Effects of radiation process on total protein and amino acids composition of raw and processed pearl millet flour during storage

The present work describes radiation‐induced effects during storage on total protein and amino acids composition of raw and processed flour of two pearl millet cultivars (Ashana and Dembi). The protein content of the whole raw flour was 14.46% and 13.38% for Ashana and Dembi cultivars, respectively. Dehulling of the grains reduced the protein content to 13.38% and 12.67% for the cultivars, respectively. Storage of the radiated whole and dehulled flour for 60 days slightly reduced the protein content even after cooking. The effect of radiation process in combination with the treatments applied to the grains and/or flour on amino acids contents was found to be varying between the cultivars. Most of the amino acids were stable against all treatments except leucine, glutamic acid and phenylalanine. Regardless of the storage period and processing method, amino acid contents of Ashana cultivar were increased after radiation process compared to that of Dembi cultivar.     

Effects of extended dry storage of powdered infant milk formula on susceptibility of Enterobacter sakazakii to hot water and ionizing radiation

Infant milk formula has been identified as a potential source of Enterobacter sakazakii, which has been implicated in neonatal meningitis and necrotizing enterocolitis. This study was undertaken to determine whether the length of E. sakazakii storage in powdered infant milk formula (PIMF) affected the ability of the pathogen to survive subsequent reconstitution of the powder with hot water or treatment with gamma radiation. Five E. sakazakii strains were mixed individually with PIMF and kept for up to 12 months at 25 degrees C. After storage PIMF was reconstituted with water at 60 to 100 degrees C or was exposed to < or = 5 kGy of gamma radiation. Without any treatment secondary to drying, E. sakazakii counts decreased < 1 log/g after 1 month but decreased about 4 log/g during storage for 8 to 12 months. Dry storage decreased thermal resistance but increased resistance of E. sakazakii to ionizing radiation in PIMF. Reconstitution of contaminated powder with water at 70 degrees C after 1 month of dry storage reduced E. sakazakii viability slightly, > 2 log/g, and after powder was stored for 12 months all E. sakazakii strains were eliminated. In contrast, desiccation substantially increased the resistance of E. sakazakii strains to ionizing radiation. Although the D-value for E. sakazakii IMF1 following overnight storage in PIMF was 0.98 kGy, > 4 kGy was required to kill 1.5 log/g of the same strain that had survived 12 months in dry PIMF. Results suggested that low-dose irradiation will more effectively eliminate E. sakazakii from PIMF if the treatment is applied shortly after PIMF manufacture.     

Emergence of Antibiotic Resistance in Listeria monocytogenes Isolated from Food Products: A Comprehensive Review

Listeria monocytogenes is an opportunistic pathogen that has been involved in several deadly illness outbreaks. Future outbreaks may be more difficult to manage because of the emergence of antibiotic resistance among L. monocytogenes strains isolated from food products. The present review summarizes the available evidence on the emergence of antibiotic resistance among L. monocytogenes strains isolated from food products and the possible ways this resistance has developed. Furthermore, the resistance of food L. monocytogenes isolates to antibiotics currently used in the treatment of human listeriosis such as penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline, and gentamicin, has been documented. Acquisition of movable genetic elements is considered the major mechanism of antibiotic resistance development in L. monocytogenes. Efflux pumps have also been linked with resistance of L. monocytogenes to some antibiotics including fluoroquinolones. Some L. monocytogenes strains isolated from food products are intrinsically resistant to several antibiotics. However, factors in food processing chains and environments (from farm to table) including extensive or sub‐inhibitory antibiotics use, horizontal gene transfer, exposure to environmental stresses, biofilm formation, and presence of persister cells play crucial roles in the development of antibiotic resistance by L. monocytogenes.     

Intrinsic reactivity of carbons to oxygen

The analysis of carbon oxidation data presented in a previous Fuel paper is shown to contain an error, as a result of which the intrinsic reactivity of carbon to oxygen is under-estimated by a factor of between one and four.     

Physicochemical and sensory characteristics of no‐bake wheat–soy snack bars

BACKGROUND: Health and wellness is a trend observed throughout ready‐to‐eat cereals, cereal health bars. Therefore, the main objectives of this research were to produce a low cost, acceptable, nutritious and healthy wheat‐ and soy‐based bar under no‐bake conditions. Also, the physical, chemical, microbial, acceptability and the nutritional value of this product were studied. Six different bars were produced: a wheat bar (WB), a wheat bar with coating (WBC), a wheat and soy bar with coating (WSBC), a soy bar with coating (SBC), a wheat bar with 3% glycerin (WB3%), and a wheat bar with 6% glycerine (WB6%). RESULTS: WB and WBC had the highest water activities while WSBC had the lowest. The three bars with coating had higher L and lower b values, which indicates that they were lighter and not as highly yellow coloured as the wheat samples. WSBC had the lowest value for hardness while the SBC and WBC had the highest. SBC received the highest scores for overall acceptability, appearance, sweetness, flavour and texture while WSBC received the second highest score in all categories. CONCLUSION: It appears that consumers prefer the soy varieties to the wheat bars. These types of bars can aid in feeding the general population, which is becoming increasingly concerned with nutrition and convenience. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Assessment of quality of fruits using impedance spectroscopy

This study deals with the development of a nondestructive impedance spectroscopic technique that may assess the conditions of the fruits to pluck them with the help of robotic arms. Preliminary investigations are made with the help of two‐terminal probe and an accurate LCR meter. The bulk impedance of mango has been measured to characterise raw and ripe fruits. Effective resistance and effective capacitance vs. frequency characteristics have been determined. The bulk effective resistances, of the ripe fruits, are found to be more than those of the raw fruits, in the frequency range of 1–6 kHz. In the same frequency range, effective capacitances of the raw fruits are found more than those of the ripe fruits. In the light of the data obtained, it can be said that the effective resistance may be used to differentiate between raw and ripe fruits in the frequency range of 1–6 kHz.     

Exploiting the Plackett–Burman design to examine the formulation effect on curing characteristics of oil palm ash-filled acrylonitrile butadiene rubber compounds

The present paper is focused on exploiting Plackett–Burman design to examine the formulation effect of various chemical components content on the curing characteristics of oil palm ash (OPA)-filled acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) compound. The filled-NBR compound was prepared by conventional laboratory-sized two roll mill and cured using sulfuric system. Six independent variables such as content of zinc oxide, stearic acid, N-isopropyl-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazole sulfenamide (CBS), sulfur, and even OPA filler were carried out to screen their significant effect on the curing characteristics of NBR compound. The scorch time, optimal cure time, minimum torque, and maximum torque were selected as a response. Results showed that the scorch time and the optimal cure time were significantly affected by CBS, whereas the minimum torque and maximum torque were significantly affected by OPA and sulfur, respectively, within the studied range. Among the chemical components under study, zinc oxide and stearic acid had the least effect on the curing properties of NBR compound. Analysis of variances for all factorial models demonstrated that the model was significant with P value <0.05 while the regularity (R ²) of all models was greater than 0.9. Lastly, the optimal chemical concentrations were predicted to acquire the optimal condition of the curing system for filled-NBR compound.     

Opioids and Sepsis: Elucidating the Role of the Microbiome and microRNA-146

Sepsis has recently been defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by the dysregulated host response to an ongoing or suspected infection. To date, sepsis continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality amongst hospitalized patients. Many risk factors contribute to development of sepsis, including pain-relieving drugs like opioids, which are frequently prescribed post-operatively. In light of the opioid crisis, understanding the interactions between opioid use and the development of sepsis has become extremely relevant, as opioid use is associated with increased risk of infection. Given that the intestinal tract is a major site of origin of sepsis-causing microbes, there has been an increasing focus on how alterations in the gut microbiome may predispose towards sepsis and mediate immune dysregulation. MicroRNAs, in particular, have emerged as key modulators of the inflammatory response during sepsis by tempering the immune response, thereby mediating the interaction between host and microbiome. In this review, we elucidate contributing roles of microRNA 146 in modulating sepsis pathogenesis and end with a discussion of therapeutic targeting of the gut microbiome in controlling immune dysregulation in sepsis.     

Modification of Silica Nanoparticles with Cysteine or Methionine Amino Acids for the Removal of Uranium (VI) from Aqueous Solution

Silicon - Silica nanoparticles (SiO2-NPs), modified silica nanoparticles with cysteine (SiO2-Cys) or methionine (SiO2-Meth) were used for sorption of uranium (VI) ion from aqueous solution. Silica...