Nonenzyme browning and its effect on protein nutrition

The nonenzyme browning involves the thermal decomposition of sugars, the caramelization, the decomposition of oxi‐acids, the so called “Maillard reaction” between amino acids and carbohydrates, the reaction between oxidized fats and proteins, and those alterations which take place by the alkaline treatment of proteins. The Maillard reaction is of secondary importance in the case of foodstuffs and fodders with low carbohydrate contents (meats, meat meal, fish meal). By the heat treatment, the sulphur‐containing amino acids of proteins (cystine, methionine) are damaged primarily because of oxidation, but the decrease in the amount of threonine, serine, tryptophan, and lysine is observable too. According to the formation of enzyme resistant cross‐links, the in vitro and in vivo digestibility of protein decreases after the heat treatment and the communication with oxidized fats. Besides the amino acids mentioned, the possibility of enzymatic break‐off of leucine and isoleucine is reduced too. In the course of the heating of proteins the occurance of racemization has to be considered too (formation of alloisoleucine). The basic mechanism of the reaction between sugars and simple amino acids is already essentially explained: amino‐acids break off after the formation glycosilamines and Amadori products but they are linked irreversibly to some, partly unsaturated decomposition products of sugars, types of 6 and 3 carbon atoms. The decrease in the biological usability of amino acids starts already with the Amadori products. The reactivity of the single amino acids depends on the number of carbon atoms, on the basicity, and on the polarity of the amino acid molecule. The especially highly reactive amino acids of proteins are (1) the essential lysine (because of its 6‐NH₂ group), (2) other types of basic amino acids, and (3) tryptophan (because of the lability of the indole ring), methionine, cystine and threonine. In the Maillard reaction of tryptophan the —NH— group of the indole ring is involved too. The Maillard reaction is highly influenced by the pH of foodstuffs or other agents. The reduction of pH which may be performed by the increase of fermentation in the baking industry, lessens the decomposition of lysine and tryptophan in proteins. The raise of pH in basic domain enhances the Maillard reaction up to a maximal value but a decrease may be observed when the pH is raised further on. In foodstuffs and in other solid protein‐carbohydrate systems the increase of the moisture content generally enhances the Maillard reaction, the sensibility of the single amino acids to the changes in the moisture content is different. In the case of the alkaline treatment of proteins, we must reckon not only with the decomposition of single amino acids, first of all that of cystine by beta‐elimination, but with the formation of some amino acid derivatives as lysinoalanine, lanthionine, and in ornithinoalanine too. Presently lysinoalanine is of toxicological importance as proved by experiences on rats. The isomerization of essential amino acids may appear too during the alkaline treatment of proteins and this bears a reducing effect on the nutritive’ value.     

Effects of waterlogging at different stages of development on the growth and yield of winter wheat

The response of winter wheat to waterlogging at different stages of growth outdoors was studied for 3 years using lysimeters containing undisturbed monoliths of sandy loam and clay soils. The treatments were selected as the most extreme likely to occur in field conditions in Britain, i.e. waterlogging to the soil surface for up to 16 days in October, 42 days in January and February and 6 days in May. Waterlogging in midwinter was common to all experiments. Yield losses from mid-winter waterlogging ranged from 15% when yields were heavy (10 t ha^?1), to nil when yields were light (3-4 t ha^?1) after the plants had been affected by frost damage in late winter and by take-all. Winter wheat was most sensitive to waterlogging after germination but before emergence. At this stage, 16 days waterlogging killed all seedlings and 6 days waterlogging depressed plant populations to 12% (clay) and 38% (sandy loam) of the control. However, there was vigorous compensatory growth in the remainder of the growing season and yield was only depressed to about 82% of the control. When the crop was waterlogged at any stage after emergence plant populations were not affected; however, winter waterlogging treatments usually depressed shoot numbers and, to a lesser extent, ear numbers at harvest. Shoot survival under waterlogged conditions seemed related to nitrogen availability in the soil. The amount of ‘take-all’ (Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici) was increased by waterlogging.     

Roles of anoxia and noise-induced hearing loss in the postictal refractory period for audiogenic seizures in mice.

Three experiments with 188 Ss demonstrated a postictal refractory period for audiogenic seizures in DBA/2J mice, which was not related to hearing loss but apparently was related to anoxia. Exp I controlled for the effects of noise exposure upon hearing sensitivity and demonstrated reduced susceptibility to subsequent audiogenic seizures for at least 1 hr after initial clonic-tonic convulsions. The postictal refractory period resulted from the occurrence of seizures per se, not from noise exposure alone. Exp II demonstrated deficiencies of sensorimotor functions that accompanied reduced postictal seizure susceptibility. The 2 phenomena had similar time courses of recovery, which suggested a common mechanism, probably anoxia, associated with the initial convulsions. In support of this view, Exp III shows that recovery from both phenomena was expedited by allowing Ss to breathe increased O-sub-2. The role of anoxia in fatal convulsions is suggested by the finding that Ss experiencing clonic-tonic convulsions in a high-O-sub-2 environment survived without exception. In contrast, seizures of air-breathing controls were almost always fatal. The data indicate that the postictal reduced susceptibility to audiogenic seizures was closely related to metabolic depletion (in particular, anoxia). The pattern of recovery of susceptibility further suggests that the effects of anoxia impair the spread of seizure activity through the CNS, although the initiation of seizures is also affected for a short time. (44 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of prepartum milking on postpartum reproduction, udder health and production performance in first-calf dairy heifers

Postpartum production performance of dairy heifers may be enhanced by prepartum milking by alleviating the stress of the periparturient period. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of prepartum milking of dairy heifers on postpartum reproduction, udder health, milk production and other associated production characteristics. Pregnant heifers (Holstein, n=21; Jersey n=10) were assigned to either a prepartum milked (premilked, n=15) or control (n=16) group. Premilked heifers were milked twice daily starting 3 weeks prior to anticipated calving dates, and milk yield recorded at each milking. All heifers were evaluated on days 21, 14 and 7 before calving, and udder oedema scores and milk conductivity readings were recorded. Following calving, measurements were taken twice weekly to assess udder oedema, milk conductivity (indicative of udder infection), and reproductive health, which included palpation for uterine tone and uterine position, vaginal electrical impedance (VEI) and the quantification of cross-sectional area of the uterine horns (uterine difference) by transrectal ultrasonography. Uterine tone, uterine position, uterine difference, and VEI did not differ (P>0.10) with treatment. Overall, up to week six inclusive, postpartum premilked heifers had lower (P<0.01) udder oedema scores than control heifers and up to week five inclusive, had lower (P<0.01) milk conductivity readings (indicative of fewer incidences of udder infections) than control heifers. The premilked heifers of both breeds produced more milk (P<0.01) at calving and more milk overall from calving to day 60 postpartum than the control heifers. In summary, udder health and milk production were improved post calving in premilked heifers compared with controls. However, no overt differences in reproductive characteristics were observed between the premilked and control heifers.     

Vibrio vulnificus load reduction in oysters after combined exposure to Vibrio vulnificus--specific bacteriophage and to an oyster extract component

Oysters infected with Vibrio vulnificus can present a serious health risk to diabetic, immunocompromised, and iron-deficient individuals. Numerous studies have been conducted with the goal of eliminating this organism from raw oysters. We utilized two natural oyster-associated components: pooled Vibrio vulnificus-specific bacteriophage and an extract of the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) that contains an antimicrobial component we named anti-Vibrio vulnificus factor, which is bactericidal for V. vulnificus. Although each component alone can reduce V. vulnificus numbers independently, the simultaneous use of both components in an in vitro system successfully more effectively reduced V. vulnificus bacterial loads.     

BEH Amide柱：使碳水化合物的分析更简单、快速、高效

碳水化合物的色谱分析对很多行业的研究来说都是非常重要的工作。例如．食品中单糖与二糖的定性定量,由于复杂糖类．糖醇、人造甜味剂与盐皆可形成复杂基质．使分析变得困难;制药行业通常使用简单或复杂的糖类或糖衍生物基质作为起始药物．通过对药物配方中的这些化合物进行分析,可以为生产提供所需要的信息;     

Predicting the frequency of water quality standard violations: a probabilistic approach for TMDL development

To address the impaired condition of the water bodies listed under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, over 40 000 total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for pollutants must be developed during the next 10-15 years. Most of these will be based on the results of water quality simulation models. However, the failure of most models to incorporate residual variability and parameter uncertainty in their predictions makes them unsuitable for TMDL development. The percentile-based standards increasingly used by the EPA and the requirement for a margin of safety in TMDLs necessitate that model predictions include quantitative information on uncertainty. We describe a probabilistic approach to model-based TMDL assessment that addresses this issue and is suitable for use with any type of mathematical model. To demonstrate our approach, we employ a eutrophication model for the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina, and evaluate compliance with the state chlorophyll a standard. Any observed variability in chlorophyll athatis notexplained bythe model is explicitly incorporated via a residual error term. This probabilistic term captures the effects of any processes that are not considered in the model and allows for direct assessment of the frequency of standard violations. Additionally, by estimating and propagating the effects of parameter uncertainty on model predictions, we are able to provide an explicit basis for choosing a TMDL that includes a margin of safety. We conclude by discussing the potential for models currently supported by the EPA to be adapted to provide the type of probabilistic information that is necessary to support TMDL decisions.     

Behavior-change trials to assess the feasibility of improving complementary feeding practices and micronutrient intake of infants in rural Bangladesh

This study used simple rapid-assessment techniques to test the feasibility of increasing the consumption of complementary foods by infants by asking mothers to increase meal quantity or frequency or by altering the viscosity/energy density of the food. The feasibility of using micronutrient supplements either added directly to food or administered as liquid drops was also examined. The study was conducted in rural Bangladesh and involved four separate short-term behavioral change trials. Depending on the trial, fieldworkers recruited 30 to 45 infants 6 to 12 months of age. Following recommendations to increase the amount of food provided to infants, the mean intakes from single meals increased from 40 +/- 23 g on day 1 to 64 +/- 30 g on day 7 (p < 0.05). In a second trial, the mean meal frequency increased from 2.2 +/- 1.3 on day 1 to 4.1 +/- 1.3 on day 7 (p < 0.05). Provision of high-energy-density diets, prepared by decreasing viscosity with alpha-amylase or by hand-mashing rice and dhal into a paste before feeding, increased single-meal energy consumption from 54 +/- 35 kcal to 79 +/- 52 kcal or 75 +/- 37 kcal (p < 0.05), respectively. Both types of micronutrient supplements were well accepted and used according to recommendations. In conclusion, it was possible to change short-term child-feeding behaviors to promote increased food intake, mealfrequency, energy density, and micronutrient consumption. Because each of these interventions lasted for only about 1 week, however, the long-term sustainability of these changes is not known. Moreover, the effect of increased feeding of complementary foods on intakes of breastmilk and total daily consumption of energy and nutrients requires further study.     

Impact of intervention strategies on Listeria contamination patterns in crawfish processing plants: a longitudinal study

Two ready-to-eat crawfish processing plants were monitored for 2 years to study the impact of Listeria control strategies, including employee training and targeted sanitation procedures, on Listeria contamination. Environmental, raw material, and finished product samples were collected weekly during the main processing months (April to June) and tested for Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes. Before implementation of control strategies (year 1), the two processing plants showed Listeria spp. prevalences of 29.5% (n = 78) in raw, whole crawfish, 5.2% (n = 155) in the processing plant environment, and 0% (n = 78) in finished products. In year 2, after plant-specific Listeria control strategies were implemented, Listeria spp. prevalence increased in raw crawfish (57.5%, n = 101), in the processing plant environment (10.8%, n = 204), and in the finished product (1.0%, n = 102). Statistical analysis showed a significant increase in Listeria spp. prevalence (P < 0.0001) and a borderline nonsignificant increase in L. monocytogenes prevalence (P = 0.097) on raw material in year 2. Borderline nonsignificant increases were also observed for Listeria spp. prevalence in environmental samples (P = 0.082). Our data showed that Listeria spp. prevalence in raw crawfish can vary significantly among seasons. However, the increased contamination prevalence for raw materials only resulted in a limited Listeria prevalence increase for the processing plant environment with extremely low levels of finished product contamination. Heat treatment of raw materials combined with Listeria control strategies to prevent cross-contamination thus appears to be effective in achieving low levels of finished product contamination, even with Listeria spp. prevalences for raw crawfish of more than 50%.