Parameterization of the InVEST Crop Pollination Model to spatially predict abundance of wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton) native bee pollinators in Maine,USA

Non-native honeybees historically have been managed for crop pollination, however, recent population declines draw attention to pollination services provided by native bees. We applied the InVEST Crop Pollination model, developed to predict native bee abundance from habitat resources, in Maine's wild blueberry crop landscape. We evaluated model performance with parameters informed by four approaches: 1) expert opinion; 2) sensitivity analysis; 3) sensitivity analysis informed model optimization; and, 4) simulated annealing (uninformed) model optimization. Uninformed optimization improved model performance by 29% compared to expert opinion-informed model, while sensitivity-analysis informed optimization improved model performance by 54%. This suggests that expert opinion may not result in the best parameter values for the InVEST model. The proportion of deciduous/mixed forest within 2000 m of a blueberry field also reliably predicted native bee abundance in blueberry fields, however, the InVEST model provides an efficient tool to estimate bee abundance beyond the field perimeter.     

Mass spectrometry fragmentation pattern of coloured flavanol‐anthocyanin and anthocyanin‐flavanol derivatives in aged red wines of Rioja

Background and Aims: During wine ageing, a great variety of reactions take place, resulting in an immense variety of products whose structure sometimes remains unknown. The aim of this work is the study of different fragmentation patterns of flavanol‐anthocyanin derivatives formed along the wine ageing; these patterns are useful for elucidating the different structures of these compounds and other new related ones. Methods and Results: Several wines from the Protected Denomination of Origin Rioja have been studied by an analytical method that combines column chromatography and high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array and mass and tandem mass spectrometric detections. Thirty‐five coloured flavanol‐anthocyanin compounds formed by direct reaction or by acetaldehyde‐mediated condensation have been identified. For direct reaction derivatives, two different fragmentation patterns (one of them not previously reported) have been observed depending on the position of flavanol in the coloured derivative. Several compounds have been identified in aged wines for the first time to the authors' knowledge, like (+)‐gallocatechin‐cyanidin‐3‐glucoside and (+)‐catechin‐cyanidin‐3‐glucoside Conclusions: The developed analytical procedure has allowed the identification of some compounds for the first time, and two different fragmentation patterns have been observed depending on the position of flavanol in the pigment. Significance of the Study: The establishment of different fragmentation patterns allows the structural elucidation of unknown compounds.     

Original article: Incorporations of blueberry extracts into soybean‐protein‐isolate film preserve qualities of packaged lard

The effect of blueberry‐extract incorporation into soybean‐protein‐isolate edible film on the quality of packaged lard was compared with vitamin E or butylated hydroxyl anisole (BHA) incorporations individually during the storage at 36 °C and relative humidity of 40% for 5 weeks. Blueberry‐extract incorporations into soybean‐protein‐isolate film showed a greater tensile strength, lower water vapour permeability and lower oxygen permeability than vitamin E or BHA incorporations individually. On the other hand, the antioxidant capacity of soybean‐protein‐isolate film incorporated with the blueberry extract was greater than that incorporated with vitamin E and similar to that incorporated with BHA. Moreover, soybean‐protein‐isolate film incorporated with the blueberry extract showed a greater capacity to delay the lard hydrolysis than that incorporated with BHA, and a similar capacity to that incorporated with vitamin E. Consequently, blueberry‐extract incorporations into soybean‐protein‐isolate film not only improved mechanical and barrier properties, but also delayed the oxidation and hydrolysis of packaged lard. Therefore, blueberry‐extract incorporations into soybean‐protein‐isolate films have potential as a packaging material which will preserve the qualities of stored lard.     

Natural dyeing with anthocyanins from Hibiscus rosa sinensis flowers

A new approach for natural dyeing with anthocyanin has been discussed along with a convenient method of extraction. Anthocyanin from Hibiscus flowers has been extracted by developing a method using methanolic solution of 4% citric acid. The new method gave better yield of anthocyanin as compared with methanolic solution of 0.1% hydrochloric acid. It has been also shown that pH of the extract plays an important role on the dye, thus by adjusting the pH of the extract at 4, dyeing of cotton and silk together with metal mordanting gave different colors. The best dyeing results were obtained for stannous mordanted fabrics in terms of fastness properties. The role of metal ion complexation of stannous salt with the dye extract has been confirmed through UV‐Vis and FTIR spectra. Antioxidant activity of the anthocyanin extract seemed to have contributed to enhance the fastness properties of the dyed fabrics. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Potential of berry extracts to control foodborne pathogens

Globally, foodborne diseases continues to be a serious public health problem. Among the infectious bacteria implicated in these diseases, non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica (NTS) serovars are the major cause of hospitalization and death, followed by Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes. In addition, the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistance strains among these bacteria is becoming a worldwide food safety issue. This rise of resistance led to the restriction of antibiotics use in animal productions in the European Union and application of a possible similar action in the North America. To limit the use of antibiotics in agricultures while satisfying the consumer demands, effective alternative approaches to maintain the animal health and productivity as well as to preserve food need to be explored. In this context, the plant-derived antibacterial compounds could provide novel approaches to control pathogenic bacteria in food industry. In this paper, we review the potential of three different berries (cranberries, blueberries and strawberries) extracts, as alternative antibacterial products against foodborne pathogens. These extracts show various antimicrobial activities against Gram positive (Listeria, Staphylococcus aureus, and Clostridium perfringens) and Gram negative (Salmonella enterica, E. coli and Campylobacter spp.) bacteria. Berry extracts seem to have a pleotropic mode of actions against foodborne bacteria. Several studies on proanthocyanidins from cranberry demonstrated its bactericidal action through anti-adhesion activities and free iron sequestration. Blueberry phenolics were reported to decrease cell auto-aggregation, motility and affect the cellular hydrophobicity. Similar action was observed with strawberry extracts due to their immobilizing capacity. Key research gaps include the effects of processing, bioavailability and detail mechanisms of action of berry compounds.     

血橙营养成分研究进展

血橙富含花色苷、VC、黄烷酮、羟基苯乙烯酸等营养成分使之具有抗氧化、抗癌、降血压、增强免疫力和防止心血管疾病发生等生物活性,具有补血、美容、促进血液循环等特点,是天然的中医良药保健食品,堪称"柑中珍品"。综述了血橙主要化学成分含量的测定、分离、纯化和鉴定及生物活性等方面研究进展,为血橙有效成分的研究及进一步开发利用提供科学依据。     

The impact of anthocyanin-rich red raspberry extract (ARRE) on the properties of edible soy protein isolate (SPI) films

To modify the properties of edible soy protein isolate (SPI) films, 0.5% anthocyanin-rich red raspberry (Rubus strigosus) extract (ARRE) (0.5 g raspberry powder in 95% ethyl alcohol/water/85% lactic acid [80:19:1. v/v/v]) was incorporated into film-forming solutions. ARRE resulted in an SPI film having significantly enhanced tensile strength (P < 0.05) and % elongation at break (P < 0.05), as well as increased water swelling ratio (P < 0.05) and in vitro pepsin digestibility (P < 0.05). The resultant films also showed significantly decreased water solubility and water vapor permeability (P < 0.05). In addition, ARRE increased darkness, redness, and yellowness film appearance as evidenced by a lower L* (P < 0.05), greater positive a* (P < 0.05), and a higher b* (P < 0.05) than the control film. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that extract-added films had denser and more compact cross-section microstructure. Fourier transform infrared spectra illustrated that ARRE-created hydrogen bonding involved conformational changes of soy protein without destroying its backbone structure. SDS-PAGE electrophoretograms revealed that the extract induced intermolecular interaction of the soy protein monomers. Natural plant extracts would be a promising ingredient to make SPI films with different physicochemical properties and applications. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study characterizes the potential physicochemical changes of SPI film with incorporated raspberry extract. Upon the above modification, the resultant film was found to enhance the applications of pure SPI film in food packaging. For example, SPI-ARRE film could prolong the usage life of SPI film due to increased strength, or could be useful as a desiccant (drying agent) such as a water-absorbing sheet for preserving dried foods due to its increased hydrophilic surface and water-swelling ratio. SPI-ARRE film could also be alternately used as a food wrap with unique color.