Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) as a source of water extractable antioxidant for use in chicken meat

Aqueous extract of mate, made from dried leaves of Ilex paraguariensis, St. Hilaire, was shown to be effective during chilled storage for up to 10 days in protecting lipids and vitamin E against oxidation in pre-cooked meat balls made from chicken breast added 0.5% salt and packed in atmospheric air. Extracts made with water, methanol, ethanol or 70% aqueous acetone were evaluated by comparing (1) total phenolic content, (2) radical scavenging capacity, (3) effect on lipid oxidation in a food emulsion model, and in liposomes. Based on the three-step evaluation, aqueous mate extract was preferred for food use. Dried leaves were further compared to dried rosemary leaves in chicken meat balls, and mate (0.05 and 0.10%) found to yield equal or better protection than rosemary at the same concentration against formation of secondary lipid oxidation products.

CO(2) from Alcoholic Fermentation for Continuous Cultivation of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis in Tubular Photobioreactor Using Urea as Nitrogen Source

Carbon dioxide released from alcoholic fermentation accounts for 33% of the whole CO(2) involved in the use of ethanol as fuel derived from glucose. As Arthrospira platensis can uptake this greenhouse gas, this study evaluates the use of the CO(2) released from alcoholic fermentation for the production of Arthrospira platensis. For this purpose, this cyanobacterium was cultivated in continuous process using urea as nitrogen source, either using CO(2) from alcoholic fermentation, without any treatment, or using pure CO(2) from cylinder. The experiments were carried out at 120 mu mol photons m(-2) s(-1) in tubular photobioreactor at different dilution rates (0.2 <= D <= 0.8 d(-1)). Using CO(2) from alcoholic fermentation, maximum steady-state cell concentration (2661 +/- 71 mg L(-1)) was achieved at D 0.2 d(-1), whereas higher dilution rate (0.6 d(-1)) was needed to maximize cell productivity (839 mg L(-1) d(-1)). This value was 10% lower than the one obtained with pure CO(2), and there was no significant difference in the biomass protein content. With D 0.8 d(-1), it was possible to obtain 56% +/- 1.5% and 50% +/- 1.2% of protein in the dry biomass, using pure CO(2) and CO(2) from alcoholic fermentation, respectively. These results demonstrate that the use of such cost free CO(2) from alcoholic fermentation as carbon source, associated with low cost nitrogen source, may be a promising way to reduce costs of continuous cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms, contributing at the same time to mitigate the greenhouse effect. (C) 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 27: 650-656, 2011

Evaluation of the composition of continuously-cultivated Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis using ammonium chloride as nitrogen source

This work is focused on the influence of dilution rate (0.08 <= D <= 0.32 d(1)) on the continuous cultivation and biomass composition of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis using three different concentrations of ammonium chloride (c(No) = 1.0, 5.0 and 10 mol m (3)) as nitrogen source. At c(No) = 1.0 and 5.0 mol m (3) the biomass protein content was an increasing function of D, whereas, when using c(No) = 10 mol m (3), the highest protein content (72.5%) was obtained at D = 0.12 d (1). An overall evaluation of the process showed that biomass protein content increased with the rate of nitrogen supply (D c(No)) up to 72.5% at D c(No) = 1.20 mol m (3) d (1). Biomass lipid content was an increasing function of D only when the nitrogen source was the limiting factor for the growth (D c(No) <= 0.32 mol m (-3) d (1)), which occurred solely with c(No), = 1.0 mol m (3). Under such conditions, A. platensis reduced its nitrogen reserve in the form of proteins, while maintaining almost unvaried its lipid content. The latter was affected only when the concentration of nitrogen was extremely low (c(No) = 1.0 mol m (3)). The most abundant fatty acids were the palmitic (45.8 +/- 5.20%) and the gamma-linolenic (20.1 +/- 2.00%) ones. No significant alteration in the profiles either of saturated or unsaturated fatty acids was observed with c(No) <= 5.0 mol m (3), prevailing those with 16 and 18 carbons. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Identification of Staphylococcus aureus Carrying the mecA Gene in Ready-to-Eat Food Products Sold in Brazil

Since Staphylococcus aureus can cause several types of diseases, the development of antibiotic resistance poses an even greater threat to public health. S. aureus is known to possess the adaptive capability to promptly respond to antibiotics, making it resistant and increasingly difficult to treat; methicillin-resistant strains of S. aureus are a major concern with regard to this species. Previous studies reported the identification of methicillin-resistant S. aureus in food, demonstrating that this can represent a source of S. aureus which may carry the mecA gene. Fifty-seven S. aureus isolates, previously obtained from different types of food, were screened by polymerase chain reaction with specific primers for the mecA gene, which mediates methicillin resistance. Five (9%) isolates showed the presence of mecA gene, demonstrating that food may contain microorganisms possessing resistance genes. This study emphasizes the need to include food as a possible source of S. aureus carrying mecA gene and the need to monitor these products. Moreover, this is the first report of the presence of mecA genes in S. aureus isolated from ready-to-eat food in Brazil and Latin America.

Fluoride ingestion from food items and dentifrice in 2-6-year-old Brazilian children living in a fluoridated area using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the fluoride intake of 2-6-year-old Brazilian children using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) which also estimated fluoride intake from dentifrice. Methods: The FFQ was previously validated through application to 78 2-6-year-old Brazilian children and then administered to 379 children residing in an optimally fluoridated community in Brazil (Bauru, State of Sao Paulo). The FFQ was applied to the parents and used to estimate the food intake of the children. The constituents of the diet were divided into solids, water and other beverages. The fluoride content of the diet items was analyzed with the fluoride electrode. The questionnaire also estimated fluoride intake from dentifrice. Results: The average (+/- SD) fluoride intake from solids, water, other beverages and dentifrice was 0.008 +/- 0.005; 0.011 +/- 0.004; 0.009 +/- 0.014 and 0.036 +/- 0.028 mg F/kg body weight/day, respectively, totalizing 0.064 +/- 0.035 mg F/kg body weight/day. The dentifrice and the diet contributed with 56.3% and 43.7% of the daily fluoride intake, respectively. Among the children evaluated, 31.2% are estimated to have risk to develop dental fluorosis (intake > 0.07 mg F/kg body weight/day). Conclusions: The dentifrice was the main source of fluoride intake by the children evaluated. However, the fluoride concentration in food items also significantly contributed to the daily ingestion by 2-6-year-old children. The questionnaire used seems to be a promising alternative to duplicate diet to estimate the fluoride intake at this age range and may have potential to be used in broad epidemiological surveys.

Pharmacological Manipulation of Immune-Induced Food Aversion in Rats

Background: Mice allergic to ovalbumin (OVA) avoid drinking a solution containing this antigen. This was interpreted as related to IgE-dependent mast cell degranulation and sensory C fiber activation. Methods: We employed pharmacological manipulation to further investigate the mediators involved in immune-induced food aversion. Results: While nonimmunized rats preferred a sweetened OVA solution, immunized rats avoided it. We also employed a paradigm in which rats are conditioned to drink water for two 10-min sessions a day. Tolerant rats presented lower IgE titers, and this manipulation abrogated food aversion. Dexamethasone (1.0 mg/kg) prevented the aversion of OVA-immunized rats to the antigen-containing solution. Combined blockade of H(1) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)(2) receptors by promethazine (3.0 mg/kg) plus methysergide (5.0 mg/kg) was unable to alter food aversion. Blockade of 5-HT(3) receptors by ondansetron (1.0 mg/kg) caused a twofold increase in the ingestion of the sweetened OVA solution by immunized rats, suggesting the involvement of 5-HT(3) receptors in food aversion. Finally, we showed that dexamethasone or promethazine plus methysergide, but not ondansetron, effectively prevented the IgE-dependent mast-cell-degranulation-induced increase in vascular permeability in rats. Conclusion: We suggest that regardless of whether or not they cause edema, IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation and consequent 5-HT(3) signaling are involved in the process that triggers avoidance to the source of the allergen in allergic rats. Copyright (C) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel

PCDDs in the water/sediment-seagrass-dugong (Dugong dugon) food chain on the Great Barrier Reef (Australia)

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) and dibenzofuran (PCDF) concentrations were measured in sediment and seagrass from five locations in or adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. A full spectrum of Cl(5-8)DDs were present in all samples and, in particular, elevated levels of Cl8DD were found. PCDFs could not be quantified in any samples. The PCDD concentrations ranged over two orders of magnitude between sites, and there was a good correlation between sediment and seagrass levels. There were large quantities of sediment present on the seagrass (20-62% on a dry wt. basis), and it was concluded that this was a primary source of the PCDDs in the seagrass samples. The PCDD levels in the seagrass samples were compared with the levels in the tissue of three dugongs stranded in the same region. The relative accumulation of the 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDD congeners in the dugongs decreased by over two orders of magnitude with increasing degree of chlorination. This was attributed to the reduced absorption of the higher chlorinated congeners in the digestive tract, a behaviour that has been observed in other mammals such as domestic cows. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Edible Azorean macroalgae as source of rich nutrients with impact on human health

Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Espresso coffee residues: a valuable source of unextracted compounds

Espresso spent coffee grounds were chemically characterized to predict their potential, as a source of bioactive compounds, by comparison with the ones from the soluble coffee industry. Sampling included a total of 50 samples from 14 trademarks, collected in several coffee shops and prepared with distinct coffee machines. A high compositional variability was verified, particularly with regard to such water-soluble components as caffeine, total chlorogenic acids (CGA), and minerals, supported by strong positive correlations with total soluble solids retained. This is a direct consequence of the reduced extraction efficiency during espresso coffee preparation, leaving a significant pool of bioactivity retained in the extracted grounds. Besides the lipid (12.5%) and nitrogen (2.3%) contents, similar to those of industrial coffee residues, the CGA content (478.9 mg/100 g), for its antioxidant capacity, and its caffeine content (452.6 mg/100 g), due to its extensive use in the food and pharmaceutical industries, justify the selective assembly of this residue for subsequent use.

A Web-Based geographical information system prototype on Portuguese traditional food products

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies

Multi-elemental analysis of ready-to-eat “baby leaf” vegetables using microwave digestion and high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry

The mineral content (phosphorous (P), potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu)) of eight ready-to-eat baby leaf vegetables was determined. The samples were subjected to microwave-assisted digestion and the minerals were quantified by High-Resolution Continuum Source Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (HR-CS-AAS) with flame and electrothermal atomisation. The methods were optimised and validated producing low LOQs, good repeatability and linearity, and recoveries, ranging from 91% to 110% for the minerals analysed. Phosphorous was determined by a standard colorimetric method. The accuracy of the method was checked by analysing a certified reference material; results were in agreement with the quantified value. The samples had a high content of potassium and calcium, but the principal mineral was iron. The mineral content was stable during storage and baby leaf vegetables could represent a good source of minerals in a balanced diet. A linear discriminant analysis was performed to compare the mineral profile obtained and showed, as expected, that the mineral content was similar between samples from the same family. The Linear Discriminant Analysis was able to discriminate different samples based on their mineral profile.

Freshwater arsenic detoxification through selenium-enriched food supplements. A proteomic approach

Dissertação apresentada para a obtenção do grau de doutor em Bioquímica pela Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia

Eruca sativa: Benefits as antioxidants source versus risks of already banned pesticides

Eruca sativa (rocket salad) has been intensely consumed all over the world, insomuch as, this work was undertaken to evaluate the antioxidant status and the environmental contamination (positive and negative nutritional contribution) of leaves and stems from this vegetable. Antioxidant capacity of rocket salad was assessed by mean of optical methods, such as the total phenolic content (TPC), reducing power assay and DPPH radical scavenging activity. The extent of the environmental contamination was reached through the quantification of thirteen organochlorine pesticides (OCP) by using gas chromatography coupled with electron-capture detector (GC-ECD) and compound confirmations employing gas chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The OCP residues were extracted by using Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) methodology.The extent of the environmental contamination was reached through the quantification of thirteen OCP by using gas chromatography coupled with electron-capture detector (GC-ECD) and compound confirmations employing GC-MS/MS. The OCP residues were extracted by using Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) methodology. This demonstrated that leaves presented more antioxidant activity than stems, emphasizing that leaves contained six times more polyphenolic compounds than stems. In what concerns the OCP occurrence, the average recoveries obtained at the three levels tested (40, 60 and 80 µg kg−1) ranged from 55% to 149% with a relative standard deviation of 11%, (except hexachrorobenzene). Three vegetables samples were collected from supermarkets and analysed following this study. According to data, only one sample achieved 16.21 of β-hexachlorocyclohexane, confirmed by GC-MS/MS. About OCP quantification, the data indicated that only one sample achieved 16.21 µg kg−1 of β-hexachlorocyclohexane, confirmed by GC-MS/MS, being the QuEChERS a good choice for the of OCPs extraction. Furthermore, the leaves consumption guaranty higher levels of antioxidants than stems.

Farm 2.0 Using Wordpress to Manage Geocontent and Promote Regional Food Products

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies.

PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITES AMONG FOOD HANDLERS OF SARI, NORTHERN IRAN

Parasitic infection is highly prevalent throughout the developing countries of the world. Food handlers are a potential source of infection for many intestinal parasites and other enteropathogenic infections as well. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasite carriers among food handlers attending the public health center laboratory in Sari, Northern Iran for annual check-up. The study was performed from August 2011 through February 2012. Stool samples were collected from 1041 male and female food handlers of different jobs aged between 18 to 63 years and were examined following standard procedures. Sociodemographic, environmental and behavioral data analysis of the food handlers were recorded in a separate questionnaire. Intestinal parasites were found in 161 (15.5%) of the studied samples. Seven species of protozoan or helminth infections were detected. Most of the participants were infected with Giardia lamblia (53.9%) followed by Blastocystis hominis (18%), Entamoeba coli (15.5%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (5.5%), Cryptosporidium sp. (3.1%), Iodamoeba butschlii (3.1%) and Hymenolepis nana (1.9%) as the only helminth infection. The findings emphasized that food handlers with different pathogenic organisms may predispose consumers to significant health risks. Routine screening and treatment of food handlers is a proper tool in preventing food-borne infections.