Temporal dynamics of effect concentrations

In effect assessment the comparability and applicability of LCx and ECx values, which are calculated at single points in time during exposure, relies on the ability to perform a valid extrapolation to other time points of interest. The behavior of LCx in time has been extensively studied, and the behavior of ECx in time is expected to follow similar dynamics, as it is considered that the LCx is just a specific case of ECxs. However, most models have focused on validating the dynamics of LCx, and hardly anything is known about the time dependence of ECx for other endpoints or whether it is comparable to that of LCxs. We have created four scenarios where we study the dynamics of the ECx for different endpoints and how it is affected by the characteristics of two different compounds (carbendazim and pentachlorobenzene) and of two different life history strategies (hermaphroditic and sexually reproducing strains of Caenorhabditis elegans). The observed patterns of behavior in time of the ECx for body size and for reproduction showed unexpected dynamics that deviate considerably from that of the LCx. It was demonstrated that the temporal dynamics of ECx were very different for each particular endpoint. The shape of the ECx-time curves depends on the intrinsic characteristics of the endpoint of study, as well as on the characteristics of the compound and life history strategy of the organism. This makes extrapolation in time or between endpoints difficult and hampers the comparability of results based on this summary statistic. The interpretation of the results from toxicity tests can be improved through process-based modeling, as demonstrated on the current data set.     

Extraction of polyphenols and antioxidants from pomegranate peel using ultrasound: influence of temperature,frequency and operation mode

The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of temperature (40–70 °C), frequency (37 and 80 kHz) and ultrasonic operation mode (normal, pulse and sweep), and their interactions on the recovery of phenolic compounds and antioxidants present in pomegranate peel using ultrasound-assisted extraction. The content of individual phenolic compounds, total phenolic compounds (TPC), antioxidant capacity (AC) and total extract yield (X₀) were analysed. Significant effects were observed between some sources of variation in recovery of individual compounds at TPC and X₀, and no significant effect was observed for AC. The process and conditions studied shown to be interesting to extract antioxidants, since a high antioxidant capacity was verified in the extracts. Temperatures around 50–60 °C, using 37 kHz frequency, and normal or pulse modes were the conditions that provided better yields of phenolic compounds and X₀. Regarding AC, the best condition observed was at 70 °C, 80 kHz frequency and continuous mode.     

Application and characterisation of industrial brewing by-products in biodegradable starch-based expanded composites

Concern headed under waste management promotes the development and application of biodegradable materials. Naturally occurring lignocellulosic fibres, such as malt bagasse (MB), are often low-cost industrial by-products with attractive properties. This work focused on extruding starch-based expanded composites, containing two different brewing residues, Pilsen malt bagasse (PMB) and Weiss malt bagasse (WMB). Their mechanical, thermal and structural properties were evaluated. The expansion index was higher in the WMB10 extruded composite (25.73 ± 4.75), also evident in the SEM-FEG images which show more quantity and uniformity of pores. WMB5 and WMB10 resulted in a 50% decrease in composite water solubility relative to the Control. The hardness (N) of the samples was reduced by using MB fibres of both types, producing a less stiff and brittle material, which contributes to a potential application as alternative biodegradable packaging for non-biodegradable materials based on expanded polystyrene.     

Walnuts and almonds as model systems of foods constituted by oxidisable,pro-oxidant and antioxidant factors

Walnuts and almonds were selected as complex model systems in order to study possible interactions among oxidisable substances, pro-oxidant species and antioxidants. Lipoxygenase activities in a direct-micelle system were determined for these nuts according their globulin contents in their soluble protein fraction. Walnut lipoxygenase activity was 1.5 times higher than that of almonds. Among antioxidant compounds, hydrophilic contents were analysed in these nuts, hence, extractable, hydrolysable and condensed phenolic compound fractions were determined as well as lipophilic phenolic concentration corresponding to tocopherol fraction. Extracts of brown skins and whole walnuts have significantly higher phenolic contents than those of almonds. Radical scavenging activities of phenolic extracts were measured. Besides, the experiments demonstrated the ability of all nut extracts to inhibit the coupled oxidation of linoleic acid with β-carotene induced by lipoxygenase. The antioxidant substances were mainly found in nut brown skins. Walnut extracts showed higher antioxidant activity than those of almonds. Lipoxygenase pro-oxidant activity was also measured in AOT reverse micelles in conditions that model these nuts.     

Comparison of texture and biochemical characteristics of three rabbit lines selected for litter size or growth rate

Meat texture and some biochemical characteristics that could influence meat tenderness were studied in rabbit loins. Rabbits from three synthetic lines were compared, lines V and A selected for litter size at weaning and line R selected for growth rate between weaning and slaughter time. The activities of cathepsins, collagen content and textural properties measured by Warner-Bratzler (WB) shear device and by the texture profile analyses (TPA) test were measured. Line R was more tender than line V and line A had an intermediate tenderness, Rabbit meat from line R had higher activity of cathepsins B and B + L, lower total collagen content and lower cohesiveness, springiness and chewiness, shear force and total work (area under the curve obtained with WB device) than line V. Line A had an intermediate texture between lines R and V. Our results show evidence of genetic variation between lines in rabbit meat tenderness.     

The effect of co‐administered flavonoids on the metabolism of hesperetin and the disposition of its metabolites in Caco‐2 cell monolayers

Metabolism by phase II enzymes and transport from intestinal cells back into the lumen by ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters limits the bioavailability of the flavanone hesperetin, the aglycone of hesperidin. This study investigates to what extent other flavonoids modulate the metabolism and transport of hesperetin by characterizing the effect of co‐administrating a series of flavonoids using Caco‐2 cell monolayers in a two‐compartment transwell system. Flavonoids may interfere with hesperetin metabolism and can also inhibit the apically located ABC transporter breast cancer resistance protein (ABCG2) which was previously shown to be responsible for the apical transport of hesperetin metabolites. Co‐exposure of Caco‐2 cell monolayers to hesperetin with specific flavonoids reduced the ratio of apical efflux to basolateral transport of hesperetin metabolites, and in some cases, also reduced the amount of hesperetin metabolites detected extracellularly. As intracellular accumulation of hesperetin metabolites did not account for this decrease, inhibition of metabolism of hesperetin is likely the underlying mechanism for the reduced metabolite formation and excretion. In spite of the reduction in metabolism the amount of hesperetin metabolites transported to the basolateral side significantly increased upon co‐exposure with specific flavonoids and therefore co‐administration of specific flavonoids could be a strategy to improve the bioavailability of hesperetin.     

Changes on the levels of serotonin precursors – tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan – during roasting of Arabica and Robusta coffee

The levels of free and total tryptophan and of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) were investigated in green and roasted grains and beverages of Coffea arabica L. (Arabica) and Coffea canephora Pierre var. robusta (Robusta). Grains were light, medium and dark roasted. Free and protein tryptophan were extracted before and after hydrolysis. The levels of tryptophan and 5-HTP were quantified simultaneously by ion-pair HPLC and fluorimetric detection after derivatisation with o-phthalaldehyde. Robusta green coffee had higher total and protein tryptophan, whereas Arabica had higher free tryptophan levels. 5-HTP was not detected in the samples before and after roasting. Free tryptophan was completely degraded during roasting. Roasting significantly affected protein tryptophan. The rate of loss was smaller in Arabica compared to Robusta at every roasting degree. A beverage prepared the Brazilian way with a medium-roasted coffee provided 1.4–2.5 mg tryptophan/50 ml cup.     

Rational selection of Leuconostoc strains for mixed starters based on the physiological biodiversity found in raw milk fermentations

The technological abilities of eleven wild Leuconostoc strains isolated from artisanal Afuega'l Pitu cheese, a homemade acid-coagulated cheese from raw milk from Asturias (northern Spain), were studied in order to test their potential application as components of dairy starters. Metabolic activity, production of flavour compounds, resistance to NaCl, acid, nisin and freezing, as well as genetic biodiversity were investigated. Marked differences among all tested strains reflected the existing biodiversity in naturally fermented products. After evaluation of their performance, strains IPLA567 and IPLA979 revealed the best properties to be used use in mixed dairy starter cultures. These two strains were able to ferment lactose and galactose and produced larger amounts of lactic acid than the others. Moreover, they showed high tolerance levels to NaCl, acid and nisin, although their resistance to freezing was slightly lower than the other strains. This study evidences the fact that natural environments can be considered as a proper source of new strains, which may help the dairy industry to widen their fermented products range.     

Inhibition of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain in Afuega'l Pitu cheese by the nisin Z-producing strain Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis IPLA 729

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains are a potential threat for food safety because foodborne illness caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has been reported even though these strains were only associated with nosocomial infections until recently. This article focuses on the inhibitory effect of the nisin Z-producing strain Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis IPLA 729 on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus CECT 4013, a methicillin-resistant strain. S. aureus was inhibited by the presence of the nisin producer IPLA 729 in buffered Trypticase soy broth, milk, and Afuega'l Pitu cheese, an acid-coagulated cheese manufactured in Asturias, Northern Spain. A reduction of 3.66 log units was observed in Trypticase soy broth at the end of the incubation period. In milk, viable counts of S. aureus were undetectable or were reduced by 2.16 log units in 24 h depending on the initial inoculum (1.8 x 10(4) and 7.2 x 10(6) CFU/ml). The staphylococcal strain was also undetected in test cheeses in which the nisin Z producer was present whereas 2 log units were detected in control cheeses at the end of ripening.     

Acrylamide in espresso coffee: Influence of species,roast degree and brew length

Espresso coffees were analysed for acrylamide contents by matrix solid-phase dispersion and GC–MS. The influence of coffee species, roast degree, and brew length were ascertained. Mean acrylamide contents of medium roasted espressos (30 mL) were 1.16 ± 0.25 and 2.31 ± 0.43 μg for pure arabica and robusta samples, respectively. Espressos prepared from commercial blends contained an average acrylamide level of 1.26 ± 0.28 μg. A 25% decrease was observed when comparing espressos prepared with medium and dark roasted coffee. The extraction efficacy of acrylamide for standard espressos of 30 mL was near 80%, being only affected by brew volume, with long espressos (70 mL) containing practically all acrylamide of the coffee cake (99%), almost double that of short ones (20 mL). When compared with other common coffee beverages, espresso acrylamide concentration (μg/L) was higher. However, due to the small volume per cup, it may contribute less to acrylamide ingestion.