Isoflavones and Antioxidant Capacity of Commercial Soy-Based Beverages: Effect of Storage

Samples of 11 different brands of commercially available soy-based beverages (n = 65), including products made from soy protein isolate (SPI) and soy milk, mixed with fruit juice and/or flavoring, were analyzed for their isoflavone content and in vitro antioxidant activity. There was a large variation in isoflavone and total phenolics contents ranging from 0.7 to 13 mg of isoflavones/200 mL and from 6 to 155 mg equivalents of catechin/200 mL, respectively. The antioxidant activity also varied significantly among products. Storage of the beverages at room temperature caused a significant decrease of antioxidant capacity, soluble phenolics, and isoflavone contents after 9 months. When soybeans used for beverage production were stored for up to 6 months in silos, the resulting products were not affected. However, a decrease of malonyl and a proportional increase of free glucosidic forms of isoflavones were observed after storage of both the raw material and the beverages.

Prospective ultramorphological characterization of human hair by optical coherence tomography

Background/purpose The continuous advancement in cosmetic science has led to an increasing demand for the development of non-invasive, reliable scientific techniques directed toward claim substantiation, which is of utmost relevance, to obtain data regarding the efficacy and safety of cosmetic products. Methods In this work, we used the optical coherence tomography (OCT) technique to produce in vitro transversal section-images of human hair. We also compared the OCT signal before and after chemical treatment with an 18% w/w ammonium thioglycolate solution. Results The mean diameter of the medulla was 29 +/- 7 mu m and the hair diameter was 122 +/- 16 mu m in our samples of standard Afro-ethnic hair. A three-dimensional (3D) image was constructed starting from 601 cross-sectional images (slices). Each slice was taken in steps of 6.0 mu m at eight frames per second, and the entire 3D image was constructed in 60 s. Conclusion It was possible to identify, using the A-scan protocol, the principal structures: the cuticle, cortex and medulla. After chemical treatment, it was not possible to identify the main structures of hair fiber due to index matching promoted by deleterious action of the chemical agent.

Influence of storage temperature on cooling intensity of topical emulsions containing encapsulated menthol

The cooling intensity of topical emulsions added with encapsulated or free menthol was evaluated by a screened and trained panel recruited based on the American Society for Testing and Materials method. A sensory panel composed of 10 trained judges performed the evaluation of samples stored at 22 +/- 2C for 24 h and, after 28 days of storage, at 37.0 +/- 0.5C. The obtained data were analyzed by analysis of variance and Tukey`s test. The results showed an increase of cooling intensity as a function of encapsulated menthol concentration. The opposite was observed in samples added with free menthol, which may have caused sensory fatigue. Storage at 37 +/- 0.5C for 28 days had no impact on the cooling intensity of emulsions containing encapsulated menthol, demonstrating high stability and suggesting its application in cooling skin care products. In contrast, emulsions added with free menthol showed a drastic decrease of cooling intensity at 37 +/- 0.5C..

The viability of three probiotic organisms grown with yoghurt starter cultures during storage for 21 days at 4 degrees C

This study investigated the viability of probiotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus LA5, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LBA and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BL-04) in milk fermented with Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus LB340 and Streptococcus thermophilus TAO (yoghurt - Y). Each probiotic strain was grown separately in co-culture with Y and in blends of different combinations. Blends affected fermentation time(s), pH and firmness during storage at 4 degrees C. The product made with Y plus B. animalis subsp. lactis and L. rhamnosus had counts of viable cells at the end of shelf life that met the minimum required to achieve probiotic effect. However, L. acidophilus and L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus were inhibited.

Viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 added solely or in co-culture with a yoghurt starter culture and implications on physico-chemical and related properties of Minas fresh cheese during storage

The effect of a probiotic culture of Lactobacillus acidophilus (La-5), added solely or in co-culture with a starter culture of Streptococcus thermophilus, on texture, proteolysis and related properties of Minas fresh cheese during storage at 5 degrees C was investigated. Three cheese-making trials were prepared and produced with no addition of cultures (T1 - control), supplemented with La-5 (T2), and with La-5 + S. thermophilus (T3). Viable counts of La-5 remained above 6.00 log cfu g(-1) during the whole storage for T2, reaching 7.00 log cfu g(-1) on the 14th day. For T3, the counts of La-5 remained above 6.00 log cfu g(-1) after 7 days of storage. Due to the presence of S. thermophilus, T3 presented the highest proteolytic index increase and titratable acidity values. Nevertheless, these results and S. thermophilus addition had no influence on viability of La-5 which presented satisfactory populations for a probiotic food. Moreover, the use of a yoghurt culture for the production of Minas fresh cheese T3 supplemented with La-5 resulted in a good quality product, with a small rate of post-acidification, indicating that traditional yoghurt culture could be employed in co-culture with La-5 to improve the quality of this cheese. (C) 2008 Swiss Society of Food Science and Technology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

New information on carbohydrates in the Brazilian Food Composition Database

Foods that contain unavailable carbohydrates may lower the risks for some non-transmissible chronic diseases because of the potential benefits provided by the products of colonic fermentation. On the other hand, foods that are sources of available carbohydrates may have higher energy value and increase the post-prandial glycemic response. The biomarker glycemic index and the resulting glycemic load may be used to classify foods according to their potential to increase blood glucose. Information about glycemic index and glycemic load may be useful in diet therapy. Currently, food composition tables in Brazil do not provide data for individually analyzed carbohydrates even though some quality data are available in scientific publications. The objectives of this work were to produce and compile information about the concentration of individual carbohydrates in foods and their glycemic responses and to disseminate this information through the Brazilian Food Composition Database (TBCA-USP). The glycemic index and glycemic load of foods were evaluated in healthy individuals. Concentrations of available carbohydrates (soluble sugars and available starch) and unavailable carbohydrates (dietary fiber, resistant starch, beta-glucans, fructans) were quantified by official methods, and other national data were compiled. TBCA-USP (http://www.fcf.usp.br/tabela), which is used by professionals and the population in general, now offers both chemical and biological information for carbohydrates. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of flow regimes in a semi-cylindrical spouted bed through statistical, mutual information, spectral and Hurst`s analysis

Hydrodynamic studies were conducted in a semi-cylindrical spouted bed column of diameter 150 mm, height 1000 mm, conical base included angle of 60 degrees and inlet orifice diameter 25 mm. Pressure transducers at several axial positions were used to obtain pressure fluctuation time series with 1.2 and 2.4 mm glass beads at U/U-ms from 0.3 to 1.6, and static bed depths from 150 to 600 mm. The conditions covered several flow regimes (fixed bed, incipient spouting, stable spouting, pulsating spouting, slugging, bubble spouting and fluidization). Images of the system dynamics were also acquired through the transparent walls with a digital camera. The data were analyzed via statistical, mutual information theory, spectral and Hurst`s Rescaled Range methods to assess the potential of these methods to characterize the spouting quality. The results indicate that these methods have potential for monitoring spouted bed operation.

A simple analysis of the changes during evaporation of a commercial emulsion of unknown composition

Optical microscopy and centrifugation were used to observe the Structural changes during evaporation of a commercial skin lotion of unknown composition. The degree of evaporation was determined from the changed weight of a microscope slide with the emulsion on a defined area and thickness, the evaporation loss versus time being measured by a balance under an infrared lamp. The results revealed not only which parts of the emulsion were most prone to evaporation without chemical analysis, but also gave surprising information as to which kind of structures would appear after extensive evaporation. The importance of these changes for the action of a skin lotion is briefly discussed.

Stability of vitamin A during storage of enteral feeding formulas

Vitamin A (13-cis-retinol, all-trans-retinol and total carotenes) content was evaluated in 15 samples of enteral feeding formulas during 3-6,9 and 12 months of storage in closed containers, protected from light and at room temperature (22-30 degrees C). All formulas were nutritionally complete and/or recommended for different diseases. Equivalent batches were also evaluated after preparation and refrigerated storage for 24 h. Nutrient content did not decrease during both storage scenarios. Stability of vitamin A in the enteral feeding formulas, as determined in this study, is probably due to production and storage conditions, e.g. absence of oxygen in contact with the packaged product, the technological process used in the microencapsulation of vitamins, and protected storage in the absence of light and at a temperature maximum of 30 degrees C. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Biotype stability of Candida albicans isolates after culture storage determined by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA and phenotypical methods

P>Typing methods to evaluate isolates in relation to their phenotypical and molecular characteristics are essential in epidemiological studies. In this study, Candida albicans biotypes were determined before and after storage in order to verify their stability. Twenty C. albicans isolates were typed by Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD), production of phospholipase and proteinase exoenzymes (enzymotyping) and morphotyping before and after 180 days of storage in Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) and sterilised distilled water. Before the storage, 19 RAPD patterns, two enzymotypes and eight morphotypes were identified. The fragment patterns obtained by RAPD, on the one hand, were not significantly altered after storage. On the other hand, the majority of the isolates changed their enzymotype and morphotype after storage. RAPD typing provided the better discriminatory index (DI) among isolates (DI = 0.995) and maintained the profile identified, thereby confirming its utility in epidemiological surveys. Based on the low reproducibility observed after storage in SDA and distilled water by morphotyping (DI = 0.853) and enzymotyping (DI = 0.521), the use of these techniques is not recommended on stored isolates.

A Comparative Analysis of the Changes During Evaporation of Three Different Commercial Emulsion of Unknown Composition

Optical microscope and centrifugation were used to observe the structure change during evaporation of three different commercial emulsions of unknown composition. The degree of evaporation under an infrared lamp at 70 degrees C was determined from the changed weight of a microscope slide with the emulsion on a defined area and thickness. The results revealed information as to which kind of structure would appear after evaporation.

Information Society, Teaching, and Learning: Education Reforms in Brazil

This article examines the subject matter of learning within the context of information society, through an inquiry concerning both the reforms in education adopted in Brazil in the last thirty years and their results. It provides a revision on the explanations of school failure based on assumptions of learning problems due to cognitive and linguistic deficits. From the guidelines related with written school forms as well as the constant cultural oppression accomplished inside the school, the article claims the necessity of changing the psychological and pedagogic views that, under the label of democratic practices, determine school institutions and its daily life, by means of instrumental relations with knowledge that disregard the reading practices which are congenial to popular culture.

The Adequacy of the Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) Systems for the Creation of intangible Managerial Accounting Information: an exploratory study

The general objective of this work was to study the contribution of the ERP for the quality of the managerial accounting information, through the perception of managers of large sized Brazilian companies. The initial principle was that, presently, we live in an enterprise reality characterized by global and competitive worldwide scenery where the information about the enterprise performance and the evaluation of the intangible assets are necessary conditions for the survival, of the companies. The research of the exploratory type is based on a sample of 37 managers of large sized-Brazilian companies. The analysis of the data treated by means of the qualitative method showed that the great majority of the companies of the sample (86%) possess an ERP implanted. It also showed that this system is used in combination with other applicative software. The managers, in its majority, were also satisfied with the information generated in relation to the dimensions Time and Content. However, with regard to the qualitative nature of the information, the ERP made some analysis possible when the Balanced Scorecard was adopted, but information able to provide an estimate of the investments carried through in the intangible assets was not obtained. These results Suggest that in these companies ERP systems are not adequate to support strategic decisions.

Variable Demand and Profitability in Service Companies: a case study in the information technology sector

Managing a variable demand scenario is particularly challenging on services organizations because services companies usually have a major part of fixed costs. The article studies how a services organization manages its demand variability and its relation with the organization`s profitability. Moreover, the study searched for alternatives used to reduce the demand variability`s impact on the profitability of the company. The research was based on a case study with a Brazilian services provider on information technology business. The study suggests that alternatives like using outsourced employees to cover demand peaks may bring benefits only on short term, reducing the profitability of the company on long term: Some options are revealed, like the internationalization of employees and the investment on developing its own workforce.

A honeybee storage protein gene, hex 70a, expressed in developing gonads and nutritionally regulated in adult fat body

In preparing for metamorphosis, insect larvae store a huge amount of proteins in hemolymph, mainly hexamerins. Out of the four hexamerins present in the honeybee larvae, one, HEX 70a, exhibited a distinct developmental pattern, especially since it is also present in adults. Here, we report sequence data and experimental evidence suggesting alternative functions for HEX 70a, besides its well-known role as an amino acid resource during metamorphosis. The hex 70a gene consists of 6 exons and encodes a 684 amino acid chain containing the conserved hemocyanin N, M, and C domains. HEX 70a classifies as an arylphorin since it contains more than 15% of aromatic amino acids. In the fat body of adult workers, hex 70a expression turned out to be a nutrient-limited process. However, the fat body is not the only site for hex 70a expression. Both, transcript and protein subunits were also detected in developing gonads from workers, queens and drones, suggesting a role in ovary differentiation and testes maturation and functioning. In its putative reproductive role, HEX 70a however differs from the yolk protein, vitellogenin, since it was not detected in eggs or embryos. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.