Manufacture and characterization of pasta made with wheat flour rendered gluten-free using fungal proteases and selected sourdough lactic acid bacteria

Wheat flour, which was rendered gluten-free by sourdough lactic acid bacteria fermentation and fungal proteases, was used for manufacturing experimental gluten-free pasta (E-GFp), according to a traditional process with low temperature drying cycle. Chemical, technological, structural, nutritional and sensory features were characterized and compared with those of commercial gluten-free (C-GFp) and durum wheat pasta (C-DWp). As shown through immunological analyses, the residual concentration of gluten of the hydrolyzed wheat flour was below 10 ppm. E-GFp showed rapid water uptake and shorter optimal cooking time compared to the other pastas. Despite the absence of the gluten network, the supplementation with pre-gelatinized rice flour allowed structural properties of E-GFp, which were comparable to those of C-GFp. The in vitro protein digestibility of E-GFp resulted the highest. Probably due to proteolysis during sourdough fermentation; chemical scores, essential amino acid profile, biological value and nutritional index of E-GFp were higher than those of C-DWp. The hydrolysis index (HI) of E-GFp was ca. 30% lower than that found for C-GFp. As shown by sensory analysis, the characteristic of E-GFp were acceptable. The manufacture of E-GFp should be promising to expand the choice of gluten-free foods, which combine sensory and nutritional properties.     

Nutritional and physiological responses of young growing rats to diets containing raw cowpea seed meal,protein isolate (globulins), or starch

The nutritional and physiological effects of raw cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp.) seed meal, protein isolate (globulins), or starch on the metabolism of young growing rats have been evaluated in 14-day trials. Wet and dry weight gain, feed conversion efficiency, and lipid and protein accretion were significantly reduced as a result of inclusion of seed meal, globulins, or starch in the diet, with growth retardation being most marked with the seed meal. The proportional weights of the small intestine and pancreas were increased by meal diets, and serum cholesterol levels were slightly reduced. The globulins and raw starch also increased relative small intestine weights but had no effect on the pancreas or serum constituents. The effects of cowpeas on rats appeared to be due primarily to the combined actions of globulins, resistant starches, protease inhibitors, and possibly fiber and non-starch polysaccharides on intestinal and systemic metabolism.     

Applicability of ELISA for determination of metsulfuron‐methyl in soil samples

An immunoassay (ELISA) for analysis of metsulfuron‐methyl was evaluated as a method for quantifying residues in soil. Soil samples were extracted with phosphate buffered saline (PBS), PBS + acetone (80 + 20 by volume) or ammonium carbonate and were analyzed with both ELISA and LC‐MS. A tendency for the ELISA to overstimate the metsulfuron‐methyl content was noted and matrix effects were pronounced, particularly in PBS + acetone or ammonium carbonate extracts. Dilution of extracts before analysis improved the situation but reduced the sensitivity of the assay. Using light standard concentrations it was shown that the extracts in PBS on dilutions exhibited a curve parallel with the standard curve, indicating no significant interference due to matrix effects. A working range of 10–250 ng litre⁻¹ was found for ELISA on this type of extracts. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

New Drugs from Marine Organisms in Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder. Current approved drugs may only ameliorate symptoms in a restricted number of patients and for a restricted period of time. Currently, there is a translational research challenge into identifying the new effective drugs and their respective new therapeutic targets in AD and other neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, selected examples of marine-derived compounds in neurodegeneration, specifically in AD field are reported. The emphasis has been done on compounds and their possible relevant biological activities. The proposed drug development paradigm and current hypotheses should be accurately investigated in the future of AD therapy directions although taking into account successful examples of such approach represented by Cytarabine, Trabectedin, Eribulin and Ziconotide. We review a complexity of the translational research for such a development of new therapies for AD. Bryostatin is a prominent candidate for the therapy of AD and other types of dementia in humans.     

Soil quality assessment under shifting cultivation and forests in Northeastern Himalaya of India

The study aimed to evaluate the impact of shifting cultivation on soil quality, in Wokha district of Nagaland, using weighted soil quality index (SQIw). Four forest sites and three sites under shifting cultivation were selected and physical (texture and bulk density) and chemical (pH, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, organic carbon, available N, P, K, exchangeable cations) parameters were analyzed. The SQIw was calculated on a minimum data set selected by principal component analysis, followed by varimax rotation algorithm and through subsequent normalization of the parameters using the linear scoring function. Significant (P < 0.05) variations in SQIw were found across the depth of the soil and land use according to severity of factors associated with land use. Three different classes of soil quality were also identified: high quality (SQIw > 0.70) for two forest soils (FS1 and FS2) and land under shifting cultivation (JH1), low quality (SQIw < 0.50), only to FS3, and intermediate quality (0.50 < SQI < 0.70) in all other soils. The approach used in this study proved to be sensitive to evaluate the soil quality, however further research is required to better understand the sustainability of shifting cultivation by including more physical, biological and chemical indicators.     

Experimental infection of cattle, sheep and pigs with 'Hobi'-like pestivirus

To date, limited information is available on the ability of 'Hobi'-like pestiviruses (putative bovine viral diarrhoea 3) to infect and cause disease in animal species traditionally affected by pestiviruses. In order to obtain new insights into host range and pathogenic potential of this atypical pestivirus, BVDV-seronegative calves (n=5), lambs (n=5) and piglets (n=5) were experimentally infected with the European 'Hobi'-like strain Italy-1/10-1, whereas two animals per species served as uninfected controls. Appearance of clinical signs, leukopenia, viremia, viral shedding and seroconversion were monitored for 28 days post-infection. Calves and lambs were successfully infected, displaying respiratory signs (nasal discharge), moderate hyperthermia and leukopenia, viremia and viral shedding through the nasal and faecal routes. Antibody responses were observed in both animal species by ELISA and virus neutralisation assays. In contrast, inoculated piglets did not display any clinical signs nor leukopenia and viral RNA was not detected in any biological samples. Nevertheless, the presence of detectable antibodies by virus neutralisation accounted for a successful, albeit limited infection of these animals.     

The anatomical distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility of yeast species isolated from healthy dogs

The aim of this work was to identify the predominant yeast species present at different anatomical sites in healthy dogs and to determine their in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility using a broth microdilution assay. Samples were collected from the preputial, vaginal, oral and perianal mucosae and the isolates cultured were identified according to their morphological characteristics and biochemical profile. Malassezia pachydermatis was the most commonly isolated yeast, followed by Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis, Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Rhodotorula spp.Minimum inhibitory concentrations of the azole derivatives ketoconazole, itraconazole and fluconazole against Candida spp. were 0.03–16 μg/mL, 0.06 to >16 μg/mL and 0.5–64 μg/mL, respectively and Candida isolates were sensitive to caspofungin and amphotericin B. Although all isolates of M. pachydermatis were sensitive to itraconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole and amphotericin B, they were found to be resistant to caspofungin. The study has highlighted that Candida spp., M. pachydermatis, S. cerevisiae and Rhodotorula spp. are part of the normal canine surface microbiota and some of these organisms exhibit in vitro resistance to commonly used antimicrobials.