Effects of hull-less barley flour and flakes on bread nutritional composition and sensory properties

Barley is a desirable food ingredient, with health benefits provided by a β-glucan fibre fraction. A hull-less barley flour and flakes were incorporated into white and wholegrain wheat bread in quantities usually applied in practice. The breads were evaluated for nutritional composition and sensory properties and compared to standard products as controls. The supplemented breads were high in fibre, zinc and selenium content. It was estimated that a 300-gram daily portion of such breads could meet up to 40% of dietary recommended intakes for selenium and 70–75% of recommended daily values for β-glucan. Regarding sensory quality, the only significant differences (p < 0.05) were higher taste and lower volume in the white supplemented breads and lower crumb elasticity in the white bread made with barley flour. Hull-less barley can substantially contribute to an adequate intake of selenium and β-glucan. In addition, supplemented breads were not found to pose a significant risk, with regard to excessive intakes of heavy elements (Pb, Cd, As).     

Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on Physiological and Proteomic Responses of Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) Seedlings Are Coating-Dependent

The harmful effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been confirmed in many organisms, but the mechanism of their toxicity is not yet fully understood. In biological systems, AgNPs tend to aggregate and dissolve, so they are often stabilized by coatings that influence their physico-chemical properties. In this study, the effects of AgNPs with different coatings [polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)] on oxidative stress appearance and proteome changes in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) seedlings have been examined. To discriminate between the nanoparticulate Ag form from the ionic one, the treatments with AgNO₃, a source of Ag⁺ ions, were also included. Ag uptake and accumulation were found to be similarly effective upon exposure to all treatment types, although positively charged AgNP-CTAB showed less stability and a generally stronger impact on the investigated parameters in comparison with more stable and negatively charged AgNP-PVP and ionic silver (AgNO₃). Both AgNP treatments induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and increased the expression of proteins involved in antioxidant defense, confirming oxidative stress as an important mechanism of AgNP phytotoxicity. However, the mechanism of seedling responses differed depending on the type of AgNP used. The highest AgNP-CTAB concentration and CTAB coating resulted in increased H₂O₂ content and significant damage to lipids, proteins and DNA molecules, as well as a strong activation of antioxidant enzymes, especially CAT and APX. On the other hand, AgNP-PVP and AgNO₃ treatments induced the nonenzymatic antioxidants by significantly increasing the proline and GSH content. Exposure to AgNP-CTAB also resulted in more noticeable changes in the expression of proteins belonging to the defense and stress response, carbohydrate and energy metabolism and storage protein categories in comparison to AgNP-PVP and AgNO₃. Cysteine addition significantly reduced the effects of AgNP-PVP and AgNO₃ for the majority of investigated parameters, indicating that AgNP-PVP toxicity mostly derives from released Ag⁺ ions. AgNP-CTAB effects, however, were not alleviated by cysteine addition, suggesting that their toxicity derives from the intrinsic properties of the nanoparticles and the coating itself.     

Translocator Protein Modulation by 4′-Chlorodiazepam and NO Synthase Inhibition Affect Cardiac Oxidative Stress,Cardiometabolic and Inflammatory Markers in Isoprenaline-Induced Rat Myocardial Infarction

The possible cardioprotective effects of translocator protein (TSPO) modulation with its ligand 4′-Chlorodiazepam (4′-ClDzp) in isoprenaline (ISO)-induced rat myocardial infarction (MI) were evaluated, alone or in the presence of L-NAME. Wistar albino male rats (b.w. 200–250 g, age 6–8 weeks) were divided into 4 groups (10 per group, total number N = 40), and certain substances were applied: 1. ISO 85 mg/kg b.w. (twice), 2. ISO 85 mg/kg b.w. (twice) + L-NAME 50 mg/kg b.w., 3. ISO 85 mg/kg b.w. (twice) + 4′-ClDzp 0.5 mg/kg b.w., 4. ISO 85 mg/kg b.w. (twice) + 4′-ClDzp 0.5 mg/kg b.w. + L-NAME 50 mg/kg b.w. Blood and cardiac tissue were sampled for myocardial injury and other biochemical markers, cardiac oxidative stress, and for histopathological evaluation. The reduction of serum levels of high-sensitive cardiac troponin T hs cTnT and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), then significantly decreased levels of serum homocysteine Hcy, urea, and creatinine, and decreased levels of myocardial injury enzymes activities superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as well as lower grades of cardiac ischemic changes were demonstrated in ISO-induced MI treated with 4′-ClDzp. It has been detected that co-treatment with 4′-ClDzp + L-NAME changed the number of registered parameters in comparison to 4′-ClDzp group, indicating that NO (nitric oxide) should be important in the effects of 4′-ClDzp.     

Predictive model for municipal waste generation using artificial neural networks—Case study City of Zagreb,Croatia

The European Union's environmental legislation related to environmental protection, already implemented in the national legislation of the Republic of Croatia, aims to introduce a system of integrated and sustainable waste management. Within such a system, it is of utmost importance to have a better estimate of the amount of municipal waste generated, which directly influences future planning in the waste management sector. The aim of this research was to develop and optimize models for the estimation of generated municipal waste by application of methodology using neural network models, and taking into account the socio‐economic impact as well as the inputs regarding the actual waste management trends. In this paper, an artificial neural network models were used to predict the municipal waste generation in Zagreb, Croatia. The standardized socio‐economic and waste management variables were chosen to encompass 2013 to 2016 period. Moreover, the test prediction of the observed data was performed for 2017. Developed models sufficiently predicted the quantities of different municipal waste fractions and in that sense can contribute to better planning of upcoming waste management systems that will be sustainable and in order to meet the European Union commitments.     

Energy value and bioactive proteins of inulin-enriched tofu produced by hydrothermal process with chymosin-pepsin rennet

Nutritional properties of inulin-enriched tofu obtained after hydrothermal cooking of soymilk, using chymosin-pepsin rennet and inulin as a functional ingredient, were assessed. This procedure significantly differs from the traditional one. The residual activity (rTIA) of trypsin inhibitors (TIs) and lectins, content of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and their energy values (EV) were suitable for human nutrition. Inulin-enriched tofu was characterised with low rTIA (3.08–5.71%) and TIs content of 3.62–18.99%. Content of Kunitz and Bowman-Birk TIs as well as total TIs content (r = 0.98) in tofu were strongly correlated with tofu protein content. Content of Bowman-Birk polymeric forms (3.11–5.36%) was higher than Bowman-Birk monomeric forms (0.51–2.31%) in inulin-enriched tofu. Low urease activity (0.60–1.78%) indicated that soybean was heated adequately to inactivate TIs. Increasing content of inulin did not increase tofu EV (˜18 kJ per g tofu). The proximate composition of inulin-enriched tofu, advantageous rTIA and a very low EV qualifies this product for human nutrition.     

Influence of inhibitors on the corrosion behavior of the X5CrNi18 10 stainless steel-welded joint

This study considers the corrosion behavior of the X5CrNi18 10 stainless steel-welded joint in NaCl solution, with and without the presence of several corrosion inhibitors (NaNO₃, Ce(NO₃)₃, and CeCl₃). The degree of sensitization of the welded joint to intergranular corrosion is determined using the electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation method with a double-loop method. Pitting corrosion tests are performed by the potentiodynamic method. Resistance to general corrosion and the stability of the passive film is assessed based on the results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements, as well as on the values of the corrosion and passivation current. The main goal of this study is to determine the relation of the welded joint microstructure to general and pitting corrosion in the presence of the corrosion inhibitors. The value of pitting potential for the base metal and weld metal in the presence of the NaNO₃ or Ce(NO₃)₃ inhibitor is shifted to potentials in the transpassive area. The pitting potential for the heat-affected zone also possesses a noticeable higher value. However, nitrate ions do not increase the general corrosion resistance of any part of the welded joint. CeCl₃ does not increase resistance to general or pitting corrosion.     

The influence of combined emulsifier 2 in 1 on physical and crystallization characteristics of edible fats

The aim of this research was to examine the physical and crystallization characteristics of two type of edible fats with the addition of combination of two kind of emulsifiers and with the addition of, so-called, combined emulsifier 2 in 1. NMR technique was used for measuring the solid fat content (SFC) of fats on different temperatures, as well as for crystallization rate under static conditions, by measuring the change of SFC in a function of time. Also, the possibility of applying of Gompertz’s mathematical method to define kinetics of crystallization was investigated. The hardness of fats was defined by penetration on texture analyser, while the rheological properties were determined using the rotational rheometer. The samples of both fats with emulsifier 2 in 1 added have a lower crystallization rate with less amounts of crystals formed, which indicates better spreadability comparing with samples that contain the combination of two emulsifiers. This is also shown by physical determination, since emulsifier 2 in 1 significantly reduced the values of hardness and work of shearing, as for the values of yield stress and tixotropy curve area. Emulsifier 2 in 1 would significantly facilitate the handling in confectionery industry because it can be used instead of the combination of two different type of emulsifiers, which are usually combined in order to give the necessary technological characteristics of confectionery products that contain the fat phase. Also, this emulsifier would improve the quality of those products since it showed better emulsifying properties than combination of two different emulsifiers.