Employing alternative culture media in kefiran exopolysaccharide production: Impact on microbial diversity, physicochemical properties, and bioactivities

Author(s)

de Oliveira Filho, Josemar Goncalves ; Silva, Christian de Oliveira ; Egea, Mariana Buranelo ; de Azeredo, Henriette Monteiro Cordeiro ; Mattoso, Luiz Henrique Capparelli

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules; v. 246, p. 10-pg., 2023-08-15.

Abstract

Kefiran is a biomaterial with potential application in developing novel materials for food technology. In this study, sugarcane sugar (REF), raw sugar (RAS), brown sugar (BRS), soy molasses (SOM), and sugarcane molasses (SCM) were evaluated for the production of kefiran from kefir biomass rather than cow's milk (CMK), the usual medium. The produced kefiran was purified and characterized by colorimetry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis, and morphology. It was also assayed for antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. SCM had the highest average daily rate of kefir biomass production (29.17 %/day). The composition of the culture medium affected the microbial diversity of kefir grains, and the Lactobacillus genus was the most abundant (39.8 %, 40.0 %, and 83.9 % to SCM, SOM, and CMK, respectively) in the samples that presented the highest biomass production and kefiran extraction yields. FTIR spectra showed that the bands of kefiran produced in REF and RAS were narrower than those of the other samples. Kefiran grew in an alternative culture medium also exhibited higher thermal stability (Tonset and TMax was higher than 250 and 280 degrees C, respectively). Those grown in SOM and SCM displayed antimicrobial and antioxidant activities similar to those of kefiran produced in CMK. The results indicate that agro-industrial by-products (SCM and SOM) are potential alternatives for kefiran production from kefir biomass. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/13260-7 - Smart nanofibers functionalized with natural pigments: a new approach to food quality monitoring
• Grantee: Josemar Gonçalves de Oliveira Filho
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 18/22214-6 - Towards a convergence of technologies: from sensing and biosensing to information visualization and machine learning for data analysis in clinical diagnosis
• Grantee: Osvaldo Novais de Oliveira Junior
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants