BACKGROUND Acrylamide in foods has been widely studied because of its possible carcinogenicity. Most of the foods investigated were prepared using low moisture and high temperature conditions. Non‐centrifugal sugars (NCSs), which have been promoted as ‘non‐chemical’ natural sweeteners, contain precursors of acrylamide and their production processes involved prolonged heating. The acrylamide content in 32 commercial NCSs from coconut, cane and palmyra palm purchased in Asian countries was investigated. Additionally, syrups (80 oBrix) produced from coconut and palmyra raw saps and cane juice were prepared by evaporation with prolonged heating (2.5 h to reach 100 °C, 1 h to increase to 110 °C, held at 110 °C for 30 min). The compositions and contents of sugars, amino acids and minerals, as well as the physical characteristics of the raw saps, juice and syrups, were determined. RESULTS The acrylamide content of these 32 products ranged from < 15 to 4011 μg kg−1. The raw saps and juice were mildly acidic (pH 5.14–5.66) and similar values were observed for their syrups (4.73–5.73). The contents of sucrose, fructose and glucose in the saps and juice from these plants were similar, whereas their compositions varied with respect to amino acids. The variation of the ornithine content was significant, demonstrating a striking influence on the extent of acrylamide formation (867–1564 μg kg−1) in the syrups prepared from these materials. CONCLUSION The present study emphasizes the importance of a careful monitoring and control of the critical steps invloved in the manufacturing process of NCSs (particularly the evaporation phase), aiming to protect the health and safety of consumers. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry

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Biogas production in the Czech Republic has expanded substantially, including marginal regions for maize cultivation. Therefore, there are increasingly sought materials that could partially replace maize silage, as a basic feedstock, while secure both biogas production and its quality. Two samples of rye grass (Lolium multifl orum var. westerwoldicum) silage with diff erent solids content 21% and 15% were measured for biogas and methane yield. Rye grass silage with solid content of 15% reached an average specifi c biogas yield 0.431 m

Terephthalic acid (TA) is one of the main pollutants in wastewater from the polyester textile industry and extremely harmful to human health and the environment. Eighty-seven isolates were collected from soil around the wastewater basin of a polyester textile manufacturer in Thailand, based on their ability to grow in a minimal salt medium (MSM) containing 1 g/L TA as the sole carbon and energy source. Nineteen isolates were found to be TA-degrading bacteria. To obtain more efficient TA-degrading bacteria, the TA concentration in MSM was increased to 2 and 5 g/L. Isolate N2 showed TA-degrading ability higher than 90% and was identified as Rhodococcus biphenylivorans according to its morphological and biochemical properties and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. N2 degraded 99.6% of 10 g/L TA in 5 days. Optimal conditions for TA degradation were 30 C, pH 7.0 and 200 rpm shaking speed. Results implied that R. biphenylivorans could be useful for future applications in bioremediation of TA in the environment.

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