Colorimetric Analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hibiscus</Emphasis> Beverages and their Potential Antioxidant Properties

In food industry, roselle beverages and their subproducts could be functional ingredients since they are an excellent source of bioactive compounds with improved performance due to their important anthocyanins content. The aim of this study was to analyze anthocyanin content and antioxidant properties of aqueous infusions elaborated with color contrasting Hibiscus materials and design a mathematical model in order to predict color-composition relationship. Color measurements of beverages from roselle (Negra, Sudan and Rosa) were made by transmission spectrophotometry, anthocyanins quantification was determined by HPLC, and antioxidant potential was evaluated by in vitro methods (ABTS and FRAP assays). Beverages prepared with particle size minor of 250 μm presented until 4- and 2- times more anthocyanins content and antioxidant capacity respectively, in comparison to beverages prepared with powders with particle size major of 750 μm. Positive correlations among pigments composition and color parameters were found (p?<?0.05), showing that anthocyanins content, antioxidant capacity, C*_ab and h_ab values increased in relation with the smallest particle size of flours. Also, mathematical models were stablished to predict anthocyanin content (r?≥?0.97) and antioxidant capacity (r?≥?0.89) from color data; we propose equations for quick estimation of the antioxidant capacity in the Hibiscus beverages with high anthocyanin content. The obtained models could be an important tool to be used in food industry for pigment characterization or functional compounds with potential health benefits.     

Influence of different nitrogen forms application on rice photosynthesis: fluorescence with water-saving irrigation in black soil region of Songnen Plain,Northeast China

In order to study the response of the rice photosynthetic-fluorescence characteristics to the application of different nitrogen forms with water-saving irrigation, by using LI-6400XT-type photosynthetic apparatus and other equipment, the fluorescence parameters, stomatal resistance and photosynthetic-CO₂ response curves of rice were measured at the critical stages under water-saving irrigation methods. Results showed that the change trend of ETR and photochemical fluorescence quenching coefficient (Q_p) with different nitrogen forms were declining–rising–declining. Compared with CK (control treatment), ETR and Q_p with NO₃^? treatment were better than the others, which indicated that this treatment was most advantageous to increasing ETR. The electron flow from PSII oxidation-lateral to PSII was enhanced. The potential quantum efficiency (F_v/F_m) was the lowest at tillering stage and the highest at heading stage. Compared with CK, at heading stage, F_v/F_m with NO₃^?, NH₄⁺ NO₃^? and NH₄⁺ treatments was increased by 1.68, 0.61 and 1.81%, respectively, while NO₃^? and NH₄⁺ played a more important role in promoting the ability to capture light. The change trend of non-photochemical fluorescence quenching coefficient with different treatments was not obvious. During the growth period, the stomatal resistance (R_s) was changed dynamically, reaching the second peak at the jointing stage and the highest peak at the milk-ripe stage, and both were higher than CK. The R_s of different nitrogen forms was as NH ₄ ^+? >?NH₄⁺NO ₃ ^?? >?NO₃^?, which showed that with different nitrogen forms, R_s of NO₃^? treatment was low, stomatal opening was correspondingly greater than the other nitrogen forms, and under the same moisture conditions, this treatment of stomatal opening was more beneficial for gas exchange and external CO₂ flowing into the leaf cells, which could increase photosynthetic physiological response. By fitting the parameters of photosynthetic-CO₂ response curve, it was concluded that the photorespiration rate (R_P) was greater than CK, but it was different for three nitrogen treatments during different periods. Rice light saturation point and apparent carboxylation efficiency (α) of NO₃^? treatment during three growth periods were more uniform, indicating that this treatment had a higher utilization rate for low concentration of CO₂. Maximum photosynthetic rate (P_max) with NO₃^? and NH₄⁺ treatments of the three growth periods was 29.396–31.208 and 28.969–31.371, respectively. The CO₂ compensation point and curve angle (θ) had no stable trend during the whole growth period. Therefore, the nitrogen forms could influence the photosynthetic characteristics of the rice leaves, and the result can provide theoretical guidance and scientific basis for increasing the efficiency of nitrogen utilization.     

Antioxidant Properties of Extracts Obtained from Raw,Dry-roasted,and Oil-roasted US Peanuts of Commercial Importance

Raw, skinless peanut kernels from US commercial production lines were dry- and oil-roasted according to standard industrial practices. Eighty percent (v/v) methanolic extracts from the peanut cultivars were prepared and characterized by RP-HPLC: five predominant compounds were found comprising free p-coumaric acid and potential p-coumaric acid derivatives, as elucidated by DAD-UV spectra with comparisons to those of commercial standards. A Spanish high-oleic peanut possessed the greatest naturally-occurring level of p-coumaric acid and its derivatives, followed by a high-oleic Runner, a normal Runner, and a Virginia peanut. Upon thermal processing, p-coumaric acid was liberated at the expense of its derivatives according to the relationship: oil roasting > dry roasting > raw. A high-oleic Runner exhibited the greatest increase (～785%) in free p-coumaric acid levels after oil roasting. For many of the samples from the 2007 crop, processing increased the TPC and antioxidant capacities in the order of raw < dry roast < oil roast, but results were cultivar dependent. Oil-roasted peanuts were more effective at scavenging O₂ ^●- than their dry-roasted counterparts, as determined by a photochemiluminescence assay. Overall findings indicate that although thermal processing altered the composition of peanut kernel antioxidants, TPC values and radical-scavenging activities are preserved. Depending on peanut type, cultivar, and harvest date, enhanced antioxidant capacities can result.     

Analysis of Variation in Anthocyanin Composition in Korean Coloured Potato Cultivars by LC-DAD-ESI-MS and PLS-DA

Anthocyanin concentration and composition and the effect of steaming and baking on these were evaluated in tubers of Korean red- and purple-fleshed potato cultivars and breeding clones using liquid chromatography with diode array detection and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-ESI-MS). Twenty-six anthocyanins were isolated, of which 24 were identified. Remarkably, five cis isomers were identified, of which four, viz., cis-petanin, cis-peonanin, petunidin 3-cis-caffeoylrutinoside-5-glucoside, and petunidin 3-cis-feruloylrutinoside-5-glucoside, are reported for the first time. Moreover, pelargonidin 3-p-coumaroylrutinoside-5-glucoside (pelanin), peonidin 3-p-coumaroylrutinoside-5-glucoside (peonanin) and petunidin 3-p-coumaroylrutinoside-5-glucoside (petanin) were identified as the principal anthocyanins. We found that the total anthocyanin content of coloured potatoes was decreased by steaming and baking compared with the raw state. In addition, we performed partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) to discriminate between the analyzed anthocyanins. Cis isomers seemed to play a vital role as a biomarker in the PLS-DA model based on the type of processing and colour of the tubers.     

Short-term daily forecasting of crop evapotranspiration of rice using public weather forecasts

Accurate forecasts of daily crop evapotranspiration (ET_c) are essential for real-time irrigation management and water resource allocation. This paper presents a method for the short-term forecasting of ET_c using a single-crop coefficient approach and public weather forecasts. Temperature forecasts with a 7-day lead time in 2013–2015 were retrieved and entered into a calibrated Hargreaves–Samani model to compute daily reference evapotranspiration (ET₀) forecasts, while crop coefficient (K_c) empirical values were estimated from both observed ET_c value and calculated ET₀ values using the Penman–Monteith equation for the period of 2010–2012. Daily ET_c forecasts of irrigated double-cropping rice were determined for three growing seasons during the period of 2013–2015 and were compared with ET_c values measured by the weighing lysimeters at the Jiangxi experimental irrigation station in southeastern China. During the early rice season, the average mean absolute error (MAE) and root-mean-square-error (RMSE) values of ET_c forecasts ranged from 0.95 to 1.06 mm day^?1 and from 1.18 to 1.31 mm day^?1, respectively, and the average correlation coefficient (R) ranged from 0.39 to 0.54; for late rice, the average MAE and RMSE values ranged from 1.01 to 1.09 mm day^?1 and from 1.32 to 1.40 mm day^?1, respectively, and the average R value ranged from 0.54 to 0.58. There could be three factors responsible for errors in ET_c forecasts, including temperature forecast errors, K_c value errors and neglected meteorological variables in the HS model, including wind speed and relative humidity. In addition, ET_c was more sensitive to changes in temperature than K_c. The overall results indicated that it is appropriate to forecast ET_c with the proposed model for real-time irrigation management and water resource allocation.     

Fabrication of Polyether Sulfone Blend Imprinted Membranes for Selective Adsorption of <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-hydroxybenzonic from Salicylic Acid

Highly selective polyether sulfone (PES) blend imprinted membranes for template p-hydroxybenzonic (p-HB) were synthesized by phase inversion imprinting technique using polybenzimidazoles (PBI) as a functional polymer and nanosized Al₂O₃ as the additives. The SEM analysis showed that cross-sectional morphology of membranes were strongly influenced by the content of nano-sized Al₂O₃. Compared with PES₁-MIM, PES₂-MIM and PES₄-MIM, the PES₃-MIM containing 2.0 wt.% nano-sized Al₂O₃ exhibited higher membrane flux, kinetic equilibrium adsorption value, binding capacity and better selectivity for p-HB. The experimental data of adsorption kinetic were well fitted to the pseudo-secondorder kinetic model using multiple regression analysis. Static adsorption isotherm experiments exhibited that the PES₃-MIM had the maximum adsorption capacity for p-HB. Moreover, selective experiment showed that the selectivity coefficients of PES₃-MIM for p-HB relative to salicylic acid (SA) was 3.670, showing that PES₃-MIM had excellent binding affinity and selectivity for separating p-HB form p-HB-contained aqueous solution.     

Effect of water management on soil respiration and <Emphasis Type="Italic">NEE</Emphasis> of paddy fields in Southeast China

Water management is an important factor in regulating soil respiration and the net ecosystem exchange of CO₂ (NEE) between croplands and atmosphere. However, how water management affects soil respiration and the NEE of paddy fields remains unexplored. Thus, a 2-year field experiment was carried out to study the effects of controlled irrigation (CI) during the rice season on the variation of soil respiration and NEE, with flooding irrigation (FI) as the control. A decrease of irrigation water input by 46.39% did not significantly affect rice yield but significantly increased irrigation water use efficiency by 0.99 kg m^?3. The soil respiration rate of CI paddy fields was larger than that of FI paddy fields except during the ripening stage. Natural drying management during the ripening stage resulted in a significant increase of the soil respiration rate of the FI paddy fields. Variations of NEE with different water managements were opposite to soil respiration rates during the whole rice growth stages. Total CO₂ emission of CI paddy fields through soil respiration (total R _soil) increased by 11.66% compared with FI paddy fields. The increase of total R _soil resulted in the significant decrease of total net CO₂ absorption of CI paddy fields by 11.57% compared with FI paddy fields (p < 0.05). There were inter-annual differences of soil respiration and the NEE of paddy fields. Frequent alternate wetting and drying processes in the CI paddy fields were the main factors influencing soil respiration and NEE. CI management slightly enhanced the rice dry matter amount but accelerated the consumption and decomposition of soil organic carbon and significantly increased soil respiration, which led to the decrease of net CO₂ absorption. CI management and organic carbon input technologies should be combined in applications to achieve sustainable use of water and soil resources in paddy fields.     

Applicability of APSIM to capture the effectiveness of irrigation management decisions in rice-based cropping sequence in the Upper-Gangetic Plains of India

Rice–wheat (RW) production system, which covers over 13.5 million ha in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of south Asia, is vital for food and nutritional security and livelihood of millions of poor people in this part of the region. Availability of irrigation water under projected climate change scenarios is a great concern, and demonstration of the impact of different irrigation regimes on rice, wheat, and system yields is essential to adopt suitable water saving technologies to minimize risk. This study tested the ability of the agricultural production systems simulator (APSIM) model to simulate the effects of different irrigation regimes on yield, irrigation water requirement, and irrigation water productivity (WP_i) of rice, wheat, and RW system in upper-gangetic plains of India. The long-term simulated rice yield showed a steadily declining trend at an average rate of 120 kg ha^?1 yr^?1 (R ² = 0.94, p < 0.05), while long-term simulated wheat yields showed a lower declining trend at an average rate of 48 kg ha^?1 yr^?1 (R ² = 0.48, p < 0.05). The highest WP_i of 8.31 kg ha^?1 mm^?1 was observed under RW system with the rice irrigation (IR) regime of 8 days alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and five irrigations for wheat with a yield penalty of 25.5 %. The next highest WP_i was observed in the treatment with a 5-day AWD regime in rice and five irrigations for wheat, with a yield penalty of 20.1 %. Thus, we can suggest that a 5-day AWD irrigation regime for rice combined with five irrigations during wheat could be the best option under water limiting situations.     

Evaluating the cold protective performance (CPP) of an electrically heated garment (EHG) and a chemically heated garment (CHG) in cold environments

This study investigated the cold protective performance (CPP) of two types of heated garments using a Newton manikin operated in constant temperature mode (CT) and thermoregulatory model control (TMC) mode. The effect of two levels of air velocity (i.e., 0.4±0.1 m/s and 1.0±0.1 m/s) on the CPP was discussed. Five scenarios were chosen, the traditional cold protective ensemble (CON), the electrically heated garment (EHG), the non-heated electrically heated garment (EHG_CON, heating was turned off), the chemically heated garment (CHG) and the non-heated chemically heated garment (CHG_CON) (completely oxidized body warmers were used). All experiments were performed at t _a =2.0±0.3 oC and RH=80±5 %. Results demonstrated that both EHG and CHG could provide improved cold protection compared to the nonheated garments, evidenced by the significantly higher thermal insulation in EHG and CHG at both two air velocities (p<0.01). The air velocity has a minor effect on the effective heating power and the heating efficiency, but it significantly reduced the total clothing thermal insulation. EHG exhibited a significantly higher effective heating power and thermal insulation compared to the CHG only under the low air velocity (p<0.05). Additionally, higher skin temperatures and improved whole body and local thermal sensations were observed in both EHG and CHG compared to CON. The EHG compared to CHG, showed similar thermophysiological and psychological responses at 1.0±0.1 m/s (p>0.05). It was thus anticipated that both two heated garments could improve human wear thermal comfort in cold environments.     

Changes in Gut Microbiota Linked to a Reduction in Systolic Blood Pressure in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Fed an Extra Virgin Olive Oil-Enriched Diet

Fat type in diet is responsible for specific changes in gut microbiota (GM). Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has been shown to be beneficial for blood pressure and to produce effects on GM. To analyze the cause-effect relationship between intestinal microbial changes and blood pressure, we studied the effect of EVOO on fecal microbiota and systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). SHR were fed either an enriched EVOO diet or a standard diet for a period of 12 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, the microbial profiles in the feces were studied in both groups by using PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Real-time PCR was used to quantify the selected bacterial groups. The results demonstrated significant differences when using Lactobacillus (p<0.05), clostridia XIV (p<0.01) and universal (p<0.05) primers. A significant (r=?0.475; p=0.04) inverse correlation between the abundance of clostridia XIV and SBP, which depends on the type of diet, was also observed. Finally, the results suggested an increase in the microbial diversity of the feces of the animals fed the EVOO diet. These results strongly connect the pattern of GM in SHR fed a diet enriched with EVOO to the lower levels of SBP observed in these animals at the end of the feeding period.     

Genome-wide association study and candidate gene analysis of rice cadmium accumulation in grain in a diverse rice collection

Background

Cadmium (Cd) accumulation in rice followed by transfer to the food chain causes severe health problems in humans. Breeding of low Cd accumulation varieties is one of the most economical ways to solve the problem. However, information on the identity of rice germplasm with low Cd accumulation is limited, particularly in indica, and the genetic basis of Cd accumulation in rice is not well understood.

Results

Screening of 312 diverse rice accessions revealed that the grain Cd concentrations of these rice accessions ranged from 0.12 to 1.23?mg/kg, with 24 accessions less than 0.20?mg/kg. Three of the 24 accessions belong to indica. Japonica accumulated significantly less Cd than indica (p < 0.001), while tropical japonica accumulated significantly less Cd than temperate japonica (p < 0.01). GWAS in all accessions identified 14 QTLs for Cd accumulation, with 7 identified in indica and 7 identified in japonica subpopulations. No common QTL was identified between indica and japonica. The previously identified genes (OsHMA3, OsNRAMP1, and OsNRAMP5) from japonica were colocalized with QTLs identified in japonica instead of indica. Expression analysis of OsNRAMP2, the candidate gene of the novel QTL (qCd3–2) identified in the present study, demonstrated that OsNRAMP2 was mainly induced in the shoots of high Cd accumulation accessions after Cd treatment. Four amino acid differences were found in the open reading frame of OsNRAMP2 between high and low Cd accumulation accessions. The allele from low Cd accumulation accessions significantly increased the Cd sensitivity and accumulation in yeast. Subcellular localization analysis demonstrated OsNRAMP2 expressed in the tonoplast of rice protoplast.

Conclusion

The results suggest that grain Cd concentrations are significantly different among subgroups, with Cd concentrations decreasing from indica to temperate japonica to tropical japonica. However, considerable variations exist within subgroups. The fact that no common QTL was identified between indica and japonica implies that there is a different genetic basis for determining Cd accumulation between indica and japonica, or that some QTLs for Cd accumulation in rice are subspecies-specific. Through further integrated analysis, it is speculated that OsNRAMP2 could be a novel functional gene associated with Cd accumulation in rice.

     

Multivariable Analysis of Gluten-Free Pasta Elaborated with Non-Conventional Flours Based on the Phenolic Profile,Antioxidant Capacity and Color

The phenolic compounds, color and antioxidant capacity of gluten-free pasta prepared with non-conventional flours such as chickpea (CHF), unripe plantain (UPF), white maize (WMF) and blue maize (BMF) were analyzed. Fifteen phenolic compounds (five anthocyanins, five hydroxybenzoic acids, three hydroxycinnamic acids, one hydroxyphenylacetic acid and one flavonol) were identified in pasta prepared with blue maize, and 10 compounds were identified for samples prepared with white maize. The principal component analysis (PCA) led to results describing 98% of the total variance establishing a clear separation for each pasta. Both the proportion (25, 50 and 75%) and type of maize flour (white and blue) affected the color parameters (L*, C _ab *, h _ab and ΔE* _ab ) and antioxidant properties (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods) of samples, thus producing gluten-free products with potential health benefits intended for general consumers (including the population with celiac disease).     

The Low Potential of Teff (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eragrostis tef</Emphasis>) as an Inoculum Source for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Verticillium dahliae</Emphasis>

Teff (Eragrostis tef) is a fine stemmed annual grass and gluten free small grain that is of interest as a forage, cover, or a rotation crop. Little is known about the susceptibility of teff to many diseases. Teff could be grown in rotation with potato in the northwestern United States provided teff cultivation is economical and does not increase soil populations for pathogens affecting rotation crops such as Verticillium dahliae. Verticillium dahliae infects a wide range of dicotyledonous plants, making it one of the most important fungal pathogens of crop plants in North America, including potato. The objective of this study was to quantify the susceptibility of teff to eight V. dahliae isolates and compare the susceptibility of teff to eggplant. Teff was confirmed as a host for V. dahliae, as indicated by the presence of microsclerotia in teff stems and roots after artificial inoculation in two years of greenhouse studies. The number of microsclerotia produced in teff did not differ between mint and potato pathotypes of V. dahliae. No V. dahliae isolate produced significantly greater numbers of microsclerotia than any of the seven other isolates tested in a two-year study. Microsclerotia production of V. dahliae in teff was consistently less than in susceptible eggplant cv. Night shadow in both greenhouse experiments (P?<?0.02). It is unlikely that teff infected by V. dahliae will proliferate microsclerotia of mint or potato-aggressive pathotypes, especially when compared to susceptible eggplant cultivars.     

Characterization of the surface properties of cellulosic fibers in fibrous and ground forms by IGC and contact angle measurements

Surface properties of fibrous and ground cotton and linen were investigated by inverse gas chromatography (IGC) and the contact angle with different liquids was also measured on fabrics composed of both fibers. Results proved that dispersion component of surface tension (γ _s ^d ) determined by IGC depends not only on the surface energy, but also on several factors influencing the adsorbability of probe molecules on the cellulosic substrates. For cotton samples, the trapping of n-alkanes among waxy molecules in the outer layer of fibers can be presumed. This effect results in larger γ _s ^d for cotton fibers than for linen in spite of the higher wettability of the linen fabrics. Besides the surface energy and trapping effects, the grinding also influences the γ _s ^d values. Specific enthalpy of adsorption (ΔH _A ^ab ) of polar probes could be determined on all linen samples, but only on the ground cotton sample. Lewis acid-base character calculated for linen and ground cotton samples depends on the same effects as the γ _s ^d does. The similar ΔH _A ^ab values of chloroform (acidic) and THF (basic) measured on each of the samples support the conclusion that the surface character is amphoteric, which is also proved by the high ΔH _A ^ab values of the amphoteric ethyl acetate and acetone probes.     

Role and effects of winter buds and rhizome morphology on the survival and growth of common reed (Phragmites australis)

To confirm the role of winter buds and rhizome morphology on the winter survival and subsequent growth of common reed (Phragmites australis), rhizome fragments of varying sizes with and without winter buds from three different P. australis populations were transplanted to small pots in a greenhouse and wintered by exposing them to a dry atmospheric condition. Survival ratios of the rhizome fragments with winter buds were much greater than those without winter buds regardless of population type, supporting that winter buds play a role as the insulator of rhizome fragments from dry atmosphere during winter season. Most growth characteristics of surviving P. australis from the rhizome fragments were similar to those in natural wetlands, indicating preserved growth characteristics through the rhizomes, which is an asexual organ. The average number of rhizome fragment nodes showed negative relationships with the number of blades per culm (P < .05) and basal culm diameter (P < .05) of surviving P. australis. In contrast, the diameter of planted rhizome fragments had significant positive relationships with the final shoot height (P < .05), above-ground dry weight (P < .05), root DW (P < .01), and total DW (P < .05). Rhizome volume also showed a similar correlation with the rhizome diameter. Thicker and larger rhizome fragments particularly with winter buds, indicating the young age of rhizome, seemed likely to guarantee greater survival and higher subsequent shoot growth and biomass production as well.     

Thermo-Mechanical Characterization of a Thermoplastic Copolyetherester (TPC): Experimental Investigation

In this article, the thermo-mechanical characterization of poly(butylene terephthalate)/poly(tetramethylene oxide) (PBT/PTMO) is studied by thermal analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, and uniaxial tensile tests. The results of poly(ether esters) show that the melting temperature is equal to T _m =193 °C, which is 31 °C, lower than that of the melting temperature of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT). Its glass transition temperature, T _g is equal to -61 °C, determined by DMA. The melting and cooling temperatures (T _m , T _c ) after aging at T₀+48 h and T₀+week are virtually unchanged. Moreover, the results of the tensile tests show that the effect of the low deformation rate reduces the friction resulting from the sliding mechanisms between the amorphous and crystalline parts.     

Identification and fine mapping of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bph33</Emphasis>, a new brown planthopper resistance gene in rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.)

Background

Host-plant resistance is the most desirable and economic way to overcome BPH damage to rice. As single-gene resistance is easily lost due to the evolution of new BPH biotypes, it is urgent to explore and identify new BPH resistance genes.

Results

In this study, using F_2:3 populations and near-isogenic lines (NILs) derived from crosses between two BPH-resistant Sri Lankan rice cultivars (KOLAYAL and POLIYAL) and a BPH-susceptible cultivar 9311, a new resistance gene Bph33 was fine mapped to a 60-kb region ranging 0.91–0.97 Mb on the short arm of chromosome 4 (4S), which was at least 4 Mb distant from those genes/QTLs (Bph12, Bph15, Bph3, Bph20, QBph4 and QBph4.2) reported before. Seven genes were predicted in this region. Based on sequence and expression analyses, a Leucine Rich Repeat (LRR) family gene (LOC_Os04g02520) was identified as the most possible candidate of Bph33. The gene exhibited continuous and stable resistance from seedling stage to tillering stage, showing both antixenosis and antibiosis effects on BPH.

Conclusion

The results of this study will facilitate map-based cloning and marker-assisted selection of the gene.

     

Effect of Processing on Bioactive Compounds,Physicochemical and Rheological Characteristics of Juçara,Banana and Strawberry Smoothie

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of processing steps on bioactive compounds and physicochemical and rheological characteristics of a juçara, banana and strawberry smoothie. The product was obtained by mixing the pulps of these fruits in previously defined proportions. The mixture was standardized in a pilot disintegrator, homogenized at 60 MPa in continuous mode and pasteurized at 90 °C for 35 s. The homogenization step increased the concentration of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, major anthocyanins in the smoothie. However, these anthocyanins, as well as perlagonidin-3-O-glucoside, have been reduced (p<0.05) after the pasteurization step. The pasteurization also affected the instrumental color of the smoothie, expressed by Hue angle (p<0.05). Regarding to the rheological behavior, the smoothie, in all processing steps, presented a non-Newtonian fluid behavior with pseudoplastic characteristics (n<1). After homogenization, the smoothie became more fluid and homogeneous. Thus, despite the negative impact of pasteurization on the smoothie’s color, the pasteurized product preserves the bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids that are of great importance to human health. Furthermore, the development of this product contributes to add value to the juçara agro-chain and Atlantic Forest preservation.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus persica</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">platycarpa</Emphasis> (Tabacchiera Peach): Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Pulp,Peel and Seed Ethanolic Extracts

A comparative analysis of ethanol extracts from peel, pulp and seed of Prunus persica var. platycarpa (Tabacchiera peach) was done. The total phenol, flavonoid and carotenoid content as well as the antioxidant properties by using different in vitro assays (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, Fe-chelating, β-carotene bleaching test) were evaluated. Pulp extract was subjected to liquid chromatography-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS). Gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, protocatechualdehyde, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid were identified as main constituents. Pulp extract was characterized by the highest total phytonutrients content and exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in all in vitro assays (IC₅₀ values of 2.2 μg/mL after 60 min of incubation by using β-carotene bleaching test and 2.9 μg/mL by using Fe-chelating assay). Overall, the obtained results suggest that P. persica var. platycarpa displays a good antioxidant activity and its consumption could be promoted.     

Natural Dyeing of Wool by Madder (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rubia tinctorum L</Emphasis>.) Root Extract Using Tannin-based Biomordants: Colorimetric,Fastness and Tensile Assay

In this work, the natural dyeing behavior of woollen yarn with madder (Rubia tinctorum L.) root extract was studied. The effects of different tannin-rich plants (Rhus coriaria, Eucalyptus, Terminalia chebula, Quercus castaneifolia, Pomegranate) extract as biomordants and alum (as a chemical mordant) with two mordanting procedures (pre- and metamordanting) on color characteristics of the dyed samples were also investigated. The CIEDE2000 values, color strength (K/S), washing fastness and tensile property of the mordanted and dyed samples were assessed. Visually, a range of hues from orange to brownish-red were obtained. In general, pre-biomordanted samples with Rhus coriaria (10 %owf), Eucalyptus (10 %owf), Terminalia chebula (5 %owf), Quercus castaneifolia (5 %owf) and Pomegranate (5 %owf) showed almost the same color difference (ΔE₀₀) and wash fastness values compared to those treated with 3 %owf alum. Finally, it was concluded from the comparative studies that the biomordants have good potential to be considered as alternatives to the common chemical mordants.