Alternative Method for Determining O2 and CO2 Transmission Rates Through Microperforated Films for Modified Atmosphere Packs

Most experimental systems for measuring the permeability of microperforated polymeric films are static, mainly because in dynamic systems the small differences in pressure on both sides of the perforation may result in serious errors in the measurements. The O₂ and CO₂ transmission rate through microperforations of different sizes (from 40 × 30 to 350 × 110 µm) were determined in a static and in a dynamic system. In the latter case, rather than the diffusive flow, the hydrodynamic flow generated by the difference in pressure was measured (between 5 and 90 mbar). This was determined by applying Bernouilli's theorem and an experimental equation potentially relating the area of the microperforation with the transmission rate. A comparison of the transmission rates obtained in both cases gives coefficients of determination close to one (>0.993). This means that measuring the hydrodynamic flow can be considered as an alternative for the quantification of the diffusive flow through a microperforation. This is a simple and quick methodology that does not require expensive equipment. Furthermore, this feature enables commercial leak detection equipment to be used to quantify diffusive transmission rates through microperforations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A genome scan for quantitative trait loci affecting milk somatic cell score in Israeli and Italian Holstein cows by means of selective DNA pooling with single- and multiple-marker mapping

Mastitis is an important and common dairy cattle disease affecting milk yield, quality, and consumer safety as well as cheese yields and quality. Animal welfare and residues of the antibiotics used to treat mastitis cause public concern. Considerable genetic variation may allow selection for increased resistance to mastitis. Because of high genetic correlation to milk somatic cell score (SCS), SCS can serve as a surrogate trait for mastitis resistance. The present study intended to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting SCS in Israeli and Italian Holstein dairy cattle (IsH and ItH, respectively), using selective DNA pooling with single and multiple marker mapping. Milk samples of 4,788 daughters of 6 IsH and 7 ItH sires were used to construct sire-family high- and low-tail pools, which were genotyped at 123 (IsH) and 133 (ItH) microsatellite markers. Shadow correction was used to obtain pool allele frequency estimates. Frequency difference between the tails and empirical standard error of D, SE(D), were used to obtain P-values. All markers significant by single marker mapping were also significant by multiple marker mapping, but not vice versa. Combining both populations, 22 QTL on 21 chromosomes were identified; all corresponded to previous reports in the literature. Confidence intervals were set by chi-squared drop method. Heterozygosity of QTL was estimated at 44.2%. Allele substitution effects ranged from 1,782 to 4,930 cells/mL in estimated breeding value somatic cell count units. Most (80%) of the observed variation in estimated breeding value somatic cell score could be explained by the QTL identified under the stringent criteria. The results found here can be used as a basis for further genome-wide association studies for the same trait.     

Image Analysis Techniques for Automated Hazelnut Peeling Determination

According to FAO statistics, in 2000, Italy was the second largest hazelnut (Corylus avellana, L. 1753) producer in the world. The price of the stock depends on the nut quality (kernel/nut ratio, nut and seed defect, percentage of peeling, and taste panel scores). The evaluation of peeling efficiency after toasting is generally conducted by trained operators in sight on 100 kernels. This work tests two alternative objective methods of after toasting peeling evaluation based on image analysis. Eleven hazelnut cultivars were analyzed and results were compared with the ones assessed by trained operators. Images were analyzed with two statistical approaches: fixed values of RGB thresholding and trained K Nearest Neighbors (KNN). Root mean squared error (RMSE), estimating the comparison between operators and the two image analysis-based techniques, shows better results for KNN (6.6) with respect to fixed threshold (15.9).     

Influence of Drying Techniques on the Characteristics of Chitosan and the Quality of Biopolymer Films

In this work, spouted bed and tray-drying techniques were employed at different drying air temperatures to produce dried chitosan, and the chitosan powder was used to produce biofilms. The products obtained from each drying technique were compared in relation to quality aspects (molecular weight, lightness, and hue angle). The results found for chitosan in spouted bed drying (90°C) showed lower alteration and best quality aspects in relation to the chitosan powder. However, in tray drying under the best condition (60°C) the chitosan molecular weight increased about 50% in relation to the initial value and browning was observed. The biofilms produced from chitosan dried in the spouted bed showed the best mechanical properties (tensile strength of 42 MPa and elongation of 29%) and lower water vapor permeability (3.95 g mm m^?2 kPa^?1 day^?1).     

Electrodeposition of Co-Ni and Co-Ni-Cu systems in sulphate-citrate medium

Electrodeposition of Co-Ni and Co-Ni-Cu alloys was performed in a sulphate-citrate medium. Experimental electrodeposition parameters (pH, cobalt(II), nickel(II) and citrate concentrations) were varied in order to analyse their influence on the deposition. Anomalous Co-Ni codeposition occured in the citrate medium. High [Ni(II)]/[Co(II)] ratios (above 5) were suitable for the preparation of homogeneous magnetic Co-rich Co-Ni deposits of hexagonal close-packed (hcp) structure or face centred cubic (fcc) structure as a function of the deposition potential.The presence of very low copper(II) concentrations (<10⁻² mol dm⁻³) in the nickel-cobalt bath makes it possible to incorporate copper in the deposits in amounts ranging from 5 to 60% Cu, although uniform deposits are obtained only for low copper percentages. These ternary deposits are solid solutions with fcc structure and magnetic behaviour both dependent on the deposition potential.     

Reduced strength degradation of alumina–aluminium titanate composite subjected to low-velocity impact loading

The impact behaviour of monophase alumina and alumina–aluminium titanate monolithic composite ceramics that present flaw tolerant behaviour was studied. Low-velocity impact loading tests were performed on bending bars and the residual strength after the impact was evaluated by four-point bending tests. The impact tests were monitored using an instrumented drop-weight machine. During impact, the composites absorbed higher energy than the monophase material. The strength retention, in percentage, after the impact was significantly higher for the composite that presented damage tolerance for impact energy levels higher than monophase alumina. These results are discussed and fractographic analysis was used to identify the mechanisms responsible for the lower strength degradation of the composite.     

Monitoring a mixed starter of Hanseniaspora vineae-Saccharomyces cerevisiae in natural must: impact on 2-phenylethyl acetate production

The effect of simultaneous or sequential inoculation of Hanseniaspora vineae CECT 1471 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae T73 in non-sterile must on 2-phenylethyl acetate production has been examined. In both treatments tested, no significant differences in Saccharomyces yeast growth were found, whereas non-Saccharomyces yeast growth was significantly different during all days of fermentation. Independently of the type of inoculation, S. cerevisiae was the predominant species from day 3 till the end of the fermentation. The dynamics of indigenous and inoculated yeast populations showed H. vineae to be the predominant non-Saccharomyces species at the beginning of fermentation in sequentially inoculated wines, whereas the simultaneous inoculation of S. cerevisiae did not permit any non-Saccharomyces species to become predominant. Differences found in non-Saccharomyces yeast growth in both fermentations influenced the analytical profiles of final wines and specifically 2-phenylethyl acetate concentration which was two-fold increased in sequentially inoculated wines in comparison to those co-inoculated. In conclusion we have shown that H. vineae inoculated as part of a sequential mixed starter is able to compete with native yeasts present in non-sterile must and modify the wine aroma profile.