Properties of low-moisture viscoplastic materials consisting of oil droplets dispersed in a protein-carbohydrate-glycerol matrix: effect of oil concentration

The influence of oil concentration and baking on the properties of low-moisture composites consisting of oil droplets dispersed in a protein-carbohydrate-glycerol matrix was investigated. These composites were produced by blending canola oil, whey protein concentrate (WPC), corn syrup, and glycerol together using a high-speed mixer. The resulting system consisted of oil droplets dispersed in a polar matrix. Some composites were analyzed directly after preparation, while others were analyzed after being heated at 176 degrees C for 10 min to simulate baking. The "lightness" of the composites was greater before baking (higher L value), but the color was more intense after baking (higher a and b values). The lightness and color intensity of the composites decreased as the oil concentration increased, with the effects being more pronounced in the baked samples. The zeta potential of the oil droplets (measured after dilution at pH 6) was highly negative (approximately -40 mV), indicating that whey protein was adsorbed to the droplet surfaces. The mean particle diameter (measured after dilution at pH 6) increased appreciably after baking, which was attributed to droplet flocculation. The rheological properties of the unbaked and baked materials were characterized by squeezing flow viscometry, which showed that the measurements associated with consistency and yield stress increased with increasing oil concentration and with baking.     

Effect of fruiting body maturity stage on chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Lactarius sp. mushrooms

The effects of fruiting body maturity on chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the wild mushrooms, Lactarius deliciosus and Lactarius piperatus, were evaluated. Immature and mature samples were analyzed for proximate constituents (moisture, fat, crude protein, ash, carbohydrates), nutritional value, and individual composition in fatty acids and sugars. Protein content, MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acids), and PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) percentages increased with the fruiting body maturity stage, while carbohydrate and SFA (saturated fatty acids) content decreased. The maturity stage did not significantly affect the individual sugar profile. The antimicrobial activity of the mushrooms was screened against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and fungi, and correlated to the amounts of phenols, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, and lycopene present in the immature and mature fruiting bodies. Mature fruiting bodies with mature spores presented lower antimicrobial activity, which was in agreement with the bioactive compound content found in those samples.     

Comparison of 2 blind approaches to the paravertebral brachial plexus regional block in canine cadavers

The paravertebral brachial plexus block (PVB) provides thoracic limb analgesia. The objective was to describe a blind craniocaudal (CC) approach to the PVB and compare its accuracy, time, and difficulty of performance with a blind dorsoventral (DV) approach. The operator was initially trained by experienced clinicians to perform both approaches on 5 cadavers. Next, a CC or DV approach to the PVB was performed on both thoracic limbs of 20 cadavers (20 for each approach). Methylene blue dye was equally divided into 4 aliquots to stain the ventral branches of the sixth to eighth cervical and first thoracic spinal nerves. Successfully stained (stain ≥ 1 cm) spinal nerves were counted. The time to perform each approach was recorded and ease of performance was scored using a numerical scale (1 “easy” to 4 “difficult”). The phrenic nerve was checked for stain. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare approaches. The data are presented as median (interquartile range; minimum to maximum range). The number of stained nerves with the CC approach 3 (1; 2 to 4), was higher than the DV approach 2 (2; 0 to 4) (P = 0.002). The time (in seconds) to perform the CC approach 125 (79; 70 to 194), was not different from the DV approach 142 (54; 101 to 232) (P = 0.084). The CC approach 2 (2; 1 to 4) was easier to perform than the DV approach 3 (1; 2 to 4) (P = 0.024). No phrenic nerve staining was observed with either approach. The CC approach is an alternative to the DV approach for performing the PVB in dogs.     

Potential Anti-Obesity,Anti-Steatosis,and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Extracts from the Microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Chlorococcum amblystomatis under Different Growth Conditions

Microalgae are known as a producer of proteins and lipids, but also of valuable compounds for human health benefits (e.g., polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs); minerals, vitamins, or other compounds). The overall objective of this research was to prospect novel products, such as nutraceuticals from microalgae, for application in human health, particularly for metabolic diseases. Chlorella vulgaris and Chlorococcum amblystomatis were grown autotrophically, and C. vulgaris was additionally grown heterotrophically. Microalgae biomass was extracted using organic solvents (dichloromethane, ethanol, ethanol with ultrasound-assisted extraction). Those extracts were evaluated for their bioactivities, toxicity, and metabolite profile. Some of the extracts reduced the neutral lipid content using the zebrafish larvae fat metabolism assay, reduced lipid accumulation in fatty-acid-overloaded HepG2 liver cells, or decreased the LPS-induced inflammation reaction in RAW264.7 macrophages. Toxicity was not observed in the MTT assay in vitro or by the appearance of lethality or malformations in zebrafish larvae in vivo. Differences in metabolite profiles of microalgae extracts obtained by UPLC-LC-MS/MS and GNPS analyses revealed unique compounds in the active extracts, whose majority did not have a match in mass spectrometry databases and could be potentially novel compounds. In conclusion, microalgae extracts demonstrated anti-obesity, anti-steatosis, and anti-inflammatory activities and could be valuable resources for developing future nutraceuticals. In particular, the ultrasound-assisted ethanolic extract of the heterotrophic C. vulgaris significantly enhanced the anti-obesity activity and demonstrated that the alteration of culture conditions is a valuable approach to increase the production of high-value compounds.     

Exogenous Salicylic Acid Improves Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity in Table Grapes

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Grapes contain high contents of phenolics, which are known to possess health promoting properties. Exogenous application of phytoregulators, mainly methyl...     

Artificial Feeding and Laboratory Rearing of Endangered Saproxylic Beetles as a Tool for Insect Conservation

Conservation of threatened animals is frequently limited by lack of knowledge about their ecological preferences, and often artificial feeding is one of the few chances to save endangered species. We investigated the possibility to artificially feed two endangered flat bark beetles dependent on dead wood for their diet—namely, Cucujus cinnaberinus (Scopoli, 1763) and Cucujus haematodes Erichson, 1845—by examining their dietary preferences, life cycle duration, and survival in laboratory conditions. Individuals of the two species were caught in the wild and larvae and adults were fed in laboratory conditions by live or dead prey. Three species of saproxylic beetles: two cerambycids (Acanthocinus griseus Fabricius, 1793 and Rhagium inquisitor Linnaeus, 1758), one scolytid (Ips sexdentatus Börner, 1776) one tenebrionid (Tenebrio molitor (Linnaeus, 1758)) one dipteran (Lucilia sericata (Meigen, 1826)) and one ant (Lasius sp. Fabricius, 1804) were used as prey, with minced meat as a control. Our results indicated high survival and no difference in prey choice between the two flat beetle species. Larvae and adults preferred dead prey, but no significant preference was detected among dead prey taxa, supporting the hypothesis that the two species are opportunistic scavengers. Comparing data with previous results, both species and their developmental stages should be classified as obligate saproxylic organisms with preference to the dead and decaying organic material. Successful artificial feeding and rearing of these endangered species, followed by the release in the wild through rescue or reintroduction programs, therefore appear relevant for their protection and future conservation.     

Genome-wide in silico analysis of SOD genes in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are a group of enzymes that play essential roles in catalyzing the dismutation of superoxide radicals to protect cells from...