Influence of foam structure on the release kinetics of volatiles from espresso coffee prior to consumption

The relationship between the physical structure of espresso coffee foam, called crema, and the above-the-cup aroma release was studied. Espresso coffee samples were produced using the Nespresso extraction system. The samples were extracted with water with different levels of mineral content, which resulted in liquid phases with similar volatile profiles but foams with different structure properties. The structure parameters foam volume, foam drainage, and lamella film thickness at the foam surface were quantified using computer-assisted microscopic image analysis and a digital caliper. The above-the-cup volatile concentration was measured online by using PTR-MS and headspace sampling. A correlation study was done between crema structure parameters and above-the-cup volatile concentration. In the first 2.5 min after the start of the coffee extraction, the presence of foam induced an increase of concentration of selected volatile markers, independently if the crema was of high or low stability. At times longer than 2.5 min, the aroma marker concentration depends on both the stability of the crema and the volatility of the specific aroma compounds. Mechanisms of above-the-cup volatile release involved gas bubble stability, evaporation, and diffusion. It was concluded that after the initial aroma burst (during the first 2-3 min after the beginning of extraction), for the present sample space a crema of high stability provides a stronger aroma barrier over several minutes.     

Polyphenolics from açaí ( Euterpe oleracea Mart.) and red muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia ) protect human umbilical vascular Endothelial cells (HUVEC) from glucose- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation and target microRNA-126

Endothelial anti-inflammatory effects of ac?ai? (Ac) and red muscadine grape (Gp) polyphenolics have not been extensively investigated. It was hypothesized that polyphenolics from Ac and Gp exert comparable protective effects in human vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) upon inflammatory stress. Furthermore, this study investigated whether microRNAs relevant to endothelial function might be regulated by Ac and Gp. Results showed that Ac and Gp (5-20 mg gallic acid equivalent/L) protected HUVEC against glucose-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. Glucose-induced expression of interleukin-6 and -8 was down-regulated by Ac and Gp at mRNA and protein levels. Upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 μg/L)-induced inflammation, Ac and Gp inhibited gene expression of adhesion molecules and NF-κB activation to similar extents, although Gp was more effective in decreasing PECAM-1 and ICAM-1 protein. Of the screened microRNAs, only microRNA-126 expression was found to be modulated by Ac and Gp as the underlying mechanism to inhibit gene and protein expression of VCAM-1.     

Anthocyanin-rich blackberry extract suppresses the DNA-damaging properties of topoisomerase I and II poisons in colon carcinoma cells

In the present study, we addressed the question whether cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) or complex C3G-rich blackberry extracts affect human topoisomerases with special emphasis on the contribution of the potential degradation products phloroglucinol aldehyde (PGA) and protocatechuic acid (PCA). In HT29 colon carcinoma cells a C3G-rich blackberry extract suppressed camptothecin- (CPT-) or doxorubicin- (DOX-) induced stabilization of the covalent DNA-topoisomerase intermediate, thus antagonizing the effects of these classical topoisomerase poisons on DNA integrity. As a single compound, C3G (100 μM) decreased the DNA-damaging effects of CPT as well, but did not significantly affect those induced by DOX. At the highest applied concentration (100 μM), cyanidin protected DNA from CPT- and DOX-induced damage. Earlier reports on DNA-damaging properties of cyanidin were found to result most likely from the formation of hydrogen peroxide as an artifact in the cell culture medium when the incubation was performed in the absence of catalase. The suppression of hydrogen peroxide accumulation, achieved by the addition of catalase, demonstrated that cyanidin does not exhibit DNA-damaging properties in HT29 cells (up to 100 μM). The observed effects on topoisomerase interference and DNA protection against CPT or DOX were clearly limited to the parent compound and were not observed for the potential cyanidin degradation products PGA and PCA.     

Evaluation of carbon dioxide anaesthesia for the castration of male suckling piglets by stress hormone concentrations, behaviour and clinical factors

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of an anaesthesia using 70% carbon dioxide and 30% oxygen on endocrine stress reaction, behaviour and clinical parameters of male suckling piglets during castration. One hundred and seventy one male piglets, three to five days of age, were allocated to two experiments. They were assigned either to the procedures control handling, control castration, handling under anaesthesia or castration under anaesthesia in each experiment. In Experiment 1, adrenaline and noradrenaline plasma concentrations were measured in blood samples taken before (-15 min) and after (immediately, 2 min) handling/castration. In Experiment 2, behavioural observations and clinical parameters such as heart and respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, reflexes and recovery time were assessed at several sampling times. Measurement of adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations revealed an increase in all groups after handling/castration (p < 0.0167), but higher concentrations were seen in the anaesthetized groups (25 to 93 times) than in control groups (two to four times). The excessive endocrine reaction suggests that carbon dioxide inhalation causes a more stressful situation in piglets compared to castration without anaesthesia. Behavioural abnormalities, significant decreases in the heart rate, the respiratory rate and the oxygen saturation (p < or = 0.001) including a cardiac arrhythmia (extrasystoles) underline the impression that CO2 inhalation anaesthesia negatively affects animal welfare. Based on the results of this study, this anaesthetic method is unsuitable to reduce stress induced by castration. Further research on alternatives is necessary to ensure the well-being of the piglets during castration.     

Occurrence and associated lesions of Pasteurella multocida in porcine bronchopneumonia

With the aim to extend the present knowledge on possible systemic spreading of Pasteurella multocida in pigs with bronchopneumonia, the occurrence and associated lesions of P. multocida were described by comparing cultural detection, pathological evaluation and in situ hybridization of P. multocida in lungs, hearts and kidneys from cases of porcine bronchopneumonia. P. multocida was cultivated from the lung lesions in 114 out of a total of 148 cases of porcine bronchopneumonia. Among the 114 cases, P. multocida was also cultivated from the pericardial sacs of 40 pigs and the kidneys of seven pigs. Gross lesions and histological findings included a variety of type and stages of bronchopneumonia in connection to the isolation of P. multocida. Furthermore, chronic fibrous pericarditis, interstitial nephritis and a high proportion of lympho-histocytic nephritis were observed. In situ hybridization identified P. multocida in the majority of the lungs, none of the hearts and in half of the kidneys examined. The results show a possible low rate of systemic spreading of P. multocida from lung lesions in pigs with bronchopneumonia.     

Piglet performance and physiological effects linked to reduced glucosinolate transformations in feed products based on rapeseed pressed cakes

The nutritional quality of rapeseed press cakes (RPCs) in piglet feed is closely linked to its digestibility and the content of glucosinolates. This study investigates the significance of intact glucosinolate (glc) levels and degree of glc transformations on piglets performance. Four different RPCs were made from a low glc (11 µmol/g seed DM) containing B. napus L. seed variety Lioness (RPC‐LW, RPC‐LXW, RPC‐LC, RPC‐LCD). RPC made from the variety Excalibur containing the upper level of glc (24 µmol/g seed DM) of double rapeseed and produced at higher and prolonged temperature (RPC‐UXW) served as negative control, while soya bean protein concentrate served as positive control. Piglets (8 kg) were fed ad libitum diets balanced for RPC protein content, with RPC inclusion of 84–98 g/kg (day 0–14) and 151–178 g/kg (day 15–50). Glc transformation was reduced from 42% to 24% (7.3–4.2 µmol/g RPC) when the temperature input was lowered in the warm pressing of oil, while the glc loss was less pronounced (17%) when cold pressing was applied. The following feed pelleting process further reduced Glc concentration from 11% to 40% in warm‐pressed RPCs and 54 to 85% in cold‐pressed RPCs. The RPC products replaced soya bean protein without any negative effects on performance, except for piglets served cold‐pressed RPC, which had a reduction in average daily weight gain (ADG) (5%–7%, p < 0.05, Day 15–50). RPC in the feed led to increased liver weight in all piglets (p = 0.026). This may point at long‐term effects from feeding with RPC. Intestinal absorption of intact glcs was proven by their detection in urine. In conclusion, warm‐pressed RPC can be used as feed for piglet, while the presence of active myrosinase may have a negative effect on performance and cakes should either be included in lower amounts than used in the present study (18%) or include myrosinase inactivation before use.     

Effects of L‐methionine on performance,gut morphology and antioxidant status in gut and liver of piglets in relation to DL‐methionine

This study investigated the hypothesis that dietary supplementation of L‐methionine (L‐Met) in weaned piglets in relation to DL‐methionine (DL‐Met) results in a higher antioxidant status and lower need for antioxidant enzyme activation in intestinal epithelium and body tissues, and improves gut morphology and gut barrier function as well as performance. A total of 99 early‐weaned 21‐day old piglets were allotted to six groups and fed a semi‐synthetic wheat–barley‐based basal diet supplemented with 0.067%, 0.107% and 0.147% of either DL‐Met (MetAmino; Evonik, Hanau, Germany) or L‐Met (L‐Met100; CJ Europe, Schwalbach am Taunus, Germany) to reach dietary Met concentrations of 0.16%, 0.20% and 0.24%, of which the latter met the requirements for maintenance and growth based on a pre‐experiment. Feed intake and body weights were recorded weekly, and samples of plasma, liver and duodenum and jejunum mucosa were collected after 3 weeks at slaughter. Plasma concentrations of L‐Met were similar, and those of D‐Met and total Met were higher in piglets fed DL‐Met in relation to those fed L‐Met. Feed intake, daily gains and feed:gain ratio, and the relative bio‐efficacy based on gains and feed:gain ratio were similar for both groups. Likewise, villi length, crypt depth, the villi length:crypt depth ratio in duodenum and jejunum and gene expression of tight junction proteins in the jejunum did not differ. Concentrations of antioxidants like glutathione and tocopherol, the total antioxidant capacity, the mRNA abundance or activity of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, markers for oxidative damage of lipids and the expression of inflammatory genes were similar in liver and jejunum mucosa. These data indicate that the effects of L‐Met and DL‐Met supplementation are comparable considering both piglet performance and parameters of gut health and function like gut morphology and the intestinal antioxidant status.     

Analysis of burrowing ability as a sublethal endpoint in a marine sediment bioassay with Corophium volutator (Pallas)

Purpose

Acute whole-sediment bioassay with the estuarine and marine amphipod Corophium volutator (Pallas) is widely used to assess toxicity of sediments. According to the guidelines DIN EN ISO 16712, mortality is the determined toxic endpoint. Additionally, the reburrowing ability of the surviving organisms of this acute toxicity test in fresh uncontaminated sediment is suggested as the sublethal endpoint, but insufficient information (e.g., exact measurement protocols) on this endpoint is provided, thus confounding factors and the interpretation of the results. The aim of this study was to provide information on burrowing activity as a sublethal endpoint.

Materials and methods

Amphipod tests were carried out in the laboratory, and the burrowing behavior was examined in a size- and gender-specific manner. For sediment testing, only animals of the same size were used in a defined sex ratio because it was found that female animals buried themselves faster than males and that smaller animals burrowed faster than bigger organisms. Statistical analyses were applied to determine whether burrowing time and ability differ significantly between sexes and sizes. Finally, tests were run to discern whether the burrowing ability could be a more sensitive endpoint than mortality.

Results and discussion

When the burrowing ability was examined in toxicity tests with contaminated sediment, the test organisms were affected in a dose-dependent manner. With rising concentrations of the contaminated sediment in a sublethal testing following the sediment exposure over 10 days, fewer animals buried themselves into the sediment.

Conclusions

The burrowing behavior can be used as an additional endpoint. For the tested sediment, burrowing was found to be more sensitive than the mortality. Guidance on the measurement protocol for this additional endpoint was developed. Under the test conditions examined, burrowing ability is an appropriate sublethal endpoint to supplement the toxicity test procedure.