Can rye intake decrease risk of human breast cancer?

Background: Rye contains more fibre and bioactive compounds than other cereals used for bread production. The fibre and compounds of the fibre complex could provide protection against breast cancer (BC). Objective: To review the evidence and theoretical background for a role of rye and some of its components in the prevention of BC. Design: A short review based to a great extent on the work by scientists in the Nordic countries. Results: Some of the possible mechanisms by which the fibre complex could reduce BC risk are presented. The fibre through its effect on fermentation increases esterification of bile acids reducing toxicity of the free bile acids and is involved in the production of butyrate with potential anticancer effects including BC. The fibre reduces the enterohepatic circulation of the oestrogens leading to lower plasma oestrogen concentrations. The fibre complex contains bioactive compounds such as lignans and alkylresorcinols that are antioxidative and potentially anticarcinogenic. In addition, vitamins, minerals, and phytic acid in rye may provide protection against BC. Conclusion: Rye products made from wholegrain rye flour are likely to contribute to reduced BC risk

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of the pH responsive surfactant octyl β-D-glucopyranoside uronic acid

Methodology was developed to expand the range of benign alkyl glycoside surfactants to include also anionic types. This was demonstrated possible through conversion of the glycoside to its carboxyl derivative. Specifically, octyl β-D-glucopyranoside (OG) was oxidized to the corresponding uronic acid (octyl β-D-glucopyranoside uronic acid, OG-COOH) using the catalyst system T. versicolor laccase/2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxy (TEMPO) and oxygen from air as oxidant. The effects of oxygen supply methodology, concentrations of laccase, TEMPO and OG as well as reaction temperature were evaluated. At 10 mM substrate concentration, the substrate was almost quantitatively converted into product and even at a substrate concentration of 60 mM, 85 % conversion was reached within 24 hours. The surfactant properties of OG-COOH were markedly dependent on pH. Foaming was only observed at low pH, while no foam was formed at pH values above 5.0. Thus, OG-COOH can be an attractive low-foaming surfactant, for example for cleaning applications and emulsification, in a wide pH range (pH 1.5-10.0)

Preparation of two glycoside hydrolases for use in micro-aqueous media

Enzymatic synthesis of alkyl glycosides using glycoside hydrolases is well studied, but has yet to reach industrial scale, primarily due to limited yields. Reduced water content should increase yields by limiting the unwanted hydrolytic side reaction. However, previous studies have shown that a reduction in water content surprisingly favors hydrolysis over transglycosylation. In addition, glycoside hydrolases normally require a high degree of hydration to function efficiently. This study compares six enzyme preparation methods to improve resilience and activity of two glycoside hydrolases from Thermotoga neapolitana (TnBgl3B and TnBgl1A) in micro-aqueous hexanol. Indeed, when adsorbed onto Accurel MP-1000 both enzymes increasingly favored transglycosylation over hydrolysis at low hydration, in contrast to freeze-dried or untreated enzyme. Additionally, they displayed 17–70× higher reaction rates compared to freeze-dried enzyme at low water activity, while displaying comparable or lower activity for fully hydrated systems. These results provide valuable information for use of enzymes under micro-aqueous conditions and build toward utilizing the full synthetic potential of glycoside hydrolases

Responsiveness of urinary and plasma alkylresorcinol metabolites to rye intake in Finnish women

Peer reviewe

Cultivos anuales y bianuales de frutilla en el Sudeste de la provincia de Buenos Aires: modificaciones en los parámetros de crecimiento.

Tesis de maestría para obtener el grado de Magíster en Cultivos Intensos, presentada en la Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Esperanza, Santa Fé, Argentina en 2016A nivel mundial se producen 800.0000 toneladas de frutilla (Fragaria ananassa Duch.) y en Argentina 50.000 t en aproximadamente 1.300 hectáreas. El comportamiento productivo de la frutilla varía entre el primer y segundo año para lo cual se evaluaron en este trabajo aspectos ecofisiológicos, productivos y ambientales en la variedad Aromas y en el Cinturón Hortícola Mar del Plata-Miramar (38º16' S, 57º50' O, 29 m.s.n.m.). Tratamientos: plantas de uno y dos años plantación 2009 y plantas de un año plantación 2010. Las plantas de dos años superaron a las de un año en biomasa total, partición hacia los frutos, logrando su mayor tasa de crecimiento en primavera y las de primer año en verano. Al principio del crecimiento las raíces y coronas de plantas de dos años fueron 14 y 24 veces más pesadas que las de las plantas de un año, superándolas también en 12 coronas por planta. En las plantas de un año la tasa de crecimiento del cultivo y de los frutos se correlacionó fuertemente con la temperatura media las que por debajo de 15ºC redujeron la tasa de crecimiento de los frutos. La tasa de crecimiento del cultivo y la evolución del índice de área foliar se correlacionaron con la radiación. La producción de frutos fue significativamente mayor en las plantas de dos años pero su tamaño fue 25% menor por su relación destino:fuente. Las variaciones de la producción observadas parecen estar más relacionados con factores endógenos que a la influencia de la temperatura.About 8.000.000 tons of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.) are produced globally and 50000 t in Argentina in about 1300 hectares. The productive varies between the first and second year, for which ecophysiological, productive and environmental aspects, were evaluated in this work in variety Aromas and in the Horticultural Belt of the City of Mar del Plata-Miramar (38º16 'S, 57º50' W, 29 m). Treatments: one and two years old plants, planted in 2009 and one year old plants, planted in 2010. The two years old plants surpassed to one year old plants in: total biomass and partition to the fruits, having the highest growth rate in spring meanwhile the first year old plants in summer. At the beginning of growth season the roots and crowns of the two years plants were 14 and 24 times heavier than the one year plants, and exceeding them in 12 crowns per plant. In one year old plants the crop growth rate and fruit growth rate were strongly correlated with the average temperature, which below 15 °C reduced the fruit growth rate in all the treatments. The crop growth rate and evolution of leaf area index was correlated with radiation. Fruit production was significantly higher in two year-old plants, although fruit size was 25% lower, which would be explained by the higher target: source ratio. The variations in production appear to be more related to endogenous factors than the temperature influence.EEA BalcarceFil: Adlercreutz, Enrique. INTA, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce, Agencia de Extensión Mar del Plata, Argentina

Jornada de recolección de envases vacíos de fitosanitarios en Mar del Plata

En Argentina se generan 17.000 toneladas por año de plástico de envases de fitosanitarios, de los cuales el 60% son bidones de 20 litros.EEA BalcarceFil: Adlercreutz, Enrique Gustavo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce. Agencia de Extensión Rural Mar del Plata; Argentina