Aromatic characterization and enological potential of 21 minor varieties (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Vitis vinifera</Emphasis> L.)

The homogenization of international wine market led to a gradual impoverishment of the genetic pool. In fact, in several Spanish Quality Demarcations, the most frequent international varieties are replacing the local ones. As a result, minor varieties, perfectly adapted to the local environmental conditions, are nowadays at risk of extinction. The study of minor varieties could provide useful inputs to satisfy the demand for new and interesting wine products. This work aims at filling a gap in the existing literature, focusing on the aromatic potential of minor varieties. Here, the study of glycosidic volatile compounds and the evaluation of the influence of several variables on aroma composition were considered. Fifty-one glycosidic compounds were identified and quantified. The results revealed differences for glycosidic compounds according to cultivars, berry color, clone and sample origin. The inclusion or not of the cultivars in Quality Demarcation was also discussed. Moreover, the synthesis of some compounds involved in these differentiations seems to have a genetic component. The characterization of aromatic potential of several minor varieties, achieved for the first time, revealed that some of these (Argamusa, Quigat, Pampolat girat, Excursach, Gorgollasssa or Mandón) could represent an excellent option for winemaking and commercial offer diversification strategies, besides being important for these cultivars conservation.     

Moisture adsorption isotherms of yew wood (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Taxus baccata</Emphasis> L.)

Adsorption isotherm was obtained to assess the hygroscopicity of yew wood using the Hailwood-Horrobin sorption theory. Yew wood showed very low EMC values in the whole range of relative humidities. An interesting point was that the adsorption isotherms of the yew wood were almost identical to that of pine wood modified with 15.8% acetic anhydride.     

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.     

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.     

Fractioned High Pressure Extraction of Anthocyanins from Elderberry (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Sambucus nigra</Emphasis> L.) Pomace

Fractionated high pressure extractions from dry and in natura elderberry pomace were performed in order to obtain anthocyanin rich extracts. Experiments were carried out using CO₂ supercritical fluid extraction followed by enhanced solvent extraction (ESE) with CO₂/EtOH–H₂O mixtures (1–100%, v/v), to obtain anthocyanin rich fractions in the second step, at 313 K and ~20 MPa. Higher extract yields, anthocyanin contents and antioxidant activities occurred by the presence of water, both in the raw material and in the solvent mixture. The CO₂ dissolved in the ESE solvent mixture favored either anthocyanin contents or antioxidant activities, which were not directly related. Comparing to the literature data for elderberries and grapes, these fractions had higher anthocyanins contents. From these results, an added economical value to this agroindustrial residue is proposed, using solvents and techniques “generally regarded as safe” in the food and pharmaceutical industries.     

Effect of Extraction Techniques and Solvents on Antioxidant Activity of Pomegranate (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Punica granatum</Emphasis> L.) Leaf and Stem

The effect of commonly used techniques and solvents in the antioxidant activities of Pomegranate leaves and stems were studied. The extraction techniques compared were successive, individual (cold percolation), and decoction methods in both parts using solvents viz. petroleum ether, toluene, ethyl acetate, acetone, and water. The antioxidant activity of all the different solvent extracts of leaves and stem was evaluated using antioxidant assays like 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl free radical scavenging assay, superoxide anion radical scavenging assay and ferric-reducing antioxidant power. Total phenol and flavonoid content was also measured. Successive extraction was a better technique to extract the antioxidants from pomegranate than other techniques evaluated in the present study. For the aqueous extraction, decoction method was found to be the best method to extract the antioxidants and it is the most convenient, exhaustive, and time-saving extraction technique for both parts of pomegranate. The results showed that the extracting solvent significantly altered the antioxidant property estimations of pomegranate leaf and stem. High correlations between phenolic compositions and antioxidant activities of pomegranate extracts were observed. High levels of antioxidant activities were detected in pomegranate leaf as compared to stem indicating that the leaf may serve as an excellent source of natural antioxidants.     

<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%.     

Seasonal climate effects on flavanols and purine alkaloids of tea (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Camellia sinensis</Emphasis> L.)

The seasonal climate changes and their effects on flavanol and purine alkaloid contents of two leaves and a bud of tea were evaluated among 3 cultivars grown in Hangzhou, China. The results showed (−)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (−)-epicatechin (EC), (−)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) and (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) increased, but (+)-catechin (C) decreased with increasing daily average temperature (DAT). Long period of precipitation (PRE) led to the declines of EGC, EC, ECG, EGCG and their total content (TC) but increased C content. Furthermore, relative humidity (RH) significantly affected EGC, TC and caffeine. Therefore, DAT, PRE and RH should not be ignored in tea production. The order of climate dependence according to the regression models was C > EGCG > TC > EGC > EC > caffeine > ECG > theobromine, indicating seasonal climate had greater effects on flavanols than purine alkaloids.     

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.     

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.     

Soft-Seeded Pomegranate (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Punica granatum</Emphasis> L.) Varieties: Preliminary Characterization and Quality Changes of Minimally Processed Arils During Storage

A preliminary characterization of two new soft-seeded pomegranate varieties (MR-100® and KINGDOM®) based on their main physico-chemical and nutritional parameters was reported. The two varieties showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in polyphenols, anthocyanins and antioxidant activity. Kingdom pomegranate had higher polyphenols (2524.73 mg GAE/L), anthocyanins (752.49 mg C₃gE/L) and antioxidant activity (EC₅₀ 13.58 μL/mL) than MR-100 (1792.74 mg GAE/L, 141.29 mg C₃gE/L and EC₅₀ 47.53 μL/mL, respectively). Moreover, minimally processed arils of the two varieties were packaged in semipermeable and micro-perforated film at 5 °C, and the quality changes that occurred during storage condition (15 days) were investigated. During storage, Kingdom arils exhibited a better performance in terms of antioxidant activity, polyphenols and anthocyanin content with respect to MR-100. Furthermore, the packaging systems did not affect the estimated quality parameters for both varieties. Based on the sensory evaluation and microbial counts, both aril varieties reached, at 15-day storage, suitable values for commercial purpose.     

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.     

Functional properties of protein isolate obtained from physic nut (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Jatropha curcas</Emphasis> L.) seed cake

Physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) protein isolate was successfully achieved from physic nut seed cake by an alkaline extraction and followed by an isoelectric precipitation. The protein isolate had small amounts of phorbol esters, phytic acid, and saponin without any lectin. Its minimum and maximum solubility were at pH 4.0 and 12.0, respectively. Its water and oil binding capacities were 3.22 g water/g protein and 1.86mL oil/g protein, respectively. Its foaming capacity and emulsion activity showed high values in a range of basic pHs. Its foaming and emulsion stability values decreased with increasing time and exhibited high levels under basic pH conditions. Physic nut protein isolate had unique functional properties in water binding capacity, emulsion activity, and emulsion stability indicating an important role in food systems. It may be applied to salad dressing, mayonnaise, sausage, and meat products. Therefore, physic nut seed cake has a potential to be exploited as a novel source of functional protein for food or feed applications.     

Isoelectric protein precipitation from mild-acidic extracts of de-oiled sunflower (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Helianthus annuus</Emphasis> L.) press cake

Sunflower protein extraction using sodium chloride solutions allows high extraction yields at pH ~6 while preventing oxidation and covalent binding of phenolic compounds to the proteins, which usually occurs under alkaline conditions. Since protein solubility is enhanced at high NaCl concentrations, isoelectric precipitation had to be adapted in the present study besides developing subsequent desalting steps. Precipitation losses decreased from 62 to 31% with increasing NaCl (0.6–2.0 mol/L) and protein concentrations of the solution (6–14 mg/mL) and decreasing pH of precipitation (pH 4.5–3.0). Maximum yields were achieved at low temperature (8 °C) and upon instant acid addition. After adsorptive removal of co-extracted phenolics from the protein extracts, overall protein yields were considerably higher after precipitation at pH 3.5 compared with 4.5, but only slightly higher after washing of the precipitates. The physico-chemical properties of the protein isolates did not differ significantly except for the marked protein denaturation upon precipitation at pH 3.5. From the proposed process, light-coloured protein isolates of high purity (>98%) are obtained, which are suitable for food use.     

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.     

Finger jointing of green Black pine wood (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Pinus nigra L.</Emphasis>)

This research work presents a study on the finger jointing of green Black pine wood (Pinus nigra L.) using a phenol resorcinol formaldehyde adhesive. The effect of finger joint orientation (vertical or horizontal fingers) was also examined. In general, the results from the measurements of modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity of green glued finger-jointed specimens indicated that green gluing of Black pine wood is feasible.     

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.     

Comparative study of crude and refined kenaf (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Hibiscus cannabinus</Emphasis> L.) seed oil during accelerated storage

This study assessed the changes of antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds of crude and refined kenaf seed oil during accelerated storage at 65°C for 24 days. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging assays were used to determine their antioxidant activity. The changes of phenolic, tocopherol, and phytosterol contents during the storage were also studied. The phenolic content and antioxidant activity of refined oil were significantly lower than those of crude oil after the accelerated storage. There was a decrease of 72.5% tocopherol content and 31.1% phytosterol content in the crude oil and a decrease of 67% tocopherol content and 12.1% phytosterol content in the refined oil during the accelerated storage. There was no significant difference in tocopherol and phytosterol contents for crude and refined oils after the storage. The rate of degradation of tocopherol and phytosterol contents in refined oil was slower than that in crude oil during the storage.     

Phytic acid and mineral micronutrients in field-grown chickpea (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Cicer arietinum</Emphasis> L.) cultivars from western Canada

Zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) in chickpea seed are important constituents in vegetarian diets. The aim was to investigate associations of these nutrients in different chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars with phytic acid (PA), another naturally occurring constituent of grain that may influence the bioavailability of mineral micronutrients. Chickpea was grown at Saskatoon and Swift Current, SK, in 2002 and 2003, representing dryland production from high-yielding locations in western Canada. Minerals were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy; PA was measured using high-performance anion-exchange conductivity detection methodology. Seed from 10 genotypes contained from 29 to 52 mg/kg Zn, 77–112 mg/kg Fe, 1,448–2,457 mg/kg Mg, 1,211–2,457 mg/kg Ca, to 3.8–9.0 mg/g PA. Phytic acid, Fe, Mg, and Ca decreased in 2003 from 2002 concentrations. Kabulis had greater Zn, the same Fe, but lower Mg and Ca concentrations than desi genotypes. Large-seeded genotypes had greater or the same Zn, the same Fe and Mg, but lower Ca than small-seeded genotypes. Iron and Ca concentrations positively correlated with PA concentration. Nutrients were affected by environment and genotype, which means that chickpea can be exploited by breeding, in addition to sourcing favorable nutritional profiles by environment, seed size, and market class.