Quality assurance and traceability of foods of animal origin: major findings from the research project IT FoodTrace

Based on the information needs of stakeholders (from animal feed to consumers, including the authorities and organizations involved) an integrated IT-system without structural fractures and barriers shall be developed. It will be designed to enable the merging, internal exchange and utilization of relevant data and parameters. Subprojects of the interdisciplinary research consortium cover the entire supply chain and also address cross-section issues, such as logistics, costs and benefits, veterinarian services, quality assurance systems, a comprehensive IT-solution including data format standards (agroXML), and requirements for sustainability. Substantial added value has been generated from intensive interdisciplinary co-operation. The interdisciplinary research project IT FoodTrace () aims at achieving traceability and quality assurance along the food chain of “meat and meat products”. The aim of this paper is the presentation of (a) the complexity of underlying problems, (b) the project structure, (c) available results from selected sub-projects and (d) the added values from interdisciplinary co-operation. Selected findings include an optimized single animal data collection and information management in livestock systems, benefits gained by linking animal-health-related information to an integrated animal-health system, requirements and features of an integrated IT-System, including consequences for data protection and security, and findings from a Delphi-based cost–benefit-analysis of an integrated quality assurance and traceability system.     

Structural purity of magnetite nanoparticles in magnetotactic bacteria

Magnetosome biomineralization and chain formation in magnetotactic bacteria are two processes that are highly controlled at the cellular level in order to form cellular magnetic dipoles. However, even if the magnetosome chains are well characterized, controversial results about the microstructure of magnetosomes were obtained and its possible influence in the formation of the magnetic dipole is to be specified. For the first time, the microstructure of intracellular magnetosomes was investigated using high-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Significant differences in the lattice parameter were found between intracellular magnetosomes from cultured magnetotactic bacteria and isolated ones. Through comparison with abiotic control materials of similar size, we show that this difference can be associated with different oxidation states and that the biogenic nanomagnetite is stoichiometric, i.e. structurally pure whereas isolated magnetosomes are slightly oxidized. The hierarchical structuring of the magnetosome chain thus starts with the formation of structurally pure magnetite nanoparticles that in turn might influence the magnetic property of the magnetosome chains.     

Identification of the Thermodynamically Stable Fe‐Containing Phase in Aged Cement Pastes

Current developments in cement chemistry increasingly rely on predictive thermodynamic modeling of the phase composition in cementitious composites with the aim of linking the performance of the material with the phase composition of the material. This approach requires identification of the cement phases that form in hydrating cementitious materials using standard techniques, such as X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analysis (DTA, TGA), but also state‐of‐the‐art synchrotron‐based techniques, in particular for those cases in which the signals of solid solutions overlap in XRD and TGA measurements. In this study, two ordinary Portland cements, with different chemical compositions and subject to different hydration times (~10, ~50 yr), were investigated aiming at identifying the most stable Fe‐containing cement phase in the cement pastes. The Fe‐containing cement phases and their solid solutions with the Al analogues in the complex cement matrix were analyzed with X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, indicating the formation of a mixed Fe–Al siliceous hydrogarnet as the major Fe‐containing phase. The presence of this phase after long hydration periods and upon selective dissolution of the pastes further indicates that, independent of the chemical compositions of cements, formation of the mixed Fe–Al siliceous hydrogarnet is thermodynamically favored in aged pastes, which is supported by published thermodynamic calculations.     

Platelet lysate and adipose mesenchymal stromal cells on silk fibroin nonwoven mats for wound healing

In this work platelet lysate (PL) and adipose‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) seeded on nonwoven fibroin mats were in vitro and in vivo evaluated for tissue regenerative applications. Nonwoven mats obtained by a large scale water entanglement technique were characterized for their physico‐chemical properties. Results indicated a high purity of fibroin fibers, their stability after sterilization process and appropriate technological properties suitable for tissue engineering. Moreover, the scaffolds in vitro supported adhesion and migration of ASCs and the presence of PL improved the cell proliferation. The products were then applied on epithelial/dermal wounds carried out on the dorsal surface of rabbit: the skin reparative process was solved in 9 days, with a completely restitutio ad integrum of the epithelium in animals treated with PL alone; ASCs did not further improve the wound healing. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 42942.     

Montmorillonite reinforced type A gelatin nanocomposites

This study investigates the structural, morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties of type A gelatin/montmorillonite (MMT) films as a function of MMT concentration. The variations of the X‐ray diffraction pattern suggest that the structure of the nanocomposites turns from intercalated to exfoliated on increasing clay loading up to 20 wt %. Simultaneously, gelatin interaction with clay negative sheets during gelling provokes a reduction of the triple helix content of the composite films, in agreement with the reduction of the relative intensity of the 1.1 nm diffraction reflection of gelatin and of the values of denaturation enthalpy. On the other hand, the increase of the denaturation and decomposition temperatures, the significant rise of the Young's modulus, as well as the swelling decrease observed as clay content increases, demonstrate a relevant stabilizing effect of MMT on gelatin. The reinforcement action of MMT allows to utilize a relatively low concentration of the crosslinking agent genipin to further stabilize the films. The synergic action of clay and genipin prevents dissolution of the nanocomposites in aqueous solution and enhances their mechanical properties. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40301.     

The Influence of Betulin and Its Derivatives EB5 and ECH147 on the Antioxidant Status of Human Renal Proximal Tubule Epithelial Cells

Betulin and its derivatives, 28-propyne derivative EB5 and 29-diethyl phosphonate analog ECH147, are promising compounds in anti-tumor activity studies. However, their effect on kidney cells has not yet been studied. The study aimed to determine whether betulin and its derivatives—EB5 and ECH147—influence the viability and oxidative status of human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTECs). The total antioxidant capacity of cells (TEAC), lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GPX) were evaluated. Additionally, the mRNA level of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes was assessed. Cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil were used as reference substances. Betulin and its derivatives affected the viability and antioxidant systems of RPTECs. Betulin strongly reduced TEAC in a concentration-dependent manner. All tested compounds caused an increase in MDA levels. The activity of SOD, CAT, and GPX, and the mRNA profiles of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes depended on the tested compound and its concentration. Betulin showed an cisplatin-like effect, indicating its nephrotoxic potential. Betulin derivatives EB5 and ECH147 showed different impacts on the antioxidant system, which gives hope that these compounds will not cause severe consequences for the kidneys in vivo.