Value optimized log rotation for strength graded boards using computed tomography

A possible application for an industrial computed tomography scanner in a sawmill is finding an optimal rotational position of logs with respect to knots and outer shape. Since a computed tomography scanner is a great investment, it is important to investigate potential profitability of such an investment for different production strategies. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential value increase of the sawn timber of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) by rotating logs to their optimum position prior to sawing compared with sawing all logs in horns down position. The production strategy evaluated by log breakdown simulation in this case study was to produce strength graded timber of the center boards, while the side boards were appearance graded. This case study showed an average value increase with respect to the value of center boards, side boards and chips of 11 %.     

Effect of tumbling and RN genotype on sensory perception of cured-smoked pork loin

Effects of tumbling and RN genotype on sensory perception of cured-smoked loins were studied on loins from 32 crossbred female pigs containing Hampshire blood. Right-side loins were intermittently tumbled during 4 h, whereas left-side loins were left non-tumbled. Tumbled loins were more tender and uniform in cured colour as well as less acidulous in taste compared with non-tumbled loins. Further, the formation of undesirable pores was lower in tumbled loins. Final juiciness tended to be higher and meat taste intensity lower in tumbled loins, whereas initial juiciness did not differ. There were no significant interactions between tumbling and RN genotype for sensory attributes. RN⁻ carriers (RN⁻/rn⁺) were more acidulous in taste, had more pronounced meat taste and were saltier than non-carriers (rn⁺ /rn⁺). Moreover, they tended to have higher initial juiciness and more undesirable pores, and be less homogeneous in cured pink colour. No differences in consumer preference between the four treatments were detected in the ranking test, but most persons ranked non-tumbled loins highest regarding overall liking. Instrumental tenderness measurements agreed well with sensory tenderness scores.     

Effects of pelvic suspension of beef carcasses on quality and physical traits of five muscles from four gender-age groups

Pelvic and Achilles suspension methods for beef carcasses were compared for four gender-age groups (24 month bulls, 34 month bulls, heifers, and cows) and five muscles [M. longissimus dorsi (LD), M. semimembranosus (SM), M. adductor (AD), M. psoas major (PM), and M. gluteus medius (GM)]. Pelvic suspension increased muscle and sarcomere lengths in the SM, LD, GM, and AD muscles. The following effects were significant (p < 0.05). Peak force was reduced by pelvic suspension in the LD and GM of bulls-24 and bulls-34, but not heifers and cows. Furthermore, peak forces decreased for the SM after pelvic suspension in bulls-24, bulls-34, and heifers. For the AD, the only decrease in peak force was for bulls-34. Water-holding capacity increased and purge in vacuum bags decreased for pelvic suspension of all muscles except the PM. Although the effects of pelvic suspension varied somewhat between gender-age groups and muscles, this method of hanging carcasses merits industrial consideration because it improves muscle yields, tenderness, and reduces variation within muscles.     

Mammary cisternal size, cisternal milk and milk ejection in Murrah buffaloes

The internal arrangement of the mammary gland cavity system, cisternal and alveolar milk fractions and the characteristics of milk ejection were investigated in buffaloes. Twenty-four Murrah buffaloes in three different stages of lactation and of two age groups were used. Continuous ultrasound cross-sections during milk ejection induced by exogenous oxytocin were performed to record the latency period of milk ejection. Buffaloes had small cisterns and the cavity area in the teat and gland regions were not significantly different (P > 0.05). The animals had long teat canals (3.1 +/- 0.1 cm), longer in the hind than fore quarters. Cisternal milk yield was low (0.17 +/- 0.01 kg) and cisternal fraction was only 4.9 +/- 0.1% of the total milk. The cisternal area (cm2) was 69.6 +/- 4.6, 51.61 +/- 4.8 and 26.01 +/- 4.8 while the cisternal yield (kg) was 0.32 +/- 0.05, 0.18 +/- 0.05 and 0.05 +/- 0.05 in early, mid and late lactation, respectively. A close correlation (r = 0.87, P < 0.05) existed between the ultrasound cisternal area and cisternal milk yield. The latency period of induced milk ejection was similar to that reported for cows (25 +/- 1 s) and was negatively correlated with milk yield (r = -0.75, P < 0.05). Milk ejection occurred shortly after elevated oxytocin concentrations were present. Delayed milk ejection reported earlier in this species must therefore be due to the absence of cisternal milk and delayed oxytocin release. An increase in teat length and circumference at milk ejection was also evident in the ultrasound cross sections.     

Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) Biosensor for Rapid and Label-Free Detection of Penicillin G in Milk

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) biosensors were introduced for rapid and label-free detection of penicillin G in milk. This is the first time that the use of SAW biosensors for antibiotic detection is reported. Penicillin G belongs to the β-lactam antibiotics which are commonly used in human and veterinary medicine. Particularly because of the latter, the detection of antibiotics in foodstuffs of animal origin is essential. Current methods for specific antibiotic detection often require complex laboratory equipment and procedures. SAW biosensors, however, offer rapid detection of analyte concentrations with a minimum of experimental effort. They use label-free acoustic (gravimetric) detection. Owing to the small mass of antibiotics, detection via binding inhibition assay was preferred to direct detection in this work. Samples containing penicillin G were preincubated with the corresponding antibody, and SAW biosensor surfaces were coated with penicillin G epitopes. The antibody in the sample bound to the biosensor surface, unless it was inhibited by penicillin G. The assay allowed the detection of 2 ng/ml penicillin G in buffer and 2.2 ng/ml in low-fat milk. This is below the maximum residue limit of 4 ng/ml given by the European Commission for penicillin G and other β-lactam residues in food.     

Characterization of the cultivable microbial community in a spinach-processing plant using MALDI-TOF MS

A better and regular control of the production chain of fresh fruits and vegetables is necessary, because a contamination of the product by human- and phyto-pathogenic microorganisms may result in high losses during storage and poses a threat to human health. Therefore, detailed knowledge about the occurrence and the diversity of microorganisms within single processing steps is required to allow target-oriented produce safety control. Recently, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was successfully used to identify bacterial colonies. Bacteria can be identified with high accuracy by comparing them with generated spectra of a reference database.     

Influence of vacuum skin packaging on color stability of beef longissimus lumborum compared with vacuum and high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging

The objective of this study was to investigate how color stability of beef is affected by vacuum skin packaging (VSP) compared with vacuum packaging (VP) and high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging (MAP; 80% O(2) and 20% CO(2)). Longissimus lumborum muscles were aged in vacuum for 7days and then cut into 2-cm-thick slices and repacked using VSP, VP and MAP for another 7days. Color stability was measured during the next 5days in air and samples for α-tocopherol and NADH analyses were obtained at the beginning and end of aerobic storage. Color stability, α-tocopherol and NADH of steaks were affected by packaging methods and storage time in air (P<0.05). Higher a* value was obtained in VSP on day 5 compared with VP. Steaks packed in VSP had better color stability than in VP and their color was similar to MAP at the end (day 5) of storage.     

Bioactivity evaluation of collagen-based scaffolds containing a series of Sr-doped melt-quench derived phosphate-based glasses

Phosphate-based glasses have been attracting attention due to their possible medical applications arising from unique dissolution characteristics in the human body leading to the possibility of new tissue regeneration. In this study, the leaching kinetics of a series of melt-quenched Sr-doped phosphate glasses are presented. Regardless of the presence of Sr, all the glasses have an initial linear and sustained release of the ions followed by a plateau. To guarantee proper nutritional support to the growing tissue during regeneration and to mimic the 3-dimensional architecture of tissues, organic scaffold systems have been developed. However, their poor mechanical strength has limited their application. To overcome this problem, cross-linkers can be used although this then limits the solubility of the materials. To succeed in dealing with such a limitation, in this paper, by freeze-drying, the aforementioned soluble melt-quenched phosphate glasses were combined as powders with collagen fibres from bovine achilles tendon to make degradable scaffolds. The scaffolds were characterized by SEM, EDX and BET. Changes to the dissolution behaviour of the glasses arising from the presence of collagen interacting with the ions leached were reported. Furthermore, the ability of the scaffolds to induce hydroxyapatite (HA) formation was evaluated: one the elaborated scaffold could grow an HA-like layer after a week in SBF. Based on the results obtained, a possible application in restorative dentistry is proposed for one or more materials.

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Organochlorine residues in two seal species from Western Iceland

Harbour seals and grey seals from Faxaflói (Western Iceland) were analyzed for contamination with organochlorines (HCB, PCBs, p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDE, chlordanes and the enantiomers of α-HCH). Although the values strongly varied, both harbour seals and grey seals on average showed comparable levels of PCBs, p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDE and α-HCH, as well as chlordanes (ΣCD). Differences were measured in the HCB content of the seal species. The HCB/α-HCH ratio in harbour seals was <1 and in grey seals >1. The results from seals on Iceland were compared with data derived from seal samples of the Antarctic, the Arctic (Spitzbergen) and the North Sea (Germany) in order to give an insight into the global distribution of pollution with chlorinated organics.