Microwave heating induces changes in the physicochemical properties of baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.) and soybean crude oils

Baru oil is extracted from baru nuts (Dipteryx alata Vog.) by cold mechanical pressing, and is exploited as a source of vitamins, fatty acids and antioxidants in the Brazilian food and pharmaceutical sectors. No information is available on this oil under domestic culinary processes and thermal conditions. So, in the present study we evaluated the response of crude baru oil under microwave heating (0, 1, 3, 5, 10, and 15min), using crude soybean oil as comparison. Physical and chemical parameters were evaluated (free acidity, peroxide value, specific extinction coefficient at 232 and 270nm, ΔK and color by CIELAB method), fatty acid profile, tocopherol composition, antioxidant activity, and oxidative stability. Until 3min (1000W) no significant adverse changes were observed in either oil. However, higher exposition times are more adverse to baru oil than to soybean oil. Tocopherols, oils stability and antioxidant activity drop abruptly. The typical yellow coloration is lost with heating, giving a less appealing appearance to the oils. By a principal component analysis, it was verified that microwave heating differently influenced each oil, and within the same oil, exposure time also caused distinct effect on properties, quality, and composition. Based on the obtained results, we discourage the use of baru oil for culinary process. Practical applications: The use of baru oil for prolonged culinary processes is discouraged due to lower stability and low content in antioxidants. Baru oil is more suitable for seasoning for usage in domestic consumption at RT. Exposure to microwave heating is completely discouraged at an exposure higher than 3min.Thays Borges acknowledges Polytechnic Institute of Bragança for the scholarship support and Mountain Research Centre (CIMO) and University of Porto for the facilities granted during the development of this work. This work has been supported by FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia) and FEDER through the COMPETE program under the projects PEst‐OE/AGR/UI0690/2011 and PEst‐C/EQB/LA0006/2011.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A major quantitative trait locus for increasing cadmium-specific concentration in rice grain is located on the short arm of chromosome 7

Large phenotypic variations in the cadmium (Cd) concentration of rice grains and shoots have been observed. However, the genetic control of Cd accumulation remains poorly understood. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) determining the grain Cd concentration of rice grown in a Cd-polluted paddy field were identified. Using a mapping population consisting of 85 backcross inbred lines derived from a cross between the low-Cd-accumulating cultivar Sasanishiki (japonica) and high-Cd-accumulating cultivar Habataki (indica), two QTLs for increasing grain Cd concentration were found on chromosomes 2 and 7. A major-effect QTL, qGCd7 (QTL for grain Cd on chromosome 7), was detected on the short arm of chromosome 7. It accounted for 35.5% of all phenotypic variance in backcross inbred lines. qGCd7 was not genetically related to any QTLs for concentrations of essential trace metals (Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) or those for agronomic traits such as heading date, suggesting that this QTL is specific to Cd. Furthermore, the existence of qGCd7 was confirmed using chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) and an F2 population from a cross between the target CSSL and Sasanishiki grown in a Cd-polluted paddy soil. To our knowledge, qGCd7 is a novel QTL with major effects for increasing grain Cd concentrations

Food allergies and perceptions towards food allergen labelling in Mauritius

There remains a paucity of research in food allergies in Sub-saharan Africa. It is the aim of this study 4 to determine the self-reported prevalence of food allergies and consumers’ perceptions towards food 5 allergen labelling in Mauritius. A survey was conducted in four supermarkets in the Municipalities of 6 Vacoas-Phoenix, Quatre-Bornes and Moka during the period of September to November 2017. The 7 questionnaire was designed based on previous studies and administered using a face-to-face 8 interview approach to increase completion rate. Descriptive analysis and one-way ANOVA between 9 subjects design were conducted. Shellfish was reported as the most common causative agent 10 followed by fish, egg and peanut. Respondents were satisfied with the current font size and general 11 information provided in food labels. Respondents agreed that it could be problematic to identify 12 suitable foods for individuals suffering from food allergies or intolerances. Variations of PAL 13 statements and generic terms provided in food labels, and location of allergy warnings were cause for 14 concern. More than 80% of the respondents felt that allergens in ingredient list should be emphasised 15 (e.g. bold font) and plain English or French language should be used to describe allergenic 16 ingredients. The findings in this study provide practical insights on food allergen labelling issues for 17 policy makers and stakeholders in the food supply chain. Determining the prevalence of food allergies 18 in the country will inform policy makers to consider adding shellfish and other major allergenic 19 ingredients to the list of ingredients requiring mandatory allergen warning label in Mauritiu