Search Results (560)

Bone-associated pathologies are major contributors to chronic pathology statistics. Current gold standard treatments present limitations such as the ability to act as scaffolds whilst effectively delivering medications to promote cellular proliferation. Recent advancements in biomaterials have suggested whey protein isolate (WPI) hydrogel as a potential candidate to act as a scaffold with the capacity for drug delivery for bone regeneration. In this study, we investigate whey protein isolate hydrogels enhanced with the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD). The use of CBD in WPI hydrogels for bone regeneration is original. The results suggest that CBD was successfully incorporated into the hydrogels bound potentially through hydrophobic interactions formed between hydrophobic patches of the protein and the hydrophobic cannabinoid. The incorporation of CBD into the WPI hydrogels improved the mechanical strength of the hydrogels. The Young’s modulus was improved from 2700 kPa ± 117 kPa to 7100 kPa ± 97 kPa when compared to the WPI control, without plant-derived cannabinoids, to the WPI with the maximum CBD concentration. Furthermore, statistically significant differences for both Young’s modulus and compressive strength were observable between the WPI control and CBD hydrogel variables. The release of CBD from the WPI hydrogels was confirmed with the results suggesting a maximum release of 20 μM over the 5-day period. Furthermore, the hydrogels supported the proliferation and synthesis of collagen and calcium, as well as the alkaline phosphatase activity of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts, which demonstrates the potential of WPI/CBD hydrogels as a biomaterial for osseous tissue regeneration. Full article

Beer lees (BL), a by-product of beer production, consist mainly of dead yeast cells with potential nutritional value. On the other hand, yeast extract (YE), obtained through the lysis of yeast cells, is commonly used as a nutrient-rich supplement for the growth of fastidious microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria (LAB). However, YE is a high-cost ingredient. Therefore, the aim of this study was to optimize the use of BL as a low-cost alternative source of YE through different lysis treatments, evaluating its suitability to support the growth of UNQLpc 10 and UNQLp 11 strains in a whey permeate (WP)-based medium. Growth kinetics and cell viability were compared with those obtained in MRS broth. The best results were observed with sonicated BL, up to 10 logarithmic units, which supported LAB growth comparable to MRS. Although autolyzed BL promoted lower bacterial growth than sonicated BL, it showed greater cell disruption and higher levels of nitrogen, proteins, and amino acids (5.32%, 26.0%, and 277 nM, respectively). Additionally, autolyzed BL exhibited lower concentrations of reducing sugars and a higher presence of Maillard reaction products, as indicated by colorimetric analysis. These changes, which may be related to the formation of Maillard reaction products during the autolysis process, could have negatively affected the nutritional quality of the extract and, thus, reduced its effectiveness as a bacterial growth promoter. Full article

Biomaterials play a crucial role in the long-term success of bone implant treatment. The accumulation of bacterial biofilm on the implants induces inflammation, leading to implant failure. Modification of the implant surface with bioactive molecules is one of the strategies to improve biomaterial compatibility and limit inflammation. In this study, whey protein isolate (WPI) fibrillar coatings were used as a matrix to incorporate biologically active phenolic compound phloroglucinol (PG) at different concentrations (0.1% and 0.5%) on titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) scaffolds. Successful Ti6Al4V coatings were validated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), showing a decrease in %Ti and increases in %C, %N, and %O, which demonstrate the presence of the protein layer. The biological activity of PG-enriched WPI (WPI/PG) coatings was assessed using bone-forming cells, human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). WPI/PG coatings modulated the behavior of BM-MSCs but did not have a negative impact on cell viability. A WPI with higher concentrations of PG increased gene expression relative to osteogenesis and reduced the pro-inflammatory response of BM-MSCs after biofilm stimulation. Autoclaving reduced WPI/PG bioactivity compared to filtration. By using WPI/PG coatings, this study addresses the challenge of improving osteogenic potential while limiting biofilm-induced inflammation at the Ti6Al4V surface. These coatings represent a promising strategy to enhance implant bioactivity. Full article

The dairy industry generates substantial quantities of wastewater, primarily whey wastewater, posing environmental challenges. Current treatment methods involve physical, chemical, and biological processes, but efficient solutions are still sought. Biological treatments using microalgae are gaining attention due to their potential to remove pollutants from wastewater and generate valuable products, making them an alternative way to improve environmental sustainability. The physicochemical characterization of whey effluents reveals a high organic content, an acidic pH, and elevated nutrient levels. This study investigates the potential of Chromochloris zofingiensis (formerly known as Chlorella zofingiensis) for treating whey wastewater using three concentrations, 10%, 20%, and 50%, over a 7-day culture period. The optimal concentration of whey wastewater for biomass, nutrient removal, astaxanthin, and lipid production was found to be 10%. At this concentration, C. zofingiensis achieved a biomass of 3.86 g L⁻¹ and a removal efficiency of nutrients between 77.08% and 99.90%. Analysis of pigment production revealed decreases in chlorophyll and carotenoid production with increasing whey wastewater concentration, while lipid and astaxanthin production peaked at the 10% dilution. The chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total carotenoid, astaxanthin, and lipid contents were, respectively, 11.49 mg g⁻¹, 4.56 mg g⁻¹, 4.04 mg g⁻¹, 0.71 mg g⁻¹, and 30.49% in 10% whey wastewater. The fatty acid profiles indicated the predominance of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, enhancing the biofuel potential of C. zofingiensis cultivated in whey wastewater. These findings demonstrate the dual benefit of using C. zofingiensis for sustainable whey wastewater treatment and high-value bioproduct generation, supporting the development of circular biorefinery systems. Full article

Cosmetology is one of the fastest-growing scientific areas, and within it, individual needs and preferences have to be considered. Specifically, cosmetic products with incorporated biological macromolecules, i.e., proteins and peptides, that contribute to improved skin features are gaining in importance. Similar to other fields, cosmetology is also faced with the zero-waste paradigm and strives for a collaboration with other industries. Whey is a co-product in milk production and represents a high environmental burden. In this regard, the idea of the present study was to utilise whey in order to develop sustainable cosmetic products, i.e., cleansing hydrogel and shampoo. The initial phase of the study was dedicated to the development of an optimised hydrogel and shampoo base, followed by whey integration and an in-depth physico-chemical characterisation of both prototypes. In the subsequent phases, particular emphasis was placed on evaluating the potential skin irritancy of the whey-based formulations in vitro, complemented by in vivo assessment on volunteers. The results obtained indicate that the incorporation of whey at concentrations of up to 30% (m/m) is feasible for both formulation types. Moreover, neither product exhibited any irritative effects and a study on volunteers showed that whey has great potential in terms of providing adequate skin hydration. Taken together, all the findings support the development of advanced cosmetic formulations with a zero-waste concept built-in, thus offering a promising platform for cross-sector collaboration, and representing a meaningful step toward potential hydrogel and shampoo commercialisation. Full article

Large-scale cultivation of cyanobacteria is often limited by the high cost of synthetic culture medium and the environmental impact of nutrient consumption. Cheese whey, a major agro-industrial waste product, is rich in organic and inorganic nutrients, making it a promising low-cost alternative for microbial growth while addressing waste bioremediation. This study investigates the growth performance and the biochemical composition of four different cyanobacterial species (Phormidium sp., Synechocystis sp., Chlorogloeopsis fritschii, and Arthrospira platensis), cultivated in cheese whey (CW). Pretreated CW was used at 20% and 100% v/v concentrations. All species grew satisfactorily in both concentrations, reaching biomass above 4 g L⁻¹ (in 100% v/v CW) and 2 g L⁻¹ (in 20% v/v CW). The highest μ_max value (0.28 ± 0.02 d⁻¹) was presented by Synechocystis sp. grown in 20% CW. Waste bioremediation of both 20 and 100% v/v CW demonstrated effective nutrient removal, with COD removal exceeding 50% for most species, while total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) removals reached up to 33% and 32%, respectively. Biochemical composition analysis revealed high carbohydrate and protein content, while lipid content remained below 15% in all cases. Interestingly, C. fritschii accumulated 11% w/w polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) during the last day of cultivation in 20% v/v CW. These findings highlight the potential of C. fritschii as a valuable candidate for integration into bioprocesses aimed at sustainable bioplastic production. Its ability to synthesize PHAs from agro-industrial waste not only enhances the economic viability of the process but also aligns with circular economy principles. This study is a primary step towards establishing a biorefinery concept for the cultivation of cyanobacterial species in cheese whey-based wastewater streams. Full article

The pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) consists of the apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) due to oxidative stress. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential antioxidant activity of whey protein isolate (WPI) in PD models, using neurotoxin-exposed SH-SY5Y cells differentiated into dopaminergic-like neurons. Our research shows that WPI’s high glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and leucine contribute to its antioxidant and neuroprotective effects, with glutamic acid crucial for glutathione synthesis. In vitro studies found that WPI, at concentrations of 5–1000 µg/mL, is non-toxic to differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. Notably, the lowest con-centration of WPI (5 µg/mL) significantly decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in these cells following a 24 h co-treatment with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺). The antioxidant effects of WPI were also confirmed by the increased expression of HO1 and GPx antioxidant enzymes, which are Nrf2 pathway target genes and were evaluated by real-time PCR. Furthermore, Nrf2 nuclear translocation in the differentiated SH-SY5Y cells was also increased when the cells were exposed to 5 µg/mL of WPI with MPP⁺. These results together suggest that WPI has antioxidant effects on dopaminergic-like neurons in a Parkinson’s disease model. Full article

The aim of this study was to produce edible films using ovine second cheese whey (SCW) powder, alone or combined with whey protein isolate (WPI). SCW is a by-product obtained in the manufacture of ovine whey cheeses. In this instance, it was dehydrated after increasing the protein concentration by ultrafiltration/diafiltration. Furthermore, the effects of the addition of oregano (Origanum compactum) essential oil (EO) in two proportions to the films produced with a mixture of SCW powder and WPI were studied. The water vapor permeability, solubility, color, opacity, antioxidant activity, and the mechanical properties of the films were determined. In addition, we determined the films’ structure, by FTIR; thermal stability, by TGA; and microstructure and crystallinity, by XRD. SCW combined with WPI can be used to prepare edible films, but their properties were found to be affected depending on the proportion of each product. The substitution of WPI by SCW caused decreases in water solubility (from 81.44 to 66.49% D.M.), modified the color and decreased tensile strength (from 1.57 to 0.17 MPa), and decreased the elongation at break (from 52.17 to 3.57%), the puncture strength (from 2.40 to 0.20 MPa) and the deformation (from 18.92 to 0.93%) of the films. EO addition to the SCW–WPI films increased the antioxidant activity of the films (from 0.97 to 2.19 mg DPPH/g). It also modified other characteristics of the films such as the water solubility and the tensile strength. Both SCW and EO incorporations influenced the secondary structure of proteins and the thermal stability, microstructure and crystallinity of the films. Full article

Soy whey, a by-product of soy processing, has shown promise as a substrate for mycoprotein production using Aspergillus oryzae. However, the low biomass concentration obtained necessitates optimization of cultivation conditions to enhance total protein production. In this study, we optimized substrate concentration (50%, 75%, and 100%), initial pH (unadjusted, 4, 5, and 6), and supplementation with 8 g/L ammonium sulfate, minerals (0.75 g/L MgSO₄·7H₂O, 1 g/L CaCl₂·H₂O and 3.5 g/L KH₂PO₄), or their combination to maximize biomass production. The results showed that adjusting the initial pH to 5 and adding ammonium sulfate and minerals increased biomass concentration by 169% from 1.82 g/L to 4.9 g/L in 100% soy whey. This optimized condition also slightly improved the protein content of the biomass from 53% w/w to 55.93% w/w. Additionally, cultivating A. oryzae under these optimized conditions significantly reduced soy whey’s chemical oxygen demand from 8100 mg/L to 3267 mg/L, highlighting bioremediation potential. These findings suggest that the optimized conditions enhance the productivity of mycoprotein and also contribute to the sustainable management of soy whey waste, providing a combined benefit of nutrient recovery and wastewater treatment. Full article

With the growing interest in health and fitness, whey protein supplements are becoming increasingly popular among fitness enthusiasts and athletes. The surge in demand for whey protein supplements highlights the need for cost-effective methods to characterise product quality throughout the food supply chain. This study presents a rapid and low-cost method for authenticating sports whey protein supplements using smartphone video imaging (SVI) combined with machine learning. A gradient of colours ranging from purple to red is displayed on the front screen of a smartphone to illuminate the sample. The colour change on the sample surface is captured in a short video by the front-facing camera. Then, the video is split into frames, decomposed into RGB colour channels, and converted into spectral data. The relationship between video data and sample labels is established using machine learning models. The proposed method is tested on five tasks, including identifying 15 brands of whey protein concentrate (WPC), quantifying fat content and energy levels, detecting three types of adulterants, and quantifying adulterant levels. Moreover, the performance of SVI was compared to that of hyperspectral imaging (HSI), which has an equipment cost of around 80 times that of SVI. The proposed method achieves accuracies of 0.933 and 0.96 in WPC brand identification and adulterant detection, respectively, which are only around 0.05 lower than those of HSI. It obtains coefficients of determination of 0.897, 0.906 and 0.963 for the quantification of fat content, energy levels and milk powder adulteration, respectively. Such results demonstrate that the combination of smartphones and machine learning offers a low-cost and viable preliminary screening tool for verifying the authenticity of whey protein supplements. Full article

This work concerns the spray drying of probiotic bacteria Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG suspended in a solution of starch, whey protein concentrate, soy lecithin, and ascorbic acid, with additional selected natural plant-origin liquid oils. The aim of this study was to examine these oils and their concentrations (20% and 30%) on bacterial viability during the spray drying (inlet temperature was 180 °C, outlet temperature from 50 to 54 °C, feed rate around 9 mL/min) and storage for 4 weeks at 4 °C and 20 °C, with attempts to explain the protective mechanism in respect including their fatty acid composition. The viability of microencapsulated bacteria, moisture content, water activity, color properties, morphology, particle size of obtained powders, and thermal properties of encapsulated oils were evaluated. The highest viability of bacterial cells after spray drying 83.7% and 86.0%, was recorded with added borage oil respectively with 20% and 30% oil content. This oil has a lower content of oleic and linoleic acid compared to other applied oils, but a high content of both vitamin E and γ- linoleic acid. However, this study did not confirm unambiguously whether and which of the components present in natural plant oils specifically affect the overall viability of bacteria during spray drying. Full article

This study examines the effect of inoculum (0.5–3 g/L) and substrate concentration (40–200 g/L) on butyric acid and biohydrogen production by batch dark fermentation at 37 °C. Clostridium pasteurianum DSM525 and Cheese Whey Powder (CWP) were used in the experiments. The results showed that biohydrogen and butyric acid production increased with a 1.5 g/L microorganism concentration and 80 g/L CWP. A Cumulative Hydrogen Formation (CHF) of 458 mL, butyric acid (BA) of 1.523 g/L, butyric acid to acetic acid (BA/AA) ratio of 3.07 g BA/g AA, hydrogen production yield (Y_H2/TS) of 1278.63 mL H₂/g TS, and butyric acid production yield (Y_BA/TS) of 0.37 g BA/g TS at 1.5 g/L inoculum concentration was achieved. The hydrogen (HPR) and butyric acid production rates (BAPR) were similarly the highest at 1.5 g/L. The maximum specific hydrogen (SHPR) and butyric acid rates (SBAPR) were obtained at 2 g/L and 1 g/L organism concentrations, respectively. In variations of substrate concentrations, 651.1 mL of CHF, 1.1 g/L of BA, 3.23 g BA/g AA of BA/AA ratio, 576 mL H2/g TS of YH2/TS, and 27.4 g BA/g TS of Y_BA/TS were accomplished. HPR and SHPR were the highest at 80 g/L CWP due to no substrate inhibition. The BAPR was at its maximum at 100 g/L, BA accumulation was faster, and the SBAPR was at maximum 40 g/L CWP. The results showed a good adaptation of C. pasteurianum to the butyric acid-derived hydrogen production pathway. This strategy could build a renewable and sustainable process with dual valuable outputs. Full article

The production of microbial metabolites such as (exo)polysaccharides, lipids, or mannitol through the cultivation of microorganisms on sustainable, low-cost carbon sources is of high interest within the framework of a circular economy. In the current study, two non-extensively studied, non-conventional yeast strains, namely, Cutaneotrichosporon curvatus NRRL YB-775 and Papiliotrema laurentii NRRL Y-3594, were evaluated for their capability to grow on semi-defined lactose-, glycerol-, or glucose-based substrates and produce value-added metabolites. Three different nitrogen-to-carbon ratios (i.e., 20, 80, 160 mol/mol) were tested in shake-flask batch experiments. Pretreated secondary cheese whey (SCW) was used for fed-batch bioreactor cultivation of P. laurentii NRRL Y-3594, under nitrogen limitation. Based on the screening results, both strains can grow on low-cost substrates, yielding high concentrations of microbial biomass (>20 g/L) under nitrogen-excess conditions, with polysaccharides comprising the predominant component (>40%, w/w, of dry biomass). Glucose- and glycerol-based cultures of C. curvatus promote the secretion of mannitol (13.0 g/L in the case of glucose, under nitrogen-limited conditions). The lipids (maximum 2.2 g/L) produced by both strains were rich in oleic acid (≥40%, w/w) and could potentially be utilized to produce second-generation biodiesel. SCW was nutritionally sufficient to grow P. laurentii strain, resulting in exopolysaccharides secretion (25.6 g/L), along with dry biomass (37.9 g/L) and lipid (4.6 g/L) production. Full article

An emulsion gel was developed to replace animal fats in meat products while preserving desirable sensory and structural attributes. The gel was prepared by emulsifying pine nut oil and sunflower oil with whey protein concentrate (WPC) and polysaccharides (inulin and carrageenan). Process parameters, including the inulin-to-water ratio, homogenization speed, and temperature, were optimized to achieve stable gels exhibiting high water- and fat-binding capacities. Scanning electron micrographs revealed a cohesive network containing uniformly dispersed lipid droplets, with carrageenan promoting a denser matrix. Chemical assessments demonstrated a notably lower saturated fatty acid content (10.85%) and only 0.179% trans-isomers, alongside an elevated proportion (71.17%) of polyunsaturated fatty acids. This fatty acid profile suggests potential cardiovascular health benefits compared with conventional animal fats. Texture analyses showed that carrageenan increased gel strength and hardness; Experiment 4 recorded values of 15.87 N and 279.62 N, respectively. Incorporation of WPC at moderate levels (3–4%) further enhanced the yield stress, reflecting a robust protein–polysaccharide network. These findings indicate that the developed emulsion gel offers a viable alternative to animal fats in meat products, combining superior nutritional attributes with acceptable textural properties. The substantial polyunsaturated fatty acid content and minimal trans-isomers, coupled with the gel’s mechanical stability, support the feasibility of creating reduced-fat, functional formulations that align with consumer demands for healthier alternatives. Full article

Cheese production generates a large amount of liquid waste called cheese whey (CW). The management of CW is not optimized in Ecuador since a large proportion of it is discharged into the soil or effluents, causing significant environmental impacts. For this reason, the co-composting of whey with solid organic wastes can be a suitable method for its treatment for small companies generating this liquid waste due to its effectiveness and low cost. In this study, we analyzed 10 CW samples from different small companies in the Mocha canton (Tungurahua, Ecuador) to determine specific physicochemical and chemical parameters. Subsequently, a waste pile was formed with crop residues (corn and beans) and cow manure, which was composted using the turned pile composting system. Throughout the composting process, the temperature of the pile was controlled, its moisture was maintained between 40 and 60% by adding whey, and several physicochemical, chemical, and biological properties were determined. The results showed that the CW presented a high organic load, notable macronutrient content, and low heavy metal concentrations, all of which are beneficial for its co-composting with other organic solid wastes. The only limiting factors involved in using large amounts of whey in the composting process were the low pH values of the acid CW and the high concentrations of salts. It was also observed that co-composting CW with agro-livestock wastes was a viable strategy to treat these wastes and produce compost with stabilized and humified organic matter and remarkable agricultural value. Full article