Total Solids Content Research Articles

Assessment of chemically modified vegetable tannins as coagulants for water treatment

This research assessed the efficiency of chemically modified tannins as coagulants for water treatment. Tannins from Anacardium occidentale (cashew tree) and Mimosa caesalpiniifolia (‘sabiá’) barks and seedless fruits of Anadenanthera colubrina (‘angico’) and Pityrocarpa moniliformis (‘angico de bezerro’) were evaluated after cationization to remove turbidity from water. After extraction, the total solids content (TSC), Stiasny index (SI), and total condensed tannins content (TCC) of the tannins extracts were determined. Extracted tannins were converted into powders and cationized. Then, the cationized tannins' effectiveness on water turbidity removal, sedimentation time, and effect on pH were assessed. Three concentrations of each type of tannin were used to evaluate flocculant efficiency: 50, 100, and 150 mg L-1. Although the P. moniliformis extract had a higher TSC value (56.06%), it presented the lowest SI (0.42%) and TTC (0.23%) values. M. caesalpiniifolia had the lowest TSC (9.18%) and the highest SI (91.27%), while Ac occidentale stood out with the highest TCC (19.83%). All species have shown potential for tannin production and efficiently removed turbidity at all concentrations. However, only A. occidentale, at a concentration of 100 mg L-1, presented a nephelometric turbidity unit of 2.4, reaching the potability standards required by international specifications and, therefore, being indicated for water treatment. Keywords: condensed tannins, forest species, natural flocculants, turbidity removal.

Microencapsulation of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extract using porous starch and gum Arabic: Optimized process, characterization, stability, and simulated gastrointestinal conditions

Hibiscus extract exhibits considerable antioxidant activity and a high anthocyanin content, which suggesting potential health benefits. However, these compounds are highly susceptible to environmental factors. The aim of this study was to establish the optimal conditions for the encapsulation of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract (HSE) using mixed porous maize starch–gum Arabic to enhance the stability of bioactive compounds under accelerated aging conditions. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize microencapsulation conditions through spray drying. The optimal conditions for microencapsulation of HSE by RSM were determined to be 126 °C at the inlet temperature (IT) and 8.5 % at the total solid content (TSC). Using these conditions, the amount of bioactive compounds in optimized microcapsules (OMs) was 2368 mg GAE/100 g, 694 mg QE/100 g, and 930 mg EC3G/100 g, of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and anthocyanin, respectively. The release rate of anthocyanins during in vitro digestion was more effectively regulated in the OM sample, which retained up to 40 % of anthocyanins compared with 10 % in the HSE. The experimental values in this study exhibit high assertiveness, which renders the optimization model technologically and financially viable for the encapsulation of bioactive compounds with potential use in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Improvement of mechanical, barrier properties, and water resistance of konjac glucomannan/curdlan film by zein addition and the coating for cherry tomato preservation

The mechanical, barrier properties, and water resistance of packaging materials are crucial for the preservation of fruits and vegetables. In this study, zein was incorporated as a hydrophobic substance into the konjac glucomannan (KGM)/curdlan (KC) system. The KC/zein (KCZ) showed good compatibility with the zein aggregates uniformly distributed in the network formed by an entanglement of KGM and curdlan micelles based on hydrogen bonds. The presence of zein inhibited the extension of the KC entangled structure and enhanced the solid-like behavior. The high content of zein (>6 %) increased zein aggregation and negatively affected the structure and properties of KCZ. The zein addition significantly improved the water vapor permeability, tensile strength, and elongation at break. The hydrophobicity of the KCZ films was significantly enhanced, accompanied by the water contact angle increasing from 81° to 112°, and the moisture content, swelling, and soluble solid loss ratio decreasing apparently. The K56C40Z4 coating exhibited an excellent preservation effect to inhibit the respiration of cherry tomatoes, significantly reducing the water loss and firmness decline and maintaining the appearance, total solid, total acid, and ascorbic acid content. This work provided a strategy to fabricate hydrophobic packaging for the preservation of fruits and vegetables.

Pilot-scale evaluation of cascade anaerobic digestion of mixed municipal wastewater treatment sludges.

This work assessed the performance of a pilot-scale cascade anaerobic digestion (AD) system when treating mixed municipal wastewater treatment sludges. The cascade system was compared with a conventional continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) digester (control) in terms of process performance, stability, and digestate quality. The results showed that the cascade system achieved higher volatile solids removal (VSR) efficiencies (28-48%) than that of the reference (25-41%) when operated at the same solids residence time (SRT) in the range of 11-15 days. When the SRT of the cascade system was reduced to 8days the VSR (32-36%) was only slightly less than that of the reference digester that was operated at a 15-day SRT (39-43%). Specific hydrolysis rates in the first stage of the cascade system were 66-152% higher than those of the reference. Additionally, the cascade system exhibited relatively stable effluent concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFAs: 100-120 mg/l), while the corresponding concentrations in the control effluent demonstrated greater fluctuations (100-160 mg/l). The cascade system's effluent pH and VFA/alkalinity ratios were consistently maintained within the optimal range. During a dynamic test when the feed total solids concentration was doubled, total VFA concentrations (85-120 mg/l) in the cascade system were noticeably less than those (100-170 mg/l) of the control, while the pH and VFA/alkalinity levels remained in a stable range. The cascade system achieved higher total solids (TS) content in the dewatered digestate (19.4-26.8%) than the control (17.4-22.1%), and E. coli log reductions (2.0-4.1 log MPN/g TS) were considerably higher (p < 0.05) than those in the control (1.3-2.9 log MPN/g TS). Overall, operating multiple CSTRs in cascade mode at typical SRTs and mixed sludge ratios enhanced the performance, stability digesters, and digestate quality of AD. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Enhanced digestion of mixed sludge digestion with cascade system. Increased hydrolysis rates in the cascade system compared to a reference CSTR. More stable conditions for methanogen growth at both steady and dynamic states. Improved dewaterability and E. coli reduction of digestate from the cascade system.

Optimization of Reservoir Water Quality Parameters Retrieval and Treatment Using Remote Sensing and Artificial Neural Networks

Inland water bodies are critical ecosystems that serve several functions including the provision of freshwater, regulation of climate and hydrological flows, and pollution control. Therefore, effective monitoring and management of these water resources is critical for sustainable water supply systems. This study evaluated the possible use of satellite data to estimate water quality parameters (WQPs) in an inland water body. The study also used artificial neural network (ANN) models in addition to the satellite data to determine the optimum coagulant dose for water treatment. The use of earth observations and machine learning methods has not been done extensively in developing countries, specifically, in water quality monitoring and management. The study utilized empirical multivariate regression modelling (EMRM) of the spectral reflectances from satellite data for the retrieval of Chla-a, Turbidity, and total suspended solids (TSS) concentrations in an inland water body. Using MLP-ANN modelling, the extracted spectral reflectance values from the selected sampling points in the reservoir were used as model inputs for the prediction of treated WQPs. A second MLP-ANN model was developed to predict the optimum coagulant dose required for raw water treatment. The R2 values achieved with AN model 1 were 0.81, 0.76, and 0.81 respectively for TSS, turbidity, and Chl-a, and 0.99 for the optimum coagulant dose. The study concluded that spectral reflectance from medium resolution satellite data products can be used to estimate WQPs from inland water bodies. Further, the ANN models demonstrate that extracted water quality data from satellite images can be used to inform ANN models for water quality predictions, and for the optimization of water treatment plant operations.

Effect of camellia oil body-based oleogels on the film-forming properties of soy protein isolate

Soybean protein isolate (SPI) was frequently used to make edible films due to its highly degradability and excellent film forming ability. However, the limited barrier properties and low tensile strength of SPI films prevent their application in food packaging. In this study, the SPI film was modified by blending camellia oil body-based oleogel (COBO). COBO improved the mechanical properties of SPI film and increased its light-blocking, water insolubility and barrier properties. Micrograph, particle size distribution, protein conformation and crystalline structure analysis illustrated that camellia saponin in COBO formed hydrogen bonds with SPI, significantly reduced the particle size of the film-forming emulsion, and enhanced the order and uniformity of composite films structure, thus improved the overall performance of the SPI films. The SPI-COBO film packing delayed the weight loss, total soluble solids content increase, and the decrease in hardness of stored strawberries. This study puts forwards a new approach for SPI film modification by blending natural emulsified lipids, contributing to the development of sustainable packaging alternatives.

Low-performance diagnosis of covered anaerobic lagoons as a waste management strategy in the intensive dairy industry

ABSTRACT Covered anaerobic lagoons (CALs) are Latin America's main livestock waste treatment systems. Mexico has 680 CALs that present low biogas yields (0.05 m3 m−3 digester d−1) and low COD removal rates (< 60%). This work focused on diagnosing CAL´s low performance in dairy farms by determining and analyzing operational parameters. Seven CALs located in the main dairy basin of Mexico were analyzed. The sampling areas for each CAL were the supernatant, the active zone, settled sludge, and digester inlet and outlet. The variation of the process parameter values corroborated that CALs appeared stratified and not working as expected. The sludge zone, comprising 50–58% of total solids content and 1–15% of total CALs volume, showed an elemental compounds content suitable for organic fertilizer (340, 48, and 5 kg t−1 of C, N, and S, respectively). However, this zone contained, at least, 85% of the slowly hydrolysable material; the methanogenic potential was less than 87 mL CH4 g VS−1, and the C/N ratio ranged from 4.9 to 17, outside of the optimal range. The biogas produced did not exceed 60% of methane content and more than 3000 ppm of H2S. The sludge zone significantly influences the lagoon's dynamics since it is a nutrient sink. Furthermore, the lack of agitation is the leading cause for the low energy yield and the low removal of organic matter rate. This work provides valuable information to address the operational problems within the CALs improving our understanding that shall allow proposing reactivation alternatives.

Fine‐solids removal by foam fractionation in a low‐salinity marine recirculating aquaculture system (RAS)

AbstractObjectiveWe sought to evaluate several methods of operation of a foam fractionator for fine‐solids removal (organic matter &lt; 55 μm) in a commercial‐scale, low‐salinity (11–13‰) recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for marine finfish production.MethodsThe total suspended solids (TSS) concentrations of the RAS microscreen drum filter inflow and outflow and the foam fractionator outflow were obtained under various foam fractionator operating conditions. The outflow TSS concentration of the drum filter also served as the inflow TSS concentration for the foam fractionator. Sample collection for TSS determination was divided into two categories: particles greater than 55 μm and particles less than 55 μm. The difference between inflow and outflow TSS concentrations was used to determine the removal percentage for each particle class of each unit. Additionally, the volume of foammate produced under operating conditions by the fractionator and the amount of solids contained within the foammate were quantified. Flow through the foam fractionator was also obtained to determine the amount of solids removed per volume of influent water treated.ResultThe influent TSS concentration for the seven different operating conditions evaluated ranged from 4.8 to 6.3 mg/L, with the percentage of particles less than 55 μm ranging from 69.75% to as high as 86.1%. The drum filter removed over 90% of the particles larger than 55 μm and removed 8–26% of the particles smaller than 55 μm. No difference was observed in the overall removal efficiency of the drum filter, which ranged from 19% to 44%. There was no significant difference in the foam fractionator overall removal efficiency, which ranged from 6.5% to 38.5%. Operating the foam fractionator at a high water head height (HHH) with the submersible aspirating impeller provided the greatest removal percentage of particles less than 55 μm (26.9%). However, at the HHH, only half the amount of solids was removed compared to using a Venturi injector with ozone, but energy use was roughly 26% greater.ConclusionThe foam fractionator was operated at the HHH, about 0.31 m higher than the low water head height, for production operation. Additionally, Venturi injection of ozone provided the greatest removal of solids for the volume of influent water treated over a 12‐h operational period. The submersible aspirating impeller showed potential for low‐cost use with reasonable solids removal and warrants further evaluation.

Genetic analysis of agronomic and physiological traits associated with latex yield revealed complex genetic bases in Hevea brasiliensis

Hevea brasiliensis, a natural rubber producing species, is widely cultivated due to its high rubber yield potential. Natural rubber is synthesised in the rubber particles of laticifers. Latex diagnosis (LD) was established to characterise the physiological state of the laticiferous system by measuring its physiological parameters, i.e., sucrose, inorganic phosphorous (Pi), thiols and total solid content (TSC). Rubber clones are often classified in three groups i.e., quick starters, medium starters and slow starters. To better understand the genetic bases of latex yield, a biparental population was generated from a cross between the quick-starter clone PB 260 and the medium-starter clone SP 217. LD was performed during the peak latex production season and used to calculate sucrose loading. The agronomic and physiological parameters associated with latex yield led to the classification of genotypes according to the rubber clonal typology and to the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) using a high-density map. Inorganic phosphorous content was positively associated with yield during the first year of production thus enabling identification of quick-starter clones. In addition, the LD-based clonal typology led to determine the long-term yield potential and the use of appropriate ethephon stimulation. QTL analysis successfully identified several QTLs related to yield, sucrose, Pi and TSC. One QTL related to sucrose loading was identified in the same position as the QTL for sucrose on linkage group 1. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report QTL analysis for this trait. The use of a high-density map enables the identification of genes underlying QTLs. Several putative genes underlying QTLs related to yield, sucrose and TSC were identified.

Post-Harvest Behavior of Seedless Conical and Mini-Conical Peppers: Weight Loss, Dry Matter Content, and Total Soluble Solids as Indicators of Quality and Commercial Shelf-Life.

This study aimed to assess the post-harvest dynamics of seedless conical and mini-conical pepper cultivars in terms of fruit weight loss, dry matter content, and soluble solid content. The above parameters were demonstrated to be effective commercial pepper shelf-life indicators. The commercial quality of pepper fruit intended for export was evaluated weekly under simulated fruit storage conditions for over 28 d. Results revealed that fruit weight loss, dry matter content, and soluble solid content were affected by cultivar type and storage duration. Additionally, a strong correlation between these variables was observed confirming their linear relationship which was more profound between dry matter and total soluble solid content. Daily changes during storage were similar in both seedless conical and mini-conical peppers, while the fruit weight loss daily rate was greater than that of dry matter. Water loss was identified to be the main factor causing reduced fruit quality. Solid content reduction occurred predominately during the initial storage period. Notably, fruit with lower dry matter content at harvest tended to maintain their commercial quality for a longer time due to their ability to resist water loss without any visible signs of deterioration, which is beneficial during prolonged storage.

Evaluation on the performance of a swirling-type hydrodynamic separator using physical and numerical models.

Hydrodynamic separators are commonly used to control the total suspended solid concentration in stormwater before being discharged to natural water bodies. The separator studied in this paper, featuring a swirling flow generated by tangential inlet and outlet connections, was analyzed for its sediment removal efficiency in relation to sediment and flow rates. For the separator studied in this paper, the numerical model showed that the flow field was favorable for the sediments to gather at the center and settle. A higher flow rate or a smaller sediment diameter corresponded to a lower removal rate and vice versa. The dimension improvement for increasing the sediment removal rate was also studied. It was found that increasing the diameter of the separator showed a higher sediment removal rate compared with corresponding increase in the height of the separator. A dimensionless parameter J was proposed to assess the sediment removal rate of a separator, which may be used for designing and optimizing such a device. The removal rate is positively correlated with the J value. When the J value reaches 0.5 or above, the sediment removal rate exceeds 80%, which is a good initial target value for designing this type of separator.

Potential use of pineapple crop residue silage to replace sorghum silage for crossbred lactating cows

The use of crop residue silages is a viable alternative for producers to reduce feed costs. The present study was developed with the objective of investigating the inclusion of pineapple silage in replacement of sorghum silage in the diet of lactating cows regarding feed intake, production, and quality of milk. Eight crossbred (Holstein × Gir) cows with an average weight of 555±30 kg and an average milk yield of 12.50±3.25 kg/day, between 60 and 90 days in milk, were distributed into two simultaneous 4 × 4 Latin squares, at one animal per experimental unit. Silage of pineapple crop residue (PS) using plants after the harvest of the fruits was included in the roughage portion of the diet at increasing levels, with simultaneous and proportional removal of sorghum silage (SS) from the diets. The studied treatments thus consisted of the roughage portion containing: 1- 0% PS and 100% SS (100SS); 2- 34% PS and 66% SS (34PS66SS); 3- 67% PS and 33% SS (67PS33SS); 4- 100% PS and 0% SS (100PS). The diets were supplied twice daily, allowing 5% leftovers in relation to the quantity offered. The amounts of feed supplied, and orts of each animal were weighed for a subsequent determination of intake. The experiment was divided into four 21-day sub-periods, the first 14 days of which were used as an adaptation to the diet, while the others served for data collection. The milk was weighed from the 15th to the 19th day of each experimental period, and milk samples were collected on the last day of each period. Milk samples were sent to the laboratory, where they were analyzed. Dry matter, mineral matter, and lignin concentrations in the diet did not vary (P&gt;0.05) as a function of PS inclusion in the roughage portion, while protein content, fiber content, and fat content levels were influenced. No effect of PS inclusion was observed (P&gt;0.05) on the intakes of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, mineral material, or lignin. However, PS inclusion prompted (P&lt;0.05) a linear increase in the intakes of protein and total fat. The inclusion of pineapple plant silage in the roughage part of the diet had a positive effect (P&lt;0.05) on milk yield, 4% fat-corrected milk yield, and on the milk fat and total solids contents. Milk production, as well as fat and total solids content, increased moderately with inclusion of pineapple plant silages in the roughage portion of the diet. Therefore, pineapple silage can replace sorghum silage in the roughage part of diets for lactating crossbred cows.

Microfluidics-on-a-chip for designing celecoxib-based amorphous solid dispersions: when the process shapes the product

AbstractThe fundamental idea underlying the use of amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) is to make the most of the solubility advantage of the amorphous form of a drug. However, the drug stability becomes compromised due to the higher free energy and disorder of molecular packing in the amorphous phase, leading to crystallization. Polymers are used as a matrix to form a stable homogeneous amorphous system to overcome the stability concern. The present work aims to design ASD-based formulations under the umbrella of quality by design principles for improving oral drug bioavailability, using celecoxib (CXB) as a model drug. ASDs were prepared from selected polymers and tested both individually and in combinations, using various manufacturing techniques: high-shear homogenization, high-pressure homogenization, microfluidics-on-a-chip, and spray drying. The resulting dispersions were further optimized, resorting to a 32 full-factorial design, considering the drug:polymers ratio and the total solid content as variables. The formulated products were evaluated regarding analytical centrifugation and the influence of the different polymers on the intrinsic dissolution rate of the CXB-ASDs. Microfluidics-on-a-chip led to the amorphous status of the formulation. The in vitro evaluation demonstrated a remarkable 26-fold enhancement in the intrinsic dissolution rate, and the translation of this formulation into tablets as the final dosage form is consistent with the observed performance enhancement. These findings are supported by ex vivo assays, which exhibited a two-fold increase in permeability compared to pure CXB. This study tackles the bioavailability hurdles encountered with diverse active compounds, offering insights into the development of more effective drug delivery platforms. Graphical Abstract

Solventless recovery of lipids from urban sewage sludge: How to sustainably turn a waste into a valuable source of oleochemicals

For the first time, the recovery of lipids from urban sewage sludge was investigated through a solvent-free process based on elementary operations validated on a pilot scale (2 tons per hour). Sedimented sewage sludge was dewatered through centrifugation, acidified (and in the case treated with hydrogen peroxide), heated to 80 °C and centrifuged to obtain three different streams: i) raw grease, ii) exhausted aqueous phase, and iii) dewatered sludge.The recovery yield of grease from sludge could reach a very high value (70 wt%), depending essentially on the initial lipid content in sewage sludge, which was monitored and found to range between 1.1 and 6.6 wt% (13–25 wt% with respect to TS). The use of H2O2 played a crucial role in the recoverability of lipids and the relevant pureness in free fatty acids content (>89 wt%). In addition, the total solids content in the exhausted aqueous phase and the final residual sludge were sensibly affected by using H2O2. Final dewatered sludge had a very high content of solids (TS 31.0 ± 2.3 wt%) and resulted in 15 % less of the amount of sludge conventionally obtained from anaerobic digestion. According to these figures, for medium wastewater treatment plants, a selling price of 800–900 Euro per ton of grease would guarantee a return on investments within three years of operations. This simple procedure represents a quick and proficient way to treat sewage sludge, turning it into a valuable feedstock for fine chemicals, in agreement with Circular Bioeconomy principles.

Effect of Application of a Cactus Pear Mucilage-Based Edible Coating Enriched with Glycerol and L-Glutamine on Minimally Processed White-Flesh Loquats

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.), a non-climacteric fruit, is susceptible to physical and mechanical damage, as well as decay, especially after minimal processing, resulting in a short postharvest lifespan The objective of our study was to evaluate the impact of a cactus pear (OFI) mucilage-based edible coating enriched with glycerol and l-glutamine on the quality and nutraceutical value of minimally processed white-flesh Martorana loquat fruits during cold storage. After washing and processing the cladodes, mucilage was extracted, and two different coatings (EC1: 60% OFI mucilage, 40% glycerol; EC2: 67% OFI mucilage, 30% glycerol, 3% glutamine) were formulated and compared with an untreated sample (CTR). Our analyses covered various parameters, including color, total soluble solid content, titratable acidity, antioxidant activity, and total phenols. Additionally, sensory analysis was conducted and visual scores were obtained. The results suggest that the application of a cactus pear mucilage-based edible coating, supplemented with glycerol and L-glutamine, effectively preserves the quality attributes of minimally processed loquat fruits.

Biorefinery of waste activated sludge: Nutrient recovery and microbial lipid production by Yarrowia lipolytica

The rising generation of waste activated sludge (WAS) demands a fundamental shift towards resource reuse and recovery. The conventional methodologies used to manage this by-product derived from wastewater treatment plants are increasingly constrained due to stringent regulatory measures aimed at mitigating its adverse impacts on the environment and public health. Therefore, this work evaluated a promising strategy for the efficient management of WAS, transforming it into a valuable renewable source to produce high-value-added compounds, such as lipids and a slow-release fertilizer (struvite). Wet oxidation (WO) was identified as a suitable technique for solubilising WAS while generating short-chain fatty acids (primarily acetic acid). It was found that conducting WO at 200 °C for 120 min resulted in a 65% reduction of the total suspended solids (TSS) content and 87% of the volatile suspended solids (VSS) content. Additionally, under these conditions, 4440 ± 105 mg/L and 593 ± 21 mg/L of acetic and propionic acid were obtained, respectively, which were assimilated by Yarrowia lipolytica to produce biolipids. Furthermore, the rupture of WAS flocs also led to the solubilisation of 980 ± 8 mg/L of ammonium. During the struvite precipitation stage, a NH4:PO4:Mg ratio of 1:1.5:1.5 was found to be the most effective for removing soluble ammonium (97.4 ± 0.8%), resulting in a high-purity struvite formation, and enhancing the carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio of the oxidised WAS from 3 to 105. This improvement in the C/N ratio raised the lipid content from 36 ± 1% to 49 ± 1% during the cultivation of Y. lipolytica. The application of the sequencing batch culture strategy further increased lipid content to 59 ± 1%, with 6.0 ± 0.3 g/L as the final concentration after the fifth cycle. The lipids produced, mainly monounsaturated fatty acids with 40% of oleic acid, offer potential as biodiesel feedstock. This lipid composition led to biodiesel properties, including cetane number, iodine value, kinematic viscosity and density that met international standards. Therefore, this research presents a promising alternative not only for WAS management but also for harnessing valuable resources, thereby establishing a basis for large-scale studies.

Soft Cheese-Making with Buttermilk: Physico-chemical, Sensory, Textural Properties, and Microstructure Characterization

Background: Buttermilk, a significant by-product of the dairy industry, is acknowledged as a beneficial food due to its content of water-soluble vitamins, polar lipids, and milk fat globule membranes. This research is focused on investigating the potential of buttermilk as a substitute in the production of a novel soft cheese type ‘‘camembert’’. Methods: A total of 12 cheese samples of camembert cheese, both with and without buttermilk, were prepared and subjected to a series of physico-chemical analyses in October 2023 to measure protein, fat, total solids, pH, and production yield. Texture Profile Analysis was applied to evaluate textural characteristics, and the microstructure was examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy. A hedonic scale was employed in sensory evaluation to measure taste intensity. Results: The sample containing 90% cow's milk and 10% buttermilk exhibited the most significant (p≤0.05) physico-chemical characteristics as production yield of 45.33%±0.710, protein content of 28.9%±0.58, fat content of 24.88%±0.026, total solids of 54.62±0.23, and a pH of 6.42±0.58. Sensory evaluations demonstrated that camembert samples containing buttermilk were distinguished by high sensory quality and satisfactory taste profiles. In addition, a dense and tightly fused protein matrix was observed in the microstructure of the buttermilk fortified cheese. The results also emphasized that the acidic nature of buttermilk significantly affected the production yield, total solids content, and textural characteristics, evidenced by a hardness of 3.36 N and fracturability of 1.75 N. Conclusion: The results validate the use of buttermilk as an effective alternative in the production of a new type of soft cheese, manifesting improved sensory, structural, and physico-chemical characteristics. This investigation supports the innovative utilization of buttermilk in cheese production, potentially offering a valuable avenue for dairy industry by-products.

Regulated Deficit Irrigation Perspectives for Water Efficiency in Apricot Cultivation: A Review

Addressing agricultural water scarcity poses a current challenge of growing concern, exacerbated by climate change. This is particularly relevant for stone fruit trees, such as apricot, cultivated in semi-arid zones, where regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) strategies are gaining attention to tackle the challenge. The RDI method involves optimizing various factors based on how the plant responds physiologically to indicators of its water needs. Among these indicators, water potential is considered the most reliable and influential measure. For numerous apricot varieties and diverse geographic locations, research consistently shows that implementing water reduction strategies during non-critical developmental stages of floral bud development or fruit growth does not significantly impact crop yield. However, it does lead to reduced vegetative growth, which could offer additional benefits in crop management. Furthermore, the implementation of RDI strategies leads to advantageous improvements in fruit quality, particularly storage capacity and morphometric and chemical fruit characteristics, such as total soluble solids content. This scoping review study suggests that RDI is a feasible strategy to address water scarcity in apricot cultivation; however, further studies focused on continuous water monitoring alternatives are necessary to optimize RDI techniques. Future research should prioritize optimizing RDI for different growth stages, exploring advanced technologies for precise implementation, and assessing environmental impacts, while addressing research gaps including the influence of climate variability and the interaction with other agronomic practices, to refine RDI strategies and enhance apricot orchard sustainability and productivity.

Assessment of physico-biochemical parameters of Moroccan loquat (&lt;i&gt;Eriobotrya japonica &lt;/i&gt;Lindl.) genotypes using multivariate analysis

The present study was conducted to assess the physico-biochemical variability in 35 genotypes of loquat using multivariate analyses, in order to provide efficient criteria and promising genotypes for the loquat genetic breeding program. Mature fruits were collected from 35 loquat genotypes, belonging to the Zegzel valley, were subjected to physico-biochemical analyses. The results revealed a juice yield ranging from 0.21 to 0.65 g/g FW, and a polyphenols content fluctuating from 322.8 to 366.89 µg GAE. g-1 DM. Regarding DPPH test, with a range of 3.35 and 7.6 µmol TE. g-1 DM, showed a positive correlation with total polyphenol content (r2= 0.76) and flavonoid content (r2= 0.72). Moreover, a negative correlation was recorded between the total soluble solids content and juice yield (r2=- 0.47), which was moderately correlated with vitamin C (r2= 0.59). In addition, the components analysis results revealed a significant and independent contribution of bio-physicochemicalcharacteristics in the loquat variation. Indeed, biochemical characteristics contribute to PC1, while, physicochemical parameters contribute to PC2 and PC3. Furthermore, the hierarchical clustering analysis classified the 35 genotypes into four homogeneous groups independently of their geographic origin. According to these findings, the genotypes T9, T12, Z16, Z17 and TA9 exhibited high total sugar content, while, genotypes T9 and T11 provide high carotenoids, flavonoids, total polyphenols and antioxidant activity level. As results, these genotypes can be directly recommended for the vegetative propagation as well as applied along with the efficient characters in future loquat breeding programs.

Assessment of physico-biochemical parameters of Moroccan loquat (&lt;i&gt;Eriobotrya japonica &lt;/i&gt;Lindl.) genotypes using multivariate analysis

The present study was conducted to assess the physico-biochemical variability in 35 genotypes of loquat using multivariate analyses, in order to provide efficient criteria and promising genotypes for the loquat genetic breeding program. Mature fruits were collected from 35 loquat genotypes, belonging to the Zegzel valley, were subjected to physico-biochemical analyses. The results revealed a juice yield ranging from 0.21 to 0.65 g/g FW, and a polyphenols content fluctuating from 322.8 to 366.89 µg GAE. g-1 DM. Regarding DPPH test, with a range of 3.35 and 7.6 µmol TE. g-1 DM, showed a positive correlation with total polyphenol content (r2= 0.76) and flavonoid content (r2= 0.72). Moreover, a negative correlation was recorded between the total soluble solids content and juice yield (r2=- 0.47), which was moderately correlated with vitamin C (r2= 0.59). In addition, the components analysis results revealed a significant and independent contribution of bio-physicochemicalcharacteristics in the loquat variation. Indeed, biochemical characteristics contribute to PC1, while, physicochemical parameters contribute to PC2 and PC3. Furthermore, the hierarchical clustering analysis classified the 35 genotypes into four homogeneous groups independently of their geographic origin. According to these findings, the genotypes T9, T12, Z16, Z17 and TA9 exhibited high total sugar content, while, genotypes T9 and T11 provide high carotenoids, flavonoids, total polyphenols and antioxidant activity level. As results, these genotypes can be directly recommended for the vegetative propagation as well as applied along with the efficient characters in future loquat breeding programs.