Determination of proximate composition,fatty acid content and amino acid profile of five lesser‐common sea organisms from the Mediterranean Sea

Proximate composition, fatty acid and amino acid analysis of an echinoderm (Paracentrotus lividus), a crustacean (Penaeus kerathurus), a tunicate (Microcosmus sulcatus), and two gastropod molluscs (Littorina littorea and Patella coerulea) were determined. All organisms except M. sulcatus, were found to be good protein sources. P. lividus contained on average 15.1 g/100 g, P. kerathurus 15.6 g/100 g, L. littorea 8.3 g/100 g and P. coerulea 9.2 g/100 g protein. The crustacean contained high percentages of n‐3 fatty acids (28.3 g/100 g fatty acids), the tunicate high percentages of saturated fatty acids (62.2 g/100 g fatty acids) while the gastropod molluscs and the echinoderm had a balanced content of all fatty acid families. The most abundant amino acid in P. kerathurus, M. sulcatus, L. littorea and P. coerulea was glutamic acid (11.13 ± 0.9, 1.05 ± 0.3, 5.39 ± 0.3, 5.55 ± 0.8 g/100 g freeze‐dried sample respectively), while glycine was the most abundant amino acid in P. lividus (10.34 ± 1.0 g/100g freeze‐dried sample).     

Comparative analysis of the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of red (Psidium cattleianum) and yellow (Psidium cattleianum var. lucidum) strawberry guava fruit

Abstract: Strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum Sabine) is a native fruit of Brazil widely consumed fresh and used in the food industry. In this context, the present study deals with the chemical characterization and the antioxidant activity of the red (Psidium cattleianum) and yellow (P. cattleianum var. lucidum Hort.) strawberry guava fruits, cultivars Irapuã and Ya‐Cy, respectively. Knowledge of chemical composition is fundamental to human nutrition, contributing to the quality of foods. Phenolic compounds in both fruits were analyzed by HPLC–DAD and the total flavonoid content was determined by the Folin–Ciocalteu assay. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the total reactive antioxidant (TRAP) method. Psidium cattleianum presented a higher content of polyphenolic compounds than P. cattleianum var. lucidum (501.33 and 292.03 mg/100 g, respectively), with hyperoside being one of the major flavonoids identified for both cultivars. In addition to flavonoids, P. cattleianum presented an anthocyanin, identified as cyanidin. The antioxidant activity varied in a concentration‐dependent manner for both strawberry guava species. The volatile oils in fruits and fatty acids in seeds were quantified by GC‐EM. The analysis of the essential oil of yellow strawberry guava was compared with a previous study on the red cultivar, revealing β‐caryophyllene as the main component in both oils. The fatty acid composition was also quite similar and was especially characterized by the presence of unsaturated fatty acids (86.25% and 76%, respectively), among which linoleic acid as the most abundant. Practical Application: In this study, the chemical characterization and the antioxidant activity of the red (Psidium cattleianum) and yellow (P. cattleianum var. lucidum Hort.) strawberry guava fruits were investigated. This is important for potential application of strawberry guava as functional food. Moreover, it may be the experimental basis for further development and use in food industry.     

Fatty acid composition and sensory properties of Wels catfish (Silurus glanis) hot smoked with different sawdust materials

This study aims to compare chemical, physical and sensorial parameters of the Wels catfish (Silurus glanis), hot smoked using vine, poplar, lemon tree and oak sawdust as well as corncob. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in proximate composition were found between fresh and smoked samples; however, the changes in fatty acid composition were less significant. In the fatty acid composition of control group, monounsaturated fatty acids (41.60%) had the highest share in fatty acids, which was followed by saturated fatty acids (29.95%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (28.34%). The major fatty acids were observed to be C16:0, C18:0; C16:1 n‐7, C18:1 n‐9c, C18:1 n‐9t and C18:2 n6c. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) between the groups considering their colour measurement results. General preference criteria such as appearance, odour, texture, colour and taste were chosen for the sensorial analysis, which were rated by the panellists. According to the results of overall appearance, the fillet pieces smoked with lemon tree (9.00), poplar (8.66), corncob (8.00), oak (7.33) and vine (5.33) sawdust were determined as the most preferred, in order.     

Portuguese bee pollen: palynological study,nutritional and microbiological evaluation

Bee pollen is one of the richest and purest natural foods, used in the folk medicine, clinical practices, and food and pharmaceutical industries. This work aims to characterise, for the first time in Portugal, the palynological origin, nutritional value and microbiological safety of this beehive product. It identified ten botanical families, and the more frequent were Boraginaceae and Ericaceae. We have evaluated the water content, a_w, pH, reducing sugars, ash, carbohydrate, proteins, lipids, fatty acids and energy. The microorganisms studied were the aerobic mesophiles, moulds and yeasts, faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and sulphite‐reducing clostridia. The studied pollens are nutritionally well balanced, and contain high levels of moisture, proteins, fat, energy, ash, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, essential n‐3 fatty acids and good ratios of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)/saturated fatty acids. In fact, the PUFA represent 66% of the total fatty acids. The samples had good microbiological quality, as none of the samples had toxigenic species.     

Lipid and Fatty Acid Composition of Selected Fungi Grown on Whey Medium

The molds Aspergillus nidulans, Penicillium frequentans, and Fusarium lycopersicum were tested for lipid production when grown on a deproteinized whey medium. F. lycopersicum produced highest total lipid (38.56%) followed by A. nidulans LC-1 (16.90%) and P. frequentans (10.53%). Triglycerides and phospholipids were the predominant components in the neutral lipid fraction followed by partial glycerides, free fatty acids and nonsaponifiable matter. Phospholipid content was highest in P. frequentans. Palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids were the major fatty acids and their relative concentrations varied among the three fungi. Lower chain fatty acids were absent.     

Enrichment of gamma‐linolenic acid from fungal oil by lipases

Abstract

Two microbial lipases from Geotrichum spp and Rhizopus spp isolated previously in this laboratory and a commercial lipase from Candida cylindracea were evaluated as biocatalysts for the enrichment of gamma‐linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3 n‐6) from a fungal oil derived from Mucor spp. Lipase from Geotrichum spp, as compared to lipases from Candida cylindracea and Rhizopus spp was found to be most effective in the enrichment of GLA in unesterified fatty acids upon esterification of the fungal oil fatty acids with n‐butanol. The level of GLA in the unesterified fatty acid could be raised from 10.9 % in the starting material to about 30 % in the unesterified fatty acids after a reaction period of 4 h. Selective hydrolysis of the fungal oil using lipase from Rhizopus spp resulted in about 1.5‐fold enrichment of gamma‐linolenic acid in the unhydrolysed acylglycerols. The other Upases tested were ineffective in the enrichment of GLA by selective hydrolysis of the fungal oil triacylglycerols.     

Comparison of proximate composition,amino acid and fatty acid profiles in wild,pond‐ and cage‐cultured longsnout catfish (Leiocassis longirostris)

The proximate composition, amino acid and fatty acid profiles in the fillets of wild, pond‐ and cage‐cultured longsnout catfish (Leiocassis longirostris) were determined to identify nutritional differences. Wild fish showed higher (P < 0.05) moisture and viscerosomatic index (VSI), but lower (P < 0.05) protein, ash and gross energy than cage‐cultured fish. Pond‐cultured fish contained lower (P < 0.05) protein and ash contents, but higher VSI compared to cage‐cultured fish. The amino acid of glycine content was higher (P < 0.05) in wild fish than in pond‐ and cage‐cultured fish. Most of the fatty acids had a significant difference among all fish groups. The percentages of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (∑ PUFAs) were higher (P < 0.05) in wild and pond‐cultured fish than in cage‐cultured fish. Pond‐cultured fish had higher (P < 0.05) ∑ n‐3 PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahxaenoic acid (DHA) and ∑ n‐3/∑ n‐6 PUFAs ratio than wild and cage‐cultured fish. The differences among the wild, pond‐ and cage‐cultured fish may be attributed to dietary components and environmental conditions of the fish.     

Fatty acids distribution in different tissues of wild and reared Seriola dumerili

In this study, we compared the lipid and fatty acids content, between cultured and wild Seriola dumerili, in different edible portions. Results showed that cultured fish contained a higher level of lipids than wild fish. The fatty acids profiles revealed that, among all the split‐fish side, palmitic (C16:0) and oleic (C18:1n‐9) acid were the principal saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, in cultured and wild S. dumerili. On the other hand, wild S. dumerili contained a higher level of saturated (38.12 ± 0.54% vs. 33.66 ± 0.15% in cultured fish), monounsaturated (33.13 ± 1.07% vs. 26.49 ± 0.17%), n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (23.90 ± 1.02% vs. 19.77 ± 0.51%) particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (18.83 ± 0.48% vs. 11.77 ± 0.42%). However, the cultured fish showed a higher level of n‐6 PUFA due principally to the higher value of linoleic acid (C18:2n‐6). In fact, changes in fatty acids content between anatomical areas marked differences in the muscle quality of wild and cultured S. dumerili. According to this study, both groups of wild and farmed S. dumerili have nutritional benefits for human health. Cultured fish were characterised by higher hypocholesterolaemic and hypercholesterolaemic fatty acids ratio for all samples studied and a lower n‐3/n‐6 ratio due to the abundance of n‐3 PUFA particularly DHA in wild fish.     

Characterizing Soy Sauce Moromi Manufactured by High‐Salt Dilute‐State and Low‐Salt Solid‐State Fermentation Using Multiphase Analyzing Methods

Present study was to characterize the physiochemical properties, free amino acids (FAAs), volatiles and microbial communities of various moromi, respectively sampled from different stages of high‐salt dilute‐state (HSDS) and low‐salt solid‐state (LSSS) fermentation, using multiphase analyzing methods. Phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) analysis indicated that Gram‐positive bacteria were dominant bacteria and fungi were principal microbes. For DGGE analysis, dominant microbes in moromi were mainly fell into Weissella, Tetragenococcus, Candida, Pichia, and Zygosaccharomyces. During fermentation, the dominant microbes shifted from nonhalophilic and less acid‐tolerant species to halophilic and acid‐tolerant species. Total of 15 FAAs and 44 volatiles were identified in moromi, mainly Glu, Asp, Tyr, and acids, alcohols, esters, aldehydes, respectively. Odor activity values analysis suggested that the final moromi of LSSS fermentation had more complicated odors than that of HSDS fermentation. Conclusively, technological parameters, microbial communities, raw materials and fermentation process may result in the discrepancy of HSDS and LSSS moromi.     

Effect of nitrogen source in the fertilizing solution on nutritional quality of three members of the Portulaca oleracea aggregate

BACKGROUND: Portulaca oleracea (purslane) is nutritious but, in addition to the essential α‐linolenic acid, vitamin C and tocopherols, it contains undesirable oxalic acid. Knowing the effects of nitrate and ammonium on oxalate accumulation, we tested the agronomic potential of three members of the P. oleracea aggregate under various nitrogen fertilization conditions, by measuring biomass production and accumulation of fatty acids, organic acids and tocopherol in the commercial P. sativa (Pos) and two natural members: P. nitida (Pon) and P. papillato‐stellulata (Pop). RESULTS: With nitrate as the sole N source, we measured differences between Pon and Pos in concentrations of the essential ω‐3 fatty acid α‐linolenic acid. Pos also gained less dry biomass under these conditions, implying a higher agronomical and nutritional value for Pon. Increasing the fertilizer ammonium concentration and reducing that of nitrate significantly decreased oxalic acid by factors of up to 1.7, 2.6 and 3.4 in Pos, Pop and Pon, respectively, significantly increased concentrations of tocopherol and malic acid, had no effect on fatty acids or ascorbic acid, but reduced biomass. CONCLUSION: In spite of the recumbent growth habit of Pon, the present findings indicate its agronomic potential. Because early flowering and seed production may be the limiting factors in purslane agriculture, growing Pon in nitrate‐poor conditions might be agriculturally favorable. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Modulation of grape wine flavor via the sequential inoculation of Williopsis saturnus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The effects of the inoculum ratio of Williopsis saturnus var. saturnus NCYC22 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. bayanus EC-1118 at 1:200 and 1:800 on the chemical and volatile compositions of grape wine were studied in sequential fermentation. The grape juice was first inoculated with Williopsis (W.) saturnus for 9 d; thereafter, Saccharomyces (S.) cerevisiae was inoculated to continue the fermentation until d 19. The cell population of W. saturnus disappeared by d 13, with S. cerevisiae dominating until the end of the fermentation in both inoculum ratios. The changes in yeast count, pH, total soluble solids, sugars, organic acids, and amino acids were similar between the two inoculum ratios. A range of volatile compounds was formed, including alcohols, esters, fatty acids, aldehydes, and terpenes. There were significant differences between both inoculum ratios for medium-chain fatty acids (C8, C10, and C12), ethyl esters of fatty acids of C6, C10, C12, and C14 as well as isoamyl octanoate, while other volatiles were statistically the same.     

Impact of two Williopsis yeast strains on the volatile composition of mango wine

The aim of the research was to study the volatile composition of mango wine fermented with two Williopsis yeast strains: Williopsis saturnus var. mrakii NCYC500 and W. staurnus var. suaveolens NCYC2586. Thirty terpenoids, twenty‐six esters, ten alcohols, nine acids, seven aldehydes and ketones, two ethers, two phenols and one sulphur compound were identified in the mango wine fermented with strain NCYC500, while twenty‐seven terpenoids, thirty esters, eleven alcohols, eight acids, eight aldehydes and ketones, three ethers, two phenols, one sulphur compound and one furan were detected in the mango wine fermented with the strain NCYC2586. The kinetic changes, final concentrations and odour activity values of major volatiles were compared between the two Williopsis yeast strains and also with other yeast reported in the literature. The results showed that Williopsis yeast strains NCYC500 and NCYC2586 were high producers of acetic acid and acetate esters, but low producers of medium‐ to long‐chain fatty acids and their corresponding ethyl esters. Unlike mango wine fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, most terpenoids derived from mango juice were retained in the resultant mango wine fermented with the two Williopsis yeast strains, suggesting the mango wine could retain the aromatic hints of fresh mango.     

Evolution of volatile compounds in papaya wine fermented with three Williopsis saturnus yeasts

The changes in volatile compounds during papaya juice fermentation with three Williopsis saturnus yeasts were investigated in this study. Time‐course papaya juice fermentations were carried out using three Williopsis saturnus yeasts: W. saturnus var. mrakii NCYC2251, W. saturnus var. saturnus NCYC22 and W. saturnus var. sargentensis NCYC2727. Changes in yeast cell population, Brix and pH were similar among the three yeasts, which preferentially utilised glucose over fructose while partially degrading l ‐malic acid. A range of volatile compounds were produced during fermentation including fatty acids, alcohols and esters with esters being the most abundant volatile compounds produced. Benzyl isothiocyanate, butyric acid, 2‐ethylhexanol, benzaldehyde and β‐damascenone present in the papaya juice were metabolised to trace levels during fermentation. There were significant variations among the three yeasts in their ability to produce and metabolise volatile compounds during fermentation. The study suggests that papaya juice fermentation with W. saturnus yeasts is able to result in the formation of a more complex aroma compounds.     

Optimisation of Spirulina platensis convective drying: evaluation of phycocyanin loss and lipid oxidation

The aim of the study was the optimisation of Spirulina platensis drying on convective hot air through the response surface methodology. The responses were thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and phycocyanin loss percentage values in final product. Experiments were carried out in perforated tray drier with parallel air flow, and the wet samples thickness and drying air temperatures were in range of 3–7 mm and 50–70 °C, respectively. The statistical analysis showed significant effect (P < 0.05) for air temperature and samples thickness. In the best drying condition, 55 °C and 3.7 mm, presented the phycocyanin loss percentage and the TBA values of approximately 37% and 1.5 mg_MDA kg^?1, respectively. In this drying condition, the fatty acids composition of the microalgae Spirulina did not show significance difference (P > 0.05) in relation to fresh biomass. The lipid profile of dried product presented high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (34.4%), especially the gamma‐linolenic acid (20.6%).     

Roasting effects on fatty acid distributions of triacylglycerols and phospholipids in sesame (Sesamum indicum) seeds

Sesame seeds were roasted at different temperatures (180–220 °C) using a domestic electric oven. The positional distribution of fatty acids in triacylglycerols (TAGs) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) isolated from total lipids in these seeds was investigated as well as the naturally occurring antioxidants that are present. Major lipid components were TAGs and phospholipids (PLs), while steryl esters (SEs), free fatty acids (FFAs) and sn‐1,3‐ and sn‐1,2‐diacylglycerols (DAGs) were minor ones. Following roasting, a significant increase (P < 0.05) was observed in FFAs and in both forms of DAG (primarily sn‐1,3‐DAG). The greatest PL losses (P < 0.05) were observed in phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), followed by PC and phosphatidylinositol (PI). On the other hand, the amounts of γ‐tocopherol and sesamin remained at over 80 and 90% respectively of the original levels after roasting at 220 °C. The principal characteristics of the positional distribution of fatty acids were still retained after 25 min of roasting: unsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic and/or oleic, were predominantly concentrated in the sn‐2‐position, and saturated fatty acids, especially stearic and/or palmitic, primarily occupied the sn‐1‐ or sn‐3‐position. The results suggest that unsaturated fatty acids located in the sn‐2‐position are significantly protected from oxidation during roasting at elevated temperatures. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Fatty acid and nitrogen utilization of processed flaxseed by adult chickens

The effect of flaxseed processing on the utilization of fatty acids and nitrogen were examined in adult chicken. Two batches (A and B) of flaxseed were processed by autoclaving, pelleting, or microwave roasting. Thirty grams of the ground ingredient was given to fasted Leghorn roosters. The apparent digestibility of total fatty acids of raw flaxseeds A and B were 660 and 490 g kg^?1, respectively. Its improvement (p < 0.05) reached 29% for flaxseed A after three‐times repeated pelleting. Similarly, it was 39% (p < 0.05) for flaxseed B after 4 min of microwave roasting. The improvement in the absorption of major individual fatty acids in flaxseed followed the same pattern as that of total fatty acids. The apparent digestibility of linolenic acid in extruded full‐fat soybean was much higher (p < 0.05) than that in raw flaxseed A, but not that in processed flaxseed A (p > 0.05). Furthermore, roosters given canola seed had significantly higher true nitrogen utilization (p < 0.05) than those fed raw flaxseed A. This difference was reduced or non‐existent (p > 0.05) with processed flaxseed. Proper flaxseed processing effectively increases the utilization of major fatty acids and nitrogen in flaxseed for adult chicken. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evolution of fatty acid contents in Garnacha and Viura musts during fermentation and the aging of wine

 The evolution of fatty acids during the fermentation of Vitis vinífera var. Garnacha and var. Viura musts as well as during the aging of the rosé and white wines produced from the said musts was studied. In Garnacha must, practically all the fatty acids were consumed, with the exception of the medium-chain fatty acids, by the time that 50% of the sugar was used up. During the second half of fermentation 80.1% of the fatty acids were consumed, with 28.8% of the remaining fatty acids being used up during aging. In Viura must, the total fatty acid concentration declined 46.9% during the first half of fermentation (first 50% of sugar), most noteworthy was the high consumption of unsaturated large-chain fatty acids (72.3%); during the second half of fermentation, 77.2% of the fatty acids were used, with high consumption of the large-chain saturated and unsaturated acids. During the aging of wine, medium-chain fatty acids were excreted and a small amount of unsaturated acids was consumed. Received: 3 March 1997 / Revised version: 21 July 1997     

Development of a green two‐dimensional HPLC‐DAD/ESI‐MS method for the determination of anthocyanins from Prunus cerasifera var. atropurpurea leaf and improvement of their stability in energy drinks

This study aimed to develop a green two‐dimensional HPLC‐DAD/ESI‐MS method for analysing anthocyanins from Prunus cerasifera var. atropurpurea leaf and improve their stability in energy drinks by the addition of phenolic acids. Ethanol and tartaric acid solutions were used as mobile phases for one‐dimensional HPLC‐DAD for quantitative analysis of anthocyanins, and the primary anthocyanins were identified as cyanidin‐3‐O‐galactoside, cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside and cyanidin‐3‐O‐rutinoside using two‐dimensional HPLC‐MS. Method validation showed that the developed method was accurate, stable and reliable for the analysis of P. cerasifera anthocyanins. The effects of gallic, ferulic and caffeic acid on the stability of cyanidin‐3‐O‐galactoside, cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside, cyanidin‐3‐O‐rutinoside and total anthocyanins from P. cerasifera leaf in energy drinks were evaluated, and the degradation of P. cerasifera anthocyanins ideally followed a first‐order model (R² > 0.98). Gallic acid showed stronger protective effects on P. cerasifera anthocyanins in energy drinks, and adding/increasing ferulic and caffeic acids accelerated the degradation reactions.