Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Publication
    Ultrasound-assisted processing of Chlorella vulgaris for enhanced protein extraction
    The green microalga Chlorella vulgaris is a promising source of proteins of high nutritional value for the food industry. The present study aims to improve the recovery of proteins and umami free amino acids from C. vulgaris by exploring the use of ultrasound following multiple approaches including ultrasound-assisted single solvent extraction, ultrasound-assisted sequential solvent extraction and ultrasound-assisted enzymatic extraction. Ultrasound-assisted single solvent extraction using an alkaline solvent during 10 min provided equivalent protein recoveries to those obtained in control experiments macerating the biomass during 18 and 24 h. Ultrasound-assisted sequential solvent extraction using 0.4 M NaOH followed by 0.4 M HCl achieved a protein recovery of 79.1 ± 5.3%, 1.32-fold higher than the control experiments without ultrasound for 1 h. Ultrasound-assisted enzymatic extraction using lysozyme resulted in protein recoveries ranging from 33 to 42%, and these extracts also contained a high percentage of umami free amino acids. Ultrasound-assisted enzymatic extraction with protease enhanced the recovery of proteins (58–82%), although the extracts had low percentage of umami free amino acids. The scanning electron microscopy imaging revealed that ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction and ultrasound-assisted enzymatic extraction significantly changed the morphology of the cell surface.
    Scopus© Citations 67  765
  • Publication
    The value of seaweed
    TEAGASC researchers are developing zero waste industry processes to generate high-value-added products from seaweed.
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  • Publication
    Emerging food processing technologies and factors impacting their industrial adoption
    Innovative food processing technologies have been widely investigated in food processing research in recent years. These technologies offer key advantages for advancing the preservation and quality of conventional foods, for combatting the growing challenges posed by globalization, increased competitive pressures and diverse consumer demands. However, there is a need to increase the level of adoption of novel technologies to ensure the potential benefits of these technologies are exploited more by the food industry. This review outlines emerging thermal and non-thermal food processing technologies with regard to their mechanisms, applications and commercial aspects. The level of adoption of novel food processing technologies by the food industry is outlined and the factors that impact their industrial adoption are discussed. At an industry level, the technological capabilities of individual companies, their size, market share as well as their absorptive capacity impact adoption of a novel technology. Characteristics of the technology itself such as costs involved in its development and commercialization, associated risks and relative advantage, and level of complexity and compatibility influence the technology's adoption. The review concludes that a deep understanding of the development and application of a technology along with the factors influencing its acceptance are critical to ensure its commercial adoption.
    Scopus© Citations 119  1177
  • Publication
    Optimisation of Ultrasound Frequency, Extraction Time and Solvent for the Recovery of Polyphenols, Phlorotannins and Associated Antioxidant Activity from Brown Seaweeds
    This study investigates ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) process parameters (time, frequency and solvent) to obtain high yields of phlorotannins, flavonoids, total phenolics and associated antioxidant activities from 11 brown seaweed species. Optimised UAE conditions (35 kHz, 30 min and 50% ethanol) significantly improved the extraction yield from 1.5-fold to 2.2-fold in all seaweeds investigated compared to solvent extraction. Using ultrasound, the highest recovery of total phenolics (TPC: 572.3 ± 3.2 mg gallic acid equivalent/g), total phlorotannins (TPhC: 476.3 ± 2.2 mg phloroglucinol equivalent/g) and total flavonoids (TFC: 281.0 ± 1.7 mg quercetin equivalent/g) was obtained from Fucus vesiculosus seaweed. While the lowest recovery of TPC (72.6 ± 2.9 mg GAE/g), TPhC (50.3 ± 2.0 mg PGE/g) and TFC (15.2 ± 3.3 mg QE/g) was obtained from Laminaria digitata seaweed. However, extracts from Fucus serratus obtained by UAE exhibited the strongest 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity (29.1 ± 0.25 mg trolox equivalent/g) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) value (63.9 ± 0.74 mg trolox equivalent/g). UAE under optimised conditions was an effective, low-cost and eco-friendly technique to recover biologically active polyphenols from 11 brown seaweed species.
    Scopus© Citations 93  259
  • Publication
    An investigation into the efficacy of ozone for inactivation of microalgae cells in photobioreactors
    (American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), 2013-07) ; ; ; ;
    The sterilisation of photobioreactors is paramount to successful cultivation of microalgae. Due to the adhesive nature of microalgae, fouling of the light transmitting surfaces can be problematic. Traditional methods of sterilising photobioreactors between batches involve ultrasound, autoclaving or as seen in recent times, the photobioreactor incorporates a cleaning system. The objective of this project was to look at an alternative method of sterilisation. A preliminary study was carried out to determine the efficacy of ozone as treatment for the algae strain Dunaliella tertiolecta. Algae cultures at 104 cells CFU mL-1 were exposed to 3-51 μg mL-1 of ozone at different time periods (0-80 sec) and constant gas flow rates of 0.125 and 0.25 L min -1. Inactivation rates for total reduction of D. tertiolecta were found to increase significantly with an increase in ozone concentration and treatment time. This study supports the proposed mechanism of cell inactivation by ozone that causes cell membrane destruction and finally cell death. Therefore, it was found that ozone can be used to effectively eradicate microalgae in photobioreactors.
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