TESTING THE EFFECTS OF DRYING METHODS ON WILLOW FLAVONOIDS, TANNINS, AND SALICYLATES

In this study, we compared the effects of several preservation methods on the secondary phenolics of the mature leaves of purple willow (Salix purpurea L., Salicaceae) with results obtained with fresh leaf analyses. Conventional freeze-drying, in which the leaves were first frozen with liquid nitrogen and then placed in a freeze-dryer, produced substantial qualitative and quantitative changes in purple willow flavonoids and salicylates. Modified freeze-drying, in which leaves were put into a freeze-dryer without being prefrozen, gave concentrations that, for most secondary components, were comparable with those found in fresh leaves. Reducing the freeze-dryer chamber temperature hindered the decomposition of phenolics in prefrozen leaves and in leaves dried without prefreezing. Heat drying induced substantial changes in the composition of all phenolics, except for apigenin-7-glucoside. Vacuum drying at room temperature gave the highest concentrations for nearly all phenolics, while room-drying with desiccation gave results that were comparable with those obtained by fresh leaf analyses.     

Methods for detection of irradiation of spices

European Food Research and Technology - Three types of methods for the identification of irradiation of spices were tested as potential control methods. The methods were microbiological, combining...     

Mycoplasma bovis infection in dairy herds—Risk factors and effect of control measures

As Mycoplasma bovis spreads to new countries and becomes increasingly recognized as a disease with major welfare and economic effects, control measures on dairy farms are needed. To minimize the risk of infection spread to naive herds, all possible risk factors for M. bovis infection should be identified and controlled. Mycoplasma bovis was first diagnosed in dairy cattle in Finland in 2012, and by January 2020, 86 Finnish dairy farms (<1.5%) supporting M. bovis infections were identified. We evaluated risk factors for M. bovis infection using a questionnaire provided to 40 infected and 30 control dairy farms. Control measures were advised for 19 of the infected dairy farms during visits by a veterinarian. The course of the infection on those farms was followed by analyzing calf nasal swabs with PCR for presence of M. bovis 4 times at 6-mo intervals. Control measures included culling of M. bovis mastitic cows, isolation of new calves from older animals after initial M. bovis mastitic cows had been culled, prevention of nose-to-nose contact with infected animals, early detection of mastitis cases using M. bovis PCR, and hygiene measures mainly related to milking, calf pens, feeding buckets, and teats. Farms implemented the control measures related to the isolation of calves or avoidance of nose-to-nose contact in various ways, according to farm structures and financial circumstances. In our study, the control measures recommended to the dairy farms appeared effective, such that 13 of 19 farms reached a low risk level during at least 3 consecutive negative samplings from calves, with no M. bovis mastitis detected subsequently. Among risk factors, insemination with an M. bovis-positive bull indicated a trend of increasing the odds of M. bovis infection on the farm in a multivariable logistic model. In contrast, higher herd average milk yield had an association with lower odds for M. bovis infection. Occurrence of other infectious diseases affecting several animals on the dairy farm in the previous 6 mo before M. bovis infection were more frequent on M. bovis-infected farms.     

Nitrate, nitrite, and N-nitroso compounds in Finnish foods and the estimation of the dietary intakes

Summary An estimate of the dietary intakes of nitrite, nitrate andN-nitroso compounds is presented, based on the analytical data supplied by the Finnish Food Quality Control. Figures on the food consumption of the Finnish population, taken from a national dietary survey, and food consumption of 1768 children and adolescents over a 48-h recall period were used. The mean daily dietary nitrate intakes were estimated to be about 55 mg for the total population and for children and adolescents. The mean nitrite intakes were 1.88 mg for the total population and 1.07 mg for children and adolescents. The intake ofN-nitroso compounds (NDMA) was estimated to be 0.08 g for the total population and 0.02 g for children. Nitrates were found to originate mainly from vegetables (80%), nitrites from meat products (97%) and nitrosamines mostly from fish products and beer. A comparison of the estimate of dietary intake of nitrite with ADI values indicated that the nitrite intake of the total population was 23% and by children 39% of ADI. The average weight was approximately 60 kg for adults and 20 kg for children. When measured average weight (39 kg) was used, and the nitrite intake was found to be 28% of ADI. Nitrate intakes from food additives were 2.5% and 1.4% of the ADI value, respectively. When the total nitrate intake from various food sources was compared with the ADI (which is given only for food additives), the estimated nitrate intake of the total population was 25% and that of children 28% of the ADI value.

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Nitrat, Nitrit und N-nitroso-Verbindungen in der finnischen Nahrung

Zusammenfassung Die Einnahme von Nitrat, Nitrit undN-Nitroso-Verbindungen stützt sich auf die analytischen Werte der finnischen Lebensmittelkontrolle. Für die Schätzung der Nahrungsaufnahme der finnischen Bevölkerung benutzte man Resultate einer nationalen Nahrungsforschung und eines 48-Stunden-Befundes für 1768 Kinder und Jugendliche. Die durchschnittliche tägliche Einnahme von Nitrat schätzte man auf ungefähr 55 mg für die ganze Bevölkerung. Die durchschnittliche Einnahme von Nitrit betrug 1,88 mg für die ganze Bevölkerung und 1,07 mg für Kinder und Jugendliche. Die Einnahme vonN-Nitroso-Verbindungen (NDMA) schätzte man auf 0,08 g für die ganze Bevölkerung und 0,02 g für Kinder. Die hauptsächliche Nahrungsquelle der Nitrate war Gemüse (80%) und bei den Nitriten die Fleischwaren (97%). Nitrosamine stammten hauptsächlich aus Fischwaren und aus Bier. Als man die geschätzte Einnahme von Nitrit mit den ADI-Werten verglich, ergab sich, daß die Einnahme von Nitrit 23% (ganze Bevölkerung) und 39% (Kinder) des ADI-Wertes war. Als durchschnittliches Körpergewicht nahm man 60 kg für Erwachsene und 20 kg für Kinder an. Wenn man den Wert des gemessenen durchschnittlichen Körpergewichts (39 kg) für Kinder benutzte, war die Einnahme von Nitrit 28% des ADI-Wertes. Die Einnahme von Nitrat in Zusatzstoffen war 2,5% und entsprechend 1,4% des ADI-Wertes. Die Einnahme von Nitrat in der Nahrung schätzte man auf 25% (ganze Bevölkerung) und auf 28% (Kinder) des ADI-Wertes (gegeben nur für Nitrat als Zusatzstoffe).

     

Methods for detection of irradiation of spices

Three types of methods for the identification of irradiation of spices were tested as potential control methods. The methods were microbiological, combining a direct epifluorescent filter technique (DEFT) with a total aerobic plate count (APC), a chemiluminescence method and chemical gas-chromatographic (GC) and GC mass-spectrometric (MS) methods for analysis of volatile oils of spices isolated by steam distillation. Twelve samples of spices, mainly peppers, were analysed before and after gamma-irradiation with doses of 10 and 50 kGy. The chemiluminescence measurements were performed before the irradiation and 10 and 100 days after the irradiation. The best methods for control purposes were the microbiological (DEFT + APC) methods combined with chemiluminescence measurements. No differences were detected between the irradiated and non-irradiated samples with the chemical methods.     

The changing determinants of housing affordability in oil-booming agglomerations: a quantile regression investigation from Canada, 1991–2011

Growing evidence suggests that resource-led economic growth generates rising housing prices which make it difficult for low to mid income earners to find adequate, suitable and affordable housing. This research explores how households’ characteristics associated with housing stress evolve in relation to the commodity cycle, and their relative impact along the distribution of accessibility constraints in two resource-driven agglomerations in Canada: St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Fort McMurray, Alberta. Using census microdata, we develop quantile regression models for households in the bottom, median and top quartiles of the housing affordability stress spectrum between 1991 and 2011. We find differentiated effects for households with low, median and high levels of housing stress. The young, lone females, lone parents and people working in low-paid services face increasing housing stress, while this relation sharply degrades over time for households in the highest quartiles. These results provide evidence of emerging vulnerabilities, notably among renters, first-time homebuyers and people outside the labour force.     

Identification of irradiated foods by the thermoluminescence of mineral contamination

This investigation assessed the radiation-induced thermoluminescence (TL) of food minerals for identifying irradiated foods. Mineral contamination, rather than the inherent mineral content, of foods was studied. Positive identification of foods given 1-10-kGy doses depends on the contents and composition of the mineral contamination and the time span between irradiation and TL analysis. All 20 irradiated spice and herb samples could be identified without comparing them with unirradiated material. Three out of 60 lots of spices and herbs examined so far were so pure that the mineral contents were too low to allow TL analysis. If the soil where potatoes are grown contains feldspars, sprout inhibition treatment with 100-200-Gy doses can also be detected for up to one year, using the 90-250 degrees C low-temperature part of the TL spectrum for evaluation.     

Microscopic observation and video recording of cellular response to sudden changes in environment

A method to record responses of single cells to rapid changes in their environment is described. A rectangular glass microcapillary is filled with the cell suspension under investigation and placed under a light microscope. With the aid of a micromanipulator a smaller microcapillary with a narrowed tip, which was still over 10 times wider than the cell diameter, is driven into the larger, cell containing, microcapillary. The environment of the cells is changed by injecting a new medium via the smaller capillary and the cell responses are recorded using a video recording system. The usefulness of the system has been examined by studying the time course of the osmotic swelling of erythrocytes after water injection and the shape transformations caused by lysophosphatidylcholine.     

Prevalence of digital dermatitis using mirror scoring in Finnish freestall dairy herds

Digital dermatitis (DD) is a severe bacterial hoof disease found worldwide. The disease can be classified into 5 different stages, denoted as M1 to M4 and M4.1, by clinical examination. The main objective of this study was to estimate prevalence of DD lesions in Finnish freestall dairy cattle population through hind feet inspection of standing cows with a mirror. Another aim was to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of mirror scoring on standing cows in a pen or in a milking parlor without washing the feet. Three veterinarians visited 81 randomly selected herds across the country. During the herd visits, hind feet of standing cows (n = 7,010) were scored with a mirror without washing the feet, either when the cows were standing in a pen (n = 4,992) or in the milking parlor (n = 2018). In total, 128 cows (111 from pen and 17 from milking parlor) including 256 feet were chosen with cross-sectional sampling and scored in a trimming chute. Animal-level sensitivity for scoring M2 lesions with a mirror was 55% and specificity was 97%; for all active DD lesions (M1, M2, or M4.1), sensitivity was 36% and specificity was 96%. Sensitivity for scoring any DD lesions was 90% and specificity was 82%. The bias-corrected sensitivity and specificity for scoring any DD lesions were 79% and 92%, respectively. The bias-corrected sensitivity and specificity for scoring M2 DD lesions were 10% and 100%. We found M2 lesions in 12.1% of the study herds, and true herd-level prevalence was the same. Altogether, 33.3% (true prevalence 28.4%) of the herds had either M1, M2, or M4.1 DD lesions. However, only 0.7% (true prevalence 5.4%) of cows in total had active M2 lesions. The within-herd prevalence of M2 lesions (in herds where at least 1 cow had a M2 lesion) was 5.7% and varied between 0.4% and 18.8%. Herds with active DD lesions also had more any DD lesions than herds without active DD lesions. The herd-level prevalence was higher than previously thought, with only 1 herd without any DD lesions. However, the animal-level prevalence of active DD lesions was relatively low. Farmers and veterinarians need to be informed of the disease and possible control measures. Because of the low within-herd prevalence, the control of the disease might be easier than in countries where DD is widespread. Further studies are needed to identify factors associated with DD prevalence in Finnish dairy herds.