Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Based Approach for the Determination of Methionine-Related Sulfur-Containing Compounds in Human Saliva

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry technique (GC-MS) is mainly recognized as a tool of first choice when volatile compounds are determined. Here, we provide the credible evidence that its application in analysis can be extended to non-volatile sulfur-containing compounds, to which methionine (Met), homocysteine (Hcy), homocysteine thiolactone (HTL), and cysteine (Cys) belong. To prove this point, the first method, based on GC-MS, for the identification and quantification of Met-related compounds in human saliva, has been elaborated. The assay involves simultaneous disulfides reduction with tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP) and acetonitrile (MeCN) deproteinization, followed by preconcentration by drying under vacuum and treatment of the residue with a derivatizing mixture containing anhydrous pyridine, N-trimethylsilyl-N-methyl trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA), and trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS). The validity of the method was demonstrated based upon US FDA recommendations. The assay linearity was observed over the range of 0.5–20 µmol L⁻¹ for Met, Hcy, Cys, and 1–20 µmol L⁻¹ for HTL in saliva. The limit of quantification (LOQ) equals 0.1 µmol L⁻¹ for Met, Hcy, Cys, while its value for HTL was 0.05 µmol L⁻¹. The method was successfully applied to saliva samples donated by apparently healthy volunteers (n = 10).     

Molecular Background,Clinical Features and Management of Pediatric Mastocytosis: Status 2021

Pediatric mastocytosis is a heterogeneous disease characterized by accumulation of mast cells in the skin and less frequently in other organs. Somatic or germline mutations in the KIT proto-oncogene are detected in most patients. Cutaneous mastocytosis is the most common form of the disease in children. In the majority of cases, skin lesions regress spontaneously around puberty. However, in few patients, mastocytosis is not a self-limiting disease, but persists into adulthood and can show signs of systemic involvement, especially when skin lesions are small-sized and monomorphic. Children with mastocytosis often suffer from mast cell mediator-related symptoms. Severe hypersensitivity reactions can also occur, mostly in patients with extensive skin lesions and blistering. In a substantial number of these cases, the triggering factor of anaphylaxis remains unidentified. Management of pediatric mastocytosis is mainly based on strict avoidance of triggers, treatment with H1 and H2 histamine receptor blockers, and equipment of patients and their families with epinephrine auto-injectors for use in severe anaphylactic reactions. Advanced systemic mastocytosis occurs occasionally. All children with mastocytosis require follow-up examinations. A bone marrow investigation is performed when advanced systemic mastocytosis is suspected and has an impact on therapy or when cutaneous disease persists into adulthood.     

Sorption of Zn(II) and Pb(II) ions in the presence of the biodegradable complexing agent of a new generation

The macroporous chelating ion exchangers containing different functional groups i.e. Purolite S-920, Purolite S-930 and Lewatit TP-208 have been used in the sorption process of Zn(II) and Pb(II) ions. The effect of the presence of biodegradable, environmentally friendly aminopolycarboxylate chelating agent, trisodium salt of methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) on its sorption capacity was also examined. The investigations were carried out by the static method. Besides the effect of initial concentration of Zn(II) and Pb(II) and the complexing agent the research concerns the influence of solution pH, phase contact time on effectiveness of sorption. The equilibrium and kinetics of Zn(II)–MGDA and Pb(II)–MGDA complexes sorption were obtained and fitted using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) models as well as the pseudo first and pseudo second order kinetic models. The intraparticle diffusion model was also used. The results showed that the sorption processes of Zn(II) and Pb(II) complexes with MGDA on Purolite S-920, Purolite S-930 and Lewatit TP-208 followed well the pseudo second order kinetics.     

Gas barrier and wetting properties of whey protein isolate‐based emulsion films

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of rapeseed oil concentration (1–3% w/w) on the water vapor, oxygen and carbon dioxide permeability, water vapor sorption and surface properties of whey protein isolate emulsion‐based films. The water contact angle as affected by oil content, film side and time was analyzed. The effect of temperature (5 and 25°C) on the water vapor permeability (WVP), water vapor sorption kinetics and diffusion coefficient was also studied. The results showed that the incorporation of a lipid phase to whey protein film‐forming solutions was able to decrease the WVP, water hydrophilicity (increasing water contact angle) and water transfer of whey protein films. However, the films containing oil were more permeable to oxygen and carbon dioxide. Significantly higher values of WVP and diffusion coefficient were obtained at 5°C than at 25°C, indicating that storage temperature should be taken into account when designing the composition of edible films and coatings for food applications. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E375–E383, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitory Activity and ACE Inhibitory Peptides of Salmon (Salmo salar) Protein Hydrolysates Obtained by Human and Porcine Gastrointestinal Enzymes

The objectives of the present study were two-fold: first, to detect whether salmon protein fractions possess angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory properties and whether salmon proteins can release ACE inhibitory peptides during a sequential in vitro hydrolysis (with commercial porcine enzymes) and ex vivo digestion (with human gastrointestinal enzymes). Secondly, to evaluate the ACE inhibitory activity of generated hydrolysates. A two-step ex vivo and in vitro model digestion was performed to simulate the human digestion process. Salmon proteins were degraded more efficiently by porcine enzymes than by human gastrointestinal juices and sarcoplasmic proteins were digested/hydrolyzed more easily than myofibrillar proteins. The ex vivo digested myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic duodenal samples showed IC₅₀ values (concentration required to decrease the ACE activity by 50%) of 1.06 and 2.16 mg/mL, respectively. The in vitro hydrolyzed myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic samples showed IC₅₀ values of 0.91 and 1.04 mg/mL, respectively. Based on the results of in silico studies, it was possible to identify 9 peptides of the ex vivo hydrolysates and 7 peptides of the in vitro hydrolysates of salmon proteins of 11 selected peptides. In both types of salmon hydrolysates, ACE-inhibitory peptides IW, IY, TVY and VW were identified. In the in vitro salmon protein hydrolysates an ACE-inhibitory peptides VPW and VY were also detected, while ACE-inhibitory peptides ALPHA, IVY and IWHHT were identified in the hydrolysates generated with ex vivo digestion. In our studies, we documented ACE inhibitory in vitro effects of salmon protein hydrolysates obtained by human and as well as porcine gastrointestinal enzymes.     

Stabilizing effect of carbodiimide and dehydrothermal treatment crosslinking on the properties of collagen/hydroxyapatite scaffolds

This paper reports the effect of the combined technique of dehydrothermal treatment (DHT) and a mixture of 1‐ethyl‐3(3‐dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N‐hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) crosslinking on the physicochemical properties of collagen/hydroxyapatite materials. Collagen and collagen/hydroxyapatite porous scaffolds containing different amounts of collagen and hydroxyapatite were prepared with use of the freeze‐drying technique. All samples were capable of absorbing a large quantity of phosphate buffered saline. Samples crosslinked by DHT+EDC/NHS presented higher resistance to collagenase degradation (with slightly reduced degradation in DHT+EDC/NHS crosslinked scaffolds prepared from 2% collagen solution), whereas DHT scaffolds exhibited faster degradation. Mechanical testing results suggested that scaffolds crosslinked by DHT+EDC/NHS treatment have an improved compressive modulus compared with EDC/NHS crosslinking. The qualitative analysis of colour intensity resulting from the CellTiter 96 Aqueous One Solution Cell Proliferation Assay (MTS) led to the conclusion that all samples, regardless of the crosslinking method, were well tolerated by cells. However, DHT and EDC/NHS crosslinked scaffolds seem to support better cell viability, in contrast to DHT+EDC/NHS crosslinked scaffolds that support cell differentiation instead. DHT+EDC/NHS crosslinked scaffolds markedly increase the specific alkaline phosphatase activity of cells, which may be of benefit in bone tissue engineering. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

New contact acoustic emission detector for texture evaluation of apples

A new contact acoustic emission detector (CAED) was developed for the instrumental texture evaluation of apples. The goal of this work was to determine the relations between instrumental parameters and sensory texture attributes, and to develop calibration models for prediction of the sensory texture of apples with CAED. Seven apple cultivars were used for the construction and validation of the models. CAED is particularly useful for evaluation of sensory crispness, crunchiness and hardness. There is also a significant correlation of acoustic emission counts with juiciness, mealiness and overall texture. Validation of the models indicates better prediction of these sensory attributes by total acoustic emission counts than prediction by puncture firmness in terms of variance explained, root-mean-square of a model prediction, and bias.     

Potentially bioaccessible phenolics,antioxidant capacities and the colour of carrot,pumpkin and apple powders – effect of drying temperature and sample structure

The study aimed to examine carrot, pumpkin and apple powders produced by hot-air-drying (50, 60, 70 °C) of samples with different levels of fragmentation (cut, grated, blended). The drying temperatures and sample structure were shown to be important determinants of the quality of the powders. The best colour stability of carrot, pumpkin and apple was found for the grated sample dried at 70 °C, the blended sample dried at 70 °C and the blended sample dried at 70 °C, respectively. The highest antiradical capacity and reducing power were found for powders obtained after drying the cut samples at 70 °C. Total phenolics and free radical quenchers were well bioaccessible in vitro. In turn, the reducing power was markedly reduced after drying at 50 °C. The analysed powders are a valuable source of concentrated bioactive ingredients, which predisposes them to serve as functional food components.     

Flux and transmission of β-casein during cold microfiltration of skim milk subjected to different heat treatments

Raw skim milk was subjected to different heat treatments: thermization (65°C, 20 s), pasteurization (72°C, 15 s), and no heat treatment (milk was microfiltered using 1.4-µm membranes at 50°C for bacteria removal; 1.4 MF). The milk (thermized, pasteurized, and 1.4 MF) was cooled and stored at 2°C until processing (at least 24 h) with cold (～6°C) microfiltration using a benchtop crossflow pilot unit (Pall Membralox XLAB 5, Pall Corp., Port Washington, NY) equipped with 0.1-µm nominal pore diameter ceramic Membralox membrane (ET1-070, α-alumina, Pall Corp.). The flux was monitored during the process, and β-casein transmission and removal were calculated. The study aimed to indicate the conditions that should be applied to maximize β-casein passage through the membrane during cold microfiltration (5.6 ± 0.4°C) of skim milk. The proper selection of heat treatment parameters (temperature, time) of the feed before the cold microfiltration process will increase β-casein removal. It is not clear whether the difference in β-casein transmission between 1.4 MF, thermized, and pasteurized milk results from the effect of heat treatment conditions on β-casein dissociation from the casein micelles or on passage of β-casein through the membrane. The values of the major parameters (permeation flux and tangential flow velocity, through the wall shear stress) responsible for a proper membrane separation process were considerably lower than the critical values. It seems that the viscosity of the retentate has a great effect on the performance of the microfiltration membranes for protein separation at refrigerated temperatures.     

Calcium effect on mechanical properties of model cell walls and apple tissue

Bacterial cellulose alone, with pectin added and with both pectin and xyloglucan added were produced as models for plant cell walls. The artificial cell wall materials and natural apple tissue were treated with calcium and then subjected to tests of mechanical properties; a tension test for the artificial cell wall materials and a compression test for the apple tissue. It was found that pectin and xyloglucan had a significant effect on the mechanical properties of artificial cell wall materials, making them more extensible. A high concentration of calcium increased the failure strain and decreased the failure stress of these materials. Treatment of apple tissue with calcium had similar effects on the failure stress and the secant modulus, whereas the differences of failure strain and work to failure resulted in behaviour different from that of the artificial material.