The influence of washing and selection processes on the contents of glycoalkaloid and other toxic compounds during industrial chip production

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of pretreatment selection and washing processes of potatoes on the manual and optic control on the contents of nitrates (V), and glycoalkaloids after the peeling and frying processes are applied in the industrial production of potato chips. The highest reduction in nitrate quantity was found after the manual selection process of the potatoes and their slicing, as well as after frying the chips. The preselection process of the raw material, slicing and rinsing the potato slices, as well as frying the chips, had the largest influence on the losses of glycoalkaloids. In these samples, 74% remained after pretreatment of the raw material, 29% remained after slicing, and 10% remained in the chips after frying relative to the unpeeled potatoes.     

Coffee and Maillard products activate NF-kappaB in macrophages via H2O2 production

In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory activity of coffee and Maillard reaction products on macrophages in vitro. Stimulation of macrophages with coffee, but not with raw coffee extract in PBS, led to a 13-fold increased nuclear NF-kappaB translocation. A Maillard reaction mixture (25 mM D-ribose/L-lysine, 30 min at 120 degrees C) increased NF-kappaB translocation 18-fold (in PBS) or six-fold (in medium). MRPs also induced a two-fold increased NF-kappaB translocation in untransfected human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells as well as in HEK cells stably transfected with the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE), indicating that the effect was not RAGE mediated. On the other hand, catalase totally abolished coffee- and MRP-induced NF-kappaB translocation. Consequently, up to 366 microM hydrogen peroxide was measured in the coffee preparation and Maillard mixtures used for cell stimulation. Stimulation of macrophages with MRPs did not lead to significantly increased IL-6 or NO release. Thus, it can be concluded that coffee and MRPs induce NF-kappaB translocation in macrophages via the generation of hydrogen peroxide.     

Von Goldrausch und Schatzsuchern Die Herausforderung einer Orientierung im Lebensmittel-Dschungel

Immer st?rker rücken denotative, also sachbezogene Aspekte des Produktnutzens in den Hintergrund zugunsten konnotativ-emotionaler Komponenten. Sie sind zugleich die „Hauptakteure“ einer werblichen Kommunikation, die mit sch?nem Schein und wenig einklagbaren Versprechen argumentiert. Gerade im Verbraucherschutz wird dieser Trend als übervorteilung des Konsumenten angeprangert. Deutlich wird jedoch, dass Emotionalisierung und ?sthetisierung in der Werbung keineswegs blo? eine Erfindung gerissener Marketingstrategen ist. Vielmehr stehen Produkt, Werbung und Gesellschaft in enger Wechselbeziehung zueinander und selbst der vermeintliche „Bluff“ erfüllt soziale, insbesondere Identit?t stiftende Funktionen. Am Beispiel des neu lancierten Mineralwassers „gize“ wird deutlich, dass dessen Auratisierung über die werblich angepriesene „Goldfilterung“ nur dann ihren Glanz entfalten kann, wenn gesellschaftliche Voraussetzungen gegeben sind: die Wahrnehmung von Umweltbedrohungen, die Entdeckung des K?rpers als Status-Symbol in individualisierten Gesellschaften, deren zentrale Frage im W?hlen- und nicht im Maximieren-K?nnen besteht, sowie die daraus resultierende lebenslang zu bearbeitende Identit?tsproblematik. Diese Trends spiegeln sich gleicherma?en in der Konzeption von Produkt und Werbung wider wie auch diese dem Individuum (zumindest tempor?re) L?sungs-Ans?tze liefern k?nnen im Umgang mit gegenw?rtigen Herausforderungen.     

Catalytic reduction of NO over the modified MFI metallosilicalites

The metallosilicalites (MFI) containing copper ([Cu,Si]), zinc ([Zn,Si]) or both elements ([Cu,Zn,Si]) were prepared and modified as potential catalysts for the NO reduction with propene. The H-[Cu,Si] samples showed the highest activity, which was initially comparable to that of Cu-ZSM-5, but contrary to the latter, it increased with time. The framework Cu or Cu released from the framework probably act as active sites.     

Time course of eye and head deviation in spatial neglect.

Spatial neglect is characterized by a deviation of the eyes and the head during active search, as well as at rest. Here the authors investigate the hitherto unknown relationship between these striking behaviors in the course of recovery. Gaze, eye-in-head, and head-on-trunk positions were recorded separately under two experimental conditions: (i) at rest (i.e., without any specific requirements, doing nothing) and (ii) during active exploratory search in a large visual array of 240° × 80° over a 10-month period. The authors observed a parallel decrease of eye and head (= gaze) deviation in both conditions, accompanied by a comparable decline in neglect severity. The results strengthen the view that the marked gaze deviation toward the ipsilesional side in patients with spatial neglect is due to a very elementary disturbance of human spatial information processing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Multiple Magnetic Ordering Temperatures in RuSr<Subscript>2</Subscript>Eu<Subscript>1.5</Subscript>Ce<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>10−<Emphasis Type="Italic">δ</Emphasis></Subscript> System

We report synthesis and magnetic characterization of variously processed magneto-superconducting (Rutheno-cuprates) RuSr₂Eu_1.5Ce_0.5Cu₂O_10−δ . The compound crystallizes in I4/mmm tetragonal structure. Magnetization measurements showed bulk magnetic ordering and superconductivity at around 100 K and 30 K, respectively. Further, the careful examination of the low field magnetic susceptibility reveals two minor magnetic transitions at around 135 K and 200 K, in addition to the major transition at 100 K. When the samples are processed in different environments of air, O₂ and slightly pressurized O₂, the nature of magnetic transitions and the superconductivity changes dramatically. The highest superconducting transition is achieved for the high pressure O₂ annealed samples and the lowest for the air annealed one. On the other hand, the minor magnetic transitions are more prominent in air-annealed samples. Though the minor magnetic transitions are intrinsic to all variously processed samples, they are not clearly seen for higher O₂ content samples. Basically, the Ru spins order antiferro magnetically at around 200 K (first minor transition), and reorients themselves at 125 K (second minor transition) before finally ordering in canted ferromagnetic state or a spin glass structure. These results can be explained on the basis of fluctuating valance of Ru⁴⁺/Ru⁵⁺.      

Optimization of the technological parameters of epoxidation of allyl alcohol by hydrogen peroxide over Ti–BETA catalyst

The influence of the technological parameters on the epoxidation of allyl alcohol by a 30 wt% hydrogen peroxide in the medium of methanol over the Ti–BETA catalyst in the direction of glycidol has been presented. The experimental conditions were established on the basis of preliminary experiments and through the applications of statistical experimental design methods (rotatable uniform design). The results of the particular experiments were described by the following functions: the yield of glycidol in relation to allyl alcohol introduced into the reactor, the selectivity of transformation to glycidol in relation to allyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide reacted, and the degree of conversion of allyl alcohol and H₂O₂. The optimal values of each function were established. The courses of functions corresponding to the parameters were plotted in the system of two variable parameters. The optimum parameters of the epoxidation process were established after the analysis of the layer drawings. The obtained results were confirmed by a series of verifying syntheses. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Efficient Assay for the Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide by Estimating Enzyme Promiscuous Activity in the Perhydrolysis Reaction

Hydrogen peroxide is an ideal oxidant in view of its availability, atom economy, or green aspects. Furthermore, it is produced by the cell mitochondria and plays a meaningful role in controlling physiological processes, but its unregulated production leads to the destruction of organs. Due to its diverse roles, a fast and selective method for hydrogen peroxide detection is the major limitation to preventing the negative effects caused by its excess. Therefore, we aimed to develop an efficient assay for the detection of H₂O₂. For this purpose, we combined the enzymatic method for the detection of hydrogen peroxide with the estimation of the promiscuity of various enzymes. We estimated the activity of an enzyme in the reaction of p-nitrophenyl esters with hydrogen peroxide resulting in the formation of peracid. To our knowledge, there is no example of a simple, multi-sensor demonstrating the promiscuous activity of an enzyme and detecting hydrogen peroxide in aqueous media.     

Multimodal polymer networks: design and characterisation of nanoheterogeneous PU elastomers

Nanoheterogeneous polymer networks based on polyurethanes (PU) were synthesised by utilisation of the competition between reactivity, dynamics and phase separation processes. Oligomeric α,ω‐dihydroxyoxolanes (PTHF), 4,4′‐methylene‐bisphenylisocyanate (MDI), and trimethylolpropane (TMP) were chosen as reaction components. In dependence of the mole ratio of these components up to four phases concerning their crosslinking density were formed. By a partly substitution of incompatible oligomers for PTHF the network structure was specifically changed including the formation of additional phases. The characterisation of the nanophases was carried out by investigation of the dynamics as reflected by mechanical relaxation spectroscopy. Selected mechanical properties of the samples were measured and discussed using the deduced morphological model.