Berry phenolics: isolation, analysis, identification, and antioxidant properties

The main objectives in this thesis were to isolate and identify the phenolic compounds in wild (Sorbus aucuparia) and cultivated rowanberries, European cranberries (Vaccinium microcarpon), lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), and cloudberries (Rubus chamaemorus), as well as to investigate the antioxidant activity of phenolics occurring in berries in food oxidation models. In addition, the storage stability of cloudberry ellagitannin isolate was studied. In wild and cultivated rowanberries, the main phenolic compounds were chlorogenic acids and neochlorogenic acids with increasing anthocyanin content depending on the crossing partners. The proanthocyanidin contents of cranberries and lingonberries were investigated, revealing that the lingonberry contained more rare A-type dimers than the European cranberry. The liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis of cloudberry ellagitannins showed that trimeric lambertianin C and sanguiin H-10 were the main ellagitannins. The berries, rich in different types of phenolic compounds including hydroxycinnamic acids, proanthocyanidins, and ellagitannins, showed antioxidant activity toward lipid oxidation in liposome and emulsion oxidation models. All the different rowanberry cultivars prevented lipid oxidation in the same way, in spite of the differences in their phenolic composition. In terms of liposomes, rowanberries were slightly more effective antioxidants than cranberry and lingonberry phenolics. Greater differences were found when comparing proanthocyanidin fractions. Proanthocyanidin dimers and trimers of both cranberries and lingonberries were most potent in inhibiting lipid oxidation. Antioxidant activities and antiradical capacities were also studied with hydroxycinnamic acid glycosides. The sinapic acid derivatives of the hydroxycinnamic acid glycosides were the most effective at preventing lipid oxidation in emulsions and liposomes and scavenging radicals in DPPH assay. In liposomes and emulsions, the formation of the secondary oxidation product, hexanal, was inhibited more than that of the primary oxidation product, conjugated diene hydroperoxides, by hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. This indicates that they are principally chain-breaking antioxidants rather than metal chelators, although they possess chelating activity as well. The storage stability test of cloudberry ellagitannins was performed by storing ellagitannin isolate and ellagitannins encapsulated with maltodextrin at different relative vapor pressures. The storage stability was enhanced by the encapsulation when higher molecular weight maltodextrin was used. The best preservation was achieved when the capsules were stored at 0 or 33% relative vapor pressures. In addition, the antioxidant activities of encapsulated cloudberry extracts were followed during the storage period. Different storage conditions did not alter the antioxidant activity, even though changes in the ellagitannin contents were seen. The current results may be of use in improving the oxidative stability of food products by using berries as natural antioxidants.

Immunochemical analysis of prolamins in gluten-free foods

People with coeliac disease have to maintain a gluten-free diet, which means excluding wheat, barley and rye prolamin proteins from their diet. Immunochemical methods are used to analyse the harmful proteins and to control the purity of gluten-free foods. In this thesis, the behaviour of prolamins in immunological gluten assays and with different prolamin-specific antibodies was examined. The immunoassays were also used to detect residual rye prolamins in sourdough systems after enzymatic hydrolysis and wheat prolamins after deamidation. The aim was to characterize the ability of the gluten analysis assays to quantify different prolamins in varying matrices in order to improve the accuracy of the assays. Prolamin groups of cereals consist of a complex mixture of proteins that vary in their size and amino acid sequences. Two common characteristics distinguish prolamins from other cereal proteins. Firstly, they are soluble in aqueous alcohols, and secondly, most of the prolamins are mainly formed from repetitive amino acid sequences containing high amounts of proline and glutamine. The diversity among prolamin proteins sets high requirements for their quantification. In the present study, prolamin contents were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays based on ω- and R5 antibodies. In addition, assays based on A1 and G12 antibodies were used to examine the effect of deamidation on prolamin proteins. The prolamin compositions and the cross-reactivity of antibodies with prolamin groups were evaluated with electrophoretic separation and Western blotting. The results of this thesis research demonstrate that the currently used gluten analysis methods are not able to accurately quantify barley prolamins, especially when hydrolysed or mixed in oats. However, more precise results can be obtained when the standard more closely matches the sample proteins, as demonstrated with barley prolamin standards. The study also revealed that all of the harmful prolamins, i.e. wheat, barley and rye prolamins, are most efficiently extracted with 40% 1-propanol containing 1% dithiothreitol at 50 °C. The extractability of barley and rye prolamins was considerably higher with 40% 1-propanol than with 60% ethanol, which is typically used for prolamin extraction. The prolamin levels of rye were lowered by 99.5% from the original levels when an enzyme-active rye-malt sourdough system was used for prolamin degradation. Such extensive degradation of rye prolamins suggest the use of sourdough as a part of gluten-free baking. Deamidation increases the diversity of prolamins and improves their solubility and ability to form structures such as emulsions and foams. Deamidation changes the protein structure, which has consequences for antibody recognition in gluten analysis. According to the resuts of the present work, the analysis methods were not able to quantify wheat gluten after deamidation except at very high concentrations. Consequently, deamidated gluten peptides can exist in food products and remain undetected, and thus cause a risk for people with gluten intolerance. The results of this thesis demonstrate that current gluten analysis methods cannot accurately quantify prolamins in all food matrices. New information on the prolamins of rye and barley in addition to wheat prolamins is also provided in this thesis, which is essential for improving gluten analysis methods so that they can more accurately quantify prolamins from harmful cereals.

Naudanlihan jalostusketjun hiilijalanjälki Suomessa

Kirjallisuustutkimuksen tavoitteena oli perehtyä kasvihuoneilmiön taustoihin ja kartoittaa aiempia tutkimuksia naudan- ja muiden lihatuotteiden kasvihuonekaasupäästöistä. Lisäksi kirjallisuustutkimuksessa perehdyttiin aiemmissa tutkimuksissa elintarvikkeiden hiilijalanjäljen laskemisessa sovellettuun elinkaarianalyysiin ISO 14040-standardin mukaisesti. Kokeellisen osion tavoitteena oli määrittää naudanlihan hiilijalanjälki Suomessa maatilan portilta kuluttajan ruokapöytään. Tavoitteena oli myös ymmärtää jalostusketjun päästöjen merkitys verrattuna koko naudanlihan tuotantoketjuun ja määrittää jalostusketjun vaiheiden merkitys ketjussa. Työn toiminnallisena yksikkönä toimi kilo naudanlihaa. Työ toteutettiin perehtymällä yksityiskohtaisesti yhteen naudanlihan jalostusketjuun Suomessa. Päästöt laskettiin todellisten yhteistyöyritykseltä saatujen prosessitietojen perusteella. Tiedot kerättiin tiedonkeruulomakkeella vierailemalla yhteistyöyrityksen kahdessa tuotantolaitoksessa ja täydentämällä tietoja haastatteluilla. Naudanlihan jalostusketjun päästöt olivat 1240 g CO2-ekv/lihakilo. Eniten päästöjä tuottivat jalostusvaihe (310 g CO2-ekv/lihakilo), teurastus (280 g CO2-ekv/lihakilo) ja lihatuotteiden kuljetus kuluttajalle (210 g CO2-ekv/lihakilo). Koko naudanlihan tuotantoketjusta jalostusketjun päästöt muodostivat alle 4 %, sillä syntymästä maatilan portille syntyviksi päästöiksi laskettiin kirjallisuuden perusteella yli 30 000 g CO2-ekv/lihakilo. Jatkossa naudanlihan hiilijalanjälkeä voitaisiin pääasiassa pienentää kehittämällä prosessia maatilan portille asti. Tämän työn tulokset olivat hyvin samansuuruiset verrattuna aiempaan tutkimukseen broilerin jalostusketjun päästöistä Suomessa (Katajajuuri ym. 2008). Tämä vastasi ennakko-odotuksia, sillä jalostusketjujen vaiheissa ei ollut merkittäviä eroja. Aiempia tutkimuksia naudanlihan jalostusketjun päästöistä ei ollut saatavilla.

Particularidades de China para el desarrollo empresarial: reflexión a partir de casos de estudio

[ES] China ha irrumpido como actor principal del escenario global al haber protagonizado, durante las tres últimas décadas, un proceso de transformación económica y social de gran magnitud. Ahora bien, vender productos –sobre todo, del sector de alimentación– de origen occidental en China es, con diferencia, el reto más complicado al que deben enfrentarse las compañías de deciden entrar a operar en este mercado.

Conservation Biology of Elasmobranchs

Elasmobranchs are vital and valuable components of the marine biota. From an ecological perspective they occupy the role of top predators within marine food webs, providing a regulatory control that helps balance the ecosystem. From an evolutionary perspective, this group represents an early divergence along the vertebrate line that produced many unusual, but highly successful, adaptations in function and form. From man's perspective, elasmobranchs have been considered both an unavoidable nuisance, and an exploitable fishery resource. A few of the large shark species have earned a dubious notoriety because of sporadic attacks on humans that occur in coastal areas each year worldwide; the hysteria surrounding an encounter with a shark can be costly to the tourist industry. More importantly, elasmobranchs are often considered a detriment to commercial fishing operations; they cause significant economic damage to catches and fishing gear. On the other hand, consumer attitudes have changed concerning many previously unpopular food fishes, including elasmobranchs, and this group of fishes has been increasingly used by both recreational and commercial fishing interests. Many elasmobranchs have become a popular target of recreational fishermen for food and sport because of their abundance, size, and availability in coastal waters. Similarly, commercial fisheries for elasmobranchs have developed or expanded from an increased demand for elasmobranch food products. (PDF file contains 108 pages.)

Análisis económico-financiero de las empresas del sector de comercio al por menor en el Pais Vasco

El trabajo consiste en realizar un análisis económico-financiero de las empresas del sector del comercio al por menor en establecimientos no especializados, con predominio en productos alimenticios establecidas en el País Vasco, centrándose especialmente en el diagnóstico de su situación actual y la evolución reciente de su liquidez, riesgo y rentabilidad. The work consists of carry out an economic and financial analysis of companies in the retail trade in non-specialized sector, stores with food products based in the Basque Country, especially focusing on the diagnosis of the current situation and recent developments their liquidity, risk and profitability.

Consumo alimentar e associação com ganho de peso em adolescente: Estudo Longitudinal de Avaliação Nutricional de Adolescentes (ELANA).

Essa tese teve como objetivo avaliar a associação do consumo de padrões alimentares e produtos alimentícios ultraprocessados (UP) sobre indicadores antropométricos e sua variação entre adolescentes. Para tal, foram analisados os dados de 1.031 estudantes de quatro escolas privadas e duas escolas públicas da região metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro que foram acompanhados por três anos consecutivos (2010 a 2012) no Estudo Longitudinal de Avaliação Nutricional de adolescentes (ELANA). Os resultados estão apresentados em três manuscritos que compõem a tese. O primeiro manuscrito identificou três padrões alimentares: Ocidental, composto por massas, embutidos e bacon, carnes, doces, bebidas açucaradas, salgados e fast food, biscoito, pães e cereais, leite e derivados e ovos, o Saudável, caracterizado por peixes, hortaliças, verduras, raízes e feculentos, frutas e sucos e o Arroz/Feijão, composto pelo consumo de arroz, feijão e café. Na análise dos dados na linha de base o padrão Ocidental associou-se a um menor índice de massa corporal (IMC) e não foi observada associação estatisticamente significativa em relação ao percentual de gordura corpórea (%GC) e o padrão em questão. Adicionalmente, foi verificada uma associação negativa entre o padrão Arroz/Feijão e ambos os indicadores antropométricos sugerindo que esse padrão de consumo tradicional possa ser protetor para a obesidade. No segundo manuscrito avaliou-se a relação entre o consumo de UP e indicadores de qualidade da dieta. O consumo de UP foi avaliado em gramas por dia e em gramas/total de calorias. Observou-se um aumento das variáveis marcadoras de alimentação não saudável e saudável com o aumento do consumo de UP. No entanto, quando relacionados ao aumento de consumo de UP/energia observou-se um aumento de marcadores de alimentação não saudável e, com exceção da vitamina C, uma redução de marcadores de alimentação saudável. Assim, a densidade do consumo de UP mostrou-se um bom indicador de qualidade da dieta entre adolescentes. No terceiro manuscrito avaliou-se a associação entre o consumo de UP e a evolução temporal do IMC e %GC. A análise longitudinal por modelos lineares mistos, que levam em conta todas as observações ao longo do tempo, indicou que nas análises não ajustados havia uma associação negativa entre consumo de UP e o IMC e %GC, porém nas análises de UP/energia e nas análises ajustadas por atividade física e uma variável de controle para a qualidade do relato não mais foram observadas associações com o consumo de UP e as medidas antropométricas de adiposidade. Pode-se concluir que não evidenciamos associação do consumo de UP com medidas antropométricas de obesidade uma vez que o consumo elevado de UP associado ao crescimento do %GC nas análises transversais, não se manteve nas análises longitudinais. A discrepância entre os achados dos estudos seccionais e os longitudinais pode decorrer de confundimento residual nos estudos seccionais. Conclui-se, que para redução do ganho excessivo de peso, orientações relativas exclusivamente a um padrão de alimentação saudável que incorpora a ideia de UP, devem ser acompanhadas de redução da quantidade de alimentos consumidos.

Consumo alimentar e associação com ganho de peso em adolescente: Estudo Longitudinal de Avaliação Nutricional de Adolescentes (ELANA).

Essa tese teve como objetivo avaliar a associação do consumo de padrões alimentares e produtos alimentícios ultraprocessados (UP) sobre indicadores antropométricos e sua variação entre adolescentes. Para tal, foram analisados os dados de 1.031 estudantes de quatro escolas privadas e duas escolas públicas da região metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro que foram acompanhados por três anos consecutivos (2010 a 2012) no Estudo Longitudinal de Avaliação Nutricional de adolescentes (ELANA). Os resultados estão apresentados em três manuscritos que compõem a tese. O primeiro manuscrito identificou três padrões alimentares: Ocidental, composto por massas, embutidos e bacon, carnes, doces, bebidas açucaradas, salgados e fast food, biscoito, pães e cereais, leite e derivados e ovos, o Saudável, caracterizado por peixes, hortaliças, verduras, raízes e feculentos, frutas e sucos e o Arroz/Feijão, composto pelo consumo de arroz, feijão e café. Na análise dos dados na linha de base o padrão Ocidental associou-se a um menor índice de massa corporal (IMC) e não foi observada associação estatisticamente significativa em relação ao percentual de gordura corpórea (%GC) e o padrão em questão. Adicionalmente, foi verificada uma associação negativa entre o padrão Arroz/Feijão e ambos os indicadores antropométricos sugerindo que esse padrão de consumo tradicional possa ser protetor para a obesidade. No segundo manuscrito avaliou-se a relação entre o consumo de UP e indicadores de qualidade da dieta. O consumo de UP foi avaliado em gramas por dia e em gramas/total de calorias. Observou-se um aumento das variáveis marcadoras de alimentação não saudável e saudável com o aumento do consumo de UP. No entanto, quando relacionados ao aumento de consumo de UP/energia observou-se um aumento de marcadores de alimentação não saudável e, com exceção da vitamina C, uma redução de marcadores de alimentação saudável. Assim, a densidade do consumo de UP mostrou-se um bom indicador de qualidade da dieta entre adolescentes. No terceiro manuscrito avaliou-se a associação entre o consumo de UP e a evolução temporal do IMC e %GC. A análise longitudinal por modelos lineares mistos, que levam em conta todas as observações ao longo do tempo, indicou que nas análises não ajustados havia uma associação negativa entre consumo de UP e o IMC e %GC, porém nas análises de UP/energia e nas análises ajustadas por atividade física e uma variável de controle para a qualidade do relato não mais foram observadas associações com o consumo de UP e as medidas antropométricas de adiposidade. Pode-se concluir que não evidenciamos associação do consumo de UP com medidas antropométricas de obesidade uma vez que o consumo elevado de UP associado ao crescimento do %GC nas análises transversais, não se manteve nas análises longitudinais. A discrepância entre os achados dos estudos seccionais e os longitudinais pode decorrer de confundimento residual nos estudos seccionais. Conclui-se, que para redução do ganho excessivo de peso, orientações relativas exclusivamente a um padrão de alimentação saudável que incorpora a ideia de UP, devem ser acompanhadas de redução da quantidade de alimentos consumidos.

Morphometry and population dynamics of Sepia aculeata, (Orbigny - 1848) along the Bombay coast

Cephalopods gained importance in the fishing industry when they emerged as one of the leading sea food products exclusively for international market in the mid seventies. Cephalopods fishery in India is still in an infant stage with vast scope for exploitation. The present work on the cephalopods fishery along the Bombay coast is an effort to quantify the resource potential of Sepia acculeata. The morphometry, growth parameters, mortality (total, natural and fishing) rates, the yield per recruit and standing stock were studied.

Statistical quality control charts on attributes in fish processing technology

Apart from the use of statistical quality control chart for variables or attributes of food products in a food processing industry, the application of these charts for attributes of fishery products is explained. Statistical quality control chart for fraction defectives is explained by noting defective fish sausages per shift from a sausage industry while control chart for number of defectives is illustrated for number of defective fish cans in each hour of its production of a canning industry. C-chart is another type of control chart which is explained here for number of defects per single fish fillet sampled a1l random for every five minutes in a processing industry. These statistical quality control charts help in the more economic use of resource, time and labour than control charts for variables of products. Also control charts for attributes exhibit the quality history of finished products at different times of production thereby minimizing the risk of consumer rejection.

Effects of Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil and nisin on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus in light salted silver carp fillet (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

There is an increasing demand in developing newer and safer methods in preserving food products.Among which herbal additives seem to attract evermore attention recently.the major advantage of herbal additives is due to their favorable aroma besides their antimicrobial effects and less expensive than chemical additives. Zataria multiflora Boiss is a native Iranian herb which is used vastly as a food preserver essential oils and also medical usage. Metabolites of harmless bacteria, such as Nisin are also known to be safe preservatives that have antimicrobial activity. However to establish the usefulness of natural antimicrobial preservatives, they must be evaluated alone and in combination with other preservation factors to determine whether there are synergistic effects in rigid media . In this study were evaluated the effects of different concentrations of Zataria multiflora (EO 0, 0.005, 0.015, 0.045, 0.135, 0.405 ,0.810 %) and Nisin(0, 0.15, 0.25, 0.75 μg/ml) and Storage time (up to 21 days) on growth of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 in a food model system(light salted fish of silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). The results on growth of S. aureus were evaluated using SPSS 15.0 statistical software (SPSS 15.0 for windows, SPSS Inc.) and analyzed the logarithm of total count of the bacteria by Tukey Test. Results were considered statistically significant when P≤0.05. The growth of Staphylococcus aureus was affected significantly(P<0.05) by EO and Nisin and also combinations of EO and Nisin. Samples treated with 0.135, 0.405 and 0.810% of thyme essential oil showed a significant decrease on the growth of the bacteria compared with an treated samples(P<0.05). No significant difference was seen on the growth of S.aureus in samples treated with lower concentrations of Z.multiflora(below 0.045%) and untreated group(P>0.05). The most inhibitory effects were seen in samples treated with 0.405% and 0.810% of thyme essential oil until 9 and 12 days after storage,respectively. Also there was significant inhibtory effect(P<0.05) in different concentration of nisin on the organism compared with an treated samples. The synergism effects of the Eo and nisin on the growth rate of the bacteria was significant (P<0.05) compared with untreated samples and samples treated with the Eo or nisin, only. Synergismic effects was observed at concentration of 0.405 and 0.810% of Z. multiflora essential oil with 0.25 μg/ml Nisin, respectively until 15 days after storage. As expected it is preferred to apply the least possible amounts of additives in food preserving that not only are effective and safe but are economically justifiable.

Análise das atitudes e comportamentos dos consumidores face à compra de produtos alimentares de marca do distribuidor

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciências da Comunicação, especialização em Marketing e Publicidade

A atitude dos consumidores face aos produtos alimentares de marca do distribuidor

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciências da Comunicação, especialização em Marketing e Publicidade.

O consumo de alimentos funcionais – atitudes e comportamentos

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciências da Comunicação, com especialização em Marketing e Comunicação Estratégica.

Efeitos sobre a saúde do consumo moderado de vinho tinto

Projeto de Pós-Graduação/Dissertação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciências Farmacêuticas