Identification of potent odorants formed during the preparation of extruded potato snacks

Extrusion cooking processing followed by air-drying has been applied to obtain low-fat potato snacks. Optimal parameters were developed for a dough recipe. Dough contained apart from potato granules 7% of canola oil, 1% of salt, 1% of baking powder, 5% of maltodextrin, and 15% of wheat flour. After the extrusion process, snacks were dried at 85 degrees C for 15 min followed by 130 degrees C for 45 min. The potent odorants of extruded potato snacks were identified using aroma extract dilution analysis and gas chromatography-olfactometry. Among the characteristic compounds, methional with boiled potato flavor, benzenemethanethiol with pepper-seed flavor, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline with popcorn flavor, benzacetaldehyde with strong flowery flavor, butanal with rancid flavor, and 2-acetylpyrazine with roasty flavor were considered to be the main contributors to the aroma of extruded potato snacks. Several compounds were concluded to be developed during extrusion cooking, such as ethanol, 3-methylbutanal, (Z)-1,5-octadien-3-one with geranium flavor, and unknown ones with the flavor of boiled potato, cumin, candy, or parsley root. Compounds such as methanethiol, 2,3-pentanedione, limonene, 2-acetylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine, 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone, 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone, 2-methyl-3,5-diethylpyrazine, 5-methyl-2,3-diethylpyrazine, and (E)-beta-damascenone were probably developed during air-drying of the potato extrudate.     

The toxicity of deltamethrin to pine beauty moth Panolis flammea schiff. and its parasitoids Barichneumon bilunulatus grav. and Rictichneumon pachymerus katz

The toxicity of deltamethrin to larvae of the pine beauty moth, Panolis flammea Schiff., and its two parasitoid species, Barichneumon bilunulatus Grav. and Rictichneumon pachymerus Katz., was evaluated. Two methods, exposure of insects on treated filter paper and topical application of insecticide, were used. Results showed that larvae of the pest were many times more susceptible to deltamethrin than imagines of either of the two parasitoid species.     

Evaluation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rubus</Emphasis> genetic resources on their resistance to cane disease

Raspberry cane disease, caused by a complex of fungi, is amongst the most devastating problems for raspberry production. Using resistant or highly tolerant genotypes is a promising strategy. However, until now, cultivars with good field resistance for German fruit growers as well as the primary causal pathogens of cane disease present in the eastern part of Germany, Saxony state are still unknown. The primary objective of this study was to identify the primary disease causing organisms and resistant Rubus germplasm for future breeding efforts. From 2012 to 2014, we evaluated the degree of susceptibility to cane diseases on 213 raspberry cultivars at two different locations using a rating scale. We also identified the main fungi growing on infected canes. Our results suggest that Fusarium avenaceum is the main fungus causing cane disease in Saxony. The Rubus hybrid cultivars ‘Tayberry’ (2n?=?6x?=?42), ‘Buckingham Tayberry’ (2n?=?6x?=?42) and ‘Dorman Red’ (2n?=?2x?=?14) displayed the highest levels of field resistance at both locations. Moreover, we established an in vitro assay for resistance evaluation which correlates significantly with field data and is particularly suitable for quick assessment of resistance against F. avenaceum in breeding material. Future breeding programs, aiming at cultivars with enhanced resistance towards cane diseases can use the presented data for parental selection and may employ our in vitro F. avenaceum inoculation method for parental testing and progeny selection.     

pH-Dependent radical scavenging capacity of green tea catechins

The effect of pH on the radical scavenging capacity of green tea catechins was investigated using experimental as well as theoretical methods. It was shown that the radical scavenging capacity of the catechins, quantified by the TEAC value, increases with increasing pH of the medium. Comparison of the pKa values to theoretically calculated parameters for the neutral and deprotonated forms indicates that the pH-dependent increase in radical scavenging activity of the catechins is due to an increase of electron-donating ability upon deprotonation. The data also reveal that the radical scavenging activity of the catechins containing the pyrogallol (or catechol) and the galloyl moiety over the whole pH range is due to an additive effect of these two independent radical scavenging structural elements. Altogether, the results obtained provide better insight into the factors determining the radical scavenging activity of the catechins and reveal that the biological activity of green tea catechins will be influenced by the pH of the surrounding medium or tissues.     

Safety assessment of Bt 176 maize in broiler nutrition: degradation of maize-DNA and its metabolic fate.

Insect resistant Bt 176 maize has been developed by genetic modification to resist European borer infection. In the present investigation, the experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding a new hybrid of Bt 176 maize (NX 6262- Bt 176) on general health condition and performance of broiler chickens. Maize grains and diets were subjected to proximate analysis. Amino and fatty acids investigation were applied for both maize grains before used. To evaluate the degradation of NX 6262- Bt 176 maize DNA and its metabolic fate in broiler blood, muscles and organs. One-day-old male broilers were fed ad libitum on either an experimental diet containing NX 6262- Bt 176 or a control diet containing the non-modified maize grains for 35 days. Feed consumption and body weight were recorded weekly during the experimental period. All chickens were subjected to nutritional evaluation period at day 20 of age for 5 successive days, to calculate the percentage of apparent digestible nutrients in both diets. At day 35 samples were collected at several intervals after feed withdrawal. Prior to slaughter blood samples were collected from all birds by heart puncture to prevent DNA cross contamination. Samples from pectoral and thigh muscles, liver, spleen, kidney, heart muscle, bursa and thymus glands were collected. Digesta from different sections of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) were collected as well. Packed cell volume (PCV) and some serum parameters were investigated. There were no significant differences between control and experimental group concerning chemical composition of feeds, apparent digestible nutrients, and all performance parameters measured (P > 0.05). Furthermore, there were no differences in the PCV and the analysed serum parameters between the control and experimental group. The results of maize DNA digestibility showed that the new variety takes the normal physiological passage along broiler GIT similar to the conventional line. In addition, Bt 176 maize DNA appears to be partially degraded in different parts of GIT comparable to the DNA of the control maize line. Results of the metabolic fate of maize DNA in broiler blood, muscles and organs indicated that only short DNA fragments (199 bp) derived from the plant chloroplast gene could be detected in the blood, skeletal muscles, liver, spleen and kidney, which disappeared after prolongation the fasting time. In heart muscle, bursa of Fabricius and thymus, no plant chloroplast DNA was found. Bt gene specific constructs from Bt 176 maize were not detected in any investigated blood or tissue samples.     

Influence of zeolite A supplementation during the dry period of dairy cows on feed intake, on the macro and trace element metabolism around calving and milk yield in the following lactation

The object of the present study was to determine the influence of zeolite A, a calcium binder from the group of the aluminosilicate, on feed intake, macro and trace element metabolism as well as the milk yield in the following lactation in dairy cows. 46 cows were allotted to 2 groups (A--control group and B--experimental group). They were fed a total mixed ration (TMR) ad libitum 2 weeks before calving. Additionally the cows in group B received 90 g zeolite A/kg dry matter (DM). The individually feed intake was registered daily. The serum was analysed for Ca, Mg, and Pi (inorganic phosphate), Fe, FFA (free fatty acid) and beta-HB (hydroxybutyrate) and the plasma for the trace elements Cu, Zn, and Mn. After calving the milk yield (FCM) and the milk composition (fat, protein, lactose and urea) were analysed. Feed intake of group B, amounting to 6.2 +/- 1.3 kg DM/d was around 48% lower as compared to 12.0 +/- 1.4 kg DM/d for group A. The zeolite addition into the TMR showed a stabilizing effect on the average Ca concentration in the serum around calving. This effect led to a significantly lower Mg concentration on the day of calving and 1 day post partum. The Pi concentration was significantly lower already after the 1st week of zeolite supplementation and on the day of calving as compared to group A. There was no essential effect of zeolite A on the trace element concentration. The depression of feed intake for group B led to a significant increase of FFA one week after beginning zeolite supplementation and of beta-HB around calving. The feed intake post partum as well as the milk yield were not affected by zeolite supplementation. Because decreased feed intake of group B after zeolite supplementation and the occurred hypophosphatemia, it is not acceptable to use zeolite A in the proved dose for preventing milk fever.