogenicity with different salinity 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 ppt showed that 5 ppt to 10 ppt was connected to the maximum resistance against bacterial infection in P. vannamei with higher CFU/shrimp value. Two genes encoding thermostable direct hemolysin (tdh) and the thermostable direct hemolysin-related hemolysin (trh) were present in the isolate. The antibacterial activity of the stem extract of T. cordifolia, tested against V. parahaemolyticus, revealed that both the ethanol extracts and the crude stem juice exhibited antibacterial activity against V. parahaemolyticus.Conclusion: The cause for the mass mortality of juvenile shrimp P. vannamei in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India, was V. parahaemolyticus strain KKD 02. Further work is necessary to isolate and purify the active constituents in T. cordifolia stem extracts and examine the absorption pattern of the active ingredients of these plants, which will allow the scientific community to recommend their utilization as an accessible alternative to synthetic antibiotics.