Anthocyanin pattern of Tempranillo wines during ageing in oak barrels and storage in stainless-steel tanks

The anthocyanin fingerprint of Tempranillo wines made with grapes from two different vineyards of Rioja Alta has been studied by high-performance liquid chroatography during their ageing in oak barrels and their storage in stainless-steel tanks. The data were submitted to multifactorial analysis of variance, taking into account several factors: vineyard, age of wines, type of wine (free run wine and a coupage of free run wine and press wine), and type of container (oak barrels or stainless-steel tanks). The results indicate that both the length of ageing or storage and the vineyard where the grapes were grown affect the anthocyanin fingerprint of wines. The effect of the other two factors (type of wine and type of container) on the anthocyanin fingerprint of wines was quite low, despite the differences observed in several spectrophotometric parameters related to colour and phenolics.     

Aluminium,nickel, cadmium and lead in candy products and assessment of daily intake by children in Spain

Aluminium (Al), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) levels in a total of 263 samples of 12 types of candies widely consumed in Spain, were evaluated. Samples were analysed using an ICP-MS method after acidic sample mineralization. Concentration ranges of Al, Ni, Cd and Pb were 21.28–62.91 µg g^?1, 0.40–1.27 µg g^?1, 0.12–1.01 µg g^?1 and 1.03–7.14 µg g^?1, respectifgvely. Statistically significant positive correlations were calculated between concentrations of Ni–Al and Pb–Cd (p-values < 0.05). Taking into consideration the relatively high metal content, together with the high caloric density of these products, as well as high content of particular nutrients such as sugars that can induce development of certain pathologies like obesity and caries, indicate that frequent consumption of candy products is not recommended.     

Genotypic diversity of stress response in Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paraplantarum and Lactobacillus pentosus

Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus pentosus and Lactobacillus paraplantarum are three closely related species which are widespread in food and non-food environments, and are important as starter bacteria or probiotics. In order to evaluate the phenotypic diversity of stress tolerance in the L. plantarum group and the ability to mount an adaptive heat shock response, the survival of exponential and stationary phase and of heat adapted exponential phase cells of six L. plantarum subsp. plantarum, one L. plantarum subsp. argentoratensis, one L. pentosus and two L. paraplantarum strains selected in a previous work upon exposure to oxidative, heat, detergent, starvation and acid stresses was compared to that of the L. plantarum WCFS1 strain. Furthermore, to evaluate the genotypic diversity in stress response genes, ten genes (encoding for chaperones DnaK, GroES and GroEL, regulators CtsR, HrcA and CcpA, ATPases/proteases ClpL, ClpP, ClpX and protease FtsH) were amplified using primers derived from the WCFS1 genome sequence and submitted to restriction with one or two endonucleases. The results were compared by univariate and multivariate statistical methods. In addition, the amplicons for hrcA and ctsR were sequenced and compared by multiple sequence alignment and polymorphism analysis. Although there was evidence of a generalized stress response in the stationary phase, with increase of oxidative, heat, and, to a lesser extent, starvation stress tolerance, and for adaptive heat stress response, with increased tolerance to heat, acid and detergent, different growth phases and adaptation patterns were found. Principal component analysis showed that while heat, acid and detergent stresses respond similarly to growth phase and adaptation, tolerance to oxidative and starvation stresses implies completely unrelated mechanisms. A dendrogram obtained using the data from multilocus restriction typing (MLRT) of stress response genes clearly separated two groups of L. plantarum strains from the other species but there was no correlation between genotypic grouping and grouping obtained on the basis of the stress response pattern, nor with the phylograms obtained from hrcA and ctsR sequences. Differences in sequence in L. plantarum strains were mostly due to single nucleotide polymorphisms with a high frequency of synonymous nucleotide changes and, while hrcA was characterized by an excess of low frequency polymorphism, very low diversity was found in ctsR sequences. Sequence alignment of hrcA allowed a correct discrimination of the strains at the species level, thus confirming the relevance of stress response genes for taxonomy.     

PTR-TOF-MS monitoring of in vitro and in vivo flavour release in cereal bars with varying sugar composition

In the present study, PTR-TOF-MS was applied to better understand the influence of sugar composition on flavour release in a strawberry flavoured cereal bar system. To achieve this, measurements were made both statically from the headspace above cereal bar samples (in vitro) and dynamically from flavour release in the nose space during consumption (in vivo). An artificial strawberry flavour of known constituents (17 flavour active volatile compounds) was used in the preparation of cereal bars. For in vitro measurements, eight samples varying in the glucose syrup solids 42DE to polydextrose ratio were assessed. Measurements clearly showed that the level of glucose syrup solids substitution by polydextrose influenced the release of the added flavour compounds. In addition, distinguishable differences were detected for the release of volatile compounds between samples with different levels of glucose syrup solids and polydextrose during in vivo measurements. The improved mass resolution, sensitivity and speed of PTR-TOF-MS enabled direct comparisons between the rate compounds reached the nose space, maximum nose space concentration of compounds, and the time after which compounds were no longer detected in the nose-space.     

RP-HPLC peptide profiling of cheese extracts: A study of sources of variation, repeatability and reproducibility

Peptide profiling of cheese extracts by RP-HPLC is widely used to study cheese quality and authenticity. Repeatability, reproducibility and the contribution of differences in sample/treatment, extraction, and the effect of the chromatographic run was studied. Chromatograms (108) of pH 4.6-soluble extracts from 180 d Cheddar cheeses were used to evaluate the precision of the method and to quantify the effect of treatment and replicate cheese trial. Repeatability and reproducibility coefficient of variations of peaks/RT classes varied widely and no clear correlation was found between peak size and reproducibility. ANOVA of Principal Component Scores identified significant differences amongst cheeses and a trial effect. Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis identified variables related to cheese treatment. Statistical process control methods were used to study the variability of replicate injections over the life of a single column showing the discriminatory power of RP-HPLC and giving possibilities to improve both process control and process optimisation.     

In Vitro and In Vivo Flavor Release from Intact and Fresh‐Cut Apple in Relation with Genetic,Textural, and Physicochemical Parameters

Abstract: Flavor release from 6 commercial apple cultivars (Fuji, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Morgen Dallago, and Red Delicious) under static conditions (intact or fresh‐cut samples) and during consumption of fresh‐cut samples (nosespace) was determined by proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry. Textural (firmness, fracturability, flesh elasticity, and rupture) and physicochemical (pH, acidity, and water content) properties of the apples were also measured. Static headspace analysis of intact fruits revealed Fuji and Granny Smith apples had the lowest concentration for all measured flavor compounds (esters, aldehydes, alcohols, and terpenes), whereas Red Delicious apples had the highest. Fresh‐cut samples generally showed a significant increase in total volatile compounds with acetaldehyde being most abundant. However, compared to intact fruits, cut Golden and Red Delicious apples had a lower intensity for ester related peaks. Five parameters were extracted from the nosespace data of peaks related to esters (m/z 43, 61), acetaldehyde (m/z 45), and ethanol (m/z 47): 2 associated with mastication (duration of mastication–t_con; time required for first swallowing event–t_swal), and 3 related with in‐nose volatile compound concentration (area under the curve–AUC; maximum intensity–I_max; time for achieving I_max–t_max). Three different behaviors were identified in the nosespace data: a) firm samples with low AUC and t_swal values (Granny Smith, Fuji), b) mealy samples with high AUC, I_max, t_swal values, and low t_con (Morgen Dallago, Golden Delicious), and c) firm samples with high AUC and I_max values (Red Delicious). Strengths and limitations of the methodology are discussed. Practical Application: Volatile compounds play a fundamental role in the perceived quality of food. Using apple cultivars, this research showed that in vivo proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR‐MS) could be used to determine the relationship between the release of volatile flavor compounds and the physicochemical parameters of a real food matrix. This finding suggests that in vivo PTR‐MS coupled with traditional physicochemical measurements could be used to yield information on flavor release from a wide range of food matrices and help in the development of strategies to enhance food flavor and quality.     

Dynamic Voltage Restorer with Active Disturbance Rejection Control

Power quality is one of the major concerns among consumers and electric utility companies. CUPS （custom power systems） devices are used to improve the quality of power and enhance the reliability of the power supply in the distribution networks. The DVR （dynamic voltage restorer） is an important CUPS device used to mitigate voltage sag/swell and imbalances. Various control techniques have been implemented to control the DVR, among which the PID （proportional-integral-derivative） controller is dominant because of its model independent property and its error driven technique. In this paper, a new controller based on the ADRC （active disturbance rejection control） concept is developed, and its performance is compared to that of the PID controller. The model of the DVR and its ADRC and PID controllers were developed under the MATLAB （matrix laboratory）/Simulink environment. The simulation results demonstrated the effectiveness of the ADRC over the PID controller.     

The development of a natural gas transportation logistics management system

Efficient management of the natural gas business chain – based on pipeline transmission networks and taking into consideration the interaction among the main players (e.g., shippers, suppliers, transmission companies and local distribution companies) – requires the use of decision-making support systems. These support systems maximise resources and mitigate contingencies due to gas supply shortfalls, operational contingencies from scheduled and non-scheduled equipment outages and market demand shortfalls. This study presents a practical use for technologies, such as a thermohydraulic simulation of gas flow through pipelines, a Monte Carlo simulation for compressor station availability studies, an economic risk evaluation related to potential revenue losses and contractual penalties and linear programming for the maximisation of income and the minimisation of contractual penalties. The proposed system allows the optimum availability level to be defined and maintained by the Transporter (by installing reserve capacity) to mitigate losses related to revenue and contractual penalties. It also economically identifies, quantifies and justifies the installation of stand-by compressor units that can mitigate the Transporter’s exposure to losses caused by capacity shortfalls as a consequence of scheduled and non-scheduled outages.     

Myosin heavy chain fibre types and fibre sizes in nuliparous and primiparous ovariectomized Iberian sows: Interaction with two alternative rearing systems during the fattening period

To investigate the effects of the reproductive background (nuliparous/primiparous) on skeletal muscle phenotype and their interaction with two alternative finishing systems (indoors/outdoors) in Iberian sows, 32 contemporary piglets were assigned to four different groups: indoors-nuliparous, indoors-primiparous, outdoors-nuliparous and outdoors-primiparous. Nuliparous sows were ovariectomized at 4 months of age, whereas primiparous were castrated at 14 months of age, after their first lactation. Indoors sows were fattened (2 months prior to slaughter) intensively, whereas outdoors sows were finished in an extensive land with natural resources. Muscle samples (semimembranosus, gluteobiceps) were analyzed for myosin fibre types and fibre sizes. Sows finished out-of-doors had more type I and IIA fibres and smaller fibres than indoor-fattened pigs. Primiparous reared indoors had a significantly lower IIX:IIB fibre ratio and showed a clear tendency for having larger fibres than nuliparous reared indoors. Reproductive background effect interacted with rearing condition effect inducing relevant muscular adaptations. Thus, the influence of reproductive background on muscle characteristics was not significant in sows reared out-of-doors but highly significant in sows finished intensively. This interaction resulted in muscular traits less favourable for meat quality in primiparous vs. nuliparous reared indoors.     

Hyaluronan-coated poly(propylene imine) dendrimers as biomimetic nanocarriers of doxorubicin

A coating technology based on low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HA) and ferulic acid (FA) was applied to the coating of low generation poly(propylene imine) dendrimers through a biocompatible hexa(ethylene glycol) spacer. The ensuing HA-FA-HEG-PPID dendrimeric materials showed interesting loading capability (between 7.65% and 9.08%) regarding anticancer agent doxorubicin, and their interactions with the drug appeared to hamper the drug release in the physiological environment. Thus, the stable nanostructured loaded delivery systems were able to internalize into cells expressing the HA receptor CD44 and to demonstrate high cytotoxicity comparable to that shown by equivalent amounts of free doxorubicin. Thus, HA-FA-HEG-PPID dendrimeric materials were proposed as biocompatible drug carriers capable of transporting anticancer doxorubicin to tumor cells.