Soil contamination with olive mill wastes negatively affects microbial communities,invertebrates and plants

Ecotoxicology - The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ecotoxicological effects of olive mill waste (OMW) on soil habitat function. To this end, soil samples from OMW evaporating ponds...     

Bioscreening of Australian olive mill waste extracts: biophenol content, antioxidant, antimicrobial and molluscicidal activities.

The biophenolic fraction was characterized in olive mill waste (OMW) obtained as a by-product from processing of Mission and Frantoio olive fruit. OMW produced from the Mission fruit contained higher total phenol content. Individual biophenols with the exception of verbascoside and a hydroxytyrosol-secoiridoid were also present at higher concentrations in the OMW produced from Mission cultivar. Antioxidant activities were measured in aqueous (DPPH) and emulsion (BCBT) systems. The Frantoio extract was more active than the Mission extract in the DPPH assay - EC(50) values were 28.3+/-1.7 ppm and 34.7+/-1.7 ppm, respectively. Activities were reversed in the BCBT, with the Mission extract (EC(50) 60.6+/-2.3 ppm) more potent than the Frantoio extract (EC(50) 79.9+/-2.0 ppm), and this may be related to the more lipophilic nature of the Mission extract. Both extracts showed broad spectrum antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; whereas individual biophenols (hydroxytyrosol, luteolin, oleuropein) showed more limited activity. Molluscicidal activity was measured against Isidorella newcombi and LD(50) values were 424 ppm and 541 ppm for Mission and Frantoio extracts, respectively. The results suggest that OMW may be utilised as a source of bioactive compounds.     

Olive oil mill wastewater toxicity in the marine environment: alterations of stress indices in tissues of mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis

This study investigated the impact of olive mill wastewater (OMW) as a pollutant of the marine environment, via the detection of stress indice alterations in mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis. Due to the absence of data concerning the levels of OMW in the receiving waters, mortality test (96 h) was first performed in order to estimate the range of OMW concentration where no mortality occurs. OMW concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 0.1% (v/v) showed no increased mortality and thus were used for the determination of pre-pathological alterations in tissues of mussels. In particular, mussels exposed to either 0.1 or 0.01% (v/v) OMW for 5 days showed significant alterations of stress indices in their tissues. Specifically, decreased neutral red retention (NRR) assay time values, inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, as well as a significant increase of micronucleus (MN) frequency and DNA damage were detected in haemolymph/haemocytes and gills, compared with values measured in tissues of control mussels. The results of the present study showed that OMW disposal into the marine environment could induce pre-pathological alterations in marine organisms, before severe disturbances, such as disease, mortality, or population changes occur.     

Anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antioxidant activities of the endemic Soqotraen Boswellia elongata Balf. f. and Jatropha unicostata Balf. f. in different experimental models

In the present study, the two endemic Soqotraen plants Boswellia elongata and Jatropha unicostata were investigated for their anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antioxidant potential. To assess the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities, two concentrations of each extract (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) were tested in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, cotton pellet granuloma in rats, acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing and hot-plate test model in mice. Moreover, the antioxidant activity was determined in vitro, using scavenging activity of DPPH radical and β-carotene-linoleic acid assays. Both plants produced significant (P < 0.05-0.01) anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects; however the results suggest that B. elongata possesses the highest activities. B. elongata and J. unicostata at (400 mg/kg) reduced the paw edema considerably (82% and 53%) and the weight of cotton pellet granuloma (51% and 32%), respectively. Furthermore, they diminished the abdominal constriction induced by acetic acid with a 67% and 41% inhibition respectively, and prolonged significantly the reaction time of animal with relatively extended duration of stimulation. In addition, both plants showed considerable antioxidant activity in both assays. These results clearly confirmed the traditional anti-inflammatory indication of B. elongata and suggest that B. elongata could be a potential source for anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antioxidant agents.     

Nutrient recovery from pigeon dropping by using exotic earthworm Eisenia fetida

Pigeon dropping is a kind of organic waste which can be transformed easily into organic manure by vermicomposting with exotic earthworm Eisenia fetida. In the present study, a pigeon excreta was collected from roof tops. The pigeon excreta was mixed with cattle dung with the ratios as 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% respectively, in plastic containers; meanwhile, those proposal were name as C₁₀, C₂₀, C₃₀, C₄₀ and C₅₀ respectively. Feed mixtures were allowed to decompose (pre-vermicomposting without earthworm) for 20–25 days. After decomposition, 20 hatchlings of E. fetida were put in each concentration after weighing. Cattle dung (without pigeon excreta) was kept as the control. The physico-chemical analysis of initial feed mixture and final product after vermicomposting was also done to measure the changes in the feed mixtures from the initial to the final states. There were increases in the content of N (52.35%), P (115.79%), K (39.97%) and EC (56.16%) but decrease in those of OC (-15.49%), OM (-15.49%), pH (-7.92%) and Ca (-39.62%) from the initial to the final product. The highest population size of earthworms and minimum mortality rate was observed in C₃₀ feed mixture. Thus, the present study indicated that cattle dung mixed with 30% (w/w) pigeon excreta waste may be a good choice for vermicomposting.     

Capillary gas chromatographic assay of camphor and m-cresol in dermatological creams

Camphor and m-cresol mixtures are used in antiseptic and anti-itching creams. No compendial method exists for these preparations. This paper reports a capillary gas chromatographic method using FID detection with 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol as internal standard on a 30 m×0.32 mm Supelcowax®-10 column (0.25 μm film) with helium as carrier gas. Ramped temperature programming was applied. The method allows simultaneous quantitation of camphor and m-cresol in the presence of o- and p-cresols, calamine and zinc oxide. Overall percent recoveries (±SD, n=9) of camphor, o-, p- and m-cresol from spiked placebo creams, at a labeled amount of 10 (w/w)% were 96.9±0.6, 98.2±0.6, 99.2±0.5 and 101.0±0.9%, respectively, and at a labeled amount of 1% were 96.7±0.6, 97.8±0.9, 97.8±0.6, and 100.3±1.0%, respectively. The recovery studies were carried out at ±30% of the labeled amounts. Linear peak area or height ratios were obtained (r>0.999) for camphor, o-, p- and m-cresol covering a concentration range of 10–200% of the labeled amount. Linearity (r>0.999) was also obtained for m-cresol when the relative concentration of o- and p-cresol was varied from 5 to 100% of the m-cresol concentration. The resolution between the ‘critical pair’ of p- and m-cresol was ≥1.1. The limit of quantitation was 23 pg for m-cresol and 9.3 pg for camphor using an injection split of 1:50. The repeatability (%RSD) for all compounds were <2% for peak area and <1.4% for peak height ratios. System suitability and robustness of the method were established. The method was successively applied to the assay of available commercial products and allows assay of camphor and the three cresol isomers.     

Medical waste management and environmental assessment in the Rio University Hospital,Western Greece

At this study a multi-criteria model was developed to examine the available procedures, techniques and methods of handling infectious waste in the large healthcare unit of University Regional General Hospital of Patras, Western Greece. Particularly, this study examined the: a) current legislation and Directives issued for medical waste management at Greece and among the other EU-members, b) contribution of healthcare wastes (HCW) generation rate on social and economic parameters in selected European countries, c) available procedures, techniques, and methods upon the disposal of infectious wastes at the healthcare studied, and, d) propositions for integrated management of such hazardous wastes. Specifically, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology was applied under pair wise comparison matrices in two stages: 1) the scale factors and the indicators, and 2) the criteria and their sub–criteria. The assessment of these pair wise matrices included the indicators and the sub–criteria. Subsequently, two pair wise comparison matrices, upon a) the “Fulfillment of environmental objectives” indicator and b) the “Energy consumption” sub criterion, were denoted. The AHP methodology yielded good results; however there is still space of improving the environmental performance. The normalized relative weights obtained for the criteria and sub criteria motivated specific actions that have to be handled. Particularly, the results indicated a very good value in environmental management criteria due the values obtained for the commitment towards the environmental policy standards and the waste management procedures. However, further improvements on staff awareness (such as development programs to enhance sensitivity) and more green purchasing suppliers, should be further addressed.     

Antioxidant idebenone-loaded nanoparticles based on chitosan and N-carboxymethylchitosan

Nanoparticles based on chitosan (Ch) and N-carboxymethylchitosan (N-CMCh) cross-linked with tripolyphosphate (TPP) were developed by co-drying with idebenone in different polymer-to-drug ratios (1.3:1 to 16:1) with 20% (wt/wt) colloidal silicon dioxide and tripolyphosphate (0.2 mg/mL). At high ratios (8:1 and 16:1) the spray-dried powder showed spherical and dense particles with a size close to 1 μm, allowing almost complete drug coating by the polymeric system and a high efficiency of drug incorporation (>90% and >80%, for Ch and N-CMCh, respectively). The nanoparticles showed a 10-fold increase of drug stability in comparison with free drug and preserved antioxidant activity in vitro. Compared with the severely irritative free form of idebenone, the nanoparticle formulation showed decreased mucous membrane irritation. These results revealed the potential of Ch and N-CMCh nanoparticles as carriers for a hydrophobic and irritative drug such as idebenone for topical or nasal use.From the Clinical EditorChitosan and N-carboxymethylchitosan nanoparticles have potential roles as carriers for hydrophobic and irritative drugs such as the antioxidant idebenone for topical or nasal use.     

Adverse effect of tannery waste leachates in transgenic Drosophila melanogaster: role of ROS in modulation of Hsp70, oxidative stress and apoptosis

Leachate is a complex chemical mixture of chemicals produced as a result of leaching of solid wastes. The potential toxicity of leachates is a major environmental health concern. The present study evaluated the role of ROS in tannery leachates induced Hsp70 expression, antioxidant enzymes and apoptosis in Drosophila. Different concentrations (0.05-2.0%) of leachates prepared from tannery waste at different pH (7.00, 4.93 and 2.88) were mixed with Drosophila food and fed to the larvae for 2-48 h to examine the different stress and apoptotic markers. A concentration- and time-dependent significant increase in Hsp70 expression, ROS generation, antioxidant enzymes activities and MDA content were observed in the exposed larvae. Activities of antioxidant enzymes were delayed compared with Hsp70 expression and MDA level in the exposed organisms. Apoptotic cell death was observed in the exposed larvae at higher concentrations concurrent with a significant regression in Hsp70 along with a higher level of ROS generation. A positive correlation drawn between ROS generation and apoptotic markers and a negative correlation between apoptotic markers and Hsp70 expression at these concentrations indicated the important role of ROS in the induction of cellular damage in the exposed organisms. There was a significant generation of ROS in the larvae exposed to 0.5% of leachates which did not interfere with the protection of their cells by Hsp70 and antioxidant enzymes. However, generation of significantly higher levels of ROS in the larvae exposed to 1.0% and 2.0% leachates may decrease Hsp70 expression thus leading to mitochondria-mediated caspase-dependent apoptotic cell death.     

Olive oil mill wastewaters before and after treatment: a critical review from the ecotoxicological point of view

The olive oil mill wastewater (OMW) is a problematic and polluting effluent which may degrade the soil and water quality, with critical negative impacts on ecosystems functions and services provided. The main purpose of this review paper is presenting the state of the art of OMW treatments focusing on their efficiency to reduce OMW toxicity, and emphasizing the role of ecotoxicological tests on the evaluation of such efficiency before the up-scale of treatment methodologies being considered. In the majority of research works, the reduction of OMW toxicity is related to the degradation of phenolic compounds (considered as the main responsible for the toxic effects of OMW on seed germination, on bacteria, and on different species of soil and aquatic invertebrates) or the decrease of chemical oxygen demand content, which is not scientifically sound. Batteries of ecotoxicological tests are not applied before and after OMW treatments as they should be, thus leading to knowledge gaps in terms of accurate and real assessment of OMW toxicity. Although the toxicity of OMW is usually high, the evaluation of effects on sub-lethal endpoints, on individual and multispecies test systems, are currently lacking, and the real impacts yielded by its dilution, in freshwater trophic chains of receiving systems can not be assessed. As far as the terrestrial compartment is considered, ecotoxicological data available include tests only with plants and the evaluation of soil microbial parameters, reflecting concerns with the impacts on crops when using OMW for irrigation purposes. The evaluation of its ecotoxicity to other edaphic species were not performed giving rise to a completely lack of knowledge about the consequences of such practice on other soil functions. OMW production is a great environmental problem in Mediterranean countries; hence, engineers, chemists and ecotoxicologists should face this problem together to find an ecologically friend solution.     

Phytochemical and biological activities of some Iranian medicinal plants

ContextDue to adverse effects of synthetic compounds, there is a growing interest in utilization of plant-derived natural products in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Iranian endemic medicinal plants widely used in traditional practice have attracted much attention as antibacterial and antioxidant agents.ObjectiveThis review attempts to compile the accessible scientific research pertained to phytochemical compounds, antibacterial and antioxidant effects of essential oils obtained from some of the most widely used and distributed medicinal plants in Iran.MethodsThis review has been compiled using references via reliable databases (Google Scholar, SID and Science Direct) from 2010 to 2020. This literature review was limited to references published in English and Persian languages.ResultsBased on studies heretofore carried out, essential oils isolated from mentioned medicinal plants exhibited strong antioxidant activity which is attributed to their main phytochemical compounds; thymol, carvacrol, p-cymene and γ-terpinene. In addition, the antibacterial activities of essential oils of most plant species from Apiaceae and Asteraceae families were more susceptible against Gram-positive bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus than Gram-negative bacteria; however, essential oils of other studied plant species manifested similar behaviours against both Gram-positive and -negative bacteria.ConclusionsAs there is rich ethnobotanical knowledge behind Iranian endemic medicinal plants, further scientific research is required to prove their safety and efficacy. This review revealed that there are numerous valuable medicinal plants adoptable in food and pharmaceutical industries in the near future.     

Toxic effects of animal manures and sewage sludge as supplementary feeds for the common carp, Cyprinus carpio

Activated sludge, chicken manure and pig manure were tested for their toxic effects as supplementary feeds for the common carp, Cyprinus carpio. The acute toxicity test showed that animal manures were more toxic than activated sludge (e.g., 96-h LC₅₀ values for pig manure and chicken manure were 0.55% and 0.29%, respectively, while no effective value was revealed for activated sludge). This may be due to the inadequate processing of the manures which resulted in the release of harmful substances during decomposition.In general, body weights of all the fish fed the wastes decreased during the culture period. High heavy metal concentrations (Pb, Cu, Zn and Mn) were found accumulated in the flesh of the fish fed the wastes. It is suggested that waste materials should be pretreated and detoxified before using them as animal feeds.     

Photovoltaic electrocoagulation treatment of olive mill wastewater using an external-loop airlift reactor

Over the years, olive mill wastewater (OMW), which is generated from olive oil production has attracted considerable attention as one of the most polluted wastewaters due to its high concentrations of toxic compounds. It is a truism nowadays to guide research towards a novel and efficient technologies in order to treat this hazardous waste.In this paper, detoxification of OMW in an external loop airlift reactor (ALR) by electrocoagulation (EC) powered by photovoltaic solar system as a renewable and sustainable energy source was investigated. The effects of the operating parameters, such as electrolysis time, initial pH, current density (CD), and the axial position of the electrode were studied in continuous flow with two aluminum electrodes. A rate of abatement of about 79.24% for COD, 94.82% for polyphenols and 97.87% for dark color was observed within 40 min of treatment at 32.14 mA/cm² current density, a position of the electrodes at 35 cm from the bottom of the riser compartment, and initial pH of 5.6. Furthermore, under these optimal conditions, the power supplied by photovoltaic cells led to amount of electrode dissolved (ELC) and specific energy consumption (SEC) of around 0.1118 kg/m³ and 9.86 kWh/m³, respectively. It has been proven that the EC treatment of OMW in ALR coupled with renewable energy source offers a low operation cost (0.2 USD/m³) compared to other treatment processes.     

By-product of Lavandula latifolia essential oil distillation as source of antioxidants

The objective of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant properties of Lavandula latifolia waste obtained after essential oil distillation. Samples of 12 wild populations of the Lavandula genus collected between 2009 and 2010 were hydrodistilled and their by-products were analyzed using the Folin–Ciocalteu, free radical scavenging activity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods. Rosmarinic acid, apigenin, and luteolin contents were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection. The mean of total phenolic content ranged from 1.89 ± 0.09 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight to 3.54 ± 0.22 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight. The average value of the half maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) for scavenging activity ranged from 5.09 ± 0.17 mg/mL to 14.30 ± 1.90 mg/mL and the variability of the EC₅₀ in FRAP ranged from 3.72 ± 0.12 mg/mL to 18.55 ± 0.77 mg/mL. Annual variation was found among this samples and the environmental conditions of 2009 were found to be more favorable. The plants collected from Sedano showed the highest antioxidant power. Our results show that rosmarinic acid and apigenin in L. latifolia contributed to the antioxidant properties of the waste. In conclusion, the by-product of the distillation industry could be valorizing as a source of natural antioxidants.     

Presence of phthalate derivatives in the essential oils of a medicinal plant Achillea tenuifolia

Background

Phthalate, esters of phthalic acid, are mainly applied as plasticizers and cause several human health and environment hazards. The essential oils of Achillea species have attracted a great concern, since several biological activities have been reported from varieties of these medicinal species. On the other side, due to the problems regarding the waste disposal in developing countries, phthalate derivatives can easily release from waste disposal to the water and soil resulting in probable absorption and accumulation by medicinal and dietary plants. As a matter of fact, although the toxicity of phthalate derivatives in human is well-known, food crops and medicinal plants have been exposing to phthalates that can be detected in their extracts and essential oils. Achillea tenuifolia (Compositea) is one of these herbaceous plants with traditional applications which widely growing in Iran.

Finding

The plant root was subjected to hydro-distillation for 4 h using Clevenger type apparatus to obtain its essential oil before and after acid treatment. Both of the hydro-distilled essential oils were analysed by GC-MS method resulted in recognition of their constituent. Phthalate contamination as (1, 2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis (2-methylpropyl) ester (5.4%) and phthalic acid (4.5%), were identified in the first and second extracted oils, respectively.

Conclusion

As a warning, due to the potential role of phthalates to cause reproductive toxicity, disturb of endocrine system and causing cancers, medicinal plants have to be considered through quality control for detection of these compounds.     

Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the essential oil of Salvia lanigera from Cyprus

The essential oil of aerial parts of Salvia lanigera Poir. (Lamiaceae) growing wild in Cyprus was obtained by hydrodistillation and was analysed by GC and GC-MS. A total of 67 compounds, representing 93.6% of the oil, were identified, and the major components were showed to be thymol (12.1%), hexadecanoic acid (6.0%), carvacrol and α-thujone (5.7%). The essential oil was assayed for its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Antimicrobial activity of the oil, evaluated using the broth dilution method, resulted higher against Gram-positive bacteria than the other referenced strains tested. Antioxidant activity of the oil was evaluated by using DPPH and FRAP methods together with three antioxidant standards, l-ascorbic acid, tert-butyl-4-hydroxy toluene (BHT) and gallic acid. The activity of the sample in both methods was higher than that of all of standards used at the same dose.     

Effects of blending wheatgrass juice on enhancing phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of traditional kombucha beverage

Traditional kombucha is a fermented black tea extract and sugar. Sweetened black tea (10% w/v) and wheatgrass juice (WGJ) were mixed in various ratios and used as fermentation substrate for enhancing phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Starter, comprising of yeast (Dekkera bruxellensis) and acetic acid bacteria (Gluconacetobacter rhaeticus and Gluconobacter roseus), was inoculated at 20% (v/v), and fermented statically at 29 ± 1°C for 12 days. The results showed that the total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity of the modified kombucha were higher than those of traditional preparations. All WGJ-blended kombucha preparations were characterized as having higher concentrations of various phenolic compounds such as gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, rutin, and chlorogenic acid as compared to traditional ones. Addition of WGJ resulted in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging ability of kombucha being > 90%, while the oxygen radical absorbance capacity increased from 5.0 μmol trolox equivalents/mL to 12.8 μmol trolox equivalents/mL as the ratio of WGJ increased from 0% to 67% (v/v). The highest antioxidant activity was obtained using a 1:1 (v/v) black tea decoction to WGJ ratio and 3 days of fermentation, producing various types of phenolic acids. These results suggest that intake of fermented black tea enhanced with wheatgrass juice is advantageous over traditional kombucha formulas in terms of providing various complementary phenolics and might have more potential to reduce oxidative stress.     

Impact of piperacillin/tazobactam on nephrotoxicity in patients with Gram-negative bacteraemia

Piperacillin/tazobactam (TZP) has been associated with nephrotoxicity in patients receiving vancomycin. Its impact on nephrotoxicity in patients with Gram-negative bacteraemia (GNB) is unclear. This study evaluated the impact of TZP on nephrotoxicity in patients with GNB. This retrospective cohort included patients aged ≥18 years receiving ≥48 h of therapy for bacteraemia due to Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Acinetobacter or Stenotrophomonas maltophilia from 1/01/2008–8/31/2011. Patients with baseline serum creatinine (SCr) ≥3.5 mg/dL, polymicrobial infection or recurrent bacteraemia were excluded. Nephrotoxicity was defined as a ≥0.5 mg/dL increase in SCr or ≥50% increase from baseline for ≥2 consecutive days. Any variable demonstrating a 10% change in exposure effect was retained in the final model. All variables biologically reasonable causes of nephrotoxicity were also considered for inclusion. The median age of the cohort (n?=?292) was 76 years; 38.0% had a cancer diagnosis and ICU residence was common (21.9%). There was no difference in nephrotoxicity incidence based on days of TZP received (0 days, 13.6%; 1–2 days, 14.7%; 3–4 days, 6.9%; ≥5 days, 16.7%; P?=?0.71). In multivariable analysis, baseline SCr, total body weight and vasopressor use were independently associated with nephrotoxicity. Duration of TZP was not associated with nephrotoxicity in multivariable analysis (1–2 days, OR?=?0.91, 95% CI 0.39–2.12; 3–4 days, OR?=?0.48, 95% CI 0.10–2.46; ≥5 days, OR?=?0.57, 95% CI 0.11–3.02). In this cohort of GNB patients, duration of TZP was not associated with nephrotoxicity.     

Antioxidant power as biochemical endpoint in bread for screening and early managing quality and toxicant-related safety anomalies in food production

Flaxseeds are both a food ingredient and a natural source of antioxidants (e.g. lignans, PUFAs) and pro-oxidant contaminants (e.g. cadmium): the variable mixture of anti- and pro-oxidant substances may impact on the redox homeostasis of flaxseed-enriched foods. The antioxidant power is studied here as biochemical activity of flaxseeds in white wheat bread and as endpoint for possible screening of anomalous variations of bioactive mixtures (antioxidants vs. prooxidants) in food matrices.A bioprobe assay based on the superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme (6 channels of the multiprobe bioelectronic platform BEST) was performed on white wheat bread with and without flaxseeds. Nine BEST channels were simultaneously used for validation and monitoring of measuring conditions (temperature, pH, conductivity). Findings were compared with quantitative analysis of antioxidants and pro-oxidant contaminants. Organic and aqueous extracts of both bread types were examined in parallel.The SOD-probe detected the difference in antioxidant power given by 10% flaxseed, thus supporting the use of antioxidant power detected by bioenzymatic screening as sensitive biochemical endpoint. Mixtures of bioactive molecules in foods generate biochemical activities that can be monitored as time-effective indicators of invariability, which is pivotal in the daily control of anomalies in food production and therefore in the protection of consumers′ health.     

Economic pre-feasibility of supercritical fluid extraction of antioxidants from fruit residues

During the different stages of the supply chain, large amounts of waste are generated, being mostly disposed of in landfills. Most of these residues have a high content of valuable compounds with a high antioxidant capacity. These compounds have a high potential for use in different industries, such as the pharmaceutical and food industries. Supercritical fluid extraction is one of the technologies available for extracting effectively these components from wastes. Several studies have focused on this technology to show its advantages. This work aims evaluates the production of bioactive compound from different fruit residues to analyze their economic pre-feasibility using supercritical fluid extraction. Five fruit wastes were used for the analysis: mango peel, yellow passion fruit seed, raspberry seeds, mandarin peel, and açaí berry exhausted pulp. As results there was found that the use of a co-solvent increases production costs. Another influencing factor was the extraction yield related to the raw material used. The appropriate selection of these variables makes it possible to obtain economically viable processes. The yellow passion fruit presents the better economic indicators for obtaining an oil extract mainly composed of palmitic acid. With the raw material flow of 100 kg/h, a profit margin of 86.94% was obtained, which was the higher than for other raw materials. Additionally, the minimum flow of yellow passion fruit is 5.13 kg/h to obtain an NPV of zero at ten years.