Changes in polyphenol ability to produce astringency during roasting of cocoa liquor

Polyphenols in cocoa products determine the astringent sensation due to their interaction with salivary proline‐rich protein. Changes in the ability of polyphenols to produce astringency during cocoa roasting have been studied through an evaluation of the polyphenol–protein interaction in cocoa cake/liquor roasted at 120 °C for 45 min, with and without enrichment with polyphenol extract. Roasting decreased the capacity of polyphenols to interact with protein, causing a decrease in astringency. However, the polyphenol–protein interaction products after roasting could still be oxidized enzymatically and most probably would still give cocoa products beneficial effects as functional food. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Chemical and taste characteristics of threadfin bream (Nemipterus japonicus) hydrolysate

The chemical and taste characteristics of threadfin bream (Nemipterus japonicus) hydrolysate produced by Alcalase hydrolysis of the fish muscle (pH 8.5, 60 °C, 120 min, enzyme/substrate ratio 20 g kg^?1) were studied. Umami, bitter and fishy were the dominant tastes. The bitter amino acids methionine, valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, leucine and tyrosine comprised 317 mg g^?1 of the total amino acids present. The umaminess could be due to the presence of high contents of glutamic acid and inosine 5′‐monophosphate. SDS‐PAGE analysis showed that the peptides in the hydrolysate had molecular weights ranging between 7.2 and 64 kDa. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Potential impact of former Zn ore extraction activities on dissolved uranium distribution in the Riou-Mort watershed (France)

The industrial basin of Decazeville (Riou-Mort watershed, South-West France) is well known for its heavy metal pollution and its subsequent environmental effects on the Lot-Garonne River system. The source of this pollution is the Riou-Mort River, which drains smelting waste areas. A first survey after remediation works has revealed elevated dissolved uranium (U(D)) concentrations in the outlet of the Riou-Mort River. The objective of this research is to identify the origin of U(D) in the Riou-Mort watershed and to evaluate the impact of industrial activities on this element. Uranium was measured at 10 water sampling sites, located upstream and downstream the industrial basin, and in three smelting waste deposits. Uranium concentrations in the smelting waste deposits reach up to 14.4 mg kg(-1) and (234U/238U) activity ratios (AR) are near unity. Dissolved U concentrations in the Riou-Mort River and its main tributaries ranges over two orders of magnitude from 0.02 to 6.1 microg L(-1). The highest levels were measured in a site with no anthropogenic pollution, upstream from the industrial area. This observation suggests that U(D) is mainly linked to weathering; the elevated U concentrations originate from the naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) located in the Permian bedrock and no significant U pollution exists, at present, in the Riou-Mort watershed. This work demonstrates that spatial monitoring coupled with a long time-series are an essential prerequisite in assessment of spatiotemporal variations of U(D), prior to a diagnostic of pollution in a small watershed.     

Importance of supportive relationships in goal setting.

Investigated the importance of supportive behavior by an authority figure when setting goals, using a brainstorming task. 90 college students were randomly assigned in a 2?×?3 design to a supportive or nonsupportive condition and to 1 of 3 goal-setting conditions (assigned, participative, and "do your best"). Goal difficulty was held constant between the assigned and the participative conditions. Supportive behavior resulted in higher goals being set than nonsupportive behavior. Participation appears to be important in that it increases understanding of task requirements. (11 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Application of social-learning theory to training supervisors through behavioral modeling.

40 male first-line supervisors were randomly assigned to a behavioral modeling training program or to a control group. The training was designed to improve supervisors' interpersonal skills in dealing with their employees. The training program produced highly favorable trainee reactions, which were maintained over time. Moreover, the performance of the trainees was significantly better than that of supervisors in the control group on a learning test administered 6 mo after training, on behavioral simulations collected 3 mo after training, and on performance ratings collected on the job 1 yr after training. After the control group received the training, they achieved significant improvement in their supervisory skills and did not differ from the trainees who had originally undergone the training on any of the measures. The modeling films, developed by M. Sorcher (A. Goldstein and M. Sorcher, 1974) were based primarily on A. Bandura's (1977) principles of social-learning theory. (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of dietary vitamin E upon fluorescent compounds of the rat uterus

Several water soluble and organic solvent soluble fluorescent peaks were observed in extracts of uteri from vitamin E deficient or supplemented rats following Sephadex column chromatography and spectrophotofluorometric analysis. Levels of one of the organic and two of the water soluble fluorescent peaks were found to be significantly higher in the uteri of vitamin E deficient rats than in vitamin E supplemented rats. Some of these fluorescent fractions may contribute to the brown discoloration that is known to occur in the uterus of vitamin E deficient animals.     

Identification of vitamin E-dependent water soluble fluorescent compounds in mouse tissues

The present paper describes the identification of two vitamin E-dependent, water soluble fluorescent compounds in mouse tissues. Ultraviolet and fluorescent spectroscopy, derivatization with 1-dimethylamino-naphtalene-5-sulfonyl chloride (dansyl chloride) and cochromatography using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were utilized for the identification of the unknown compounds. The water soluble fluorescent compounds in mouse tissues were identified as tyrosine and tryptophan. The compounds were previously found to increase significantly in vitamin E deficiency in various tissues.     

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.     

A glutamic Acid-producing lactic Acid bacteria isolated from malaysian fermented foods

l-glutamaic acid is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and an important intermediate in metabolism. In the present study, lactic acid bacteria (218) were isolated from six different fermented foods as potent sources of glutamic acid producers. The presumptive bacteria were tested for their ability to synthesize glutamic acid. Out of the 35 strains showing this capability, strain MNZ was determined as the highest glutamic-acid producer. Identification tests including 16S rRNA gene sequencing and sugar assimilation ability identified the strain MNZ as Lactobacillus plantarum. The characteristics of this microorganism related to its glutamic acid-producing ability, growth rate, glucose consumption and pH profile were studied. Results revealed that glutamic acid was formed inside the cell and excreted into the extracellular medium. Glutamic acid production was found to be growth-associated and glucose significantly enhanced glutamic acid production (1.032 mmol/L) compared to other carbon sources. A concentration of 0.7% ammonium nitrate as a nitrogen source effectively enhanced glutamic acid production. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of glutamic acid production by lactic acid bacteria. The results of this study can be further applied for developing functional foods enriched in glutamic acid and subsequently γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) as a bioactive compound.     

Screening for biohydrogen production by cyanobacteria isolated from the Baltic Sea and Finnish lakes

Cyanobacteria are the only bacteria capable of performing oxygenic photosynthesis in which they harness solar energy and convert it into chemical energy stored in carbohydrates. Under specific conditions, cyanobacteria can use solar energy to produce also molecular hydrogen.