Abstract In this study, succinoglycan was produced from whey and its rheological and structural characteristics were elucidated. Eight culture media were prepared with different ions for bioconversion of whey into succinoglycan. The formulation composed of deproteinized whey, monobasic potassium phosphate and magnesium sulfate allowed the production of 13.7 ± 0.43 g/L of succinoglycan. The apparent molar mass of succinoglycan was estimated to be 9.033 × 105 g/mol and the polydispersity index was 1.044, representing the homogeneity of the sample. Monosaccharide composition of glucose and galactose for the succinoglycan produced was 6.6:1.0. The 1H RMN analysis revealed the non-saccharide substituent content of 1.2%, 3.0% and 8.1% for acetyl, succinate and pyruvate, respectively. The rheological results showed that the apparent viscosity of the succinoglycan solutions was directly proportional to the concentration, and the solution showed pseudoplastic behavior. Dynamic frequency sweep tests identified that a concentration of 2.0% of succinoglycan is required for formation of the gel system. Temperature influenced the viscoelastic behavior of succinoglycan and revealed the melting point and reversibility of the gel. Whey was shown to be a promising carbon source for the production of succinoglycan with thickening potential and viscosity modifier.

Abstract Cyclodextrins (CDs) have the ability to encapsulate numerous molecules and have applicability in several industrial areas, however, their cost has made their use difficult. To seek alternatives that may enable the use of DCs, the present study evaluated the efficiency of the ultrafiltration process in a continuous system to produce CDs from the enzyme cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) from recombinant Bacillus subtilis WB800. The possibility of using the crude enzyme as an alternative means of producing CDs was also evaluated. All strategies evaluated in this research proved to be promising for the production of CDs, with the production of β-CD being the most efficient (average of 15 mmol/L) using crude recombinant enzyme and a temperature of 50 °C. Therefore, the results obtained can contribute to the reduction of stages and costs of production of CDs, favoring their industrial application.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of incorporating inulin and oligosaccharides resulted from the enzymatic hydrolysis of the commercial succinoglycan, regarding the physicochemical properties, rheology, syneresis and probiotic viability of soy and rice-based fermented beverages added with Lactobacillus paracasei. Four formulations were prepared and supplemented with 3.5% of inulin; 0.5% of succinoglycan oligosaccharides; 3.0% of inulin and 0.5% of succinoglycan oligosaccharides, and evaluated for 28 days of storage under refrigeration at 5 ºC. The succinoglycan oligosaccharides presented an average degree of polymerization (DPn) of 8. All the formulations were characterized as pseudoplastic fluids. Regarding syneresis, the formulations with succinoglycan oligosaccharides and Mix exhibited a reduction of it and this was not observed in the formulation with inulin. Regarding the probiotic viability, all the formulations maintained the subsistence of Lactobacillus paracasei with counts above 108 CFU mL-1 up to the 28th storage day, however, only the incorporated prebiotic formulations presented sufficient numbers of viable cells after exposure to simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Therefore, this fermented beverage proved to be an innovative alternative of non-dairy products interesting for the food industry to attend the population’s aspirations for functional products.

A repetitive batch process was employed followed by membrane ultrafiltration system to produce low-cost cyclodextrins (CDs) using commercial enzymes Toruzyme® cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) and its kinetic parameters were determined. The ultrafiltration system enabled the removalof inhibitory products from the reaction medium, allowing the enzyme to be recovered for reuse. A 10 kDa membrane was used to separate the different CDs produced by the CGTase. The substrates evaluated were maltodextrin, corn starch and cassava starch at 5, 10 and 15% (w/V), in the presence and absence of 10% (V/V) ethanol. After reaction for 132 h, 10% (w/V) cassava starch in the presence of ethanol provided the best results with 32.1 mg/mL of β-CD. Maximum production occurred after 72 h of reaction, with a yield of 87.4% of β-CD and an α-CD, β-CD and γ-CD production ratio of 1:1:0.08 g, respectively. When eight repetitive batches of 72 h followed by ultrafiltration and crystallization of β-CD were performed, 2.1 g of precipitate was obtained with a purity of 67.6% β-CD. The supernatant from the crystallization process was lyophilized and resulted in 35.3% α-CD. The developed model can be used industrially for the production of low cost CDs from easily obtained raw material.

The biosynthesis of amylase and collagenase, produced by A. acidocaldarius and A. sendaiensis respectively, were studied, and different matrices evaluated for the microorganisms immobilization and enzymes production optimization, such as loofa sponge, alginate-sponge and alginate, followed by concentration through ultrafiltration. Using a wheat bran substrate, the amylase enzyme displayed enzymatic activity of 0.45 U mL-1 and optimum temperature and pH conditions of 75 °C and pH 3.0, respectively. Thermal stability was in the range of 55 to 60 °C. The apparent Km and Vmax were 3.2 mg mL-1 and 0.5 U mL-1, respectively. The production of collagenase by A. sendaiensis was carried out with potato dextrose broth substrate and the activity obtained was 7.2 U mL-1. For amylase, the best results were obtained from immobilization in loofa sponge and the use of ultrafiltration (0.67 U mL-1) and for the collagenase extract, from the free biomass and ultrafiltration (13.6 U mL-1). The use of an ultrafiltration system enabled an average increase of 54% in the activity of both enzymes. Therefore, Alicyclobacillus are capable of producing enzymes of industrial interest, with the possibility of economically viable application of the substrate, and the use of immobilization and ultrafiltration produced positive results.