Textural Comparisons of Gluten‐Free and Wheat‐Based Doughs,Batters, and Breads

Studies were conducted with two newly developed gluten‐free bread recipes. One was based on corn starch (relative amount 54), brown rice (25), soya (12.5), and buckwheat flour (8.5), while the other contained brown rice flour (50), skim milk powder (37.5), whole egg (30), potato (25), and corn starch (12.5), and soya flour (12.5). The hydrocolloids used were xanthan gum (1.25) and xanthan (0.9) plus konjac gum (1.5), respectively. Wheat bread and gluten‐free bread made from commercial flour mix were included for comparison. Baking tests showed that wheat and the bread made from the commercial flour mix yielded significantly higher loaf volumes (P < 0.01). All the gluten‐free breads were brittle after two days of storage, detectable by the occurrence of fracture, and the decrease in springiness (P < 0.01), cohesiveness (P < 0.01), and resilience (P < 0.01) derived from texture profile analysis. However, these changes were generally less pronounced for the dairy‐based gluten‐free bread, indicating a better keeping quality. Confocal laser‐scanning microscopy showed that the dairy‐based gluten‐free bread crumb contained network‐like structures resembling the gluten network in wheat bread crumb. It was concluded that the formation of a continuous protein phase is critical for an improved keeping quality of gluten‐free bread.     

Persistent Frenulum of the Epiglottis in Four Foals

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical signs and management of 4 foals with persistent frenulum of the epiglottis. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. ANIMALS: Four newborn foals. METHODS: Foals were admitted with a complaint of oronasal reflux after nursing. Variable systemic signs of aspiration pneumonia were evident. Nasal endoscopy confirmed persistent dorsal displacement of the soft palate. Persistent frenulum of the epiglottis, confirmed by oral endoscopic examination, was transected. RESULTS: After surgery, all foals had the epiglottis positioned normally, dorsal to the soft palate. Clinical signs of oronasal reflux resolved by the second nursing attempt in 3 foals, whereas this was difficult to assess in one foal that was nursed intermittently because of the mares behavior. This foal died 2 days later. The other 3 foals have had normal epiglottic function for 2-4 years. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent frenulum of the epiglottis should be considered in foals with oronasal reflux from birth. With appropriate medical and surgical management the prognosis for resolution should be good.     

Benefits of using the probiotic Efinol®L during transportation of cardinal tetra, Paracheirodon axelrodi (Schultz), in the Amazon

The objective of this experiment was to test the probiotic Efinol^®L during transportation of cardinal tetra, Paracheirodon axelrodi (Schultz). For the transportation, fish were distributed in 18 plastic tanks, of which nine contained the Efinol^®L (10 mg L⁻¹; probiotic treatment) and the remaining had no probiotic (control treatment). Transport lasted 24 h and three different boxes of each treatment were sampled at 3, 12 and 24 h. Up to the 12-h sampling period, no significant difference in the survival was observed; on the other hand, survival was higher at the end of the transport (24 h) in the probiotic treatment. No significant difference was found in dissolved oxygen and temperature between treatments. Conductivity, pH and alkalinity increased along the transport, but without a difference between treatments. Ammonia increased in all treatments, although it was significantly lower in the probiotic group at 24 h. Cortisol levels were significantly higher in all transported fish when compared with the basal values. At 24 h, cortisol levels in control fish were significantly higher than those in the probiotic treatment. With the observed results, we are able to conclude that the probiotic Efinol^®L is efficient during cardinal transport, lowering the mortality and helping maintain water quality possibly by lowering metabolic wastes.     

Characterization of triadimefon sorption in soils using supercritical fluid (SFE) and accelerated solvent (ASE) extraction techniques

Sorption–desorption of the fungicide triadimefon in field‐moist silt loam and sandy loam soils were determined using low‐density supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). The selectivity of SFE enables extraction of triadimefon from the soil water phase only, thus allowing calculation of sorption coefficients (K_d) at field‐moist or unsaturated conditions. Triadimefon sorption was influenced by factors such as soil moisture content and temperature; sorption increased with increased moisture content up to saturation, and decreased with increased temperature. For instance, K_d values for triadimefon on the silt loam and the sandy loam soils at 40 °C and 10% water content were 1.9 and 2.5 ml g⁻¹, respectively, and at 18% water content, 3.3 and 6.4 ml g⁻¹, respectively. Isosteric heats of sorption (ΔH_i) were −42 and −7 kJ mol⁻¹ for the silt loam and sandy loam soils, respectively. Sorption–desorption was also determined using an automated accelerated solvent extraction system (ASE), in which triadimefon was extracted from silt loam soil by 0.01 M CaCl₂. Using the ASE system, which is basically a fast alternative to the batch equilibration system, gave a similar ΔH_i value (−29 kJ mol⁻¹) for the silt loam soil (K_f = 27 µg^{1 − 1/n} ml^1/n g⁻¹). In order to predict transport of pesticides through the soil profile more accurately on the basis of these data, information is needed on sorption as a function of soil water content. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry