A fast method for the determination of the ethanol content in wine using widely available routine nuclear magnetic resonance techniques

The exact determination of alcohol content is one of the main routine wine analyses performed. Nowadays, various analytical methods exist, ranging from historically derived distillation techniques to modern methods such as infrared spectroscopy. Here, we report on a protocol based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. NMR spectroscopy has been applied for a long time to derive several detailed information about wine components via different NMR methods. Special care was taken in this case to the use of routine NMR techniques only, widely available at analytical departments and without specialized parameters. Besides alcohol content, information about other components of wine or toxic impurities may be obtained from these measurements.     

Energy efficiency in the residential sector: identification of promising policy instruments and private initiatives among selected European countries

Improving residential energy efficiency is widely recognised as one of the best strategies for reducing energy demand, combating climate change, and increasing security of energy supply. However, progress has been slow to date due to a number of market and behavioural barriers that have not been adequately addressed by energy efficiency policies and programmes. This study is based on updated findings of the European Futures for Energy Efficiency Project that responds to the EU Horizon 2020 Work Programme 2014–2015 theme ‘Secure, clean and efficient energy’. This article draws on five case studies from selected European countries—Finland, Italy, Hungary, Spain, and the UK—and evaluates recent energy efficiency developments in terms of indicators, private initiatives, and policy measures in the residential sector. Our analysis shows that the UK government has implemented a better range of policies, coupled with initiatives from the private sector, aimed at improving energy efficiency. However, its existing conditions appear to be more problematic than the other countries. On the other hand, the lack of effective and targeted policies in Finland resulted in increased energy consumption, while in Hungary, Spain and Italy some interesting initiatives, especially in terms of financial and fiscal incentives, have been found.     

Stability and antimicrobial efficiency of eugenol encapsulated in surfactant micelles as affected by temperature and pH

Growth inhibition of four strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (H1730, F4546, 932, and E0019) and Listeria monocytogenes (Scott A, 101, 108, and 310) by eugenol encapsulated in water soluble micellar nonionic surfactant solutions (Surfynol 485W) adjusted to pH 5, 6, and 7 and incubated at 10, 22, and 32 degrees C was determined. Concentrations of eugenol ranged from 0.2 to 0.9% at a surfactant concentration of 5%. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using a microbroth dilution assay. Eugenol encapsulated in surfactant micelles inhibited both microorganisms at pH 5, 6, and 7. At pH 5, some inhibition occurred in the absence of eugenol, i.e., by the surfactant itself (optical density at 24 h for L. monocytogenes = 0.07 and optical density at 24 h for E. coli O157:H7 = 0.09), but addition of >0.2% eugenol led to complete inhibition of both microorganisms. Inhibition of L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 decreased with increasing pH, that is, the minimum inhibitory concentration was 0.2, 0.5, and 0.5% of micellar encapsulated eugenol solutions at pH 5, 6, and 7, respectively. The encapsulated essential oil component in surfactant micelles was effective at all three temperatures tested (10, 22, and 32 degrees C), indicating that the activity of encapsulated eugenol was not affected by high or low (refrigeration) temperatures. Overall, strains of E. coli O157:H7 were more sensitive than strains of L. monocytogenes. Improved activity was attributed to increased solubility of eugenol in the aqueous phase due to the presence of surfactants and improved interactions of antimicrobials with microorganisms.     

Project to Develop an Interoperable Seafood Traceability Technology Architecture: Issues Brief

The Interoperable Seafood Traceability Technology Architecture Issues Brief reflects the growing need to establish a global, secure, interoperable support system for seafood traceability. Establishing effective traceability systems relies on the development of a cohesive and consistent approach to the delivery of information technology capabilities and functions. The ability of business to utilize traceability for commercial gain is heavily influenced by the supply chain in which they operate. The Issues Brief describes factors associated with enterprise‐level traceability systems that will impact the design of technology architecture suited to enabling whole chain interoperable traceability. The Brief details why a technology architecture is required, what it means for industry in terms of benefits and opportunities, and how the architecture will translate into practical results. The current situation of many heterogeneous proprietary systems prevents global interoperable traceability from occurring. Utilizing primary research and lessons learned from other industries, the Brief details how the present situation can be addressed. This will enable computerized information systems to communicate syntactically by sharing standardized packages of data. The subsequent stage, semantic interoperability, is achieved by establishing a common language (ontology). The report concludes with a series of recommendations that industry can act upon to design a technology architecture suited to enabling effective global interoperable traceability.     

Biofuel production potentials in Europe: Sustainable use of cultivated land and pastures. Part I: Land productivity potentials

IIASA's agro-ecological zones modelling framework has been extended for biofuel productivity assessments distinguishing five main groups of feedstocks covering a wide range of agronomic conditions and energy production pathways, namely: woody lignocellulosic plants, herbaceous lignocellulosic plants, oil crops, starch crops and sugar crops. A uniform Pan-European land resources database was compiled at the spatial resolution of 1 km². Suitability and productivity assessments were carried out by matching climate characteristics with plant requirements, calculating annual biomass increments or yields including consideration of soil and terrain characteristics of each grid-cell.Potential biomass productivity and associated energy yields were calculated for each grid-cell. Spatial distributions of suitabilities of biofuel feedstocks in Europe were generated for each individual feedstock as well as for the five biofuel feedstock groups. Estimated agronomical attainable yields, both in terms of biomass (kg ha^?1) as well as biofuel energy equivalent (GJ ha^?1), were mapped and tabulated by agriculture and pasture land cover classes as derived from the CORINE land cover database. Results have been further aggregated by administrative units at NUTS 2 level.     

Rapid detection of Cronobacter spp. with a method combining impedance technology and rRNA based lateral flow assay

Cronobacter spp. is an important release test parameter for powered infant formula (PIF). An impedance method is proposed for the rapid detection of this pathogen in PIF. An impedance based method (BacTrac 4300 Microbiological Analyzer) combined with a RNA hybridisation assay (RiboFlow?) was evaluated using 23 strains in PIF samples and compared to a culture based reference method (ISO/TS 22964). The influences of competitive flora, heat and dry stress on the reliability of the impedance method were investigated. Seven different Cronobacter species were included in the evaluation, among them are strains with high susceptibility to low pH and high temperatures. Compared to the reference method, a higher sensitivity (85%) and specificity (100%) was observed using the impedance method, combined with the commercial rRNA based lateral flow test kit as a confirmation tool. The detection time was substantially shortened by using the impedance technique and RiboFlow?. Cronobacter could be detected within maximally 29h, while the reference method takes up to five days when including confirmation of positive results.     

Victoria''''s Secret 用商品目录卖服装

Victoria's Secret是一家由女性经营,并专为女性服务的美国公司,为了要不断地站在时尚前端,每隔五六年,Victoria's Secret所有的店面都会进行改版,以追求让人愿意进来花钞票换一件比牛仔裤还要贵的内衣产品.     

Influence of pH and ethanol on malolactic fermentation and volatile aroma compound composition in white wines

The present study investigated the influences of pH and ethanol on malolactic fermentation (MLF) and the volatile aroma profile of the subsequent white wines from Riesling and Chardonnay inoculated with two different Oenococcus oeni strains. In all cases MLF was induced after completion of alcoholic fermentation (AF). Partial MLF occurred under low pH 3.2 and high alcohol (118.3 g/L) conditions. In the cases with complete MLF, the time required for each strain varied from 13 to 61 days and was dependent on bacterial culture, cultivar and wine parameter. Chemical properties of each wine were determined after AF, complete and partial MLF. The wines showed significant differences in total higher alcohols, esters and acids that are important for the sensory profile and quality of wine. This work demonstrated that the wine matrix as well as the pH and alcohol concentration affects MLF and the final volatile aroma profile. Results indicate that changes in volatile aroma composition are not necessarily related to complete MLF and that partial MLF already has distinct influences on the wine aroma profile of white wines.     

Dry heat stress stability evaluation of casein peptide mixture

During food processing, peptide-containing products often experience thermal stress, which can be voluntary heat treatments to prolong expiration date, or unwanted side-effects, e.g. local heating during powder compaction or milling. No information is currently available on the primary structure stability of peptides when heated in the dry state. Therefore, the short-term dry heat stress stability of casein hydrolysate was evaluated by exposure to temperatures of 100, 140 and 180 °C during 1, 3 and 5 min time intervals. Moreover, the impact of oxidising and reducing agents, as well as photolytic stability were assessed. Contrary to the general belief that peptides are heat-labile, based on degradation results in solution, all peptides remained stable up to 3 min at 180 °C. The influence of a reducing environment was found to be minimal, while the impact of an oxidising environment was significant. Our findings open perspectives for thermal peptide processing techniques.     

Studies on Rye Starch Properties and Modification. Part II: Swelling and Solubility Behaviour of Rye Starch Granules

Rye starch shows the typical inhibited swelling behaviour of triticeae starches with an onset of swelling at rather low temperature (50–55°C). Swollen rye starch granules exist as individuals even after swelling at 100°C. The total dispersion of rye starch needs temperatures above 120°C with pressure cooking. On heating of the rye starch suspension preferentially amylose is leached. Defatting of rye starch exhibits no influence on swelling power but results in higher solubility and in increased amylose leaching. The drying procedures applied here resulted in stronger assoziation of the polymer molecules in the starch granule leading to higher swelling temperatures and a reduced solubility. Shiftings of the crystalline/ amorphous-ratio of the starch granules as caused by different drying procedures, had no influence on the results of swelling power investigation but the highest swelling enthalpy as well as Brabender viscosity were exhibited by a sample dried at room temperature. It is proved to be possible to change the swelling behaviour of rye starch to “potato starch type” by slight chemical modification like succination.