Taioba (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) Leaves: Nutrient Composition and Physiological Effects on Healthy Rats

Several studies have shown that fruits and vegetables contribute to protect against degenerative pathologies such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer, mainly due to the presence of dietary fiber (DF) and polyphenols. Taioba (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) is an edible aroid widely grown in many parts of Africa, America, and Asia. The tubers portions of taioba are widely consumed; however, the leafy portions are generally discarded, despite their high nutritive value. In this study, we have partly characterized the DF of lyophiized taioba leaf (LTL), and assessed the possible protective effects on biochemical parameters and on bile acid (BA) production in colon and cecum, when fed to healthy rats for 4 wk. Forty‐five Wistar rats were assigned to either of 5 groups: group 1 received AIN 93G diet (CG: Control); group 2 received AIN 93G containing 2.5% of cellulose + 2.5% inulin (CEIN_5%); group 3 received AIN 93G containing 2.5% of cellulose + 2.5% taioba fiber (CETA_5%); group 4 received AIN 93G containing 5% cellulose + 2.5% taioba fiber (CETA_7.5%); group 5 received AIN 93G containing 5% cellulose + 2.5% of inulin (CEIN_7.5%). LTL showed high contents of total fiber, predominantly comprising insoluble DF with glucose as the major monomer. Rats receiving LTL had increased fecal mass and fat excretion, and improved BA profiles by diminishing the proportion of secondary acids, thus suggesting that consumption of taioba leaf may have the property of lowering the risk of colon cancer.     

Hybrid RSOA and fibre Raman amplified long reach feeder link for WiMAX-on-fibre

A distributed fibre Raman amplified long reach optical access feeder link using a reflective semiconductor optical amplifier in the remote base station is experimentally demonstrated for supporting WiMAX-over-fibre transmission. The measured values for the error vector magnitude for quadrature phase shift keying and 16-ary quadrature amplitude modulation after 40 km of fibre transmission meet the IEEE 820.16 standard requirements.     

Synthesis and structural characteristics of highly graphitized carbon nanofibers produced from the catalytic decomposition of ethylene: Influence of the active metal (Co, Ni, Fe) and the zeolite type support

In order to study the influence of the metal phase in the carbon yield and structural characteristics of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) synthesized by CVD over supported catalysts, different catalysts were prepared using iron, cobalt and nickel as active metal and zeolites Y and mordenite as support. The results showed that the metal precursor produced a great influence on the catalytic activity, fact that could be explained in according to the different solubility of carbon in the metals or in the differences in the diffusion and segregation of carbon through the metal particles. Characterization data of the solid carbon products revealed unique structures and textural properties as well as crystalline conditions on function of metal used. Additionally, support-metal interaction was evaluated, where experiments with similar nickel load over Y and mordenite zeolites were carried out, finding higher carbon yields and more ordered structures when Y zeolite was used.     

Effect of the long-term intake of an egg white hydrolysate on the oxidative status and blood lipid profile of spontaneously hypertensive rats

This paper examines the effects of the long-term consumption of egg white hydrolysed with pepsin (hEW) on the antioxidant status and lipid profile of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The antioxidant capacity was measured by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and the oxidative status by the malon-dialdehyde (MDA) assay. The lipid profile was analysed spectrophotometrically. The radical-scavenging capacity of the plasma was increased and the MDA concentration in the aorta was decreased in the SHR treated with 0.5 g/kg/day of hEW. Our findings indicate that hEW played an important role in antioxidative defence of SHR and exerted a beneficial effect on the lipid profile, lowering triglycerides and total cholesterol without changing HDL levels. Therefore, hEW may be useful to prevent or reverse abnormalities associated with the metabolic syndrome and its complications, such as hypertension, oxidative stress and hyperlipidemia.     

Redox‐Active Catalyst Based on Poly(Anilinesulfonic Acid)‐ Supported Gold Nanoparticles for Aerobic Alcohol Oxidation in Water

The hybrid consisting of gold nanoparticles and poly(2‐methoxyaniline‐5‐sulfonic acid), which works as a redox mediator for transferring protons and electrons, catalyzed the oxidation reaction of various alcohols in water under molecular oxygen.     

SYBR®Green qPCR screening methods for the presence of “35S promoter” and “NOS terminator” elements in food and feed products

The Cauliflower Mosaic Virus “35S promotor” (p35S) and the Agrobacterium “Nopaline Synthase” terminator (tNOS) are the most represented generic recombinant elements in commercial genetically modified crops to date. A set of four new SYBR^®Green qPCR methods targeting the “p35S” and “tNOS” core elements have been developed. These qPCR methods generate short amplicons of 147 and 75 bp for the “p35S” element and 172 and 69 bp for the “tNOS” element. Single target plasmids containing these amplicons were constructed and allow determining the nominal melting temperature (T _m value) of each amplicon. The four methods are specific for their respective targets, and moreover, three of them are highly sensitive (up to 1–2 copies detectable) at a PCR efficiency ranging between 95 and 100%. The latter methods can detect their respective targets at 0.1% (w/w) gDNA levels and are suitable for detecting low levels of genetically modified materials containing the “p35S” and/or “tNOS” elements.     

Shelf life extension of whole Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus using modified atmosphere packaging

Once a nuisance by-catch, today the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) is a valuable UK fisheries commodity. Unfortunately, the species is very susceptible to quality deterioration post harvest as it quickly develops black spots and also spoils rapidly due to bacterial growth. Treatment with chemicals can stop the blackening and carefully monitored cold storage can result in a sensory shelf life of up to 6.5 days. The high susceptibility to spoilage greatly restricts the extent to which N. norvegicus can be distributed to retailers and displayed for sale. The application of modified atmosphere (MA) could be extremely beneficial, allowing the chilled product to stay fresh for a long period of time, thus ensuring higher sales. In the present study, we identified a gas mix for the MA packaging (MAP) of whole N. norvegicus lobster into 200 g retail packs. Our results show that a shelf life extension to 13 days can be achieved when retail packs are stored in MAP at 1 °C. Effectiveness of the MAP was evaluated by using a newly developed QIM for MA-packaged whole N. norvegicus and also by analyzing bacterial plate counts. Changes in the microflora and effects of different storage temperatures on the quality of the MA packs are also presented. The main specific spoilage organism (SSO) of modified atmosphere packaged Norway lobster is Photobacterium phosphoreum.     

Identification of the flavonoid fraction in saffron spice by LC/DAD/MS/MS: Comparative study of samples from different geographical origins

The flavonoid fraction in saffron spice has been analysed, for the first time, by LC-DAD-MS/MS ESI and five kaempferol derivatives have been found. Compounds such as kaempferol-3-sophoroside, kaempferol-3-sophoroside-7-glucoside and kaempferol-3,7,4′-triglucoside were tentatively identified, whereas other compounds, such as kaempferol tetrahexoside and kaempferol-3-dihexoside were detected. Saffron samples from different geographical origins were clearly separated by their kaempferol 3-sophoroside contents that were able to explain 100% of the variance when a discriminant test was carried out.