Assessing Changes in Enriched Maize Flour Formulations After Extrusion by Means of FTIR,XRD, and Chemometric Analysis

Spectral analysis employing multivariate techniques was employed to differentiate plain maize flours from formulations containing maize with added milled chia or quinoa seeds for producing cereal breakfast extrudates. The physicochemical changes of the enriched formulations due to processing stages and formulation were evaluated by using FTIR and chemometric analysis, which allowed a rapid and non-destructive discrimination between sample processing and compositional aspects. Specific IR frequencies were selected which provided highest sample discrimination. Selected IR absorbance relationships at those specific wavenumbers were useful to track changes promoted by extrusion for carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. The complexes between amylose and lipids, that takes place during extrusion, underwent distinctive changes as confirmed by XRD. The crystallinity loss, after extrusion (with an average value of 50%), shows evidence of amylose-lipid complexes formation of type E_h and V_h. Correlations between the textural behavior, composition, and selected FTIR indices were obtained.     

Acquired Smell? Mature Females of the Common Green Bottle Fly Shift Semiochemical Preferences from Feces Feeding Sites to Carrion Oviposition Sites

We investigated foraging decisions by adult females of the common green bottle fly, Lucilia sericata, in accordance with their physiological state. When we gave female flies a choice between visually occluded, fresh canine feces (feeding site) and a CO₂-euthanized rat (carrion oviposition site), 3-d-old “protein-starved” females responded equally well to feces and carrion, whereas protein-fed gravid females with mature oocytes responded only to carrion, indicating resource preferences based on a fly’s physiological state. Dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) is known to attract gravid L. sericata females to carrion. Therefore, we analyzed headspace from canine feces by gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and GC/mass spectrometry. In bioassays, of the 17 fecal odorants that elicited GC-EAD responses from fly antennae, a blend of indole and one or more of the alcohols phenol, m-/p-cresol and 1-octen-3-ol proved as attractive to flies as canine feces. Unlike young females, gravid females need to locate carrion for oviposition and distinguish between fresh and aging carrion, the latter possibly detrimental to offspring. Gravid female L. sericata accomplish this task, in part, by responding to trace amounts of DMTS emanating from fresh carrion and by discriminating against carrion as soon it begins to produce appreciable amounts of indole, which is also the second-most abundant semiochemical in fresh canine feces, and apparently serves as an indicator of food rather than oviposition resources. Our results emphasize the importance of studying foraging choices by flies in accordance with their physiological stage.     

Konformation und Rotationsbarrieren substituierter Glyoxylsäureamide

Conformation and Rotation Barriers of Substituted Glyoxylic Acid Amides Semiempirical calculations predict an orthogonal orientation of the carbonyl groups in tertiary glyoxylic acid amides, which is in good agreement with an X-ray structure analysis of 5 . Due to the influence of the α-carbonyl group, the rotation barrier in the substituted glyoxylic acid amides 2a–d, 3a, 3b , and 4–6 (ΔG^#_c = 84–92 kJ mol⁻¹) is about 10 kJ/mol higher than in simple acid amides, as was found by dynamic NMR line shape analysis.     

XPS Studies of Magnesium Surfaces after Exposure to Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium,Hank's Buffered Salt Solution,and Simulated Body Fluid

Magnesium‐based biomaterials are gaining increasing interest, while in vitro corrosion tests are not standardized yet. Moreover, the effects of different corrosion media on the corrosion products are still not fully understood. To compare and evaluate the three main corrosion media applied in most in vitro studies, an XPS investigation of magnesium surfaces was carried out after exposure of the specimens to Dulbecco's modified eagle medium (DMEM), Hank's buffered salt solution (HBSS), and simulated body fluid (SBF). The effects of rinsing the specimens after immersion were also determined. XPS investigations especially on the Mg 2p state showed that MgO, Mg(OH)2, and MgCO3 species were the dominant corrosion products presenting in all specimens despite of the different corrosion media. However, the ratio of corrosion products depends on the medium composition. It was also shown that rinsing specimens after immersion experiments is a necessary procedure when surface analysis is employed afterward.     

Waffle Production: Influence of Baking Plate Material on Sticking of Waffles

Background of this study was to understand the factors that contribute to sticking of fresh egg waffles on baking plates. The aim of this study was to investigate the sticking (adhesion) behavior of waffles on 4 different baking plate materials (ductile iron, grey iron, low alloyed steel, and steel with titanium nitrite coating) at different baking parameters (temperature and time) and application of 3 different release agents (different fat compositions). Baking plates from ductile and grey iron showed lower release properties of waffles than the 2 steel baking plates. Baking parameters had to be high enough to allow rapid product crust formation but prevent burning, which again increases sticking behavior. Release agents based on short‐chain fatty acids with higher degree of saturation provided better release behavior of waffles than those based on long‐chain fatty acids or on emulsifier‐acid combinations. Baking plates with increased hardness, good heat storage capacity, and smooth surface seemed to be best suitable. Further research on appropriate coating material might be promising for future.     

Identification of the Airborne Aggregation Pheromone of the Common Bed Bug, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cimex lectularius</Emphasis>

Adults and juveniles of the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), return to and aggregate in harborages after foraging for hosts. We tested the hypothesis that the aggregation is mediated, in part, by an airborne aggregation pheromone. Volatiles from experimental C. lectularius harborages were captured on Porapak Q, fractionated by liquid chromatography, and bioassayed in dual-choice, still-air olfactometer experiments. Of 14 compounds with >100 pg abundance in gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of two bioactive fractions, 10 compounds [nonanal, decanal, (E)-2-hexenal, (E)-2-octenal, (2E,4E)-octadienal, benzaldehyde, (+)- and (-)-limonene, sulcatone, benzyl alcohol] proved to be essential components of the C. lectularius airborne aggregation pheromone.     

Light‐Controlled Reversible Manipulation of Microgel Particle Size Using Azobenzene‐Containing Surfactant

The light‐induced reversible switching of the swelling of microgel particles triggered by photo‐isomerization and binding/unbinding of a photosensitive azobenzene‐containing surfactant is reported. The interactions between the microgel (N‐isopropylacrylamide, co‐monomer: allyl acetic acid, crosslinker: N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide) and the surfactant are studied by UV‐Vis spectroscopy, dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering measurements. Addition of the surfactant above a critical concentration leads to contraction/collapse of the microgel. UV light irradiation results in trans‐cis isomerization of the azobenzene unit incorporated into the surfactant tail and causes an unbinding of the more hydrophilic cis isomer from the microgel and its reversible swelling. The reversible contraction can be realized by blue light irradiation that transfers the surfactant back to the more hydrophobic trans conformation, in which it binds to the microgel. The phase diagram of the surfactant‐microgel interaction and transitions (aggregation, contraction, and precipitation) is constructed and allows prediction of changes in the system when the concentration of one or both components is varied. Remote and reversible switching between different states can be realized by either UV or visible light irradiation.     

Toxikologie der synthetischen Antioxidantien BHA und BHT im Vergleich mit dem natürlichen Antioxidans Vitamin E

The toxicology of the food preservatives butylhydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) as well as the naturally occurring vitamin E (α-tocopherol) is described. In high dosages all three compounds induce in animals impairment of blood clotting, which can be explained by an antagonism with vitamin K. Specific toxic effects to the lung have only been observed with BHT. The other described toxic effects of BHA and BHT are less characteristic and often occur only after high dosage and long-term treatment. However, BHA induces in animals tumours of the forestomach, which are dose dependent, whereas BHT induces liver tumours in long-term experiments. Because there is no indication of genotoxicity of BHA and BHT, all published findings agree with the fact that BHA and BHT are tumour promoters. In contrast to BHA and BHT, vitamin E is not carcinogenic. On the other hand, all three antioxidants have also anticarcinogenic properties. The intake of the necessary high doses as for these effects are, however, contraindicated with BHA and BHT because of their carcinogenic effects. The present overview concludes that the concentrations of BHA and BHT nowadays used in food, drugs and cosmetics are probably harmless. In addition, vitamin E can also be used in higher doses without the occurrence of adverse effects.