Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
usual conditions, i.e., either with calcium or with high sugar concentrations and acidic
conditions [6, 57].
Several studies have been carried out addressing the enzymatic modification of sugar beet
pectins. One of them focused on enzymatic removal of acetyl groups from acid extracted
sugar beet pectins. As a result gelling properties of these pectins were improved [58].
Arabinan extracted from sugar beet shreds could be used e.g., for fat replacer after
debranching with enzyme arabinofuranosidase [59].
With the aim to promote new uses of products derived from agroindustrial wastes, pectin
extracted from sugar beet shreds after enzymatic treatment with commercial preparation
containing pectinolytic activity was examined for its antiproliferative activity on the breast
cancer cell line [57]. The structure of pectins, which depends on the extraction method, is
known to have strong capacity to induce apoptosis on several cancer cell lines like colon,
prostate and breast. In such way obtained
pectin exhibited a higher antiproliferative activity
than referent anticancer drug on breast cancer cell line.
Some structures that were obtained by hydrolysis with mixture of selected enzymes
degrading pectic polysaccharides were characterized as recalcitrant oligosaccharides [56]
which are interesting for food and pharmaceutical applications [60]. Oligosaccharides derived
from sugar beet pectin by enzymatic hydrolysis are potential ingredients for functional foods
or feed
and were subjected to investigation on their prebiotic properties [61]. Previously,
tailored enzymatic conversion of sugar beet pectin indicated that pectic oligosaccharides with
only slightly different structures have significantly different biological effects [62].
In addition, rhamnogalacturonans, arabinans and pectins from sugar beet shreds were
treated with different enzymes degrading their structures in order to modify their physico-
chemical properties associated to their fiber characteristics [59]. It was shown that enzymatic
modification of pectin with glycanases can be used for changing its structural characteristic
without significant loss of viscosity. In this way glycanases can be used for the removal of
structural elements of pectic polysaccharides which limit their physico-chemical and
consequently functional properties such as viscosity [59].
3.3. Bionanofiber
Thanks to their renewable and biodegradable nature, availability and abundance, low
weight and relatively low cost combined with high strength and rigidity, there is increased
interest for isolation of nanoscale cellulose fiber materials from different lignocellulosic
sources. Potential fields of application of cellulose nanofibers are quite diverse ranging from
pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry, over chemicals production to food industry.
Relatively new and promising usage of these fibers in production of nanocomposites in which
they serve as polymers reinforcement gained great attention lately [63]. Being hydrophylic in
nature, cellulose nanofibers are suitable to combine with hydrophylic polymers making
composites with enhanced features. On the other side, when combination with hydrophobic
polymers is needed, cellulose nanofibers can undergo various chemical modification and
functionalization in order to become compatible with hydrophobic matrix. In such way
prepared nanocomposites are superior regarding their mechanical properties as well as
biodegradable. When used for making nanocomposite films they, besides holding
environmental friendly feature, can enable high transparency and more efficient oxygen
