Interaction between flaxseed gum and meat protein

Thermal properties, dynamic rheological properties, texture and microstructure of salt-soluble meat protein and flaxseed gum (SSMP-FG) mixtures were investigated. Two transitions, 57.0 °C (T_SSMP1) and 63.2 °C (T_SSMP2), were observed for SSMP without FG with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Addition of 2% FG to SSMP increased T_SSMP1 and T_SSMP2 by 1.9 °C and 5.9 °C, respectively. Two transitions, 53 °C (T_SSMP1′) and 75 °C (T_SSMP2′), were also observed for SSMP without FG with dynamic rheological measurement. Addition of 2% FG to SSMP increased T_SSMP1^′ and T_SSMP2^′ by 9 °C and 14 °C. These results indicated that addition of FG increased thermal stability of SSMP. Addition of FG also increased the storage modulus G′, gel strength, decreased syneresis, and changed the microstructure of SSMP gels with texture analyser and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively, suggesting that an interaction between FG and SSMP may have occurred. The results of addition of destabilizer to SSMP gels indicated that electrostatic forces seemed to be the main force involved in the formation and stability of protein–polysaccharide gel.     

Crystallization kinetics of polymorphic forms of a molecular compound constructed by SOS (1,3-distearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol) and SSO (1,2-distearoyl-3-oleoyl-rac-glycerol)

Crystallization kinetics of binary mixture phases of SOS (1,3-distearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol) and SSO (1,2-distearoyl-3-oleoyl-rac-glycerol) were examined with time-resolved X-ray diffraction (XRD) and DSC methods. Formation of three polymorphic forms, named _c, β′_c and β_c, of a molecular compound was observed at a SOS/SSO=50/50 concentration ratio. The XRD data showed that all three polymorphs were arranged in a double chain-length structure, although a triple chain-length structure is formed in and β′ forms of SSO, and β′ and β forms of SOS. The time-resolved XRD studies showed that _c and β_c forms of the molecular compound crystallized more rapidly than the corresponding polymorphic forms of SOS and SSO. The results were discussed in terms of molecular chain–chain interactions of SOS and SSO, by assuming that kinetic processes of nucleation may prefer the formation of the _c and β_c forms arranged in the double chain-length structure.     

Free radical scavenging and antioxidant activity of 5,7,3′,4′-hydroxy-substituted flavonoids

The antioxidant efficiencies of 5,7,3′,4′-hydroxy-substituted flavonoids were examined. The tested compounds (quercetin, luteolin, taxifolin, (+)-catechin and eriodictyol) were selected with a view to their C-ring differentiated pattern. Each one was added in cottonseed oil at equimolar amounts and the retardation of lipid peroxidation was estimated by means of peroxide value. Furthermore, their ability to scavenge DPPH radical was studied in two solvents (methanol and ethyl acetate) and the DPPH method proved a satisfactory prediction test for the antioxidant action of flavonoids in oils when methanol was used as the reaction media. Furthermore, the comparison of the C-ring structural element contribution to the antioxidant action revealed the full substitution to be the most important followed by the 3-OH and 2,3-double bond in the presence of the 4-carbonyl. Concerning the monosubstituted flavonoids, the 4-carbonyl group induced minor activity, whereas the 3-OH increased significantly the antiradical and antioxidant action.     

Effect of curing and cooking on flavonols and anthocyanins in traditional varieties of onion bulbs

The stability of the major flavonol glucosides and anthocyanins was studied in two regional varieties of Portuguese onion (a white variety “branca da Póvoa” and a red variety “vermelha da Póvoa”). White and red onions from 2007 and 2008 harvests were subjected to field curing with and without light, but the red cultivar from 2008 was also subjected to typical domestic processing, including chopping and different cooking treatments. Field curing resulted in increases in quercetin content compared to levels at lifting, especially important for all white bulbs (33–40% increase). Flavonol and anthocyanin levels in onions cured in the dark were similar to those obtained in bulbs cured in the light. The treatments chopping followed by refrigerated storage, oven roasting and frying, did practically not contribute to modify the total levels of flavonols. Moderate microwave cooking did not affect to the flavonol content, but intense microwave treatment cause flavonol losses of 16% and 18% for quercetin 3,4′-diglucoside (QdG) and quercetin 4′-glucoside (QmG), respectively. Boiling onions for 30 min leaded losses of quercetin glycosides, which leached to the boiling water without being degraded at 37% and 29% for QdG and QmG, respectively. Boiling for 60 min had more severe effects, since it caused the degradation of quercetin derivatives at 53% and 44% for QdG and QmG, respectively. For anthocyanins, the severity of the cooking treatments was in the following order: frying > boiling > roasting (microwave roasting > oven roasting).     

苦荞黄酮的抗脂质过氧化和红细胞保护作用研究

目的:研究苦荞总黄酮的体外抗脂质过氧化和红细胞保护作用,分析其抗氧化的主要成分。方法:将苦荞总黄酮用200～300目硅胶柱层析分离,氯仿-甲醇-水梯度洗脱,紫外检测,得到18个Rf值不同部位;DPPH活性示踪,得到2个活性较强部位(Fr4、Fr9);采用大鼠肝组织脂质过氧化、红细胞溶血模型比较苦荞总黄酮、Fr4、Fr9、槲皮素及芦丁的抗氧化效应;用薄层色谱分析Fr4、Fr9的化学组成。结果:苦荞总黄酮、Fr4、Fr9、槲皮素及芦丁DPPH抑制率(IR)分别为53.13%、66.15%、68.55%、71.99%、63.08%;抑制大鼠肝脏自发性脂质过氧化半抑制浓度(IC50)分别为:27.78、16.05、14.28、8.74和7.4mg/mL;抑制H2O2诱导大鼠肝脂质过氧化IC50分别为:0.37、3.60、0.07、0.07和0.41mg/mL;抑制H2O2诱导大鼠红细胞溶血IC50分别为:13.00、0.48、0.20、0.08和4.10mg/mL。Fr4、Fr9均含有槲皮素,另有3个组分待定。结论:槲皮素是苦荞总黄酮在体外表现抗脂质过氧化和红细胞保护作用主要活性成分之一。     

Fractionation and quantification of phenolic antioxidants from Saeunamu (Ostrya japonica)

Saeunamu (Ostrya japonica), a natural plant in Jeju, was extracted and fractionated on a Sephadex LH-20 column, and their phenolic compounds and integral antioxidative capacity (IAC) were evaluated. Eight fractions were obtained, and the relative contents of ethanol fractions (F1-F6) and methanol fractions (F7, F8) were 64.0 and 33.1%, respectively. Total phenolics in the methanol fractions were high as 672.8 and 613.3 mg catechin equivalents (CE)/g in F8 and F7, compared with those in the ethanol fractions as 438.4 and 411.1 mg CE/g in F4 and F5, respectively. Only 4 phenolics such as protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, catechin, and quercetin were identified. Catechin was concentrated as 4.6 and 4.4 times in F7 and F8, and quercetin was 2.9 and 2.6 times in F5 and F6, respectively, compared with the unfractionated. IAC of water-soluble substances were high as 6.41 and 7.71 mmol ascorbic acid equivalents/g, and those of lipid-soluble substances were high as 2.50 and 2.41 mmol Trolox equivalents/g in F4 and F5, respectively. It was concluded that ethanol fractions (F4-F6) possessing strong IAC may be used as a natural source of antioxidants in functional food ingredients.     

Radiation induced variability of seed storage proteins in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]

Soybean variety VLSoy-2 was irradiated with 250 Gy gamma rays to induce variability. A large number of mutants affecting morphological characters were identified and characterized. True breeding mutants obtained were used for studying the variation in seed storage proteins. The mutants M-231, M-17 and M-291 lacked the A₃ subunit of glycinin (11S) protein. Among the three, two mutants M-231 and M-17 were also characterized by the lack of and ′-subunits of β-conglycinin (7S). In addition, the mutant M-291 also showed low levels of trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) and low levels of and ′-subunits of 7S protein.     

The display life of retail-packaged beef steaks after their storage in master packs under various atmospheres

Beef strip loins were divided into four portions. One portion of each loin was vacuum-packaged and then stored at −1·5°C. The other portions were each divided into three steaks, which were retail-packaged. The retail packs were master-packaged under atmospheres of N₂, CO₂, or O₂ + CO₂ (2 : 1, v/v) and then stored at 2°C. Product was assessed after storage times of up to 60 days. At each assessment, a vacuum pack and a master pack of each type, each containing product from the same loin, were withdrawn from storage. The vacuum-packaged product was cut into three steaks, which were retail-packaged. The newly prepared retail packs and those from the master packs were displayed in a retail cabinet, at air temperatures that averaged between 3 and 5·7°C, and were assessed twice daily until the product was judged to be unacceptable. When first assessed, steaks cut from vacuum-packaged product were generally considered desirable, with little metmyoglobin in the surface pigment, although the edges of same steaks were discoloured. Steaks stored under N₂ or CO₂ for 4 days or less were only slightly desirable at best, with metmyoglobin forming relatively large fractions of the surface pigment. However, after storage under N₂ or CO₂ for 6 days or more, metmyoglobin fractions were low, and the steaks bloomed to a desirable red colour. Steaks stored under O₂ + CO₂ had lower metmyoglobin fractions, and were desirable after storage for up to 8 days. However, the fractions of metmyoglobin increased, and steaks were judged to be less desirable after longer storage times. Steaks stored under O₂ + CO₂ for 20 days were unacceptable. After storage, the numbers of bacteria on steaks from vacuum packs and N₂, CO₂, and O₂ + CO₂ atmospheres were, respectively, <10⁴, <10⁶, <10⁵, and <10⁴ CFU/cm². The flora from steaks stored under CO₂ were composed wholly of lactic acid bacteria. Other flora were dominated by lactic acid bacteria, but contained fractions of enterobacteria and/or Brochothrix thermosphacta.

The appearance of product from vacuum packs generally was unacceptable after 72 h of display. The display life of steaks stored under N₂ or CO₂ was shorter than that of the product from vacuum packs when product was stored for 2 days or less, or 46 days or more. After other storage times, the product from vacuum packs or master packs with N₂ or CO₂ atmospheres had a similar display life. The display life of product stored under O₂ + CO₂ was similar to that of product from vacuum packs or CO₂ or O₂ + CO₂ was similar to that of product from vacuum packs after storage times of 8 days or less but was shorter after storage times of 12 or 16 days. The flora on displayed product from vacuum packs or CO₂ or O₂ + CO₂. atmospheres did not attain the maximum number of 10⁷ CFU/cm². and the product did not develop off-odours of microbial origin. However, numbers of 10⁷ CFU/cm² were approached or attained during display of product stored under N₂ for 28 days or longer, and some of that product developed moderate off-odours. It then appears that, under temperature regimes that are common in commercial practice, retail-packaged strip-loin steaks with a display life of 2 days or longer can be obtained from master packs after storage periods of up to about 2, 4, or 7 weeks, respectively, with master-pack atmospheres of O₂ + COPin2 (2 : 1, v/v), N₂, or CO₂.     

Enzymatic production of 5′-deoxyribonucleotides from salmon milt

A new enzymatic method for production of 5′-deoxyribonucleotides from salmon milt with microbial enzymes has been studied. For efficient hydrolysis of salmon milt, we found that a two-step hydrolysis procedure was necessary. Streptomyces griseus protease, Actinase AS, and nuclease “Amano” from Penicillium citrinum were used to obtain 5′-deoxyribonucleotides. The total amount of 5′-deoxyribonucleotides in the final enzymatic hydrolysate was about 47% yield of the total DNA in the starting material. The yields of 5′-deoxyadenylic acid (5′-dAMP) and 5′-deoxyguanylic acid (5′-dGMP) were 17 and 10%, respectively.     

Degradation of chlorfenvinphos in carrots during storage

In order to investigate the degradation products of chlorfenvinphos, organically grown carrots were treated with the pesticide. After storage at 5 °C for 3 months, the following compounds were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis: 1-(2′,4′-dichlorophenyl)ethan-1-ol, 2,4-dichlorobenzoic acid, and 2,2-dichloro-1-(2′,4′-dichlorophenyl) vinyl alcohol. The metabolic fate of the pesticide was also investigated by use of ¹⁴C-ring-labelled chlorfenvinphos which was prepared using o-[¹⁴C]dichlorobenzene as a starting material. After a month of storage at room temperature, the following compounds were determined in carrots and in sand in which the carrots were buried after treatment with [¹⁴C]chlorfenvinphos: 2,2′,4′-trichloroacetophenone, 2,4-dichloroacetophenone and 2-chloro-1-(2′,4′-dichlorophenyl)vinyl alcohol. Separation of radioactive compounds was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography and a radioactivity flow detector. The identification of compounds was carried out by GC-MS.     

木犀草素与槲皮素抗氧化性能差异的电化学研究

黄酮醇的抗氧化活性通常显著强于与之对应的黄酮,而两者的分子结构仅在C环3-位上相差一个羟基。为了揭示黄酮醇3-OH增强抗氧化活性的反应机理,选取槲皮素和木犀草素,对两者的氧化过程进行循环伏安法和现场薄层长光程紫外可见光谱电化学测试。结果表明,两者在发生2e－/2H+反应氧化为对应的邻醌之后,只有槲皮素邻醌能够进一步转化为更稳定的单一共轭结构,带动失电子步骤的进行,从而增强了槲皮素的抗氧化活性。这个后行转化反应必须以3-位羟基的存在为前提。     

The effects of residual oxygen concentration and temperature on the degradation of the colour of beef packaged under oxygen-depleted atmospheres

Samples of beef longissimus dorsi (LD), approximately 5 × 5 × 1 cm, were packaged in pairs under 10 litre volumes of N₂ or CO₂ containing O₂ at concentrations between 100 and 1000 ppm. The packaged samples were stored at temperatures of 5, 1, 0 or −1·5°C, for times between 4 and 48 h. Samples of beef psoas major (PM) were packaged under N₂ or CO₂ containing O₂ at between 100 and 600 ppm, and stored at −1·5°C for 24 or 48 h. After storage, each sample was assessed for colour deterioration and discoloration, and for the fraction of metmyoglobin in the surface pigment.

The results obtained with N₂ and CO₂ atmospheres were similar. The colours of all LD samples had deteriorated after 4 h storage at 5 or 1°C, although the degree of deterioration increased with increasing O₂ concentration. All LD samples stored for 12 h at 5 or 1°C were extensively discoloured, with metmyoglobin fractions generally exceeding 60%, but those stored at −1·5°C for 48 h or less, under O₂ concentrations ≤ 400 ppm had undergraded colours. The colours of some LD samples stored at −1·5°C under about 600 ppm of O₂ were also undergraded, but the colours of samples stored under 800 or 1000 ppm had deteriorated by 24 h. The colours of LD samples stored at 0°C under > 200 ppm had deteriorated after 24 h storage, and the colours of samples stored under 100 ppm O₂ had deteriorated after 48 h storage. All PM samples were wholly discoloured after storage at −1·5°C. Evidently, the colour of beef muscle of high colour stability is resistant to degradation by atmospheres containing < 600 ppm of O₂ when the meat is stored at sub-zero temperatures, but not when the storage temperature is at or above 0°C. Beef muscle of low colour stability, such as the PM, will discolour at all low concentrations of O₂ irrespective of the storage temperature.     

Effect of vapors from fractionated samples of propolis on microbial and oxidation damage of rice during storage

The efficacy of vapors from polar and non-polar sub-fractions of propolis on microbial and oxidation control during rice (Oryza sativa, hinohikari var.) storage was evaluated. The sub-fractions (absolute ethanol, methylene chloride, hexane extracts: AEPEV, MCPEV and HEPEV, respectively) were infused in synthetic adsorbents and their volatiles released during storage (6 months). HEPEV, MCPEV and AEPEV treatments inhibited molding and post-inoculation bacterial colonization (1.1, 1.1, 0.9 and 1.3, 1.2, 1.1 log₁₀ cfu/g reductions, respectively) on brown rice. AEPEV treatment suppressed fat acidity damage of milled rice at 30 °C to conventional cold storage level (5 °C) and differential Gram staining of bacteria isolated after the treatment indicated a dominant Gram-positive bacterial distribution. The concentrations providing 50% inhibition of 2′,2′-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging were 9.8, 3.2 and 2.8 μg/μl for hexane (HEPE), absolute ethanol (AEPE) and methylene chloride (MCPE) extracts, respectively. The oxidative degradation rate was lowest for AEPE (4.3 × 10⁻⁴ min⁻¹) and highest for HEPE (1.9 × 10⁻³ min⁻¹) in the β-carotene bleaching assay. Gas chromatograph mass spectrometry revealed that AEPE had the highest amount of caffeic acid and caffeic acid phenethyl ester. Ultimately, the volatiles from the propolis sub-fractions had varied potential in rice quality preservation.     

Design, fabrication, and testing of a returnable, insulated, nitrogen-refrigerated shipping container for distribution of fresh red meat under controlled CO2 atmosphere

In today's market, fresh red meat is cut and packaged at both the wholesale and retail level. Greater economies could result if the wholesaler prepared all consumer cuts centrally, but the short storage life of meat limits distribution. Use of CO₂-controlled atmosphere, master packaging, and strict temperature control (−1.5±0.5°C) can enhance storage life and, therefore, distribution ease. An insulated shipping and storage container was designed and tested for its suitability to distribute master-packaged meat. Shelves in the container supported 36 master trays (508 × 381 × 60 mm), with the source of refrigeration being injected liquid nitrogen (N₂). Electric fans dispersed the N₂ gas throughout the container. To reduce costs, 36 saline water bags (10% w/v NaCl) were used to thermally simulate the meat. Temperatures of 20 bags were recorded during storage experiments. The container was tested at outside temperatures of 15, 0 and −15°C with 4 internal fans and at 30°C with 2, 4 and 6 fans. In all instances, bags cooled from 10°C to an equilibrium temperature of −1.5°C within 5.5 h. Minimum equilibrium temperatures during any 8 h trial were −2.6, −2.0 and −2.0°C for 2, 4 and 6 fans, respectively. Correspondingly, maximum temperatures were −0.2, −0.7 and −0.3°C. Initial chilling of the product required, on average, 19 kg of N₂, while equilibrium was maintained at a N₂ consumption rate of 5.5, 4.0, 2.6 and 0.93 kg/h at outside temperatures of 30, 15 0 and −15°C, respectively, with 4 fans. The N₂ use for 2 and 6 fans was 5 and 6.3 kg/h, respectively, at an outside temperature of 30°C. During simulated power failure or when the N₂-tank ‘ran dry', temperatures in the container rose 0.9 and 2.0°C/h, respectively. When the door to the container was opened long enough to remove three trays, temperature was restored within 5 min. Convective heat transfer coefficients between saline water bags and circulating N₂ were in the range of 80–100, 115–135, and 140–155 W/(m²·K) for 2, 4 and 6 fans, respectively. Heat transfer to meat will be limited by conduction in master packaged meat if similar convection coefficients prevail.     

水解工艺对苦荞提取物中槲皮素含量的影响及其药代动力学研究

目的:以苦荞提取物为研究对象,通过正交实验设计优化苦荞提取物中芦丁被酸水解为槲皮素的工艺条件,并结合药代动力学研究探讨酸水解工艺对苦荞提取物中芦丁和槲皮素吸收的影响。方法:以盐酸百分含量、水解时间、乙醇百分含量、水解温度作为因素设计四因素三水平正交实验优化苦荞提取物中芦丁酸水解为槲皮素的工艺条件,以该工艺进行苦荞提取物酸水解,并在水解第1、2、4、6 h取样得到不同槲皮素含量的水解产物1、2、3、4。分别灌胃大鼠200 mg/kg的苦荞提取物及各水解产物,并在不同时间点采血,以黄芩素为内标,高效液相色谱(HPLC)测定血浆中槲皮素的浓度,DAS 2.0计算主要药代动力学参数。结果:苦荞提取物芦丁酸水解的最佳工艺参数为盐酸百分含量0.91%、水解时间6 h、乙醇百分含量50%、水解温度70 ℃,在该工艺条件下64.11%芦丁转化为槲皮素。苦荞提取物、水解产物1、2、3、4槲皮素的AUC_0-t分别为(17.604±5.422)、(42.175±9.435)、(87.917±19.347)、(116.706±46.256)、(178.509±49.478) mg/L·h,C_max分别为(2.743±1.217)、(7.109±2.603)、(12.438±3.197)、(15.727±4.68)、(20.044±5.736) mg/L。与苦荞提取物相比,其水解产物1、2、3、4的药代动力学参数AUC_0-t、C_max具有显著性差异(p<0.05)。结论:苦荞提取物经酸水解后部分芦丁转化为槲皮素,芦丁和槲皮素在大鼠体内的累计吸收量也相应提高。     

Drip loss of case-ready meat and of premium cuts and their associations with earlier measured sample drip loss, meat quality and carcass traits in pigs

Drip loss of 374 samples taken from porcine M. longissimus dorsi and M. semimembranosus was measured by using the “bag method” (BM), EZ-DripLoss (EZ-DL) from premium cuts (PC) and in retail tray (case-ready meat; CRM). This provided a comparison between these methods and their relationships to other meat quality and carcass traits. Samples were prepared at 24 h post-mortem (pm) and were measured 24 and 48 h after preparation (at 48 and 72 h pm) using the BM and after 48 h (at 72 h pm) with the EZ-DL and PC. Drip loss of meat kept in retail trays was measured after 7 days (CRM₇) and daily within a week (CRM_1–7). Average drip loss was 1.80% and 3.10% using the BM after 24 and 48 h, respectively. EZ-DL and CRM₇ showed higher drip losses of 4.71% and 4.00%. Daily loss of CRM_1–7 showed a concavely shaped curve and increased from 1.57% to 5.64% after 7 days. High correlations were obtained between drip loss of CRM₇ and BM (r = 0.88) or the EZ-DL (r = 0.91). The development of drip loss in case-ready meat fitted by linear-quadratic regression (y = 0.439 + 1.245x − 0.072x²) showed that high drip loss measured earlier by bag and EZ-DripLoss methods was highly associated with a high intercept (r = 0.63–0.72), a high linear increase (r = 0.77–0.81), but larger decrease in increments (r = −0.82 to −0.86) during weekly stored meat in retail trays as supplied at consumer level. Because the positive linear regression coefficient was substantially higher than the negative quadratic regression coefficient, the development of drip loss is mainly dependent on the initial drip loss. Therefore, animals with high drip loss within 72 h post-mortem also showed undesirable high drip loss curves over the entire retail period. Relationships between drip loss and other meat quality traits were similar for BM, EZ-DL and CRM₇. Of these the correlation between pH₂₄ and drip loss was highest with r = −0.54, −0.49 and −0.47 for BM, EZ-DL and CRMH₇, respectively. Interestingly, a correlation of r = −0.35 between blood pH value and CRML₇ was obtained. Carcass traits such as loin, ham, shoulder, belly weight or loin eye area showed only marginal correlations to drip loss. In conclusion, EZ-DL was the most appropriate method to predict drip loss of case-ready meat in retail trays and its development during a 7 day storage period.     

Solubility and solution thermodynamic properties of quercetin and quercetin dihydrate in subcritical water

Fundamental physicochemical data is required for the design and optimization of food engineering processes, such as extraction. Flavonoids are present in natural products such as grapes and have numerous health benefits particularly with respect to their reported antioxidant properties. Such flavonoid compounds can be extracted from these natural products using a variety of solvents, among them water. In this study, the aqueous solubilities of 3,3′,4′,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone (quercetin) and its dihydrate were measured at temperatures between 25 and 140 °C using a continuous flow type apparatus. The flow rate of subcritical water was studied at 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 mL/min to study its effect on quercetin solubility and thermal degradation at temperatures greater than 100 °C. The aqueous solubility of anhydrous quercetin varied from 0.00215 g/L at 25 °C to 0.665 g/L at 140 °C and that of quercetin dihydrate varied from 0.00263 g/L at 25 °C to 1.49 g/L at 140 °C. The aqueous solubility of quercetin dihydrate was similar to that of anhydrous quercetin until 80 °C. At temperatures above or equal to 100 °C, the aqueous solubility of quercetin dihydrate was 1.5–2.5 times higher than that of anhydrous quercetin. The aqueous solubility of quercetin anhydrate and dihydrate at different temperatures was correlated using a modified Apelblat equation. The thermodynamic properties of the solution of quercetin and its dihydrate in water were than estimated from their solubility values. A flow rate effect on the aqueous solubility of quercetin and its dihydrate was not observed until above 100 °C where higher solvent (water) flow rates (>0.1 mL/min) were required to maintain a constant solubility in the saturation cell and with minimal thermal degradation of the solute (quercetin dihydrate). The study of its particle morphology under SEM indicated an aggregation of the crystals of quercetin dihydrate at subcritical water temperatures and at lower flow rates (<0.5 mL/min), thereby inhibiting stable solubility measurements and solvent flow through the saturation cell.     

Consumers' ability to discriminate aflatoxin-contaminated Brazil nuts

The objectives of the study were to investigate the extent to which consumers can separate nuts with a high content of aflatoxin from sound nuts, and whether sorting results can be improved by information or whether they are affected by certain factors. A test panel consisting of 100 subjects was asked to crack 300 g Brazil nuts and to sort the nuts into those they considered edible and inedible. The test showed that consumers can, on current behaviour, discriminate aflatoxin-contaminated Brazil nuts to a significant extent. The median and the 95th percentile of the total concentrations of aflatoxins (B₁, B₂, G₁, G₂) in the samples before sorting were 1.4 and 557 µg kg^-1, respectively, and in the edible fractions after sorting 0.4 and 56 µg kg^-1, respectively. Given that levels of aflatoxins before sorting exceed either 2 µg aflatoxin B₁ kg^-1 or totally 4 µg aflatoxins kg^-1, there was no effect of aflatoxin concentrations before sorting on the probability of exceeding these thresholds in the edible fraction. This means that similar sorting results were obtained for samples with aflatoxin levels exceeding either of the two thresholds, irrespective of if the thresholds were exceeded with a few µg kg^-1 or up to more than 1000 µg kg^-1. None of the tested factors (such as sex, age, level of education, ethnic background or knowledge of mycotoxins) had any effects on the probability of exceeding either of the two aflatoxin thresholds.     

The effects of Ca ions, EGTA and storage time on myofibrillar protein degradation, levels of Ca(2+)-dependent proteases and cathepsins B, H, L and D of ostrich skeletal muscle

The effect of Ca ions and ethylene glycol-bis(β-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) on myofibrillar protein degradation showed that when ostrich iliotibialis lateralis muscle was incubated with 10 mM EGTA at 2–4 °C for 24 hr, the activity of extracted cathepsin H was unchanged compared with a buffer-incubated sample. Ca⁺⁺ had no effect on extracted cathepsin H activity, while that of Ca²⁺-dependent protease (CDP) decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Ca²⁺-treatment enhanced post-mortem changes observed in myofibrillar protein patterns (production of fragments around 30 K) that were not observed in EGTA-incubated myofibrils. The effect of storage time on shear force, CDP activity, cathepsin B, D, H and L activities and the SDS-PAGE pattern of myofibrils showed a time-dependent reduction in CDP activity. Of the cathepsins studied only cathepsin H showed a reduction (40%) in activity. The most prominent component appearing on storage at 2–4 °C had a M_r of 27 K. The incubation of myofibrils with CDP mimicked the post-mortem changes. CDP may be responsible for some of the post-mortem changes observed, although shear force measurements suggest these changes do not lead to significant tenderisation.     

Sorption of aroma compounds in PET and PVC during the storage of a strawberry syrup

The sorption of 14 aroma compounds into PET and PVC was monitored during storage of a strawberry syrup for 1 year. Concentrations in the syrup and in the polymer were determined during storage and compared with previously published results obtained with glass bottles. Apparent partition coefficients between the polymer and the syrup (noted K_app) were estimated from experimental kinetics without reaching equilibrium K_app values and optimally identified from the kinetic data obtained between 30 and 90 days. They exhibited a similar behaviour for both polymers with values were between 2 × 10^-5 and 2 × 10^-3, 4 × 10^-5 and 3 × 10^-2, respectively, for PET and PVC. The variation of K_app values in PET was mainly correlated to the polarity of tested compounds as assessed by their log P values. By contrast, the variations in K_app values for PVC were mainly related to their chain lengths. Due to slightly higher partition coefficients and diffusion coefficients in PVC compared with PET, the amount of absorbed aroma was four times higher in PVC than in PET; however, the amount of absorbed aroma compounds was less than 0.1% of the initial amount present into the syrup, except for octyl butanoate. The variation in concentration in the syrup was interpreted as a combination of a degradation process and a transport process into the packaging material. Both effects were particularly noticeable for both PET and unstable aroma compounds.