Effects of extrusion, boiling, autoclaving, and microwave heating on lupine allergenicity

Lupine flour has been reported as a causative agent of allergic reactions. However, the allergenicity of lupine after thermal processing is not well-known. For this purpose, the allergenic characteristics of lupine seeds after boiling (up to 60 min), autoclaving (121 degrees C, 1.18 atm, up to 20 min and 138 degrees C, 2.56 atm, up to 30 min), microwave heating (30 min), and extrusion cooking were studied. The IgE-binding capacity was analyzed by IgE-immunoblotting and CAP inhibition using a serum pool from 23 patients with lupine-specific IgE. Skin testing was carried out in four patients. An important reduction in allergenicity after autoclaving at 138 degrees C for 20 min was observed. IgE antibodies from two individual sera recognized bands at 23 and 29 kDa in autoclaved samples at 138 degrees C for 20 min. Autoclaving for 30 min abolished the IgE binding to these two components. A previously undetected band at 70 kDa was recognized by an individual serum. Therefore, prolonged autoclaving might have an important effect on the allergenicity of lupine with the majority of patients lacking IgE reactivity to these processed samples.     

Multivariate analysis of FTIR and ion chromatographic data for the quality control of tequila

Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to the chromatographic and spectroscopic data of authentic Mexican tequilas (n = 14) and commercially available samples purchased in Mexico and Germany (n = 24). The scores scatter plot of the first two principal components (PC) of the anions chloride, nitrate, sulfate, acetate, and oxalate accounting for 78% of the variability allowed a classification between tequilas bottled in Mexico and overseas; however, no discrimination between tequila categories was possible. Mexican products had a significantly (p = 0.0014) lower inorganic anion concentration (range = 1.5-5.1 mg/L; mean = 2.5 mg/L) than the products bottled in the importing countries (range = 3.3-62.6 mg/L; mean = 26.3 mg/L). FTIR allowed a rapid screening of density and ethanol as well as the volatile compounds methanol, ethyl acetate, propanol-1, isobutanol, and 2-/3-methyl-1-butanol using partial least-squares regression (precisions = 5.3-29.3%). Using PCA of the volatile compounds, a differentiation between tequila derived from "100% agave" (Agave tequilana Weber var. azul, Agavaceae) and tequila produced with other fermentable sugars ("mixed"tequila) was possible. The first two PCs describe 89% of the total variability of the data. Methanol and isobutanol influenced the variability in PC1, which led to discrimination. The concentrations of methanol and isobutanol were significantly higher (methanol, p = 0.004; isobutanol, p = 0.005) in the 100% agave (methanol, 297.9 +/- 49.5; isobutanol, 251.3 +/- 34.9) than in the mixed tequilas (methanol, 197.8 +/- 118.5; isobutanol, 151.4 +/- 52.8).     

Effect of tocopherols in the antioxidative activity of oxidized lipid-amine reaction products

Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylcholine (PC), lysine (Lys), and mixtures of them were tested for antioxidative activity in a tocopherol-stripped olive oil (TSO) and the same oil after addition of 250 microg of alpha-tocopherol g of oil/(tocopherol-added olive oil, TAO) to evaluate the role of tocopherol in the antioxidant activity of oxidized lipid-amine products. Neither PE nor PC nor Lys protected TSO when tested alone, but both PE and Lys increased the induction period (IP) of TAO. On the contrary, PE/Lys and PC/Lys mixtures, but not PC/PE mixtures, protected both TSO and TAO. These results were a consequence of both the formation of oxidized lipid-amine products, which were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after their conversion into volatile derivatives, and a synergism between alpha-tocopherol and the produced compounds. These results were confirmed by analyzing the antioxidative activity of two of the produced carbonyl-amine products: 6-amino-2-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)hexanoic acid (1) and 2,3-dipalmitoylpropyl 2-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)ethyl phosphate (2). The hydrophilic compound 1 was more antioxidant than the analogous lipophilic compound 2, and this antioxidative activity was observed in TAO and not in TSO. All these results suggested that antioxidative activity of carbonyl-amine products may be greatly increased with the addition of tocopherols, and those products derived from Lys are more antioxidant in bulk oils than those derived from PE.     

Differential weathering of granitic stocks and landscape effects in a Mediterranean climate,Southern Iberian Massif (Spain)

Mineralogical and structural features control the weathering processes and landform development of two different crystalline stocks in the Iberian Massif, Spain (the Santa Elena and Linares stocks). The Santa Elena stock shows irregular saprolite profiles and boulder landforms whereas the Linares stock develops broad and plain landscapes with uniform saprolites and less boulder forms. The Santa Elena stock is more closely jointed and fractured than the Linares body. The main secondary minerals are kaolinite, and illite; illite/smectite interstratification was only observed in deep samples from the Linares profile. The Linares profile is feldspar-enriched whereas in Santa Elena plagioclase is almost absent and clay mineral content, especially kaolinite, is higher. Feldspars show dissolution channels developed along cleavage planes filled by clay minerals. Biotite–kaolinite intergrowths have fanned-out textures of epitaxial disposition. Weathered materials are enriched in Al and H₂O and Fe, and depleted in Ca, Na, Mg, Ti, P. The Santa Elena weathered materials are richer in H₂O than those from Linares and have lower Si/Al ratios. Mineralogical and geochemical evidence indicate the Santa Elena materials are more intensely weathered. High fracturation and high Ca-richer plagioclase contents are key factors producing the pervasive Santa Elena stock weathering. Fluvial erosion removed the alteration products in incised tectonically controlled streams resulting in boulder accumulation.     

Understanding biological characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia melanoxylon</Emphasis> in relation to fire to implement control measurements

Key message

Acacia melanoxylon produces abundant seeds leading to large seed banks in the soil. These seeds display a large viability and their germination is stimulated by heat. To control the populations, it is necessary to remove adults and young individuals, and to prevent seedling establishment after fire occupying the space with rapid growth and high competitive native species.

Context

Acacia melanoxylon displays a widespread distribution in South West Europe, and an improved knowledge of its reproductive characteristics is required in order to control its expansion.

Aims

This experiment was designed to provide useful indicators for an efficient management of A. melanoxylon populations based on its biological cycle in relation to fire.

Methods

We explored the reproductive biology of A. melanoxylon, from seed dissemination—–quantifying seed rain over a year, their germination with and without fire—the seedling and sapling banks and the structure of the adult population. We analysed the effects of fire, seed maturation and scarification on the viability of seeds and the stimulation of seed germination in the aerial seed bank and in the different strata of the soil seed bank.

Results

Our results indicate that A. melanoxylon produced millions of seeds per ha and per year, half of which germinated and the other half went to the soil seed bank, maintaining the viability many years. The germination was the most critical step in the population dynamics of this species, and fire stimulates germination up to 90%.

Conclusion

A. melanoxylon adults and seedlings removal, followed by colonization of rapid growth and high competitive native species that cover the ground very quickly would be a good control action.

     

Captan and fenitrothion dissipation in field-treated cauliflowers and effect of household processing

Field trial studies have been performed with captan and fenitrothion on cauliflower to propose maximum residue limits and to study the dissipation of the pesticides. Residue levels have been determined at different times following good laboratory practice using gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. The behaviour of residue levels of these compounds after household processing has been analysed using gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Seven days after treatment, residue levels of captan could be detected, but not of fenitrothion. The half-lives of dissipation for captan and fenitrothion were calculated as 0.9 and 1.8 days respectively. Washing did not significantly affect the residual amounts of captan and fenitrothion observed in raw vegetables; however, after cooking, captan had degraded completely, whereas residue levels of fenitrothion were not modified significantly.     

Calicophoron daubneyi (Paramphistomidae) in slaughtered cattle in Castilla y León (Spain)

The prevalence and aetiology of natural paramphistomosis was investigated in cattle slaughtered in the Castilla y León region (Spain) over a 3 year-period. The overall prevalence of positive animals was 6.20%. The parasite burden per animal ranged from 8 to 8005 (median = 144) and the ruminal atrium had the highest parasite burden whereas the ruminal dorsal sac the lowest. The prevalence and parasite burden increased with age while these parameters were lower in cattle under intensive management. Calicophoron daubneyi was the only Paramphistomidae species identified using morphoanatomical, histological and molecular methods in the studied animals.     

Evaluation of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in family-owned dogs naturally infected by Ehrlichia canis

Previous research suggested that clinical manifestations, histopathological lesions, and even infection maintenance in the course of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) are directly related to the immune response developed by the host. In the present study, blood lymphocyte subsets were analyzed by multiparametric flow cytometry in 37 dogs with naturally occurring CME and 47 healthy dogs used as controls. T, T helper (Th), T cytotoxic (Tc), B, non-T, non-B lymphocytes and those that express MHC class II were characterized in every dog. Animals with CME showed higher relative values of T and Tc cells and a higher absolute number of Tc cells in peripheral blood. The percentage of Th cells and the absolute and relative values of B cells were higher in healthy animals than in CME-affected dogs. The significance of these changes on the pathogenesis of natural Ehrlichia canis infection in dogs needs further evaluation.