Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences for the results of this project included personnel in the biofuels, bioenergy and biochemicals industries as well as the sugar industry sector interested in expanding their products beyond sugar and molasses. Other target audiences included: researchers in the fields offood science, biotechnology, biochemistry, engineering, and medicine who could benefit from the findings of this project; and, the domestic sugar industry to include managers of all sugar factories in Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Texas and the commodity groups in these states. Changes/Problems:Some scientific presentations and international travel had to be postponed or cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic and the safety restrictions set in placeby LSU and the Governor. Scientificpresentations/ technical meetings that were re-scheduled were carried out virtually or in person. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Mentoredhigh school,undergraduate, and graduate studentswith their science projects. Served as judge in numerous scientific events (virtual) (Louisiana Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, Louisiana Science and Engineering Fairs, Junior Science and Humanities Symposia, LA-STEM Selection Committee). Ms. Moon, a sophomore at Baton Rouge High, who worked in herscienceproject onproducing a gluco-oligosaccharide prebiotic using dextransucrase under Dr. Aita's supervision, placed first at the 70thAnnual LouisianaScience& EngineeringFair(LSEF, Region VII) held on February 17-19, 2020at the LSU Union. Ms. Moon will be representing Baton Rouge at the 66th Annual LSEF (StateFair) to be held March 16-18, 2020 at LSU. Ms. Millicent Yeboah-Awudzi was selected by Dr. Aita to be this year's CABLE (Consortium for Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Education) delegate and to represent LSU. This year was the last year of this three-year program. Dr. Aita served as mentor to Ms. Yeboah-Awudzi and to the other two delegates selected to be part of CABLE (a total of three). CABLE is a nationwide organization of 20 colleges and universities led byOBIC, the Bioproducts Innovation Centerat The Ohio State University and supported by the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Dissemination of the findings resulting from this work included presentations andmeetings (mostly virtual dueto Covid-19 restrictions) conducted atnational level, regional level, and private sector;and several peer-reviewed publications and book chapters. Served as technical support to all sugar factories in the state with topics on how to expand their current product portfolio. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue the work on co-product development from renewable resources with positive impact on the sugar, food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries; mentoring and guiding students and professionals; national and international outreach through publications, presentations and teaching.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Co-Products Prebiotics from Lignocellulosic Material: Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) is a group of emerging prebiotics that selectively stimulate the growth of advantageous gastrointestinal bacteria benefitting the host's gut health and functionality. XOS can achieve positive biological effects at low daily doses and low caloric content, properties that are the same or more desirable than the already established prebiotics. XOS are present in plants in very low amounts so there is a great opportunity to isolate XOS with varying degrees of polymerization from the hemicellulose (xylan) fraction of lignocellulosic materials (e.g., bagasse), a source that offers both economic and environmental advantages. In this study, the recovery of XOS by the combined use of activated carbon adsorption, water washing and ethanol desorption from diluted acid pretreated energy cane bagasse hydrolysates was evaluated. The recovered XOS was tested for its prebiotic activity on Bifidobacterium adolescentis ATCC 15703. The final product of extracted XOS from energy cane bagasse (XOS EC Bagasse crude sample) had a purity of 93%, which was comparable to the purities observed with two commercially available XOS prebiotics (extracted from corncobs), CPA (89%) and CPB (93%). XOS EC Bagasse crude sample exhibited prebiotic properties by stimulating the growth of B. adolescentis ATCC 15703 and by producing lactic acid, which were comparable to those observed with the commercial prebiotics. Lignocellulosic Biomass as a Source of Protein and Fatty Acids: The cane sugar industry can be subjected to abrupt changes in sugar prices which are mostly driven by surpluses in global production. Sugarcane factories are aware of these changes and the possible ramifications and are working towards diversifying their product portfolio beyond their traditional options of sugar, ethanol, electricity, and biomass (briquettes, pellets) from their various processing streams and by-products (e.g., blackstrap molasses, bagasse). Additionally, global food demand continues to rise with major shifts most likely to happen in diets favoring protein and lipid-rich foods. Therefore, there is an urgent need to replace conventional animal feed ingredients (e.g., fishmeal, cornmeal, soybean meal) with ones that are both sustainable and economically beneficial. Such nutritional alternatives can be provided by black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae which are capable of converting many organic waste materials into proteins and lipids. The present work explored, for the first time, the possibility of using blackstrap molasses and bagasse as diet ingredients for BSF larvae with and without the addition of cricket feed (a cornmeal and soybean meal-based, high-protein-based reference substrate). The nutritional composition as well as the amino acid and fatty acid profiles of BSF prepupae were investigated and relations with substrate composition were established. Our findings indicate that sugarcane processing by-products could serve as added nutritional ingredients in the formulation of BSF larvae diets to deliver a nutritious (e.g., protein, lipids) insect value meal with potential for being incorporated in animal feeds. Production of the Antimicrobial Lactosporin from Sugarcane Molasses: Antimicrobial proteins (produced by bacteria) are currently receiving well-deserved attention due to the rapidly-growing microbial resistance to conventional antibiotics, and the health problems associated with the use of chemical antimicrobials in foods and personal care products. Production of antimicrobial substances by several spore-forming species within the Bacillus genus has been recently reported. A very promising antimicrobial is lactosporin which is produced by Bacillus coagulans. B. coagulans spores can also serve as a probiotic dietary supplement with added health benefits that involve improving the immune system, prevention of respiratory infections and intestinal ailments. Final molasses is an underutilized by-product (73M gal molasses/year) of the sugarcane industry and it is rich in carbohydrates and minerals, which are excellent and much needed ingredients during bacterial fermentations. The main goal of this study is to optimize the growth conditions of B. coagulans and increase lactosporin (antimicrobial protein) production by using final molasses as the main source of carbohydrates and minerals during fermentation. Preliminary results have shown that the production of this antimicrobial (protein) at optimum conditions also depends on the length of the fermentation. This protein has been successfully recovered from the fermentation broth having a molecular weight of 27KDa. The antimicrobial protein has been tested against the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes resulting in up to 2 mm inhibition zones as determined by antimicrobial susceptibility disc tests. Identification of Fructan-Producing Organisms from Cane Juice: In cane sugar manufacturing, the presence of impurities (i.e., polymers, organic acids, salts, minerals) significantly affect the growth rate, morphology, and also the agglomeration rate of sugar crystals, and final purity of raw sugar and molasses. Among these impurities, dextran has already been recognized as a serious problem in sugar processing in particular during the crystallization process, in fact the presence of this impurity causes a significant increase in the viscosity, elongated crystals, lower evaporation rates, longer wash and separation cycles in centrifuges, and loss of sugar to molasses. Dextran is a branched polymer of glucose units and one of the exopolysaccharides excreted by various soil microorganisms, in particular by the lactic acid bacteria Leuconostoc mesenteroides. Dextran can be formed if sugarcane stays in the cane yard for too long before being processed at the factories, which decreases the amount of sugar available. Recently, scientists at the Audubon Sugar Institute (LSU AgCenter) noticed that concentrations of fructan (also known as levan and a polysaccharide of fructose units) had been grossly underestimated (in cane juice and molasses) by the Louisiana sugar industry. Just like with dextran, fructans can be produced by a broad range of micro-organisms as exopolysaccharides. Fructan biosynthesis is usually carried out by an enzyme levansucrase (sucrose 6-fructosyltransferase). A wide range of bacterial strains can produce levansucrase including Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Bacillus, and Weissella. Furthermore, some lactic acid bacteria can form both dextran and fructan. The main goal of this study is to isolate and identify fructan-producing organisms from cane juice. Sugarcane juice samples were collected from Louisiana sugarcane factories. MRS (a rich medium) and Special media were used for the isolation of sugar polymer-producing organisms. Both media were enriched with sucrose as the only carbon source. MRS and Special media were each inoculated with sugarcane juice and incubated for five days at 30°C to allow for the sucrose-fermenting microflora to grow. Samples were then plated on MRS and Special media for the isolation of individual microorganism capable of utilizing sucrose as their carbon source. All plates were incubated at 30°C for 48 h. Colonies were then selected based on their morphology (e.g., color, size). A total of 40 colonies have been isolated. Each isolated colony was separately grown on MRS media and incubated for five days to allow for the production of sugar polymers (e.g., fructan). Studies are underway for the determination of the type of polymer (e.g., fructan) produced by each of the microbial isolates. Sugar polymer determination is being carried out by acid hydrolysis and HPLC analysis. Fructan confirmation is being carried out by an enzymatic fructan assay kit from Megazyme. DNA will be extracted from the colonies producing fructan and the identification of the microbial organism will be determined by PCR analysis.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Aita, G.*, Deng, F. (2020) Bagasse as a Source for Fumaric Acid Production. International Sugar Journal. January: 278-283.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Aita, G.*, Moon, Y. H. (2020) Energy Cane Bagasse as a Source of Prebiotics. International Sugar Journal. November/December.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Eggleston, G., Aita, G., Triplett, A. (2020) Circular Sustainability of Sugarcane: Natural, Nutritious, and Functional Unrefined Sweeteners That Meet New Consumer Demands. Sugar Technology.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Henriquez, J. M., Eggleston, G., Gaston, P., Birkett, H., Moon Y. H., Aita, G. (2020) Monitoring Mud Consistency at Sugarcane Factories to Improve Mud Filtration. International Sugar Journal. January: 267-273.
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Viator H., Aita G., Aragon D., Ehrenhauser F., Salassi M., Birkett H. (2019) Sugarcane Biofuel Production in the USA. In: Khan M., Khan I. (eds) Sugarcane Biofuels. Springer, Cham with the DOI 10.1007/978-3-030-18597-8_16.
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Ahmad, S., Anjum A. M., Aita, G. M., Khan, M., Khan, I. (2019) SourceSink Relationship of Sugarcane Energy Production at the Sugar Mills. In: Khan M., Khan I. (eds) Sugarcane Biofuels. Springer, Cham with the DOI 10.1007/978-3-030-18597-8_14.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Aita, G.*, Moon, Y. H. (2020) Bioconversion of Cane Sugar Processing by-Products to Protein and Lipids by Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Larvae. International Sugar Journal. September: 50-58.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Aita, G.*, Moon, Y. H. (2020) Prebiotics from Energy Cane Bagasse. Sugar Industry. 145 (8): 488494. DOI: 10.36961/si24679.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Liu, C., Li, M., Mei, C., Chen, W., Han, J., Yue, Y., Ren, S., French, A., Aita, G., Eggleston, G., Wu, Q. (2020) Cellulose Nanofibers from Rapidly Microwave-Delignified Energy Cane Bagasse and their Application in Drilling Fluids as Rheology and Filtration Modifiers. Industrial Crops and Products. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2020.112378.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Aita, G.*, Moon, Y. (2020) Bioconversion of Sugarcane By-Products to Protein and Lipids by Black Soldier Fly Larvae. Factory Operations Seminar LSU AgCenter, pages 52-58.
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Progress 06/04/19 to 09/30/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences for the results of this project included personnel in the biofuels, bioenergy and biochemicals industries as well as the sugar industry sector interested in expanding their products beyond sugar and molasses. Other target audiences included: researchers in food science, biotechnology, biochemistry, engineering, and medicine who could benefit from the findings of this project; and, the domestic sugar industry to include managers of all sugar factories in Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Texas and the commodity groups in these states. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Mentored undergraduate students, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. Served in committees of four PhD. student candidates. Served as judge in numerous scientific events (Louisiana Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, Louisiana Science and Engineering Fairs, Junior Science and Humanities Symposia, LA-STEM Selection Committee). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Dissemination of the findings resulting from this work included presentations at international, national and regional levels, private sectors, and several peer-reviewed publications and book chapters. Served as technical support to all sugar factories in the state with topics in regards to expanding their current product portfolio. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue the work on co-product development from renewable resources with positive impact on the sugar, food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries;mentoring and guiding students and professionals; national and international outreach through publications, presentations and teaching.?
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Co-Products Prebiotics from Lignocellulosic Material: Prebiotics can be grouped into established prebiotics (inulin, fructooligosaccharides, galacto-oligosaccharides, lactulose, polydextrose) or emerging prebiotics (isomaltooligosaccharides, xylooligosaccharides (XOS), lactitol). XOS are non-toxic, stable at acidic pH, heat resistant, and can achieve positive biological effects at low daily doses and low caloric content, properties that are the same or more desirable than the already established prebiotics. XOS are present in plants in very low amounts so there is a great opportunity to isolate XOS with varying degrees of polymerization from the hemicellulose fraction of lignocellulosic materials (e.g. bagasse), a source that offers both economic and environmental advantages. The production of XOS by dilute acid hydrolysis of energy cane bagasse was evaluated. Chromatographic analysis of hydrolysates revealed increased XOS production with time; however, prolonged incubation with sulfuric acid at elevated temperatures resulted in higher amounts of xylose. Under optimized conditions, the hemicellulose was hydrolyzed to a variety of oligosaccharides ranging from X2-X6 with preliminary yields of at least 51%. Also present in the hydrolysates were xylose, organic acids (acetic acid, formic acid, levulinic acid), furan derivatives (furfural, 5-HMF), and phenolic compounds, all degradation products from the hemicellulose, cellulose or lignin. These compounds when removed and recovered can have great potential as platform chemicals in the production of value-added products. For example, acetic acid is widely used in the food industry and in the production of vinyl acetate monomers, acetic anhydride and esters for use in paints, adhesives, paper coatings, and textile treatments. Furfural and 5-HMF can be converted to levulinic acid, dimethylfuran, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, and dihydroxymethylfuran, which are building blocks in the manufacture of alternative fuels, polymers, foams, and polyesters. Lignin-derived phenolic compounds have antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic and antioxidant properties with applications in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Therefore, the strategy for producing xylooligosaccharides from bagasse or any agricultural residue should be designed for not only the removal of these non-sugar compounds from the hydrolysate, but their recovery as potential value-added products. These compounds were successfully removed (>90%) by activated carbon and the combined used of polar solvents resulting in fractions containing up to 95% XOS. In-vitro studies are under way to evaluate the prebiotic potency of the recovered XOS using beneficial gut bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium adolescentis.? Lignocellulosic Biomass as a Source of Protein and Fatty Acids: There is a real urgency to find economical and practical solutions for the use of excess bagasse generated at the sugar factories. An attractive approach is the simple application of organisms to convert organic wastes (e.g., oil palm, food scraps, sugarcane bagasse) into organic materials (e.g., protein, fatty acids), a concept known as bioconversion. One of the bioconversion agents is black soldier fly larvae (BSFL). Unlike some species of flies, black soldier flies do not bite or spread diseases (e.g., not making them a human health risk when breeding), so the harvested protein and fatty acids from BSFL could be applied as a low-cost, high-protein feed for livestock. Even fishmeal, a fish-based proteinaceous ingredient used for farmed fish, pigs, and chickens, is costly. The price of fishmeal has increased by 200 percent in the last decade making economics challenging long-term. Replacing this feed with one made from insects would be less expensive and more sustainable. The natural bacteria present in the gut of BSFL allows them to degrade most biomass components. The structure of bagasse, however, can be more complex than that of food scraps so studies are underway for the preconditioning of bagasse and its supplementation with co-products from sugar factories to stimulate and accelerate feeding rates.
Publications
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Ahmad, S., Anjum A. M., Aita, G. M., Khan, M., Khan, I. (2019) SourceSink Relationship of Sugarcane Energy Production at the Sugar Mills. In: Khan M., Khan I. (eds) Sugarcane Biofuels. Springer, Cham with the DOI 10.1007/978-3-030-18597-8_14.
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Viator H., Aita G., Aragon D., Ehrenhauser F., Salassi M., Birkett H. (2019) Sugarcane Biofuel Production in the USA. In: Khan M., Khan I. (eds) Sugarcane Biofuels. Springer, Cham with the DOI 10.1007/978-3-030-18597-8_16.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Aita, G.*, Deng, F. (2019) Production of Fumaric Acid from Bagasse. 30th ISSCT Proceedings, pages: 292-298.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Eggleston, G., Aita, G. (2019) Exploration of Sugarcane Products as a Major Source of Antioxidant Phenolic Extracts in Commercial Foods and Beverages. 30th ISSCT Proceedings, pages: 285-291.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Oladi, S., Aita, G.* (2019) Recovery of Non-Sugar Compounds from Bagasse Hydrolysates. Journal of Innovations in Energy Sciences. 1:1-9. http://www.scholarena.com/journals/journal-of-innovations-in-energy-science/articles-in-press.php#.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Moon, Y. H., Aita, G.* (2019) Crystal Size Analysis for Louisiana Sugar Factories: 2018/2019 Grinding Season. Factory Operations Seminar LSU AgCenter, pages 31-34.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Aita, G.*, Deng, F., Oladi, S., Cheong, D. (2019) Syrup Production for Fuels and Chemicals from Bagasse.Louisiana Agriculture Magazine, Spring Issue. https://www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/lbenedict/articles/page1553610389126.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Aita, G.*, Deng, F. (2019) Fumaric Acid Production from Bagasse.Louisiana Agriculture Magazine, Spring Issue. https://www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/lbenedict/articles/page1553611560537.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
White, P., Webber, C., Viator, R., Aita, G. (2019). Sugarcane Biomass, Dry Matter, and Sucrose Availability and Variability When Grown on a Bioenergy Feedstock Production Cycle. BioEnergy Research. 1-13. 10.1007/s12155-018-9951-y.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Henriquez, JM., Eggleston,G., Gaston,P., Birkett,H., Young Hawn, M., Aita, G. (2019). Monitoring Mud Consistency at Sugarcane Factories to Improve Mud Filtration. International Sugar Journal.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Aita, G. M.*, Moon, Y.H., Verret, C., Foster, T. (2019). Production of XOS by Acid Hydrolysis From Energy-Cane Bagasse as a Source of Prebiotics. 30th ISSCT, San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Aita, G.*, St. Cyr, E., Triplett, A., Eggleston, G. (2019). Antioxidant Content of Various Sugar Products Commercially Available in the USA. American Society for Sugar Cane Technologists (ASSCT), Point Clear, AL.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Moon, Y. H., Aita, G.* (2019) Crystal Size Analysis for Louisiana Sugar Factories: 2018/2019 Grinding Season. American Society for Sugar Cane Technologists (ASSCT), Point Clear, AL.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Moon, Y. H., Aita, G.* (2019) Crystal Size Analysis for Louisiana Sugar Factories: 2018/2019 Grinding Season. Factory Operations Seminar LSU AgCenter, St. Gabriel, LA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Aita, G.*, Deng, F. (2019) Fumaric Acid Production from Energy Cane. Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), New Orleans, LA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Aita, G.*, Deng, F.#, Oladi, S. #, Cheong, D. (2019) Lignocellulosic Syrup from Energy Crops. Advances in Sugar Crop Processing and Conversion.
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