The search for new natural sources of hydrocolloids with stabilizing, thickening, and good binding capacity, from raw materials that are environmentally friendly and that contribute to the circular economy is a challenge for the food industry. The aim of the study was the preliminary characterization of a spray-dried hydrocolloid from high Andean algae Nostoc sphaericum. Four ecotypes of algae from Peruvian high Andean lagoons located above 4000 m were considered. The samples were collected in the period March—April 2021 and were subjected to a spray drying process in an aqueous medium. The characterization showed that the dehydrated nostoc ecotypes presented high protein and carbohydrate content, making it a potential material for direct use as a functional food for humans. The spray-dried product presented good stability for its use as a hydrocolloid, with zeta potential values (ζ), around 30 mV, evidencing the presence of -CO-, -OH, -COO-, and -CH groups, characteristic of polysaccharides, representing 40% of total organic carbon on average, giving it low water activity values and particle size at the nanometric level. Major minerals such as Ca (>277 mg/100 g), Mg (>19.7 mg/100 g), and Fe (>7.7 mg/100 g) were reported. Spray-dried nostoc is a hydrocolloid material with high potential for the food industry, with good nutritional content and techno-functional behavior.
Edible films prepared from biological materials are being massively used. This study aimed to prepare edible films from native potato starch of the Allcca sipas variety (Solanum tuberosum subsp. Andigena), nopal mucilage (Opuntia ficus indica), and glycerol. Twelve edible films were prepared with starch, mucilage, and glycerin in different proportions by thermosynthesis. It was observed that mucilage and glycerol have a significant direct effect on film solubility and an inverse effect on aw, while the effect of starch is the opposite. The aw ranged from 0.562 to 0.639. The FTIR analysis showed the interaction of the components in the films being considerably influenced by the addition of mucilage. The TGA/DTA analysis reported low thermal stability in the films, retaining water around 100 °C, and showing a tendency to lose weight when the content of starch is high, while the opposite occurred with the addition of mucilage; it was also observed that around 310 °C, the maximum weight loss was observed between 53.6 and 86.1%. SEM images showed uniform films without cracks. The results are promising and show the possibility of preparing edible films from native potato starch and mucilage.
During its journey, the river water suffers natural or anthropic contamination, deteriorating its quality. This impact can be qualified by determining the pollution Indexes (IPO). The work aimed to evaluate the spatial and temporal variation of the IPOs in the water of the high Andean micro-basin of the Chumbao River. The study included the section from 13°46'38.4” S, 73°15'32.3” W at 4079 m of altitude up to 13°35'26.4” S, 73°27'00.8” W at 2572 m of altitude. Physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters of the water were determined in 8 points along the river. These were grouped to calculate the IPO by mineralization (IPOMI), organic matter (IPOMO), suspended solids (IPOSUS), and trophic (IPOTRO) in the dry and rainy seasons. The indexes were categorized from 0.0 (not polluted) to 1.0 (highly polluted). The data were collected in triplicate and valuated through ANOVA and Tukey's test. It was found that IPOSUS, IPOMI, and IPOMO. The points near the head of the micro-basin reported no and low pollution; besides, they increased considerably in urban areas reaching highly polluted levels. In contrast, IPOTRO reported a eutrophic state, and that contamination levels were higher in the dry season. The waters of the Chumbao River above 2900 m of altitude and close to the head of the micro-basin do not show contamination, but in the urban area the index of pollution is high.
Drying allows water to be removed and food to be preserved, however, this operation can degrade color. Punamuña leaves are aromatic and used for medicinal purposes in the Peruvian Andes. This research aimed to determine and model the drying kinetics, the diffusivity coefficient (Def), the activation energy (Ea), and the color of punamuña leaves. A horizontal dryer was used at 40, 50, and 60 °C and airspeed of 1.0 and 0.5 m / s; drying kinetics was modeled with 10 models. Def was determined with the Fick equation, Ea with the Arrhenius equation; the color was determined in the L* a* b* space. It was found that the triple exponential model with six parameters better represented the drying kinetics (R2> 99.73 and E <3.04%); Def increased with temperature and air velocity. Ea was found between 43.62 to 44.52 kJ/mol for speeds of 1.0 to 0.5 m/s respectively; L* and a*/b* decreased, the color difference ΔE * increased with increasing temperature and lower air velocity
The headwaters of the high Andean basin in Peru accumulate water from the mist, rain, snow, and hail, and it is transported superficially and underground to low-lying areas, mostly used for drinkable purposes. The natural water in these areas might be altered due to legal and illegal mining extraction. The aim of the study was to evaluate the water quality for human consumption. Seventeen water samples were examined from Andahuaylas (A), San Jerónimo (S), Talavera (T), and Chiara (CH) districts located between 2813 and 4004 m altitude in the Andes. We used physicochemical, microbiological, and metal parameters, and the results were compared to permissible levels established by the WHO and ECA-Peru to examine samples collected in the dry and rainy seasons in 2019. Application of principal component analysis (PCA) identified areas and conditioning parameters. Extractive mining activity influences the quality of springs due to the presence of metals, especially antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), values of which are higher than values permissible for human consumption, being higher in the dry season (p < 0.05). In addition, the presence of cations and particulate matter affects physico-chemical parameters, for example turbidity. PCA showed that parameters for water characterization are season-independent, and water quality in the springs would be conditioned by the presence of metals, especially in Andahuaylas and Talavera zones, as well as the parameters that are associated with dissolved solids in the water (turbidity and fluorides). A frequent monitoring program of springs and groundwater is recommended, with the purpose to protect water from contamination and guarantee safe water availability in low-lying and urbanized areas.
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