Multivariate analysis of pollen frequency of the native species Escallonia pulverulenta (Saxifragaceae) in Chilean honeys

The aim of this work was the identification of geographic zones suitable for the production of honeys in which pollen grains of Escallonia pulverulenta (Ruiz & Pav.) Pers. (Saxifragaceae) can be detected. The analysis of botanical origin of 240 honey samples produced between La Serena and Puerto Mont (the IV and X Administrative Regions of Chile), allowed the detection of pollen grains of E. pulverulenta in 46 Chilean honeys. The geographic distribution of the honeys studied is presented together with their affinities, through factor analysis and frequency tables. The study was based on the presence of E. pulverulenta pollen. Escallonia pulverulenta pollen percentages oscillated between 0.24% and 78.5%. Seventeen of the studied samples were designated as unifloral - i.e. samples showing more than 45% pollen of a determined plant species. Two of these corresponded to E. pulverulenta (corontillo, madroño or barraco) honeys. The remaining unifloral honeys correspond to 8 samples of Lotus uliginosus Schkuhr (birdsfoot trefoil), 2 samples of Aristotelia chilensis (Molina) Stuntz (maqui) and 1 sample of Escallonia rubra (Ruiz & Pav.) Pers. (siete camisas), Eucryphia cordifolia Cav. (ulmo or muemo), Weinmannia trichosperma Cav. (tineo), Rubus ulmifolius Schott (blackberry) and Brassica rapa L. (turnip). Honeys with different percentages of E. pulverulenta pollen - statistically analyzed through correspondence analysis - could be associated and assigned to one of three geographic types, defined on the basis of this analysis. The geographical type areas defined were the Northern Mediterranean Zone (samples from the IV Region), Central Mediterranean Zone (samples from the V to the VIII regions including two samples of unifloral Escallonia pulverulenta honey), and Southern Mediterranean Zone (samples from the IX Region).

Producción mediática y religiosidad: dinámicas transnacionales de las comunicaciones evangélicas

La circulación internacional de bienes simbólicos a través de los medios de comunicación ha generado numerosos debates sobre los modos de interpretar y analizar los procesos comunicacionales en las tramas culturales contemporáneas. En este trabajo nos referimos a la conformación de una cadena de radiofonía evangélica con sede en Miami, integrada por radios afiliadas que retransmiten la señal en distintas ciudades de Latinoamérica. Las características de esta red nos permiten indagar las problemáticas de la globalización, transnacionalización y localización cultural en el ámbito de la religiosidad y los medios de comunicación. Profundizamos en las articulaciones espaciales, las mediaciones culturales y las interrelaciones entre iglesias, medios de comunicación y públicos evangélicos configuradas en el contexto de la producción cultural evangélica internacional.

The blockade of cyclooxygenases-1 and -2 reduces the effects of hypoxia on endothelial cells

Hypoxia activates endothelial cells by the action of reactive oxygen species generated in part by cyclooxygenases (COX) production enhancing leukocyte transmigration. We investigated the effect of specific COX inhibition on the function of endothelial cells exposed to hypoxia. Mouse immortalized endothelial cells were subjected to 30 min of oxygen deprivation by gas exchange. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide dyes and lactate dehydrogenase activity were used to monitor cell viability. The mRNA of COX-1 and -2 was amplified and semi-quantified before and after hypoxia in cells treated or not with indomethacin, a non-selective COX inhibitor. Expression of RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) protein and the protective role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were also investigated by PCR. Gas exchange decreased partial oxygen pressure (PaO2) by 45.12 ± 5.85% (from 162 ± 10 to 73 ± 7.4 mmHg). Thirty minutes of hypoxia decreased cell viability and enhanced lactate dehydrogenase levels compared to control (73.1 ± 2.7 vs 91.2 ± 0.9%, P < 0.02; 35.96 ± 11.64 vs 22.19 ± 9.65%, P = 0.002, respectively). COX-2 and HO-1 mRNA were up-regulated after hypoxia. Indomethacin (300 µM) decreased COX-2, HO-1, hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha and RANTES mRNA and increased cell viability after hypoxia. We conclude that blockade of COX up-regulation can ameliorate endothelial injury, resulting in reduced production of chemokines.

Meditationes sanctarum epistolarum 23

Arkit: A-B4.

Conclusiones quaedam, e florilegio philosophico

Nimiösivulla myös motto: In magnis voluisse fat est: si gloria Christo quaeritur, inde mihi gloria vera venit.

Distribution of aflatoxin contamination in maize samples

The distribution of the aflatoxin contamination was studied among four maize fractions, separated according to Brazilian grading rules for maize. The fraction that contained fermented, moldy, heated and sprouted grains normally had the highest levels of aflatoxin. However, the fraction contribution to the whole sample contamination level took into account the contamination fraction level and its weight to the whole sample. Considering this, the fraction that contained insect damaged, hollow, up to ¼ fermented and grains damaged by other causes was normally the fraction responsible for the total contamination level in the samples. Nevertheless, the fraction contributions were variable from sample to sample. Therefore, in conclusion, it was not possible to establish a standard behavior for grain fraction-type contribution for different maize lots. The Brazilian grading by qualitative types applied to samples did not show statistic correlation with aflatoxin contamination levels (P<0.05). Two type-1 samples (the best quality type) presented contamination of 380 and 146ng/g. The number of samples with contamination levels above those allowed by Brazilian law (20ng/g) was the same for qualitative types 2, 3, and BS (Below Standard).

Perfil da contaminação com aflatoxina entre embalagens de produtos de amendoim

Este estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o perfil da distribuição da contaminação com aflatoxinas entre embalagens constituintes de lotes de confeitos de amendoim, expostos à venda no comércio. Os dados da distribuição da ocorrência e dos níveis de contaminação, aqui obtidos, sugerem que os procedimentos de amostragem, visando à detecção de aflatoxinas em produtos processados, sempre estarão associando um grau de incerteza muito elevado quanto à presença ou não e quanto ao nível médio de contaminação de um lote de produto processado. Entretanto, para melhorá-los, devem-se considerar as diferenças existentes entre os produtos com relação ao processamento ou não dos grãos que constituem sua matéria-prima, pois, em lotes de produtos em que a matéria-prima foi triturada ou moída, como por exemplo, o doce de amendoim do tipo paçoca, a distribuição da ocorrência e dos níveis mostrou um grau bem mais elevado de homogeneidade, quando comparado ao amendoim japonês que mantém a integridade da matéria-prima durante o seu processo de fabricação.

Ocorrência de desoxinivalenol em trigo nacional e importado utilizado no Brasil

A fusariose, também conhecida como giberela é uma doença importante, causada principalmente pelo fungo Fusarium graminearum, que afeta de forma generalizada as regiões produtoras de trigo do Brasil e dos principais países do qual o produto é importado. Além dos danos diretos causados pela doença, os grãos infectados podem ser tóxicos para o homem e animais devido à presença de micotoxinas especialmente o desoxinivalenol (DON). A contaminação com DON foi avaliada em 100 amostras de trigo, sendo 50 de trigo nacional (provenientes dos Estados de São Paulo, Paraná e Rio Grande do Sul) e 50 de trigo importado (Argentina e Paraguai). As amostras foram coletadas durante o período de maio a dezembro de 2005 de empresas que normalmente comercializam ou processam trigo e foram analisadas por cromatografia em camada delgada. Os resultados indicaram que, do total de amostras avaliadas, 94% do trigo nacional e 88% do trigo importado apresentaram-se positivas quanto a presença de DON. Os níveis médios de contaminação com DON do trigo nacional (332 µg.kg- 1) foram maiores (p < 0,05) do que do trigo importado (90 µg.kg -1). Apenas 2 amostras (4%) do trigo nacional apresentaram níveis de contaminação maiores que 1.250 µg.kg -1, teor máximo aceitável pela Comunidade Européia.

Caracterização físico-química e aminas bioativas em vinhos da cv. Syrah I: efeito do ciclo de produção

A ocorrência sistemática de dias chuvosos ou com alta nebulosidade e temperaturas ambientais elevadas prejudicam a maturação e a sanidade das uvas. Estudos recentes indicam que a alteração do ciclo de produção da videira através da poda possibilita colher uvas em épocas mais favoráveis à maturação, e com níveis de produção aceitáveis. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o perfil analítico dos vinhos de Syrah de safras de verão e inverno dos anos 2005 e 2006 produzidos em Três Corações (MG). Os vinhos do inverno de 2005 apresentaram valores superiores de pH (3,91 × 3,59), polifenóis totais (49,2 × 32,5), intensidade de cor (10,75 × 5,68), antocianinas (121,48 × 41,09 mg.L-1 ), fenólicos totais (2,06 × 1,21 g.L-1), álcool (12,65 × 10,78% v/v) e aminas bioativas (10,36 × 4,46 mg.L-1) quando comparados aos de verão. Comportamento semelhante foi obtido na safra de 2006. Os vinhos de inverno apresentaram maior conteúdo de compostos fenólicos, o que indica maior qualidade e maior potencial de guarda. Entretanto, o cultivo em estação seca e o elevado pH do mosto contribuíram para um aumento no teor de aminas bioativas, cuja evolução deve ser controlada na vinificação para evitar riscos à saúde humana.

Propiedades termodinámicas de sorción de agua de la pulpa de lulo en polvo con encapsulantes

Datos de humedad de equilibrio de polvo de pulpa de lulo (PL) con y sin aditivos - 58% de maltodextrina (MD) o 58% de goma Arábiga (GA) - fueran determinados en las temperaturas de 20, 30, 40 y 50 °C utilizando el método estático gravimétrico para un rango de actividades de agua entre 0.06 y 0.90. Las isotermas presentaran formato sigmoidal del tipo III, y el modelo de Guggenhein-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) fue ajustado satisfactoriamente a los datos experimentales de humedad de equilibrio en función de la actividad de agua. La adición de encapsulantes afecto las isotermas de tal manera que en la misma actividad de agua, las muestras PL + GA y PL + MD presentaron un menor contenido de humedad de equilibrio y no fueron afectadas por la variación de temperatura. Los calores isostéricos de sorción de las pulpas en polvo con encapsulantes fueron mayores (menos negativos) con relación a las pulpas de lulo en polvo, sugiriendo la existencia de sitios polares más activos en el producto sin adición de GA o MD. Una relación exponencial empírica fue utilizada para describir la dependencia del calor de sorción con el contenido de humedad del material.

Acceptance of nanotechnology applications and satisfaction with food-related life in southern Chile

Given the increasing use of nanotechnology in food production and packaging, its acceptance was evaluated in Temuco, Chile, and different consumer segments were identified. Different brands of sunflower oil were used at different prices as a case study. A structured questionnaire was applied to 400 supermarket shoppers. It was determined that brand was more important than nanotechnology application in packaging and food, and more important than price. The consumers preferred an average priced oil with a manufacturer's brand with nanoparticles to reduce cholesterol, and packaging with nanoparticles to increase the shelf life of the product and to prevent the growth of microorganisms. Three consumer segments were distinguished by the cluster analysis. The largest segment (44%) preferred the oil without nanotechnology. The second (35.2%) preferred the oil with nanotechnology in the food and the packaging, and the greatest preference was for packaging with nanoparticles extension in the shelf life of the product. The third segment (20.8%) had similar behavior, but it showed greater preference for the oil with nanoparticles that reduced cholesterol and for the packaging that prevented the growth of bacteria and viruses. The segments differed in terms of their satisfaction with food-related life and lifestyle. It was found that over 50% of the participants preferred oil with nanotechnology applications.

Effects of sequential enzymatic hydrolysis on structural, bioactive and functional properties of Phaseolus lunatus protein isolate

Significant initiatives exist within the global food market to search for new, alternative protein sources with better technological, functional, and nutritional properties. Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) protein isolate was hydrolyzed using a sequential pepsin-pancreatin enzymatic system. Hydrolysis was performed to produce limited (LH) and extensive hydrolysate (EH), each with different degrees of hydrolysis (DH). The effects of hydrolysis were evaluated in vitro in both hydrolysates based on structural, functional and bioactive properties. Structural properties analyzed by electrophoretic profile indicated that LH showed residual structures very similar to protein isolate (PI), although composed of mixtures of polypeptides that increased hydrophobic surface and denaturation temperature. Functionality of LH was associated with amino acid composition and hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance, which increased solubility at values close to the isoelectric point. Foaming and emulsifying activity index values were also higher than those of PI. EH showed a structure composed of mixtures of polypeptides and peptides of low molecular weight, whose intrinsic hydrophobicity and amino acid profile values were associated with antioxidant capacity, as well as inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme. The results obtained indicated the potential of Phaseolus lunatus hydrolysates to be incorporated into foods to improve techno-functional properties and impart bioactive properties.

ACE-I inhibitory properties of hydrolysates from germinated and ungerminated Phaseolus lunatus proteins

Phaseolus lunatus protein concentrates and the proteases Alcalase(R) and Pepsin-Pancreatin were used for the production of protein hydrolysates that inhibit angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE). Protein concentrate obtained from germinated and ungerminated seeds flour was hydrolyzed with Alcalase(R) at enzyme/substrate ratio (E/S) 1/10 and during 0.5 and 2.0 h, respectively. On the other hand, protein concentrate obtained from ungerminated (E/S: 1/10) and germinated (E/S: 1/50) seeds flour was sequentially hydrolyzed with Pepsin-Pancreatin during 1.0 and 3.0 h, respectively. Peptide fractions with ACE inhibitory activity in a range of 0.9 to 3.8 µg/mL were obtained by G-50 gel filtration chromatography and high- performance liquid chromatography C18 reverse phase chromatography. The observed amino acid composition suggests a substantial contribution of hydrophobic residues to the peptides’ inhibitory potency, which potentially acts via blocking of angiotensin II production. These results show that P. lunatus seed proteins are a potential source of ACE inhibitory peptides when hydrolyzed with Alcalase(R) and Pepsin-Pancreatin.

Germinacion y vigor de semillas de soja del grupo de maduracion III cosechadas bajo diferentes condiciones climáticas

Las semillas de soja muestran una alta sensibilidad a las condiciones climáticas y al manejo durante y después de la cosecha. En el ciclo agrícola 1997/1998 el fenómeno de "El Niño"produjo copiosas lluvias, afectando la calidad de las semillas. La finalidad de este trabajo fue estudiar el comportamiento germinativo diferencial entre semilla de soja cosechada a término y semilla sometida a deterioración a campo (por humedad) y la posible existencia de variabilidad genética, para ese parámetro, en la semilla de soja deteriorada. Se utilizaron veinte variedades pertenecientes al Grupo de Maduración III. De cada variedad se procesaron dos lotes: semilla cosechada a término, bajo condiciones agro climáticas favorables ("buena") y semilla deteriorada por condiciones agro climáticas desfavorables durante el retraso de su cosecha ("mala"). Se realizaron ensayos de germinación, Tetrazolio y conductividad eléctrica para análisis de viabilidad y de vigor y emergencia a campo. En las semillas "buenas"la germinación alcanzó los valores más altos, entre 70% y 80%. Sólo en el 55% de los lotes, el vigor varió entre 32 y 67% y la emergencia a campo entre 31% y 61%. La prueba de vigor por Tetrazolio fue la que mejor evaluó la implantación a campo. Hubo correlación significativa entre todas las pruebas. Los lotes "malos" presentaron germinación muy baja, entre 0 y 27%. No se detectó variabilidad en la respuesta germinativa de las diferentes variedades a condiciones de cosecha desfavorables.

Troparium -prosarium Narbonense.

F. 1 Chant des généalogies et épîtres farcies pour Noël et l'Épiphanie. F. 9 « Kyrie » farcis, classés par tons. F. 24 « Gloria » farcis. F. 41-199v Prosier des principales fêtes du temporal et du sanctoral : — s. Nazaire (132) ; — ss. Just et Pasteur (136 et 175) ; — ste Eulalie (165v) ; — ss. Nazaire et Celse (addit. XIIIe s.) (197). F. 200 « Sanctus » farcis. F. 216 « Agnus » farcis. F. 217v et 218 « Christus vincit... », avec addition des noms de Grégoire X et Philippe III. F. 220 « O Redemptor, sume carmen... » cf. Chevalier n° 13616, et « Kyrie » farci (addit. XIIIe s.).