Relationship between virgin olive oil phenolic compounds and acrylamide formation in fried crisps

In this paper the relationship between virgin olive oil (VOO) phenol compounds and the formation of acrylamide in potato crisps was investigated. The phenol compositions of 20 VOO samples were screened by LC-MS, and 4 oils, characterized by different phenol compound patterns, were selected for frying experiments. Slices of potatoes were fried at 180 degrees C for 5, 10, and 15 min, and acrylamide content was determined by LC-MS. Results demonstrated that VOO phenolic compounds are not degraded during frying, and crisp color was not significantly different among the four VOOs. Acrylamide concentration in crisps increased during frying time, but the formation was faster in the oil having the lowest concentration of phenolic compounds. Moreover, the VOO having the highest concentration of ortho-diphenolic compounds is able to efficiently inhibit acrylamide formation in crisps from mild to moderate frying conditions. It was concluded that the use of ortho-diphenolic-rich VOOs can be proposed as a reliable mitigation strategy to reduce acrylamide formation in domestic deep-frying.     

Effect of different levels of dietary sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) peel extract on humoral immune system responses in broiler chickens

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) peel extract (SOPE) on humoral immune system responses in broiler chickens. Three hundred 1‐day broilers (Ross‐308) were randomly allocated to treatments varying in supplemental SOPE added in the drinking water. The experimental groups consisted of three treatments fed for 42 days as follows: a control treatment without feed extract, a treatment containing 1000 ppm of SOPE and a treatment containing 1250 ppm of SOPE. All treatments were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Broilers were vaccinated with Newcastle disease virus (NDV), avian influenza (AI), infectious bursal disease (IBD) and infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) vaccines. Antibody titer response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) was higher in the group fed 1250 ppm of SOPE (P < 0.05) as well as for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM. Similarly, antibody titer responses to all vaccines were constantly elevated (P < 0.05) by SOPE enrichment in a dose‐dependent manner. Relative weights of spleen and bursa of Fabricius were unaffected by treatments. Dietary SOPE supplementation may improve the immune response and diseases resistance, indicating that it can constitute a useful additive in broiler feeding. Thus, supplying SOPE in rations may help to improve relative immune response in broiler chickens.     

Body condition score prior to parturition is associated with plasma and adipose tissue biomarkers of lipid metabolism and inflammation in Holstein cows

Background: Previous research has revealed a strong inflammatory response within adipose(AT) tissue during the transition into lactation. Whether this effect is a result of oxidative stress induced by lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation associated with differences in prepartum body condition score remains to be determined. The objectives of this study were to investigate systemic biomarkers of energy balance and inflammation and the expression of lipid metabolismand inflammation-related genes in AT during the transition period in dairy cows.Results: Twenty multiparous Holstein cows were retrospectively divided by body condition score(BCS) prior to parturition into two groups(10 cows/group): BCS ≤ 3.25(Lo BCS) and BCS ≥ 3.75(Hi BCS). Subcutaneous adipose tissue was biopsied from the tail-head region at d-10, 7 and 20 relative to parturition. Plasma was used to evaluate biomarkers of energy balance(EBAL) [free fatty acids(NEFA), glycerol, insulin] and inflammation [IL-1β, haptoglobin, myeloperoxidase, and reactive oxygen metabolites(ROM)]. Although insulin concentration was not affected by BCS, NEFA was overal greater and glycerol lower in HiB CS cows. Greater activity of myeloperoxidase in plasma coincided with increased haptoglobin and IL-1β postpartum in LoB CS cows.Among genes related with oxidative stress, the expression of the cytosolic antioxidant enzyme SOD1 was greater in LoB CS compared to HiB CS. Cows in LoB CS compared with HiB CS had greater overal expression of ABDH5 and ATGL along with ADIPOQ, indicating enhanced basal lipolysis and secretion of adiponectin. Expression of CPT1 A, ACADVL, and ACOX1 was greater overal in HiB CS than LoB CS indicating enhanced NEFA oxidation. Although the temporal increase in plasma NEFA regardless of BCS coincided with the profile of CPT1 A, the gradual decrease in genes related with reesterification of NEFA(PCK1) and glycerol efflux(AQP7) coupled with an increase in glycerol kinase(GK) suggested some stimulation of NEFA utilization within adipose tissue. This idea is supported in part by the gradual decrease in insulin regardless of BCS. Although expression of the inflammation-related gene toll-like receptor 4( TLR4) was greater in Hi BCS versus Lo BCS cows at-10 d, expression of TLR9 was greater in Hi BCS versus Lo BCS at 20 d.These profiles did not seem to be associated with concentrations of pro-inflammatory biomarkers or ROM.Conclusions: Overall, data indicated that cows with BCS 3.25 or lower before calving experienced greater alterations in systemic inflammation and basal lipolysis without excessive increases in NEFA plasma concentrations.Despite the greater plasma NEFA around parturition, cows with BCS 3.75 or higher seemed to have a more active system for catabolism of NEFA and utilization of glycerol within adipose tissue. A linkage between those pathways and risk of disorders postpartum remains to be determined.     

Processing tomato quality as affected by irrigation scheduling

In Southern Italy the paucity of water is a very important problem and due to the fundamental importance of the water for the processing tomato, in this study the influence of irrigation on processing tomato quality was investigated in the years 2002 and 2003. A hybrid processing tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L. Mill cv. Ability) was treated with different water regimes obtained combining amount of water and irrigation interval. The effects of the trials were evaluated taking into account the physical and chemical characteristics of the fruits, as well as the content in antioxidants moieties. Furthermore, the relationship among all the quality parameters and the seasonal amount of irrigation water was evaluated.The results, comparing different water regimes obtained combining amount of water and irrigation interval, gave useful indications on the possibility to improve nutritional tomato quality by reducing irrigation water during tomato cropping. In particular, relatively to the Mediterranean areas of tomato cultivation and to the texture of the soil considered in this study, the best compromise between quality and quantity of the processing tomato fruit was achieved both with the extension of the irrigation interval (L40 or L60) and with the limitation of irrigation volume for the second part of the tomato crop cycle (thesis 100-50). Extending the irrigation interval and limiting irrigation volume for the second part of the tomato crop cycle, appeared to be the best management strategy to optimize the yield and nutritional quality of processing tomato.     

Synthesis of some new ether derivatives of hydroquinone and their ovicidal activity against the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch)

A new class of compounds derived from hydroquinone ethers showed high and predominantly ovicidal activity against the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. The sequence of compounds synthesised and the factors which appeared to have contributed most to the discovery of these promising acaricides are presented.     

Hymenoptera wasps associated with the Asian gall wasp of chestnut (Dryocosmus kuriphilus) in Calabria,Italy

The parasitoid complex of the Asian chestnut gall wasp Drycosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu was studied in Calabria (Italy). A total of 14 different species of parasitoids were collected, of which three are recorded on the Asian gall wasp for the first time. The composition of the parasitoid complex collected in Calabria was compared with that reported from Italy and from Europe. The altitude of the sites of collection seemed to have an effect on the distribution and abundance of the single species of parasitoids.     

Fungitoxicity of 5-aminoisoxazole-4-thiocyanate derivatives

3-Methyl-5-(acyl/alkyl)aminoisoxazole-4-thiocyanates were prepared by rhodanation of N-acyl/alkyl-3-methyl-5-isoxazolamines. These products were tested for antifungal activity against a series of phytopathogenic fungi of different taxonomic classes. Some of the compounds showed interesting in-vitro activity. The more active compound in the in-vitro test displayed a moderate preventive activity against Plasmopara viticola, Alternaria solani and Pyricularia recondita.     

Natural occurrence of ochratoxin A and antioxidant activities of green and roasted coffees and corresponding byproducts

Ochratoxin A is an important mycotoxin that can enter the human food chain in cereals, wine, coffee, spices, beer, cocoa, dried fruits, and pork meats. Coffee is one of the most common beverages and, consequently, it has a potential risk factor for human health related to ochratoxin A exposure. In this study, coffee and corresponding byproducts from seven different geographic regions were investigated for ochratoxin A natural occurrence by HPLC-FLD, nutritional characterization, and antioxidant activities by spectrophotometric assay. The research focused on composition changes in coffee during the processing step "from field to cup". Costa Rica and Indian green coffees were the most contaminated samples, with 13 and 11 microg/kg, respectively, while the Ethiopian coffee was the least contaminated, with 3.8 microg/kg of ochratoxin A. The reduction of ochratoxin A contamination during the roasting step was comparable for any samples that were considered under the recommended level of 4 microg/kg. Total dietary fibers ranged from 58.7% for Vietnam and 48.6% for Ivory Coast in green coffees and ranged from 58.6% for Costa Rica to 61.2% for India in roasted coffee. Coffee silverskin byproduct obtained from Ivory Coast was the highest, with 69.2 and 64.2% of insoluble dietary fibers, respectively.     

Historical DNA as a tool to genetically characterize the Mediterranean sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus,Lamniformes: Odontaspididae): A species probably disappeared from this basin

1. The sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus) is a coastal species distributed in temperate and sub‐tropical waters, classified as ‘Vulnerable’ at global level and ‘Critically endangered’ in eastern Australia, south‐western Atlantic Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea. Six populations (north‐western Atlantic, Brazil, South Africa, Japan, eastern Australia, and western Australia) with low genetic diversity and limited gene flow were identified worldwide, but genetic information for many other geographic areas are still missing. Specifically, this species is listed in several reports as part of the Mediterranean fauna, even if there has been a lack of catches and sightings in recent years in this basin. To clarify the origin of C. taurus individuals caught in the past in the Mediterranean Sea, historical samples were genetically analysed.
2. Nine samples with certain Mediterranean origin were collected from different European museums. DNA was extracted and ~600 bp of the mitochondrial DNA control region were amplified using eight overlapping species‐specific primer pairs. Sequences obtained were aligned with all the haplotypes globally known so far.
3. Genetic analysis revealed the misidentification of one museum specimen. Among the remaining Mediterranean historical samples, three different haplotypes were recovered. Two of them previously observed only in South Africa and one described in both South African and Brazilian populations.
4. Results suggest a genetic relationship between Mediterranean sand tiger sharks and those from the western Indian Ocean. According to previous studies, we hypothesized that, during the Pleistocene, the cold Benguela upwelling barrier was temporarily reduced allowing the passage of C. taurus individuals from the Indian to Atlantic Ocean. After the restoration of this phylogeographic barrier some individuals were trapped in the Atlantic Ocean and probably migrated northward colonizing the western African coasts and the Mediterranean Sea.

     

Long-term Electrocardiography Recording with Holter Monitoring in 15 Donkeys

The heart rates (HR) and rhythms of 15 healthy donkeys of various ages, both sexes, and various breeds were analyzed throughout 24-hour Holter monitoring. The animals were evaluated at rest in their daily environment without the presence of investigators causing stress, using a three-channel digital Holter recorder. Analysis revealed a maximal HR range from 62.5 to 93.7 beats/min (mean, 72.50 ± 7.51 beats/min), whereas the minimal HR ranged from 29.7 to 42.2 beats/min (mean, 34.90 ± 4.22 beats/min). The daily mean HR was 47.55 ± 3.70 beats/min. The daytime mean HR was 49.39 ± 2.77 beats/min, whereas the night time rate was 46.22 ± 4.38 beats/min. Sinus bradycardia and sinus tachycardia were detected in 7 and 10 of 15 studied donkeys, respectively. Cardiac dysrhythmias due to high vagal tone such as sinoatrial heart block and second-degree atrioventricular heart block were occasionally recorded in 1 and 3 donkeys, respectively. A higher mean HR and fewer cardiac dysrhythmias were observed in donkeys than in horses and ponies at rest. These findings could be justified by differences in the autonomic nervous system tone.