Water-soluble precursors of beef flavour. Part II: effect of post-mortem conditioning

Changes in glycolytic metabolites, nucleotide degradation products, free amino acids and other amino compounds were monitored in beef muscle (M. longissimus lumborum), stored for 21 days at 4 degrees C, in order to evaluate how post-mortem conditioning may affect flavour formation in beef. The major effects observed in sugar-related substances were the dephosphorylation of the phosphates of glucose, fructose and mannose, to yield their free sugars, as well as the breakdown of inosine 5'-monophosphate, to give a sixfold increase in ribose. Total reducing sugars increased by only 15% during conditioning, while glycogen levels remained unchanged from 2 days post-slaughter. Free amino acids increased during conditioning, particularly between days 7 and 14. Phenylalanine, methionine, lysine, leucine and isoleucine were the amino acids showing the greatest increase with conditioning time, with methionine, in particular, showing a sevenfold increase during the conditioning period. The effects of these precursor changes on cooked beef flavour are discussed. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Including an ocean carbon cycle model into iLOVECLIM (v1.0)

The atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration plays a crucial role in the radiative balance and as such has a strong influence on the evolution of climate. Because of the numerous interactions between climate and the carbon cycle, it is necessary to include a model of the carbon cycle within a climate model to understand and simulate past and future changes of the carbon cycle. In particular, natural variations of atmospheric CO2 have happened in the past, while anthropogenic carbon emissions are likely to continue in the future. To study changes of the carbon cycle and climate on timescales of a few hundred to a few thousand years, we have included a simple carbon cycle model into the iLOVECLIM Earth System Model. In this study, we describe the ocean and terrestrial biosphere carbon cycle models and their performance relative to observational data. We focus on the main carbon cycle variables including the carbon isotope ratios δ13C and the Δ14C. We show that the model results are in good agreement with modern observations both at the surface and in the deep ocean for the main variables, in particular phosphates, dissolved inorganic carbon and the carbon isotopes.

Considerations on the use of the p-nitrophenyl phosphomonoesterase assay in the study of the phosphorus nutrition of soil borne fungi

The p-nitrophenyl phosphomonoesterase assay (p NPPase) is commonly used to measure cell-wall-associated and extracellular phosphatase activity of soil fungi. p NPPases are usually assayed in the context of fungal nutrition, where inorganic P supply might be enhanced by the mineralisation of monoester organic P sources in the soil. The importance of the assay to the P nutrition of soil fungi is considered based on the evidence currently available including the consistency of methodological approach. The nature of organic P in the soil and the relevance of the assay to some specific soil substrates is discussed, particularly the chemistry and bioavailability of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate and the lower inositol phosphates. The evidence for the long-term stability of p NPPases in the soil is examined in the light of the persistence of p NPPase in soils. The role of persistent extracellular fungal p NPPases in the soil P cycle is discussed. Conclusions from p NPPase based studies must be based upon an appreciation of the constraints of the assay and the complex chemistry of organic P and p NPPase in the soil.

Synthesis and characterization of phosphate glass microspheres for radiotherapy applications

Class microspheres containing the radioisotope (32)P, a beta(-) particle emitter, and half-life of 14.3 days, can be easily introduced in specific human organs such as liver, pancreas. and uterus to kill cancer cells. In the present work phosphate glass microspheres were produced with different compositions and particle size distribution in the range of 20- 30 mu m. Two different thermal processes were used to spherodize glass particles originally with irregular shapes. Samples were characterized by X-rays diffraction to check the amorphous structure, energy dispersive X-rays fluorescence spectroscopy to determine the final glass composition, and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy to determine the structural groups in the glass structure. The dissolution rate of glass samples in water was determined at 90 degrees C, and in simulated body fluid (SBF) at 37 degrees C. Classes with dissolution rates close to 10(-5) g/(cm(2) day) were obtained, which make them suitable for the present application. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the shape of the microspheres before and after the dissolution tests. The cytotoxicity tests showed that these microspheres can be used for biological applications. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sol-gel prepared AlPO(4) with incorporating Rhodamine 6G

Rhodamine 6G (RH6G) laser dye-doped AlPO(4) xerogel and glass were prepared via a simple sol-gel route by one-step process and two-step process, respectively. The aggregating behavior of dyes in xerogel and glass was studied by excitation and emission spectra. The results indicated the dye aggregates become significantly weak in AlPO(4) glass than in xerogel, which might be attributed to the enhanced interactions between dye and AlPO(4) network as well as the nano-scale separation of dye by the mesoporous structure of AlPO(4) glass. The (27)Al MAS NMR of AlPO(4) glass confirms the interaction of RH6G with AlPO(4) glass network. Incorporation of RH6G into AlPO(4) glass converts Al(4) to Al(6) units, resulting in the increase of Al(6) concentration with the doped RH6G concentration. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Aminoacetone, a putative endogenous source of methylglyoxal, causes oxidative stress and death to insulin-producing RINm5f cells

Aminoacetone (AA), triose phosphates, and acetone are putative endogenous sources of potentially cytotoxic and genotoxic methylglyoxal (MG), which has been reported to be augmented in the plasma of diabetic patients. In these patients, accumulation of MG derived from aminoacetone, a threonine and glycine catabolite, is inferred from the observed concomitant endothelial overexpression of circulating semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidases. These copper-dependent enzymes catalyze the oxidation of primary amines, such as AA and methylamine, by molecular oxygen, to the corresponding aldehydes, NH4+ ion and H2O2. We recently reported that AA aerobic oxidation to MG also takes place immediately upon addition of catalytic amounts of copper and iron ions. Taking into account that (i) MG and H2O2 are reportedly cytotoxic to insulin-producing cell lineages such as RINm5f and that (ii) the metal-catalyzed oxidation of AA is propagated by O-2(center dot-) radical anion, we decided to investigate the possible pro-oxidant action of AA on these cells taken here as a reliable model system for pancreatic beta-cells. Indeed, we show that AA (0.10-5.0 mM) administration to RINm5f cultures induces cell death. Ferrous (50-300 mu M) and Fe3+ ion (100 mu M) addition to the cell cultures had no effect, whereas Cu2+ (5.0-100 mu M) significantly increased cell death. Supplementation of the AA- and Cu2+-containing culture medium with antioxidants, such as catalase (5.0 mu M), superoxide dismutase (SOD, 50 U/mL), and N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 5.0 mM) led to partial protection. mRNA expression of MnSOD, CuZnSOD, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, but not of catalase, is higher in cells treated with AA (0.50-1.0 mM) plus Cu2+ ions (10-50 mu M) relative to control cultures. This may imply higher activity of antioxidant enzymes C, in RINm5f AA-treated cells. In addition, we have found that AA (0.50-1.0 mM) Plus Cu2+ (100 mu M) (i) increase RINm5f cytosolic calcium; (ii) promote DNA fragmentation; and (iii) increase the pro-apoptotic (Bax)/antiapoptotic (Bcl-2) ratio at the level of mRNA expression. In conclusion, although both normal and pathological concentrations of AA are probably much lower than those used here, it is tempting to propose that excess AA in diabetic patients may drive oxidative damage and eventually the death of pancreatic beta-cells.

Acetyl Radical Production by the Methylglyoxal-Peroxynitrite System: A Possible Route for L-Lysine Acetylation

Methylglyoxal is an a-oxoaldehyde putatively produced in excess from triose phosphates, aminoacetone, and acetone in some disorders, particularly in diabetes. Here, we investigate the nucleophilic addition of ONOO(-), known as a potent oxidant and nucleophile, to methylglyoxal, yielding an acetyl radical intermediate and ultimately formate and acetate ions. The rate of ONOO(-) decay in the presence of methylglyoxal [k(2,app) = (1.0 +/- 0.1) x 10(3) M(-1) s(-1); k(2) approximate to 1.0 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1)] at pH 7.2 and 25 degrees C was found to be faster than that reported with monocarbonyl substrates (k(2) < 10(3) M(-1) diacetyl (k(2) = 1.0 x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1)), or CO(2) (k(2) = 3-6 x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1)). The pH profile of the methylglyoxal peroxynitrite reaction describes an ascendant curve with an inflection around pH 7.2, which roughly coincides with the pK(a) values of both ONOOH and H(2)PO(4)(-) ion. Electron paramagnetic resonance spin trapping experiments with 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane revealed concentration-dependent formation of an adduct that can be attributed to 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane-CH(3)CO(center dot) (a(N) = 0.83 mT). Spin trapping with 3,5-dibromo-4-nitrosobenzene sulfonate gave a signal that could be assigned to a methyl radical adduct [a(N) = 1.41 mT; a(H) = 1.35 mT; a(H(m)) = 0.08 mT]. The 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane-CH(3)CO(center dot) adduct could also be observed by replacement of ONOO(-) with H(2)O(2), although at much lower yields. Acetyl radicals could be also trapped by added L-lysine as indicated by the presence of W-acetyl-L-lysine in the spent reaction mixture. This raises the hypothesis that ONOO(-)/H(2)O(2) in the presence of methylglyoxal is endowed with the potential to acetylate proteins in post-translational processes.

Contribuição ao beneficiamento de finos de fosfatos

Foram estudadas as características de floculação da hidro-xiapatita, calcita e quartzo com poliacrilamidas aniônicas. Tanto as suspensões de hidroxiapatita como a calcita foram completamente floculadas enquanto que o quartzo foi refratário a floculação com esses polimeros. Entretanto, observou-se que a floculação da calcita foi impedida com a utilização de um poliacrilato de sódio, enquanto que a hidroxiapatita continuou a ser floculada pela poliacrilamida num intervalo de concentração de O a 1000 g/ton de poliacrilato. Estes resultados permitiram estabelecer condições para a floculação seletiva de hidroxiapatita em misturas sintéticas com quartzo e calcita. Nestes sistemas foram estudados diversos parâmetros operacionais, tais como tipo de separação, efeito do teor da alimentação, e influência da moagem. Onde a separação estagiada apresentou melhor resultado, uma moagem adicional no sistema não favoreceu a seletividade. Por outro lado, o teor de P205 no concentrado é proporcional ao teor presente na alimentação. A hidroxiapatita, em estudo, de alta pureza (de acordo com técnicas de análise química, espectrofotometria de infravermelho e difração de raios X) apresentou um parto de carga zero em pH 6,77 na presença de diversos eletrólitos. A aplicação do sistema de floculação seletiva a fraçoes ultrafinas industriais foi estudada em detalhe e comparada com processos de flotação e floco-flatação. 0s resultados obtidos mostraram que a floculação seletiva somente foi eficiente nos sistemas sintéticos. A flotação, embora o minério apresente uma granulometria muito fina, foi mais eficiente que a floculação seletiva e a floco-flotação nos sistemas reais, em termos de taxa de enriquecimento e percentual de rejeição de massa. Entretanto com a floco-flotação foi possivel obter altas recuperações(-90%) para os minérios de Araxá e Itataia. Para o minério de Tapira, um aumento do teor de P2O5 foi obtido com a flotação da fração seletivamente floculada. As taxas de enriquecimento obtidas foram baixas (entre 1,35 e 2,101 em função das associações entre a apatita do minério com óxido de ferro e argila, o que revelou a caracterização mineralógica. Conclue-se que a concentração de minerios fosfatados de baixo teor é uma operação onerosa, onde o fator predominante é a absorção seletiva de reagentes e atransferência não específica de material de ganga nos respectivos concentrados.

Síntese, aplicação e avaliação do efeito do teor de fósforo da celulose fosfatada em argamassa de alvenaria com aditivo comercial a base de hidroxi-etil-metil celulose (HEMC)

Generally, cellulose ethers improves mortar properties such as water retention, workability and setting time, along with adherence to the substrate. However, a major disadvantage of the addition of cellulose ethers in mortars is the delay in hydration of the cement. In this paper a cellulose phosphate (Cp) was synthesized water soluble and has been evaluated the effect of their incorporation into mortar based on Portland cement. Cellulose phosphate obtained was characterized by spectrophotometry Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), elemental analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mortar compositions were formulated with varying phosphorus content in cellulose and cellulose phosphate concentrations, when used in partial or total replacement of the commercial additive based hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose (HEMC). The mortars formulated with additives were prepared and characterized by: testing in the fresh state (consistency index, water retention, bulk density and air content incorporated) and in the hardened state (absorption by capillarity, density, flexural and compression strength). In mixtures the proportion of sand:cement of 1:5 (v / v) and factor a / c = 1.31 and water were held constant. Overall, the results showed that the celluloses phosphates employed in mortars added acted significantly when partially substituting the commercial additive. With regard to consistency index, water retention and bulk density in the fresh state and absorption by capillarity and bulk density apparent in the hardened state, showed no appreciable differences as compared to the commercial additive. The incorporated air content in the fresh state reduced markedly, but did not affect other properties. The mortars with cellulose phosphate, partially replacing the commercial additive showed an improvement of the properties of flexural strength and compressive strength

Solubilization of CaHPO4 and AlPO4 by Aspergillus niger in culture media with different carbon and nitrogen sources

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Biocompatibilidade do cimento de fosfato de cálcio implantado no rádio de coelhos

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a biocompatibilidade do cimento de fosfato de cálcio, para verificar sua eficácia como possível substituto ósseo. MÉTODOS: No presente trabalho, foi utilizado cimento de fosfato de cálcio em rádio de 8 coelhos, separados em dois grupos (GI e GII), referentes aos tempos de observação de 12 e 26 semanas pós-operatórias, a fim de se observar as reações entre este biomaterial e o tecido ósseo do animal. Foram feitas análises radiográficas e de densitometria óptica, além de microscopia óptica e eletrônica de varredura. RESULTADOS: Observou-se, ao final do experimento, que o cimento à base de fosfato de cálcio foi parcialmente reabsorvido durante o tempo de observação de 26 semanas, apresentando biocompatibilidade, com ausência de reações indesejáveis que pudessem ser atribuídas aos implantes. CONCLUSÕES: O cimento à base de fosfato de cálcio foi biocompatível e parcialmente reabsorvido no período de 26 semanas de observação. Tempos maiores de observação são necessários para a avaliação da reabsorção.

Phosphate fertilization and phosphorus forms in an Oxisol under no-till

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Phosphorus sources and fractions in an oxisol under no-tilled soybean

A dinâmica do P no solo pode ser modificada em sistemas com semeadura direta. Os agricultores brasileiros vêm aplicando fósforo na superfície do solo para otimizar a operação de máquinas, embora não seja uma prática recomendada pela pesquisa. Foi conduzido um experimento para estudar os efeitos da aplicação de duas fontes de fósforo na superfície do solo e no sulco de semeadura da soja. Os tratamentos consistiram da aplicação ou não de 80 kg ha-1 de P total como fosfato natural reativo e superfosfato, aplicados na superfície do solo, sobre os resíduos da cultura anterior. Na semeadura da soja, tratamentos adicionais (80 kg ha-1 de fosfato natural ou superfosfato) foram aplicados ao sulco de semeadura. O solo foi amostrado até 40 cm de profundidade, antes da semeadura da soja e após a colheita. Uma amostra controle foi tomada de área adjacente, sem cultivo. Houve aumento nos teores de P até 40 cm de profundidade, após a colheita da soja, de modo que o aumento foi observado principalmente no P ligado ao Ca e no P orgânico. Entretanto houve decréscimo nos teores de P ligado ao Fe. A adubação com ambas as fontes de fosfato levaram a um decréscimo nos teores de P ocluso na superfície do solo quando comparada com a área sem cultivo.

Triticale, milheto e adubação fosfatada para formação de palhada em semeadura direta

As fontes de P mais utilizadas são os fosfatos solúveis em água, pela maior facilidade de liberação de P no solo. Entretanto, devido às características dos solos tropicais, grande parte desse P acaba adsorvida às partículas do solo, tornando-se indisponível. Os fosfatos reativos podem, inicialmente, liberar o P de maneira mais lenta; entretanto, a partir dos cultivos, este elemento poderá ser liberado de forma contínua, podendo haver menor fixação. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a resposta à aplicação de duas fontes de P na cultura do triticale e o efeito residual dessa adubação no milheto, cultivados em semeadura direta, avaliando-se: fertilidade do solo; produção de matéria seca; teor e quantidade de P nas plantas e palha de cobertura; densidade de plantas; teor e quantidade de P nos grãos; e produtividade do triticale. O experimento foi conduzido em Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico. No mês de abril foram aplicados, a lanço, em superfície, três tratamentos: sem aplicação de P2O5; aplicação de 80 kg ha-1 de P2O5 de superfosfato triplo; e aplicação de 80 kg ha-1 de P2O5 de fosfato natural Arad. em seguida, semeou-se o triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack), que foi conduzido até a colheita. em setembro, após a colheita do triticale, semeou-se o milheto (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Brown), com o objetivo de elevar a cobertura de palha do solo, sendo ele dessecado no florescimento no mês de novembro. A aplicação de fosfato solúvel em superfície proporcionou lixiviação do P até a camada de 5-10 cm de profundidade do solo e melhor nutrição fosfatada do triticale cultivado em seguida, assim como maior produção de grãos. Apesar do aumento no teor de P disponível no solo, proporcionado pelo fosfato solúvel, a aplicação de P no triticale não redundou em elevação da produção de matéria seca, do teor e da quantidade de P na parte aérea do milheto cultivado em sequência.

Extraction methods and availability of phosphorus for soybean in soils from Parana State, Brazil

In studies on the evaluation of methodologies for the analysis of soil, phosphorus (P) has been the single most studied aspect, due to the complexity of this dynamic element in soil. However, these studies have been limited regarding soil conditions in Paranaa. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3 and ion exchange resin methods in the evaluation of available P for soybean (Glycine max) in the soils of Paranaa State. Twelve soil samples collected from the upper 0-20 cm were planted with soybean for a period of 42 days in the greenhouse. The ability to extract soil P followed the order of decreasing average amount of extracted P: Mehlich-3 > resin > Mehlich-1. The correlation coefficients between the content of P extracted by Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3 and resin and the amount of P accumulated in the plants were 0.86, 0.90 and 0.93, respectively. Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3 and resin showed similar efficiency in the evaluation of P availability to plants and, under conditions of natural fertility and in soils that had received no application of poorly natural reactive phosphates, can be used to quantify the concentrations of P in the soils of Parana State.