Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología

URI permanente para esta comunidadhttp://repositorio.uta.edu.ec/handle/123456789/412

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Exploración de la capacidad de adsorción de las hojas de Jacinto de agua (Eichhornia crassipes) de diversos líquidos por ángulo de contacto y de su superficie adaxial mediante microscopía de fuerza atómica
(Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2026-07)
Tigselema Núñez, Jennifr Rubí
;
Casado Rojo, Santiago
The foliar surface of aquatic plants constitutes a key interface in the interaction with substances present in the environment; however, there is limited information regarding the relationship between their nanoscopic structure and their behavior toward liquids of different natures. In this context, the present study aims to explore the adsorption capacity of Eichhornia crassipes leaves by determining contact angles and characterizing their adaxial surface. To this end, atomic force microscopy was used to analyze the surface topography at the nanoscopic scale and to determine roughness parameters in different leaf regions. Additionally, the interaction with water, mineral oil, and methanol was evaluated through contact angle measurements, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was performed to identify the main functional groups present on the leaf surface. The results revealed a heterogeneous topographical organization, characterized by the presence of epidermal structures and variations in roughness among regions, with high values in the central zone of the leaf. Likewise, a differential interaction was observed with the tested liquids, being greater for those with lower surface tension. Spectroscopic analysis confirmed the presence of structural polysaccharides, aromatic compounds, and lipid components associated with the plant cuticle. It is concluded that the adaxial surface of E. crassipes exhibits topographical and chemical characteristics that influence its interaction with different liquids. This study provides insights into the relationship between surface structure, chemical composition, and interfacial behavior in this aquatic species.
Evaluación del potencial de los residuos agrícolas de maíz (Zea mays) y caña de azúcar (Saccharum officinarum) como sustratos para el cultivo del hongo cola de pavo (Trametes versicolor)
(Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2026-07)
Tenorio Quishpe, Martha Beatriz
;
Arancibia Soria, Mirari Yosune
Agricultural residues from maize (Zea mays) and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) represent an abundant and underutilized lignocellulosic biomass in Ecuador, whose valorization through the cultivation of medicinal fungi constitutes a high-impact biotechnological alternative. Using a design with two factors: type of agricultural residue (maize and sugarcane) and proportion of structural material (25, 50 and 75 percent), six treatments (T1-T6) were generated with three replicates each, employing Trametes versicolor as the model organism, a basidiomycete capable of degrading lignin through an extracellular enzymatic system that includes laccase, manganese peroxidase (MnP) and lignin peroxidase (LiP); substrates were prepared by chopping, hydration to 85% moisture, pH adjustment between 4.5 and 6.5, and sterilization at 121 degrees Celsius for 90 minutes, before being inoculated with T. versicolor mycelium; response variables were mycelial colonization rate and percentage, analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD test (p less than 0.05). Results showed that both the type of agricultural residue and the proportion of structural material significantly influenced mycelial colonization of T. versicolor, with maize-based substrates containing a higher proportion of sawdust proving most suitable for fungal development under the evaluated conditions; these findings lay the groundwork for the development of sustainable production protocols for T. versicolor from local agroindustrial byproducts, with potential application in environmental biotechnology.
Análisis cinético de la producción de ácido glucónico empleando residuos de cáscara de piña
(Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2026-07)
Solis Castro, Krystel Patricia
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García Pazmiño, María Eugenia
The generation of agro-industrial residues derived from pineapple processing represents an environmental concern due to the large amount of discarded biomass. However, these residues contain fermentable sugars that can be utilized in biotechnological processes. The aim of this research was to analyze the kinetic behavior of gluconic acid production using pineapple peel as substrate. For this purpose, bacteria compatible with Gluconobacter oxydans were isolated from kombucha through cultivation on GYC medium supplemented with calcium carbonate, selecting those with acidifying capacity. Preliminary identification included Gram staining and biochemical tests. Subsequently, fermentations were carried out using pineapple peel extract as a carbon source. Microbial growth was evaluated by optical density, while gluconic acid production was determined by spectrophotometry at Five hundred forty nm using a colorimetric method based on hydroxylamine and ferric chloride. The results demonstrated the ability of the isolated strains to grow on the substrate and produce gluconic acid during fermentation. It was concluded that pineapple peel constitutes a viable raw material for the biotechnological production of gluconic acid and a sustainable alternative for the valorization of agro-industrial residues.
Diseño de la variante mutante S188D de la enzima PETasa de Ideonella sakaiensis
(Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2026-07)
Robalino Sánchez, Génesis Aurora
;
García Solís, Mario Daniel
Polyethylene terephthalate PET accumulates in ecosystems at rates that conventional recycling methods cannot compensate for. The PETase from Ideonella sakaiensis, IsPETase, degrades PET, but its thermostability below 40 degrees Celsius limits its use in industrial applications. The structural comparison with the thermophilic cutinase LCC, whose D193 residue participates in salt bridge networks that sustain activity up to 70 degrees Celsius, motivated the S188D variation, which replaces the TCC codons with GAC, based on the ancestral mutant M8 architecture of IsPETase. The variant was cloned into the pET-30a(+) vector and expressed in E. coli Rosetta (DE3) under induction with IPTG 0.1 mM at 20 degrees Celsius. Purification by IMAC Ni NTA affinity chromatography produced 5,662 g of soluble protein, with fractions four and five showing the highest active protein concentration, 2,49 mg per mL, and the presence of the protein between the 26 to 34 kDa band was confirmed by SDS PAGE. The degradation assay showed that the activity of 1.5 mg of enzyme per g of micronized post consumer PET, without prior amorphization, at 50 degrees Celsius for 72 hours, reduced PET by an unspecified percentage compared with the control sample. This performance is acceptable, but it does not show significance compared with ancestral mutant variants. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate S188D with other cumulative mutations that strengthen the functional stability of IsPETase and consolidate it as a viable strategy for plastic biodegradation at an industrial scale.
Análisis de la capacidad antifúngica de polifenoles microencapsulados obtenidos a partir de orujo uva (Vitis vinífera l.) frente a Botrytis spp.. y Fusarium spp.
(Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2026-07)
Pilatasig Tibán, Myriam Rocío
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López Hernández, Orestes Darío
The generation of wine-related waste, such as grape pomace (Vitis vinifera L.), presents an environmental problem due to its high organic load and limited industrial valorization. Furthermore, the control of plant pathogens like Botrytis spp. and Fusarium spp. relies on synthetic fungicides, and their prolonged use has led to fungal resistance and adverse environmental effects. In this context, this project seeks to add value to grape pomace through the application of biotechnology, by utilizing bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, which possess antifungal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, among others. Polyphenols were obtained using a solid-liquid extraction method with different concentrations of ethanol and water, and the total phenolic content was quantified using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Ethanol at 96 percent showed the highest extraction efficiency. In microencapsulation, maltodextrin showed better performance and efficiency results compared to the maltodextrin-gum arabic combination. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups characteristic of phenolic compounds and interactions between the extract and the encapsulating matrix. In vitro antifungal evaluation revealed the inhibitory activity of microencapsulated grape pomace polyphenols against Botrytis spp., with increasing halos observed as the polyphenol concentration increased, while Fusarium spp. showed no sensitivity under the tested conditions. In conclusion, microencapsulated grape pomace polyphenols represent a promising alternative for the biological control of Botrytis spp. This study could contribute to the development of environmentally friendly biofungicides and the biotechnological valorization of agro-industrial waste.
Diseño de la variante mutante N233K de la enzima PETasa de Ideonella sakaiensis
(Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2026-07)
Orellana Cordova, Julio Jaker
;
García Solís, Mario Daniel
The exponential increase in polyethylene terephthalate waste represents a severe global environmental crisis, demanding efficient biotechnological alternatives. This work evaluates the impact of the N233K point mutation on the M5 variant of the Ideonella sakaiensis PETase enzyme. This modification aims to rigidify a flexible surface loop through an intramolecular salt bridge to increase the thermal stability of the biocatalyst, offering a green and sustainable pathway aligned with the circular economy. Methodologically, the mutant gene was expressed in Escherichia coli Rosetta (DE3), yielding 2.09 grams of wet biomass in 550 milliliters of LB medium. After cell lysis by sonication, the recombinant protein was isolated using immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC-FPLC) with a gross elution volume of 15 milliliters. Subsequently, the pool was purified and desalinated by gravity size-exclusion chromatography into a final volumen of 2 milliliters. Analytical quantification was performed on a spectrophotometer applying a corrected mass-specific extinction coefficient of 1.239 liters per gram centimeter. In conclusion, the process consolidated a real net mass of 5.745 milligrams of pure enzyme, which is equivalent to an overall yield of 7.74 percent and a final volumetric productivity of 11.490 milligrams per liter of culture. Gravimetric assays at 50 degrees Celsius for 72 hours confirmed an average mass loss of 10.87 percent in the plastic films, validating that the substitution autonomously confers the necessary thermostability to catalyze the hydrolysis of real PET.
Evaluación del potencial biotecnológico de la cáscara de plátano verde (Musa spp.) como sustrato alternativo para el cultivo de hongos comestibles y medicinales melena de león (Hericium erinaceus) y cola de pavo (Trametes versicolor)
(Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2026-07)
Mayorga Salazar, Jonathan Mateo
;
Arancibia Soria, Mirari Yosune
The utilization of agro-industrial waste has become a necessity due to the environmental impact of its accumulation and improper disposal. Among these materials, green banana peel (Musa spp.) stands out for its lignocellulosic compound content, which could be used as raw material in various biotechnological processes. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate its potential as an alternative substrate for cultivating the fungi Hericium erinaceus (lion's mane) and Trametes versicolor (turkey tail). To this end, substrates were formulated with different proportions of green banana peel and sawdust. These substrates were characterized, conditioned, and subsequently inoculated with mycelium of both species. Throughout the experiment, fungal growth was monitored by evaluating the rate and percentage of colonization, as well as the adaptability of each fungus to the different formulations studied. The results obtained demonstrated that green banana peel can be used as a substrate component for the growth of both species, although differences in colonization behavior were observed depending on the proportion used and the species evaluated. These responses were related to the characteristics of each fungus and the composition of the lignocellulosic material used. In general, the treatments evaluated confirmed that this agro-industrial waste has favorable characteristics for use in fungal cultivation processes.
Evaluación de la capacidad antioxidante de polifenoles microencapsulados procedentes de los residuos de guanábana (Annona muricata)
(Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2026-07)
Masaquiza Muyulema, Susana Pamela
;
López Hernández, Orestes Darío
The increasing generation of agro-industrial waste and its inadequate management represent a growing environmental concern due to the accumulation of by-products with potential value that are often discarded. Among these residues, soursop (Annona muricata) peel stands out as a source of phenolic compounds with antioxidant properties. Therefore, the aim of this study was to recover polyphenols from soursop peel by optimizing extraction conditions and evaluating the retention of bioactive compounds through spray-drying microencapsulation. Conventional extraction was performed using different ethanol concentrations (30, 50, 70, and 96 percent). Total polyphenol content was quantified using the Folin–Ciocalteu assay. Subsequently, extraction conditions were optimized through a two-factor, three-level factorial experimental design, considering solid-to-liquid ratios (1:15, 1:20, and 1:25) and extraction times (30, 45, and 60 min). Statistical analysis confirmed that both variables significantly influenced the extraction process, yielding a maximum polyphenol content of 30.75 mg GAE per gram under optimal conditions of a 1:25 solid-to-liquid ratio and an extraction time of 48.38 min. The extracts were microencapsulated using maltodextrin, achieving an encapsulation efficiency of 99.04 percent. FTIR characterization confirmed the preservation of functional groups associated with phenolic compounds within the encapsulating matrix. The findings demonstrated that soursop peel is a sustainable source of polyphenols and that spray drying is an effective strategy for preserving these bioactive compounds, supporting their potential application in the development of functional ingredients.
Análisis de la contaminación por el parásito Toxoplasma gondii en el canal de riego Latacunga–Salcedo–Ambato, en el sector Izamba
(Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2026-01)
Vivanco Valverde, Sandy Adamary
;
De La Torre Olvera, Helena Maritza
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite with a wide global distribution that poses a risk to public and veterinary health, causing catastrophic diseases such as toxoplasmosis. Its transmission through irrigation water constitutes a potential route of contamination for both crops and animals intended for human consumption. This study employed direct microscopy and PCR to analyze Toxoplasma gondii oocyst contamination in the Latacunga–Salcedo–Ambato (LSA) irrigation canal, in the Izamba sector. Microscopic results revealed a 45.73 percent contamination with oocysts compatible with Toxoplasma gondii, with a higher frequency in the localities of San Miguel Arcángel, San Francisco de Quillanloma, and Quillanloma la Playa. Physicochemical analyses of the water revealed that the presence of oocysts is not associated with water quality, but rather with factors such as local anthropogenic contamination. In contrast, the results of molecular identification targeting the B1 gene fragment did not detect the presence of Toxoplasma gondii genetic material due to inhibitors during PCR, caused by a mixed parasite load. The LSA canal did not show sufficient Toxoplasma gondii contamination to support the claim of a risk of transmission through irrigation water. However, the canal is a vital water infrastructure for the country's agricultural productivity, and its potential to act as an environmental reservoir for pathogenic parasites poses a threat to food safety, public health, and local veterinary health.
Caracterización cinética y estructural de la enzima ancestral N1 PETasa
(Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2026-01)
Vallejo Espín, Diana Carolina
;
Cerda Mejía, Liliana Alexandra
The contamination caused by polyethylene terephthalate (PET) represents one of the most critical environmental challenges today, due to its high global production, persistence, and the limited efficiency of conventional recycling methods. In this context, enzyme-based degradation strategies have emerged as sustainable and highly specific alternatives. The methodology included structural modeling using AlphaFold 3.0, multiple sequence alignments, comparative analysis with modern PETases, and the experimental evaluation of enzymatic activity on pNP-acetate, pNP-butyrate, and post-consumer PET. This research aligns with the development of biotechnologies applied to the enzymatic recycling of polymers. Structural analyses revealed that N1 PETase retains the α/β-hydrolase fold, the Ser–Asp–His catalytic triad, and functional motifs associated with polyester hydrolysis. The ancestral N1 PETase enzyme emerges as a promising candidate for designing optimized biocatalysts. It also provides evidence on the relationship between structural architecture, loop dynamics, and catalytic efficiency, contributing to the advancement of biotechnological solutions for the circular economy. In this context, the present study carried out the structural, functional, and kinetic characterization of the ancestral N1 PETase enzyme, reconstructed through phylogenetic methods, to determine its potential as a biocatalyst for PET depolymerization.

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