Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología
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Item Evaluación del efecto del ácido tereftálico en la producción de celulosa bacteriana por Komagataeibacter xylinus DSM2004(Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Alimentos, 2026-07) Herrera Bermudes, Erick Ricardo; Cerda Mejía, Liliana AlexandraThe industrial-scale production of bacterial cellulose (BC) faces limitations associated with low yields and the high costs of conventional substrates, which justify the exploration of alternative additives such as terephthalic acid (TPA), derived from PET recycling. This study evaluated the effect of TPA supplementation on BC production using the strain Komagataeibacter xylinus DSM2004. The study analyzed the interaction of three critical factors: pH, TPA concentration, and cultivation type. The results indicated that the optimal condition was pH 6.5 with 1 percent TPA under static cultivation, achieving a yield of 4.62 g per L. Supplementation with 1 percent TPA enhanced yield compared to the conventional medium; however, increasing the concentration to 2 percent resulted in an inhibitory effect, particularly under agitated conditions, where glucose consumption ceased prematurely. FTIR characterization showed that TPA did not produce detectable alterations in the functional group’s characteristic of bacterial cellulose. Mechanical analysis revealed that the presence of the monomer influenced the flexibility and stiffness of the material, suggesting a possible plasticizing effect. Overall, the results suggest that the valorization of TPA derived from PET recycling may constitute a technically viable strategy for the production of advanced biomaterials, integrating circular economy principles into biotechnology.Item Evaluación del efecto de productos enzimáticos en la producción de biogás y las propiedades del lixiviado en vertederos biorreactores destinados a la degradación de materia orgánica residual(Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2025-07) Sarabia Tutin Renan Saúl; Peñafiel Ayala Rodny DavidThe environmental issue linked to the inadequate accumulation of biodegradable waste, combined with the growing need for sustainable energy sources, served as the primary motivation for developing a technological alternative that integrates waste treatment with renewable energy generation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of enzymatic products on biogas production and the characteristics of leachate in bioreactor landfills intended for the anaerobic degradation of residual organic matter. The methodology involved operating three bioreactors: a control unit, a treatment unit, and a treatment replicate. Each was filled with layers of gravel, compost, green waste, and centrifuged sludge. The systems underwent a two-week stabilization phase. In the third week, basal medium was added, which facilitated the generation of leachate and nutrient migration. The treatment with commercial enzymatic products was initiated in the seventh week and continued until week twelve. Prior to the addition of the enzymatic products, the specific methanogenic activity of the three products Biomog, Efibact, and EM-1, was determined. Leachate characterization began in the fourth week, as its appearance was only observed after the addition of the basal medium. In conclusion, the bioreactor systems demonstrated efficiency in biogas production and organic matter degradation, and the enzymatic treatment had a positive effect. However, the leachate properties did not meet expectations due to the short operational period of the systems.Item Evaluación de las propiedades mecánicas, funcionales y microbiológicas, de contenedores elaborados a partir de recursos agroindustriales infrautilizados de la industria bananera(Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Alimentos, 2025-07) Ulloa Bejarano Karen Michelle; Arancibia Soria Mirari YosuneThe use of green banana peel and pulp in the production of bioplastics represents a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics. These agro-industrial residues contain high levels of starch, cellulose, and lignin, which provide useful mechanical properties for manufacturing trays, utensils, and containers. The production process consists of four stages: drying, grinding, mixing with natural additives, and thermal molding. Despite their hydrophilic nature, which may affect strength in humid environments, various techniques have been developed to improve durability and reduce moisture sensitivity. Functional properties such as solubility and water absorption be contingent on the formulation and type of plasticizer used, while heat resistance varies according to the type of starch and the process applied. From a microbiological standpoint, the containers must meet health standards to ensure food safety, as established by MINSA 461 regulations. In this context, banana-based bioplastics not only offer a technically viable solution but also have a positive ecological impact. Pollution from synthetic plastics has caused global environmental crises due to their slow degradation and accumulation in ecosystems. The implementation of biodegradable materials derived from bananas offers an agro-industrial alternative to reduce waste, promote the circular economy, and protect the environment. This proposal aligns with sustainability goals and represents an opportunity to transform agricultural waste into useful and environmentally responsible products.Item Desarrollo de láminas flexibles sostenibles a partir de residuos sólidos de una curtiembre en Tungurahua(Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2025-07) Cadena Garcés Christian Manuel; Flores Tapia Nelly EstherThe leather tanning industry generates large amounts of solid waste such as wet blue, a byproduct with high chromium content that represents a significant environmental risk, especially in regions such as Tungurahua, Ecuador. This work highlights the importance of seeking sustainable alternatives that allow the valorization of this waste and reduce its environmental impact, thus promoting the circular economy and the development of innovative materials from secondary sources. To achieve this objective, flexible sheets were created by combining wet blue leather waste, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and glycerol in different proportions. Following an experimental process that included washing, drying, hydrolyzing and grinding of the wet blue, mixing with the other components, molding, drying, and physicochemical and mechanical characterization under ASTM and ISO standards, in addition to FTIR analysis to verify the structural integrity of the collagen and the presence of the functional groups of each component. The results demonstrated that it is possible to manufacture sustainable flexible sheets from industrial waste. PVA is responsible for the greatest mechanical strength and homogeneity, glycerol provides flexibility, and wet blue is responsible for water absorption and ash content. However, high water absorption limits its use in humid environments, and the presence of chromium requires additional considerations for its application. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the feasibility of recovering tannery waste to obtain functional and sustainable materials, providing solutions for responsible environmental management and paving the way for future industrial applications.Item Determinación del efecto de productos enzimáticos en el tratamiento de lodos PTAR Ambato y residuos verdes para la producción de biogás a escala de laboratorio(Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2025-07) Analuisa Morales Alex Javier; Peñafiel Ayala Rodny DavidWastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) generate large quantities of sludge daily, the management of which represents one of the greatest challenges due to its constant accumulation. At the same time, the increase in green waste has intensified greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide and methane, by hindering its natural decomposition. In this context, anaerobic digestion (AD) is proposed as a sustainable alternative for valorizing waste through energy recovery in the form of biogas. Furthermore, the use of enzymatic products can accelerate biogas generation, thereby contributing to greater sustainability in the face of this global problem. The research was structured in two phases. In the first, the Specific Methanogenic Activity (SMA) method was applied to select, from among three commercial products, the one with the greatest methane production efficiency. In the second phase, the selected product was applied to four 4L biodigesters, with different feed configurations and enzyme addition. Key physicochemical parameters such as pH, solids, nutrients, and heavy metals were monitored. Methane production was quantified by liquid displacement. The results demonstrated that enzyme addition significantly improved methane generation, influenced by optimal pH, ammonium, temperature, and solids conditions. It is concluded that the use of enzymatic products represents an effective strategy for valorizing organic waste, providing a state-of-the-art biotechnological alternative for optimizing biogas production and digestate quality.Item Aprovechamiento y evaluación in vitro del extracto obtenido a partir de residuos del arándano (Vaccinium corymbosum) de calidad no comercial en la formulación de un hidrogel(Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2025-07) Córdova Avila Alan Ismael; Fernández Rivero DanaeCurrently, at the national level, blueberry crops of companies and small farmers are experiencing significant losses of up to thirty percent of residue generated by the lack of training of farmers in specific techniques for the management of this crop, harvesting, transport and storage. The residue is of great interest in sustainability studies in order to extract its bioactive compounds. Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) extract has natural antioxidant capacities by its high nutritional and flavonoid content. In this study, extracts were obtained from UEA, using a two-factor experimental design in Minitab with a 95 percent confidence level, where the etanol-water concentration and temperature were evaluated. The flavonoid content was determined by the Aluminum Chloride method, the results obtained indicated that the best treatment was the one with the highest concentration of flavonoids, reaching 63,295 milligrams of quercetin equivalent per gram of fresh sample in conditions of 80:20 ethanol at 70 percent and a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius. With this extract a hydrogel was formulated with pH (4.5 - 7.5) and viscosity (500 - 15000 centipoise), of which its antioxidant capacity was evaluated by the ABTS method, generating an inhibition percentage of 49.869 percent of the hydrogel and 60.578 percent of the concentrated extract. In vitro release was evaluated by membrane diffusion with cellophane and phosphate buffer 7.2, obtaining a value of 47.315 milligrams quercetin equivalent per gram of sample.Item Efecto de la adición de lodos de la PTAR Ambato sobre los procesos de compostaje de residuos verdes y de jardín(Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2025-07) Chango Jerez Raquel Magaly; Peñafiel Ayala Rodny DavidEcuador generates a high percentage of organic solid waste, such as green waste and garden waste, causing a significant environmental problem. All waste accumulates in landfills, causing pollution. Furthermore, the sludge from the Ambato WWTP represents a responsible environmental strategy, and together with composting, aims to improve compost quality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to understand the effect of the Ambato WWTP sludge on the composting process in laboratory bioreactors. The methodology consisted of operating three bioreactors for the 12-week composting process. The bioreactors consisted of green waste, garden waste, and commercial compost for bioreactor 1, and for bioreactors 2 and 3, the same materials were added, but with the addition of WWTP sludge. The physicochemical characteristics of the compost were monitored throughout the process. In conclusion, the composting process using the Ambato WWTP sludge stood out for its efficiency, demonstrating how the sludge improved process quality and supported the circular economy by complying with environmental policies. The results of this study can serve as a technical reference for public environmental policies, circular economy initiatives, and urban sustainability projects in Ambato and other cities in the country, generating a positive impact on both the environmental and socioeconomic levels.Item Elaboración de platos biodegradables germinables a partir de materiales agroindustriales(Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2025-02) Lozada Pérez, Daisy Paola; Moreno Toasa, Gabriel AlejandroIn this research, germinable biodegradable plates were developed from agro-industrial materials to avoid the consumption of disposable single-use plates, which are thrown into landfills, seas and oceans causing damage to the marine flora and fauna. Undoubtedly, since the plates have a germinative character, they become a unique and innovative proposal for the consumer because after its useful life is over, the plate returns to the earth and has the capacity to complete the biodegradation and germination process. As for the methodology, the physicochemical, mechanical and optical properties of germinable biodegradable plates were identified using an experimental design and the best treatment was determined, resulting in 25 percent corn (Zea Mays); 30 percent second-use Kraft paper (without ink, not bleached). In addition, after the statistical analysis it was determined that the seeds of edible species radish (Raphanus sativus) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa), do not have significant differences that affect the analysis of the properties. Finally, the plates biodegraded in 45 days while, the germination percentage for radish was 85 percent and lettuce 75 percent. It was demonstrated that the natural fibers of the germinable biodegradable dishes were ideal, and the dishes are an ecological alternative to reduce environmental pollution.Item Bioprospección de microorganismos autóctonos productores de biosurfactantes aislados de suelos contaminados con aceites de lubricadoras en Ambato. Articulado al Proyecto de Investigación aprobado mediante Resolución Nro. UTA-CONIN-2023-0294-R(Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2025-02) Guerrero Carranza, Yadira Lizbeth; Calero Cáceres, William RicardoHydrocarbon contamination represents a global issue due to its high toxicity and recalcitrance. This is mainly attributed to the indiscriminate use of oils of various types, ranging from edible oils to motor lubricants. In particular, motor oils have a significant impact on soil, as their heavy nature and low dispersion in water reduce the bioavailability of hydrocarbons for microorganisms. This phenomenon deteriorates soil structure over time. In this study, bacteria present in soils contaminated with oils from lubricant workshops in the city of Ambato were isolated, identified, and characterized. It is essential to highlight that biosurfactants, surfactant compounds of microbial origin, play a key role in this context. To identify biosurfactant-producing bacteria, various tests were performed, including the drop collapse test, oil spreading, hemolytic activity, emulsification, and the use of CTAB agar. Subsequently, biosurfactant-producing strains were identified using the MALDI-TOF technique to determine their genus and species. The results revealed that the bacteria belonged to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, known for producing rhamnolipids, a type of biosurfactant. Additionally, their antimicrobial activity was evaluated, and the phylogenetic similarity of these strains was investigated using the ERIC-PCR technique. Finally, an oil biodegradation study was conducted, comparing conditions with and without substrate enrichment to analyze process differences.Item Evaluación de la capacidad fitorremediadora de Chrysopogon zizanioides y Eichhornia crassipes en efluentes secundarios de una curtiembre de la provincia de Tungurahua. Articulado al Proyecto de Investigación aprobado mediante Resolución Nro. UTA-CONIN-2023-0194-R(Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2025-02) Escobar Jumbo, Bruno Manuel; Flores Tapia, Nelly EstherSince the 20th century, the increasing global demand for leather has driven the tanning industry to boost its production in Ecuador. However, this industry is one of the most polluting due to the generation of untreated waste, creating an environmental issue on a global scale. This study aims to evaluate the capacity of a phytoremediation process using Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) and C. zizanioides (Vetiver) to treat a contaminated effluent in the city of Ambato, Tungurahua province. To achieve this, three treatments were formulated in artificial wetlands, with a control and three replicates: T1-E. crassipes, T2-C. zizanioides, and T3-Combination (50:50). Over 45 days, physicochemical analyses were conducted on 14 parameters following TULSMA standards, using Hach, Hanna Instruments, and Velp Scientifica reagents. The results show a significant reduction of contaminants in treatment T3 with the following data: BOD5 84 percent, Cr6+ 75 percent, TSS 61 percent, Nitrogen 71 percent, Ammonium 60 percent, Turbidity 99 percent, Color 79 percent, and Phosphorus 60 percent. Additionally, an initial and final characterization encompassing 34 physicochemical parameters was performed. The obtained results demonstrate the effectiveness of the treatment with the combination of both plant species in an artificial wetland. This provides a starting point for studying the interaction of E. crassipes and C. zizanioides in tannery effluents and formulating treatments that help mitigate the environmental impact of the leather and dyeing industry.