The analysis of raw spirits – a review of methodology

Agricultural distillates (raw spirits) are alcoholic liquids obtained through distillation (preceded by alcoholic fermentation) of specific agricultural products that do not have the properties of ethyl alcohol or a spirit, but still retain the aroma and taste of the raw ingredients used. This review is a brief overview of agricultural distillates and of some methods commonly used (GC‐MS, GC‐FID, GC‐O, electronic nose) for performing quality assessments and for determining the composition and botanical origins of the raw spirits. Copyright © 2016 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Rheological and sensory properties of stirred yoghurt with inulin‐type fructans

This study concerns physicochemical and sensory analysis of stirred yoghurts, in which skim milk powder was partly replaced by different inulins. The composition of basic solutions contained 12% skim milk powder and 4% inulin, while reference yoghurts contained 16% SMP or whole milk powder. Rheological and sensory analysis showed that one‐quarter of milk powder could be substituted by long‐chain inulin in low‐fat stirred yoghurt. Short‐chain inulin and oligofructose can potentially be applied in the production of drinking yoghurt. Sensory evaluation showed that milk fat cannot be successfully substituted by inulin.     

The effects of ultrasonication,fermentation with Lactobacillus sp., and dehydration on the chemical composition and microbial contamination of bovine colostrum

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of ultrasonication, fermentation with Lactobacillus plantarum LUHS135 and Lactobacillus paracasei LUHS244, and different methods of dehydration on the chemical composition of bovine colostrum (BC), including the fatty acid and free amino acid profile and the content of micro- and macroelements. In addition, we analyzed the changes in lactic acid bacteria count, microbial contamination (aerobic mesophilic spore-forming bacteria, enterobacteria including Escherichia coli, and fungi/yeasts), the abundance of biogenic amines, and the concentration of nucleotide monophosphates. Significant effects of different treatments on the free amino acid profile were established, and an increase of lysine concentration by 1.2 to 95.9% was observed in treated BC. All of the treatments reduced the concentration of cadaverine, histamine, and tyramine in BC. The concentrations of macro- and microelements in BC followed the following order Ca > Na > K > Mg and Zn > Fe > Sr > Ba > Mn > Cu > Al > Se > Mo > Cr > Ni > Sn > Co > Pb > Cd. By combining the fermentation with Lactobacillus plantarum strain LUHS135 and vacuum drying, it was possible to increase the abundance of nucleotide monophosphates by more than 100%. All of the treatments reduced the microbial contamination of BC. Thus, the combination of ultrasonication, fermentation, and dehydration can be used for improving the properties and safety of BC.     

Serotonergic–Muscarinic Interaction within the Prefrontal Cortex as a Novel Target to Reverse Schizophrenia-Related Cognitive Symptoms

Recent studies revealed that the activation of serotonergic 5-HT_1A and muscarinic M₁, M₄, or M₅ receptors prevent MK-801-induced cognitive impairments in animal models. In the present study, the effectiveness of the simultaneous activation of 5-HT_1A and muscarinic receptors at preventing MK-801-induced cognitive deficits in novel object recognition (NOR) or Y-maze tests was investigated. Activators of 5-HT_1A ({"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"F15599","term_id":"1130739","term_text":"F15599"}}F15599), M₁ (VU0357017), M₄ (VU0152100), or M₅ (VU0238429) receptors administered at top doses for seven days reversed MK-801-induced deficits in the NOR test, similar to the simultaneous administration of subeffective doses of {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"F15599","term_id":"1130739","term_text":"F15599"}}F15599 (0.05 mg/kg) with VU0357017 (0.15 mg/kg), VU0152100 (0.05 mg/kg), or VU0238429 (1 mg/kg). The compounds did not prevent the MK-801-induced impairment when administered acutely. Their activity was less evident in the Y-maze. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed high brain penetration of {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"F15599","term_id":"1130739","term_text":"F15599"}}F15599 (brain/plasma ratio 620%), which was detected in the frontal cortex (FC) up to 2 h after administration. Decreases in the brain penetration properties of the compounds were observed after acute administration of the combinations, which might have influenced behavioral responses. This negative effect on brain penetration was not observed when the compounds were administered repeatedly. Based on our results, prolonged administration of a 5-HT_1A activator with muscarinic receptor ligands may be effective at reversing cognitive decline related to schizophrenia, and the FC may play a critical role in this interaction.     

Cytotoxicity Study of UV-Laser-Irradiated PLLA Surfaces Subjected to Bio-Ceramisation: A New Way towards Implant Surface Modification

In this research we subjected samples of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) extruded film to ultraviolet (193 nm ArF excimer laser) radiation below the ablation threshold. The modified film was immersed in Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) at 37 °C for 1 day or 7 days to obtain a layer of apatite ceramic (CaP) coating on the modified PLLA surface. The samples were characterized by means of optical profilometry, which indicated an increase in average roughness (Ra) from 25 nm for the unmodified PLLA to over 580 nm for irradiated PLLA incubated in SBF for 1 day. At the same time, the water contact angle decreased from 78° for neat PLLA to 35° for irradiated PLLA incubated in SBF, which suggests its higher hydrophilicity. The obtained materials were investigated by means of cell response fibroblasts (3T3) and macrophage-like cells (RAW 264.7). Properties of the obtained composites were compared to the unmodified PLLA film as well as to the UV-laser irradiated PLLA. The activation of the PLLA surface by laser irradiation led to a distinct increase in cytotoxicity, while the treatment with SBF and the deposition of apatite ceramic had only a limited preventive effect on this harmful impact and depended on the cell type. Fibroblasts were found to have good tolerance for the irradiated and ceramic-covered PLLA, but macrophages seem to interact with the substrate leading to the release of cytotoxic products.     

Profiling and Qualitative Assessment of Enzymatically and Thermally Oxidized Egg Yolk Phospholipids using a Two-Step High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Protocol

A two-step high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the profiling and qualitative assessment of oxidized phospholipids (oxPL) present in foods was developed. The applicability of the investigated two-step HPLC protocol was verified for separation of enzymatically and thermally oxidized hen egg yolk phospholipids (PL) as a relevant food model. In the first step, seven individual PL classes were separated using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC). The collected fractions of two main egg yolk PL classes—phosphatidylethanolamines and phosphatidylcholines—were further directed to the second step of separation aimed at profiling and qualitative assessment of their oxidized species. For this purpose, the reverse phase (RP) chromatography coupled to charged aerosol, ultraviolet detection (UV) and mass spectrometry detection were employed. A database of potential oxPL including primary (hydroperoxides) and long-chain secondary PL oxidation products (epoxides, alcohols, and ketones) as well as some of their possible combinations was created. Additionally, the results were compared with the profiles of PL hydroperoxides obtained using thin layer chromatography (TLC) with N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine visualization.     

Occurrence of p-nonylphenol isomers in wild species of Cichorium endivia subsp. divaricatum

p-Nonylphenol isomers and other aromatic compounds were found in roots and stalks of the plant Cichorium endivia subsp. divaricatum These compounds were characterized by high-resolution capillary GC-MS.