Multivariate predictive models for the prediction of fatty acids in the EU high added-value "acorn Iberian pig ham" using a miniature near-infrared spectroscopy instrument.

Acorn Iberian ham (Jamón Ibérico de Bellota) is one of the most expensive luxury foodstuffs produced in Europe, with a highly appreciated smell and flavour. Its recognized high-sensorial quality and health properties are mainly due to the traditional outdoor feeding system (Montanera) of Iberian pigs (IP), which provides high standards of animal welfare. Nowadays, one of the frauds affecting this product is the use of “special compound feeds” to simulate the fat composition of the acorns through the inclusion of sources of oleic acid like the ones found in pigs fed outdoors. The high prices paid for a cured leg of Iberian ham –ranging from hundreds to thousands of euros- leads to many opportunities for mislabelling and fraud. Fatty acid content of the adipose tissue could provide evidence of the feeding system. Gas chromatography (GC) is used at industry level for production control purposes. However, it is costly and time-consuming, and it is only applied to batches of animals rather than individual pigs. The main goal of this study was to use spectra belonging to a portable NIRS instrument (MicroNIR Onsite Lite, Viavi Solutions Inc.) for on–site quantitative (fatty acid content) analysis of individual Iberian pork carcasses at the slaughterhouse. Performance of this portable instrument was compared with an at-line NIRS monochromator. PLS models were built and optimized resulting in standard errors of cross validation ranging from 0.83 to 0.84 for palmitic acid, 0.94 to 0.99 for stearic acid, 1.47 to 1.56 for oleic acid and 0.53 to 0.58 for linoleic acid

More productive in vitro culture of Cryptosporidium parvum for better study of the intra- and extracellular phases

The great difficulties in treating people and animals suffering from cryptosporidiosis have prompted the development of in vitro experimental models. Due to the models of in vitro culture, new extracellular stages of Cryptosporidium have been demonstrated. The development of these extracellular phases depends on the technique of in vitro culture and on the species and genotype of Cryptosporidium used. Here, we undertake the molecular characterization by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment lenght polymorphism of different Cryptosporidium isolates from calves, concluding that all are C. parvum of cattle genotype, although differing in the nucleotide at positions 472 and 498. Using these parasites, modified the in vitro culture technique for HCT-8 cells achieving greater multiplication of parasites. The HCT-8 cell cultures, for which the culture had not been renewed in seven days, were infected with C. parvum sporozoites in RPMI-1640 medium with 10% IFBS, CaCl2 and MgCl2 1 mM at pH 7.2. Percentages of cell parasitism were increased with respect to control cultures (71% at 48 h vs 14.5%), even after two weeks (47% vs 1.9%). Also, the percentage of extracellular stages augmented (25.3% vs 1.1% at 96 h). This new model of in vitro culture of C. parvum will enable easier study of the developmental phases of C. parvum in performing new chemotherapeutic assays

Gene expression changes in mononuclear cells from patients with metabolic syndrome after acute intake of phenol-rich virgin olive oil

RIGHTS : This article is licensed under the BioMed Central licence at http://www.biomedcentral.com/about/license which is similar to the 'Creative Commons Attribution Licence'. In brief you may : copy, distribute, and display the work; make derivative works; or make commercial use of the work - under the following conditions: the original author must be given credit; for any reuse or distribution, it must be made clear to others what the license terms of this work are.Abstract Background Previous studies have shown that acute intake of high-phenol virgin olive oil reduces pro-inflammatory, pro-oxidant and pro-thrombotic markers compared with low phenols virgin olive oil, but it still remains unclear whether effects attributed to its phenolic fraction are exerted at transcriptional level in vivo. To achieve this goal, we aimed at identifying expression changes in genes which could be mediated by virgin olive oil phenol compounds in the human. Results Postprandial gene expression microarray analysis was performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells during postprandial period. Two virgin olive oil-based breakfasts with high (398 ppm) and low (70 ppm) content of phenolic compounds were administered to 20 patients suffering from metabolic syndrome following a double-blinded, randomized, crossover design. To eliminate the potential effect that might exist in their usual dietary habits, all subjects followed a similar low-fat, carbohydrate rich diet during the study period. Microarray analysis identified 98 differentially expressed genes (79 underexpressed and 19 overexpressed) when comparing the intake of phenol-rich olive oil with low-phenol olive oil. Many of these genes seem linked to obesity, dyslipemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Among these, several genes seem involved in inflammatory processes mediated by transcription factor NF-κB, activator protein-1 transcription factor complex AP-1, cytokines, mitogen-activated protein kinases MAPKs or arachidonic acid pathways. Conclusion This study shows that intake of virgin olive oil based breakfast, which is rich in phenol compounds is able to repress in vivo expression of several pro-inflammatory genes, thereby switching activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to a less deleterious inflammatory profile. These results provide at least a partial molecular basis for reduced risk of cardiovascular disease observed in Mediterranean countries, where virgin olive oil represents a main source of dietary fat. Admittedly, other lifestyle factors are also likely to contribute to lowered risk of cardiovascular disease in this region.Published versio

Poly(styrene-co-vinylbenzylchloride-co-divinylbenzene) coated iron oxide: Synthesis and effects on size and morphology

Iron oxide nanoparticles were coated with a polymer synthesized from the monomers of styrene, divinylbenzene, and vinylbenzylchloride. The resultant polymer microspheres from synthesis without nanoparticle loading are primarily monodispersed with a diameter of 3.45 μm as measured by scanning electron microscopy. The addition of 1% nanoparticles by mass appears to decrease the size of the microspheres down to 2.04 μm as well as increase the polydispersity. This trend is also seen to continue as you add more nanoparticles to the system going from 3.45 μm with 0% nanoparticles down to below 1 μm for 5% nanoparticles. This indicates that the particles are not just incorporated into the polymer matrix but act as nucleation sites to begin the polymerization process. The polymerization process was found to have no effect on the nanoparticles themselves as the magnetic characterization showed only a mass dilution in saturation when corrected by thermal gravimetric analysis

Miniature near infrared spectroscopy spectrometer and information and communication technologies to guarantee the integrity of the EU high added-value "acorn Iberian pig ham" (IP)

This research is framed within FoodIntegrity, EU sponsored project(7th FP). The main goal of the research to be done is to provide industrials, producers and consumers with a methodology based in low-cost, portable and miniature NIRS sensors and information and communication technologies for process control and voluntary labelling, to guarantee the integrity of the EU high added-value as the “acorn Iberian pig ham”. The present study is focussed in transferring a database (470 samples) of IP tissue - analysed in a FOSS-NIRSystems 6500 (FNS6500) spectrometer, during the seasons 2009-2011 - to a portable/miniature instrument MicroNIR-Onsite, VIAVI (MN1700). A set of 30 samples of adipose tissue was taken from a slaughterhouse during 2015-2016, being analysed in parallel in the satellite (FNS 6500) and master (MN 1700) instruments. Latter on, they were divided in two sets: N = 10 for building the standardization matrices and N = 20 for the validation of the cloning procedure. The algorithm Piece-Wise Direct Standardization (PDS) was applied. The best standardisation matrix was applied to the library of 470 samples taken in the FNS 6500, enabling an excellent fitting between both instruments, as shown the RMSCs statistic calculated in the satellite before and after the standardization and in the master - 108457 vs 22519 vs 17646 μlog 1/R – and the GH distance before and after standardisation between both instruments 437.41 vs 2.06

Near-infrared spectroscopy and geostatistical analysis for modeling spatial distribution of analytical constituents in bulk animal by-product protein meals

Control and inspection operations within the context of safety and quality assessment of bulk foods and feeds are not only of particular importance, they are also demanding challenges, given the complexity of food/feed production systems and the variability of product properties. Existing methodologies have a variety of limitations, such as high costs of implementation per sample or shortcomings in early detection of potential threats for human/animal health or quality deviations. Therefore, new proposals are required for the analysis of raw materials in situ in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. For this purpose, a pilot laboratory study was performed on a set of bulk lots of animal by-product protein meals to introduce and test an approach based on near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and geostatistical analysis. Spectral data, provided by a fiber optic probe connected to a Fourier transform (FT) NIR spectrometer, were used to predict moisture and crude protein content at each sampling point. Variographic analysis was carried out for spatial structure characterization, while ordinary Kriging achieved continuous maps for those parameters. The results indicated that the methodology could be a first approximation to an approach that, properly complemented with the Theory of Sampling and supported by experimental validation in real-life conditions, would enhance efficiency and the decision-making process regarding safety and adulteration issues

Propiedades autolimpiantes y antimicrobianas de películas de quitosano funcionalizadas con nanopartículas de urea/TiO2

Las propiedades autolimpiantes de superficies de TiO2 son el resultado de un efecto sinérgico entre la luz UV que induce la generación de especies reactivas de oxígeno (ROS) sobre la superficie, que atacan moléculas orgánicas adsorbidas y la superhidrofilicidad que conduce a la extensión de las gotas de agua. Por otra parte, el TiO2 es un semiconductor con una diferencia de energía (band gap) entre la banda de valencia y la de conducción de 3,2 eV, permitiendo la producción de ROS sólo bajo irradiación UV de longitud de onda inferior a 387 nm. Pocos estudios pueden encontrarse en la literatura sobre la utilización de TiO2 modificado con nitrógeno activado por medio de luz visible como material autolimpiante. Por ejemplo, Irie et al. (2003) y Premkumar (2004) encontraron que películas delgadas de TiO2 dopadas con N2 depositadas sobre SiO2 mostraron super hidrofilicidad bajo luz visible. Ambos autores sugirieron que la actividad a la luz visible sería causada por la disminución del valor del band gap, como fue descrito por Asahi et al. (2001). Por otra parte, polímeros biodegradables pueden usarse como sustratos de nanopartículas de TiO2 para ser evaluados como superficies autolimpiantes. El quitosano (QS) es un poliaminosácarido lineal compuesto por unidades monoméricas, N-acetil glucosamina y Dglucosamina, unidas a través de enlaces glucosídicos β-(1-4) (Lamarra et al. 2017). El QS es un polímero natural con hidrofilicidad, biocompatibilidad, biodegradabilidad y con propiedades no tóxicas que ha sido estudiado como un sustrato para inmovilizar nanopartículas de TiO2. Sin embargo, la mayor parte de parte de los estudios ha sido dirigidos a la absorción de tintes orgánicos de ambientes marítimos, inactivación de bacterias y apósitos cicatrizante de heridas (Archana et al. 2013). En este contexto, los objetivos del trabajo fueron obtener matrices utilizando quitosano como material soporte de nanopartículas de TiO2 estudiando sus propiedades físico-químicas, antimicrobianas y autolimpiantes.Sección: Ingeniería Química.Facultad de Ingenierí

Propiedades autolimpiantes y antimicrobianas de películas de quitosano funcionalizadas con nanopartículas de urea/TiO2

Las propiedades autolimpiantes de superficies de TiO2 son el resultado de un efecto sinérgico entre la luz UV que induce la generación de especies reactivas de oxígeno (ROS) sobre la superficie, que atacan moléculas orgánicas adsorbidas y la superhidrofilicidad que conduce a la extensión de las gotas de agua. Por otra parte, el TiO2 es un semiconductor con una diferencia de energía (band gap) entre la banda de valencia y la de conducción de 3,2 eV, permitiendo la producción de ROS sólo bajo irradiación UV de longitud de onda inferior a 387 nm. Pocos estudios pueden encontrarse en la literatura sobre la utilización de TiO2 modificado con nitrógeno activado por medio de luz visible como material autolimpiante. Por ejemplo, Irie et al. (2003) y Premkumar (2004) encontraron que películas delgadas de TiO2 dopadas con N2 depositadas sobre SiO2 mostraron super hidrofilicidad bajo luz visible. Ambos autores sugirieron que la actividad a la luz visible sería causada por la disminución del valor del band gap, como fue descrito por Asahi et al. (2001). Por otra parte, polímeros biodegradables pueden usarse como sustratos de nanopartículas de TiO2 para ser evaluados como superficies autolimpiantes. El quitosano (QS) es un poliaminosácarido lineal compuesto por unidades monoméricas, N-acetil glucosamina y Dglucosamina, unidas a través de enlaces glucosídicos β-(1-4) (Lamarra et al. 2017). El QS es un polímero natural con hidrofilicidad, biocompatibilidad, biodegradabilidad y con propiedades no tóxicas que ha sido estudiado como un sustrato para inmovilizar nanopartículas de TiO2. Sin embargo, la mayor parte de parte de los estudios ha sido dirigidos a la absorción de tintes orgánicos de ambientes marítimos, inactivación de bacterias y apósitos cicatrizante de heridas (Archana et al. 2013). En este contexto, los objetivos del trabajo fueron obtener matrices utilizando quitosano como material soporte de nanopartículas de TiO2 estudiando sus propiedades físico-químicas, antimicrobianas y autolimpiantes.Sección: Ingeniería Química.Facultad de Ingenierí

Propiedades autolimpiantes y antimicrobianas de películas de quitosano funcionalizadas con nanopartículas de urea/TiO2

Las propiedades autolimpiantes de superficies de TiO2 son el resultado de un efecto sinérgico entre la luz UV que induce la generación de especies reactivas de oxígeno (ROS) sobre la superficie, que atacan moléculas orgánicas adsorbidas y la superhidrofilicidad que conduce a la extensión de las gotas de agua. Por otra parte, el TiO2 es un semiconductor con una diferencia de energía (band gap) entre la banda de valencia y la de conducción de 3,2 eV, permitiendo la producción de ROS sólo bajo irradiación UV de longitud de onda inferior a 387 nm. Pocos estudios pueden encontrarse en la literatura sobre la utilización de TiO2 modificado con nitrógeno activado por medio de luz visible como material autolimpiante. Por ejemplo, Irie et al. (2003) y Premkumar (2004) encontraron que películas delgadas de TiO2 dopadas con N2 depositadas sobre SiO2 mostraron super hidrofilicidad bajo luz visible. Ambos autores sugirieron que la actividad a la luz visible sería causada por la disminución del valor del band gap, como fue descrito por Asahi et al. (2001). Por otra parte, polímeros biodegradables pueden usarse como sustratos de nanopartículas de TiO2 para ser evaluados como superficies autolimpiantes. El quitosano (QS) es un poliaminosácarido lineal compuesto por unidades monoméricas, N-acetil glucosamina y Dglucosamina, unidas a través de enlaces glucosídicos β-(1-4) (Lamarra et al. 2017). El QS es un polímero natural con hidrofilicidad, biocompatibilidad, biodegradabilidad y con propiedades no tóxicas que ha sido estudiado como un sustrato para inmovilizar nanopartículas de TiO2. Sin embargo, la mayor parte de parte de los estudios ha sido dirigidos a la absorción de tintes orgánicos de ambientes marítimos, inactivación de bacterias y apósitos cicatrizante de heridas (Archana et al. 2013). En este contexto, los objetivos del trabajo fueron obtener matrices utilizando quitosano como material soporte de nanopartículas de TiO2 estudiando sus propiedades físico-químicas, antimicrobianas y autolimpiantes.Sección: Ingeniería Química.Facultad de Ingenierí

The littoral sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) of Guam re-assessed - a diversity curve that still does not asymptote

The Micronesian island of Guam has been an important site for the study of littoral tropical holothuriantaxonomy for almost 200 years. Despite substantial attention by both expeditions and resident taxonomists, new records arestill regularly added to the fauna, demonstrating the challenge of documenting even such large and well-known animals ina small hyper-diverse area. Guam is the type locality of species described by Quoy & Gaimard (1833) and Brandt (1835).A survey of the sea cucumber fauna by Rowe & Doty (1977) led to one of the most used guides for the identification oftropical Pacific sea cucumbers because of the color illustrations of living animals it presented. Focus on echinodermsincluding holothurians continued with numerous new records added in the following decades. Paulay (2003a) summarizedthe fauna last, recording 46-47 species. At this stage the fauna was thought to be well documented. A week-long workshopon holothurian systematics sponsored by the National Science Foundation PEET (Partnerships for Enhancing Expertise inTaxonomy) project in 2010 included a substantial field work component, sampling both during the day and night, withsnorkeling and SCUBA, across a variety of habitats. This survey yielded 40 species, including numerous new records andeven species. Further sampling by Kerr’s lab since the workshop has added additional records. The littoral holothuroidfauna of Guam now comprises 65 species in 17 genera and 7 families. Half of the 19 newly recorded species are the resultof unravelling cryptic species in complexes, the other half are based on new collections. Eleven species are known fromsingle specimens, suggesting that much still remains to be learned about the fauna