Microencapsulation of Propolis in Protein Matrix Using Spray Drying for Application in Food Systems

Propolis presents several health benefits due to the presence of bioactive compounds, mainly phenolic compounds; however, its application in food is limited due to undesirable odor and low water solubility. The bioactive compounds are usually susceptible to degradation by exposure to light, heat, or oxygen or by interaction with other compounds, which may limit its biological activity. The study aimed the propolis extract microencapsulation using rice, pea, soybean, and ovoalbumin proteins as wall material by spray drying and to analyze their in vitro digestion. The propolis extract presented a high concentration of apigenin. Encapsulation efficiency was greater than 70%, and it was maintained the antioxidant activity of propolis (88% inhibition of DPPH for propolis extract and >?73% for the microparticles). The DSC, ATR-FTIR, and X-ray diffraction techniques confirmed the encapsulation. The microparticles showed different shapes, sizes, and physical characteristics. The microparticles encapsulated with pea protein could be used in formulations of Minas Frescal cheese due to the controlled released, whereas the other microparticles could be used in pudding formulations.     

消减食品加工过程中的真菌毒素：来自欧洲和东南亚的经验分享（网络首发、推荐阅读）

在世界范围内,由真菌毒素造成的经济损失估计达数十亿美元,给人类和动物带来安全风险。粮食中真菌毒素的预防可以通过食品加工过程中进行真菌毒素的消减处理。在过去几十年里,虽然发表的科技论文中报道了大量真菌毒素防控措施,但实际生产往往需要更容易实施的、简单易行的建议和指导方针。欧洲和东南亚在真菌毒素处理到数据分析、风险评估到污染防控、差异分析到流通途径等方面可以做到相互协作,互相补充。欧洲和东南亚政府及相关行业必须在综合考虑地域、农业系统和不同国家消费者偏好的背景下,寻求平衡食品安全和地区贸易二者关系,协同管控食品供应链。以谷物为例,加工过程包括初级加工（谷物清理和碾磨操作）和二次加工（如烘焙过程中的发酵和烘烤）,欧洲尤其关注烘焙食品安全性及全麦面包生产工艺对呕吐毒素的影响。结合农业、咖啡工业和科学研究人员的专业知识及亚洲咖啡生产者的具体情况,重点关注东南亚地区咖啡中赭曲霉毒素A污染问题。在农场环境中减少真菌毒素的措施给咖啡农民带来了较大的挑战,包括在规范种植农场模式下咖啡生产者和消费者之间社会经济效益和个人行为模式的相关影响因素。随着世界变得更加全球化,食品和饲料供应链也变得日趋复杂,因此,需要制定更全面的策略来确保食品供给及品质安全。     

Influence of drier inlet temperature during pilot-scale manufacture of rennet casein on the hydration behaviour of the rennet casein in disodium orthophosphate solution

Rennet casein curds were dried in a pilot-scale fluidized bed drier at air-inlet temperatures of 80, 90, 110, 120 or 140°C. As the drier air-inlet temperature was increased, there was a significant increase in hydration time and a significant decrease in hydrated viscosity and viscosity stability following hydration of the dried rennet caseins in 0.4% (w/w) disodium orthophosphate (DSP). The influence of air-inlet temperature during drying on composition, the extent of Maillard reaction, the resolution of the proteins on urea–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and cation-exchange fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC), the dialysability of calcium and phosphorous from a 6  m urea dispersion at pH 4.6, and the particle-size parameters of milled rennet caseins were determined. Relationships between all these latter parameters and the hydration behaviours of the rennet caseins in DSP solution were also studied. Results suggest that the increase in drier air-inlet temperature resulted in a reduction in the mean particle size of milled casein, which was significantly correlated to the changes in hydration behaviour. Hydration times increased significantly and hydrated viscosities decreased significantly with increasing levels of fluorescent Maillard reaction products (MRPs) and with increasing levels of nondialysable calcium and phosphorous in the caseins. It appears that the increase in air-inlet temperature during drying reduced the solubility of colloidal calcium phosphate (CCP), possibly through binding of CCP to the increased levels of MRPs. This change in CCP solubility led to increased difficulty in sequestering CCP from the curd when the pilot-scale rennet caseins were dispersed in the DSP solution, leading to the changes in hydration behaviour.     

Growth,nutritional quality and safety of oysters (Crassostrea gigas) cultured in the lagoon of Venice (Italy)

Quality aspects of oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from a suspended culture in the lagoon of Venice (Valle Dogà) were examined in different seasons over a 1‐year period. Ecophysiological and commercial quality indicators (condition index, content of meat, shell and intervalvar fluid), nutritional quality parameters (proximate and mineral composition, glycogen content, fatty acid profile, cholesterol, plant sterols, fat‐soluble vitamins content) and levels of organic pollutants (polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides) were determined at different times of the year. Seasonal variations were observed in the nutrient content, with particular regard to moisture (ranging from 866.8 g kg^?1 in June to 938.8 g kg^?1 in September), protein (23.9 g kg^?1 in September to 76.6 g kg^?1 in June), ash (22.5 g kg^?1 in February to 29.5 g kg^?1 in July), lipid (3.0 g kg^?1 in September to 8.8 g kg^?1 in June) and glycogen (0.7 g kg^?1 in September to 11.5 g kg^?1 in February). In spite of this variability, the nutritional quality of the oysters was generally good, especially just before gamete release when the concentration of nutrients was at its maximum. Low levels of organochlorine chemicals were detected in the edible meat of oysters but, because only a limited number of samples were analysed, no general conclusion can be drawn on the safety of seafood from this area. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Atmospheric deposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to Atlantic Canada: geographic and temporal distributions and trends 1980-2001

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants. The semivolatile organic compounds may disperse into the atmosphere by direct input from several sources such as the burning of fossil fuels, from motor vehicle emissions, and forest fires. Once in the atmosphere, they may travel great distances before being deposited to the earth's surface by the scavenging action of rain and snow. Up to 14 PAHs were determined in wet precipitation samples collected monthly from five sites in the four Canadian Atlantic Provinces during 1980-2001. The relatively more volatile PAHs (phenanthrene, fluoranthene, naphthalene, and pyrene) were predominant in the samples. Significant (P < 0.05) spatial variations in the deposition of some PAHs were observed among sites, but there were no consistent geographic patterns. Seasonal patterns were discernible with peak deposition for sigma6&14 PAHs occurring during the colder months of the year (December to March) and coinciding with higher energy consumption for heating and transport. The monthly volume weighed mean concentration for sigma6 PAHs has declined steadily since the mid-1980s at Kejimkujik National Park in southwest Nova Scotia, with a calculated half-life of 6.4 +/- 0.3 years. The maximum annual deposition flux of 20 microg m(-2) yr(-1) reached in 1985 for sigma6 PAHs decreased approximately 1 order of magnitude by the year 2000. The decrease in sigma6&14 PAHs for the region was found to be correlated (P < 0.05) with decreasing sulfate ion concentrations in the precipitation. The implementation of air pollution abatement programs in Canada, the United States, and elsewhere, switching to cleaner sources of energy and improved technology during the pastfew decades is most likely responsible for the observed decline.     

Anti-listerial activity of a polymeric film coated with hybrid coatings doped with Enterocin 416K1 for use as bioactive food packaging

In this study, Enterocin 416K1, a bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus casseliflavus IM 416K1, was entrapped in an organic-inorganic hybrid coating applied to a LDPE (low-density polyethylene) film for its potential use in the active food packaging field. The antibacterial activity of the coated film was evaluated against Listeria monocytogenes NCTC 10888 by qualitative modified agar diffusion assay, quantitative determination in listeria saline solution suspension and direct contact with artificially contaminated food samples (frankfurters and fresh cheeses) stored at room and refrigeration temperatures. All investigations demonstrated that enterocin-activated coatings have a good anti-listeria activity. Qualitative tests showed a clear zone of inhibition in the indicator lawn in contact with and around the coated film. During the quantitative antibacterial evaluation the L. monocytogenes viable counts decreased to 1.5 log units compared to the control. The inhibitory capability was confirmed also in food-contact assays. In all food samples packed with coated films we observed a significant decrease in L. monocytogenes viable counts in the first 24 h compared to the control. This difference was generally maintained up to the seventh day and then decreased, with the exception of the cheese samples stored at refrigeration temperature.     

Prevention of PCDD/F formation and minimization of their emission at the stack of a secondary aluminum casting plant

Results of an extensive 5 year study on a full-scale plant with the specific aim to investigate polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzo furan (PCDF) formation and release in a secondary aluminum casting plant are reported. PCDD and PCDF concentrations were evaluated for all the gaseous and solid streams (no liquid stream was present) as well as for the flue gas upstream and downstream of every single unit of the flue gas cleaning system. The study highlights PCDD and PCDF formation particularly in the narrow 320-360 degrees C range. To prevent formation reactions and/or minimize PCDD and PCDF concentration at the stack, effects of the fabric filter substitution, a quenching chamber and a postcombustor installation together with working conditions are investigated. The flue gas cleaning system results in PCDD and PCDF emission at stack of 0.1-0.2 ng I-TEQ/N m3 and in a mass flow of 250-550 nmol/h. The total PCDD and PCDF release into the environment is 0.06 g I-TEQ/yr and the corresponding emission factor, 0.35 microg I-TEQ/ton. It is shown that the global effects of the technological innovation on the reaction mechanisms are the prevention of PCDD/F formation by de novo synthesis and the minimization of their emission.     

Managing ochratoxin A risk in the grape-wine food chain

The main source of ochratoxin A (OTA) in the wine food chain is the infection of grapes by "black aspergilli" in the field. OTA-producing black aspergilli include principally Aspergillus carbonarius, followed by A. niger and possibly A. tubingensis. They are opportunistic fungi that develop particularly on damaged berries at ripening, although they may occur and form OTA on grapes from veraison to harvest. Climatic conditions (high humidity and temperature) and geographical location are important factors favouring OTA accumulation in grape berries. The severity of aspergillus rot is influenced by excessive irrigation and rainfall prior to harvest, which causes berry splitting. In addition, berry wounds caused by insect attack provide preferential entries for black aspergilli. High OTA levels occur in grapes severely damaged by the grape moth, Lobesia botrana, particularly in Mediterranean areas. Some grape varieties display greater susceptibility to aspergillus rot due to intrinsic genetic characteristics and bunch conformation (i.e. compact>sparse). Control measures for toxigenic mycoflora in the vineyards must consider these critical control points. Proper fungicidal and insecticidal treatments can reduce OTA contamination. Nevertheless, knowledge about the fate of OTA and its distribution in wine and winery by-products is important to manage OTA risk in contaminated stock. In our wine-making experiments, only 4% of the OTA present in grapes remained in the wine--the majority is retained in pressed grape pomaces. OTA concentration remained unchanged in wine after a 1-year aging as well as in all liquid fractions collected during vinification (i.e. must, free run wine, and wine after first and second decantation). Activated carbon can reduce OTA levels in wine but negatively affects wine quality.