Effect of <Emphasis Type=Italic>Carica papaya</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type=Italic>Cucumis melo</Emphasis> seed oils on the soybean oil stability

This study aimed to evaluate the oils of soybean (S), papaya (Pa) and melon (Me) seeds and compounds oils SPa (80:20 w/w); SMe (80:20 w/w); and SPaMe (60:20:20 w/w/w) subjected to thermoxidation. Compound oils showed lower percentages of free fatty acids in relation to others, after 20 h. With the heating process, there was an increase in the quantity of saturated and monounsaturated acids. The quantity of carotenoids decreased, except in papaya seed oil that presented significant amount of carotenoids in 20 h. In relation the tocopherols, highlighted the presence of γ-tocopherol, except in the papaya oil. In 20 h, SMe and SPa still showed high amounts of tocopherols, with 76 and 85% of retention, respectively. With the thermoxidation, the amounts of phytosterols decreased. A great potential can be verified for the use of papaya and melon seed oils, in order to increase the oxidative stability of the soybean oil.     

Resistance of Microencapsulated <Emphasis Type=Italic>Lactobacillus acidophilus</Emphasis> LA1 to Processing Treatments and Simulated Gut Conditions

This investigation reports the effect of microencapsulation using sodium alginate and starch on the tolerance of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus LA1 to selected processing conditions and simulated gastrointestinal environments. The organism survived better in the protected form at high temperatures (72, 85, and 90 °C) and at high salt concentrations (1%, 1.5%, and 2%). The free cells were completely destroyed at 90 °C whereas the microencapsulated cells reduced by 4.14 log cycles. The log cycle reduction was 5.67 and 2.30, respectively, in free and protected cells when incubated for 3 h with 2% (w/v) NaCl. Homogenization did not affect the viability of the cells but led to the disruption of the protective encapsulating material around the cells. Microencapsulation provided better protection at simulated conditions of gastric pH (1.0, 1.5, and 2.0) and at high bile salt concentrations (1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%). The free and protected cells registered 5.47 and 2.16 log cycle reduction, respectively, after 3-h incubation at 2% bile salt (w/v). The release of the microencapsulated organisms in simulated colonic pH required 2.5 h. These studies demonstrated that microencapsulation of probiotic L. acidophilus LA1 in sodium alginate is an effective technique of protection against extreme processing conditions and under simulated gastrointestinal environment.     

Volatile flavor composition of <Emphasis Type=Italic>gamguk</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Chrysanthemum indicum</Emphasis>) flower essential oils

The volatile composition of the essential oil from fresh gamguk (Chrysanthemum indicum) flowers was investigated. The volatile constituents were extracted by the hydro distillation method. Volatile compositional changes of gamguk prepared via different drying methods (shade- and freeze-drying methods) were also determined. Total 36, 63, and 55 volatiles constituents were confirmed in the essential oil from fresh and shade-, and freeze-dried flowers. Ketones were predominant in the volatiles of gamguk flowers (%): fresh, 43.8; shade dried, 30.3; and freeze dried, 36.1. Camphor was the most abundant volatile component in all samples, and the content of borneol was also remarkable. The content of camphor was higher in fresh sample than those of dried samples while borneol concentration was significantly increased in the dried samples.     

<Emphasis Type=Italic>In vitro</Emphasis> characterization study of <Emphasis Type=Italic>Bacillus mojavensis</Emphasis> KJS-3 for a potential probiotic

The identification and characterization of Bacillus mojavensis KJS-3 was performed by in vitro tests. A 16S rDNA sequence and phylogenetic tree demonstrated that this isolate belongs to the B. mojavensis group. B. mojavensis KJS-3 supplies nutrients by synthesizing several vitamins. B. mojavensis KJS-3 produces α-amylase and protease. B. mojavensis KJS-3 is cultured well under aerobic conditions without gas production. B. mojavensis KJS-3 allows for assimilation of cholesterol and bile salt hydrolase activity. Finally, adhesion experiments using Caco-2 cells revealed that the adherence of B. mojavensis KJS-3 to Caco-2 cells was approximately 51.2±8.14%.     

<Emphasis Type=Italic>In silico</Emphasis> phylogenetic analysis of lactic acid bacteria and new primer set for identification of <Emphasis Type=Italic>Lactobacillus plantarum</Emphasis> in food samples

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) include species very closely related both physiologically and genotypically. Therefore, the identification of this bacteria group using conventional phenotypic methods is ambiguous and cumbersome. In this study, we have analyzed a recA gene fragment from 30 bacteria, including LAB and species common in the human gastrointestinal tract, aiming to evaluate the gene conservation among them and the development of primers and PCR conditions able to discriminate Lactobacillus plantarum strains from LAB closely related. The fragment with 995 bp of recA gene has grouped LAB, enterobacteria and bifidobacteria, in different clusters. A novel primer pair, LPrecAF and LPrecAR with 23 and 18 bp, respectively, has allowed the single amplification of a 108 bp fragment of L. plantarum strains contained in culture broth and fermented dairy samples. The observed detection limit for food samples and for cultures broth were 1 × 10³ and 7 × 10² CFU mL⁻¹, respectively. This approach proved to be a simple and efficient method for the identification and monitoring of L. plantarum in food, feeds, and culture broth. Moreover, the assay could be used in the studies from human or environmental microbiota.     

Disinfection effect and its mechanism of electrolyzed oxidizing water on spores of <Emphasis Type=Italic>Bacillus subtilis</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type=Italic>niger</Emphasis>

A study was carried out on the disinfection efficiency of electrolyzed oxidizing water (EOW) on spores of Bacillus subtilis var. niger. The results showed a remarkable fungicidal rate of 100% after 20 min duration of 191 mg/L active available chlorine (ACC). The disinfection effect was improved with increased ACC or prolonged disinfection time, while organic interferents exerted a strong concentration-dependent inhibition against the disinfection. The disinfection mechanism was also investigated at bio-molecular level. EOW decreased dehydrogenase activity, intensified membrane permeability, elevated suspension conductivity, and caused leakage of intracellular K⁺, proteins, and DNA, indicating a damage of cell walls and membranes. Effects of EOW on microbiological ultra-structures were also verified by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) images, showing that EOW destroyed protective barriers of the microbe and imposed some damages upon the nucleus area.     

Optimization of carotenoids by <Emphasis Type=Italic>Rhodotorula glutinis</Emphasis>

Response surface methodology was applied to maximize the yield and productivity of carotenoids by Rhodotorula glutinis strain 1151 using supplemented tomato waste based medium. Higher concentration of tomato waste extract and yeast extract favored the production of carotenoids. In contrast to carotenogenesis higher concentration of yeast extract negatively affected the formation of biomass whereas higher amount of glucose in the medium favored biomass indicating that carotenogenesis is not correlated to biomass. The optimal concentration of medium components for maximum total carotenoids and corresponding biomass production as obtained from model were calculated to be as 660 mL/L, 1.5, 4.5, 7.4, and 10 g/L for tomato extract, malt extract, yeast extract, peptone, and glucose, respectively.     

Effect of ionic liquid-containing system on betulinic acid production from betulin biotransformation by cultured <Emphasis Type=Italic>Armillaria luteo</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type=Italic>virens</Emphasis> Sacc cells

The aim of this study is to develop an ionic liquid-containing system for efficient production of betulinic acid by cultured cells Armillaria luteo-virens Sacc ZJUQH100-6. Several parameters affecting betulinic acid formation in the IL-containing system were investigated. The addition of [EMIM][BF₄] in hexane-containing reaction medium gave rise to better betulinic acid formation in comparison with other ILs used. The optimal concentration of IL in IL-containing co-solvent system is 50% (v/v). As a co-substrate, butanol is found to be useful for intracellular betulin-28-monooxygenase synthesis during the whole phase. The concentrations of substrate and resting cells have been found to exert a significant effect on betulinic acid. Moreover, the reaction time in this IL-containing system was less than that in the conventional one. The effect of the constructed IL-containing system on cell membrane structure was comparatively observed. Under the developed IL-containing system, the highest yield of product observed was 11.14% at 18 h, higher than that in monophase aqueous one (P < 0.05), whereas the activity of monooxygenase showed the same variation as betulinic acid formation.     

Cold-adapted structural properties of trypsins from walleye pollock (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Theragra chalcogramma</Emphasis>) and Arctic cod (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Boreogadus saida</Emphasis>)

Complementary DNA clones encoding trypsins were isolated from pyloric ceca of cold-adapted fish, walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) (WP-T) and Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) (AC-T). The isolated full-length cDNA clones of WP-T and AC-T were 852 and 860 bp, respectively, and both cDNAs were contained an open reading frame of 726 bp. WP-T and AC-T seemed to be synthesized as preproenzyme that contains a signal peptide, an activation peptide, and a mature trypsin. Although the amino acid sequence identities of WP-T and AC-T to that of bovine trypsin were 64 and 63%, respectively, they completely conserved the structural features for catalytic function of trypsin. On the other hand, WP-T and AC-T possessed the four Met residues (Met135, Met145, Met175 and Met242) in their molecules and the deletion of Tyr151 and substitution of Pro152 for Gly in their autolysis loops when aligned with the sequences of tropical-zone fish and bovine trypsins. In addition, the contents of charged amino acid residues at the N-terminal regions (positions 20–50) of WP-T and AC-T were extremely higher than those of other fish and bovine trypsins. Moreover, one amino acid (Asn72) and two amino acids (Asn72 and Val75) coordinating with Ca²⁺ in bovine trypsin were exchanged for another amino acids in WP-T (His) and AC-T (His and Glu), respectively, and the contents of negative charged amino acids at their Ca²⁺-binding regions were lower than those of tropical-zone fish and bovine trypsins. Therefore, it was considered that these structural characteristics of WP-T and AC-T are closely related to their lower thermostability.     

Influence of Pretreatments on Quality Parameters and Nutritional Compounds of Dried Galega Kale (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Brassica oleracea</Emphasis> L. var. <Emphasis Type=Italic>acephala</Emphasis>)

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of six pretreatments on quality and nutritional contents of sliced Galega kale submitted to convective drying. Among all treatments, steam blanching was the most favourable, allowing improvements in retention of vitamin C, total antioxidant capacity and chlorophylls in comparison to the absence of pretreatment. Total phenolic losses were not reduced by steam blanching, but the retention was improved by combining this approach with a previous immersion in a metabisulphite solution. Moreover, steam blanching improved the colour parameters and appearance, providing a final dried product more similar to the fresh sample.     

Identification of European commercial cockles (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Cerastoderma edule</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type=Italic>C. glaucum</Emphasis>) by species-specific PCR amplification of the ribosomal DNA ITS region

We present a novel one-step PCR method for the identification of Cerastoderma edule and C. glaucum. Sequence differences found in the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) of the ribosomal DNA of the two cockles allowed us to design two species-specific reverse primers. These two primers were used in a multiplex reaction, together with a forward universal primer to amplify specific fragments with different lengths in each cockle (190 and 470 bp in C. edule and C. glaucum, respectively). The successful and specific amplifications obtained for two natural populations in each species as well as in canned products lend support to the usefulness of these markers.     

Optimization of Polishing Conditions for Long Grain <Emphasis Type=Italic>Basmati</Emphasis> Rice in a Laboratory Abrasive Mill

Rice milling operation is a very energy-intensive process. The major qualities of the rice which are taken into consideration while milling are the degree of milling and head rice yield. A laboratory abrasion polisher, modified by attaching a humidifying and cooling unit, was used to polish long-grain Pusa Basmati rice in order to optimize the polishing conditions. Polishing experiments were carried out using central composite design for a factorial with a central point, at different initial grain temperatures (5–25 °C) and milling chamber temperatures (11–25 °C) at a constant humidity level of 95 ± 2% for different time intervals. Models capable of predicting the quality of milled rice were developed using response surface methodology and used to determine optimum processing conditions. Responses such as degree of milling (DOM), broken content, and specific energy consumption were used to assess product quality. Optimum milling conditions of a minimum of 10% DOM, a broken content of 8%, and a specific energy consumption of 11 kJ/DOM were obtained at a milling chamber temperature of 11 °C, an initial grain temperature of 15 °C, and a milling period of 180 s.     

Evaluation of <Emphasis Type=Italic>flaA</Emphasis> Short Variable Region Sequencing,Multilocus Sequence Typing,and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy for Discrimination between <Emphasis Type=Italic>Campylobacter jejuni</Emphasis> Strains

Discriminatory and robust typing methods are needed to improve the understanding of the dynamics of food-borne Campylobacter infections and epidemiology in primary animal production. To evaluate the strain discriminatory potential of typing methods, flaA short variable region (SVR) sequencing and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were applied on a collection of 102 epidemiologically related and unrelated Campylobacter jejuni strains. Previous application of FTIR spectroscopy for subtyping of Campylobacter has been limited. A subset of isolates, initially discriminated by flaA SVR sequencing, were further subjected to multilocus sequence typing (MLST). It was found that flaA SVR sequencing had a slightly higher discriminatory power than FTIR spectroscopy, based on the Simpson diversity index. The clustering of strains indicated that FTIR spectroscopy is indeed a suitable method for discrimination of Campylobacter. The isolates were assigned to six clusters based on flaA SVR sequences and nine clusters based on the FTIR spectroscopy profiles. Furthermore, the cluster analysis of flaA SVR sequences, MLST, and FTIR spectroscopy profiles showed a high degree of congruence, assigning the isolates to similar cluster structures. In conclusion, FTIR spectroscopy can be applied for subtyping of Campylobacter, and the high discriminatory potential of both flaA SVR sequencing and FTIR spectroscopy render them suitable screening methods for large numbers of strains.     

Purification of <Emphasis Type=Italic>S</Emphasis>-Alk(en)yl alka/enethiosulfinates of garlic (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Allium sativum</Emphasis> L.) by using recycling preparative HPLC

S-Alk(en)yl alka/enethiosulfinates formed in crushed garlic were purified by using recycling preparative HPLC. Allyl 2-propenethiosulfinate and methyl methanethiosulfinate were effective separated because no other thiosulfinates were coeluted with them. Allyl methanethiosulfinate and methyl 2-propenethiosulfinate, trans-1-propenyl methanethiosulfinate and methyl trans-1-propenethiosulfinate, (cis)- and (trans)-1-propenyl 2-propenethiosulfinate were eluted as 1 peak, respectively, and further separated by using additional kinds of column. Since the quantity of trans-1-propenyl trans-1-propenethiosulfinate (PPTHS) was small in garlic, PPTHS was isolated from a mixture of blanched onion homogenate and garlic alliinase and purified. Purified thiosulfinates can be employed for the study of antimicrobial activity, flavor, and greening of garlic.     

Investigation of dyes degradation intermediates with <Emphasis Type=Italic>Scytalidium thermophilum</Emphasis> laccase

Scytalidium thermophilum laccase was able to successfully decolourise Congo Red, Bromo-Cresol Green, Malachite Green, Phenol Red and Indigo Carmine under optimised conditions. The cited dyes belonging to three different classes were named azo, triarylmethane and indigoid. The decolourisation rates were 100, 95, 76, 57 and 22 mg h⁻¹ U⁻¹ for Indigo Carmine, Malachite Green, Bromo-Cresol Green, Congo Red and Phenol Red, respectively. The degradation products were characterised by UV–vis and FT-IR techniques, and their cytotoxicity was monitored. UV–visible absorption spectra and FT-IR analysis showed a complete degradation of Congo Red, Bromo-Cresol Green and Malachite Green, a partial degradation of Phenol Red and a transformation of Indigo Carmine. Toxicity study revealed that most of the treated dyes were less toxic than those before treatment, especially for Malachite Green. In fact, Scytalidium thermophilum laccase degraded Malachite Green into non-toxic products. Scytalidium thermophilum laccase constitutes a powerful tool for effective bioremediation of rich-dye textile effluents and was, therefore, found worthy of investigation for potential applications in restoration work and other biotechnological uses.     

Analytical characterisation of a <Emphasis Type=Italic>Brandy de Jerez</Emphasis> during its ageing

Brandy de Jerez is differentiated from other brandies by its distinctive and unique organoleptic characteristics that are derived basically from its traditional system of production, from the characteristics of the wooden cask in which it is aged and, naturally, also from climatic characteristics of the geographic area where it is exclusively made. With a view to ensuring its quality, in the present study, an ageing solera of Brandy de Jerez has been characterised analytically. The samples have been obtained in a winery of the production zone over a 2-year period, and the following analytical parameters have been monitored: colour, index of total polyphenols, short-chain organic acids and the analysis of particular polyphenolic compounds. This paper has studied the evolution of these parameters and their possible correlation with the age of the samples. A statistical model has been devised that allows the samples to be classified correctly in function of their mean age.     

Characterization of Powdered Yacon (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Smallanthus sonchifolius</Emphasis>) Juice and Pulp

The present work aimed to study the drying behaviour of a 40oBrix concentrated yacon juice preparation using native corn starch as the encapsulating agent and also the drying of yacon pulp. The experimental trials were carried out in a forced air dryer at temperatures of 50, 60 and 70°C for 5 h. The values for the equilibrium moisture content were 0.0071, 0.0052 and 0.0050 g/g dry matter (d.m.) for the yacon pulp and 0.0075, 0.0030 and 0.0030 g/g d.m. for the encapsulated juice at 50, 60 and 70°C, respectively, resulting in values for water activity below 0.25. The dehydrated products were ground and then visualized using a scanning electronic microscope. Powdered yacon pulp showed a laminar-type structure, and good encapsulation of the yacon juice by starch was observed in the samples of concentrated juice powder. The glass transition temperatures of the encapsulated concentrated juice powder were 44.74, 45.14 and 49.72°C for water activity values of 0.15, 0.07 and 0.03, respectively, and for the yacon pulp powder, it was 48.78°C at a water activity of 0.13.