Rapid, quantitative determination of polar compounds in fats and oils by solid-phase extraction and size-exclusion chromatography using monostearin as internal standard

A rapid and simple method was developed for quantitation of polar compounds in fats and oils using monostearin as internal standard. Starting from 50 mg of oil sample, polar compounds were obtained by solid-phase extraction (silica cartridges) and subsequently separated by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography into triglyceride polymers, triglyceride dimers, oxidized triglyceride monomers, diglycerides, internal standard and fatty acids. Quantitation of total polar compounds was achieved through the internal standard method and then amounts of each group of compounds could be calculated. A pool of polar compounds was used to check linearity, precision and accuracy of the method, as well as the solid-phase extraction recovery. The procedure was applied to samples with different content of polar compounds and good quantitative results were obtained, especially for samples of low alteration level.

Gas Chromatographic Determination of Cyprodinil, Fludioxonil, Pyrimethanil, and Tebuconazole in Grapes, Must, and Wine

A rapid and simple gas chromatographic method for determinating cyprodinil, fludioxonil, pyrimethanil, and tebuconazole in grapes, must, and wine is described. An on-line microextraction method was used with a one-step extraction-partition procedure. Nitrogen-phosphorus and mass spectrometric detectors were used, because of their low sensitivity and high selectivity. Because of high selectivity of detector, no cleanup was necessary and the extract was concentrated 5 times. Recoveries from fortified grapes, must, and wine ranged from 93 to 110%. Limits of determination were 0.05 mg/kg for cyprodinil and pyrimethanil and 0.10 mg/kg for fludioxonil and tebuconazole.

Carotenoid composition of hydroponic leafy vegetables

Because hydroponic production of vegetables is becoming more common, the carotenoid composition of hydroponic leafy vegetables commercialized in Campinas, Brazil, was determined. All samples were collected and analyzed in winter. Lactucaxanthin was quantified for the first time and was found to have concentrations similar to that of neoxanthin in the four types of lettuce analyzed. Lutein predominated in cress, chicory, and roquette (75.4 ± 10.2, 57.0 ± 10.3, and 52.2 ± 12.6 μg/g, respectively). In the lactucaxanthin-containing lettuces, β-carotene and lutein were the principal carotenoids (ranging from 9.9 ± 1.5 to 24.6 ± 3.1 μg/g and from 10.2 ± 1.0 to 22.9 ± 2.6 μg/g, respectively). Comparison of hydroponic and field-produced curly lettuce, taken from neighboring farms, showed that the hydroponic lettuce had significantly lower lutein, β-carotene, violaxanthin, and neoxanthin contents than the conventionally produced lettuce. Because the hydroponic farm had a polyethylene covering, less exposure to sunlight and lower temperatures may have decreased carotenogenesis.

An alternative LC-UV procedure for the determination of prochloraz residues in fruits

An alternative method using liquid chromatography with UV detection for the determination of prochloraz as 2,4,6-trichlorophenol in mango, papaya and orange is described. Ethyl acetate, acetone and dichloromethane were tested for extraction of prochloraz from the fruits. After extraction the residue of prochloraz was derivatized with pyridine hydrochloride. The analysis was carried out using liquid chromatography with UV detection and gas chromatography with electron-capture detection. Average recoveries of prochloraz from spiked fruits (0.1 and 0.2 mg kg-1) ranged from 80% to 94% with relative standard deviations between 5.6% and 12.6% (n=8). Detection and quantification limits were 0.05 and 0.1 mg kg-1, respectively. The LC-UV method was applied to mango and papaya samples submitted to dip treatment with a prochloraz formulation under laboratory conditions. In addition, fruit samples obtained from local markets were analysed. ©2005 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.

Panoramic view of the occurrence of Yersinia species other than Y. pestis in Brazil

Data on the occurrence of Yersinia species, other than Y. pestis in Brazil are presented. Over the past 40 years, 767 Yersinia strains have been identified and typed by the National Reference Center on Yersinia spp. other than Y. pestis, using the classical biochemical tests for species characterization. The strains were further classified into biotypes, serotypes and phagetypes when pertinent. These tests led to the identification of Yersinia cultures belonging to the species Y. enterocolitica, Y. pseudotuberculosis, Y. intermedia, Y. frederiksenii and Y. kristensenii. Six isolates could not be classified in any of the known Yersinia species and for this reason were defined as Non-typable (NT). The bio-sero-phagetypes of these strains were diverse. The following species of Yersinia were not identified among the Brazilian strains by the classical phenotypic or biochemical tests: Y. aldovae, Y. rhodei, Y. mollaretti, Y. bercovieri and Y. ruckeri. The Yersinia strains were isolated from clinical material taken from sick and/or healthy humans and animals, from various types of food and from the environment, by investigators of various Institutions localized in different cities and regions of Brazil.

β-casein gene polymorphism permits identification of bovine milk mixed with bubaline milk in mozzarella cheese

Mozzarella cheese is traditionally prepared from bubaline (Bubalus bubalis) milk, but product adulteration occurs mainly by addition of or full substitution by bovine milk. The aim of this study was to show the usefulnes of molecular markers to identify the admixture of bovine milk to bubaline milk during the manufacturing process of mozzarella cheese. Samples of mozzarella cheese were produced by adding seven different concentrations of bovine milk: 0%, 1%, 2%, 5%, 8%, 12% and 100%. DNA extracted from somatic cells found in cheese were submitted to PCR-RFLP analysis of casein genes: α-s1-CN - CSN1S1 that encompasses 954 bp from exon VII to intron IX (AluI and HinfI), β-CN - CSN2 including 495 bp of exon VII (Hae III and HinfI), and κ-CN - CSN3, encompassing 373 bp of exon IV (AluI and HindIII). Our results indicate that Hae III-RFLP of CSN2exon VII can be used as a molecular marker to detect the presence of bovine milk in mozzarella cheese. Copyright © 2008, Sociedade Brasileira de Genética.

Metabolic syndrome signs in Wistar rats submitted to different high-fructose ingestion protocols

In search of an adequate model for the human metabolic syndrome, the metabolic characteristics of Wistar rats were analysed after being submitted to different protocols of high fructose ingestion. First, two adult rat groups (aged 90 d) were studied: a control group (C1; n 6) received regular rodent chow (Labina, Purina) and a fructose group (F1; n 6) was fed on regular rodent chow. Fructose was administered as a 10 % solution in drinking water. Second, two adult rat groups (aged 90 d) were evaluated: a control group (C2; n 6) was fed on a balanced diet (AIN-93G) and a fructose group (F2; n 6) was fed on a purified 60 % fructose diet. Finally, two young rat groups (aged 28 d) were analysed: a control group (C3; n 6) was fed on the AIN-93G diet and a fructose group (F3; n 6) was fed on a 60 % fructose diet. After 4-8 weeks, the animals were evaluated. Glucose tolerance, peripheral insulin sensitivity, blood lipid profile and body fat were analysed. In the fructose groups F2 and F3 glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were lower, while triacylglycerolaemia was higher than the respective controls C2 and C3 (P < 0.05). Blood total cholesterol, HDL and LDL as well as body fat showed change only in the second protocol. In conclusion, high fructose intake is more effective at producing the signs of the metabolic syndrome in adult than in young Wistar rats. Additionally, diet seems to be a more effective way of fructose administration than drinking water.

Wine aroma improvement using a β-glucosidase preparation from aureobasidium pullulans

Microbial β-glucosidases have been used for the enhancement of wine aroma. Nevertheless, few enzymes are active in the conditions of winemaking. In this work, the production of a β-glucosidase by an Aureobasidium pullulans strain (Ap-β-gl) isolated from grape ecosystems was evaluated. The maximum enzymatic synthesis using submerged fermentation was after 96 h of growth in complex media containing 20 g/L of cellobiose as the sole carbon source. The crude enzyme (Ap-β-gl) showed optimal pH at 5.5 and two peaks of optimum temperature (at 45 and 70 C). It showed a wide range of pH stability, stability at low temperatures, and tolerance to ethanol, showing suitable characteristics for winemaking conditions. The hydrolysis of glycosidic terpenes by Ap-β-gl was studied, and its ability to efficiently release free terpenols was demonstrated by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The enzymatic treatment notably increased the amount of monoterpenes, showing good prospects for its potential application for the development of aroma in wines. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Effects of (-)-cubebin (Piper cubeba) on cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and expression of p38 MAP kinase and GSTa2 in a hepatoma cell line

(-)-Cubebin is a lignan extracted from the seeds of the pepper Piper cubeba, a commonly eaten spice with beneficial properties, including trypanocidal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-proliferative and leishmanicidal activities. Because of its therapeutic potential, we investigated the effects of (-)-cubebin on the cytotoxicity, cell proliferation kinetics, mutagenicity and expression of p38 MAP kinase and glutathione S-transferase a2 (GSTa2) using real-time RT-PCR in Rattus norvegicus hepatoma cells. We found that 280 μM (-)-cubebin was cytotoxic after 24, 48 and 72. h of exposure, but not mutagenic at 0.28 μM, 2.8 μM and 28 μM after 26. h. Similarly, exposure to 0.28 μM, 2.8 μM and 28 μM (-)-cubebin for 24, 48, 72 and 96. h did not alter the cell proliferation kinetics. Cells exposed to 28 μM (-)-cubebin for 24. h did not exhibit changes in p38 MAP kinase and GSTa2 expression, indicating that cellular changes were not induced by extracellular stimuli and that (-)-cubebin is likely not metabolized via this pathway. Our results suggest that high levels of (-)-cubebin should be consumed with caution due to the cytotoxic effect observed at the highest concentration. However, at lower concentrations, no cytotoxic, mutagenic or proliferative effects were observed, providing further evidence of the safety of consuming (-)-cubebin. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

Quantification of methomyl levels in cabbage, tomato, and soya milk using a renewable amperometric biosensor

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

Avaliação microbiológica de carcaças congeladas de perus adquiridas no comércio varejista

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV

Amperometric glucose biosensor based on layer-by-layer films of microperoxidase-11 and liposome-encapsulated glucose oxidase

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

Avaliação de qualidade de amidos de mandioca modificados utilizados na fabricação de pão de queijo

The food industry looks for new ways and strategies to standardize the marketing products in the customer market. The modification of the cornflour that are produced in the manufacturing of the cheese bread has been one of the these ways, since some raw materials that are used to make the cornflour present different features in each supplyed allotment. The present research had as a main purpose to analyse such features looking forward to improving the quality of the final product. Thus, some tests were done to verify the pH, humidity and acidity; it was checked the percentage of carbonyl and carboxylic groups and the power of expansion to five different allotments and to farina, for example: pre-gel, natural, expandex farina as the combination of the three cited kinds. After diversifying the allotments, different results were acquired, even to an unique kind of farina and it was not possible to correlate the results of acidity, the percentage of carbonyl and carboxylic groups and the power of expansion. The pH and humidity are proper for each kind of farina. This way, the raw materials that are used for each cheese bread manufacturing must be analysed in each allotment

Chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of fresh sugarcane hydrolysed with calcium oxide (CaO)

The objective was to evaluate the chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of sugarcane hydrolysed with increasing doses of calcium oxide and varying air exposure times. A completely randomised, split plot design was used; the doses were allocated to the plots, and the air exposure times were allocated to the subplots, with four repetitions. The data underwent analysis of variance and were laid out according to the effect of the treatment on the components of polynomial regressions, and evaluated at the 5% probability. The increase in the dosage negatively affected the quantities of neutral-detergent fibre (NDF), acid-detergent fibre (ADF), lignin (LIG), total carbohydrates (TC), cellulose (CEL), crude protein (CP), and ether extract (EE); and positively affected the quantities of non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) and mineral matter (MM). The addition of calcium oxide improved the in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDMD) coefficients and was able to keep up to 72 hours. The in vitro digestibility of the neutral-detergent fibre (IVDNDF) and of the acid-detergent fibre (IVDADF) coefficients decreased when calcium oxide was added. Calcium oxide has the ability to hydrolyse the fibrous fraction and conserve chopped sugarcane. Doses of 0.5 and 1.0% lime exhibited similar results to those achieved at higher doses; therefore, higher doses are not required in the hydrolyses of sugarcane. Over time, the sugarcane deteriorates, but this deterioration is reduced by the addition of calcium oxide.