Characterisation of UK and Irish Cold-Pressed Rapeseed Oils in Relation to Quality Indices and Constituents.

Cold-pressed rapeseed oil (CPRSO) is produced when seeds from an oilseed rape crop are mechanically crushed whilst at a low temperature. CPRSO’s popularity is rapidly expanding and is now produced in most Northern European countries including both N.Ireland and ROI. The CPRSO industry is still relatively new and therefore not as widely researched as other high quality oils. Fifteen CPRSO from The UK, Ireland and France were examined to determine characteristic differences between the oils. Two samples of extra-virgin olive oil and two samples of refined rapeseed oil were also included in the investigation to assess performance against market competitors. The antioxidant potential of the oils was assessed using the ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging assays. Both unexpectedly showed that refined rapeseed oil had the highest potential whilst there was significant difference between many of the CPRSO’s. The acid value (ACOS method Cd 3d-63) ranged widely from 0.47-3.41. To predict the stability during storage, an accelerated oxidation test was carried out where the oils were placed in an oven (60°C) and peroxide value was monitored. The results showed extra-virgin olive oil underwent the least oxidation during the trial. The refined rapeseed oil suffered the worst levels of oxidation whilst the CPRSO’s performed similarly but with some variation. Fatty acid composition was investigated with GC-MS and some of the major fatty acids were found to differ significantly between producers. Minor compound analysis was achieved with extraction and identification through HPLC. All results are critically discussed and compared to relevant published studies.

Estratégias de posicionamento do azeite português

Dissertação de mestrado em Agricultura Sustentável, apresentada na Escola Superior Agrária de Santarém, Instituto Politécnico de Santarém.

Gastronomia Algarvia/Dieta Mediterrânica?

The Mediterranean Diet concept was formulated during the sixties, in association with the food consumption pattern of Mediterranean areas that produced olive oil and shared common health styles. These areas, besides their own cultural and religious differences, share common food habits, such as: - The use of olive oil (supplier of monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants); - The abundant use of cereals, mainly under the form of excellent quality bread, flour and pasta (providing fibre and energy); - Large and variegate consumption of fruit (fresh and dried), nuts and vegetables (colourful, rich in fibre, antioxidants and other protective materials); - Abundant use of herbs and spices (rich in antioxidants and other protective materials); - Simple culinary methods, using short cooking times and low temperatures (which enhance the preservation of food nutritional and sensorial characteristics). The Mediterranean Diet reflects a set of characteristics that make it internationally recognized as a health promoter eating pattern, where the relation between monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids is highly advantageous for the former, fibre, vitamins and natural antioxidants intake is high, together with a low consumption of animal protein and salt. The obtained results show contents in protein, lipid and carbohydrates very adequate to the “DRI”; The relation between mono and saturated fatty acids (40:9) should be emphasised, together with the high fibre content. Protective nutrients show remarkable results, with a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, in particular Vitamin A, complex B vitamins, biotin, vit. E, folic acid, iron, manganese and selenium, that are widely recognised as important antioxidants and responsible for the good function of the immune system. In conclusion, tomato soup, consumed traditionally as a poor meal, shows to be a health promoter nutritionally complete recipe.

Seafood consumption in Portugal : patterns, drivers and sustainability

Tese de doutoramento, Ciências do Mar, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2014

Nutritional Evaluation and Optimisation in Neonates: a randomized, double-blind controlled trial of amino acid regimen and intravenous lipid composition in preterm parenteral nutrition

Background: Parenteral nutrition is central to the care of very immature infants. Current international recommendations favor higher amino acid intakes and fish oil–containing lipid emulsions. Objective: The aim of this trial was to compare 1) the effects of high [immediate recommended daily intake (Imm-RDI)] and low [incremental introduction of amino acids (Inc-AAs)] parenteral amino acid delivery within 24 h of birth on body composition and 2) the effect of a multicomponent lipid emulsion containing 30% soybean oil, 30% medium-chain triglycerides, 25% olive oil, and 15% fish oil (SMOF) with that of soybean oil (SO)-based lipid emulsion on intrahepatocellular lipid (IHCL) content. Design: We conducted a 2-by-2 factorial, double-blind, multicenter randomized controlled trial. Results: We randomly assigned 168 infants born at ,31 wk of gestation. We evaluated outcomes at term in 133 infants. There were no significant differences between Imm-RDI and Inc-AA groups for nonadipose mass [adjusted mean difference: 1.0 g (95% CI: 2108, 111 g; P = 0.98)] or between SMOF and SO groups for IHCL [adjusted mean SMOF:SO ratio: 1.1 (95% CI: 0.8, 1.6; P = 0.58]. SMOF does not affect IHCL content. There was a significant interaction (P = 0.05) between the 2 interventions for nonadipose mass. There were no significant interactions between group differences for either primary outcome measure after adjusting for additional confounders. Imm-RDI infants were more likely than Inc-AA infants to have blood urea nitrogen concentrations .7 mmol/L or .10 mmol/L, respectively (75% compared with 49%, P , 0.01; 49% compared with 18%, P , 0.01). Head circumference at term was smaller in the Imm-RDI group [mean difference: 20.8 cm (95% CI: 21.5, 20.1 cm; P = 0.02)]. There were no significant differences in any prespecified secondary outcomes, including adiposity, liver function tests, incidence of conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, weight, length, mortality, and brain volumes. Conclusion: Imm-RDI of parenteral amino acids does not benefit body composition or growth to term and may be harmful. This trial was registered at www.isrctn.com as ISRCTN29665319 and at eudract.ema.europa.eu as EudraCT 2009-016731-34.

A exportação do mel português: um estudo exploratório sobre as motivações, barreiras e estratégias

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentado ao Instituto de Contabilidade e Administração do Porto para a obtenção do grau de Mestre em Empreendedorismo e Internacionalização, sob orientação de Professor Doutor António Correia de Barros

Gallo Worldwide: Sustainability of competitive position in Brazil

Case Study

Light harvesting in solar cells using natural pigments from red fruits adsorbed to mesoporous TiO2

Nature has developed strategies to present us with a wide variety of colours, from the green of leaves to the bright colours seen in flowers. Anthocyanins are between these natural pigments that are responsible for the great diversity of colours seen in flowers and fruits. Anthocyanins have been used to sensitize titanium dioxide (TiO2) in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs). DSSCs have become one of the most popular research topic in photovoltaic cells due to their low production costs when compared to other alternatives. DSSCs are inspired in what happens in nature during photosynthesis. A primary charge separation is achieved by means of a photoexcited dye capable of performing the electron injection into the conduction band of a wide band-gap semiconductor, usually TiO2. With this work we aimed to synthesize a novel mesoporous TiO2 structure as the semiconductor in order to increase the dye loading. We used natural occurring dyes such as anthocyanins and their synthetic flavylium relatives, as an alternative to the widely used metal complexes of Ru(II) which are expensive and are environmentally unsafe. This offers not only the chance to use safer dyes for DSSCs, but also to take profit of waste biological products, such as wine and olive oil production residues that are heavily loaded with anthocyanin dyes. We also performed a photodegradation study using TiO2 as the catalyst to degrade dye contaminants, such as those from the wine production waste, by photo-irradiation of the system in the visible region of the light spectrum. We were able to succeed in the synthesis of mesoporous TiO2 both powder and thin film, with a high capacity to load a large amount of dye. We proved the concept of photodegradation using TiO2 as catalyst. And finally, we show that wine production waste is a possible dye source to DSSCs application.

Impact d'un repas méditerranéen complet sur les fonctions métaboliques et endothéliales postprandiales en comparaison à un repas riche en acides gras saturés chez des hommes sains.

Contexte L’américanisation des habitudes de vie, notamment de l’alimentation, semble être en grande partie responsable de l’augmentation incessante de l’incidence élevée des maladies cardiovasculaires. La période postprandiale, où l’homéostasie vasculaire et métabolique est mise à l’épreuve, est d’une importance considérable dans le développement ou la prévention de l’athérosclérose et représente maintenant la majeure partie du temps d’éveil. La compréhension de l’influence de la composition d’un repas sur son impact postprandial est donc essentielle dans notre lutte dans la prévention de ces maladies. Objectifs L’objectif principal de ce projet de recherche était d’étudier les réponses endothéliale et métabolique à un repas de type méditerranéen mixte (MMM), puisqu’elles sont inconnues. Ce projet avait aussi pour objectifs d’évaluer l’impact microvasculaire d’un tel repas et de caractériser la composition postprandiale des acides gras plasmatiques. À titre comparatif, ces éléments ont aussi été étudiés suite à un repas riche en gras saturés (HSFAM). Méthodes Vingt-huit (28) hommes sains, exempts de facteurs de risque de maladies cardiovasculaires ont reçu de façon randomisée les deux repas à l’étude. Le MMM, composé de saumon frais et de légumes cuits dans l'huile d'olive, contenait 7.87g de SFA et 2.29g d’acides gras polyinsaturés oméga-3, tandis que le HSFAM, composé d'un sandwich déjeuner avec œuf, saucisse et fromage, contenait 14.78g de SFA. Les mesures de la fonction endothéliale mesurée par échographie brachiale (FMD), de la fonction microvasculaire mesurée par spectroscopie proche de l’infrarouge (NIRS) et de la composition des acides gras plasmatique ont été effectuées à jeun et en période postprandiale. Résultats Deux sous-groupes de répondeurs aux repas à l’étude se sont dégagés de ces travaux. Un premier sous-groupe de sujets ayant une triglycéridémie à jeun élevée, mais normale (hnTG) a démontré des altérations endothéliales seulement suivant le repas HSFAM. Un second sous-groupe de sujets ayant une triglycéridémie plus faible et normale (lnTG) n’a quant à lui pas subi d’altérations endothéliales suivant les deux repas à l’étude. Les sujets hnTG ont aussi démontré une charge triglycéridémique postprandiale (iAUC) plus importante et qui était de surcroît enrichie en acide stéarique suivant la HSFAM et en acide gras polyinsaturés oméga-3 suivant le MMM. L’évaluation par NIRS de la fonction microvasculaire nous révèle un ralentissement de la réoxygénation post-ischémique qui suggère une altération postprandiale du recrutement capillaire chez les sujets hnTG seulement. De telles altérations, qui semblent être plus importantes suivant le HSFAM, pourraient être en partie responsables de l’impact endothélial de ce repas. Conclusions Cet essai clinique démontre donc de façon novatrice qu’un repas MMM n’a pas d’effet endothélial délétère et que cette neutralité est indépendante de la triglycéridémie à jeun. De plus, une triglycéridémie à jeun élevée mais normale semble indiquer des dysfonctions endothéliales et métaboliques à des épreuves nutritionnelles tel un repas HSFAM. La consommation de repas méditerranéens par des individus sains à la triglycéridémie marginale serait bénéfique, peut-être même davantage que pour des individus de triglycéridémie plus faible, dans la prévention de l’athérogénèse et des maladies cardiovasculaires.

Wirtschaft an der Grenze. Studien zum Wirtschaftsleben in römischen Militärlagern im Norden Britanniens

Die wichtigsten Quellen für die Erforschung des Wirtschaftsleben in den Militärlagern im Norden Britanniens sind die im Kastell Vindolanda gefundenen Holztäfelchen mit Texten aus dem Lageralltag von ca. 90-120 n. Chr. sowie die archäologischen Funde aus der Region. Nicht zuletzt aufgrund dieser Quellenlage wurde der Betrachtungszeitraum auf die Zeit von Agricola bis Hadrianus begrenzt. Es hat sich gezeigt, daß das Wirtschaftsleben in den römischen Militärlagern im Norden Britanniens dieser Epoche einerseits bürokratische Züge trägt, da Führungspersonen in Militär und Verwaltung im Rahmen redistributiver Strukturen viele Güter beschafften, die an die Soldaten gegen Abzüge vom Sold ausgegeben wurden. Andererseits stand diesem Verfahren eine beeindruckende Dynamik im Marktgeschehen gegenüber, die durch die Erfordernisse der Heeresversorgung und des individuellen Konsums der Soldaten entstand. Zu den Bereichen der Wirtschaftstätigkeit, in denen ein starker Einfluß der Bürokratie herrschte, zählten insbesondere die Versorgung mit den Grundnahrungsmitteln (v. a. Getreide, Bier). Hypothesen über ein militärisches Redistributivsystem für Olivenöl unter der Ägide des praefectus annonae wurden allerdings nicht bestätigt. Die Existenz einer zentralen Behörde für die Heeresversorgung im Reich für die Principatszeit nicht nachgewiesen werden. Es zeigte sich statt dessen eine in der Forschung bisher nicht so deutlich gesehene Verantwortung und Aktivität unterer militärischer Entscheidungsträger vor Ort. Die Märkte an der britannischen Grenze bieten eine sehr viel differenzierteres Bild als man es von Handelsplätzen am äußersten Rande der romanisierten Welt vielleicht erwartet hätte. Vor allem zeichneten sie sich durch ein breites Angebot an Waren aus, die über große Entfernungen heran transportiert worden waren (Wein, Oliven, mediterrane Fischcaucen, Pfeffer, Importkeramik). Im Bereich des Handwerks sind im Norden Britanniens durch archäologische Funde und die Tätigkeitsbezeichnungen von Handwerkern in den Texten aus Vindolanda vielfältige Zeugnisse eines Engagements der Militärs präsent.

La gestión de las cooperativas agrarias: tipificación de las cooperativas del sector oleico de Cataluña

El següent treball té com a objectiu mostrar la situació de la gestió en el sector de les cooperatives d'oli a Catalunya

Revisión sistemática de literatura de la neumonía lipoidea exógena (nle) por exposición laboral

Objetivo Realizar una revisión sistemática de la neumonía lipoidea exógena (NLE) con el propósito de compactar y sintetizar los conocimientos fragmentados, así como el de informar el estado actual de este tema como riesgo laboral. Metodología La neumonía lipoidea es una condición poco común que resulta de la presencia de lípidos en el interior del espacio alveolar, se desconoce su actual incidencia. La neumonía lipoidea exógena se produce por aspiración o inhalación de sustancias oleosas, es una patología rara en pacientes sin enfermedades de base que predispongan a la broncoaspiración y cuando se presenta en individuos sanos se debe sospechar un origen ocupacional. Se realizó una revisión de literatura según la metodología estandarizada, incluyendo en la búsqueda: reporte de casos, descripciones de la enfermedad y el uso de técnicas diagnósticas. Las bases de datos fueron OVID además de GOOGLE ACADÉMICO; buscadores específicos: MEDLINE, CHEST, PUB MED, REDALYC, SCIELO, Europe PubMed Central (Europe PMC) y ELSEVIER. La búsqueda estuvo además, orientada por una serie de preguntas orientadoras sobre la neumonía lipoidea exógena (NLE) como riesgo laboral. Los artículos que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión, se clasificaron de acuerdo con tipo de estudio, la calidad del artículo y finalmente se evaluaron con base en una lista de chequeo ajustada para este fin. Resultados Se seleccionó un total de 71 estudios incluyendo reporte de casos, descripciones de la enfermedad y técnicas diagnósticas; publicaciones provenientes de 21 países. Un total de 63 casos, 31 en mujeres (49,20%) y 32 en hombres (50,8%) fueron reportados; el 7,93% de los casos fueron atribuidos a la exposición de agentes en el ambiente laboral: combustibles, parafina/pintura/ pulverizaciones oleosas y diésel, ambientes propios de trabajadores de almacenes de pinturas y conductores de vehículos. Los síntomas de la neumonía lipoidea exógena (NLE) descritos fueron muy variables, puede cursar asintomática o con presencia de fiebre, disnea y tos irritativa; dolor torácico, en algunos casos hemoptisis, cianosis y pérdida de peso; El examen físico generalmente es normal, aunque puede revelar sibilancias o roncus. En pruebas de función respiratoria tales como la espirometría, se presenta un patrón restrictivo, además puede hallarse un descenso en la capacidad de difusión para el monóxido de carbono. En el hemograma puede detectarse leucocitosis con predominio de neutrófilos y aumento de la velocidad de sedimentación globular, hallazgos que también pueden ser producidos por una infección concomitante. Conclusiones Se destaca el hallazgo en la literatura de los diferentes agentes causales presentes en el ambiente laboral que pueden incidir en la aparición de la enfermedad: combustibles, parafina/pintura/ pulverizaciones oleosas y diésel, ambientes propios de trabajadores de almacenes de pinturas y conductores de vehículos. Se presentó neumonía lipoidea exógena (NLE) de tipo agudo después de 30 minutos a 24 horas de exposición masiva a aceites y sustancias oleosas, luego de de ocho meses a 9,5 años de inhalación continua secundaria. Los métodos más para de la diagnóstico enfermedad incluyen el lavado broncoalveolar (BAL), la biopsia de pulmón y la con radiografía torácica. Finalmente, es posible que en pacientes con neumonía lipoidea exógena, puedan presentarse complicaciones asociadas tales como: sobreinfección, fibrosis, retracción de las lesiones, cáncer de pulmón, bronconeumonías recurrentes e hipercalcemia.

Effect of dietary supplementation of different oils during the first or second half of pregnancy on the glucose tolerance of the sow

Poor glucose tolerance may be an under-researched contributory factor in the high (10% to 20%) pre-weaning mortality rate observed in pigs. Insulin resistance commences at around week 12 of gestation in the sow, although there are conflicting reports in the literature about the extent to which insulin resistance is modulated by maternal diet. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of supplementing the maternal diet with different dietary oils during either the first half or the second half of gestation on the glucose tolerance of the sow. Sows were offered the control (C: n = 5) diet as pellets or the C diet plus 10% extra energy (h = 16 per group) derived from either. (i) extra pellets; (ii) palm oil; (iii) olive oil; (iv) sunflower oil; or (v) fish oil. Experimental diets were fed during either the first (G1) or second (G2) half of gestation. A glucose tolerance test (GTT) was conducted on day 108 of gestation by administering 0.5g/kg glucose i.v. Blood samples were taken every 5 to 10 min for 90 min post administration. The change in body weight and backfat thickness during gestation was similar but both type and timing of dietary supplementation influenced litter size and weight. With the exception of the sunflower oil group, supplementing the maternal diet in G1 resulted in larger and heavier litters, particularly in mothers offered palm oil. Basal blood glucose concentrations tended to be more elevated in G1 than G2 groups, whilst plasma insulin concentrations were similar Following a GTT, the adjusted area under the curve was greater in G1 compared to G2 sows, despite no differences in glucose clearance. Maternal diet appeared to influence the relationship between glucose curve characteristics following a GTT and litter outcome. In conclusion, the degree of insulin sensitivity can be altered by both the period during which maternal nutritional supplementation is offered and the fatty acid profile of the diet.

Effects of oils rich in eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids on the oxidizability and thrombogenicity of low-density lipoprotein

Consumption of oily fish and fish oils is associated with protection against cardiovascular disease. Paradoxically, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids present in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are suggested to be susceptible to oxidation. It is not clear whether eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have similar effects on the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation or whether they affect the thrombogenicity of oxidized LDL. This study examined the influence of highly purified preparations of EPA and DHA on LDL oxidizability and LDL-supported thrombin generation in healthy human volunteers. Forty-two healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to receive olive oil (placebo), an EPA-rich oil or a DHA-rich oil for 4 weeks at a dose of 9 g oil/day. EPA and DHA were incorporated into LDL phospholipids and cholesteryl esters during the supplementation period, but were progressively lost during ex vivo copper-mediated oxidation. Following supplementation, the EPA treatment significantly increased the formation of conjugated dienes during LDL oxidation compared with baseline, whereas the DHA treatment had no effect. Neither treatment significantly affected the lag time for oxidation, oxidation rate during the propagation phase or maximum diene production. Neither EPA nor DHA significantly affected the thrombotic tendency of oxidized LDL compared with the placebo, although DHA tended to decrease it. In conclusion, there are subtle differences in the effects of EPA and DHA on the oxidizability and thrombogenicity of LDL. DHA does not appear to increase the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation to the same degree as EPA and has a tendency to decrease LDL-supported thrombin generation. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Antioxidant properties of annatto carotenoids

The antioxidant effects of beta-carotene, oil-soluble (bixin) and water-soluble (norbixin) annatto preparations and mixtures of these carotenoids with virgin olive oil polar extract were assessed in bulk olive oil and oil-in-water emulsions stored at 60degreesC. Norbixin was the only carotenoid that inhibited the oxidative deterioration of lipids in both systems. Though bixin and beta-carotene did not retard autoxidation, their mixtures with the polar extract from virgin olive oil enhanced the antioxidant effect of the olive oil extract. Norbixin (2 mM) was of similar activity to delta-tocopherol (0.1 mM) in stored oil. The combination of norbixin with ascorbic acid or ascorbyl palmitate in oil showed a reduction in formation of volatile oxidation products but not in peroxide value, compared with the analogous sample lacking norbixin. In olive oil-in-water emulsions, norbixin (2 mM) reduced hydroperoxide formation to a similar extent as delta-tocopherol (0.1 mM), which in turn was a better antioxidant than alpha-tocopherol. A synergistic effect between norbixin and ascorbic acid or ascorbyl palmitate was observed in the emulsion systems. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.