Classification of pumpkin seed oils according to their species and genetic variety by attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy

Attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), followed by multivariate treatment of the spectral data, was used to classify seed oils of the genus Cucurbita (pumpkins) according to their species as C. maxima, C. pepo, and C. moschata. Also, C. moschata seed oils were classified according to their genetic variety as RG, Inivit C-88, and Inivit C-2000. Up to 23 wavelength regions were selected on the spectra, each region corresponding to a peak or shoulder. The normalized absorbance peak areas within these regions were used as predictors. Using linear discriminant analysis (LDA), an excellent resolution among all categories concerning both Cucurbita species and C. moschata varieties was achieved. The proposed method was straightforward and quick and can be easily implemented. Quality control of pumpkin seed oils is important because Cucurbita species and genetic variety are both related to the pharmaceutical properties of the oils.     

Flavor and quality characteristics of salted and desalted cod (Gadus morhua) produced by different salting methods

Flavor characterization and quality of salt-cured and desalted cod (Gadus morhua) products was studied using sensory analysis and gas chromatography techniques. The products were produced in Iceland using two different processing methods (filleting and splitting) and three different salting procedures, i.e., the old single-step kench salting or a multistep procedure, and presalting (injection and brine salting or only brine salting), which was followed by kench salting. The main difference observed was between fillets and split fish, where the split fish was darker and had stronger flavor characteristics. Comparison of different salting procedures showed that the use of presalting improved the appearance of the salted products, which can be described as increased lightness and reduced yellowness of the products. In the same products, the intensity of curing flavors was milder, as described by sensory analysis and key aroma compounds. Derivatives from lipid and protein degradation contribute to the characteristic flavor of the salted products.     

Detection, accumulation, distribution, and depletion of furaltadone and nifursol residues in poultry muscle, liver, and gizzard

Nitrofurans were broadly used as an extremely effective veterinary antibiotic especially in pig and poultry production farms. Because of fears of the carcinogenic effects on humans, the nitrofurans were banned from use in livestock production in many countries, including the European Union. The present study examines the accumulation, distribution, and depletion of furaltadone and nifursol and of their tissue-bound metabolites [3-amino-5-morpholinomethyl-2-oxazolidinone (AMOZ) and 3,5-dinitro-salicylic acid hydrazine (DNSAH), respectively, in poultry edible tissues (muscle, liver, and gizzards) following administration to chickens of therapeutic and subtherapeutic concentrations of both compounds. Nitrofurans determination was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, respectively, for feeds and for poultry tissues. Furaltadone and nifursol, in very low concentrations, were found in samples of muscle, liver, and chicken's gizzard collected from slaughtered animals after 5 weeks of treatment and no withdrawal time period. When a withdrawal time period of 3 weeks was respected, no detectable nitrofuran parent compounds was observed in all of the studied matrices. For AMOZ, concentrations of 270 μg/kg in meat, 80 μg/kg in liver, and 331 μg/kg in gizzard were determined after administration of a medicated feed with furaltadone (132 mg/kg), 3 weeks after withdrawal of treatment. For DNSAH, the concentration values obtained are much lower than those observed for AMOZ. For meat, liver, and gizzard, DNSAH concentrations of 2.5, 6.4, and 10.3 μg/kg, respectively, were determined, after administration of a medicated feed with nifursol (98 mg/kg), 3 weeks after withdrawal of treatment. The gizzard could be considered a selected matrix for nitrofuran residues evaluation in poultry, due to its capacity of retaining either nitrofuran parent compounds or metabolites in higher concentrations, regardless of the administered dose or of the respected withdrawal time period.     

Ultrasonographic assessment of maternal cardiac function and peripheral circulation during normal gestation in dogs

The aim of this study was to describe changes in cardiac morphology, systolic function and some peripheral hemodynamic parameters during normal pregnancy in dogs. Twenty healthy bitches, 10 pregnant (PG) and 10 non-pregnant controls (CG), were evaluated every 10 days using echocardiography from day 0 of the estrus cycle to parturition or to day 65 for the PG and CG groups, respectively. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and uterine artery resistance index (RI) were also assessed. Throughout the study, the shortening fraction and cardiac output increased up to 30% vs. 5% (P<0.01) and 45% vs. 2% (P<0.01) in the PG and CG groups, respectively. In contrast, SBP and RI diminished up to 20% vs. 1% (P<0.01) and 29% vs. 0% (P<0.01) in the PG and CG groups, respectively. In conclusion, a decrease in afterload, an increase in cardiac output and cardiac hypertrophy appear to be the result of the hemodynamic modifications occurring during pregnancy in dogs.     

Influence of condensed tannin on intake, digestibility, and efficiency of protein utilization in beef steers fed high concentrate diet

This trial was conducted to evaluate if the effect of condensed tannin (CT) is associated with a true protein source on intake, ruminal and total digestibility, ruminal digestion rate, protein efficiency, and microbial efficiency in beef steers fed high concentrate diet (87% of DM). Four Bos indicus steers (407 ± 12 kg of BW) fitted with rumen cannula were assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design, arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Treatments consisted of either inclusion (0.4% of DM) or exclusion of condensed tannin (CT) from quebracho extract (76% of CT) with or without the use of soybean meal (SBM) as source of true protein. The level of inclusion was calculated to provide a daily intake of 1 g/10 kg of BW of CT. Intake of DM and nutrients was not affected (P > 0.10) by CT inclusion. However, there was an effect (P < 0.10) of CT inclusion on ether extract digestibility. An interaction (P < 0.10) was observed between CT and SBM on ruminal digestibility and digestion rate of crude protein (CP): when mixed with soybean meal, CT decreased the ruminal digestibility and, consequently, reduced the digestion rate of CP. Intake of CP increased (P < 0.10) with the inclusion of SBM. No differences in DM passage rate were observed (P > 0.10) among treatments. Effects of the interaction (P < 0.10) between CT and SBM were observed on flux of rumen undegradable protein (RUP), metabolizable protein (MP), and on the ratio MP:CP. In the presence of soybean meal, the addition of CT increased (P < 0.10) the flux of RUP and MP, and improved the ratio MP:CP. The yield of microbial protein on the abomasum and the microbial efficiency did not differ among treatments (P > 0.10). There was no difference (P > 0.10) on the pH, VFA, and ruminal ammonia (N-NH₃) with the addition of condensed tannin. The N-NH₃ increased and the ruminal pH decreased with the inclusion of soybean meal (P < 0.10). The utilization of condensed tannin as an additive in beef cattle diets with high level of concentrate and soybean meal as a source of true protein implies positive effects on crude protein utilization, decreasing digestion rate and ruminal digestibility of crude protein and consequently increasing the levels of metabolizable protein, with no changes in the ruminal fermentation parameters.     

Partial replacement of Fe(o,o‐EDDHA) by humic substances for Fe nutrition and fruit quality of citrus

The most widely used Iron (Fe) fertilizer in calcareous soils is the synthetic chelate Fe(o,o‐EDDHA). However, humic substances are occasionally combined with Fe chelates in drip irrigation systems in order to lower costs. We investigated the effect of various mixtures of Fe(o,o‐EDDHA) and a commercially available humic substance on Fe availability in a calcareous soil from Murcia, Spain (in vitro experiment) and on leaf Fe content and fruit‐quality attributes of Citrus macrophylla (field experiment). In the in vitro experiment, a calcareous soil was incubated for 15 d with solutions of sole Fe(o,o‐EDDHA) and humic substance and of a mixture of humic substance and Fe(o,o‐EDDHA) to determine the dynamics of available Fe. While the mixture did not significantly increase the available soil Fe, it did decrease the rate of Fe retention in the surface soil compared to sole Fe(o,o‐EDDHA). In the field experiment, the substitution in the application solution of 67% of Fe(o,o‐EDDHA) by commercial humic substance increased leaf P in lemon trees from 0.19% with sole Fe(o,o‐EDDHA) to 0.30% and leaf Fe from 94 mg kg^–1 to 115 mg kg^–1. Some quality parameters like vitamin C content and peel thickness were also improved with a partial substitution of Fe(o,o‐EDDHA) by humic substances. We conclude that a partial substitution of commercial Fe chelates by humic substance can improve crop Fe uptake and may thus be economically attractive. The underlying physiological mechanisms and ecological implications require further studies.     

Direct analysis of pesticide residues in olive oil by on-line reversed phase liquid chromatography-gas chromatography using an automated through oven transfer adsorption desorption (TOTAD) interface

A fully automated on-line reversed phase liquid chromatography-gas chromatography system is described. The system uses a prototype of the automated through oven transfer adsorption desorption interface. The system is demonstrated by presenting a new rapid method for the determination of pesticide residue in olive oil, which is injected directly with no sample pretreatment step other than filtration. Methanol:water is used as the eluent in the LC preseparation step, while the LC fraction containing the pesticide is automatically transferred to the gas chromatograph. Detection limits of pesticides varied from 0.18 to 0.44 mg/L when a flame ionization detector was used. As an example, relative standard deviation and linear calibration are presented for terbutryne.     

Migration studies to assess the safety in use of a new antioxidant active packaging

Both specific and overall migration tests have been applied to new experimental food packaging-active plastic films with antioxidant properties, including in its composition a natural rosemary extract. Determination of volatile and semivolatile compounds migrating from plastic to the four established simulants showed that both specific and overall migration was very low. The results obtained gave values 20 times lower than the established limits in the worst case. So, from the point of view of health risk, the new active packaging can be considered as safe. Analytical procedure used provided the necessary information about the migration behavior, with good analytical characteristics and detection limits in the sub mug kg(-1) range. Besides, no significant difference was found between laboratory and factory-made samples, which is an important issue for industrial production, the next step in the development of the new antioxidant active film.     

Complexation of several fungicides with beta-cyclodextrin: determination of the association constants and isolation of the solid complexes

The formation of inclusion complexes with beta-cyclodextrin was studied for several popular fungicides of different types: prochloraz, 2-phenylphenol, thiophanate methyl, 8-hydroxyquinoline, and benalaxyl. Phase solubility diagrams showed that in all cases complexation takes place, leading to an important increase of water solubility in prochloraz and benalaxyl. Equilibrium association constants could be determined from the phase solubility data and from NMR titrations in the case of 2-phenylphenol. Because of the low solubility of the complex formed between 8-hydroxyquinoline and beta-cyclodextrin, the corresponding association constant could not be determined. The solid complexes of fungicide-cyclodextrin were prepared and isolated by different methods. The isolation of real complexes and not physical mixtures was confirmed in the cases of prochloraz, 2-phenylphenol, and benalaxyl by differential scanning calorimetry.