Volatile compounds of blackcurrant juice and wine

Volatile compounds of blackcurrant juice, concentrate and wine were analysed by applying a dynamic headspace gaschromatographic method based on selective capillary column trapping. A significant sensorial difference between the wine made from blackcurrant juice and that from concentrate was found by duo-trio assessment for aroma, while only a slight difference was observed in the volatile composition of the wines. Blackcurrant wines contained only a few terpene compounds, whereas numerous terpenes were identified from the juice. Differences between the blackcurrant juice and concentrate were found, with some terpene compounds appearing in higher amounts in the former.

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Flüchtige Verbindungen im Saft und im Wein der Schwarzen Johannisbeere

Zusammenfassung Flüchtige Verbindungen von Saft, Konzentrat und Wein der Schwarzen Johannisbeere wurden mittels der dynamischen Kopfraum-gaschromatographischen Methode untersucht, wobei die flüchtigen Substanzen selektiv mit einer Capillarsäule erfaßt wurden. Es konnten bei der Duo-trio-Bestimmung des Aromas signifikante sensorische Unterschiede zwischen dem Wein aus Saft und dem Wein aus Konzentrat festgestellt werden, während ein nur geringer Unterschied bei der Zusammensetzung der flüchtigen Verbindungen der Weine zu beobachten war. Die Weine aus der Schwarzen Johannisbeere enthalten nur wenige terpene Verbindungen, bei Saft dagegen konnte eine größere Anzahl an Terpenen nachgewiesen werden. Bei dem Vergleich von Saft und Konzentrat zeigte sich ein höherer Anteil an terpenen Verbindungen im Saft.

     

The effect of enzymatic treatment on blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) juice flavour and its stability

The effects of different enzymatic treatments on the sensory profile and chemical composition, especially various phenolic compounds, sugars and fruit acids, of blackcurrant juices were investigated. In addition to pectinolytic activities, the enzymes had different cellulolytic, hemicellulolytic and glycolytic activities. The enzymatic treatments improved significantly the yield of juice, but with more fermented and astringent characteristics than juices without enzymatic hydrolysis. Enzymes with higher glycosidase activity increased astringency and the content of phenolic compounds in the juice. When the incubation temperature was elevated the contents of fruit acids increased whereas sugars and the perceived sweetness were the highest in the juices without enzymatic treatments. Despite of the significant changes in chemical composition, the sensory properties did not change significantly during 6 weeks of storage. Optimisation of the enzymatic process is crucial for juice making as maximising the juice yield or the content of phenolic compounds may produce unwanted sensory properties to the juice.     

Chemical composition of ripe fruits of Rubus chamaemorus L. grown in different habitats

BACKGROUND: Cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus L.) is one of the most valuable berry‐producing plants because of its nutritional properties. The chemical composition and crop yield of ripe fruits of cloudberry grown wild in 10 habitats in northern Finland was analysed over two consecutive summers. For comparison, two clones of cultivated cloudberries were studied as well. RESULTS: The concentrations of citric and malic acids, α‐tocopherol, anthocyanins and β‐carotene had notable variations between habitats. In particularly, cloudberries grown on open habitats had higher content of citric acid and less α‐tocopherol compared to those grown on shaded sites. In a colder and rainy summer the content of anthocyanins and the unsaturation level of fatty acids were significantly higher than in a warmer and drier summer. Crop yields were higher in the warmer summer, except in open sites where yields were quite equal. CONCLUSION: Cloudberries grown in open habitats showed notable differences in chemical composition when compared to those grown on shaded sites. Results suggest that the amount of sunlight and temperature levels could be the main factors affecting crop yield and chemical composition of cloudberry. In addition, the amount of rainfall may have an effect on anthocyanin concentrations. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Reversible surface binding of cadmium and lead by lactic acid and bifidobacteria

Extensive cadmium and lead contamination of water has been reported to occur locally as a result of human activities. Lactic acid bacteria have been reported to remove cadmium and lead from water. The aim of this work was to clarify the mechanisms of cadmium and lead removal from water. In addition, the effect of other metals, reversibility of binding and recyclability of the biomass was assessed. Based on our earlier data, the two most promising lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus fermentum ME3 and Bifidobacterium longum 46, were selected for these experiments. The results showed that the presence of other cationic metals and blocking of carboxyl and phosphoryl groups reduced cadmium and lead removal. These results suggest involvement of electrostatic interactions in cadmium and lead removal, and support our earlier findings. Transmission electron micrographs showed large deposits of lead on the bacterial surface suggesting formation of metallic lead precipitates. Both cadmium and lead removal were reversible processes established by full recovery of removed metal after desorption with dilute solutions of EDTA and HNO(3). Resorption capacity of both biomasses tested was reduced after regeneration with 10 mM EDTA and 15 mM HNO(3). Taken together, the results suggest involvement of several reversible mechanisms such as ion exchange and precipitation in cadmium and lead binding by lactic acid bacteria. The results show that specific lactic acid bacteria have the potential for removal of cadmium and lead from water although reduction in resorption capacity after regeneration of the biomass may form a problem. Since the studies so far have mainly focused on removal of single metals from pure water, metal removal in conditions of natural waters should be assessed in further experiments.