Manel Ziadi

Effect of Different Drying Methods on the Physico-Chemical Properties of Tomato Variety 'Rio Grande'

The aim of this work is to study the physico-chemical properties of dried tomatoes, variety Rio grande using direct solar dryer (DSD), open-air sun drying (OASD) and microwave drying (MW) with three output powers density (1w/g; 2w/g; 3w/g) at different temperatures (57, 67°C). Radical scavenging activity of tomatoes extracts was investigated. Results indicated that drying tomatoes by microwave (3W/g; 67°C) is faster than open-air sun drying (OASD) and direct solar dryer (DSD). The studied parameters (moisture, pH, °Brix, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and carotenoids content) were significantly affected by different drying processes, with minimal effects on pH. The highest activity against the DPPH radical oxidation is investigated in methanolic extracts of tomatoes dried by direct solar dryer (DSD). Nevertheless, the highest ABTS value was observed in methanolic extracts of tomatoes dried by microwave (MW) with 3w/g at 57°C.

Microbiological analysis and screening of lactic acid bacteria from Tunisian date palm sap

Date Palm sap is a fresh juice called “Legmi” widely produced and consumed in Southern Tunisia. The aim of this research was to study microbiological group’s distribution present in 10 palm sap samples, and to select Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with suitable properties for use as starter cultures in sap lactic fermentation. Microbiological analysis showed high load in fresh palm sap. Mesophilic aerobic bacteria varied from 6.07 to 8.57 log cfu/ml, coliforms ranged from 3 to 6.78 log cfu/ml, yeasts between 3 and 8.47 log cfu/ml and LAB from 5.36 to 8.47 log cfu/ml. Ten strains were chosen randomly to study the acidifying activity when growing in palm sap. These strains, tentatively identified by API 50CHL, were divided into two groups: Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides and Lactobacillus

Optimization of Hydrothermal and Diluted Acid Pretreatments of Tunisian Luffa cylindrica (L.) Fibers for 2G Bioethanol Production through the Cubic Central Composite Experimental Design CCD: Response Surface Methodology

This paper opens up a new issue dealing with Luffa cylindrica (LC) lignocellulosic biomass recovery in order to produce 2G bioethanol. LC fibers are composed of three principal fractions, namely, α-cellulose (45.80%  ± 1.3), hemicelluloses (20.76%  ± 0.3), and lignins (13.15%  ± 0.6). The optimization of LC fibers hydrothermal and diluted acid pretreatments duration and temperature were achieved through the cubic central composite experimental design CCD. The pretreatments optimization was monitored via the determination of reducing sugars. Then, the 2G bioethanol process feasibility was tested by means of three successive steps, namely, LC fibers hydrothermal pretreatment performed at 96°C during 54 minutes, enzymatic saccharification carried out by means of a commercial enzyme AP2, and the alcoholic fermentation fulfilled with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. LC fibers hydrothermal pretreatment liberated 33.55 g/kg of reducing sugars. Enzymatic hydrolysis allowed achieving 59.4 g/kg of reducing sugars. The conversion yield of reducing sugar to ethanol was 88.66%. After the distillation step, concentration of ethanol was 1.58% with a volumetric yield about 70%.

Analysis of Volatile Compounds, Amino Acid Catabolism and Some Technological Properties of Enterococcus faecalis Strain SLT13 Isolated from Artisanal Tunisian Fermented Milk

Aims: Enterococcus faecalis strain SLT13, isolated from the Leben microbiota was investigated for their technological properties. Place and Duration of Study: The study was undertaken in the LETMi laboratory, Tunis, Tunisia Original Research Article