Investigating the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on the phytochemical variation of lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) in Norway

Lingonberry is an evergreen dwarf shrub abundant and is a food traditionally regarded as a staple of Nordic diets. There is limited commercial harvest of these readily available berries. The objective of this doctoral thesis is to investigate how the composition Norwegian lingonberries vary and investigate how the composition of the lingonberries is affected by abiotic and biotic growth conditions. The thesis consists of four papers of which three studies were controlled condition studies investigating the effects of ripening, light conditions, and temperature during ripening on the composition of the targeted compounds in lingonberries. The fourth paper of the thesis investigates the variation in composition of wild Norwegian lingonberries and how different environmental factors influences this composition. In lingonberries in total 29 phenolic compounds, sucrose, glucose and fructose as well as 4 organic acids and 77 volatile organic compounds were detected in lingonberries. In the controlled condition studies time of harvest significantly influences the quality of the lingonberries. Spectral light composition with supplemental blue wavelengths increased the content of anthocyanins, and slightly influenced the ratio of sugars to organic acids. There was only a limited effect of light intensity on the content of anthocyanins in lingonberries. Berries grown at lower temperatures had a higher content of anthocyanins and organic acids, whereas the other phenolic compounds were not significantly influenced. Latitude and temperature had the most significant effect on the content of anthocyanins in lingonberries. While light conditions only slightly influence berry quality, factors such as amount of precipitation during ripening and the density of deciduous trees and altitude, also significantly influenced berry quality. Precipitation influenced the content of organic acids in the field study. The result from this study further strengthens the evidence that lingonberries are a rich source for dietary polyphenols, and that berry quality increases with later harvest times. High quality lingonberries can be found across the country with large variation within local areas. The combination of field experiments and controlled condition experiments showed that weather conditions during ripening, latitude and density of deciduous trees all influence berry quality

Evaluation of extraction methods for determination of phenolic compounds, organic acids and sugars in lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea)

Health benefits of lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) have been linked to phenolic compounds, whereas organic acids and sugars are important for the taste of the berries. Contents of these compounds combined can be used to determine lingonberry quality. Extraction is a critical step in analyses, and many different methods have been used. The aim of the study was to evaluate different extraction methods and to determine if one single extraction method could be used to measure the content of phenolic compounds, organic acids, and sugars in lingonberries. Depending on extraction method and season, the concentrations of anthocyanins, flavonols, selected flavan-3-ols, and cinnamic acid containing compounds (CAC) in the lingonberries were 48-105, 14-32, 73-189, and 12-23 mg 100 g-1 fw, respectively. The organic acids (2.3-2.9 mg 100 g-1 fw) were mainly citric and quinic acid and the sugars (5.3-6.9 g 100 g) were glucose and fructose. 70% methanol was the best extraction solvent for anthocyanins, whereas 70% acetone was more efficient for flavan-3-ols. For extraction of CAC, flavonols, organic acids and sugars, 70% methanol and 70% acetone were equally efficient. Similar results were obtained from fresh and freeze-dried berries, but deviation between parallels was lower when extracting from freeze-dried berries. Considering both accuracy and time of preparation, extracting freeze-dried berries with 70% methanol was considered the best extraction method for analyzing compounds important for quality of lingonberries

Study of carbohydrates in Euglena gracilis

The literature review deals with the basics of microalgae, microalgal cultivation and harvest, and the organism Euglena gracilis. The carbohydrates found in E. gracilis are discussed, with the focus on the storage carbohydrate paramylon. The review also deals with effects of cultivation conditions on composition of microalgae. The aim of the experimental work was to investigate carbohydrate composition in E. gracilis, and in this way increase the knowledge of the microalgae. E. gracilis cultivated in five different environments was studied for content of the beta-glucan paramylon, as well as free sugars and oligosaccharides. As the method used for determination of paramylon content was a gravimetric method, a glucose measurement, protein determination and size-exclusion chromatography were performed on the paramylon isolated. In addition, the effect of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of the biomass to extract high value compounds on the overall carbohydrate composition and content was also investigated. In addition, the SFE samples were also analysed according to the AOAC method for dietary fibre The paramylon content in the E. gracilis biomass was between 22 and 40 % of the dry biomass. SEC analysis of this paramylon isolated showed that it was of molecular weight around 150 kDa, but that it was not only paramylon that had been isolated, but the isolates also contained impurities. This was also confirmed by the analysis of glucose and protein in the isolates. Possible compounds that can have been isolated with the paramylon are leftover peptides bound to the tight paramylon structure, chlorophyll, or glycoproteins. The most abundant sugars found in E. gracilis biomass were mannitol, trehalose and glucose, with a total content of and the total content of the samples were from between 2.4 and 14.9 % of the E. gracilis of the total dry mass. There were also some other unquantified free sugars, such as lactose seen in the E. gracilis biomass. The oligosaccharide content was considered low and not further quantified

Safety of phenylcapsaicin as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on phenylcapsaicin as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. Phenylcapsaicin is a chemically synthesised analogue of capsaicin intended to be marketed in food supplements and in foods for special medical purposes to the general population above the age of 11 years old at a maximum level of 2.5 mg/day. The highest intake of the NF is 2.5 mg/day which corresponds to 36 mu g/kg body weight (bw) per day for adults, and 58 mu g/kg bw per day for adolescents (10-14 years). The Panel considers that there is no concern with respect to genotoxicity of the NF. The reference point derived based on a 13-week rat study was the lowest of the model averaged BMDL20 values of 37.2 mg/kg bw per day in females for increased plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) levels. The Panel concludes that the NF, phenylcapsaicin, is safe under the proposed uses and use levels. (C) 2019 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.Peer reviewe

Customising user-friendly technology for achieving safer homes : a process of interaction

Den demografiske utviklingen i Norge og Europa viser at andelen eldre i befolkningen stadig øker. Utviklingen genererer et behov for større ressurser til helse og omsorgssektoren, samtidig presser kravet til nye eller proaktive tjenester seg frem. Innovasjonen tryggere hjem konseptet er utgangspunktet for denne studien. Tryggere hjem konseptet er utviklet med elektronisk styring, tilsyn og kommunikasjons funksjoner som er videreutviklet fra smarthusteknologi. Slik teknologi gir mulighet for styring av ulike funksjoner som kommunikasjon mellom bolig og tjenesteytere samt aktivt eller passivt tilsyn i boligen. Caset i oppgaven består av tre hovedaktører. Privat produktutvikler som har utviklet tryggere hjem konseptet. Konseptet er delvis integrert som et pilotprosjekt ved omsorgsboliger, i Nord-Odal kommune som er den andre aktøren. Brukerne som har kjøpt leiligheter som omsorgsboliger er den tredje aktøren. Oppgaven har som mål å belyse hvilke forhold ved rammebetingelsene og ved samhandlingen aktørene vektlegger som hemmende eller fremmende for produktutvikling i tryggere hjem konseptet. Aktørene plasseres inn i et systemisk innovasjonsperspektiv, der produktinnovasjonen og den potensielle prosessinnovasjonen ved tryggere hjem konseptet, er del av et innovasjonssystem. Fokus på åpne eller lukkede grenser mellom aktørene i systemet er helt sentralt for å kunne definere graden av samhandling. Kvalitativ metode danner grunnlaget for innhenting av data hos aktørene ved bruk av semi-strukturerte intervjuer. Data drøftes ved å presentere funn inn i ulike sammenhenger for å synliggjøre rammebetingelser og forhold ved samhandling slik de oppfattes av aktørenes. Disse sammenhengene relaterer seg til faktorer som påvirker adaptasjon av innovasjoner, økonomiske og organisatoriske forutsetninger, motivasjon, insitamenter, kommunikasjon, læring og policy learning. Vi har identifisert to interessegrupper blant aktørene. En gruppe på operativt nivå i pleie- og omsorgssektoren og en gruppe hos daglig ledelse i Tryggere hjem AS. Disse interessegruppene har ulike målsettinger knyttet til tryggere hjem konseptet. Både leverandøren og operativt nivå i kommunens omsorgstjeneste har begge god intern samhandling og et bevisst forhold til utvikling. Det innebærer et sterkt fokus på å ta i bruk nye metoder i forbindelse med innføringen av nye hjelpemidler og tilpassning av tjenester til brukerne. Begge aktører lærer gjennom samhandling med eksterne samarbeidspartnere, men de har ingen samhandling knyttet til utvikling av tryggere hjem konseptet. Kommunikasjonen knyttet til utviklingen av innovasjonen er i lite grad koordinert mellom de ulike aktørene, og internt i organisasjonen hos den enkelte aktør. Funn viser at alle aktørene oppfatter at det eksisterer store svakheter ved kommunikasjonen slik den var ved prosjekteringen av boligene og gjennom initiering samt implementering av tryggere hjem konseptet. Det synes å være mange barrierer som skal brytes for at tryggere hjem konseptet kan realiseres i sin helhet med både tilsyn, styring og kommunikasjonsløsninger. De ulike forhold ved rammebetingelsene og ved samhandlingen er samlet til hinder for åpning av grensene mellom aktørene. Det er allikevel muligheter for en videre produktutvikling i tryggere hjem konseptet ved at aktører på operativt nivå i kommunen og hos leverandøren, ønsker et samarbeid hvor brukernes omsorgsbehov kartlegges. Slik kartlegging er også utgangspunkt for tilpassning av teknologi til brukerne. Leverandøren og bruker kan som produktutvikler og kunde samhandle om utviklingen av styringselementene i tryggere hjem konseptet på tross av de funn som viser at det er vanskelig å bryte ned grensene mellom aktørene

Composition of Sugars, Organic Acids, Phenolic Compounds, and Volatile Organic Compounds in Lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) at Five Ripening Stages

Wild lingonberries are a traditional source of food in the Nordic countries and an important contributor to economic activity of non-wood forest products in the region. Lingonberries are a rich source of bioactive compounds and can be a valuable contributor to a healthy diet. However, there are few studies available on how the bioactive compounds in lingonberries develop as they ripen. In this investigation, we examined the content of 27 phenolic compounds, three sugars, four organic acids, and 71 volatile organic compounds at five ripening stages. The study showed that, while the highest content of phenolic compounds was found early in the development, the organoleptic quality of the fruits improved as they ripened. From the first to the last stage of development, anthocyanins went from being nearly absent to 100 mg/100 g fw, and there was an increased content of sugars from 2.7 to 7.2 g/100 g fw, whereas the content of organic acids decreased from 4.9 to 2.7 g/100 g fw, and there were several changes in the profile of volatiles. The contents of flavonols, cinnamic acid derivatives, flavan-3-ols, and the total concentration of phenolic compounds were significantly lower in the fully ripe berries compared to berries in the early green stage. In addition to the changes occurring due to ripening, there was observed variation in the profile of both phenolic compounds and volatiles, depending on the growth location of the berries. The present data are useful for the assessment of harvest time to obtain the desired quality of lingonberries

Safety of Whey basic protein isolates as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on whey basic protein isolate as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF is obtained by ion exchange chromatography of skimmed cow's milk. The applicant intends to market the NF in infant and follow-on formulae and meal replacement beverages, dietary foods for special medical purposes and as food supplements. The highest estimated intake of the NF based on the proposed uses and use levels would be 24.8 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day in infants and 27.8 in toddlers. The information provided on composition, specifications, production process and stability of the NF do not raise safety concerns. Taking into account the composition of the NF and the intended use levels, the Panel considers that the consumption of the NF is not nutritionally disadvantageous. The Panel considers that there is no concern with respect to genotoxicity. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of a subchronic 13-week rat study was 2000 mg/kg bw per day. Considering the source, the production process and nature of the NF, the Panel considers the margin of exposure (MOE) of 154 to be sufficient for the adult population (on a high-estimated intake of 13 mg/kg bw). For infants and toddlers, the MOE would be at least 81 and 72, respectively. Taking into account the composition of the NF, its source, the history of consumption of the main components of the NF, the production process and that the NOAEL in a subchronic rat study was the highest dose tested the Panel considers that also the MOE for infants and toddlers are sufficient. The Panel concludes that the novel food ingredient, whey basic protein isolate, is safe under the proposed uses and use levels. (C) 2018 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.Peer reviewe

Safety of phenylcapsaicin as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on phenylcapsaicin as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. Phenylcapsaicin is a chemically synthesised analogue of capsaicin intended to be marketed in food supplements and in foods for special medical purposes to the general population above the age of 11 years old at a maximum level of 2.5 mg/day. The highest intake of the NF is 2.5 mg/day which corresponds to 36 \u3bcg/kg body weight (bw) per day for adults, and 58 \u3bcg/kg bw per day for adolescents (10\u201314 years). The Panel considers that there is no concern with respect to genotoxicity of the NF. The reference point derived based on a 13-week rat study was the lowest of the model averaged BMDL20 values of 37.2 mg/kg bw per day in females for increased plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) levels. The Panel concludes that the NF, phenylcapsaicin, is safe under the proposed uses and use levels