Surface active molecules: preparation and properties of long chain nα-acyl-l-α-amino-ω-guanidine alkyl acid derivatives

A new route for the synthesis of long chain N ^α-acyl- l -α-amino-ω-guamdine alkyl acid derivatives, with cationic or amphoteric character has been established. The general formula of these compounds is shown below.
A physico-chemical and antimicrobial study of these products as a function of the alkyl ester or sodium salt (R), the straight chain length of the fatty acid residue ( x ) and the number of carbons between the ω-guanidine and ω -carboxyl group ( n ) has been investigated.
The water solubility, surface tension, critical micelle concentration (c.m.c.) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (including Pseudomonas) has been determined.
Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide has been used to condense fatty acids and α -amino-ω-guanidine alkyl acids. In these conditions protection of the ω-guanidine group is not necessary. The main characteristic of this synthetic procedure is the use of very mild experimental conditions (temperature, pH) to form the amide linkage which leads to pure optical compounds in high yield in the absence of electrolytes.
The results show that some structural modifications, particularly the protection of the carboxyl group, promote variations of the surfactant and antimicrobial properties. Only those molecules with the blocked carboxyl group (cationic molecules, where R = Me, Et or Pr) showed a good surfactant and antimicrobial activity. When the carboxyl group was unprotected (amphoteric molecules, where R = Na⁺) the resulting compounds were inactive.     

Lactobacillus plantarum survival in aerobic., directly brined olives

Storage at 20°improved Lactobacillus plantarum survival in directly brined olives. The best inoculation dates were on the first and fifth days after brining for Cacereña and Hojiblanca cultivars respectively. Lb. plantarum was present throughout the storage period only in Hojiblanca olives covered with initial free-salt solution and inoculated on the fifth day. In the presence of that bacterium, titratable acidity (0.5-1%) and pH (<4.0) reached proper values for olive preservation. Yeast populations, consisting of Pichia membranaefaciens and Pichia fermentans, in Hojiblanca, and Pichia minuta, Pichia fermentans, Pichia membranaefaciens, and Rodotorula spp, in Cacereña, were found in all treatments.     

Protein Concentrate from Chickpea: Nutritive Value of a Protein Concentrate from Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) Obtained by Ultrafiltration and Its Potential Use in an Infant Formula

A protein concentrate from chickpea (Cicer arietinum) obtained by ultrafiltration for special infant formulas was evaluated for nutritive value with and without methionine supplementation. An infant formula prepared with the concentrate was also evaluated. The Adjusted Protein Efficiency Ratio (A-PER) (official method) values, were 1.86 and 2.14 for the concentrate and concentrate plus methionine, respectively (p < 0.05). Relative Net Protein Ratio (R-NPR) values were 77.4% for the concentrate, and 81.3% of ANRC-casein for the supplemented concentrate. Apparent protein digestibility values were significantly higher concentrates with respect to raw chickpea (p < 0.05). An infant formula based on the concentrate had a R-NPR value of 83.6% that of ANRC-casein, compared to 81.3% in the concentrate, indicating no apparent change in protein quality during processing. The infant formula met Codex Alimentarius Commission Standards (FAO/WHO).     

Bread quality and nutritional value of 'Marraqueta' and 'Hallulla' supplemented with full-fat sweet lupin flour (Lupinus albus cv. Multolupa)

'Marraqueta' and 'Hallulla' breads, widely consumed in Chile, were enriched with 6, 9 and 12% full-fat sweet lupin flour (FFLF) containing a small amount of alkaloids (0.025%) and 42.8% protein. Physical characteristics of the dough and the chemical composition and biological quality of the breads were investigated. Farinograph measurements showed that water absorption increased gradually from 61.3% for wheat flour to 79.8% for a blend with 12% FFLF. Developing time, weakening of dough and valorimeter value were not severely modified. Different levels of FFLF increased loaf weight as compared to all wheat bread. Protein content increased from 13.2% for the control to about 16% for 12% FFLF breads. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) values significantly increased (P < 0.01) for 12% FFLF breads: 'Marraqueta' from 1.10±0.09 to 1.59±0.12 and 'Hallulla' from 1.21±0.09 to 1.63±0.07. Apparent digestibility was about 86% and was not changed by FFLF inclusion up to 12%. Twelve per cent FFLF is a recommendable level to enrich 'Hallulla' and 'Marraqueta' in biological quality without affecting the farinological parameters. The results of acceptability tests will be published in due course.     

Analysis of shearing stress in the limited durability of bovine pericardium used as a biomaterial

The objective of the study was to determine the shearing stress exerted by the suture thread under conditions of normal working stress. Thirty-six samples of calf pericardium, similar to that employed in the manufacture of bioprosthetic cardiac valve leaflets, were subjected to tensile testing. Prior to the trial, a continuous suture was sewn in the central zone of each sample, at a 45° angle to the longest axis of the sample, using commercially-available threads (silk, Gore-Tex, Surgilene and nylon). Application of the Mohr circle for combined wear revealed that the shearing stress ranged between 2.68-fold greater (for samples sewn with silk) and 5.48-fold greater (for samples sewn with nylon) than the working tensile stress in the region of the suture. It is concluded that the shearing stress is responsible for the limited durability of sutured samples of calf pericardium prepared to simulate bioprosthetic cardiac valve leaflets. © 1998 Chapman & Hall     

PRESENCE OF LISTERIA IN MEXICAN CHEESES

The presence of Listeria was investigated in ripened cheeses (Chihuahua, Manchego) and fresh cheese (Panela) from street vendors and retail stores in Mexico City. Cheeses were tested for Listeria, pH, NaCl, moisture and fat. Listeria selective cold enrichment was used to recover Listeria from positive samples. Fresh cheese had the lowest pH and NaCl contents and the highest moisture Chihuahua and Manchego cheeses made with pasteurized milk were negative for Listeria. Panela cheese samples were the most contaminated. The presence of Listeria was 65% in fresh cheeses: Listeria murrayi 20% , Listeria inoccua 15% , Listeria grayi 15%, and Listeria monocytogenes 15%. L. monocytogenes serotypes 1/2a, 1/2b and 4b were isolated from positive samples.     

ACOUSTIC IMPULSE RESPONSE FOR MEASURING THE FIRMNESS OF MANDARIN DURING STORAGE

The objective of this research was to evaluate the ability of acoustic impulse response for monitoring the mandarin firmness change during storage. The dominant resonant frequency, stiffness coefficient (SC) and elasticity coefficient (EC) decrease with storage time. A good correlation was established between the acoustic parameters (SC and EC) and fruit compression force, and the correlation coefficients were 0.88 and 0.92, respectively. Acoustic impulse response gives a good indication of firmness change for mandarin during storage. The change of EC was more prominent (greatest), and hence it can be a better index of mandarin firmness. The nondestructive acoustic test might replace conventional destructive test for mandarin to determine fruit firmness and expected shelf life.     

CARBON SOURCES AND THEIR EFFECT ON GROWTH, ACETIC ACID AND ETHANOL PRODUCTION BY BRETTANOMYCES BRUXELLENSIS IN BATCH CULTURE

The influence of available low‐cost carbohydrates as carbon sources on Brettanomyces bruxellensis growth, acetic acid and ethanol production was studied in order to ascertain the viability of this yeast to eventually become an industrial acetic acid producer. Six different raw materials were included as carbon sources (glucose, sugarcane molasses, refined cane sugar, pineapple, sugarcane and beet juices). B. bruxellensis develops in a complex culture medium like plant juices and sugarcane molasses better than in a medium with a simple carbohydrate such as glucose. The maximum acid acetic yield (0.24 g/g) and productivity (0.14 g/L/h) were attained in tests carried out with sugarcane molasses containing 60 g/L sucrose. The strain produced low levels of ethanol in a refined sugarcane medium, but was able to produce a substantial quantity of acetic acid (13 g/L).     

INFLUENCE OF SALTS AND pH ON THE FIRMNESS OF OLIVES IN ACID CONDITIONS

The effects of NaCl and CaCl₂ on the texture of olives, both treated and untreated with NaOH, at pH values lower than 4.0 were determined. Firmness of green olives declined as the pH decreased when calcium ions were not added. Calcium ions inhibited the softening rate of fresh and Spanish style green olives although this inhibitory effect depended on the pH. This firming action of calcium was higher at lower pH for fresh olives and at higher pH values for Spanish style green olives. The inhibitory effect of calcium on softening rate diminished as the concentration of cation increased. The presence of NaCl did not have any effect on the texture of either type of green olives. Lactic acid increased the softening rate of green olives by a higher proportion than acetic acid.