Betaxanthin-Rich Extract from Cactus Pear Fruits as Yellow Water-Soluble Colorant with Potential Application in Foods

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) fruit juice is a source of betaxanthin pigments which can be used as a natural yellow food colorant. The HPLC chromatographic pigment pattern corresponding to the betaxanthin-rich extract revealed the presence of four betaxanthins, of which indicaxanthin (proline-betaxanthin) accounts for around 85%. A betaxanthin-rich water-soluble food colorant from cactus pears fruits was produced by spray-drying microencapsulation using maltodextrin as a wall material. The resulting powder was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and its apparent color was analyzed by spectrometry. The stability of the microcapsules was examined at +20, +4 and −20 °C in the dark during six months of storage. The degradation of betaxanthins was delayed by microencapsulation and their colorant stability increased at lower temperatures. The potential application of the colorant microcapsules was successfully assessed in two food model systems: a yogurt and a soft-drink. Both foods presented an attractive pale yellow color. Pigment retention and color parameters were investigated during storage under controlled conditions. Slight changes in the pigment retention, in both model systems, pointed to excellent preservation in the dark, even after 28 days at 4 °C. However, the presence of light contributed to betaxanthin deterioration. Spray-drying microencapsulation succeeds in reducing volumen of the pigment extract and can be easy in storage and delivery of the powders. It is proved to be a suitable process that can be recommended for stabilizing betaxanthins from cactus pears to be used as water-soluble natural colorants in foods.This research is part of the QUIMYTEC R&D group. Authors greatly acknowledge the financial 16 support provided by Fundación Séneca (project 08702PI08)

Thermographic studies of cocurrent and mixed flow spray drying of heat sensitive bioactive compounds

Production of powders of heat sensitive bioactive compounds in a bench scale spray drier was studied under cocurrent and mixed flow pattern conditions using two inlet air temperatures of 200 and 120 °C. Two natural colorants (riboflavin-5-phosphate and red beet) and an enzyme (alpha-amylase), were selected for experimentation. Thermographic studies showed interesting asymmetric profiles of temperatures outside and inside of the drying chamber, because turbulent air flow conditions and thermal trajectories of atomized drops during its drying process were dependent on flow patterns. Powders of natural colorants maintained its color strength, and alpha-amylase powders retain more than 82.9% of its enzyme activity even at the highest air temperature of 200 °C and using mixed flow. This work concludes that spray drying under cocurrent and mixed-flow patterns of heat labile bioactive compounds is feasible, influencing drying yields and the properties of powders obtained

Las actividades realizadas por los auditores dentro del nuevo marco normativo sobre auditoría en España

Una de las medidas adoptadas, mediante la todavía reciente modificación de la regulación de la auditoría en nuestro país, fue la introducción de nuevas actividades incompatibles con la misma. Tal medida tuvo como objetivo paliar la polémica que, la realización de múltiples y variadas tareas por parte de los auditores, provoca sobre el cumplimiento de la cualidad de independencia. El presente trabajo analiza la oferta actual de servicios en las firmas de auditoría con el objetivo de obtener evidencia empírica suficiente sobre si las medidas adoptadas por nuestra regulación han supuesto una solución al conflicto por la provisión conjunta.One of the measures adopted by the recent modification of auditing regulations in our country was the definition of new incompatibilities with auditing. The objective of this measure was to palliate the conflict that the provision of multiple and varied tasks on the part of the auditors causes to the fulfilment of the quality of independence. This paper analyses the current offer of services by audit companies with the objective of obtaining sufficient empirical evidence on whether the measures adopted by our regulation have presented a solution to the conflict caused by the joint provision

Adsorptive and surface characterization of Mediterranean agrifood processingwastes: prospection for pesticide removal

The sustainable management of biomass is a key global challenge that demands compliance with fundamental requirements of social and environmental responsibility and economic effectiveness. Strategies for the valorization of waste biomass from agrifood industries must be in line with sustainable technological management and eco-industrial approaches. The efficient bioremoval of the pesticides imazalil and thiabendazole from aqueous effluents using waste biomass from typically Mediterranean agrifood industries (citrus waste, artichoke agrowaste and olive mill residue) revealed that these residues may be transformed into cost-effective biosorbents. Agrifood wastes present irregular surfaces, many different sized pores and active functional groups on their surface, and they are abundant in nature. The surface and adsorptive properties of olive mill residue, artichoke agrowaste and citrus waste were characterized with respect to elemental composition, microstructure, crystallinity, pore size, presence of active functional groups, thermal stability, and point of zero charge. Olive mill residue showed the highest values of surface area (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method), porosity, crystallinity index, and pH of zero point of charge. Olive mill residue showed the highest efficiency with sorption capacities of 9 mg·g−1 for imazalil and 8.6 mg·g−1 for thiabendazole.This research is part of the QUIMYTEC R&D group. The excellent technical assistance of M.J. Roca, V. Muñoz, L.A. Alcolea and M. Vázquez (Technical Research Support Service, UPCT) is greatly appreciated. This research was funded by the Technical University of Cartagena (UPCT), grant number ACI B

Proteomic analysis in morquio a cells treated with immobilized enzymatic replacement therapy on nanostructured lipid systems

[ENG]Morquio A syndrome, or mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA (MPS IVA), is a lysosomal storage disease due to mutations in the N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase (GALNS) gene. Systemic skeletal dysplasia and the related clinical features of MPS IVA are due to disruption of cartilage and its extracellular matrix, leading to an imbalance of growth. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with recombinant human GALNS, alpha elosulfase, provides a systemic treatment. However, this therapy has a limited impact on skeletal dysplasia because the infused enzyme cannot penetrate cartilage and bone. Therefore, an alternative therapeutic approach to reach the cartilage is an unmet challenge. We have developed a new drug delivery system based on a nanostructure lipid carrier with the capacity to immobilize enzymes used for ERT and to target the lysosomes. This study aimed to assess the effect of the encapsulated enzyme in this new delivery system, using in vitro proteomic technology. We found a greater internalization of the enzyme carried by nanoparticles inside the cells and an improvement of cellular protein routes previously impaired by the disease, compared with conventional ERT. This is the first qualitative and quantitative proteomic assay that demonstrates the advantages of a new delivery system to improve the MPS IVA ERTS

Similarities between acylcarnitine profiles in large for gestational age newborns and obesity

Large for gestational age (LGA) newborns have an increased risk of obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. Acylcarnitine profiles in obese children and adults are characterized by increased levels of C3, C5, and certain medium-chain (C12) and long-chain (C14:1 and C16) acylcarnitines. C2 is also increased in insulin-resistant states. In this 1-year observational study of 2514 newborns (246 LGA newborns, 250 small for gestational age (GA) newborns, and 2018 appropriate for GA newborns), we analyzed and compared postnatal acylcarnitine profiles in LGA newborns with profiles described for obese individuals. Acylcarnitine analysis was performed by tandem mass spectrometry on dried-blood spots collected on day 3 of life. LGA newborns had higher levels of total short-chain acylcarnitines (p < 0.001), C2 (p < 0.01) and C3 (p < 0.001) acylcarnitines, and all C12, C14, and C16 acylcarnitines except C12:1. They also had a higher tendency towards carnitine insufficiency (p < 0.05) and carnitine deficiency (p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed between LGA newborns born to mothers with or without a history of gestational diabetes. This novel study describes a postnatal acylcarnitine profile in LGA with higher levels of C2, C3, total acylcarnitines, and total short-chain acylcarnitines that is characteristic of childhood and adult obesity and linked to an unhealthy metabolic phenotype.Dr Lopez has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no. 281854 -the ObERStress project, Xunta de Galicia (2015-CP079 and 2016-PG068), MINECO co-funded by FEDER (SAF2015-71026-R and BFU2015-70454-REDT/Adipoplast)S

Differentiated adsorption of thiobenzoic acid and thiobenzamide on silver nanoparticles determined by SERS spectroscopy.

Política de acceso abierto tomada de: https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/15140?template=romeo (Submitted version)Surface-enhanced Raman scattering of thiobenzoic acid and thiobenzamide have been recorded on three different silver colloids in order to find the chemical species responsible for the spectra and to detect differences in the adsorption with respect to their oxygen counterparts, benzoic acid and benzamide, respectively. Very significant and unexpected shifts of opposite sign between the Raman and SERS wavenumbers have been detected. By comparing the experimental and DFT calculated wavenumbers, it can be concluded that the acid is bonded to the metal as thiobenzoate through the sulfur atom with unidentate coordination. SERS spectra of thiobenzamide can be explained by assuming that it is adsorbed as azanion, like in the case of benzamide, linking to the metal through the sulfur and nitrogen atoms of the ionized thiocarboxamide group. In order to support these conclusions, B3LYP/LanL2DZ force field calculations for different complexes of silver cations with the thiobenzoate anion, the neutral thiobenzamide as well as its azanion have been carried out. Additionally, the 8a;nring mode is the most enhanced band in the SERS of both adsorbates pointing to the participation of a metal-to-molecule resonant charge transfer mechanism.Spanish MINECO/FEDER (CTQ2015-65816-R) Junta de Andalucía/FEDER (UMA18-FEDERJA-049 and P18-RT-4592) Ramón Areces Foundatio