Effects of Monoglycerides of Varying Fatty Acid Chain Length and Mixtures Thereof on Sponge‐and‐Dough Breadmaking Quality

Monoglycerides are widely used in the baking industry because of their antistaling effects, mainly suppressing crumb firming. Commercial monoglycerides are normally prepared from hydrogenated fats, with stearate being the most common fatty acid. In a previous study, monoglycerides such as monopalmitate (C16) and monostearate (C18) had positive effects on Canadian short process bread but no improvements on sponge‐and‐dough process (SDP) bread. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of saturated monoglycerides of varying fatty acid chain length (C14–C22) on SDP breadmaking quality by using volume judgment, crumb image analysis, and texture measurements. Higher levels (1.00–1.50%) of all monoglycerides (C14, C16, and C18) significantly (P < 0.05) increased loaf volume and cell diameter. The larger cell diameter with increasing levels of these monoglycerides may have resulted from softer, more extensible dough handling properties and greater gas cell stability during baking. Addition of C16 and C18 caused the largest increase in crumb softness with increasing monoglyceride levels but showed relatively low resilience, which might be related to larger loaf volume (i.e., lower density of bread). However, addition of blended monoglycerides C14+C16 increased crumb softness and loaf volume while partially retaining resilience. Each monoglyceride had a different function in breadmaking quality and somewhat positive effects on SDP.     

Involvement of a host erythrocyte sialic acid content in Babesia bovis infection

Host sialic acid (SA) has recently been suggested to play an important role in erythrocyte (RBC) infection by Babesia spp. The present study attempted to further determine the specific type of SAs important in the RBC invasion. Bovine RBC was found to bear abundant alpha2-3-linked SA residues but not alpha2-6-linked SA in nature, confirmed by flow cytometric analysis of the neuraminidase (Nm)-treated RBCs. Lectin-blot analyses revealed the removal of alpha2-3-linked SAs from the 97-, 33-, and 31-kDa bands by the Nm treatment. Addition of the Nm-treated RBCs into an in vitro culture of B. bovis resulted in a decreased population of the parasitized RBCs. The thin smear samples from the cultures were then observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope after staining with the alpha2-3-linked SA-specific lectin: a selective invasion of B. bovis was found only in the intact RBCs bearing the SAs, but not in the desialylated RBCs. Furthermore, a significant reduction of the parasitized RBCs was also observed in the culture supplemented with exogenous 3'-sialyllactose containing the alpha2-3-linked SAs. However, the complete inhibition of parasite proliferation was not achieved in the culture. These findings indicate that while the alpha2-3-linked SA-dependent pathway is needed for highly efficient invasion of host RBCs by B. bovis, there might also be other potential alternative pathways.     

Spindle formation and microtubule organization during first division in reconstructed rat embryos produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer

The present study was conducted to demonstrate the spindle formation and behavior of chromosomes and microtubules during first division in reconstructed rat embryos produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) with cumulus cell nuclei. To demonstrate the effect of oocyte aging after ovulation on the cleavage of SCNT embryos, micromanipulation was carried out 11, 15 and 18 h after injection of hCG. SCNT oocytes were activated by incubation in culture medium supplemented with 5 microM ionomycin for 5 min followed by treatment with 2 mM 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP) in mR1ECM for 2-3 h. For immunocytochemical observation, the SCNT embryos were incubated with monoclonal anti-alpha-tubulin antibody and then fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG. Cleavage rates were significantly higher for oocytes collected after 15 and 18 h rather than for those collected 11 h after injection of hCG (56 and 53%, respectively vs. 28%; P<0.05). Premature chromosome condensation occurred before activation of the SCNT oocytes, but adequate spindle formation was only rarely observed. The distribution of microtubules in SCNT embryos after activation was different from those of fertilized and parthenogenic oocytes, i.e., a dense microtubule organization shaped like a ring was observed. Eighteen to 20 h post-activation, most SCNT embryos were in the 2-cell stage, but no nucleoli were clearly visible, which was quite different from the fertilized oocytes. In addition, first division with and without small cellular bodies containing DNA was observed in the rat SCNT embryos in some cases. The present study suggests that reorganization of transferred nuclei in rat SCNT embryos may be inadequate in terms of formation of the mitotic assembly and nucleolar reorganization.     

Comparison of flower color with anthocyanin composition patterns in evergreen azalea

In evergreen azaleas, major anthocyanins were detected from petals of wild species and cultivars by HPLC analysis. Depending on flower color, all samples were divided into three groups: red, purple or white, using the Japan color standard for horticultural plants. The chromatic components a* and b* values of red group samples showed a convergent distribution, whereas those of purple group samples showed a wider distribution. According to the HPLC analysis, red group samples had two to four major anthocyanins, and those of the purple group had two to six major ones. In contrast, no anthocyanins were detected in the white group petals, although anthocyanidins were detected. These results suggest that the anthocyanin constitution of the purple group flowers is more varied than that of the red group flowers, and this wider variety among purple flowers contributes to extending the diversity of flower color in evergreen azalea.     

Varietal differences in phenolic content and astringency in skin and flesh of hardy kiwifruit resources in Japan

Varietal differences in the total phenolic content and astringency in the skin and flesh were determined among the cultivars and local collections of hardy kiwifruit with a ploidy variance found in Japan. The average values of the total phenolic content in the skin and flesh were 2.66 and 0.18 g 100 g⁻¹ FW, respectively. There were large varietal differences in the total phenolic content in the skin in the range of 1.3–5.0 g 100 g⁻¹ FW. Kochi (tetraploid), while Gassan and ‘Mitsuko’ (hexaploid) contained a larger amount of total phenolics. High astringency was found in Gassan, ‘Mitsuko’ and ‘Hoko’ (hexaploids) and Kochi. HPLC analysis showed that the major components of phenolics in the flesh were (+)-catechin, chlorogenic acid, rutin, (−)-epicatechin and quercetin.     

Thermal behavior of beta-1 subunits in lignin: pyrolysis of 1,2-diarylpropane-1,3-diol-type lignin model compounds

1,2-Diarylpropane-1,3-diol-type lignin model compounds, 1,2-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-diol (1) and 1-(3,4-diethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-diol (2), were pyrolyzed at 500 degrees C for 4 s to clarify the thermal behavior of beta-1 subunits in lignin. Products were monitored by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The cleavage of the Calpha-Cbeta bond to produce benzaldehydes such as 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (9) and phenylethanals as the counterparts such as 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylethanal (10) occurred in pyrolyses of both 1 and 2. In pyrolysis of 1, an oxetane pathway leading to the formation of Z/E-stilbenes without the gamma-CH2OH group such as Z/E-4,4'-dihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxystilbene (3) was predominant. In pyrolysis of 2, the oxetane pathway was minor, while pathways producing a dimer with a =CgammaH2 group by loss of water and a dimer with an alpha-carbonyl group were predominant. Pyrolysis of Japanese cedar wood provided 3 and 10 in approximately 0.8% and 0.6% yields, respectively, based on the Klason lignin content, while pyrolysis of a guaiacyl bulk dehydrogenation polymer gave them in a very small amount.     

Lysozyme-glucose stearic acid monoester conjugate formed through the Maillard reaction as an antibacterial emulsifier

Lysozyme-glucose stearic acid monoester (HEL-GE) conjugate was prepared through the Maillard reaction as an antibacterial emulsifier. The molar ratio of GE to HEL was 1:1. The isoelectric point was 6-7, which is lower than that of native HEL. Spectroscopic studies indicated that the alpha-helix content was slightly lower but the conformation around Trp had not changed and that the surface of the conjugate was covered with the GE moiety. The conjugate maintained approximately 53-57% of the enzymatic activity of native HEL at 40-60 degrees C and exhibited considerable resistance to proteolysis. The denaturation temperature of the conjugate was approximately 74 degrees C, somewhat higher than that of control HEL, whereas the enthalpy was about one-third of that of control HEL. The emulsifying activity of the conjugate and the emulsion stability were much enhanced compared to those of native HEL, and the conjugate maintained approximately 70% of the bactericidal activity.