Relationship between virgin olive oil phenolic compounds and acrylamide formation in fried crisps

In this paper the relationship between virgin olive oil (VOO) phenol compounds and the formation of acrylamide in potato crisps was investigated. The phenol compositions of 20 VOO samples were screened by LC-MS, and 4 oils, characterized by different phenol compound patterns, were selected for frying experiments. Slices of potatoes were fried at 180 degrees C for 5, 10, and 15 min, and acrylamide content was determined by LC-MS. Results demonstrated that VOO phenolic compounds are not degraded during frying, and crisp color was not significantly different among the four VOOs. Acrylamide concentration in crisps increased during frying time, but the formation was faster in the oil having the lowest concentration of phenolic compounds. Moreover, the VOO having the highest concentration of ortho-diphenolic compounds is able to efficiently inhibit acrylamide formation in crisps from mild to moderate frying conditions. It was concluded that the use of ortho-diphenolic-rich VOOs can be proposed as a reliable mitigation strategy to reduce acrylamide formation in domestic deep-frying.     

Effect of different levels of dietary sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) peel extract on humoral immune system responses in broiler chickens

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) peel extract (SOPE) on humoral immune system responses in broiler chickens. Three hundred 1‐day broilers (Ross‐308) were randomly allocated to treatments varying in supplemental SOPE added in the drinking water. The experimental groups consisted of three treatments fed for 42 days as follows: a control treatment without feed extract, a treatment containing 1000 ppm of SOPE and a treatment containing 1250 ppm of SOPE. All treatments were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Broilers were vaccinated with Newcastle disease virus (NDV), avian influenza (AI), infectious bursal disease (IBD) and infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) vaccines. Antibody titer response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) was higher in the group fed 1250 ppm of SOPE (P < 0.05) as well as for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM. Similarly, antibody titer responses to all vaccines were constantly elevated (P < 0.05) by SOPE enrichment in a dose‐dependent manner. Relative weights of spleen and bursa of Fabricius were unaffected by treatments. Dietary SOPE supplementation may improve the immune response and diseases resistance, indicating that it can constitute a useful additive in broiler feeding. Thus, supplying SOPE in rations may help to improve relative immune response in broiler chickens.     

Synthesis of some new ether derivatives of hydroquinone and their ovicidal activity against the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch)

A new class of compounds derived from hydroquinone ethers showed high and predominantly ovicidal activity against the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. The sequence of compounds synthesised and the factors which appeared to have contributed most to the discovery of these promising acaricides are presented.     

Hymenoptera wasps associated with the Asian gall wasp of chestnut (Dryocosmus kuriphilus) in Calabria,Italy

The parasitoid complex of the Asian chestnut gall wasp Drycosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu was studied in Calabria (Italy). A total of 14 different species of parasitoids were collected, of which three are recorded on the Asian gall wasp for the first time. The composition of the parasitoid complex collected in Calabria was compared with that reported from Italy and from Europe. The altitude of the sites of collection seemed to have an effect on the distribution and abundance of the single species of parasitoids.     

In vitro release of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, peroxyl-radical scavengers and antibacterial compounds by enzymatic hydrolysis of glycated gluten

The combined effect of gluten glycation and proteolysis on the release of compounds exhibiting in vitro angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory, antioxidant and antibacterial activities was investigated. Model systems consisting of wheat gluten and glucose were heated at 120 °C for 45 min, 150 °C for 30 min and 220 °C for 30 min to produce various Maillard reaction products mimicking reactions occurring in bread crusts. Progress of the Maillard reaction was estimated through indirect measurement of Amadori compounds as 2-furoylmethyl-amino acids. Glycation was followed by digestion with Pronase E and ultrafiltration. The anti-hypertensive activity was measured as the ability to inhibit the activity of angiotensin I-converting enzyme involved in hypertension regulation. The Oxygen Radical Absorbance assay was used to measure the peroxyl radical scavenging capacity of the products and their effect on microbial growth of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Staphlococcus aureus ATCC 25923 was also studied. Advanced products of the reaction enhanced the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of gluten hydrolysates and decreased the overall ACE inhibitory activity. Ultrafiltration provided a useful method for separating compounds (< 3000 Da) with ACE inhibitory activity and advanced Maillard reaction products (>3000 Da) which scavenged peroxyl radicals and inhibited the microbial growth.     

Leucettamols, Bifunctionalized Marine Sphingoids, Act as Modulators of TRPA1 and TRPM8 Channels

Leucettamols, bifunctionalized sphingoid-like compounds obtained from a marine sponge Leucetta sp., act as non-electrophilic activators of the TRPA1 channel and potent inhibitors of the icilin-mediated activation of the TRPM8 channel, while they are inactive on CB₁, CB₂ and TRPV1 receptors. Leucettamols represent the first compounds of marine origin to target TRPA1 and the first class of natural products to inhibit TRPM8 channels. The preparation of a small series of semi-synthetic derivatives revealed interesting details on the structure-activity relationships within this new chemotype of simple acyclic TRP modulators.     

Landraces in Inland areas of the Basilicata region, Italy: monitoring and perspectives for on farm conservation

A collecting expedition has been carried out in the inland areas of the Basilicata Region, South Italy. Each of the 14 selected municipalities was subdivided in three strata based on the geographical distribution of population and orography: 1. city boundaries, 2. group of country houses, 3. isolated farm houses. Five sites were selected within each stratum/town for a total of 185 sites. In 101 sites crop species germplasm was collected and the farmer-maintainers were interviewed. Altogether 350 accessions were collected, the most common species were Capsicum annuum, Lycopersicon esculentum and Phaseolus vulgaris. A significant number of landraces are still preserved on farm, mostly in isolated farm houses (average age of farmers: 60?years) adopting traditional farming systems but a number of young farmers were also present. Perspectives for on farm conservation and management are discussed and public economic support for “farmer-maintainers” proposed.     

Residue levels and storage decay control in Cv. Star Ruby grapefruit after dip treatments with azoxystrobin

Cv. Star Ruby grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.) were subjected to a 3-min dip in water at room temperature (20 degrees C) or at 50 degrees C with or without 25, 50, or 100 mg/L azoxystrobin (AZX). Then, the fruits were subjected to cold quarantine at 2 degrees C and 90-95% relative humidity (RH) for 3 weeks and then stored for 5 weeks at 8 degrees C and approximately 85% RH and for another 2 weeks at 20 degrees C and 80% RH to simulate a 2-week marketing period (SMP). No AZX residues were detected in the albedo and pulp following treatments at 20 or 50 degrees C, the total amount of residues being recovered from the flavedo tissue. There was a relationship between the AZX uptake in fruit and the amount of fungicide employed at 20 or 50 degrees C. When AZX was applied to the fruit at 25 mg/L at 20 degrees C, the residue level averaged 0.11 mg/kg (active ingredient, whole fruit basis). This residue concentration increased by 50 and 75% when the application rate increased from 25 to 50 or 100 mg/L, respectively. A similar pattern of accumulation was detected in fruit subjected to treatments at 50 degrees C. However, treatments at 50 degrees C produced residue levels higher than the treatments at 20 degrees C, with increases ranging from 63 to 84%, for the same concentration. Storage conditions did not affect the amount of AZX residues in the fruit. Treatment at 50 or 100 mg/L at 20 degrees C reduced the incidence of moderate to severe chilling injury (CI). Water dips at 50 degrees C reduced the incidence and severity of CI to a very low extent, with no additional advantages when hot water was used in combination with AZX. Treatments with 50 or 100 mg/L of AZX at 20 degrees C produced beneficial effects in decay control similar to those of 25 mg/L AZX at 50 degrees C or hot water alone. Better results were achieved with 50 or 100 AZX at 50 degrees C, providing complete control of decay during cold storage and with negligible decay after SMP. It was concluded that when AZX was applied at 50 degrees C, low doses of fungicide and minimal residue levels in fruit were required to control the postharvest decay of grapefruit. This treatment does not impair fruit quality and offers very interesting prospects for large scale application, due to the reduced potential toxicity of AZX to nontarget organisms and to the environment.     

Free-radical-scavenging and antioxidant activities of secondary metabolites from reddened cv. Annurca apple fruits

Forty-three secondary metabolites were isolated and characterized from cv. Annurca apple fruit, an apple variety cultivated in the south of Italy. This apple cultivar undergoes a typical reddening treatment after collection. All of the compounds were characterized on the basis of their spectroscopic data. The compounds were tested for their radical-scavenging and antioxidant activities by measuring their capacity to scavenge DPPH* (2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical), H2O2, and NO (nitric oxide) and to inhibit the formation of methyl linoleate conjugated diene hydroperoxides or TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive species).