Bending performance of 3-layer beech (Fagus sylvativa L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) VTC composites bonded with phenol–formaldehyde adhesive and liquefied wood

Low quality beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) were densified with viscoelastic thermal compression (VTC) process to two different degrees of densification, and lamellas were used to manufacture different types of 3-layer VTC composites. Bending properties of 3-layer VTC composites bonded with phenol formaldehyde (PF) adhesive and liquefied wood (LW) were determined and compared to 3-layer composites produced with undensified beech or spruce wood lamellas. Morphology of VTC spruce wood of higher density was analysed with fluorescent microscopic technique. All composites produced with densified beech lamellas and bonded with PF adhesive had significantly higher values of modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) than composites produced with undensified lamellas. Densified spruce lamellas contributed to better bending performance of 3-layer VTC composites bonded with PF adhesive to some extent. Furthermore, composites bonded with LW had significantly lower MOR and MOE values compared to composites bonded with PF adhesive. Study of VTC spruce wood microstructure showed that densification caused non-uniform deformation of cell wall structure, in which cell wall fractures were observed.     

Application of Matrix Solid-Phase Dispersion and Liquid Chromatography–Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry for the Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Fruits

This study presents an application of rapid and sensitive multiresidue method for the analysis of acephate, acetamipride, atrazine, carbendazim, carbaryl, carbofuran, dimethoate, imidacloprid, linuron, malathion, monocrotophos, monuron, propazine, simazine, and tebufenozide in fruits. The method involves an extraction procedure based on matrix solid-phase dispersion using diatomaceous earth as a dispersant and dichloromethane as the eluent. The target pesticides were determined using liquid chromatography–ion trap mass spectrometry. Quantification of the analytes was carried out using the most sensitive ion transition. Ion trap parameters, like activation q and time, were found to have a prominent influence on method sensitivity for some pesticides and they were optimized accordingly. The confirmation of residues detected in real samples was performed by repeated injection and acquiring additional ion transitions besides the ones used for quantification. The method was validated for accuracy, linearity, reproducibility, and sensitivity. Mean values for recoveries were in the range of 70–120 % for all tested matrices. Repeatability of the method, expressed as the relative standard deviation, was in general lower than 20 %. The applicability of the method to routine analysis was tested in real fruit samples with good performance.     

Determination of sterigmatocystin in cheese by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Different cheese samples produced in Latvia (eight) and Belgium (13) were analysed for their sterigmatocystin (STC) content. Only two (9.5%) of the samples were positive for STC with concentration levels of 1.23 and 0.52 µg kg^?1, respectively. Five (24%) samples contained STC above the limit of detection (0.03 µg kg^?1) but below the limit of quantification (0.1 µg kg^?1), A sensitive liquid chromatography-electrospray positive ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method, which was previously developed for the analysis of STC in grains, was modified and applied to the analysis of STC in cheese. This method involved sample extraction with acetonitrile–water (90 : 10, v/v), defatting with n-hexane, solid-phase extraction, separation on a reversed-phase C₁₈ column, and STC detection by LC-MS/MS.     

Suitability of some selected maize hybrids from Serbia for the production of bioethanol and dried distillers' grains with solubles

BACKGROUND: Bioethanol is mostly produced from starchy parts of the corn grain kernel leaving significant amounts of valuable by‐products such as dried distillers' grains with solubles (DDGS) which can be used as a substitute for traditional feedstuff. The suitability of six maize hybrids from Serbia was investigated for bioethanol and DDGS production. The correlation between physical and chemical characteristics of the grain, bioethanol yield and quality of the corresponding DDGS was assessed. RESULTS: All hybrids had very different chemical composition and physical characteristics which could allow various applications. The highest bioethanol yield (94.5% of theoretical) and volumetric productivity (2.01 g l^?1 h^?1) were obtained with hybrid ZP 434 and the lowest with ZP 611k. Regarding chemical composition, all DDGS samples manifested good properties as feed components. Their protein content was higher compared to the kernel. In addition, the samples showed high digestibility and high mineral content, especially of calcium and phosphorus. CONCLUSION: A hybrid ZP 434 was selected as the most promising bioethanol producer. This property is attributed to the highest level of soft endosperm which is more susceptible to starch‐hydrolysing enzymes. A high yield potential per hectare makes it the best candidate for commercial bioethanol production. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Health effects of olive oil polyphenols: Recent advances and possibilities for the use of health claims

The Mediterranean diet and consumption of olive oil have been connected in several studies with longevity and a reduced risk of morbidity and mortality. Lifestyle, such as regular physical activity, a healthy diet, and the existing social cohesion in Southern European countries have been recognised as candidate protective factors that may explain the Mediterranean Paradox. Along with some other characteristics of the Mediterranean diet, the use of olive oil as the main source of fat is common in Southern European countries. The benefits of consuming olive oil have been known since antiquity and were traditionally attributed to its high content in oleic acid. However, it is now well established that these effects must also be attributed to the phenolic fraction of olive oil with its anti‐oxidant, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐microbial activities. The mechanisms of these activities are varied and probably interconnected. For some activities of olive oil phenolic compounds, the evidence is already strong enough to enable the legal use of health claims on foods. This review discusses the health effects of olive oil phenols along with the possibilities of communicating these effects on food labels.     

Part III: the influence of serial repitching of Saccharomyces pastorianus on the production dynamics of some important aroma compounds during the fermentation of barley and gluten‐free buckwheat and quinoa wort

The present paper is the last report of a comprehensive study regarding the influence of the serial repitching of Saccharomyces pastorianus TUM 34/70 on the composition of a barley, buckwheat or quinoa fermentation medium. In particular, it focuses on the production dynamics of important volatile compounds typically associated with the aroma of beer. Samples were taken every 24 h after 11 serial repitchings of a single starter culture, analysed for the particular aroma compound content by distillation followed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. The term ‘serial repitching factor’ is used for the first time to support the visual evaluation of the influence of serial repitching. Results showed that the levels of methanol in the quinoa wort fermentation were only slightly higher than in barley and in practical terms independent of successive fermentation. The behaviour of acetaldehyde in quinoa was similar to that in barley. However, there was a final 2‐fold lower production of some important aroma compounds compared with barley and buckwheat and for this reason quinoa cannot be recommended as a gluten‐free substitute to produce a bottom‐fermented beer. Regarding the buckwheat wort fermentation, a 2‐ to 3‐times lower final acetaldehyde content than in barley is desirable, whereas a relatively high methanol content is not desirable. Barley and buckwheat showed comparable sum concentrations and similar overall profiles of some important aroma compounds. From this perspective, buckwheat appears to be a promising substitute for barley as a brewing raw material. The overall conclusions of our comprehensive study (Parts I–III) are that buckwheat shows adequate brewing properties to substitute for barley in the commercial preparation of a bottom‐fermented gluten‐free beer‐like beverage, and yeast can be repitched at least 11 times. In contrast, quinoa in practical terms shows no substitutional potential for barley in beer; however, it has many nutritious advantages, thus the commercial preparation of a unique, bottom‐fermented gluten‐free ‘non‐beer‐like’ beverage – where the yeast could be repitched six times at most – appears feasible. Copyright © 2015 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling