Inhibition of surface spoilage bacteria in processed meats by application of antimicrobial films prepared with chitosan

A study was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of using antimicrobial films, designed to slowly release bacterial inhibitors, to improve the preservation of vacuum-packaged processed meats during refrigerated storage. The antimicrobial films were prepared by incorporating acetic or propionic acid into a chitosan matrix, with or without addition of lauric acid or cinnamaldehyde, and were applied onto bologna, regular cooked ham, or pastrami. At various times during storage, packages were opened and the amounts of antimicrobial agents remaining in the chitosan matrix were measured. Regardless of film composition or meat product type, propionic acid was nearly completely released from the chitosan matrix within 48 h of application, whereas release of acetic acid was more limited, with 2-22% of the acid remaining in chitosan after 168 h of storage. Addition of lauric acid, but not cinnamaldehyde, to the chitosan matrix generally reduced the release of acetic acid significantly (P < or = 0.05) and the release was more limited onto bologna than onto ham or pastrami. In addition, the efficacies of the various films for inhibiting bacterial growth were tested against indigenous lactic acid bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae, and against Lactobacillus sakei or Serratia liqueficiens, surface-inoculated onto the meat products. Whereas lactic acid bacteria were not affected by the antimicrobial films under study, the growth of Enterobacteriaceae and S. liquefaciens was delayed or completely inhibited as a result of film application. Strongest inhibition was observed on drier surfaces (bologna), onto which acid release was slower, and with films containing cinnamaldehyde, as a result of its greater antimicrobial activity under these conditions.     

Enzyme supplements in broiler chicken diets: in vitro and in vivo effects on bacterial growth

Increasing the growth performance of broiler chickens by supplementing their diets with exogenous enzymes can also contribute to positive changes in gut health. In this respect the growth of various bacteria normally associated with the gastrointestinal tract of poultry was assessed in vitro using a medium containing arabinoxylan, β‐glucan, guar gum and raffinose and their corresponding enzymes. Overall, enzymes releasing the largest amounts of free sugars yielded the largest increase in bacterial numbers. Accordingly, β‐glucan and raffinose treated with their respective enzymes promoted the largest number of bacterial types, reaching a minimum of 1.0 log₁₀ population within 6 h at 40 °C. A broiler chicken growth trial was also conducted using wheat‐, barley‐ and corn‐based diets with and without enzyme and probiotic addition. Escherichia coli, coliforms, enterococci and aerobic and anaerobic sporeformers were monitored for growth in both the caecum and ileum. Enzyme supplementation reduced E. coli levels in the caecum of broilers fed wheat‐ or corn‐based diets. A further reduction in E. coli numbers was observed in broilers fed the same diets supplemented with a combination of enzyme and probiotic. Enzyme supplementation had much less of an effect on microbial populations in the ileum. Inclusion of probiotics reduced E. coli levels in the caecum and ileum but only in broilers fed wheat‐ and corn‐based diets. Anaerobic spore levels in the ileum increased in all diets containing probiotic. Overall, inclusion of enzymes or probiotics exhibited mixed effects on gut bacteria, depending on the nature of the carbohydrate source and enzyme. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Stability of Lactobacillus reuteri in Different Types of Microcapsules

This study was designed to find the most suitable method and wall material for microencapsulation of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri to maintain cell viability during gastric challenge. Five L. reuteri strains were individually encapsulated using alginate, alginate plus starch, K‐carrageenan with locust bean gum, or xanthan with gellan by extrusion or phase separation (emulsion). The morphology of the microcapsules was studied using phase contrast and cryo‐scanning electron microscopy (cryo‐SEM). The resistance of these microcapsules and the viability of contained L. reuteri to simulated gastric juice were studied. The shape and size of the microcapsules produced varied with the preparation method and type of wall material. Extruded microcapsules were larger and more uniformly shaped. Survival of microencapsulated L. reuteri was significantly better than that of planktonic cells and varied with the strain, method of microencapsulation, and wall material used. In general, microencapsulation using alginate and alginate with starch by both extrusion and phase separation were found to provide bacteria significantly greater protection (P < 0.05) against simulated gastric juice.     

Pigeons encode relative geometry.

Pigeons were trained to search for hidden food in a rectangular environment designed to eliminate any external cues. Following training, the authors administered unreinforced test trials in which the geometric properties of the apparatus were manipulated. During tests that preserved the relative geometry but altered the absolute geometry of the environment, the pigeons continued to choose the geometrically correct corners, indicating that they encoded the relative geometry of the enclosure. When tested in a square enclosure, which distorted both the absolute and relative geometry, the pigeons randomly chose among the 4 corners, indicating that their choices were not based on cues external to the apparatus. This study provides new insight into how metric properties of an environment are encoded by pigeons. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

运算放大器的进展

如何为不同应用选择最好的运算放大器。运算放大器自1963年问世以来,走过了很长的发展道路,并成为所有线性系统中事实上的标准部件。几乎每个大型半导体制造商的产品线中都有运算放大器这个产品。而且应用场合的不同也促使放大器的封装从TO-8的金属罐状封装发展至2mm×2mm的芯片式封装,如图1所示。目前放大器的性能水平已达到了如下指标,这在20世纪60年代是闻所未闻的。●带宽超过1GHz;●转换速率超过5000V/μs;●工作电流低于10μA;●工作电压低至0.9V;●输入失调电压低于20μV。C M O S与双极性工艺制造工艺和前沿设计技术的进步使得…     

Survival of E. coli O157:H7 during manufacture of dry‐cured Westphalian ham surface‐treated with allyl isothiocyanate or hot mustard powder

BACKGROUND: Escherichia coli O157:H7 can survive commercial manufacture of some uncooked fermented meats. External application of microencapsulated allyl isothiocyanate (AIT) or hot (non‐deheated) yellow mustard powder was used to inactivate the pathogen during dry‐cured Westphalian ham manufacture. RESULTS: Within 45/80 days, E. coli O157:H7 numbers were reduced 5 log₁₀ CFU g^?1 by 400 µg kg^?1 AIT or 60 g kg^?1 mustard powder, but 80 days were required in the untreated control. Mustard powder but not AIT reduced numbers of lactic acid bacteria and staphylococci. Mustard powder or ≥ 300 µg kg^?1 AIT inhibited yeasts and moulds but did not affect ham pH or water activity. CONCLUSION: The commercial Westphalian ham process without AIT or mustard powder treatment was validated capable of reducing E. coli O157:H7 5 log₁₀ CFU g^?1. Surface treatments with ≥ 300 µg kg^?1 microencapsulated AIT or 60 g kg^?1 yellow mustard powder reduced the time required for this reduction by 40–50%. AIT volatility from microcapsules or hot mustard powder during application of these compounds may restrict their use in production facilities. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Emergence of Antibiotic Resistance in Listeria monocytogenes Isolated from Food Products: A Comprehensive Review

Listeria monocytogenes is an opportunistic pathogen that has been involved in several deadly illness outbreaks. Future outbreaks may be more difficult to manage because of the emergence of antibiotic resistance among L. monocytogenes strains isolated from food products. The present review summarizes the available evidence on the emergence of antibiotic resistance among L. monocytogenes strains isolated from food products and the possible ways this resistance has developed. Furthermore, the resistance of food L. monocytogenes isolates to antibiotics currently used in the treatment of human listeriosis such as penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline, and gentamicin, has been documented. Acquisition of movable genetic elements is considered the major mechanism of antibiotic resistance development in L. monocytogenes. Efflux pumps have also been linked with resistance of L. monocytogenes to some antibiotics including fluoroquinolones. Some L. monocytogenes strains isolated from food products are intrinsically resistant to several antibiotics. However, factors in food processing chains and environments (from farm to table) including extensive or sub‐inhibitory antibiotics use, horizontal gene transfer, exposure to environmental stresses, biofilm formation, and presence of persister cells play crucial roles in the development of antibiotic resistance by L. monocytogenes.     

The Interfacial Interactions of Glycine and Short Glycine Peptides in Model Membrane Systems

The interactions of amino acids and peptides at model membrane interfaces have considerable implications for biological functions, with the ability to act as chemical messengers, hormones, neurotransmitters, and even as antibiotics and anticancer agents. In this study, glycine and the short glycine peptides diglycine, triglycine, and tetraglycine are studied with regards to their interactions at the model membrane interface of Aerosol-OT (AOT) reverse micelles via ¹H NMR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Langmuir trough measurements. It was found that with the exception of monomeric glycine, the peptides prefer to associate between the interface and bulk water pool of the reverse micelle. Monomeric glycine, however, resides with the N-terminus in the ordered interstitial water (stern layer) and the C-terminus located in the bulk water pool of the reverse micelle.     

Expert systems in finance planning

Abstract: This is a review of Expert Systems (ES) in the finance and banking areas. Their purpose, mode of operation and some design issues are discussed. This overview also looks at the most advanced research developments concerning strategic business planning, management, negotiation, and the use of qualitative reasoning for corporate assessment.     

A controlled trial of fish oil in IgA nephropathy. Mayo Nephrology Collaborative Group

BACKGROUND: The n-3 fatty acids in fish oil affect eicosanoid and cytokine production and therefore have the potential to alter renal hemodynamics and inflammation. The effects of fish oil could prevent immunologic renal injury in patients with IgA nephropathy. METHODS: In a multicenter, placebo-controlled, randomized trial we tested the efficacy of fish oil in patients with IgA nephropathy who had persistent proteinuria. The daily dose of fish oil was 12 g; the placebo was a similar dose of olive oil. Serum creatinine concentrations, elevated in 68 percent of the patients at base line, and creatinine clearance were measured for two years. The primary end point was an increase of 50 percent or more in the serum creatinine concentration at the end of the study. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were assigned to receive fish oil, and 51 to receive placebo. According to Kaplan-Meier estimation, 3 patients (6 percent) in the fish-oil group and 14 (33 percent) in the placebo group had increases of 50 percent or more in their serum creatinine concentrations during treatment (P = 0.002). The annual median changes in the serum creatinine concentrations were 0.03 mg per deciliter (2.7 mumol per liter) in the fish-oil group and 0.14 mg per deciliter (12.4 mumol per liter) in the placebo group. Proteinuria was slightly reduced and hypertension was controlled to a comparable degree in both groups. The cumulative percentage of patients who died or had end-stage renal disease was 40 percent in the placebo group after four years and 10 percent in the fish-oil group (P = 0.006). No patient discontinued fish-oil treatment because of adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with IgA nephropathy, treatment with fish oil for two years retards the rate at which renal function is lost.