Biogenic Amines and the Antioxidant Capacity of Juice and Wine from Brazilian Hybrid Grapevines

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Some biogenic amines (BAs) are used as quality markers in grape-derived products. The prolife of 9 BAs was determined in juices and wines elaborated from hybrid...     

Use of Banana (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Musa acuminata</Emphasis> Colla AAA) Peel Extract as an Antioxidant Source in Orange Juices

Using banana peel extract as an antioxidant in freshly squeezed orange juices and juices from concentrate was evaluated. Free radical scavenging capacity increased by adding banana peel extracts to both types of orange juice. In addition, remarkable increases in antioxidant capacity using 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical were observed when equal or greater than 5 mg of banana peel extract per ml of freshly squeezed juice was added. No clear effects were observed in the capacity to inhibit lipid peroxidation. Adding 5 mg banana peel extract per ml of orange juice did not substantially modify the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of either type of juice. However, undesirable changes in the sensory characteristics (in-mouth sensations and colour) were detected when equal or greater than 10 mg banana peel extract per ml of orange juice was added. These results confirm that banana peel is a promising natural additive that increases the capacity to scavenge free radicals of orange juice with acceptable sensory and physicochemical characteristics for the consumer.     

The sodium-amalgam reduction of soil and fungal humic substances

Two soil humic acids and a “humic acid” synthesized in the laboratory by Stachybotrys chartarum were reduced with Na-amalgam. The reduction products were methylated, separated by preparative gas chromatography and identified by matching their mass and micro-infrared spectra with those of authentic specimsens.Yields of reduction products identified ranged from 2.7 to 4.2% of the initial weights of the humic materials. Major products identified were N-methyl-benzylsulfonamide, methylated phenolic acids, aromatic aldehydes and C₆C₂ - and C₆C₃ - compounds with 0 in the side chains. Since the Na-amalgam reduction of both soil and fungal humic materials produces the same or similar compounds, the method provides little information on the origin of these compounds, that is, whether they are lignin- or flavonoid-derived or synthesized by microorganisms. Compared with oxidative degradation methods, Na-amalgam reduction appears to be inefficient and tells little about the chemical structure of humic acid polymers.     

Regional size, age and growth differences of red grouper (Epinephelus morio) along the west coast of Florida

Red grouper (Epinephelus morio) were collected from the west coast of Florida, the central area of fishery harvest in U.S. waters, by fishery-dependent sources during 2000–2005. The west Florida shelf was divided into two regions: north (capture locations ≥28°N latitude) and south (capture locations <28°N latitude). Significant differences were found for age, length, and size-at-age by region and by gear; red grouper from the north were significantly younger and smaller on average than those from the south. Regional differences were also noted with respect to age progression; year class trends were only detected in the north. The 1996 year class dominated the landings in 2000–2001 (ages 4 and 5) and the 1999 year class dominated in 2004–2005 (ages 5 and 6). Regional data were fit to a size-modified von Bertalanffy growth model indicating smaller asymptotic length (L_∞) and faster growth rate (k) in the north (north: L_∞ = 800 mm, k = 0.23 mm year⁻¹, t₀ = 1.12; south: L_∞ = 863 mm, k = 0.15 mm year⁻¹, t₀ = 0.05). Mortality estimates derived from catch curves resulted in higher total and fishing mortality in the north for both gears. Alternative explanations of regional differences likely depend on nursery delineation and correlation to periodic environmental events such as red tides and hurricanes; all possibly important factors based upon anecdotal information. Nevertheless, our finding of regional demographic differences in red grouper from the west coast of Florida suggests a more complex population spatial structure for red grouper.     

The effect of a crab predator (Cancer porteri) on secondary producers versus ecological model predictions in Tongoy Bay (south‐east Pacific coast): implications for management and fisheries

• 1. The present study compares the propagation of effects observed as a response to changes in the abundance of a top predator (top‐down cascading effect) in a benthic community within the south‐east Pacific upwelling ecosystem of northern Chile, with predictions derived from quantitative and qualitative multispecific models.
• 2. Results with Loop Analysis achieved 71.4% of predictive certainty; indicating that this technique is useful for assessment of the effects of human intervention related to the mud‐bottom ecosystem tested. On the other hand, Ecosim using bottom‐up flow control mechanism achieved only 14.3% certainty. In an intermediate range, predictions obtained using the Mixed Trophic Impacts and Ecosim models using top‐down, mixed and flow control mechanisms estimated by the program, achieved 57.1% certainty.
• 3. The results obtained have important implications for the management of communities and ecosystems since human interventions can be studied using holistic models with an end result of evaluating the eventual changes that they propagate.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assessing the benefits of the marine protected area of Punta Coles,southern Peru (south-east Pacific) on productivity of conspicuous benthic species using pre-image population analysis

1. The coastal marine protected ecosystem at Punta Coles (as a part of the Reserva Nacional de Islas, Islotes y Puntas Guaneras) is located in a highly exploited area in southern Peru and contains several commercial, bioengineering and other benthic species.
2. Pre-image population analysis was used to estimate the transient values of intrinsic growth rate (r) based on biomass and density time series as a proxy of productivity to assess the effectiveness of protection.
3. The outcomes obtained showed that the gastropods Concholepas concholepas, Fissurella latimartiginata and the tunicate Purya chilensis showed a reduction of productivity during recent years, whilst the sea urchin Loxechinus albus, the barnacle Balanus laevis and the bivalve Semimytilus algosus showed an opposite pattern. Several species exhibited a chaotic dynamic, coinciding with the highest productivity values. In 2016 and 2017, several species exhibited a reduction of their abundance which could be delayed responses explained by changes in oceanographic conditions (reduction of coastal upwelling), La Niña event and illegal harvest.
4. The above notwithstanding, the results suggest that effective protection of benthic species in the protected ecosystem of Punta Coles have been partially accomplished. Therefore, this work could be considered a baseline study, permitting the subsequent monitoring of productivity of the main species inhabiting the coastal area of Punta Coles.
5. Pre-image population analysis could be used as a complimentary analytical tool since it enables the evaluation of transient population parameters (e.g. productivity) thus aiding population management, conservation and monitoring decisions.