The Toxic Aldehyde, 4-Hydroxy-2-<Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-nonenal (HNE) Formation in Natural and Imitation Mozzarella Cheeses: Heat Treatment Effects

The formation of 4-hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal (HNE), a toxic aldehyde formation, was investigated in heat treated imitation Mozzarella cheeses which are made with vegetable oils and in natural Mozzarella cheeses which contain dairy fats. The cheeses were heat treated at 204 °C for 30 and 60 min, and at 232 °C for 15 and 30 min. The HNE formations were much higher in imitation cheeses than in natural cheeses due to both heat treatments. Average HNE concentrations in imitation cheeses, after 30 min of heat treatment at 204 °C, were 110.3 ng HNE/g cheese and it increased to 877.1 ng HNE/g cheese when the temperature was raised to 232 °C. In natural cheeses, the average HNE concentration was much lower only 13.4 ng HNE/g cheese after 204 °C heat treatment for 30 min and it increased only to 182.8 ng HNE/g cheese using 232 °C. Since imitation cheeses are made with vegetable oils which contain much higher levels of linoleic acid, a precursor for HNE, than dairy fat, it is not surprising that heat-induced lipid peroxidation results in increased HNE formation in imitations cheeses compared to dairy fat containing cheeses, which are low in linoleic acid.     

Ameliorating Effects of Exogenously Applied Proline on Seed Composition,Seed Oil Quality and Oil Antioxidant Activity of Maize (Zea mays L.) under Drought Stress

This study was carried out to appraise whether or not the exogenous application of a potential osmoprotectant, proline, could ameliorate the adverse effects of drought stress on maize seed and seed oil composition, as well as oil antioxidant activity. Water stress reduced the kernel sugar, oil, protein and moisture contents and most of the seed macro- and micro-elements analyzed in both maize cultivars but it increased the contents of seed fiber and ash. Water stress increased the oil oleic acid content with a subsequent decrease in the amount of linoleic acid, resulting in an increased oil oleic/linoleic ratio for both maize cultivars. However, no variation was observed in oil stearic and palmitic acids content due to water stress. A considerable drought induced an increase in seed oil α-, γ-, δ- and total tocopherols and flavonoids were observed in both maize cultivars. However, oil phenolic and carotenoid content as well as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity decreased. Foliar-applied proline significantly increased the content of seed sugar, oil, protein, moisture, fiber and ash in both maize cultivars under well irrigated and water deficit conditions. Furthermore, exogenous application of proline increased the oil oleic and linoleic acid contents. The concentrations of antioxidant compounds namely phenolics, carotenoids, flavonoids and tocopherols estimated in the seed oil increased due to foliar-applied proline under water deficit conditions that was positively correlated with the enhanced oil DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Moreover, the increase in the contents of these antioxidant compounds and oil antioxidant activity due to the foliar application of proline was noted to be more pronounced under water deficit conditions.     

HPLC method for quantitation of cholesterol and four of its major oxidation products in muscle and liver tissues

A fast, sensitive, high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the quantitation of cholesterol and four of its major oxidation products: 3β-hydroxycholest-5-en-7-one (7-ketocholesterol), cholest-5-ene-3β, 7α-diol (7α-hydroxycholesterol), cholest-5-ene-3β,7β-diol (7β-hydroxycholesterol), and cholest-5-ene-3β,25-diol (25-hydroxycholesterol). In this procedure 2∶1 chloroform:methanol (v/v) extracts of tissue homogenate were combined, dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄, filtered, evaporated to dryness under N₂ and dissolved with a mobile phase of either 97∶3 or 93∶7 hexane:isopropanol (v/v). After membrane filtration and without further purification, aliquots were directly injected onto a 10-μm pore size, 30×0.39 cm μ-Porasil normal phase column. The separation of cholesterol and its oxidation products was monitored by a UV detector at 206 and 233 nm. This method was successfully applied to pork muscle as well as mouse liver tissues and was able to detect cholesterol oxidation products (COP) in the ppm range. The identity of the COP was confirmed by mass spectroscopy.     

Purification and characterisation of basic ascorbate oxidase from satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc)

Basic ascorbate oxidase of the multiple enzyme forms existing in young fruit of satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc) has been separated and subsequently purified to electrophoretic homogeneity through (NH₄)₂SO₄ fractionation and chromatographies on DEAE-Toyopearl 650M, CM-Sephadex C-50 and Sephadex G-100. The native molecular weight was estimated to be 141 kDa by gel filtration and composed of two non-identical subunits with an apparent mass of 74 kDa and 62 kDa. The optimum pH was found to be 5.5 with reasonable stability between pH 5 and 8. The enzyme had an optimum temperature at 45°C and was stable up to 50°C upon heat treatment for 5 min. The presence of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, metabisulphite and potassium cyanide completely inhibited the enzyme activity. Fluoride also inhibited the activity substantially at higher concentrations. Other tnonovalent and divalent metal ions did not have inhibitory effects.     

The effect of positive feedback on industrial housekeeping and accidents; A long-term study at a shipyard

The experiments aimed to determine the effects of performance feedback on housekeeping behavior and consequently, on injuries over a longer period of time, and also to assess the validity of well-known Heinrich's axioms with respect to accident causation. The study was conducted at two production halls of a shipyard. Nine performance targets were set for housekeeping performance. An observation method was developed to measure performance. After we determined the baseline, feedback on performance was given by posting the results of each observation round as a large graph on the wall. The housekeeping index was significantly improved in both halls after the feedback was started. The effect persisted throughout the two-year follow-up period. Accidents were reduced by 70–90%, much more than expected merely on the basis of improved housekeeping. The effect of feedback on accidents persisted for the three-year follow-up period. The possible mechanisms are discussed.     

Coach design for the Helsinki underground

After more than 20 years of planning, an underground system will be opened in Helsinki in 1978. In 1972, a short line was constructed, with six coaches for experiments. This article describes an analysis of these coaches from the point of view of ergonomics. A travelling experiment was organised, designed to simulate the final travelling situation. After the experiment the subjects filled out a questionnaire. During the trip the behaviour of the subjects and their moving in and out was observed by two TV recorders and two film cameras. The passengers evaluated the fitness of the train in the following order of importance: 1. speed 2. cost 3. comfort. The results showed that the demands placed on the lay-out of the trains were not fulfilled in regard to speed. Although the general impression was positive, the number of handles and support pillars, too narrow passages and a lack of space for goods were features most often criticised. On the basis of these results, several alternative lay-outs have been developed, also proposals concerning dimensions of the doors, design and location of the handles, design of the seats, etc.     

Vitamin E and probucol reduce urinary lipophilic aldehydes and renal enlargement in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by complications affecting several organs, including the kidney. Lipid peroxidation increases in diabetes and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. In this study, we examined the ability of two antioxidants, vitamin E and probucol, to reduce lipid peroxidation in vivo and renal hypertrophy, an early stage of diabetic nephropathy, in rats. Animals were divided into four groups: non-diabetic, diabetic, diabetic treated with vitamin E, and diabetic treated with probucol. Animals were given antioxidants by intraperitoneal injection after induction of diabetes by streptozotocin injection. After 7 wk, lipid peroxidation in vivo was measured by analyzing urinary excretion of lipophilic aldehydes and related carbonyl compounds (LACC) as 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones by high-performance liquid chromatography. A number of urinary lipophilic nonpolar and polar aldehydes and related carbonyl compounds were identified, almost all of which increased in diabetes. Antioxidant treatment resulted in significantly decreased excretion of urinary LACC excretion. Antioxidant treatment of diabetic rats reduced renal hypertrophy. There was a high correlation between kidney weight and urinary LACC. Since LACC are accepted markers of lipid peroxidation, these results indicate that antioxidants can reduce the elevated lipid peroxidation of diabetes and may slow the onset of diabetic nephropathy.     

Indoor environment quality contracts in building projects

The scientific literature is replete with examples that indicate that poor indoor conditions at workplaces reduce work performance and increase short-term sick leave. To address good indoor environment quality (IEQ), strategic and practical design decisions are needed in the early phase of the building process to ensure successful implementation. However, current procurement practices are hampered by fragmentation, long subcontract chains and vague performance requirements. A preliminary study is undertaken that focuses on developing a method of contracting that enables the attainment and verification of the desired IEQ. Using a review of international research and practices, existing commissioning methods and contract procedures are identified for their attention to IEQ. A contract procedure is proposed that fosters agreement on indoor environment between building owners and tenants, and which directs a building project to give users the guarantee of indoor condition. To make a pre-lease contract agreement that includes IEQ, the factors having an influence on the IEQ chain must be included in all building contracts such as those of design, purchase, and operation and maintenance. Thus, the requirements of IEQ require their incorporation into every phase of the building project. The main elements in these contracts, in addition to the requirements of IEQ, are those verifying quality, bonuses and sanctions.

La littérature scientifique est riche en exemples qui montrent que la médiocrité des conditions intérieures sur le lieu de travail réduit les performances opérationnelles et augmente les absences de courte durée pour raisons de santé. Pour obtenir un environnement intérieur de bonne qualité (IEQ), il faut, dès le début du processus de construction, prendre des décisions d'ordre stratégique et pratique en vue d'une mise en ?uvre réussie. Or, la fragmentation, les longues chaînes de contrats de sous-traitance et le manque de précision des impératifs de performance sont autant d'obstacles aux pratiques d'approvisionnement actuelles. Une étude préliminaire est entreprise qui porte, pour l'essentiel, sur le développement d'un mode de réalisation permettant de satisfaire et de vérifier la qualité de l'environnement intérieur recherchée. S'appuyant sur une analyse des pratiques et de la recherche au niveau international, l'auteur recense les méthodes de mise en service et les procédures contractuelles existantes en fonction de l'intérêt porté à l'IEQ. Il est proposé une procédure contractuelle qui encourage les accords en matière d'environnement intérieur entre propriétaires de bâtiments et occupants et qui prescrit un projet de construction offrant aux utilisateurs la garantie d'un environnement intérieur satisfaisant. Pour conclure une convention contractuelle, préalablement au bail de location, qui prévoit l'IEQ, il faut inclure les facteurs ayant une influence sur la chaîne IEQ dans tous les contrats de bâtiments, comme la conception, l'approvisionnement, l'exploitation et la maintenance. Les exigences en matière d'IEQ nécessitent donc qu'elles soient intégrées à toutes les phases d'un projet de bâtiment. Les principaux éléments dans ces contrats, outre les exigences d'IEQ, sont ceux qui vérifient la qualité, les primes et les sanctions.     

Urgent need for new approach to energy policy: The case of Finland

The process of climate change is already under way and is a serious threat facing the planet. Our response to this threat will irrevocably transform the energy sector and the priorities within it. The trend in emissions over the next decade will largely determine whether the process of climate change can be kept at a moderate level. This literature-based study focuses on Finland as an example case. Oil price fluctuations, economic development and changes in consumer values and attitudes are key forces that will drive change in the energy sector. A greater diversity of energy sources is vital if we are to avoid a catastrophic warming of the climate. The use of renewable energy sources must be increased, and the efficiency of producing, transmitting and distributing energy must be improved. The energy sector must also exploit the potential of nuclear energy, wind, solar and hydro power, afforestation measures, biomass resources, carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology and the nano-bio sector. National policies and measures must be set out in detail and global cooperation enhanced. The presence and impact of factors that impede the work to curb climate change must also be taken into account in energy strategies if these strategies are to be successful.     

4‐Hydroxynonenal (HNE), a Toxic Aldehyde in French Fries from Fast Food Restaurants

The toxic lipid peroxidation product, α,β,4‐hydroxy‐2‐trans‐nonenal (HNE) concentration, was measured in French fries (FF) from six local fast food restaurants. FF were purchased between 2 and 3 pm from all six restaurants. FF were also purchased at 12, 2, 4, 6 pm from one and at 1, 3, 5, 7 pm from another restaurant. Samples were analyzed for total fat, fatty acid distribution and for HNE by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HNE was confirmed by HPLC/MS. HNE concentrations in FF from the 6 fast food restaurants were between 7.83 and 32.15 µg HNE/100 g FF and between 0.9 and 4.9 µg HNE/g extracted fat. HNE concentrations in FF purchased at 12, 2, 4, 6 pm were between 19.07 and 32.15 µg/g of FF and purchased at 1, 3, 5, 7 pm were between 7.47 and 10.21 µg HNE/100 g of FF. Differences in FA distribution were observed in the samples from some restaurants. FF which contained higher levels of linoleic acid (LA) also contained more HNE. It is clear that HNE is produced during the heating process of the frying oils and is incorporated into FF. Frequently consumed foods containing considerable amounts of HNE, a toxic aldehyde, may be a public health concern since HNE toxicity is related to a number of common pathological conditions.