The effect of hydrogen peroxide bleaching of canola meal on product colour,dry matter and protein extractability and molecular weight profile

The aim of this study was to bleach canola meal by hydrogen peroxide to understand the treatment effect on product colour, dry matter and nitrogen extractability. Meal suspensions at 2.5%, 5% and 10% (w/v) were treated in 3, 6 and 10% H₂O₂ at pH 3, 7 and 10. The bleached meal was extracted under acidic and alkaline conditions. The results showed a high bleaching effectiveness of canola meal by H₂O₂. The L* parameter was increased from 47.18 ± 0.56 up to 86.80 ± 1.05. Effect of pH was significant and the highly bleached meal was obtained at pH 10. Extractability of dry matter was increased when the meal was treated with H₂O₂, from 26.87 ± 0.10% for the control meal up to 83.20 ± 0.59% for the meal treated in 10% H₂O₂ in a 2.5% (w/v) suspension. Sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a depolymerisation effect of H₂O₂ on the high molecular weight proteins.     

Potential for prevention of non‐O157 Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli contamination in traditionally fermented African maize gruel by fermentative probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum

Non‐O157 Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are a frequent cause of STEC‐related infections such as diarrhoea. Fermentation by presumptive probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum strain B411 isolated from cereal fermentation was investigated to prevent the growth of acid‐adapted (AA) and non‐acid‐adapted (NAA) non‐O157 STEC in traditionally fermented maize gruel, a widely used complementary food in Africa. L. plantarum strain B411 possessed probiotic characteristics and antimicrobial activity against selected pathogenic bacteria. Growth of AA and NAA non‐O157 STEC strains was substantially inhibited by 3.6 and 4.8 log reductions, respectively, in the maize gruel fermented with the L. plantarum B411, while their growth was only inhibited by 1.0 and 1.2 log reductions, respectively, by traditional fermentation alone. Inclusion of fermentative strains of L. plantarum exhibiting probiotic activity is a feasible method to ensure safety of traditionally fermented African cereal porridges through inhibition of non‐O157 STEC.     

Evaluation of physico‐chemical properties,trace metal content and antioxidant activity of Indian honeys

In this study, effect of plant sources viz. Gossypium hirsutum, Coriander sativum, Murraya koenigii and Dalbergia sisso on twelve physico‐chemical properties, phenolic content, flavonoids content as well as on trace mineral (Fe, Cu, Ni, Mn, Cd and Pb) contents of honey were investigated and compared. All the physico‐chemical values were in the range of approved limits of European Commission Regulation and the source of honey had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on physico‐chemical properties, phenol content, flavonoid content and trace mineral content. The results of positive correlations between physico‐chemical properties (colour and antioxidant properties) and compositional components (phenols and flavonoids content) established that antioxidant properties were dependent on source of honey rather than on colour of honey. Pattern recognition methods such as principal component analysis and linear discriminate analysis were performed to classify honey on the basis of physico‐chemical properties, phenolic content, flavonoids content and trace metal content. The variables proline and lead exhibited higher discrimination power.     

Κ‐CN gene polymorphism in Nili‐ravi buffalo,Achai and Sahiwal cattle of Pakistan

Kappa‐casein (κ‐CN) is the subtype of casein protein, an important constituent of bovine milk protein. The current study was undertaken to investigate the genetic polymorphism in κ‐CN gene of Nili‐ravi buffalo, Achai and Sahiwal cattle of Pakistan using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) technique. The Nili‐ravi buffalo was found to be monomorphic (genotype BB only) for κ‐CN gene. Achai cattle were polymorphic for κ‐CN (having three genotypes AA, AB and BB) with a frequency of 0.70, 0.18 and 0.12, respectively, while in Sahiwal cattle, both the genotypes AA and AB were found with genotypic frequencies of 0.92 and 0.08, respectively. The presence of genotype BB in Achai cattle is surprising as it is absent in most of the cattle breeds worldwide.     

Detection of Salmonella spp., Yersinia enterocolitica,Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter spp. by real‐time multiplex PCR using amplicon DNA melting analysis and probe‐based assay

Syto9 and probe‐based multiplex real‐time PCR assays for simultaneous detection of a group of foodborne pathogens (named SYLC group), targeting Salmonella spp. (invA gene), Yersinia enterocolitica (ystA gene), Listeria monocytogenes (hly gene) and Campylobacter spp. (rrna gene), have been developed. The Syto9 assay generates amplicon DNA melting curve with four peaks of 86.5 ± 0.5, 84 ± 0.5, 81.5 ± 0.5 and 90.5 ± 0.5 °C corresponding Salmonella spp., Y. enterocolitica, L. monocytogenes and Campylobacter spp. targets, respectively. The sensitivities of the Syto9 and TaqMan assays in artificially inoculated chicken wing rinses were in a range of 3.2 × 10² to 3.1 × 10⁴ and 9.8 × 10² to 1.9 × 10⁴ colony‐forming units per millilitre, respectively, depending on the pathogen. All tested target strains (n = 100) were correctly detected by the both assays, whereas nontarget strains (n = 100) demonstrated no cross‐reactivity representing 100% specificity. The assays are suitable for application in qualitative and quantitative detection of SYLC group pathogens in food matrices.     

Effects of Penicillium roqueforti and whey cheese on gross composition,microbiology and proteolysis of mould‐ripened Civil cheese during ripening

Four different types of mould‐ripened Civil cheese were manufactured. A defined (nontoxigenic) strain of a Penicillium roqueforti (SC 509) was used as the secondary starter with and without addition of the whey cheese (Lor); in parallel, secondary starter‐free counterparts were manufactured. Chemical composition, microbiology and proteolysis were studied during the ripening. The incorporation of whey cheese in the manufacture of mould‐ripened Civil cheese altered the gross composition and adversely affected proteolysis in the cheeses. The inoculated P. roqueforti moulds appeared to grow slowly on those cheeses, and little proteolysis was evident in all cheese treatments during the first 90 days of ripening. However, sharp increases in the soluble nitrogen fractions were observed in all cheeses after 90 days. Microbiological analysis showed that the microbial counts in the cheeses were at high levels at the beginning of ripening, while their counts decreased approximately 1–2 log cfu/g towards the end of ripening.     

The phenolic constituents and free radical scavenging activities of Gynura formosana Kiamnra

Gynura formosana Kiamnra (Compositae) is a herbal folk medicine that is a popular vegetable in Taiwan. The free‐radical scavenging activities of a 70% aqueous acetone extract from the herb G formosana were evaluated. Bioassay‐guided fractionation, column separation on Diaion, Toyopearl HW 40(C), Sephadex LH‐20 and MCI CHP20P, and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to isolate for the first time in G formosana four potent phenolics [caffeic acid ( I ), quercetin 3‐O‐rutinoside ( II ), kaempferol 3‐O‐rutinoside ( III ) and kaempferol 3‐O‐robinobioside ( IV )]. The IC₅₀ values of 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity for compounds I – IV were 6.7, 7.7, 300.3 and 286.7 µM , respectively, and, for superoxide radical scavenging activity, they were 187.3, 25.8, 55.3 and 87.4 µM , respectively. Using a spin trapping electron spin resonance (ESR) method, caffeic acid ( I ) and quercetin 3‐O‐rutinoside ( II ) exhibited good hydroxyl radical activity. The free radical scavenging activity of G formosana phenolics may improve the economic value of this herb and assist in its development as a health food. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Reduction of Listeria monocytogenes in cold‐smoked salmon by bacteriophage P100, nisin and lauric arginate,singly or in combinations

Three GRAS antimicrobials including, lauric arginate (LAE), bacteriophage P100 (phage P100) and bacteriocin nisin, were evaluated either singly or in combinations for the reduction of initial load of Listeria monocytogenes in cold‐smoked salmon (CSS). The stability of phage P100 in the presence of LAE (200 ppm) and nisin (500 ppm) or at 10× and 100× of these concentrations was determined at 4 °C or 30 °C for 24 h in a broth model. Phage P100 was found to be highly stable in the presence of these antimicrobial agents as plaque‐forming units (PFU) did not vary between control and antimicrobial‐treated phage. The survival of L. monocytogenes in the presence of phage P100, nisin and LAE showed remarkable reduction within 24 h both at 4 °C or 30 °C in broth. Treatment of CSS containing 3.5 log CFU cm^?2 L. monocytogenes with phage P100 (10⁸ PFU mL^?1), nisin (500 ppm) and LAE (200 ppm) showed strong listericidal action and reduced the L. monocytogenes by 2–3 log CFU cm^?2 after 24 h. Among the combined treatments, phage P100 + LAE or nisin + LAE exhibited the most listericidal action in which L. monocytogenes cells were reduced to undetectable level within 24 h in CSS.     

Effect of grain hardness,fractionation and cultivars on protein,pasting and dough rheological properties of different wheat flours

Coarse flour fractions (CFFs) and fine flour fractions (FFFs) obtained from flour milled from twelve different wheat cultivars varying in grain hardness index (GHI) were evaluated for particle size distribution, pasting and protein characteristics. Cultivars with greater hardness produce flour with high protein content had more proportion of large size particles. FFF had higher unextractable polymeric protein, solvent retention capacity (SRC), sedimentation value (SV) and dough stability (DS) than their corresponding CFF. Both FFF and CFF from cultivars with lower hardness showed lower sodium SRC. CFF showed higher pasting viscosities than their corresponding FFF, and difference in these properties was greater amongst soft cultivars. DS increased with decrease in grain hardness, but medium hard cultivars showed exceptionally higher value. The concentration of HMW‐GS in the CFF was higher than FFF of hard wheat cultivars, whereas the concentration of LMW‐GS in the CFF and FFF was not influenced by the fractionation of flour.     

Chemical composition,antioxidant activity and anti‐lipase activity of Origanum vulgare and Lippia turbinata essential oils

This study reported the chemical composition, phenolic content, antioxidant and anti‐lipase activity of oregano and Lippia essential oils. The major compounds found in oregano essential oil were γ‐terpinene (32.10%), α‐terpinene (15.10%), p‐cymene (8.00%) and thymol (8.00%). In Lippia essential oil, α‐limonene (76.80%) and 1,8‐cineole (4.95%) represented the major compounds. Oregano essential oil had higher phenolic content (12.47 mg gallic acid mL^?1) and DPPH scavenging activity (IC₅₀ 0.357 μg mL^?1) than Lippia essential oil (7.94 mg gallic acid mL^?1 and IC₅₀ 0.400 μg mL^?1, respectively). Both essential oils had similar antioxidant indexes (about 1.2) determined by Rancimat. Moreover, oregano essential oil had also higher anti‐lipase activity (IC₅₀ 5.09 and 7.26 μg mL^?1). Higher phenolic content in the essential oils was related with higher scavenging and anti‐lipase activities. Oregano and Lippia essential oils could be used as natural antioxidants on food products.     

Steviol glycosides are not altered during commercial extraction and purification processes

Steviol glycosides, sweet diterpenes extracted from the shrub Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, are approved as sweeteners in many countries throughout the world. Former heat and pH‐investigations of these glycosides have established their stability. However, due to the complex purification process, the natural authenticity has still been discussed and challenged, recently. Thus, the objective of this work was to show that the steviol glycosides are not chemically modified during the commercial extraction and purification process. Therefore, samples of three independent commercial‐scale extraction and purification batches of steviol glycosides, each batch containing a sample of the untreated stevia leaves, the first water extract and the high‐purity end product, were analysed using HPLC‐UV and HPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS. The results show that the commercial powders of extracted steviol glycosides with an estimated purity of more than or equal to 95% contain the same steviol glycosides as the dried stevia leaves and their hot water infusions, demonstrating that steviol glycosides are not affected by the purification process.     

Detection of clenbuterol in beef meat,liver and kidney by mid‐infrared spectroscopy (FT‐Mid IR) and multivariate analysis

Mid‐infrared spectroscopy (FT‐Mid IR) coupled with multivariate analysis was used to predict clenbuterol in beef meat, liver and kidney. A SIMCA model was also developed to discriminate between pure (beef meat, liver and kidney) and spiked with clenbuterol samples (beef meat‐clenbuterol, liver‐clenbuterol and kidney‐clenbuterol). The best models to predict clenbuterol concentrations were obtained using the partial least squares algorithm (PLS) with a R² > 0.9 and SEC and standard error of prediction <0.296 and 0.324, respectively. The SIMCA model used to discriminate pure and spiked with clenbuterol samples showed 100% correct classification rate. Methods detection limit was 2 μg kg^?1. FT‐Mid IR coupled with chemometrics could be a simple and rapid screening tool for monitoring clenbuterol in beef meat, liver and kidney implicated in food poisoning. This method could be use for screening purposes.     

Evaluation of plasma,high‐pressure and ultrasound processing on the stability of fructooligosaccharides

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are among the main carbohydrates with prebiotic activity, and they are the most applied functional carbohydrate ingredient in the food industry. FOS are known to hydrolyse when subjected to thermal processing, thus partially losing its functional properties. In this study, we evaluate whether three nonthermal technologies are suitable for processing FOS regarding its stability after processing. FOS were subjected to ultrasound, high‐pressure processing (HPP) and atmospheric cold plasma (ACP). The FOS solution, 70 g L^?1, was set at a concentration recommended for human intake. The treatments were carried out at operating conditions usually used for microbial inactivation in foods (HPP at 450 MPa for 5 min; US at 600–1200 W L^?1 for 5 min; ACP at 70 kV for 15–60 s). NMR and HPLC analysis of the FOS components showed that ACP, ultrasound and HPP have not induced any significant change on FOS concentration (<2.0%) nor on the degree of polymerisation of the FOS (<3.3%). Contrarily to what is reported for thermal treatments, these nonthermal technologies were considered suitable for FOS processing.     

Metabolomics reveals consistency of the shoot system in Medicago truncatula by HPLC‐UV‐ESI‐MS/MS

Flavonoids not only play crucial roles in plant development and resistance, but also provide one of the major natural sources in human nutrition. To investigate the distribution of flavonoids in the shoot system of Medicago truncatula, a high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometer (HPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS) method was established and then applied to determine the quantitation of flavonoids in different parts of the plant. There were twenty‐two, fifteen and eleven different kinds of flavonoids identified from the flower, leaf and stem of M. truncatula, respectively. The identified constituents were either aglycone or glycosides of the typical flavonoid backbones, such as myricetin, quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, tricin, apigenin and laricitrin. It was found that the shoot system of M. truncatula can be differentiated by flavonoids in terms of structures and contents. Our results provide instruction to utilise the shoot system of legume crops as fodder and herb medicine in the future.