Enrique Márquez-Ríos

Jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) mantle collagen: Extraction, characterization, and potential application in the preparation of chitosan–collagen biofilms

Collagen-based biomaterials have been widely used due to its binding capabilities. However the properties and potential use of new collagen sources are still under investigation. Fish by-products are an excellent source of collagen. Thus, acid-soluble collagen (ASC) was extracted, and biochemical and physicochemically characterized from one under-utilized specie, jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas). In addition, commercial chitosan (95-50%)-ASC (5-50%) blend films were successfully prepared by casting, and characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The molecular masses of the ASC subunits were about 190kDa, 110kDa, and 97kDa, the content of proline and hydroxyproline was 10.9% and 2.8%, respectively. The FT-IR and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra ((1)H NMR) confirmed collagen peptidic crosslinks, and one endothermic peak was found at 119 degrees C. The FT-IR spectrum showed that chitosan and ASC remain linked into the films mainly due to hydrogen bonding. The 85:15 (chitosan:ASC) ratio was selected for its thermal and mechanical analyses. The thermograms of this film indicated the presence of two peaks, one at 87-98 degrees C and the other at 142-182 degrees C. The chitosan:ASC blend produced a transparent and brittle film, with high percentage of elongation at break, and low tensile strength in comparison to chitosan films. D. gigas mantle might be useful as a new source of plasticizer agent in the preparation of biofilms in composites with chitosan.

Effects of high-energy ultrasound on the functional properties of proteins.

In recent years, high-energy ultrasound has been used as an alternative to improve the functional properties of various proteins, such as from milk, eggs, soy and poultry. The benefits of implementing this technology depend on the inherent characteristics of the protein source and the intensity and amplitude of the ultrasound, as well as on the pH, temperature, ionic strength, time, and all of the variables that have an effect on the physicochemical properties of proteins. Therefore, it is necessary to establish the optimal conditions for each type of food. The use of ultrasound is a promising technique in food technology with a low impact on the environment, and it has thus become known as a green technology. Therefore, this review focuses on the application of high-energy ultrasound to food; its effects on the functional properties of proteins; and how different conditions such as the frequency, time, amplitude, temperature, and protein concentration affect the functional properties.

Proximate Composition of Bioflocs in Culture Systems Containing Hybrid Red Tilapia Fed Diets with Varying Levels of Vegetable Meal Inclusion

AbstractBiofloc culture systems, which are based on the development of microorganisms that recycle inorganic nutrients and organic matter, may contribute to the nutrition of some farmed species. Juvenile red tilapia (Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus × Mozambique Tilapia O. mossambicus) cultured in saltwater were fed pelleted diets in which 0, 33, 67, or 100% of the fish meal was substituted with a vegetable meal mix (corn, wheat, and sorghum meals). The proximate composition of the biofloc produced in the culture systems was evaluated. Four experimental diets and one control diet (isocaloric and isoproteic) were randomly assigned to 15 experimental tanks. Samples of biofloc were periodically collected to measure the total suspended solids, organic matter, and ash content and to determine the protein, lipid, and carbohydrate contents. At the end of the study, variables describing red tilapia production were determined. The biofloc volume, total suspended solids, ash, and organic matter showed significant...

Producción y evaluación funcional de un concentrado proteico de calamar gigante (Dosidicus gigas) obtenido mediante disolución alcalina Production and functional evaluation of a protein concentrate from giant squid (Dosidicus gigas) obtained by alkaline dissolution

A protein concentrate from jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) was produced under alkaline conditions. Solubility, recovery of proteins, electrophoretic profile, as well as changes in the pattern of solubility of proteins recovered were determined. In the gels, its capability (functional–technological) was evaluated in terms of texture profile analysis, folding test, water holding capacity, and color attributes. The alkaline treatment promoted the autolysis of myosin heavy chain; however, the alkaline concentrate showed better gel formation ability compared with the mantle, resulting in gel strength of 11.83 ± 0.66 and 21.53 ± 2.95 N · cm at 75% and 90% compression, respectively. Nevertheless, the gels prepared from protein concentrate showed a low water holding capacity (38.1 ± 0.1%), while the folding test showed gels grade C-A and C-B for protein concentrate and mantle, respectively. Se elaboró un concentrado proteico a partir de calamar gigante (Dosidicus gigas) bajo condiciones alcalinas. Se monitoreó la solubilidad, recuperación de proteínas, el perfil electroforético, así como cambios en el patrón de solubilidad de las proteínas recuperadas. En los geles se evaluó su capacidad funcional-tecnológica en términos de su análisis del perfil de textura, prueba de doblado, capacidad de retención de agua y los atributos de color. El tratamiento alcalino promovió la autolisis de la cadena pesada de miosina; sin embargo el concentrado alcalino mostró una mejor capacidad de formación de geles en comparación con el manto, obteniéndose fuerzas de gel de 11,83 ± 0,66 y 21,53 ± 2,95 N · cm en compresiones al 75% y 90%, respectivamente. No obstante los geles elaborados a partir del concentrado proteico mostraron una pobre capacidad de retención de agua (38,1 ± 0,1%), mientras que la prueba de doblado mostró geles grado C-A y C-B para concentrado proteico y manto, respectivamente.

Effect of ionic strength on soluble protein removal from giant squid mantle (Dosidicus gigas) and functional evaluation of protein recovery

Myofibrillar protein are the principally responsible of gelling properties in fishery resource, hence, during protein concentrate or isolated proteins preparation, sarcoplasmic protein are discarded; however, myofibrillar protein can support low levels of sarcoplasmic proteins without affecting the gelling property. Therefore, the aim of this study was to gradually remove sarcoplasmic proteins from giant squid mantle by means of different ionic strengths (I). Solutions of NaCl with different ionic strengths (I=0.0, 0.1, and 0.3) were used to obtain 3 protein concentrates. The electrophoretic profile in SDS-PAGE showed differences in protein removal with a high solubility of mantle proteins. The texture profile analysis showed that hardness increased in mantle protein washed with higher I. The total reactive sulfhydryls showed significant changes (p<0.05) detecting major formation of S-S bonds with protein removal at an I of 0.3. Differential scanning calorimetry showed a minor denaturation temperature of the actomyosin complex when protein removal was performed with an I of 0.3. The present study indicates that removal of sarcoplasmic protein as a function of I results in better quality gels.

Chemical and Functional Characterization of Sarcoplasmic Proteins from Giant Squid (Dosidicus gigas) Mantle

Modification of pH and NaCl concentration changed the physicochemical properties of sarcoplasmic proteins (SP) from jumbo squid mantle and consequently their functional properties. Better results of emulsifying activity index (EAI) and foam capacity (FC) were exhibited at pH 11 in NaCl absence due to higher solubility. But better emulsifying stability index (ESI) was obtained at pH 11 in 0.5 M NaCl, while, foaming stability (FS) was better at pH near to isoelectric point (pI). These results suggest that SP from jumbo squid may be a promising ingredient, whose functional properties can be manipulated by changing pH and NaCl concentration.

Biochemical, Physical, Chemical, and Microbiological Assessment of Blue Shrimp (Litopenaeus stylirostris) Stored in Ice

Postmortem changes in blue shrimp (Litopenaeus stylirostris) muscle were studied on the basis of biochemical, chemical, physical, and microbiological changes during an 18 day storage period at 0°C. Adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) content, breakdown products, K-value, pH, trimethylamine nitrogen (TMA-N), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), water holding capacity (WHC), color, and texture (shear force) changes were examined. Also, total mesophilic and psychrophilic bacterial counts were measured. K-value increased linearly (r2 = 0.98) from an initial value of 1.37 ± 0.59 to 59.42 ± 6.05% at Day 18. Spoilage indicators TVB-N and TMA-N increased from 29.56 ± 1.33 and 0.69 ± 0.25 to 39.04 and 2.04 ± 0.59 mg of N/100 g at Day 18, respectively; meanwhile, the total viable counts of mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria increased from 3.48 ± 0.44 and 2.61 ± 0.29 log CFU/g to 6.27 ± 0.21 and 7.14 ± 0.39 log CFU/g, respectively, which indicated spoilage at the end of the storage period. The pH, texture, WHC, and color were affected (p < 0.05) during the storage period. Overall, results indicate that blue shrimp muscle quality was maintained for 12 days of storage in ice.

Total Phenolic, Flavonoid, Tomatine, and Tomatidine Contents and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Extracts of Tomato Plant

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of extracts of different fractions of two tomato plant cultivars. The stems, roots, leaves, and whole-plant fractions were evaluated. Tomatine and tomatidine were identified by HPLC-DAD. The leaf extracts from the two varieties showed the highest flavonoids, chlorophyll, carotenoids, and total phenolics contents and the highest antioxidant activity determined by DPPH, ABTS, and ORAC. A positive correlation was observed between the antioxidant capacities of the extracts and the total phenolic, flavonoid, and chlorophyll contents. The Pitenza variety extracts inhibited the growth of pathogens such as E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria ivanovii, yielding inhibition halos of 8.0 to 12.9 mm in diameter and MIC values of 12.5 to 3.125 mg/mL. These results suggest that tomato plant shows well potential as sources of various bioactive compounds, antioxidants, and antimicrobials.

Effects of pH and Sodium Chloride on the Gelling Properties of a Protein Concentrate Obtained from Jumbo Squid Mantle (Dosidicus Gigas)

Jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) is an underutilized fishery resource in the Gulf of California. Jumbo squid muscle could potentially be utilized to manufacture protein concentrates to be used as a base for surimi or as a food ingredient. However, the main problem is the low gelling ability of these protein concentrates compared those of with fish species. Consequently, the present study evaluated the effects of pH and the NaCl concentration on the gelling properties of protein concentrates from squid mantle. According to texture profile analysis, improved gelling properties were obtained at pH 6.0 and 1% of NaCl. During the sol-gel transition, decreased surface hydrophobicity that corresponded to an increased intensity of α-helix structures was detected. Moreover, the total sulfhydryl content decreased during gel formation. Viscoelasticity and water holding capacity analyses showed the formation of a more structured gel at pH 7.0. The higher enthalpy and denaturation temperature detected by differential scanning calorimetry at pH 7.0 and 1% NaCl showed that both variables (pH and NaCl concentration) affected the protein structure and conformation. The results demonstrated that varying pHs and NaCl concentrations improved the gelling properties of protein concentrates from squid.

Effect of chitosan-carvacrol edible coatings on the quality and shelf life of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fillets stored in ice

Fish consumption has increased in recent years. However, fish meat is highly perishable, which demonstrates the need for technologies to preserve its quality. Edible coatings (EC) might provide an alternative to extend the shelf life of fish. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of EC of chitosan (C) in combination with carvacrol (CAR) on the physical and microbiological changes of tilapia fillets. Fillets were submerged for two minutes in different treatments (T1: control; T2: C 2%; T3: C 2% + 0.125% CAR; T 4: C 2% + 0.25% CAR). At the end of storage, T1 and T2 showed the lowest values of total volatile bases (TVB). The color parameters L*, a* and b* varied from each treatment. The texture decreased and the different treatments reduced the microbial population in relation to the control; T3 and T4 were the most effective. These results show that the use of C with CAR might be an alternative method to preserve the quality and safety of tilapia fillets.