Sponge cake microstructure,starch retrogradation and quality changes during frozen storage

The effect of frozen storage (6 months) on the microstructure (microscopy, flatbed scanning and image analysis), quality (texture, moisture and specific volume) and starch retrogradation of the cake crumb were evaluated. After 2 months of storage, texture (firmness, cohesiveness and resilience) was significantly (P < 0.05) affected and starch retrogradation was observed, while by the fourth month, the crystallinity increased and crumb fractures were noticeable. Additionally, the shrinkage of starch granules was observed as the starch circularity (Sc) values significantly decreased (P < 0.05) by the sixth month of storage. Although structural changes were not detected by image analysis, it was demonstrated that cake microstructure damage is related to physical changes because the Sc was significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with moisture and specific volume and therefore with the cake quality and texture. Moreover, sugar re‐crystallisation occurred during frozen storage, and it was significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with the deterioration in cake quality.     

Glutathione levels influence chronological life span of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a glucose‐dependent manner

Diet plays a key role in determining the longevity of the organisms since it has been demonstrated that glucose restriction increases life span whereas a high‐glucose diet decreases it. However, the molecular basis of how diet leads to the aging process is currently unknown. We propose that the quantity of glucose that fuels respiration influences reactive oxygen species generation and glutathione levels, and both chemical species impact in the aging process. Herein, we provide evidence that mutation of the gene GSH1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae diminishes glutathione levels. Moreover, glutathione levels were higher with 0.5% than in 10% glucose in the gsh1Δ and wild‐type strains. Interestingly, the chronological life span was lowered in the gsh1Δ strain cultured with 10% glucose but not under dietary restriction. The gsh1Δ strain also showed inhibition of the mitochondrial respiration in 0.5 and 10% glucose but only increased the H₂O₂ levels under dietary restriction. These results correlate well with the GSH/GSSG ratio, which showed a decrease in gsh1Δ strain cultured with 0.5% glucose. Together, these data indicate that glutathione exhaustion impact negatively both the electron transport chain function and the chronological life span of yeast, the latter occurring when a low threshold level of this antioxidant is reached, independently of the H₂O₂ levels.     

High-Intensity Ultrasound Processing of Pineapple Juice

The influence of ultrasound processing on the physicochemical characteristics of pineapple juice was investigated through an experimental design changing ultrasound time and intensity. After processing, the polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activity in the pineapple juice was reduced by 20% as result of the treatment with longer exposure and higher intensity (376 W/cm² and 10 min). The effect on phenolic compounds compared to the fresh pineapple juice (non-sonicated) was not statistically significant. Ultrasound processing reduced juice viscosity by 75% of the initial value (non-sonicated juice). The higher the ultrasound intensity and the juice exposure (processing time), the higher the final temperature of the juice, reaching a maximum of 54 °C. Ultrasound processing enhanced the juice color and its stabilization along 42 days of storage compared to the non-sonicated juice. Thermal treatment at the highest temperature reached due to juice sonication (54 °C) showed no effect on PPO inactivation.     

Nanoparticles Formulation Improves the Antifibrogenic Effect of Quercetin on an Adenine-Induced Model of Chronic Kidney Disease

Renal fibrosis is the final stage of chronic kidney injury characterized by glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis with parenchymal destruction. Quercetin belongs to the most studied flavonoids with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifibrogenic, and antitumor activity. It modifies the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway, decreasing profibrogenic expression molecules and inducing the expression of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrogenic molecules. However, quercetin exhibits poor water solubility and low absorption and bioavailability. This limitation was solved by developing a nanoparticles formulation that improves the solubility and bioavailability of several bioactive compounds. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the in vivo antifibrogenic effect of a quercetin nanoparticles formulation. Male C57BL/6 mice were induced into chronic renal failure with 50 mg/kg of adenine for four weeks. The animals were randomly grouped and treated with 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg of quercetin, either macroparticles or nanoparticles formulation. We performed biochemical, histological, and molecular analyses to evaluate and compare the effect of macroparticles versus nanoparticles formulation on kidney damage. Here, we demonstrated that smaller doses of nanoparticles exhibited the same beneficial effect as larger doses of macroparticles on preventing kidney damage. This finding translates into less quercetin consumption reaching the desired therapeutic effect.     

Use of Ozone in the Decolorization of Sugar Industry Liquors

A method that uses ozone for the decolorization step in cane sugar refining is presented. It concerns an important and new application of ozone in the field in the cane sugar industry. Very efficient decolorization of clarified liquors was obtained at different scales. To obtain satisfactory decolorization, suitable treatment operation conditions were established. In the pilot plant study, refined sugar of high purity was obtained, which fulfilled the international quality requirements. At the laboratory scale, a kinetic study for the process has been developed in a continuous system with the use of Danckwert's model. The effective kinetic coefficient (βO₃) values were between 10⁵ and 10⁶ L/mol·s.     

Ultrastructure of the external sensory apparatus of Gyrodactylus gasterostei Gläser, 1974

The aim of this study, therefore, was to investigate the ultrastructure of gyrodactylid sensilla and to ascertain how these may be employed in the colonisation of new hosts using the Gyrodactylus gasterostei Gläser, 1974—Gasterosteus aculeatus L. model. As Gyrodactylus has no specific transmission stage in its life‐cycle, movement between hosts must be achieved by strategies employed by the adult. This study suggests that certain sensilla, presented for the first time in Gyrodactylus gasterostei, may serve as chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors and possible photoreceptors. The results of this study provide photographic data using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) concerning the sensory structures that are found on the tegument and in the sub‐tegumental zone of G. gasterostei that infect 3‐spine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus L.). For this reason, it is vital to understand the factors underlying transmission to a new host, and a detailed, ultrastructural examination of the sensory structures that are used may improve current understanding of the receptors that Gyrodactylus species employ to interpret both their host and ambient environments. Such information may assist in the interpretation of transmission behaviors, particularly their responses to chemical or physical cues which gyrodactylids employ in host location during the transmission process. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:740–747, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Operating strategies for acid phase digestion: an industrial case study

Acid phase digestion was investigated for enhanced operation in an industrial wastewater treatment plant. In particular, sludge retention time (SRT), temperature and pH were assessed for determining optimal conditions under operating constraints. Volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) were the key process parameters used to assess system performance. Increase in SRT from 0.8 to 1.4 days (at 22°C) had moderate effect on VFA production (approximately 15% increase), achieving a maximum VFA production of 3600 mg/L. High VFA production rate (0.101 ± 0.035 mg/mgVS.d) was obtained at the highest operating retention time during summer (27°C). The degree of solubilisation of particulate organic matter increased with temperature and retention time. Despite an increase in SCOD (6472 ± 873 mg/L max.), a corresponding increase in VFA was not observed. SCOD showed a linear correlation with decrease in pH, while acidogenesis (SCOD conversion to VFA) was found to be favourable at a pH of 4.5.     

Compartmentalized Innate Immune Response of Human Fetal Membranes against Escherichia coli Choriodecidual Infection

An infectious process into the uterine cavity represents a major endangered condition that compromises the immune privilege of the maternal–fetal unit and increases the risk for preterm birth (PTB) and premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Fetal membranes are active secretors of antimicrobial peptides (AMP), which limit bacterial growth, such as Escherichia coli. Nevertheless, the antibacterial responses displayed by chorioamniotic membranes against a choriodecidual E. coli infection have been briefly studied. The objective of this research was to characterize the profile of synthesis, activity, and spatial distribution of a broad panel of AMPs produced by fetal membranes in response to E. coli choriodecidual infection. Term human chorioamniotic membranes were mounted in a two independent compartment model in which the choriodecidual region was infected with live E. coli (1 × 10⁵ CFU/mL). Amnion and choriodecidual AMP tissue levels and TNF-α and IL-1β secretion were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The passage of bacterium through fetal membranes and their effect on structural continuity was followed for 24 h. Our results showed that E. coli infection caused a progressive mechanical disruption of the chorioamniotic membranes and an activated inflammatory environment. After the challenge, the amnion quickly (2–4 h) induced production of human beta defensins (HBD)-1, HBD-2, and LL-37. Afterwards (8–24 h), the amnion significantly produced HBD-1, HBD-2, HNP-1-3, S100A7, sPLA2, and elafin, whereas the choriodecidua induced LL-37 synthesis. Therefore, we noticed a temporal- and tissue-specific pattern regulation of the synthesis of AMPs by infected fetal membranes. However, fetal membranes were not able to contain the collagen degradation or the bacterial growth and migration despite the battery of produced AMPs, which deeply increases the risk for PTB and PROM. The mixture of recombinant HBDs at low concentrations resulted in increased bactericidal activity compared to each HBD alone in vitro, encouraging further research to study AMP combinations that may offer synergy to control drug-resistant infections in the perinatal period.     

Designing multi-responsive polymers using latent variable methods

The design of stimulus-responsive materials, particularly those intended to respond to more than one stimulus, is an inherently challenging and typically trial-and-error process involving multiple synthesis/characterization iterations in the laboratory. In this work, latent variable models are applied to existing, “failed” polymer formulations and characterizations to facilitate the rational design of materials with specific, targeted properties and to predict responsive polymer properties before synthesizing the materials in the laboratory. The models are capable of simultaneously predicting three targeted polymer properties (cloud point, molecular weight, and % recovery of polymer mass) for poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based materials that can be reversibly photo-crosslinked. Model inversion and optimization are used to identify new polymer formulations that exhibit significantly improved properties relative to the formulations developed by chemical intuition based on available literature. This model-based design approach moves away from the traditional trial-and-error approach to save time, energy, and resources in the production of novel materials while at the same time generating responsive polymers with improved properties.