Edible coatings containing chitosan and moderate modified atmospheres maintain quality and enhance phytochemicals of carrot sticks

Carrot sticks are increasingly in demand as ready-to-eat products, with a major quality problem in the development of white discoloration. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and edible coating have been proposed as postharvest treatments to maintain quality and prolong shelf-life. The combined application of an edible coating containing 5 mL L^?1 of chitosan under two different MAP conditions (10 kPa O₂ + 10 kPa CO₂ in Pack A and 2 kPa O₂ + 15–25 kPa CO₂ in Pack B) over 12 d at 4 °C was studied. Respiration rate, microbial and sensory qualities as well as the contents of vitamin C, carotenoids and phenolics of coated and uncoated carrot sticks were evaluated. The use of the edible coating containing chitosan preserved the overall visual quality and reduced surface whiteness during storage. Microbial populations were very low and not influenced by coating or MAP. Edible coating increased respiration rates of carrot sticks, although this was only noticeable in the package with the less permeable film (Pack B). Vitamin C and carotenoids decreased during storage particularly in coated carrot sticks. In contrast, the content of total phenolics markedly increased in coated carrot sticks stored under moderate O₂ and CO₂ levels, while it was controlled under low O₂ and high CO₂ levels. The combined application of edible coating containing chitosan and moderate O₂ and CO₂ levels maintained quality and enhanced phenolic content in carrot sticks.     

Analysis of systematic and genetic effects on the prevalence of different types of primary lens opacifications in the wild-boar-colored wirehaired Dachshund

The aims of this study were to analyze the influence of systematic environmental effects on the prevalence of primary non-congenital cataract (CAT), fibreglass cataract in the nucleus (FCN), and prominent suture lines (PSL) and to estimate the heritabilities of these eye diseases in the wild-boar-colored wirehaired Dachshunds (WWD) bred in the German Dachshund Club 1888 e.V. (DTK). Data included 2,430 WWD born between 1995 and 2003 that were examined between 1996 and 2005 by veterinary ophthalmologists. CAT was diagnosed in 3.83% of the 2,430 dogs, FCN in 3.74%, and PSL in 2.76%. Sex, size, inbreeding coefficient, the age of the dog at examination, experience of the veterinary ophthalmologist and the additive genetic effect of the animal were considered in the multivariate linear model. The age of the dog at examination had a significant influence on the prevalence of FCN. The degree of experience of the veterinary ophthalmologist significantly influenced the prevalence of FCN and PSL. Using a transformation into the Dempster-Lerner threshold model, heritability estimates (h(DL)2) for WWD were h(DL)2 = 0.39 +/- 0.13 for CAT, h(DL)2 = 0.36 +/- 0.11 for FCN and h(DL)2 = 0.49 +/- 0.12 for PSL. Positive genetic correlations (r(g)) were found between CAT and FCN (r(g) = 0.58 +/- 0.21), between PSL and FCN (r(g) = 0.83 +/- 0.23), and between CAT and PSL (r(g) = 0.79 +/- 0.06). The eye diseases investigated here in the Dachshund were found to be genetically influenced and positively correlated traits.     

In vitro studies of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) foregut: tissue responses and evidence of protection against Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida epithelial damage

Probiotic bacteria increase the host health status and protect mucosal tissue against pathogen-caused damage in mammalian models. Using an in vitro (intestinal sac) method this study aimed to address (a) the in vitro ability of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis to remain in the gastrointestinal tract of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) and (b) its ability to prevent cellular damage caused by successive incubation with Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida the causative agent of furunculosis. Short in vitro incubation of salmon foregut with (TRITC)-labelled L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis showed that the probiont was able to colonize the enterocyte surface as studied by confocal microscopy. Furthermore, foregut incubated with the probiotic bacteria only, resulted in a healthy intestinal barrier whereas exposure to A. salmonicida disrupted its integrity. However, pre-treatment of salmon intestine with L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis prevented Aeromonas damaging effects. These results are promising in the context of the use of non-autochthonous probiotic bacteria as prophylactic agents against fish bacterial infections in the gastrointestinal tract.     

Quantification of airborne N‐input in long‐term field experiments and its validation through measurements using 15N isotope dilution

The N‐deposition in Germany is commonly calculated as values of about 20—30 kg/ha·yr. This range is based on the measurements of the nitrate and ammonium nitrogen bulk deposition, which does not include the gaseous N‐deposition and the direct N‐uptake by plants. The calculation of airbone N‐deposition from N‐balances of the Static Fertilization Experiment Bad Lauchstädt came to 50—58 kg/ha·yr. This is consistent with results from other European long‐term experiments. Using the newly developed ¹⁵N‐based ITNI‐system, the total airborne N‐deposition can be determined. For Bad Lauchstädt analogous to results of former measuring periods an annual N‐deposition of 65 kg/ha·yr was measured in 1998, a figure greater than the balanced values. The balanced and measured values show, that airborne N‐deposition is often underestimated and amounts to at least 50 kg/ha·yr, which is a significant burden on natural ecosystems. By taking this extra N‐input into account in calculations for fertilizer recommendations in agriculture a decrease of N‐losses can be achieved which, in turn can also induce a decrease in airborne N‐deposition.     

Nonhydrolyzable forms of soil organic nitrogen: Extractability and composition

The chemical identity of organic nitrogen (N) containing compounds in soils is only partially known, because 20—35% of soil N can not be hydrolyzed and identified by wet‐chemical methods. Therefore a new methodology for investigations of the extractability and composition of nonhydrolyzed N was developed using a combination of selective extraction, wet‐chemical analyses and pyrolysis‐mass spectrometry. Residues of organic matter hydrolysis with 6 M HCl from particle‐size separates and whole soils of five sites in Thyrow, 2 × Halle, Lauterbach and Bad Lauchstädt (Germany) were treated with dithionite/citrate/bicarbonate (DCB) to remove pedogenic oxides and bound N‐containing compounds. Between 13 and 61% (mean 34 ± 13%) of nonhydrolyzed N (N_nhydr) was extracted with DCB. For all particle‐size separates, there was a close positive correlation between the contents of nonhydrolyzed N and DCB extractable Al and Fe, respectively. Univariate analysis of variance and Pearson correlation coefficients showed that the specific surface areas of samples were the major factor determining the contents of N_nhydr. About 30—50% of the variation in N_nhydr could be explained by the variation in the contents of pedogenic oxides. In the DCB extraction residues an additional portion of 12 to 66% of N was hydrolyzed by 6 M HCl. About 75% of total N in the DCB extracts was hydrolyzed, and 29% was identified as α‐amino‐N. Amino acid analysis showed that the DCB extracts from clay and fine silt contained all amino acids characteristic of soils. Pyrolysis‐field ionization mass spectrometry (Py‐FIMS) of a freeze‐dried DCB extract indicated the presence of peptides (about 5% of total ion intensity) and heterocyclic N‐containing compounds (about 3% of total ion intensity). In summary, these results provide evidence that organic‐mineral bonds at reactive surfaces (silicates, pedogenic oxides, alkali‐extractable organic substances) are the main factors for the nonhydrolyzability of significant amounts of organic N, including peptides. It is concluded that the processes of trapping and binding of proteinaceous compounds proceed as postulated for recent models of soil organic matter (SOM) and soil particles. Molecular mechanics calculations show large gaps between SOM and the mineral matrix and as well as fine pores and voids in SOM which have a strong potential to occlude and bind peptides (hydrogen bonds).     

Growth of pot roses and post-harvest rate of water loss as affected by air humidity and temperature variations during growth under continuous light

The effect of diurnal variations in air humidity and temperature under continuous lighting period (LP) on growth, flowering and water loss were studied in two pot-rose cultivars.     

Physico-chemical properties of swine vesicular disease virus]

Titration of SVDV on primary pig kidney cell cultures revealed a plating efficiency of less than or equal to 0,9 X 10(-3). Concentration and purification of the SVD-Virus propagated on pig kidney cell cultures were done by chloroform treatment, adsorption, differential- and density gradient centrifugation. The following physical parameters were found: SVDV is an isometrical RNA-virus having a diameter of 25,1 +/- 1,0 nm. It is resistent to the action of chloroform, ether and pH. The virus has a sedimentation coefficient of 156 +/- 3S and a bouyant density in CsCl of 1,33 +/- 0,01 g/ml. Within the family of picornaviruses the SVDV belongs to the subgroup of enteroviruses and can be distinguished from the foot-and-mouth disease virus by the difference in pH-sensitivity and bouyant density in CsCl.