Hydrolytic Stability of l-(+)-Ascorbic Acid in Low Methoxyl Pectin Films with Potential Antioxidant Activity at Food Interfaces

l-(+)-Ascorbic acid (AA) was compartmentalized into a low methoxyl pectin (LMP) film in view of localized antioxidant activity at food interfaces. The AA hydrolysis was specifically studied in the present work in order to determine the ability of the formulated LMP film to stabilize AA. Hence, films were stored at controlled relative humidity (RH) in the absence of air. A commercial LMP characterized by a 40% degree of methylesterification (DM) was used. Since sucrose is normally added for its standardization, films were also made with the dialyzed LMP in order to determine the sucrose effect. Glycerol was used for plasticization. Kinetics of AA loss and subsequent browning development were determined, which are dependent on the RH. Considerable AA retention (t _1/2?=?744, 727, and 185 days) was achieved at 33.3%, 57.7%, or 75.2% RH, respectively, at 25 °C. Browning rate constants decreased in one order of magnitude with respect to kinetic constants determined from films previously developed with high methoxyl pectin (HMP; DM of 73%). Absence of sucrose in the LMP network only affected the browning kinetics at 75.2% RH. The glass transition temperature (T _g) decreased with the increment of moisture content of the films and in a similar degree (T _g?≈??90 °C) to that observed for the HMP films, indicating the contribution of water to the network plasticization. However, water was more confined in the LMP network as inferred from the water availability determined by the ¹H-NMR and DSC. This was attributed to the water interaction at the Ca²⁺ junction zones. Sucrose seemed to hinder the retention of water molecules by the polymeric network at 75.2% RH.     

Production of a high‐protein meal and fermentable sugars from defatted soybean meal,a co‐product of the soybean oil industry

The goal of this research was to produce a high‐protein meal by treating defatted soybean meal, a by‐product of soybean oil production, with dilute acid. Treatments were a mild hydrolysis at 80 °C with sulphuric acid at concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 2.0% (w/v) and times varying from 1 to 16 h that were arranged according to a central composite rotatable experimental design. The end products were an enhanced‐protein meal and a carbohydrate concentrate of fermentable and nonfermentable sugars. The highest protein content rise, from 48% to 58%, was for treatments with concentrations of acid ranging between 1.2% and 1.7% and times between 1.0 and 2.6 h. The maximum yield of fermentable sugar was 21.0% d.b. at 2.0% H₂SO₄ and treatments of at least 6 h. The conditions that provide a highest protein and sugar contents were the treatments with concentrations of sulphuric acid ranging from 0.9 to 1.9% H₂SO₄ for 1–4 h.     

Response of E. faecalis biofilms to different associations of auxiliary substances during root canal preparation: A confocal laser microscopy analysis

Objective: This in vitro study evaluated the effect of different endodontic auxiliary chemical substances over Enterococcus faecalis (Ef) biofilm through confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Methods: Forty‐five bovine incisors were infected with Ef for 21 days. Teeth were divided into five groups: group 1: 2.5% NaOCl + EDTA, group 2: 2% CHX gel + EDTA, group 3: 2% CHX liquid + EDTA, group 4: 2.5% NaOCl + 2% CHX gel + EDTA, group 5: 2.5% NaOCl + 2% CHX liquid + EDTA and a negative and a positive control group (NCG; PCG). The samples were stained with SYTO9 and propidium iodide and analyzed by CLSM. Bacterial viability was quantitatively analyzed by the proportions of dead and live bacteria in the biofilm remnants. Scores were standardized according to the total bacterial load (TBL)—1: ≤25%, 2: >25 ≤50%, 3: >50 ≤75%, 4: >75% and debris—1: absence of debris; 2: presence of debris. Statistical analysis was carried out through the Kruskal–Wallis and the Fischer exact tests (P = 0.05). Results: No statistical differences were observed to CFU, debris and bacterial viability. Conclusion: None of the tested substances could completely eliminate Ef from the root canal space. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:658–662, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Effect of high pressure homogenization on lactic acid bacteria phages and probiotic bacteria phages

To investigate the effect of high pressure homogenization on virus inactivation, phages specific for Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lactobacillus helveticus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactobacillus plantarum were studied. The influence of pressure, number of passes, suspension medium and phage concentration were studied at 25 °C. Reductions in viability were proportional to pressure and number of passes, though the inactivation extent was phage-dependent. At 100 MPa, some bacteriophages were completely inactivated (6 log₁₀ reduction) after 3 or 5 passes, while others remained infective after 8 passes. For all phages, treatment at 60 MPa was insufficient for complete inactivation, even after 8 passes. No clear influence of suspending medium was observed. Inactivation seems to depend on phage concentration; the higher the initial load, the bigger the reduction achieved. Although these results showed that several phages studied are resistant to high-pressure homogenization, this strategy could be combined with others to control their presence in raw milk.     

Clinical course of prostatic abscess treated with transperineal drainage

It is true that appearance of prostate abscesses is currently not so frequent due to the antibiotic therapy available to stop any kind of infectious process which may trigger abscess formation. Even so, it is important to channel right from the beginning the correct diagnosis and treatment in order to avoid, as far as possible, any complications that may derive from the process. This paper deals with the case of a young patient diagnosed in our service with a prostate abscess, and faced with that suspicion we advocated the use of transrectal ultrasound (TRU) as the method for diagnostic imaging. Also, TRU offers great help as guidance in the transperineal puncture, so as to drain the purulent content. It should not be forgotten the valuable information provided by ultrasound to confirm that the treatment used was effective.