The effect of nutrient fortification of sauces on product stability, sensory properties and subsequent liking by older adults

There are potential nutritional and sensory benefits of adding sauces to hospital meals. The aim of this study was to develop nutrient fortified sauces with acceptable sensory properties suitable for older people at risk of under-nutrition. Tomato, gravy and white sauce were fortified with macro and micro-nutrients using food ingredients rich in energy and protein as well as vitamin and mineral premixes. Sensory profile was assessed by a trained panel. Hedonic liking of fortified compared with standard sauces was evaluated by healthy older volunteers. The fortified sauces had higher nutritional value than the conventional ones, for example the energy content of the fortified tomato, white sauce and gravy formulations were increased between 2.5 and 4 fold compared to their control formulations. Healthy older consumers preferred the fortified tomato sauce compared with unfortified. There were no significant differences in liking between the fortified and standard option for gravy. There were limitations in the extent of fortification with protein, potassium and magnesium, as excessive inclusion resulted in bitterness, undesired flavours or textural issues. This was particularly marked in the white sauce to the extent that their sensory characteristics were not sufficiently optimised for hedonic testing. It is proposed that the development of fortified sauces is a simple approach to improving energy intake for hospitalised older people, both through the nutrient composition of the sauce itself and due to the benefits of increasing sensorial taste and lubrication in the mouth.

Evaluation of Recycled Tiles and OSB Ceiling Materials in Closed Broiler House Prototypes

This study aimed at evaluating the thermal performance of a modular ceiling system for poultry houses. The reduced- and distorted-scale prototypes used ceiling modules made of reforested wood and were covered with recycled long-life package tiles. The following parameters were measured for 21 days: the internal surface temperature (ST), globe temperature and humidity index (WBGT), and radiant heat load (RHL). Measurements were made at times of highest heat load (11:00 am, 13:00 pm, and 03:00 pm). Collected data were analyzed by ""R"" statistics software. Means were compared by multiple comparison test (Tukey) and linear regression was performed, both at 5% significance level. The results showed that the prototype with the ceiling was more efficient to reduce internal tile surface temperature; however, this was not sufficient to provide a comfortable environment for broilers during the growout. Therefore, other techniques to provide proper cooling are required in addition to the ceiling

Reversal of Postprandial Endothelial Dysfunction by Cyclooxygenase Inhibition in Healthy Volunteers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of cyclooxygenase (COX) in venous vascular reactivity changes after an oral lipid overload (OLO). Venous endothelial function (dorsal hand vein technique) was evaluated in fasting, 30 minutes after COX inhibition (aspirin-fasting), 2 to 4 hours after an OLO (1000 kcal, 58% fat), and again after COX inhibition (aspirin-OLO, 600 mg/200 mL water) in 10 healthy adults (age, 28.1 +/- 1.3 years; body mass index, 22.3 +/- 0.6 kg/m(2)). Fasting, 2- to 4-hour post-OLO, and 60-minute postaspirin plasma glucose, insulin, and lipids were also evaluated. The OLO increased triglycerides and insulin, reduced low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein, but glycemia and total cholesterol remained unchanged. There were no metabolic differences between OLO and aspirin-OLO. In fasting, aspirin reduced acetylcholine-induced venodilation (107.0% +/- 14% versus 57.3% +/- 11%; P < 0.001). Vascular reactivity was blunted after the OLO (phenylephrine dose: 0.3 +/- 0.2 fasting versus 1.9 +/- 0.8 nmol/min after OLO; P < 0.001) and was partially corrected by aspirin (0.4 +/- 0.2; P < 0.001). Similar changes were observed in maximum venodilation after acetylcholine (107.0% +/- 14% fasting versus 60.4% +/- 9% after OLO, P < 0.001; aspirin-OLO: 95.9% +/- 6%; P < 0.001). The responses to sodium nitroprusside remained unchanged during the study. We conclude that the OLO reduction in the endothelium-dependent venoconstruction and venodilation is partially the result of the action of COX.

Probing the functionalization of gold surfaces and protein adsorption by PM-IRRAS

The control of morphology and coating of metal surfaces is essential for a number of organic electronic devices including photovoltaic cells and sensors. In this study, we monitor the functionalization of gold surfaces with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA, HS(CH(2))(10)CO(2)H) and cysteamine, aiming at passivating the surfaces for application in surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors. Using polarization-modulated infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS), cyclic voltammetry, atomic force microscopy and quartz crystal microbalance, we observed a time-dependent organization process of the adsorbed MUA monolayer with alkyl chains perpendicular to the gold surface. Such optimized condition for surface passivation was obtained with a systematic search for experimental parameters leading to the lowest electrochemical signal of the functionalized gold electrode. The ability to build supramolecular architectures was also confirmed by detecting with PM-IRRAS the adsorption of streptavidin on the MUA-functionalized gold. As the approaches used for surface functionalization and its verification with PM-IRRAS are generic, one may now envisage monitoring the fabrication of tailored electrodes for a variety of applications.

Corn and soybean meal metabolizable energy with the addition of exogenous enzymes for poultry

Two metabolism assays were carried out to determine corn and soybean meal metabolizable energy when enzymes were added. In the first trial, 35 cockerels per studied feedstuff (corn and soybean meal) were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with four treatments of seven replicates of one bird each. The evaluated treatments were: ingredient (corn and soybean meal) with no enzyme addition, with the addition of an enzyme complex (xylanase, amylase, protease - XAP), xylanase, or phytase. Precise feeding method was used to determine true metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen balance (TMEn). The use of enzymes did not result in any differences (p>0.05) in soybean meal TMEn, but phytase improved corn TMEn in 2.3% (p=0.004). In the second trial, 280 seven-day-old broiler chicks were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with seven treatments of five replicates of eight birds each. Treatments consisted of corn with no enzyme addition or with the addition of amylase, xylanase, phytase, XAP complex, XAP+phytase combination, or xylanase/ pectinase/β-glucanase complex (XPBG). Corn was supplemented with macro and trace minerals. Total excreta collection was used to determine apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn). Differences were observed (p=0.08) in AMEn and dry matter metabolizability coefficient (p=0.03). The combination of the XAP complex with phytase promoted a 2.11% increase in corn AMEn values, and the remaining enzymes allowed increased between 0.86% and 1.66%.

Poultry feed metabolizable energy determination using total or partial excreta collection methods

The aim of this work was to compare the efficiency of total (TC) or partial (PC) collection excreta methods to determine metabolizable energy in poultry feeds. A number of 180 12- to 21-day-old broilers were distributed into two treatments of six replicates of 10 birds each. A reference-diet was formulated to supply broiler requirements, and the test-diets consisted of 60% of reference diets and 40% of corn or soybean meal. Celite was added at 1% to the diets as a marker. Excreta and diet samples were analyzed for dry matter, energy, nitrogen, and acid-insoluble ash (AIA). AME of corn determined by partial collection (PC) was higher (3544 kcal/kg) as compared to total collection (TC) (3133 kcal/kg). However, no difference were observed for soybean meal (1797 vs. 1821 kcal/kg) between both methods. Marker recovery rates in the excreta were 101, 111, and 96% for the basal-diet, and the test-diets with corn or soybean meal, respectively. This result indicates the importance of marker recovery rate in the excreta to evaluate feed AME and digestibility.

Avaliação econômica do uso da restrição alimentar qualitativa para suínos com elevado peso de abate

O objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar economicamente o uso da restrição alimentar qualitativa para suínos machos castrados em terminação sobre o desempenho e as características de carcaça de 60 animais. Dez suínos foram abatidos no início da fase experimental (89,0 ± 4,2 kg) e os demais, alimentados com rações contendo cinco níveis de restrição nutricional qualitativa (0, 5, 10, 15 e 20%), obtidas pela inclusão de casca de arroz finamente moída, até o final do experimento (127,8 ± 2,9 kg). Foram calculados os custos com alimentação durante o período experimental (R$alimento) e estimados os valores de receita bruta de cada carcaça de animais abatidos aos 128 kg (RBsuíno128kg) ou no início do experimento (RBmédia_suíno89kg). A partir destes três dados, foi calculado o resultado líquido (RL) do uso das dietas experimentais (RL = RBsuíno128kg - RBmédia_suíno89kg - R$alimento). Também foram analisadas as variações mensais dos preços do milho, do farelo de soja e do suíno, sendo determinado o preço do milho como o fator de maior impacto sobre a lucratividade do uso da restrição qualitativa. A equação de predição da probabilidade de aumento linear do resultado líquido pelo uso da restrição qualitativa foi determinada em função dos diferentes preços do milho - PM (valor de P RL = 0,392 - 0,625PM, R² = 0,73). Efeito significativo foi observado para preços do milho de cerca de quatro vezes ou mais acima do custo da casca de arroz. Assim, conclui-se que a viabilidade do uso da restrição qualitativa, até o nível de 20%, depende do cenário econômico, mas sobretudo do preço do milho, o principal ingrediente substituído nas rações ao empregar-se a restrição qualitativa, e de sua relação com o custo do resíduo utilizado para diluição energética.

A soy-based product fermented by Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus helveticus inhibits the development of murine breast adenocarcinoma

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Use of three rapid detection systems to evaluate the prevalence and dissemination of Salmonella in a Brazilian poultry slaughterhouse

Prevalence and dissemination of Salmonella in a Brazilian poultry slaughterhouse were evaluated by three rapid detection systems (SS/SV(TM), VICAM, OSRT(TM), Unipath/Oxoid, and REVEAL(TM), Neogen), plus the conventional procedure. The carcasses were sampled after bleeding (P1), defeathering (P2), evisceration (P3), washing (P4), chilling (P5) and the packaged end-product (P6). In the first set of carcasses, the Salmonella incidence determined by the conventional method was 38.3% and 22.5% by SS/SV(TM). In the set for evaluation of OSRT(TM), the number of positive samples was the same detected by the cultural procedure (49.0%). In the third set, the positivity by the conventional procedure was 33.3%, and 5.0% by REVEAL(TM). The comparisons of positives in the first and third sets of carcasses were significantly different (P < 0.05). The positivity for Salmonella, in carcasses at P1 to P6, as determined by at least one of the methods, was 47.5%, 47.5%, 32.5%, 30.0%, 30.0% and 37.7%, respectively.

The effects of propolis on antibody production by laying hens

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Testing the quick meal hypothesis: the effect of pulp on hoarding and seed predation of Hymenaea courbaril by red-rumped agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina)

Red-rumped agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina) are important seed dispersers/predators of Neotropical large-seeded plants. Several species of seeds cached by agoutis have an edible reward, in contrast to temperate rodent-dispersed diaspores. The quick meal hypothesis states that the presence of a reward such as edible pulp will enhance the efficiency of rodents as seed disperses by satiating the animal and, consequently, reducing seed predation and enhancing hoarding. In this study, this hypothesis was tested using as the reference system the pulp and seeds of Hymenaea courbaril. Seeds with and without pulp were offered to agoutis and the behaviour of each individual was recorded. Since the probability of predation and hoarding were complementary, we used the probability of predation. The proportion of agoutis that preyed on at least one seed was similar for seeds with (42.8% of individuals) and without (40.0% of individuals) pulp. In agoutis that preyed upon at least one seed, the probability that they killed a seed did not differ between seeds with (0.17 +/- 0.03) and without (0.20 +/- 0.08) pulp. Hence, these results do not support the 'quick meal hypothesis'.

Chemical composition of Rhodocyclus gelatinosus biomass produced in poultry slaughterhouse wastewater

Rhodocyclus gelatinosus R1 foi cultivado fotoautotroficamente em águas residuais de abatedouro de aves dentro de colunas de vidro (90x670 mm) durante sete dias a 31 ± 4ºC, sob anaerobiose e intensidade luminosa fornecida pela luz do dia e por três lâmpadas incandescentes (100W) mais quatro lâmpadas fluorescentes (40W). O cultivo obtido foi centrifugado (4.500xg/20 min) e liofilizado, originando a biomassa bacteriana, que continha 7,1% de umidade. A determinação da composição centesimal indicou (base seca) 67,6% de proteína bruta, 27,6% de carboidratos totais, 0,6% de lipídeos e 4,2% de cinzas. A composição em aminoácidos da fração protéica da biomassa mostrou-se semelhante à relatada na literatura para Rhodocyclus gelatinosus e para outras bactérias fotossintetizantes. A redução na DQO do efluente após o cultivo e a retirada da biomassa foi da ordem de 90%. A valiosa composição química da biomassa de Rhodocyclus gelatinosus R1 e o alto conteúdo em aminoácidos essenciais indicam o uso potencial desse produto na suplementação de ração para aves.

Avaliação de dietas com diferentes fontes protéicas para cães adultos

Foram comparados os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) de quatro alimentos secos extrusados para cães, cada um formulado com um dos ingredientes protéicos em estudo: farelo de soja (FS); farelo de glúten de milho (GM); farinha de carne e ossos (FCO); e farinha de vísceras de frango (FV). O experimento foi realizado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos (ingredientes protéicos) e seis repetições, totalizando 24 animais. As médias dos tratamentos foram comparadas pelo teste Tukey. O CDA da PB (média ± erro-padrão da média) foi maior na ração à base de GM (88,13±0,40%), seguida pelas dietas com FS (86,31±0,34%), FCO (85,88±0,16%) e FV (84,84±0,15%). O CDA da MS foi maior para a ração com FV (83,69±0,09%), intermediário para GM (82,41±0,23%) e FCO (82,76±0,11%) e menor para FS (81,10±0,16%). As rações à base de proteína animal apresentaram os maiores CDA dos extrativos não-nitrogenados. O teor de MS das fezes dos cães foi elevado na ração com FCO, intermediário naquela com FV e GM e baixo naquela à base de FS. As quatro fontes protéicas estudadas apresentaram bons CDA e, portanto, podem ser utilizadas em rações para cães adultos.

Automatic identification by C-13 NMR of substituent groups bonded in natural product skeletons

The aim of this paper is to present a procedure that utilizes C-13 NMR for identification of substituent groups which are bonded to carbon skeletons of natural products. For so much was developed a new version of the program (MACRONO), that presents a database with 161 substituent types found in the most varied terpenoids. This new version was widely tested in the identification of the substituents of 60 compounds that, after removal of the signals that did not belong to the carbon skeleton, served to test the prediction of skeletons by using other programs of the expert system (SISTEMAT). (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.