Development and characterization of functional ingredients through valorization of pineapple by-products: production, bioactivity and potential application

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Platform design for extraction and isolation of Bromelain: complex formation and precipitation with carrageenan

Publication . Campos, Débora A.; Valetti, Nadia Woitovich; Oliveira, Ana; Pastrana-Castro, Lorenzo M.; Teixeira, José A.; Pintado, Maria Manuela; Picó, Guillermo

The main objective of this work was to investigate for the first time the molecular mechanism of com-plex formation between bromelain (a positively charged enzyme) and carrageenan (a natural strongpolyelectrolyte, negatively charged) using spectroscopy techniques and thermodynamic approaches. TheBromelain-Carrageenan complex showed a maximal non-solubility at pH around 5.1. The solubility wasdependent on pH and ionic strength of the medium. To re-dissolve the formed complex, the pH waschanged and 500 mM of NaCl was added to the initial solution, proving the columbic mechanism forthe formation of non-soluble complex. The formation of the carrageenan-bromelain complex increasedin 8◦C the enzyme thermal stability, while its biological activity was not modified. The amount of totalenzyme recovered in solution after precipitation with around 0.08% w/v of carrageenan was 85–90%.

2017Journal article

Open access

Management of fruit industrial by-products - a case study on circular economy approach

Publication . Campos, Débora; Gómez-García, Ricardo; Vilas-Boas, Ana A.; Madureira, Ana Raquel; Pintado, Maria Manuela

The management of industrial fruit by-products is important not only to decrease the volume of food waste accumulated in the landfills but also to develop strategies through reuse with the purpose to valorise and add economic value. The disposal of food waste leads to di erent global issues in di erent sectors, such as social, environmental and economical. These by-products represent a rich source of valuable compounds (polyphenols) with high antioxidant activity, which can be extracted through biotechnological methodologies for future industrial applications. In this context, the management of fruit by-products is challenged to move from a linear economy to a circular economy. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to provide a critical view of an integrated valorisation of fruit by-products to overcome a global issue, via the production of antioxidant extracts with high economic value. A case study of pineapple processing industrialization in a circular economy is explored and discussed.

2020Journal article

Open access

Optimization of bromelain isolation from pineapple byproducts by polysaccharide complex formation

Publication . Campos, Débora A.; Coscueta, Ezequiel R.; Valetti, Nadia Woitovich; Pastrana-Castro, Lorenzo M.; Teixeira, José A.; Picó, Guillermo A.; Pintado, Maria Manuela

A simple method for bromelain extraction from industrial pineapple residues (stems and peels) was developed and optimized through factorial experimental design. The developed methodology, based on precipitation with carrageenan, represents an alternative to the use of organic solvents and inorganic salts (common industrial precipitation) and allows achieving extracts with high bromelain purity. High recovery yield – 80–90% - of active bromelain was obtained for both crude juices (stems and peels) making possible to obtain ca. 0.3 g of bromelain from 100 g of pineapple byproducts using a low polysaccharide concentration (0.2–0.3% w/v).

2019Journal article

Restricted access

Impact of functional flours from pineapple by-products on human intestinal microbiota

Publication . Campos, Débora; Coscueta, Ezequiel R.; Vilas-Boas, Ana A.; Silva, Sara; Teixeira, José A.; Pastrana, Lorenzo M.; Pintado, Maria Manuela

Solid fractions from pineapple stems and peels are constituted by structural carbohydrates coupled with dietary fibre, simple sugars, but also vitamins and polyphenols, which together can have potential effects on human health. The present studies report for the first time the bioavailability and bioaccessibility of pineapple byproducts fractions throughout simulated gastrointestinal tract, evaluates prebiotic potential and in vitro human microbiota fermentation. The pineapple flours promoted the human faeces fermentation through growth of beneficial strains, being corroborated by the decrease of simple sugars and the production of healthy organic acids (acetic, propionic and butyric acids) - well known short chain fatty acids. On the other hand, a high phenolic compounds content was release through flours digestion, developing an antioxidant environment within human gut. Thus, was possible to conclude that pineapple flour promoted a positive modulation in the overall system, proving a synergetic interaction of dietary fibre and polyphenols upon human microbiota.

2020Journal article

Open access

Integral valorization of pineapple (ananas comosus l.) by-products through a green chemistry approach towards added value ingredients

Publication . Campos, Débora A.; Ribeiro, Tânia; Teixeira, José A.; Pastrana, Lorenzo; Pintado, Maria Manuela

Industrial by-products are produced every day through fruit processing industries. Pineapple is not an exception; when processed, around 60% (w/w) of its weight are peels, stem, trimmings, and crown, the only used fruit part for human consumption. Due to high concerns of sustainability in the food system and negative high impact of human practice in the environment, a strategy has to be developed. Therefore, a green chemistry approach was applied to pineapple by-products to make an integrated valorization by the extraction of bioactive molecules. Two pineapple by-products (peels and stems) were studied, applying a green chemistry approach, which means the non-use of organic solvents or extreme methodologies. A subdivision of each by-product was done by the application of a juice machine. The peels and stems in the fresh state were ground separately, creating two fractions for each by-product—a juice and a wet pulp (press cake). The press cake was characterized, dried, and ground to create a fine powder flour. To the juice, a precipitation methodology with polysaccharides was applied, which allowed the bromelain separation (developing of an enzymatic fraction) from the fruit juice. The enzymatic extract was freeze-dried, and the juice was spray-dried, developing two more fine powders. Thus, three new ingredients were produced from each by-product, creating a total of six new ingredients. Overall, the enzymatic fractions represented around 0.26% (w/w) of pineapple weight. Pineapple stem juice represented 4.8% (w/w), and peel juice represented 17.3% (w/w). Pineapple stem flour represented 3.1% (w/w), and peel flour represented 11.4% (w/w) of the total pineapple weight. To valorize the by-products juices, a full characterization was performed of bioactive molecules and biological activities. When comparing the two juices, the peel juice showed lower content of total phenolic compounds, lower antioxidant capacity, and lower content of vitamin C. The different phenolic compounds were identified by HPLC analysis in the two pineapple by-products juices. However, the same compounds in both juices were quantified (chlorogenic, caffeic, and ferulic acids). On the other hand, the by-products flours had a high content of insoluble dietary fiber (IDF), mainly cellulose and hemicellulose. Therefore, the approach applied in this work opens the door to the production of green products, as a result of by-products valorization. This could be applied not only in the food industry but also in the nutraceutical and cosmetic industries.

2020Journal article

Open access