Clovamide and phenolics from cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao L.) inhibit lipid peroxidation in liposomal systems

Neo-synthesized clovamide and a phenolic cocoa extract (fermented cocoa from Ghana) were evaluated for their capacity to inhibit lipid peroxidation. Their effect was first investigated on phospholipid organic solutions, and then on liposomal systems prepared by high pressure homogenization process. Antioxidants were added to liposomal system following two different protocols (before and after the homogenization treatment) and their protective action was evaluated monitoring the oxidative status of liposomes (exposed to light at room temperature or heated at 40 °C) over three weeks. The results confirmed a significant protective effect of clovamide on liposomal model systems and, in a minor extent, also of cocoa extract. The capacity of phosphatidylcholine liposomes to incorporate clovamide was also evaluated; it was shown that more than 50% of clovamide was englobed in liposomes, although the addition of clovamide solution before the homogenization process led to the isomerization of the molecule from trans to cis form.     

Investigation of enrofloxacin residues in broiler tissues using ELISA and LC-MS/MS

This study investigated the efficiency of an enrofloxacin ELISA test kit to detect the presence of enrofloxacin residues in broiler tissues compared with LC-MS/MS. Broiler tissues from 72 samples consisting of 60 breast muscle, six pools of livers (500 g each) and six pools of kidneys (500 g each) were obtained from six different slaughterhouses. Breast muscle from 10 carcasses and pools of livers and kidneys from approximately 200 carcasses of the same flock were collected from each slaughterhouse. ELISA and HPLC were used to identify and quantify the contamination of the samples with enrofloxacin. A total of 72% of the analysed samples contained enrofloxacin residues detected by the ELISA and 22.2% were detected by LC-MS/MS. The mean values of enrofloxacin contamination found in chicken breast by ELISA and HPLC were 8.63 and 12.25 μg kg^–1, respectively. None of the samples exceeded the maximum limit of 100 μg kg^–1 by both methods set by the European Union as well as the Brazilian Agriculture Ministry. All positive samples for enrofloxacin residues detected by LC-MS/MS were also positive by ELISA. These data confirm the efficiency of the ELISA test, and suggest its use as a screening method for enrofloxacin residues in poultry tissues due to its quick results, low price and ease of applicability.     

Prickly palm cactus husk as a raw material for production of ligninolytic enzymes by Aspergillus niger

Food Science and Biotechnology - Prickly palm cactus husk was used as a solid-state fermentation support-substrate for production of the ligninolytic enzymes laccase, peroxide manganese, and lignin...     

Nutritional and technological quality of bread enriched with an intermediated pearled wheat fraction

A strategy to maximise the health benefits of wheat-based products enriched with refined flour and selected fractions of kernel, obtained by sequential pearling, has been tested. Five mixtures of refined commercial flour with an increasing replacement of a pearled wheat fraction were used to prepare bread and were compared with a control for the dough rheological properties (Mixolab® parameters), the bioactive compound content, deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination and the physical properties (volume, crust colour, instrumental crunchiness and crumb texture profile analysis parameters). The antioxidant and dietary fibre contents increased linearly as the flour was enriched with the pearled fraction. The dietary fibre, β-glucan, total phenolic, alkylresorcinol content and the antioxidant activity increased significantly at a replacement level of 10%, while the technological properties were not significantly different from those of the control. It has been shown that refined flour could be enriched through the addition of a selected wheat pearled fraction and the bioactive compound content of composite bread could be improved, while few rheological and technological differences could be obtained and the risk for DON contamination could be limited.     

Bioactivity-based screening methods for antibiotics residues: a comparative study of commercial and in-house developed kits

Two bioactivity-based screening methods for antibiotic residue analysis (FAST Antimicrobial Screening Test and PremiTest) were compared, in terms of sensitivity, with a new in-house developed tube test assay using Escherichia coli. Tests were performed using antibiotic standards, spiked samples and real incurred samples. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for several antibiotics was established and compared with maximum residue levels (MRLs) in samples. The results of all evaluated tests are compared with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry multi-residue screening tests to compare parameters such as sample preparation, cost, time of analysis and confidence in results. For all tests, values of half the maximum residue limit (0.5 × MRL) were considered as a satisfactory target for a screening method. The potential and limitations of each method are discussed to indicate more rational and effective strategies for high-throughput residue monitoring and surveillance programmes. It was concluded that bioactivity-based screening methods are a useful tool, but the best compromise between minimum performance limits, cost and selectivity must be taken into account. For laboratories equipped with mass spectrometry, multi-class screening methods provide more specific responses with high sensitivity.     

Free radical scavenging behavior of ten exotic tropical fruits extracts

The antiradical capacity (radical scavenger capacity, RSC) of bacuri, cajá, camu-camu, carnauba, gurguri, jabuticaba, jambolão, juçara, murta, black puçá and puçá were studied using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) assay. To determine their RSC, the second-order rate constants (k₂) for the oxidation of these extracts by DPPH• were calculated. The values of k₂ were compared to natural and synthetic antioxidants. The k₂ values (L/mol g s), in methanol at 25 °C, were 69.52, 26.03, 22.20, 18.04, 17.23, 16.56, 15.60, 10.03, 7.72 and 4.15 for camu-camu, murta, gurguri, carnauba, jabuticaba, black puçá, jambolão, cajá, juçara and bacuri.     

Drying of Exotic Tropical Fruits: A Comprehensive Review

This paper provides a capsule overview of recent experimental studies dealing with the drying of a large assortment of tropical and subtropical fruits, also called “exotic” fruits. The term exotic includes a number of tropical fruits that are not yet commonly found in global markets but do have the potential to do so in view of their appearance, taste, and textural and nutritional quality parameters. As the consumer is seeking diverse tastes and flavors without compromising on quality, it is logical to expect the market for dried exotic fruits to increase over the next decade. This review covers diverse drying techniques, drying kinetics, and key quality parameters of dried fruits.     

Analysis of the energy intensity evolution in the Brazilian industrial sector—1995 to 2005

This study developed a method to evaluate the evolution of energy intensity in the Brazilian industrial sector from 1995 to 2004. In order to do so, it was necessary to obtain six different measures (indicators) of the sector energy intensity. Considering the concept of energy intensity as the ratio between energy consumption and the level of economic activity, two measures were used for the energy consumption: a thermal (physical) and an economic one. For the level of economic activity, three measures were used: value of production, value of delivered goods and added value. In the Brazilian industrial sector, most of these indicators have behaved in a similar way. In a disaggregated way, energy intensity indicators show a unified direction of its evolution. However, a more elaborate study on the consumption profile of the Brazilian industrial sector and its economical activities indicates the presence of important deviations concerning the annual rate of change in energy intensity. Besides, there is no evident relation between these deviations and the composition of the different indicators of energy intensity.