Claudia Villalobos
The Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología Aplicada (CIBA) in Tlaxcala, part of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), responds to the urgent need to apply basic knowledge and promote innovation in collaboration with the industrial sector, to address the challenges posed by new requirements.
To achieve this, it offers Master's and Doctoral programs in Productive Biotechnology, which, in addition to contributing to scientific and technological development, are aimed at generating biotechnological research and innovation between this academic institution and the industry with economic and commercial projection.
As a result of these study programs and the established collaboration between CIBA Tlaxcala and Altecsa S.A. de C.V., a company focused on the production of food additives, a project was initiated to preserve the properties of Curcuma longa and generate additives from this tuber.
Dr. Erik Ocaranza Sanchez, who leads the research, explained that liquid waste is generated during the dehydration and grinding processes of turmeric. "By studying these effluents, we realized that they contain high concentrations of curcumin, a basic component of this tuber that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, even in greater quantities than commercial additives. Therefore, we decided to use them to produce high-quality food additives and offer the public functional products," he said.
The CIBA Tlaxcala professor and researcher emphasized that under this research model, it is possible to meet the company's requirements while also contributing to the generation of new knowledge and the training of master's and doctoral students who are involved in the production processes for such an extent that they can easily enter the industry. "Currently, eight young graduates are working in the company, and three more are conducting their master's thesis work there," he added.
Consuming antioxidants is beneficial for health because they play an important role in reducing free radicals produced during oxidation in biological processes within the body. This helps to prevent cellular damage, which is one of the mechanisms for preventing diseases related to oxidative stress.
Curcumin is a compound rich in polyphenols (antioxidants) that is present in turmeric. There are scientific reports that suggest it blocks one of the metabolic factors that promote inflammation, thereby helping to reduce the effects of some diseases such as osteoarthritis or metabolic syndrome. Because it helps to eliminate free radicals, curcumin is beneficial for both people with certain ailments and those who enjoy good health.
To identify antioxidant compounds, their variants, and the degree of protective activity of each of them, researchers use Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques, as well as Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (FT-ICR MS).
The research team is currently validating the functional applications that the compound could have as an additive in various foods such as yogurt, milk, bakery products, and snacks, with the purpose of incorporating them into these products and providing their benefits to consumers on a large scale.
Another advantage of the academia-industry partnership is that the capabilities to carry out studies are multiplied. In this case, part of the project is carried out in the laboratories of the polytechnic research center, while the testing and validation are conducted in the pilot plant and laboratories of the company.
"Currently, various tests are being carried out in the industry's plant and we hope that in less than a year we can transfer the technology and already have some products," said Dr. Ocaranza Sanchez, who also noted that this type of program promotes participation in the development of applied science and technology with a high degree of innovation and impact for the society that consumes it.
"This linkage also allows students to have comprehensive training because projects are carried out based on the needs of the population, but it also involves market analysis, which changes the way research is viewed by visualizing its impact and commercial application with social benefit," he said.
The researcher believes that research should not be conceived as an isolated task in today's world. "It is essential to integrate interdisciplinary cooperation so that each specialist can contribute their expertise and establish alliances with industry to contribute to the generation of projects with a market-oriented approach."
He commented that the impetus given at the Politécnico for the formation of research networks has allowed for the promotion of multidisciplinary research. "In our research line, we have collaborations with researchers from the Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Biotecnoclogía (Upibi), the Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), the Centro Mexicano para la Producción más Limpia (CMP+L), and the Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Química e Industrias Extractivas (ESIQIE)."
They also maintain collaboration with neighboring universities such as the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla and the Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, which enriches their research and ultimately benefits society with their results.
Selección Gaceta Politécnica #161. 2023, April 30th. IPN Imagen Institucional: Read the full magazine in spanish here
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