Squid gelatin hydrolysates with antihypertensive, anticancer and antioxidant activity

Gelatin obtained from giant squid (Dosidicus gigas) inner and outer tunics was hydrolyzed by seven commercial proteases (Protamex, Trypsin, Neutrase, Savinase, NS37005, Esperase and Alcalase) to produce bioactive hydrolysates. The Alcalase hydrolysate was the most potent angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (IC₅₀ = 0.34 mg/mL) while the Esperase hydrolysate showed the highest cytotoxic effect on cancer cells, with IC₅₀ values of 0.13 and 0.10 mg/mL for MCF-7 (human breast carcinoma) and U87 (glioma) cell lines, respectively. The radical scavenging capacity of gelatin increased approximately 3-fold for Protamex, Neutrase and NS37005 hydrolysates and between 7 and 10-fold for Trypsin, Savinase, Esperase and Alcalase hydrolysates. Trypsin, Savinase, Esperase and Alcalase hydrolysates had a metal chelating capacity above 80% whereas Protamex, Neutrase and NS37005 hydrolysates registered less than 25%. The antioxidant activity measured by FRAP (ferric ion reducing power) was largely unaffected by the enzyme used, increasing approximately 2-fold for all hydrolysates. The most active hydrolysates (Alcalase and Esperase) were comprised mostly of peptides with molecular weights ranging from 500 to 1400 Da, however, a clear relationship between bioactive properties and molecular weight distribution of all the hydrolysates was not fully established.     

Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of natural extracts: application in beef meatballs

The antioxidant and antibacterial effect of rosemary, orange and lemon extracts was investigated in cooked Swedish-style meatballs. Activity in a lard system was established for all the extracts and further determination of the development of rancidity as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances consistently showed that about 50% of the rancidity can be controlled by the citrus preparations. Two of the rosemary extracts (water soluble and oil soluble) were more effective with practically complete elimination of rancidity (TBA values) after a period of 12 days. Rosemary extract activity against lactic acid bacteria and Listeria but not Brochothrix thermosphacta was demonstrated in an agar diffusion test, but in the product only lactic acid bacteria counts were slightly reduced. Sensory analysis results, particularly aroma and acceptability scores, indicated the significant advantages in using rosemary and citrus extracts in rancidity-susceptible meat products.     

Quercetin properties as a functional ingredient in omega‐3 enriched fish gels fed to rats

Wistar rats were fed with surimi gels containing either sunflower oil, fish oil (ω3), and the same formulation additionally supplemented with 1.05 g kg⁻¹ quercetin (ω3‐Q). Antioxidant capacity was highest in gels with added quercetin when measured by the ferric‐reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) method, but not by the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical assay. Lipid stability was not enhanced by quercetin since commercial fish oil already contains stabilizers. Quercetin modified neither rheological properties nor water‐holding capacity of the gels; however, it produced a large increase in yellowness (b*). Serum lipid profile of rats was not significantly different. Total serum antioxidant capacity by FRAP was significantly increased only in the ω3‐Q group. Plasma malondialdehyde was similar in the ω3 and ω3‐Q groups, indicating no prooxidative effect of quercetin in vivo. These results suggest that quercetin might be used as a food ingredient in fish gel to improve some nutritional properties of the gel. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Comparison of calcium lactate with chlorine as a washing treatment for fresh‐cut lettuce and carrots: quality and nutritional parameters

The efficacies of calcium lactate and chlorine washing treatments of fresh‐cut lettuce and carrots were compared during storage at 4 °C over 10 days. The gas composition of packages, colour, enzyme activity, texture, sensory attributes, microflora and levels of ascorbic acid and carotenoids were evaluated at 1, 3, 7 and 10 days. Calcium lactate treatment was not significantly different to chlorine treatment (p < 0.05) in terms of maintaining colour, texture and acceptability of fresh‐cut lettuce and carrots during the entire storage period. The washing treatments did not affect levels of ascorbic acid of fresh‐cut lettuce or carrots. Carotenoid levels were higher in calcium lactate‐treated carrots than chlorine‐treated samples at the end of storage. Mesophilic, psychrotrophic and lactic acid bacteria counts were not significantly different between treatments for both vegetables. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Reduction of Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes with electrolyzed oxidizing water on inoculated hass avocados (Persea americana var. Hass)

This study was intended to evaluate the bactericidal effect of electrolyzed oxidizing water (EOW) and chlorinated water on populations of Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes inoculated on avocados (Persea americana var. Hass). In the first experiment, inoculated avocados were treated with a water wash applied by spraying tap water containing 1 mg/liter free chlorine for 15 s (WW); WW treatment and then spraying sodium hypochlorite in water containing 75 mg/liter free chlorine for 15 s (Cl75); WW treatment and then spraying alkaline EOW for 30 s (AkEW) and then spraying acid EOW (AcEW) for 15 s; and spraying AkEW and then AcEW. In another experiment, the inoculated avocados were treated by spraying AkEW and then AcEW for 15, 30, 60, or 90 s. All three pathogen populations were lowered between 3.6 and 3.8 log cycles after WW treatment. The application of Cl75 did not produce any further reduction in counts, whereas AkEW and then AcEW treatment resulted in significantly lower bacterial counts for L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 but not for Salmonella. Treatments with AkEW and then AcEW produced a significant decrease in L. monocytogenes, Salmonella, and E. coli O157:H7 populations, with estimated log reductions of 3.9 to 5.2, 5.1 to 5.9, and 4.2 to 4.9 log CFU/cm2, respectively. Spraying AcEW for more than 15 s did not produce any further decrease in counts of Salmonella or E. coli O157:H7, whereas L. monocytogenes counts were significantly lower after spraying AcEW for 60 s. Applying AkEW and then AcEW for 15 or 30 s seems to be an effective alternative to reduce bacterial pathogens on avocado surfaces.     

Shrimp processing assessed by low field nuclear magnetic resonance, near infrared spectroscopy, and physicochemical measurements--the effect of polyphosphate content and length of prebrining on shrimp muscle

The effect of using polyphosphates during prebrining and the effect of prebrining time of cold water shrimp (Pandalus borealis) was studied with low field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) transverse relaxation time measurements (benchtop and unilateral) and near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy with the aim of improving shrimp processing. Strong calibrations were obtained for moisture content and water-holding capacity (WHC) using the NIR technique. Multivariate analysis indicated significant correlations between benchtop NMR parameters and moisture content and WHC, as measured with physicochemical methods and NIR spectroscopy. Significant correlations were also observed between NMR parameters and muscle pH, protein content, and phosphate content. The study showed that LF-NMR contribute to improved understanding of the shrimp brining process and to improved process control on-line or at-line, especially in combination with NIR measurements. However, optimization of the unilateral device is necessary.     

Comparative effect of the addition of α-, β-, or γ-cyclodextrin on main sensory and physico-chemical parameters

Although α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrins (CDs) have been widely used to improve the color of different fruit juices, a comparative study of the effect of these natural CDs on other properties that also influence pear juice quality, such as odor and aroma, have not been reported yet. In this study, the comparative effect of the addition of α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrin, the only CDs authorized to be used in the food industry by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Union, on the pear juice quality was evaluated for the first time. Several instrumental and sensory properties of this fruit juice, such as color, volatile composition, odor, and aroma have been evaluated in the absence and presence of α-, β-, and γ-CD. A study of the aroma profile of pear juice showed that esters, aldehydes, alcohols, and terpenes were the most important chemical families. However, the addition of α-, β-, and γ-CD had different effects on both the concentration of individual volatile compounds and their chemical grouping. Furthermore, a trained sensory panel was used to evaluate color, overall odor, overall aroma, and overall quality of pear juice in the presence or absence of CDs. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: After comparing the effects of the addition of α-, β-, and γ-CD on pear juice, our final recommendation is to add α-CD (the natural CD formed by 6 units of glucose) to pear juice because it will significantly increase the global quality of the juice by reducing its browning but without producing a significant reduction in the aroma quality.     

Effect of cofermentation of grape varieties on aroma profiles of la mancha red wines

The effect of winemaking using blends of red grape varieties cultivated in La Mancha region (Spain) on the aroma profile of wines was researched by chemical characterization. Free and glycosidically bound aroma compounds were isolated by solid phase extraction using dichloromethane and ethyl acetate, respectively, as solvents in elution and then analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Free and bound volatile compounds were analyzed in Cencibel, Bobal, and Moravia Agria monovarietal wines, and in 3 wines obtained with the blending of grapes: Cencibel (50%) + Bobal (50%); Cencibel (50%) + Moravía Agria (50%); Cencibel (33%) + Bobal (33%) + Moravía Agria (33%). Aroma compounds were studied in terms of odor activity values (OAVs). Ninety free aroma compounds and sixty-five bound aroma compounds were identified and quantified. The odor activity values for the different compounds were classified into 7 odorant series. The fruity and sweet series contributed most strongly to the aroma profile of all wines, independently of the winemaking technique used. In general, co-winemaking wines present a more complex chemical profile than monovarietal wines. Practical Application: Some grape varieties could benefit from this process with the presence of other varieties that might have an excess of aroma compounds. In this study, the wines were elaborated by blending different grape varieties together; this process implies co-maceration and co-fermentation steps. The co-winemaking technique could benefit from additional molecules provided by the other varieties, which results in a more complex formation than in the case of monovarietal wines. This technique provides a viable alternative to traditional winemaking methods for improving and enhancing the sensory profile of elaborated wines.     

Technological characterization and survival of the exopolysaccharide-producing strain Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis 193 and its bile-resistant derivative 193+ in simulated gastric and intestinal juices

The capacity of lactic acid bacteria to produce exopolysaccharides (EPS) conferring microorganisms a ropy phenotype could be an interesting feature from a technological point of view. Progressive adaptation to bile salts might render some lactobacilli able to overcome physiological gut barriers but could also modify functional properties of the strain, including the production of EPS. In this work some technological properties and the survival ability in simulated gastrointestinal conditions of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis 193, and Lb. delbrueckii subsp. lactis 193+, a strain with stable bile-resistant phenotype derived thereof, were characterized in milk in order to know whether the acquisition of resistance to bile could modify some characteristics of the microorganism. Both strains were able to grow and acidify milk similarly; however the production of ethanol increased at the expense of the aroma compound acetaldehyde in milk fermented by the strain 193+, with respect to milk fermented by the strain 193. Both microorganisms produced a heteropolysaccharide composed of glucose and galactose, and were able to increase the viscosity of fermented milks. In spite of the higher production yield of EPS by the bile-resistant strain 193+, it displayed a lower ability to increase viscosity than Lb. delbrueckii subsp. lactis 193. Milk increased survival in simulated gastric juice; the presence of bile improved adhesion to the intestinal cell line HT29-MTX in both strains. However, the acquisition of a stable resistance phenotype did not improve survival in simulated gastric and intestinal conditions or the adhesion to the intestinal cell line HT29-MTX. Thus, Lb. delbrueckii subsp. lactis 193 presents suitable technological properties for the manufacture of fermented dairy products; the acquisition of a stable bile-resistant phenotype modified some properties of the microorganism. This suggests that the possible use of bile-resistant derivative strains should be carefully evaluated in each specific application considering the influence that the acquisition of a stable bile-resistant phenotype could have in survival ability in gastric and intestinal conditions and in technological properties.     

Phylogenetic distribution of fungal mycosporines within the Pucciniomycotina (Basidiomycota)

The synthesis of the UV Absorbing compounds named mycosporines (MYCs) has been detected in a few basidiomycetous yeast groups. Conspicuous accumulation of mycosporine-glutaminol-glucoside (MGG) in yeasts requires photo-induction and its photoprotective function has been postulated. The distribution of the ability to produce MYCs appeared to be related to the yeast taxonomic affiliation. In view of the potential significance of MYCs in yeast taxonomy, we here studied the distribution of this trait among dimorphic basidiomycetes of the Pucciniomycotina. Of the 94 fungal species (377 strains and 33 genera) tested, almost half were MYC-positive and MGG was the main compound produced. MGG synthesis was observed for representatives of five of seven Pucciniomycotina classes, indicating that this trait is widely distributed in this group. MGG detection proved useful for the differentiation of species of the polyphyletic genera, such as Rhodotorula and Sporobolomyces, that are phylogenetically separated. MGG quantification and UV tolerance studies in Cystobasidiomycetes supported the idea that the habitat of origin of each strains is important in the level of MGG synthesis and that MYCs have a photoprotective function in yeasts. The taxonomic value of this trait in fungal systematics is discussed.