The effect of multiple yeasts co-inoculations on Sauvignon Blanc wine aroma composition,sensory properties and consumer preference

Consumer acceptance testing has been only recently applied in wine research, to assess wine sensory attributes that affect hedonic liking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Saccharomyces yeast co-inoculations on wine volatile composition and sensory profiles, and to determine if differences were sufficient enough to affect consumer acceptance. Fermentations were conducted using two- and three-yeast co-inoculations, and single strains. Yeast inocula differed substantially in volatile thiols and other flavour compounds, and in their sensory properties. Wines from four yeast inocula which showed large sensory differences were subjected to consumer testing by 120 consumers, with differences in overall liking found. Four clusters of consumers were identified, with one group strongly preferring the two-yeast co-inoculated wine with an intermediate sensory profile, while another group favoured the wine made using the three-yeast co-inoculation. This study has demonstrated that the yeast inoculum used to conduct fermentation affects consumer acceptance.     

Effect of separate pod and root zone temperatures on yield and seed composition of three Spanish cultivars of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L)

The effect of separate pod and root temperature regimes (all four combinations of 28/22 and 40/34 °C day/night temperature), imposed from the time of peg penetration until harvest, on yield and seed composition of three Spanish genotypes of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L) was investigated. A decrease in pod temperature from 40/34 to 28/22 °C increased yield and oil, starch and protein mass per plant irrespective of root temperature. Additionally, a reduction in pod temperature decreased protein concentration and increased the sum of oil and starch concentration at a root temperature of 28/22 °C, whereas at a root temperature of 40/34 °C a decrease in pod temperature increased protein concentration. Root temperature reduction diminished oil concentration of genotypes AH 6179 and TMV 2 at a pod temperature of 40/34 °C. A decline in pod temperature affected fatty acid composition through a decrease in palmitic acid irrespective of root temperature and an increase in linoleic acid at a root temperature of 28/22 °C. A root temperature effect on fatty acid composition was not detected. It is concluded that field management practices and choice of genotype can influence groundnut yield and seed composition through effects on pod and root temperature. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Up-cycling of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) to the biodegradable plastic PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate)

The conversion of the petrochemical polymer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to a biodegradable plastic polyhydroxyal-kanoate (PHA) is described here. PET was pyrolised at 450 degrees C resulting in the production of a solid, liquid, and gaseous fraction. The liquid and gaseous fractions were burnt for energy recovery, whereas the solid fraction terephthalic acid (TA) was used as the feedstock for bacterial production of PHA. Strains previously reported to grow on TA were unable to accumulate PHA. We therefore isolated bacteria from soil exposed to PET granules at a PET bottle processing plant From the 32 strains isolated, three strains capable of accumulation of medium chain length PHA (mclPHA) from TA as a sole source of carbon and energy were selected for further study. These isolates were identified using 16S rDNA techniques as P. putida (GO16), P. putida (GO19), and P. frederiksbergensis (GO23). P. putida GO16 and GO19 accumulate PHA composed predominantly of a 3-hydroxydecanoic acid monomer while P. frederiksbergensis GO23 accumulates 3-hydroxydecanoic acid as the predominant monomer with increased amounts of 3-hydroxydodecanoic acid and 3-hydroxydodecenoic acid compared to the other two strains. PHA was detected in all three strains when nitrogen depleted below detectable levels in the growth medium. Strains GO16 and GO19 accumulate PHA at a maximal rate of approximately 8.4 mg PHA/l/h for 12 h before the rate of PHA accumulation decreased dramatically. Strain GO23 accumulates PHA at a lower maximal rate of 4.4 mg PHA/l/h but there was no slow down in the rate of PHA accumulation over time. Each of the PHA polymers is a thermoplastic with the onset of thermal degradation occurring around 308 degrees C with the complete degradation occurring by 370 degrees C. The molecular weight ranged from 74 to 123 kDa. X-ray diffraction indicated crystallinity of the order of 18-31%. Thermal analysis shows a low glass transition (-53 degrees C) with a broad melting endotherm between 0 and 45 degrees C.     

Biomagnification of alpha- and gamma-hexabromocyclododecane isomers in a Lake Ontario food web

The extent of bioaccumulation of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) isomers (alpha, beta, and gamma) was determined in the Lake Ontario pelagic food web using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Concentrations of the alpha-isomer were consistently higher than that of the gamma-isomer. The beta-isomer was below method detection limits in all samples. Whole body concentrations (ng/g, wet wt) of alpha- and gamma-HBCD were highest in the top predator lake trout samples ranging from 0.4 to 3.8 ng/g for the alpha-isomer and 0.1 to 0.8 ng/g for the gamma-isomer. For the prey fish species, the trends in alpha- and gamma-HBCD levels were slimy sculpin > smelt > alewife. Mean concentrations of total (sigma) HBCD (sum of alpha- and gamma-isomers) in the macrozooplankter Mysis relicta (0.14 +/- 0.02 ng/g wet wt) and in the benthic invertebrate Diporeia hoyi (0.16 +/- 0.02 ng/g, wet wt) were similar and approximately twice as high as in plankton (0.06 +/- 0.02 ng/g, wet wt). A strong positive linear relationship was found between sigmaHBCD concentrations (wet wt) and trophic level based on delta15N suggesting that HBCD biomagnifies in the Lake Ontario food web. The trophic magnification factor (TMF = 6.3) derived from the slope of the sigmaHBCD - trophic level relationship was slightly higher than TMFs for p,p'-DDE (6.1) and sigmaPCBs (5.7) found previously. Biomagnification factors (BMF, calculated as the ratio of lipid corrected concentration in predator/lipid corrected concentration in prey) were variable between feeding relationships and ranged from 0.4 to 10.8 for the alpha-isomer and from 0.2 to 10 for gamma-isomers.     

Detection of zearalenone and related metabolites by fluorescence polarization immunoassay

Zearalenone is an estrogenic mycotoxin commonly found in grains throughout the world. A number of instrument- and antibody-based methods including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) have been developed to detect zearalenone (ZEN) and related toxins in commodities and foods. Although convenient, the commercial ELISAs for small molecules such as ZEN require a washing step to separate bound and unbound enzyme label before detection. In fluorescence polarization immunoassays, separation of bound and unbound label is not required, a property that reduces the time needed to perform the assays. We developed a fluorescence polarization immunoassay for ZEN in maize. When combined with a rapid extraction technique, the assay could be used to detect as little as 0.11 microg of ZEN g(-1) maize within 10 min. The assay showed cross-reactivity to the ZEN analogs zearalanone, alpha-zearalanol, alpha-zearalenol, beta-zearalenol, and beta-zearalanol of 195, 139, 102, 71, and 20%, respectively, relative to ZEN (100%). Recovery of ZEN from spiked maize over the range of 0.5 to 5 microg g(-1) averaged 100.2% (n = 12). The fluorescence polarization immunoassay results were comparable to those obtained with a liquid chromatographic method for the analysis of 60 naturally contaminated maize samples and maize samples amended with culture material. The fluorescence polarization immunoassay provides a rapid method for screening of maize for ZEN.     

Five Tips for Building Strong and Enduring Customer Relationships

Contrary to what many pundits say about utilities' inability to provide service levels rivaling those of other types of providers, utility companies actually perform relatively well on standard metrics used to measure loyalty and satisfaction among consumers. However, while these metrics tend to reflect and reward strong operational performance, an area that has been the primary focus of utility companies for many years, these metrics do not necessarily capture the full essence of the relationship or the extent to which customers feel connected to and engaged with their local utility company.     

Radiation-curable carbon fiber prepreg composites

Radiation processing is the utilization of ionizing radiation, usually photons or electron beams, to produce useful physical and chemical changes in a material. A potential application for electron beam processing for composite manufacturing is for curing carbon fiber prepregs. These prepregs, carbon fibers or fabrics preimpregnated with liquid polymer resin, are commonly used in the aircraft industry. Their use, however, can be time consuming and labor intensive. The advantages of radiation curing over thermal or chemical curing methods include improved rate control, reduced curing times, and curing at ambient temperature. There is no need for chemical initiators. A radiation-curable prepreg has been designed to meet the mechanical and physical property specifications of a leading aircraft manufacturing company. The resin is a mixture of an expoxy diacrylate, polybutadiene diacrylate, and a multifunctional monomer. This resin was used to impregnate a plain weave carbon fabric, at a loading of 35 percent (by mass), using a solvent process. Preliminary characterization studies show that the cured polymer produced by irradiation in air to a dose of 40 kGy is amorphous with a maximum gel fraction of 85 percent. The softening point of the polymer varied from 228°C (30-kGy sample) to 237°C (50-kGy sample). The linear thermal expansion coefficient of the polymer was 1.7 × 10⁻⁴ m/m°C from 25°C to 150°C and was unaffected by varying the applied dose from 30 to 50 kGy.