Effect of low-voltage electrical stimulation after dressing on color stability and water holding capacity of bovine longissimus muscle

The effect of low voltage electrical stimulation after dressing (ES) on color stability and water holding capacity (WHC) of beef was investigated. Nine Swedish red cattle were slaughtered and the left side was electrically stimulated (80 V, 35 s) approximately 30 min after stunning, whereas the other side was not treated and used as control. Color and its stability, WHC, and protein solubility were evaluated on longissimus lumborum muscles from the two sides. ES produced a brighter red color at 24h mainly by increasing the oxygenation capacity of myoglobin (P<0.01), which was attenuated by postmortem aging. ES did not affect WHC, protein solubility and color stability (P>0.05). Therefore, this technology could accelerate meat tenderization without any negative effect on commercial attributes, such as color or drip of bovine longissimus muscle.     

Effect of fuel injection pressure on a heavy-duty diesel engine nonvolatile particle emission

The effects of the fuel injection pressure on a heavy-duty diesel engine exhaust particle emissions were studied. Nonvolatile particle size distributions and gaseous emissions were measured at steady-state engine conditions while the fuel injection pressure was changed. An increase in the injection pressure resulted in an increase in the nonvolatile nucleation mode (core) emission at medium and at high loads. At low loads, the core was not detected. Simultaneously, a decrease in soot mode number concentration and size and an increase in the soot mode distribution width were detected at all loads. Interestingly, the emission of the core was independent of the soot mode concentration at load conditions below 50%. Depending on engine load conditions, growth of the geometric mean diameter of the core mode was also detected with increasing injection pressure. The core mode emission and also the size of the mode increased with increasing NOx emission while the soot mode size and emission decreased simultaneously.     

Influence of OH scavenger on the water effect on secondary organic aerosol formation from ozonolysis of limonene, Delta3-carene, and alpha-pinene

The effect of OH scavengers on how water vapor influences the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) in ozonolysis of limonene, Delta3-carene, and alpha-pinene at low concentrations has been investigated by using a laminar flow reactor. Cyclohexane and 2-butanol (3-40 x 10(13) molecules cm(-3)) were used as scavengers and compared to experiments without any scavenger. The reactions were conducted at 298 K and at relative humidities between <10 and 80%. The yield of SOA decreased in the order "no scavenger" > 2-butanol > cyclohexane. The effect of water vapor was similar for 2-butanol and without a scavenger, with an increase in particle number and mass concentration with increasing relative humidity. The water effect for cyclohexane was more complex, depending on the terpene, scavenger concentration, and SOA concentration. The water effect seems to be influenced by the HO2/RO2 ratio. The results are discussed in relation to the currently suggested mechanism for alkene ozonolysis and to atmospheric importance. The results imply that the ozone-initiated oxidation of terpenes needs revision in order to fully account for the role of water in the chemical mechanism.     

Fatty acid composition of M. longissimus lumborum, ultimate muscle pH values and carcass parameters in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L) grazed on natural pasture or fed a commercial feed mixture

The effects of feeding regimen on the fatty acid composition of M. longissimus, ultimate pH values in three muscles (Mm. longissimus, triceps brachii and biceps femoris) and carcass quality were studied in15 reindeer bulls. Nine animals came from natural pasture and six had been fed a pelleted commercial feed mixture for two months prior to slaughter. The pellet fed reindeer had significantly better carcass grading scores (EUROP conformation), higher trim fat content, more intramuscular fat and lower ultimate pH values in all three muscles than the group from pasture. The polar and neutral lipid fatty acid composition of the meat was analysed separately. Meat from pasture fed reindeer showed a high content of the fatty acid 18:3 n-3 in the polar lipid fraction. In the same lipid fraction, the fatty acid 18:2 n-6 was dominant in meat from the pellet fed animals. Similar differences in the neutral lipid fraction were found when comparing fatty acid composition between treatment groups, however the abundance of these fatty acids was much less. The present results confirm previous findings that reindeer fed typical pelleted commercial feed mixtures generally have an improved nutritional status.     

Resistant starch formation during baking -effect of baking time and temperature and variations in the recipe

Summary The dietary fibre content in white wheat bread, measured with an enzymatic, gravimetric method, was almost 20% higher than in the corresponding flour. The increment was largely explained by the formation of resistant starch, i.e. starch available to amyloglucosidase only after solubilization with 2m-KOH. The resistant starch was formed in the oven or upon cooling of the finished bread. The water content in the dough seemed to influence the extent of the resistant starch formation, whereas changes in the fat content had no effect. The results indicate that the resistant starch might be hard retrograded starch, possibly amylose.

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Bildung von resistenter St&amp;auml;rke w&amp;auml;hrend des Backens in Abh&amp;auml;ngigkeit von Backzeit, Backtemperatur und Rezeptvariationen

Zusammenfassung Die Menge an Ballaststoffen, die nach einer enzymatisch-gravimetrischen Methode bestimmt wurde, war in wei&amp;szlig;em Weizenbrot fast 20% h&amp;ouml;her als in dem entsprechendem Mehl. Die Erh&amp;ouml;hung konnte zum gro&amp;szlig;en Teil auf die Bildung von mg src="/content/m2jh5746g46461g1/xxlarge8220.gif" alt="ldquo" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">resistenter St&amp;auml;rkemg src="/content/m2jh5746g46461g1/xxlarge8221.gif" alt="rdquo" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0"> zur&amp;uuml;ckgef&amp;uuml;hrt werden, d. h. auf eine St&amp;auml;rkefraktion, die nur nach Aufl&amp;ouml;sung mit 2m-KOH f&amp;uuml;r Amyloglucosidase zug&amp;auml;nglich ist. Die resistente St&amp;auml;rke wird w&amp;auml;hrend des Backens oder w&amp;auml;hrend der Abk&amp;uuml;hlung des Brotes gebildet, und die Menge scheint vom Wassergehalt des Teiges, aber nicht vom Fettgehalt abh&amp;auml;ngig zu sein. Die Resultate dieser Untersuchung weisen darauf hin, da&amp;szlig; die resistente St&amp;auml;rke retrogradierte St&amp;auml;rke, m&amp;ouml;glicherweise Amylose, ist.

     

Optimization of microwave baking of model layer cakes

&amp;#8194;Response surface methodology was used to optimize the formulation of microwave-baked cakes. The independent variables were water content, emulsifier content baking time, oven power, shortening content and starch type. The quality factors evaluated were specific gravity of batter and volume index, uniformity index and tenderness of the crumb. Constraints for quality factors were obtained by conventional baking of American Association of Cereal Chemists high-ratio cake formulation. Multiple contour plots showed the optimum region for various water and shortening combinations at different emulsifier, time and power levels. Cakes formulated with wheat starch, containing 0.3% polysorbate 60, 133.7% water and 45.2% shortening (flour substitute basis), baked for 6&amp;#8201;min at 100% power yielded acceptable cakes that can compete with conventionally baked cakes. Rice and corn cakes had lower quality than conventionally baked high-ratio cakes. Power was found to be the most efficient independent variable affecting all the dependent variables. Received: 26 August 1999 / Revised version: 11 October 1999     

Randomised trial investigating effect of a novel nicotine delivery device (Eclipse) and a nicotine oral inhaler on smoking behaviour, nicotine and carbon monoxide exposure, and motivation to quit

OBJECTIVE: To monitor the effect of a novel nicotine delivery device that may produce fewer carcinogens (Eclipse) on cigarette smoking, carbon monoxide and nicotine concentrations, and motivation to give up smoking. The smoker's own brand of cigarette and a nicotine replacement product (Nicotrol inhaler) were used as comparisons. DESIGN: After baseline data were recorded, smokers were randomised to either Eclipse or inhaler for two weeks and then switched to the other product for another two weeks. Thereafter a second baseline was obtained. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Fifty smokers were included and data are reported for the 40 with complete data sets. The smokers were not trying to quit but were interested in trying a new product to reduce their risk. They visited a smoking clinic 10 times during the six week period of the trial. INTERVENTION: No counselling to aid reduction by Eclipse or inhaler was given. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: At each visit smoking status and carbon monoxide concentrations were recorded. In half of the visits withdrawal symptoms, attitudes towards smoking, heart rate, and blood nicotine concentrations were also recorded. RESULTS: Eclipse use decreased the number of cigarettes smoked per day (cpd) from 19.1 cpd at baseline to 2.1 cpd (p < 0.001), but increased carbon monoxide concentrations in parts per million (ppm) from 21.0 ppm to 33.0 ppm (p < 0.001). A similar decrease in cigarettes smoked per day was seen with the Nicotrol inhaler, from 19.1 cpd to 4.8 cpd (p < 0.001), but carbon monoxide decreased from 21.0 ppm to 12.7 ppm (p < 0.001). The blood nicotine concentration remained fairly stable with Eclipse, increasing slightly from 16.8 ng/ml to 18.0 ng/ml, while for the inhaler a significant drop was noted, from 16.8 ng/ml to 12. 2 ng/ml (p < 0.002). Craving and withdrawal did not increase with Eclipse. Few significant adverse events occurred with Eclipse. CONCLUSIONS: Eclipse can dramatically decrease cigarette consumption without causing withdrawal symptoms or decreases in nicotine concentrations or motivation to quit altogether. Unlike the inhaler, Eclipse produces an increase in carbon monoxide concentration. Thus Eclipse may not be a safer cigarette.     

Dietary polyphenols and the prevention of diseases

Polyphenols are the most abundant antioxidants in the diet and are widespread constituents of fruits, vegetables, cereals, dry legumes, chocolate, and beverages, such as tea, coffee, or wine. Experimental studies on animals or cultured human cell lines support a role of polyphenols in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, or osteoporosis. However, it is very difficult to predict from these results the effects of polyphenol intake on disease prevention in humans. One of the reasons is that these studies have often been conducted at doses or concentrations far beyond those documented in humans. The few clinical studies on biomarkers of oxidative stress, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and tumor or bone resorption biomarkers have often led to contradictory results. Epidemiological studies have repeatedly shown an inverse association between the risk of myocardial infarction and the consumption of tea and wine or the intake level of some particular flavonoids, but no clear associations have been found between cancer risk and polyphenol consumption. More human studies are needed to provide clear evidence of their health protective effects and to better evaluate the risks possibly resulting from too high a polyphenol consumption.     

In vitro availability of starch in heat‐treated potatoes as related to genotype,weight and storage time

The objective of the study was to determine the influence of potato variety, weight and storage time after lifting on the glycaemic index (GI) and resistant starch (RS) content predicted from measurement of the rate and extent of in vitro starch hydrolysis, respectively. The potatoes were either boiled, or boiled and subjected to different heat‐cycling conditions selected to promote retrogradation of amylose or amylopectin, respectively. The hydrolysis indices (HI) and predicted GIs of all 19 potato products were high and fell within narrow ranges of 122–144 and 118–138, respectively. No correlation between average weight of the potato tuber and HI was found. Furthermore, there was no difference in HI between potatoes stored for 1–3 or 8–10 months, nor between varieties of new potato and winter potato. However, the HI was significantly lowered by temperature cycling at conditions known to promote retrogradation of amylopectin (6 °C, 48 h) compared with 6 °C for 24 h followed by 70 °C for 24 h. RS content was already substantial in boiled potatoes, 4.5 g 100 g^?1 (starch basis), and could be increased further by temperature cycling, the highest yield obtained, 9.8 g 100 g^?1 (starch basis), following heat treatment at 6 °C for 24 h followed by 70 °C for 24 h; that is at conditions known to favour amylose retrogradation. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry