Profiling of phenol content and microbial community dynamics during pâté olive cake fermentation

In this study, different microbial strains, as single and mixed-cultures, were used to ferment the pâté olive cake (POC), a by-product of olive oil processing. In particular, strains belonging to Candida boidinii, Wickerhamomyces anomalus and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum were used. The fermentation was carried out on diluted (3:2) POC without and with glucose (2% w/v) addition. Furthermore, phenolic compounds were monitored during fermentation in POC added with glucose differetly inoculated and the microbial community, at the end of fermentation, was evaluated by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques. Data highlighted that inoculated samples showed an hydroxytyrosol content higher than the un-inoculated controls. In particular, during fermentation the sample inoculated with C. boidinii, both in single and in mixed culture together with L. plantarum, increased the hydroxytyrosol content by 275 and 261 mg/L, respectively, after 8 days, to reach the highest content at the end of fermentation. Metagenomic analysis revealed a low abundance of 16S ribosomal RNA genes and fungal ITS in all samples at any sampling times. Furthermore, at the end of fermentation, all samples exhibited a different bacterial community with a decrease in acetic acid bacteria and an increase in Lactobacillaceae biodiversity. Finally, no effect was detected in any samples on fungal metagenomic profile, where Dipodascus geotrichum was found dominant both at initial and final fermentation. In conclusion, the present study confirmed that selected cultures can drive the fermentation and have an impact on the phenolic profile.This study was conducted within a Ph.D. research programme in Biotecnologie (XXXV cycle) by Paola Foti who received a grant ‘Dottorato innovativo con caratterizzazione industriale, PON RI 2014–2020’, titled ‘Olive oil by-products as a new functional food and source of nutritional food ingredients’ from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Scientific Tutors: C.C. Cinzia Caggia; Flora V. Romeo and Cinzia L. Randazzo). Authors thank the Azienda Olearia Consoli Pasquale & F.lli s.n.c (Adrano, CT), partner of the doctoral programme, to kindly supply the POC. The present study was partially supported by a regional funding Progetto di investimento 144511020025. P.O. FESR SICILIA 2014/2020, 2019–2021, Azione 1.1.3 - Sostegno alla valorizzazione economica dell’innovazione attraverso la sperimentazione e l’adozione di soluzioni innovative nei processi, nei prodotti e nelle formule organizzative, nonch ́e attraverso il finanziamento dell’industrializzazione dei risultati della ricerca: VERIFICO, Project number: 07TP1039000074info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Characterization of high-quality MgB2(0001) epitaxial films on Mg(0001)

High-grade MgB2(0001) films were grown on Mg(0001) by means of ultra-high-vacuum molecular beam epitaxy. Low energy electron diffraction and x-ray diffraction data indicate that thick films are formed by epitaxially oriented grains with MgB2 bulk structure. The quality of the films allowed angle-resolved photoemission and polarization dependent x-ray absorption measurements. For the first time, we report the band mapping along the Gamma-A direction and the estimation of the electron-phonon coupling constant l ~ 0.55 for the surface state electrons.Comment: 15 text pages, 6 figures Submitted for publicatio

Long‐Term prognosis in children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: An analysis of 37 patients aged ≤ 14 years at diagnosis

The relation of clinical, electrocardiographic, and hemodynamic findings at diagnosis to presenting features and prognosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in childhood was evaluated in 37 consecutive patients below 14 years of age at time of diagnosis (24 males and 13 females, mean age 7 +/- 4 years). A left ventricular out-flow tract gradient (mean 42 +/- 27 mmHg) was detected at cardiac catheterization in 13 (35%) patients. Clinical, electrocardiographic, and hemodynamic features in patients with and without a pressure gradient were similar. Patients who had moderate to severe functional limitation had a higher incidence of syncopal episodes (p less than 0.001), lower ejection fraction (p less than 0.01), raised pulmonary artery pressure (p less than 0.001), and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (p less than 0.01). During a follow-up of 9.2 +/- 5.1 years (range 2-18), 9 (24%) patients died suddenly (2 with a recorded left ventricular outflow tract gradient). Univariate analysis showed that reduced ejection fraction (p = 0.0001), syncopal episodes (p = 0.003), increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (p = 0.03), and severe dyspnea (p = 0.04) were associated with a poor prognosis. However, multivariate analysis revealed ejection fraction (p = 0.0001) and syncopal episodes (p = 0.0097) as independent predictors of survival. In conclusion, sudden cardiac death was common and was well predicted by the combination of left ventricular dysfunction and syncope at time of diagnosis

Botulinum toxin treatment in glaucomatous patients: a pilot study

PURPOSE: The purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment of iatrogenic entropion (IE), in patients affected by primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), by botulinum toxin injections (BTI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 20 patients of the "Glaucoma Center" of the Hospital "Umberto I" (Rome) were examined. These patients had POAG and used prostaglandin analogues (PA). Mean age was 75.5 years old (range 68-83); they had been suffering from PAOG since 10 years and were not affected by other relevant systemic diseases. One to three BTI were made into the lower orbicularis muscle using a 0.3 G needle (0.025 to 0.05 units for each injection site). RESULTS: The results were particularly significant in 18 out of 20 patients. Two patients showed slight improvements. A rating scale ranging from 0 to 6 points (0 corresponded to 'no effect' and 6 to the 'complete' resolution of the entropion) was used to evaluate the goals of the treatment. The average rating was 5.37 points. CONCLUSIONS: The entropion due to glaucoma therapy with PA can be successfully treated with BTI in the orbicularis muscle, despite offering temporary therapeutic effects

Communication about vaccinations in Italian websites: A quantitative analysis

Babies' parents and people who look for information about vaccination often visit anti-vaccine movement's websites, blogs by naturopathic physicians or natural and alternative medicine practitioners. The aim of this work is to provide a quantitative analysis on the type of information available to Italian people regarding vaccination and a quality analysis of websites retrieved through our searches. A quality score was created to evaluate the technical level of websites. A research was performed through Yahoo, Google, and MSN using the keywords "vaccine" and "vaccination," with the function "OR" in order to identify the most frequently used websites. The 2 keywords were input in Italian, and the first 15 pages retrieved by each search engine were analyzed. 149 websites were selected through this methodology. Fifty-three per cent of the websites belonged to associations, groups, or scientific companies, 32.2% (n = 48) consisted of a personal blog and 14.8% (n = 22) belonged to some of the National Health System offices. Among all analyzed websites, 15.4% (n = 23) came from anti-vaccine movement groups. 37.6% reported webmaster name, 67.8% webmaster e-mail, 28.6% indicated the date of the last update and 46.6% the author's name. The quality score for government sites was higher on average than anti-vaccine websites; although, government sites don't use Web 2.0 functions, as the forums.: National Health System institutions who have to promote vaccination cannot avoid investing in web communication because it cannot be managed by private efforts but must be the result of Public Health, private and scientific association, and social movement synergy

Effect of Sequential Inoculum of Beta-Glucosidase Positive and Probiotic Strains on Brine Fermentation to Obtain Low Salt Sicilian Table Olives

In the present study, the b-glucosidase positive strain Lactobacillus plantarum F3. 3 was used as starter during the fermentation of Sicilian table olives (Nocellara Etnea cultivar) at two different salt concentrations (5 and 8%), in order to accelerate the debittering process. The latter was monitored through the increase of hydroxytyrosol compound. In addition, the potential probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei N24 strain was added after 60 days of fermentation. Un-inoculated brine samples at 5 and 8% of salt were used as control. The fermentation was monitored till 120 days through physico-chemical and microbiological analyses. In addition, volatile organic compounds and sensorial analyses were performed during the process and at the end of the fermentation, respectively. Lactic acid bacteria and yeasts were, in depth, studied by molecular methods and the occurrence of the potential probiotic N24 strain in the final products was determined. Results highlighted that inoculated brines exhibited a higher acidification and debittering rate than control ones. In addition, inoculated brines at 5% of salt exhibited higher polyphenols (hydoxytyrosol, tyrosol, and verbascoside) content compared to samples at 8% of NaCl, suggesting a stronger oleuropeinolytic activity of the starter at low salt concentration. Lactobacilli and yeasts dominated during the fermentation process, with the highest occurrence of L. plantarum and Wickerhamomyces anomalus, respectively. Moreover, the potential probiotic L. paracasei N24 strain was able to survive in the final product. Hence, the sequential inoculum of beta-glucosidase positive and potential probiotic strains could be proposed as a suitable technology to produce low salt Sicilian table olives

Effect of Sequential Inoculum of Beta-Glucosidase Positive and Probiotic Strains on Brine Fermentation to Obtain Low Salt Sicilian Table Olives

In the present study, the \u3b2-glucosidase positive strain Lactobacillus plantarum F3. 3 was used as starter during the fermentation of Sicilian table olives (Nocellara Etnea cultivar) at two different salt concentrations (5 and 8%), in order to accelerate the debittering process. The latter was monitored through the increase of hydroxytyrosol compound. In addition, the potential probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei N24 strain was added after 60 days of fermentation. Un-inoculated brine samples at 5 and 8% of salt were used as control. The fermentation was monitored till 120 days through physico-chemical and microbiological analyses. In addition, volatile organic compounds and sensorial analyses were performed during the process and at the end of the fermentation, respectively. Lactic acid bacteria and yeasts were, in depth, studied by molecular methods and the occurrence of the potential probiotic N24 strain in the final products was determined. Results highlighted that inoculated brines exhibited a higher acidification and debittering rate than control ones. In addition, inoculated brines at 5% of salt exhibited higher polyphenols (hydoxytyrosol, tyrosol, and verbascoside) content compared to samples at 8% of NaCl, suggesting a stronger oleuropeinolytic activity of the starter at low salt concentration. Lactobacilli and yeasts dominated during the fermentation process, with the highest occurrence of L. plantarum and Wickerhamomyces anomalus, respectively. Moreover, the potential probiotic L. paracasei N24 strain was able to survive in the final product. Hence, the sequential inoculum of beta-glucosidase positive and potential probiotic strains could be proposed as a suitable technology to produce low salt Sicilian table olives

Use of microbial pools for the enhancement of olive pâté by products

La valorizzazione dei sottoprodotti agroalimentari richiede la rispondenza a criteri di economicità ed innovazione che possono includere la progettazione di nuovi prodotti a medio e ad elevato valore aggiunto. In particolare, i sottoprodotti oleari rappresentano una fonte di molecole bioattive, la cui azione benefica è stata riconosciuta dall’EFSA. Recentemente, crescente interesse è rivolto al pâté, sottoprodotto ottenuto dall’estrazione olearia attraverso l’utilizzo del decanter multifase (DMF). Il pâté, caratterizzato da un’elevata umidità, dall’assenza di parti legnose e dalla presenza di composti bioattivi, rappresenta una matrice ideale per la formulazione di nuovi alimenti funzionali. Il presente studio ha avuto lo scopo di valorizzare e stabilizzare il pâté attraverso l’impiego di pool microbici. Fermentazioni guidate sono state allestite ed è stato determinato l’effetto di differenti inoculi microbici sulla cinetica di deamarizzazione. Ceppi appartenenti alle specie Candida boidinii, Wickerhamomyces anomalus e Lactiplantibacillus plantarum sono stati inoculati nel pâté ad una densità finale pari a 107 e 108 UFC/g per i lieviti e per L. plantarum, rispettivamente. Sono state disposte diverse tesi: tre inoculate con le singole culture, due inoculate con i ceppi combinati e una inoculata con la miscela dei tre ceppi. La fermentazione è stata monitorata a differenti tempi, attraverso analisi chimiche e microbiologiche. Inoltre, la cinetica di deamarizzazione della componente fenolica è stata monitorata in HPLC e, a fine fermentazione, la comunità microbica è stata caratterizzata attraverso analisi NGS. La fermentazione si è arrestata dopo 14 giorni, quando il pH ha raggiunto valori di 4.33 e 4.36, nei campioni inoculati con i due lieviti in monocoltura. Le analisi microbiologiche hanno evidenziato una densità cellulare costante dei lieviti, una riduzione della carica mesofila aerobia totale e dei lattobacilli in tutti campioni inoculati. La concentrazione di idrossitirosolo ha presentato una riduzione significativa nei campioni inoculati dopo 2 e 4 giorni, seguita da un incremento dopo 8 e 14 giorni. In particolare, un incremento significativo si è osservato, dopo 8 giorni, nei campioni inculati con C. boidinii in coltura singola, nei campioni inoculati con C. boidinii in associazione con L. plantarum, e nel campione inoculato con W. anomalus in coltura singola, raggiungendo concentrazioni di 275, 261 e 231 mg/L, rispettivamente, confermando una correlazione tra microbiota e processo di deamarizzazione. Le analisi NGS hanno rilevato una diminuzione delle Acetobacteraceae e la dominanza di Saccharomycetes in tutti i campioni. I risultati ottenuti confermano che la valorizzazione microbiologica del pâté può rappresentare una strategia per l'ottenimento di un prodotto funzionale ad alto valore aggiunto.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A Synergic Application of High-Oxygenated E-Fuels and New Bowl Designs for Low Soot Emissions: An Optical Analysis

[EN] Synthetic fuels significantly reduce pollutant emissions and the carbon footprint of ICE applications. Among these fuels, oxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OMEX) are an excellent candidate to entirely or partially replace conventional fuels in compression ignition (CI) engines due to their attractive properties. The very low soot particle formation tendency allows the decoupling of the soot-NOX trade-off in CI engines. In addition, innovative piston geometries have the potential to reduce soot formation inside the cylinder in the late combustion stage. This work aims to analyze the potential of combining OMEX with an innovative piston geometry to reduce soot formation inside the cylinder. In this way, several blends of OMEX-Diesel were tested using a radial-lips bowl geometry and a conventional reentrant bowl. Tests were conducted in an optically accessible engine under simulated EGR conditions, reducing the in-cylinder oxygen content. For this purpose, 2-colour pyrometry and high-speed excited state hydroxyl chemiluminescence techniques were applied to trace the in-cylinder soot formation and oxidation processes. The results confirm that increasing OMEX in Diesel improves the in-cylinder soot reduction under low oxygen conditions for both piston geometries. Moreover, using radial lips bowl geometry significantly improves the soot reduction, from 17% using neat Diesel to 70% less at the highest OMEX quantity studied in this paper.This work has been partially funded by Universitat Politècnica de València through the program of access contracts for PhD research staff in Research Structures of the Universitat Politècnica de València with reference PAID-10-22. The presence of Cinzia Tornatore at Universitat Politècnica de València was funded by the Short Term Mobility (STM) Program of the Italian National Research Council.Pastor, JV.; Micó, C.; De Vargas Lewiski, F.; Tejada-Magraner, FJ.; Tornatore, C. (2023). A Synergic Application of High-Oxygenated E-Fuels and New Bowl Designs for Low Soot Emissions: An Optical Analysis. Applied Sciences. 13(14). https://doi.org/10.3390/app13148560131