Organic acids,antioxidant capacity,phenolic content and lipid characterisation of Georgia-grown underutilized fruit crops

Four underutilized Georgia-grown fruit crops, namely loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), mayhaw (Crataegus sp.), fig (Ficus carica), and pawpaw (Asimina triloba), and their leaves were analysed for total polyphenols by Folin–Ciocalteau method, and antioxidant capacity by ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. Organic acids and phenolic compounds were identified by RP-HPLC. For lipid profile, fruits were separated into two fractions – seed and fruit (i.e., without seed); lipid was extracted using the Folch method and analysed for fatty acids, phytosterols, tocopherols, and phospholipids. The major organic acid identified in all samples was malic acid (177–1918 mg/100 g FW). The predominant phenolic acids in all the fruits were gallic (1.5–6.4 mg/100 g FW) and ellagic (0.2–33.8 mg/100 g FW), and the most abundant flavonoid was catechin (12.2–37.8 mg/100 g FW). Total lipid content varied from 0.1% in mayhaw fruit to 21.5% in pawpaw seed. Linoleic acid was the predominant fatty acid in all of the samples (28.2–55.7%).     

Effect of cooking methods on fatty acids,conjugated isomers of linoleic acid and nutritional quality of beef intramuscular fat

The effect of boiling, microwaving and grilling on the composition and nutritional quality of beef intramuscular fat from cattle fed with two diets was investigated. Longissimus lumborum muscle from 15 Alentejano young bulls fed on concentrate or pasture was analyzed. Cooking losses and, consequently, total lipids, increased directly with the cooking time and internal temperature reached by meat (microwaving > boiling > grilling). The major changes in fatty acid composition, which implicated 16 out of 34 fatty acids, resulted in higher percentages in cooked beef of SFA and MUFA and lower proportions of PUFA, relative to raw meat, while conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers revealed a great stability to thermal processes. Heating decreased the PUFA/SFA ratio of meat but did not change its n−6/n−3 index. Thermal procedures induced only slight oxidative changes in meat immediately after treatment but hardly affected the true retention values of its individual fatty acids (72–168%), including CLA isomers (81–128%).     

Amino acids,fatty acids and sterols profile of some marine organisms from Portuguese waters

Marine organisms have been increasingly regarded as good sources of new drugs for human therapeutics and also as nutrients for human diet. The amino acids, fatty acids and sterols profiles of the widely consumed echinoderms Paracentrotus lividus Lamarck (sea urchin), Holothuria forskali Chiaje (sea cucumber), the gastropod molluscs Aplysia fasciata Poiret and Aplysia punctata Cuvier (sea hares), from Portuguese waters, were established by GC–MS analysis. Overall, 10 amino acids, 14 fatty acids and 4 sterols were determined. In general, all species presented the 10 amino acids identified, with the exceptions of H. forskali, in which no glycine, proline, trans-4-hydroxy-proline or phenylalanine were found, and of A. fasciata which did not contain proline. Unsaturated fatty acids were predominant compounds, with those from the ω-6 series, being in higher amounts than their ω-3 homologues, and cholesterol being the main sterol. The amino acids, fatty acids and sterols qualitative and quantitative composition of A. fasciata, A. punctata and H. forskali is reported here for the first time.     

Seasonal changes and muscle type effect on the nutritional quality of intramuscular fat in Mirandesa-PDO veal

The influence of slaughter season and muscle type on the detailed fatty acid composition, including conjugated linoleic acid isomers, and contents of total cholesterol and lipid-soluble antioxidant vitamins (α-tocopherol and β-carotene) in Mirandesa-PDO veal was assessed. Mirandesa purebred calves (n = 29) were raised in a traditional production semi-extensive system, slaughtered in late spring (June) or early autumn (October) and the longissimus lumborum and semitendinosus muscles were sampled for analysis. Although the lipid composition of PDO veal was only slightly affected by the slaughter season, it was markedly changed by the muscle type. However, PDO veal had values of pasture-fed cattle for lipid grass intake indicators, in both seasons and muscles. From a human health standpoint, intramuscular fat in Mirandesa-PDO veal has a high nutritional value throughout the year, with favorable ratios of n− 6/n− 3 and contents of n− 3 PUFA and α-tocopherol, as a result of the beneficial effects of grass feeding.     

Effect of slaughter season on fatty acid composition, conjugated linoleic acid isomers and nutritional value of intramuscular fat in Barrosã-PDO veal

This paper describes the influence of slaughter season on lipid content, fatty acid composition, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomeric profile and nutritional value of fat in Barrosã veal from calves reared according to the specifications of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). Barrosã purebred calves (n = 27) were raised in a traditional production system and slaughtered in early autumn (October) and late spring (June). Barrosã-PDO veal only presented seasonal differences in the levels of some minor fatty acids and CLA isomers, as well as in the PUFA/SFA ratio. Based on the analysed grass intake indicators, it was shown that veal-PDO has similar values to pasture-fed cattle for both slaughter seasons. From a human nutrition perspective, intramuscular fat in Barrosã-PDO veal has a high nutritional value throughout the year, since CLA contents and the percentages of the c9,t11 isomer are relatively high, and the n − 6/n − 3 ratios are within the recommended values for the human diet.     

Purification and identification of bovine cheese whey fatty acids exhibiting in vitro antifungal activity

Milk lipids contain several bioactive factors exhibiting antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In the present study, we demonstrate that free fatty acids (FFA) derived from the saponification of bovine whey cream lipids are active in vitro at inhibiting the germination of Candida albicans, a morphological transition associated with pathogenicity. This activity was found to be significantly increased when bovine FFA were enriched in non-straight-chain FFA. At low cell density, this non-straight-chain FFA-enriched fraction was also found to inhibit in a dose-dependant manner the growth of both developmental forms of C. albicans as well as the growth of Aspergillus fumigatus. Using an assay-guided fractionation, the main components responsible for these activities were isolated. On the basis of mass spectroscopic and gas chromatographic analysis, antifungal compounds were identified as capric acid (C10:0), lauroleic acid (C12:1), 11-methyldodecanoic acid (iso-C13:0), myristoleic acid (C14:1n-5), and γ-linolenic acid (C18:3n-6). The most potent compound was γ-linolenic acid, with minimal inhibitory concentration values of 5.4 mg/L for C. albicans and 1.3 mg/L for A. fumigatus, in standardized conditions. The results of this study indicate that bovine whey contains bioactive fatty acids exhibiting antifungal activity in vitro against 2 important human fungal pathogens.     

Synthesis of cyclopropane fatty acids in Lactobacillus helveticus and Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis and their cellular fatty acids changes following short term acid and cold stresses

An implemented GC method to separate and quantify the cell cyclopropane fatty acids lactobacillic (C19cyc11) and dehydrosterculic (C19cyc9) was used to study the adaptive response to sublethal acid and cold stresses in Lactobacillus helveticus and Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis. The comparison of the composition of cellular fatty acids of the two strains and their changes after 2 h of stress exposure under micro-aerobic and anaerobic conditions indicated that the aerobic biosynthetic pathway for unsaturated fatty acids is prevalent in L. sanfranciscensis, while the anaerobic pathway is prevalent in L. helveticus. Indeed in the latter strain, in the presence of a source of oleic acid and under micro-aerobic conditions, C18:1n11 and its post-synthetic derivative C19cyc11 accounted for overall proportion ranging from 52 to 28% of the total FAs. On the other hand L. sanfranciscensis synthesizes by aerobic pathway C18:1n9 and transforms it to C19cyc9. However in this species the cumulative level of these two FAs did not exceed 30%. The relevant proportion of dodecanoic acid in the latter species suggests that carbon chain shortening is the principal strategy of L. sanfranciscensis to modulate fluidity or chemico-physical properties of the membranes.     

Methane fermentation of a mixture of seaweed and milk at a pilot-scale plant

In this study, a pilot-scale plant was built to examine the practicality of producing biogas from seaweeds, widely available in Japan. Laminaria sp. and Ulva sp. seaweeds were mixed with other organic waste (milk) and used as fermentation materials. Though quantities and ratios of the materials were varied, the ratio of generated methane to input chemical oxygen demand (COD) was largely stable (0.2–0.3 m³ methane/kg COD) and the organic acid concentration in the methane fermentation solution was low (< 1200 ppm) during prolonged operation. These findings indicate that stable methane fermentation was achieved and that mixing with other organic material was effective in suppressing fluctuations in material amounts caused by the variable supply of seaweeds. Our results demonstrate the practical feasibility of biogas generation using seaweeds.     

Feeding hydrogenated palm fatty acids and rumen-protected protein to lactating Holstein-Friesian dairy cows modifies milk fat triacylglycerol composition and structure,and solid fat content

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of fat and protein supplementation to dairy cattle rations on milk fat triacylglycerol (TAG) composition, fatty acid (FA) positional distribution in the TAG structure, and milk solid fat content (SFC). Fifty-six lactating Holstein-Friesian cows were blocked into 14 groups of 4 cows and randomly assigned 1 of 4 dietary treatments fed for 28 d: (1) low protein, low fat, (2) high protein, low fat, (3) low protein, high fat, and (4) high protein, high fat. The high protein and high fat diets were obtained by isoenergetically supplementing the basal ration (low protein, low fat) with rumen-protected soybean meal and rumen-protected rapeseed meal, and hydrogenated palm FA (mainly C16:0 and C18:0), respectively. Fat supplementation modified milk TAG composition more extensively compared with protein supplementation. Fat supplementation resulted in decreased concentrations of the low molecular weight TAG carbon number (CN) 26 to CN34 and medium molecular weight TAG CN40, CN44, and CN46, and increased concentrations of CN38 and the high molecular weight TAG CN50 and CN52. Increased contents of C16:0, C18:0, and C18:1cis-9 in TAG in response to fat supplementation were related to increases in the relative concentrations of C16:0 and C18:0 at the sn-2 position and C18:0 and C18:1cis-9 at the sn-1(3) positions of the TAG structure. Increased concentrations of high molecular weight TAG species CN50 and CN52 in response to fat supplementation was associated with increased milk SFC at 20, 25, and 30°C. Our study shows that important alterations in milk TAG composition and structure occur when feeding hydrogenated palm FA to lactating dairy cattle, and that these alterations result in an increased SFC of milk fat. These changes in milk SFC and TAG composition and structure may improve absorption of both fat and minerals in milk-based products for infants and may affect processing of milk fat.     

High-concentrate diets and polyunsaturated oils alter trans and conjugated isomers in bovine rumen, blood, and milk

Three Holstein cows were fed a high-concentrate diet (65:35 concentrate to forage) supplemented with either 5% sunflower oil (SO), 5% linseed oil (LO), or 2.5% fish oil (FO) to examine effects on biohydrogenation and fatty acid profiles in rumen, blood plasma, and milk. Diets were fed in a 3 × 3 Latin square with 4-wk periods with grass hay as the forage. Milk yield, dry matter intake, and percentages of milk fat (2.64) and protein (3.22) did not differ. All diets resulted in incomplete hydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids as indicated by the profiles of 18:1 isomers, conjugated 18:2 isomers, nonconjugated 18:2 isomers, and 18:0 in ruminal fluid. Percentages of 8:0-14:0 and 16:0 in milk fat were greater with FO. Percentage and yield of trans10,cis12-18:2 were small and greater in cows fed SO (0.14%, 0.57 g/d) than FO (0.03%, 0.15 g/d) or LO (0.04%, 0.12 g/d). Percentage and yield of trans10-18:1, however, increased with FO (6.16%) and SO (6.47%) compared with LO (1.65%). Dietary FO doubled percentage of cis11-18:1 in rumen, plasma, and milk fat. Despite a lack of difference in ruminal percentage of trans11-18:1 (10.5%), cows fed FO had greater plasma trans11-18:1 (116 vs. 61.5 μg/mL) but this response did not result in greater trans11-18:1 percentage in milk fat, which averaged 5.41% across diets. Percentage (2.2%) and yield (14.3 g/d) of cis9,trans11-18:2 in milk fat did not differ due to oils. Unique responses to feeding LO included greater than 2-fold increases in percentages of trans13+14-18:1, trans15-18:1, trans16-18:1, cis15-18:1, cis9,trans12-18:2 and trans11,cis15 -18:2 in umen, plasma, and milk, and cis9,trans13-18:2 in plasma and milk. Ruminal 18:0 percentage had the highest positive correlation with milk fat content (r = 0.82) across all diets. When compared with previous data with cows fed high-concentrate diets without oil supplementation, results suggest that greater production of trans10-18:1, cis11-18:1, and trans11,cis15-18:2 coupled with low production of 18:0 in the rumen may be associated with low milk fat content when feeding high-concentrate diets and fish oil. In contrast, SO or LO could lead to low milk fat content by increasing ruminal trans10-18:1 (SO) or trans11,cis15-18:2 and trans9,trans12-18:2 (LO) along with a reduction in mammary synthesis of 8:0-16:0. Simultaneous increases in ruminal trans11-18:1 with fish oil, at a fraction of sunflower oil supplementation, may represent an effective strategy to maintain cis9,trans11-18:2 synthesis in mammary while reducing milk fat output and sparing energy.     

Trans fatty acids in a range of UK processed foods

A survey to determine the trans fatty acid content of a range of processed foods was carried out in response to recent reformulation work by the food industry to lower the artificial trans fatty acid content of processed products. Sixty two composite samples, made up of between 5 and 12 sub-samples, were collected in 2010 and were analysed for fatty acids, and a range of nutrients. The foods analysed included pizza, garlic bread, breakfast cereals, quiche, fat spreads, a range of fish and meat products, chips, savoury snacks, confectionery and ice cream. Levels of trans fatty acids were reduced considerably compared with previous UK analyses of similar foods where comparisons are possible. Concentrations of trans elaidic acid (t9-C18:1) from hydrogenated oils in all samples were <0.2 g/100 g food. These results confirm information provided by the food industry in 2007 on the levels of trans fats in key processed food sectors.     

Examination of the persistency of milk fatty acid composition responses to fish oil and sunflower oil in the diet of dairy cows

Based on the potential benefits of cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) for human health, there is a need to develop effective strategies for enhancing milk fat CLA concentrations. Levels of cis-9, trans-11 CLA in milk can be increased by supplements of fish oil (FO) and sunflower oil (SO), but there is considerable variation in the response. Part of this variance may reflect time-dependent ruminal adaptations to high levels of lipid in the diet, which lead to alterations in the formation of specific biohydrogenation intermediates. To test this hypothesis, 16 late lactation Holstein-British Friesian cows were used in a repeated measures randomized block design to examine milk fatty acid composition responses to FO and SO in the diet over a 28-d period. Cows were allocated at random to corn silage-based rations (8 per treatment) containing 0 (control) or 45 g of oil supplement/kg of dry matter consisting (1:2; wt/wt) of FO and SO (FSO), and milk composition was determined on alternate days from d 1. Compared with the control, the FSO diet decreased mean dry matter intake (21.1 vs. 17.9 kg/d), milk fat (47.7 vs. 32.6 g/kg), and protein content (36.1 vs. 33.3 g/kg), but had no effect on milk yield (27.1 vs. 26.4 kg/d). Reductions in milk fat content relative to the FSO diet were associated with increases in milk trans-10 18:1, trans-10, cis-12 CLA, and trans-9, cis-11 CLA concentrations (r² = 0.74, 0.57, and 0.80, respectively). Compared with the control, the FSO diet reduced milk 4:0 to 18:0 and cis 18:1 content and increased trans 18:1, trans 18:2, cis-9, trans-11 CLA, 20:5 n-3, and 22:6 n-3 concentrations. The FSO diet caused a rapid elevation in milk cis-9, trans-11 CLA content, reaching a maximum of 5.37 g/100 g of fatty acids on d 5, but these increases were transient, declining to 2.35 g/100 g of fatty acids by d 15. They remained relatively constant thereafter. Even though concentrations of trans-11 18:1 followed the same pattern of temporal changes as cis-9, trans-11 CLA, the total trans 18:1 content of FSO milk was unchanged because of the concomitant increases in the concentration of other isomers (Δ^4-10 and Δ^12-15), predominantely trans-10 18:1. In conclusion, supplementing diets with FSO enhances milk fat cis-9, trans-11 CLA content, but the high level of enrichment declines because of changes in ruminal biohydrogenation that result in trans-10 replacing trans-11 as the major 18:1 biohydrogenation intermediate formed in the rumen.     

Impact of feed supplementation with different omega-3 rich microalgae species on enrichment of eggs of laying hens

Four different omega-3 rich autotrophic microalgae, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Nannochloropsis oculata, Isochrysis galbana and Chlorella fusca, were supplemented to the diet of laying hens in order to increase the level of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA) in egg yolk. The microalgae were supplemented in two doses: 125 mg and 250 mg extra n-3 PUFA per 100 g feed. Supplementing these microalgae resulted in increased but different n-3 LC-PUFA levels in egg yolk, mainly docosahexaenoic acid enrichment. Only supplementation of Chlorella gave rise to mainly α-linolenic acid enrichment. The highest efficiency of n-3 LC-PUFA enrichment was obtained by supplementation of Phaeodactylum and Isochrysis. Furthermore, yolk colour shifted from yellow to a more intense red colour with supplementation of Phaeodactylum, Nannochloropsis and Isochrysis, due to transfer of carotenoids from microalgae to eggs.     

Interpretation of triacylglycerol profiles of palm oil,palm kernel oil and their binary blends

The effects of lipase-catalyzed interesterification (IE) on changes in the chemical composition of palm oil (PO), palm kernel oil (PKO) and their binary blends at 3:1, 1:1 and 1:3 (w/w) ratios, using both 1,3 specific Rhizomucor miehei, (Lipozyme™) and non-specific Pseudomonas sp. lipases were evaluated. IE of the native PO and PKO showed very distinct chemical composition changes. Catalysis of PO, using both lipases, caused synthesis of more medium and long chain triacylglycerols (TAG), with MMM/OLL, MMP, OOO and PPP (M, myristic acid; O, oleic acid; L, linoleic acid; P, palmitic acid) increasing in concentration. In contrast, IE of PKO resulted in the formation of more short and medium chain TAG, with LaLaO and LaMO (La, lauric acid; C, capric acid) experiencing noteworthy increments. Both Rhizomucor miehei and Pseudomonas sp. lipases showed high affinity in hydrolyzing PO fatty acids, resulting in high TAG losses and formation of high percentages of partial glycerides while these lipases were found to enhance the synthesis process in IE of PKO. Catalysis of the three binary blends caused similar TAG compositional changes where the synthesis process focussed on the medium chain TAG, while hydrolysis was observed in the short and long chain TAG that showed corresponding decreases. Catalysis of the three blends was influenced by the major fraction of these blends. Among these blends, PO: PKO at a 1:1 ratio exhibited the highest degree of IE. The diversity and quantity of available TAG are postulated to be the main causes of the different catalytic activities in these binary blends with Pseudomonas sp. lipase showing a higher degree and rate of IE than R. miehei.     

Stability of fatty acid composition after thermal,high pressure,and microwave processing of cow milk as affected by polyunsaturated fatty acid concentration

Interest has been increasing to enhance the contents of healthy polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in milk. However, trans fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) can be altered after thermal processing and high pressures disrupt the milk fat globule membrane, exposing the lipid core and helping its oxidation. The objective of the present research was to study whether processing can alter the fatty acid composition of milk and if these changes are affected by PUFA concentration as previous studies suggest. Two cow milk batches (500 L each), one naturally enriched in PUFA, were processed to obtain pasteurized; high temperature, short time; UHT; high pressure; and microwave pasteurized samples. The detailed fatty acid composition was analyzed with special attention to trans fatty acids and CLA isomers. Results showed that after high temperature, short time processing, total CLA content increased in both milk batches, whereas sterilization resulted in a sigmatropic rearrangement of C18:2 cis-9,trans-11 to C18:2 trans-9,trans-11. The extent of these effects was greater in milks naturally enriched in PUFA.     

Effect of ruminal pulse dose of polyunsaturated fatty acids on ruminal microbial populations and duodenal flow and milk profiles of fatty acids

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of ruminal pulse dose of free linoleic acid (LA) and free docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on microbial populations in the rumen, duodenal fatty acid (FA) flow, milk composition, and milk FA profiles of Chinese Holstein dairy cows. Four rumen- and duodenal-fistulated Chinese Holstein cows in mid lactation (138.5 ± 10 d in milk) were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups and 1 control group in a 4 × 4 Latin square design over 4 periods (3 wk per period). Diets contained either no LA or 2.7% LA and either no DHA or 0.5% DHA in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Ruminal pulse dose with DHA increased counts of Megasphaera elsdenii, decreased Fibrobacter succinogenes, but did not affect Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens or Ruminococcus flavefaciens. The pulse dose of LA at 2.7% dry matter had no effect on the population sizes of the 3 major cellulolytic bacterial species or M. elsdenii, and no interaction was observed between LA and DHA. The pulse dose of LA or DHA, either alone or in combination, increased the duodenal flow of vaccenic acid (VA). The milk VA and cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) contents also increased in response to the fatty acid pulse dose, and the pulse dose of both LA and DHA together had the most profound stimulatory effect. This study indicated that ruminal pulse dose of LA or DHA could be used to increase duodenal flow of VA and the milk contents of potentially health-promoting FA, such as VA and cis-9,trans-11 CLA. These results might be useful in formulating dietary interventions to improve milk cis-9,trans-11 CLA contents.     

Ability of Lactobacillus brevis strains to degrade food phenolic acids

The potential to degrade 15 food phenolic acids was investigated for several Lactobacillus brevis strains isolated from different sources. All the strains analysed in this study showed a similar metabolism on phenolic acids. Among the cinnamic acids assayed, only p-coumaric, ferulic and caffeic acids were metabolized by the L. brevis strains. These acids were decarboxylated to produce their corresponding vinyl derivatives. Contrarily to the results previously reported on Lactobacillus plantarum, the L. brevis strains analysed in this study were unable to subsequently reduce or metabolize these vinyl derivatives. In L. brevis, vinyl phenol, vinyl catechol, and vinyl guaiacol were the final metabolic products from p-coumaric, caffeic or ferulic acids, respectively. From the benzoic acids analysed, and similarly to L. plantarum strains, only gallic and protocatechuic acids were modified by L. brevis strains. Both acids were decarboxylated to pyrogallol and catechol, respectively. Currently, the enzymes involved in the metabolism of phenolic acids in L. brevis remain uncharacterized.     

Effects of feeding flaxseed or sunflower-seed in high-forage diets on beef production,quality and fatty acid composition

Yearling steers were fed 70:30 forage:concentrate diets for 205 d, with either grass hay (GH) or red clover silage (RC) as the forage source, and concentrates containing either sunflower-seed (SS) or flaxseed (FS), each providing 5.4% oil to diets. Feeding diets containing SS versus FS significantly improved growth and carcass attributes (P < 0.05), significantly reduced meat off-flavor intensity (P < 0.05), and significantly increased intramuscular proportions of vaccenic (t11-18:1), rumenic (c9,t11-CLA) and n − 6 fatty acids (FA, P < 0.05). Feeding diets containing FS versus SS produced significantly darker and redder meat with greater proportions of atypical dienes (P < 0.05). A significant forage × oilseed type interaction (P < 0.05) was found for n − 3 FA, α-linolenic acid, and conjugated linolenic acid, with their greatest intramuscular proportions found when feeding the RC-FS diet. Feeding GH versus RC also significantly improved growth and carcass attributes, sensory tenderness (P < 0.05) and significantly influenced intramuscular FA composition (P < 0.05), but overall, forage effects on FA profiles were limited compared to effects of oilseed.     

Chlorogenic acids and related compounds in medicinal plants and infusions

The consumption of plant infusions for prevention and treatment of health disorders is a worldwide practise. Various pharmacological activities inherent to medicinal plants have been attributed to their phenolic composition, including chlorogenic acids (CGA). Studies have shown potential beneficial properties of CGA to humans such as antioxidant, hepatoprotective, hypoglycaemic. In the present study, the CGA composition of 14 dried medicinal plants was determined by HPLC-UV and LC-DAD–ESI-MS. The plants with the highest CGA contents were Ilex paraguariensis, Bacharis genistelloides, Pimpinella anisum, Achyrochine satureioides, Camellia sinensis, Melissa officinalis and Cymbopogon citratus, with 84.7 mg/100 g–9.7 g/100 g, dry weight. Plant infusions were prepared (at 0.5%) in order to evaluate the actual consumption of CGA through these beverages. Total CGA contents in the infusions were similar to those in the methanolic extracts and indicated that a satisfactory extraction occurs during the preparation of infusions. These CGA-rich plants deserve attention regarding the pharmacological properties attributed to CGA.     

Influence of indigenous yeasts on the fermentation and volatile profile of plum brandies

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of different yeasts isolated from fresh blue plum fruits (Aureobasidium sp.) and spontaneously fermenting plum musts (Kloeckera apiculata and Saccharomyces cerevisiae), as well as commercial wine and distillery strains, on the fermentation and chemical composition of plum brandies. Gas chromatography methods were used to detect major volatile components. The most rapid fermentation occurred in musts inoculated with S. cerevisiae. However, the highest concentration of ethanol was detected in samples after spontaneous fermentation (8.40% v/v). Plum brandies obtained after distillation contained from 66.3 (K. apiculata) up to 74.3% v/v ethanol (spontaneous fermentation). The samples after spontaneous fermentation were distinguished by a high content of acetoin, ethyl acetate and total esters, accompanied by a low level of methanol and fusel alcohols. Non-Saccharomyces yeasts were responsible for higher concentrations of esters and methanol, while S. cerevisiae strains resulted in increased levels of higher alcohols. It was also found that isolated indigenous strains of S. cerevisiae synthesized relatively low amounts of higher alcohols compared to commercial cultures. Samples obtained using the distillery strain of S. cerevisiae received the highest score (18.2) during sensory analysis and were characterized by a well-harmonised taste and aroma.