Fundamental evaluation of the impact of high Hydrostatic Pressure on oat batters

The use of grains alternative to wheat or rye is a challenging task for cereal technologists, and currently new technologies are under investigation as tools to improve the performances of these alternative grains. In this work the effects of high Hydrostatic Pressure (HP) on oat batters were investigated. Oat batters were treated for 10 min at 200, 300, 350, 400 or 500 MPa. Scanning electron microscopy and bright field microscopy showed that high HP significantly affected oat batter microstructure, and both starch and proteins were affected. Treatment at high HP significantly improved batter viscosity and elasticity. At pressures ≤300 MPa the increase in the viscous component was higher than the increase in the elastic component. On the contrary, at pressures ≥350 MPa the elastic component was predominant. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed that high HP induced starch gelatinisation, which started at 300 MPa and was almost complete after treatment at 500 MPa. High HP also affected water- and salt-soluble as well as urea-soluble oat proteins. Analysis of proteins soluble in different buffers revealed that pressures ≥300 MPa induced the formation of urea-insoluble complexes and/or disulfide bonds. Overall, the extent of starch gelatinisation and protein modification was dependent on the applied pressure, but the results collected so far clearly show that high HP can be used to improve the functionality of oat batters.     

Microstructure, fundamental rheology and baking characteristics of batters and breads from different gluten-free flours treated with a microbial transglutaminase

Gluten is a fundamental component for the overall quality and structure of breads. The replacement of the gluten network in the development of gluten-free cereal products is a challenging task for the cereal technologist. The functionality of proteins from gluten-free flours could be modified in order to improve their baking characteristics by promoting protein networks. Transglutaminase (TGase) has been successfully used in food systems to promote protein cross-linking. In this study, TGase was investigated for network forming potential on flours from six different gluten-free cereals (brown rice, buckwheat, corn, oat, sorghum and teff) used in breadmaking. TGase was added at 0, 1 or 10 U/g of proteins present in the recipe. The effect of TGase on batters and breads was evaluated by fundamental rheological tests, Texture Profile Analysis and standard baking tests. Three-dimensional elaborations of Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) images were performed on both batters and breads to evaluate the influence of TGase on microstructure. Fundamental rheological tests showed a significant increase in the pseudoplastic behaviour of buckwheat and brown rice batters when 10 U of TGase were used. The resulting buckwheat and brown rice breads showed improved baking characteristics as well as overall macroscopic appearance. Three-dimensional CLSM image elaborations confirmed the formation of protein complexes by TGase action. On the other side, TGase showed negative effects on corn flour as its application was detrimental for the elastic properties of the batters. Nevertheless, the resulting breads showed significant improvements in terms of increased specific volume and decreased crumb hardness and chewiness. Under the conditions of this study, no effects of TGase could be observed on breads from oat, sorghum or teff. Overall, the results of this study show that TGase can be successfully applied to gluten-free flours to improve their breadmaking potentials by promoting network formation. However, the protein source is a key element determining the impact of the enzyme.     

Fruit characterization of Cocos nucifera L. (ARECACEAE) cultivars from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and the Philippines

Tall coconut cultivars from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and the Philippines (San Ramón, Tagnanán, and Laguna), were evaluated for fruit characteristics. Most of the introduced cultivars showed extremely large heterogeneity. A cluster analysis, based on the Ward method, classified the palms into four groups with high internal homogeneity. Some of the evaluated coconut palms from the Costa Rican Pacific area had nut characteristics similar to the San Ramon and Tagnanan palm groups but not to the Laguna group. At the association level used (semipartial R ² = 0.10), another group which included the remaining palms sampled from the Costa Rican Pacific coast was constituted.     

Nature conservation in Italy: Proposed national and regional parks and other areas deserving protection

The complex geological history of Italy is responsible for the remarkable number of different landscapes and ecosystems present today. The immigration of animals and plants from neighbouring lands, when natural bridges were available, the survival of warm species along the coast during the Quaternary glaciations, and the relict populations which remained in the Apennines after the withdrawal of the ice, have all contributed to the richness of wildlife. In order to preserve adequately this biotic variety it is necessary to protect a large number of separate areas as National or Regional Parks or as nature reserves. In addition, the existence of important bird migration routes along or across the Italian peninsula and islands makes it necessary to provide safe areas where these birds can rest and feed. In spite of these needs, the State and the Regional Governments are not sufficiently concerned with wildlife and environmental conservation and so far have done very little to improve the protection of nature in Italy. In this paper 56 main areas are discussed which are in urgent need of protection from commercial speculation and the threat of irreparable damage. The authors hope that national and international public opinion will encourage the Italian Government to establish many more protected territories and to provide the resources for realistic management.     

Iron oxide‐humic acid coprecipitates as iron source for cucumber plants

In soil, iron (Fe) solubility depends on complex interactions between Fe minerals and organic matter, but very little is known about plant availability of Fe present in Fe oxides associated with humic substances. For this purpose, this study investigates the effect of Fe mineral crystallinity in the presence of humic acids (HA) on Fe availability to plants. Four Fe–HA mineral coprecipitates were prepared, either in the presence or absence of oxygen, i.e., two goethite (G)‐HA samples containing large amounts of Fe as nanocrystalline goethite and ferrihydrite mixed phases, and two magnetite (M)‐HA samples containing crystalline magnetite. Bioavailability studies were conducted in hydroponic systems on cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L.) grown under Fe deficient conditions and supplied with the Fe–HA coprecipitates containing goethite or magnetite. Results showed that plants grown in the presence of Fe–HA coprecipitates exhibited a complete recovery from Fe deficiency, albeit less efficiently than plants resupplied with Fe‐chelate fertilizer used as control (Fe‐diethylene triamine penta acetic acid, Fe‐DTPA). However, the supply with either G‐ or M–HA coprecipitates produced different effects on plants: G–HA‐treated plants showed a higher Fe content in leaves, while M–HA‐treated plants displayed a higher leaf biomass and SPAD (Soil–Plant Analysis Development) index recovery, as compared to Fe‐DTPA. The distribution of macronutrients in the leaves, as imaged by micro X‐ray fluorescence (µXRF) spectroscopy, was different in G–HA and M–HA‐treated plants. In particular, plants supplied with the poorly crystalline G–HA coprecipitate with a lower Fe/HA ratio showed features more similar to those of fully recovered plants (supplied with Fe‐DTPA). These results highlight the importance of mineral crystallinity of Fe–HA coprecipitates on Fe bioavailability and Fe uptake in hydroponic experiments. In addition, the present data demonstrate that cucumber plants can efficiently mobilize Fe, even from goethite and ferrihydrite mixed phases and magnetite, which are usually considered unavailable for plant nutrition.     

A Syndrome Resembling Idiopathic Noncirrhotic Portal Hypertension in 4 Young Doberman Pinschers

We describe 4 young male Doberman Pinschers (3 littermates and 1 unrelated dog) with a syndrome resembling idiopathic or noncirrhotic portal hypertension of humans. Each dog was evaluated for a hepatopathy resulting in portal hypertension, development of portosystemic collateral vessels, and hepatic encephalopathy. These dogs differ from previous reports of young dogs with hepatic insufficiency associated with portal hypertension and acquired portal systemic shunting by their lack of intrahepatic arteriovenous fistulae, portal vein atresia, or intrahepatic fibrosis. Clinicopathologic features included erythrocyte microcytosis, normal to mildly increased liver enzyme activities, increased concentrations of serum bile acids, reduced plasma indocyanine green clearance, and normal total bilirubin concentration. Abdominal ultrasonography disclosed a small liver and portosystemic collateral vessels. Radiographic imaging studies confirmed hepatofugal portal circulation and discounted hepatic arteriovenous fistulae. Histopathologic features in liver tissue from each dog were similar and consistent in all sections examined. Common findings included increased cross-sectional views of hepatic arterioles; hepatic lobular atrophy; scanty increase in connective tissue around some large portal triads; and absence of inflammation, disturbed lobular architecture, bile duct proliferation, or intrahepatic cholestasis.     

Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on in vivo organic matter digestibility and milk yield in buffalo cows

The influence of a dietary supplementation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) during the first and the second phase of lactation on dry matter (DM) intake, organic matter digestibility, milk yield and quality and haematological profile was evaluated in buffalo cows. Lactating buffaloes (n = 190), 118.7 days in milk (DIM), were randomly divided into Group C (control, n = 95) and Group T (fed diet supplemented with 98 billion CFU of S. cerevisiae, n = 95). Eight buffaloes for each group (Groups T1 and C1), 85.4 DIM, were used to study the in vivo digestibility and the haematological profile. No differences were found for DM intake (16.5 kg·day^− 1) and haematological profile. The SC supplementation increased milk yield (7.9 ± 0.2 vs. 7.4 ± 0.2; P < 0.01) but did not affect milk fat and protein. SC supplementation increased OM digestibility, mainly, in the first phase of lactation (< 135 days), thus allowing a higher energy availability for milk yield and reduced fat mobilization.     

Characterisation of thirteen cowpea landraces from Umbria (Italy). Strategy for their conservation and promotion

Thirteen landraces of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. subsp. unguiculata cv. gr. Unguiculata) have been morphologically and agronomically characterised as part of a plan for safeguarding and protecting plant biodiversity typical of Lake Trasimeno (Umbria, central Italy). Sixty plants per accession were scored for plant vigour, growth habit, flower colour, days to flowering, days to first mature pod, pod length, total number of pods produced, seed colour pattern, 100 seed weight, total seed yield and virus susceptibility. With the exception of vigour and growth habit, all landraces appeared to be well differentiated from one another for all the characters considered. Strategies and problems related to their in situ conservation are discussed.     

Accounting for population structure in selective cow genotyping strategies

The objective of the present study was to investigate the impact of considering population structure in cow genotyping strategies over the accuracy and bias of genomic predictions. A small dairy cattle population was simulated to address these objectives. Based on four main traditional designs (random, top‐yield, extreme‐yield and top‐accuracy cows), different numbers (1,000; 2,000 and 5,000) of cows were sampled and included in the reference population. Traditional designs were replicated considering or not population structure and compared among and with a reference population containing only bulls. The inclusion of cows increased accuracy in all scenarios compared with using only bulls. Scenarios accounting for population structure when choosing cows to the reference population slightly outperformed their traditional versions by yielding higher accuracy and lower bias in genomic predictions. Building a cow‐based reference population from groups of related individuals considering the frequency of individuals from those same groups in the validation population yielded promising results with applications on selection for expensive‐ or difficult‐to‐measure traits. Methods here presented may be easily implemented in both new or already established breeding programs, as they improved prediction and reduced bias in genomic evaluations while demanding no additional costs.