Isolation and Characterization of Microsatellite Markers for Passiflora contracta

Passiflora contracta Vitta (Passifloraceae) is an endemic species of the Atlantic Rainforest, one of the most species-rich ecoregions in the world, although extremely endangered. We have developed an enriched microsatellite library in order to fine-scale studies of the genetic structure of P. contracta. Twelve pairs of microsatellite primers were designed, and seven loci were successfully amplified and characterized by genotyping two wild populations of P. contracta. All seven loci were polymorphic, with an average number of alleles found being 4.8 and 5 per population. The cross-species transferability was tested using sister species Passiflora ovalis Vell. Ex Roemer. The development of these markers will contribute to the studies of population genetics in P. contracta as well as future studies concerning diversity patterns in the Atlantic Rainforest, and may also help to establish strategies for the conservation of this species.     

Evolution of phenols and pigments in extra virgin olive oil from irrigated super‐intensive orchard

Phenolic compounds have a high importance in olive oil because of their effect on shelf life and sensory properties. This study reports on the HPLC profiles of the phenolic compounds of virgin olive oils obtained from Arbequina olives from the harvesting in a super‐intensive orchard under a linear irrigation system. In addition, phenolic content, carotenoid and chlorophyllic pigments, and oxidative stability were analyzed. Total phenol content and 3,4‐DHPEA‐EDA increased up to a maximum throughout the ripening process. The simple phenols tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol acetate increased throughout the ripening process, however, there was not found a clear trend in hydroxytyrosol content. Minor constituents such as vanillic acid and p‐coumaric acid increased up to a maximum and then decreased, since vanillin decreased progressively throughout the time of harvest. 3,4‐DHPEA‐EDA and lignans were present in considerable amounts in the studied samples, while oleuropein aglycone was present in a low amount. Total phenol content and oil stability followed the same trend throughout the study, so a very good correlation was established between them. Total secoiridoids and, specifically, 3,4‐DHPEA‐EDA seemed to be responsible for oil stability. The pigment content decreased during ripening, and not a positive correlation was found between pigments and oil stability. Practical applications : The results can be used to determine the best time for harvesting in order to obtain olive oils with different phenols and pigment contents. This is important for sensory characteristics of the olive oils and also for olive oil stability.     

Association between dietary patterns and metabolic syndrome in a sample of portuguese adults

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: There is scarce evidence regarding the association between diet and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Portuguese population. We aim to evaluate the association between a posteriori dietary patterns (DPs) and MetS and its features. METHODS: Using random digit dialing, a sample of 2167 adults was selected between 1999 and 2003, in Porto. During a face-to-face interview, a questionnaire was applied, anthropometric measures were taken, blood pressure measured and a fasting blood sample collected. Diet was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and four DPs were identified in each sex by multivariate finite mixture models. RESULTS: After adjustment for age and daily energy intake, comparing to the "healthy" DP, women with the "low fruit and vegetables" DP had a higher odds of high waist circumference (OR = 1.88 95% CI 1.17-3.01) and low HDL-cholesterol (OR = 1.78 95% IC 1.12-2.82) and women in the "red meat and alcohol" DP had higher odds of high waist circumference (OR = 1.45 95% CI 1.01-2.07) and of MetS (OR = 1.57 95% CI 1.07-2.29); men with the "fish" DP had a higher odds of high triglycerides (OR = 1.57 95% CI 1.05-2.35). After further adjustments (education, physical activity, smoking, alcohol drinking, BMI, and menopausal status) no significant associations remained. CONCLUSIONS: Four distinct DPs were identified in a community sample of Portuguese adults and there was no association with the prevalence of MetS.     

Comparison of different uncertainty techniques in urban stormwater quantity and quality modelling

Urban drainage models are important tools used by both practitioners and scientists in the field of stormwater management. These models are often conceptual and usually require calibration using local datasets. The quantification of the uncertainty associated with the models is a must, although it is rarely practiced. The International Working Group on Data and Models, which works under the IWA/IAHR Joint Committee on Urban Drainage, has been working on the development of a framework for defining and assessing uncertainties in the field of urban drainage modelling. A part of that work is the assessment and comparison of different techniques generally used in the uncertainty assessment of the parameters of water models. This paper compares a number of these techniques: the Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE), the Shuffled Complex Evolution Metropolis algorithm (SCEM-UA), an approach based on a multi-objective auto-calibration (a multialgorithm, genetically adaptive multi-objective method, AMALGAM) and a Bayesian approach based on a simplified Markov Chain Monte Carlo method (implemented in the software MICA). To allow a meaningful comparison among the different uncertainty techniques, common criteria have been set for the likelihood formulation, defining the number of simulations, and the measure of uncertainty bounds. Moreover, all the uncertainty techniques were implemented for the same case study, in which the same stormwater quantity and quality model was used alongside the same dataset. The comparison results for a well-posed rainfall/runoff model showed that the four methods provide similar probability distributions of model parameters, and model prediction intervals. For ill-posed water quality model the differences between the results were much wider; and the paper provides the specific advantages and disadvantages of each method. In relation to computational efficiency (i.e. number of iterations required to generate the probability distribution of parameters), it was found that SCEM-UA and AMALGAM produce results quicker than GLUE in terms of required number of simulations. However, GLUE requires the lowest modelling skills and is easy to implement. All non-Bayesian methods have problems with the way they accept behavioural parameter sets, e.g. GLUE, SCEM-UA and AMALGAM have subjective acceptance thresholds, while MICA has usually problem with its hypothesis on normality of residuals. It is concluded that modellers should select the method which is most suitable for the system they are modelling (e.g. complexity of the model’s structure including the number of parameters), their skill/knowledge level, the available information, and the purpose of their study.     

Lactobacillus casei strains isolated from cheese reduce biogenic amine accumulation in an experimental model

Tyramine and histamine are the biogenic amines (BAs) most commonly found in cheese, in which they appear as a result of the microbial enzymatic decarboxylation of tyrosine and histidine respectively. Given their toxic effects, their presence in high concentrations in foods should be avoided. In this work, samples of three cheeses (Zamorano, Cabrales and Emmental) with long ripening periods, and that often have high BA concentrations, were screened for the presence of BA-degrading lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Seventeen isolates were found that were able to degrade tyramine and histamine in broth culture. All 17 isolates were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing as belonging to Lactobacillus casei. They were typed by plasmid S1-PFGE and genomic macrorestriction-PFGE analysis. Two strains (L. casei 4a and 5b) associated with high degradation rates for both BAs were selected to test how this ability might affect histamine and tyramine accumulation in a Cabrales-like mini-cheese manufacturing model. The quantification of BAs and the monitoring of the strains' growth over ripening were undertaken by RP-HPLC and qPCR respectively. Both strains were found to reduce histamine and tyramine accumulation. These two strains might be suitable for use as adjunct cultures for reducing the presence of BAs in cheese.     

Synergistic effects between κ-carrageenan and locust bean gum on physicochemical properties of edible films made thereof

The development of mixed systems, formed by locust bean gum (LBG), and κ-carrageenan (κ-car) can offer new interesting applications such as the development of edible films with particular properties. κ-car/LBG blend films with different ratios were developed, and their effects on films’ physical properties were assessed. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy techniques were used to highlight the interactions between the two polysaccharides. The addition of κ-car to LBG improved the barrier properties of the films leading to a decrease of water vapor permeability (WVP). Improved values of elongation-at-break (EB) were registered when the ratio of κ-car/LBG was 80/20 or 40/60 (% w/w). Moreover, the κ-car/LBG blend films enhance the tensile strength (TS) compared to κ-car and LBG films. FTIR results suggested that hydrogen bonds interactions between κ-car and LBG have a great influence in films’ properties e.g. moisture content, WVP. Therefore, different κ-car/LBG ratios can be used to tailor edible films with enhanced barrier and mechanical properties.     

Determination of ochratoxin A in wines by capillary liquid chromatography with laser induced fluorescence detection using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction

A method based on reverse phase capillary high performance liquid chromatography (capillary HPLC) coupled to laser-induced fluorescence detection (LIF) has been proposed for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) in wine samples. An anionic micellar medium was added to the mobile phase for increasing the fluorescence intensity and peak efficiency. Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) has been used as a simple and efficient sample pretreatment method for the analysis of OTA in wines, being optimised by means of experimental design. The limit of detection was 5.5 ng L(-1) (3 × S/N) and recoveries for different wines ranged from 91.7 to 98.1%. The proposed methodology could be classified as a green analytical chemistry alternative, combining the low organic solvent volumes required in the DLLME with the reduced consumption of mobile phase in capillary HPLC. The use of LIF as detector provided an extremely sensitive method for the determination of OTA in wines.     

RNA fingerprinting analysis of Oenococcus oeni strains under wine conditions

Oenococcus oeni is a lactic acid bacterium of economic interest used in winemaking. This bacterium is the preferred species for malolactic fermentation (MLF) due its adaptability to the chemically harsh wine environment. MLF enhances the organoleptic properties and ensures deacidification of wines.