Immunomodulatory activity of dietary fiber: arabinoxylan and mixed-linked Beta-glucan isolated from barley show modest activities in vitro

High intake of dietary fiber is claimed to protect against development of colorectal cancer. Barley is a rich source of dietary fiber, and possible immunomodulatory effects of barley polysaccharides might explain a potential protective effect. Dietary fiber was isolated by extraction and enzyme treatment. A mixed-linked β-glucan (WSM-TPX, 96.5% β-glucan, Mw 886 kDa), an arabinoxylan (WUM-BS-LA, 96.4% arabinoxylan, Mw 156 kDa), a mixed-linked β-glucan rich fraction containing 10% arabinoxylan (WSM-TP) and an arabinoxylan rich fraction containing 30% mixed-linked β-glucan (WUM-BS) showed no significant effect on IL-8 secretion and proliferation of two intestinal epithelial cell lines, Caco-2 and HT-29, and had no significant effect on the NF-κB activity in the monocytic cell line U937-3κB-LUC. Further enriched arabinoxylan fractions (WUM-BS-LA) from different barley varieties (Tyra, NK96300, SB94897 and CDCGainer) were less active than the mixed-linked β-glucan rich fractions (WSM-TP and WSM-TPX) in the complement-fixing test. The mixed-linked β-glucan rich fraction from NK96300 and CDCGainer showed similar activities as the positive control while mixed-linked β-glucan rich fractions from Tyra and SB94897 were less active. From these results it is concluded that the isolated high molecular weight mixed-linked β-glucans and arabinoxylans from barley show low immunological responses in selected in vitro test systems and thus possible anti-colon cancer effects of barley dietary fiber cannot be explained by our observations.     

Mixing properties and rheological characteristics of dough used to make potato‐cereal soft wraps

We have studied mixing, rheology and stability of potato‐cereal flour doughs. These were prepared using samples of two varieties of cooked and cold‐stored potatoes. Dependent on variety a minimum duration of 24–48 h cold‐storage was required. Dough mixing torque plateau was inversely related to potato water content. This should be <79 g/100 g. It was also necessary to have a stable dough mixing torque plateau of >2 Nm at a specific total mechanical energy input of 18–22 kJ kg^?1. The resting temperature of the dough was also inversely related to its strength (plateau elastic modulus at time zero). Target dough strength should be about 25 kPa in a bob‐cup. Above 15 °C it decreased as a function of time and within 1 h it became too sticky for commercial processing. At 4 °C the dough remained stable. Sufficient potato starch retrogradation is a pre‐requisite to make optimal potato‐cereal flour dough for commercial processing.     

Screening of acrylamide contents in potato crisps using process variable settings and near-infrared spectroscopy

In order to study the formation of acrylamide in potato crisps during processing, an experimental design was set up. The design variables were drying time (6 levels), frying temperature (2 levels) and frying time (8 levels). The design contained 36 samples, which were analysed for acrylamide contents using LC high-resolution mass spectroscopy (LC-HRMS), and fat contents using the Soxhlet apparatus. Prior to analysis, all potato crisp samples were ground and analysed on an NIRSystems 6500 near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer. The acrylamide contents were modelled by: (i) design variables using multiple linear regression, (ii) NIR spectra using partial least squares regression (PLSR) and (iii) design variables and NIR spectra in combination using a novel technique combining least squares regression on the former, and PLSR on the latter. The results showed that the NIR spectra alone or in combination with the design variables gave better prediction models for acrylamide than the design variables alone. This implies that the spectra contain chemical information that is not purely a result of the processing variables that were investigated in this experiment. NIR spectroscopy is proposed as a possible tool for screening and identification of potato crisps with a high acrylamide content.     

Non‐destructive texture analysis of farmed Atlantic salmon using visual/near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy

Fillets of farmed Atlantic salmon were assessed by visual/near‐infrared (VIS/NIR) reflectance spectroscopy, Kramer shear force measurement and texture profile analysis (TPA). Comparison of the Kramer measurements between pairs of subsamples gave correlation coefficients of 0.85 for pre‐rigor (2 h after slaughter), 0.78 for post‐rigor (6 days after slaughter) and 0.97 for pre‐ and post‐rigor combined. TPA gave non‐significant correlations between subsamples. VIS/NIR fibre optic probe measurements gave cross‐validated correlation coefficients for prediction of Kramer shear force of 0.76 for pre‐rigor, 0.68 for post‐rigor and 0.94 for pre‐ and post‐rigor combined. Classification using linear discriminant analysis of the VIS/NIR measurements gave up to 79% correct classification into three categories: low Kramer shear force (2.13 × 10^?2–4.41 × 10^?2 J g^?1), medium Kramer shear force (4.41 × 10^?2–6.37 × 10^?2 J g^?1) and high Kramer shear force (6.37 × 10^?2–7.90 × 10^?2 J g^?1). Using these class limits, no low‐Kramer‐shear‐force sample was misclassified as a high‐Kramer‐shear‐force sample, and vice versa. It can be concluded that non‐destructive VIS/NIR fibre optic probe measurement gives fair predictions of Kramer shear force. Its most useful application in salmon production plants may be to classify fillets into broad classes according to texture before further processing or sale. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of gender on meat quality in lamb from extensive and intensive grazing systems when slaughtered at the end of the growing season

In Norway, most lambs are slaughtered at the end of the grazing season in September. An increased demand for fresh meat during the off-season may change this pattern. Castration of male lambs is not permitted, and off-season slaughtering may affect the acceptability of the meat. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of gender and the interaction between gender and diet on meat quality from Norwegian White Sheep lambs slaughtered in September. In two different experiments, 22 and 29 males compared with 22 and 46 female lambs, respectively, were used. Loin samples of M. Longissimus dorsi were analysed for sensory profile and fatty acid composition. Meat from male lambs in Experiment 2 had higher scores for cloying and rancid flavour, and lower scores for sour and sweet taste compared to meat from female lambs. It is concluded that even at the normal slaughtering time in September, significant differences between genders may occur.     

Swell and distortions of high-density polyethylene extruded through capillary dies

The effect of varying the die entrance angle and the die length on extrudate swell and on the onset of extrudate distortion in capillary extrusion has been studied. Using theory from the literature, we have analyzed the contribution to the total pressure drop from the elongational and shear deformation in the entrance region, and from the capillary pressure drop in the land region of the die. From the contribution of the elongational deformation, we obtained an estimate for the elongational viscosity of the polymer. The same analysis was used to study the influence of the die geometry on the stick-slip instability. It is found that the elongational component at the inlet region mainly influences the extrudate distortions. The onset of the stick-slip instability occurs within 10% at a wall stress τ_w of 0.3MPa, where τ_w is calculated from expressions assuming fully developed flow. The variation around this average value is systematic with changes in die geometry, and the observed variations are probably due to the non-homogeneous pressure field in the die. We also propose a model for predicting extrudate swell. Input to the model are material parameters obtainable from oscillatoric measurements of the loss and storage modulus and residence times calculated from the geometry of the die. The swell model includes a fitting parameter that sets the overall scale of the swell.     

Geometrical isomerisation of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid at high temperatures

Concentrates of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were heated at 140–240 °C for 2–8 h under nitrogen. The trans isomers were analysed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry on a BPX‐70 cyanopropyl column. All geometrical isomers of EPA and DHA with one trans double bond were observed. The rate constants (k) for the isomerisation of the all‐cis isomers were calculated and found to be higher than previously reported for linoleic acid and α‐linolenic acid. Arrhenius plots showed a linear relationship between ln k and the reciprocal absolute temperature above 180 °C. The distribution patterns of isomers with one trans double bond are approximately constant up to a degree of isomerisation of 25%. The degree of isomerisation can therefore be estimated from selected trans peaks.     

Geometrical isomerisation of double bonds in acid‐catalysed preparation of fatty acid methyl esters

Acid‐catalysed methylation is frequently applied for the preparation of fatty acid methyl esters used for gas chromatographic analysis of fatty acids. A series of artefacts were observed in hydrochloric acid‐catalysed direct methylation of herring (Clupea harengus L.) muscle. The artefacts were identified as trans isomers of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid, and their levels increased with reaction time. The isomers were not found after methylation of a lipid extract of the herring muscle, even after extreme reaction times. In general, the trans isomers are only observed after methylation of certain marine tissues, indicating catalytic activity in these samples. Based on these results, it is recommended that direct methylation procedures are thoroughly validated with each matrix type analysed, and that reaction times should not be longer than necessary to complete the methylation.     

Coping with career development: a field study measuring the influence of work characteristics and employee personality

Behaviormetrika - This study tested a model of the relationship between work performance, employee personality, and perceived career development. The model hypothesized that employee personality...