Chitooligosaccharides as novel ingredients of fermented foods

Chitooligosaccharides (COSs) have been clinically evaluated for their immunostimulating effects after oral intake. Similar to dietary supplements, prebiotics and biopreservatives, these water-soluble bioactives are easily incorporated into dairy products and beverages. Notwithstanding, the use of COS in fermented foods would be limited by its antimicrobial properties. In order to study the interaction with yoghurts as a model of fermented food, the effects of COS on chemical composition, viability, morphology and metabolism of lactic acid bacteria, fatty acid profiles and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) were assessed over 28 days and after chemical digestion. There were no significant differences between the nutritional composition of controls and yoghurts supplemented with concentrations up to 0.1% w/w of COS. However, the acidification of milk decreased at 0.5% (p < 0.05) and the formation of yoghurt failed at 3.0%, without affecting viable counts. Lipid hydrolysis of yoghurts supplemented with 0.1% COS was not affected by chemical digestion. No significant differences were found between CLA percentages of controls and supplemented yoghurts after digestion. Although the nutritional composition, fatty acids and viable counts were not significantly modified after COS supplementation, the present study shows that COS diminishes bacterial acidification at concentrations higher than 0.1%, thus limiting the amounts that could be added to yoghurt.Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimento

A legal analysis of Australian criminal cases involving defendants with autism spectrum disorder charged with online sexual offending

This paper examines how the symptomology of the small number of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) charged with online sexual offenses in Australia is established during legal arguments and conceived by the judiciary to impact legal liability and offending behavior. This study aims to provide empirical support for the proposition that judicial discourses regarding the connection between ASD and online sexual offending, including conduct related to child exploitation material (CEM), have little bearing on overall questions of criminal liability or the use of alternative penal dispositions. It does so by exploring a sample of nine recent Australian criminal cases, involving ten rulings, that examine how evidence of ASD is raised in legal arguments in ways that suggest a diagnosed condition may have contributed significantly to the alleged wrongdoing. We conclude by suggesting current Australian judicial practice requires more sensitivity to the impact of clinical factors associated with ASD in shaping alternative supervisory and non-custodial dispositions for individuals convicted of online sexual offenses. Previous article in issu

Theoretical and experimental study of M2+ adsorption on biopolymers: III. Comparative kinetic pattern of Pb, Hg and Cd

Chitosan, pectin and chitosan-pectin pellets were studied as adsorbents for Cd2+ from acidic aqueous solutions at selected conditions. Several adsorption sites were considered and adsorption mechanisms for the biopolymers-metal interactions are proposed taking into account theoretical and experimental results. Langmuir adsorption isotherms for Hg, Pb and Cd on pellets gave KL values of 796, 1551 and 7265Lmequiv.-1; their Memax (mequiv./g) being 0.027 (2.71 mg/g), 0.1075 (11.2 mg/g) and 0.022 (1.23 mg/g), respectively. Chitosan adsorption of Hg achieved 85-100% and 70-75% for Pb and Cd, respectively. Ci (initial concentration) was 47,045.4 μg/g chitosan for Pb, 6863.6 μg/g chitosan for Hg and 5.4436 μg/g chitosan for Cd. When pectin was the adsorbent 15% of Hg and not more than 4% Pb and Cd were adsorbed, Ci Pb being 9409.1 μg/g pectin Ci Hg=1372.7 μg/g pectin and Ci Cd=1064.5 μg/g pectin. In the case of pellets, 100% initial Hg, Cd and Pb present initially in solution were adsorbed, Ci Pb being=103.5 μg/g, Ci Hg=15 μg/g and Ci Cd=12 μg/g. Molecular mechanics (MM2) and PM3 calculations were done, trying to identify evidence of the proposed kinetic model and an explanation of the equilibrium uptake of the metal adsorption on chitosan-pectin pellets.Fil: Debbaudt, Adriana Laura. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química; ArgentinaFil: Ferreira, María Luján. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química; ArgentinaFil: Gschaider, María Elena. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química; Argentin

Evolution towards hormone independence of the MXT mouse mammary tumor is associated with a gradual change in its estrogen receptor molecular polymorphism.

Using a method based on [3H]tamoxifenaziridine ([3H]TAZ) labeling, sequential immunoadsorption with anti-ER monoclonal antibodies, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE) and fluorography, we observed a striking change inthe estrogen receptor (ER) electrophoresis pattern of the transplantable MXT mouse mammary tumor. Early, ER "rich" tumors (approximately 100 fmol/mg prot) displayed classical cytosolic 67 and 50 KDa bands. These bands disappeared in favor of a "cytosolic" 35 KDa band during progression towards undifferentiated ER "poor" tumors (approximately 25 fmol/mg prot). Although we can not rule out that this 35 KDa peptide results from in vivo ER proteolysis, it seems unique in view of the following: 1. It is immunoadsorbed not only by an anti-ER monoclonal antibody (H-222) directed to the hormone-binding domain, but also by an anti-ER monoclonal antibody (H-226) which interacts with an epitope in the A/B region close to the DNA-binding domain and is mainly exposed under activation conditions. 2. It does not bind [3H]estradiol([3H]E2) and a tentative to restore its [3H]E2 binding capacity with calmodulin and ATP was unsuccessful. The observation of similar approximately 35 KDa ERs in the nuclear fraction of early tumor transplants and in control uterus suggests that this peptide is already in an activated form. Structural alterations of ER and/or associated "anchorage" nuclear proteins may beat the origin of its cytosolic localization. Moreover, the fact that the addition of calmodulin and ATP to late MXT transplants cytosols fails to increase their [3H]E2 binding capacity indicates that the low ER content of these tumors does not result from a deficiency in the phosphorylation status of the receptor.Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Evidence on antimicrobial properties and mode of action of a chitosan obtained from crustacean exoskeletons on Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000

Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pto DC3000) causes bacterial speck of tomato, a widely spread disease that causes significant economical losses worldwide. It is representative of many bacterial plant diseases for which effective controls are still needed. Despite the antimicrobial properties of chitosan has been previously described in phytopathogenic fungi, its action on bacteria is still poorly explored. In this work, we report that the chitosan isolated from shrimp exoskeletons (70 kDa and 78 % deacetylation degree) exerts cell damage on Pto DC3000. Chitosan inhibited Pto DC3000 bacterial growth depending on its concentration, medium-pH, and presence of metal ion (Mg+2). Biochemical and cellular changes resulting in cell aggregation and impaired bacterial growth were also viewed. In vivo studies using fluorescent probes showed cell aggregation, increase in membrane permeability, and cell death, suggesting the chitosan antibacterial activity is due to its interaction as a polycation with Pto DC3000 membranes. Transmission electron microscopic analysis revealed that chitosan also caused morphological changes and damage in bacterial surfaces. Also, the disease incidence in tomato inoculated with Pto DC3000 was significantly reduced in chitosan pretreated seedlings, revealing a promising action of chitosan as nontoxic biopesticide in tomato plants. Indeed, a wider comprehensive knowledge of the mechanism of action of chitosan in phytopathogenic bacterial cells will increase the chances of its successful application to the control of spread disease in plants.Fil: Mansilla, Andrea Yamila. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Albertengo, Liliana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez, María Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química; ArgentinaFil: Debbaudt, Adriana Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química; ArgentinaFil: Zuñiga, Adolfo Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química; ArgentinaFil: Casalongue, Claudia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentin

Chitooligosaccharides as novel ingredients of fermented foods

Chitooligosaccharides (COSs) have been clinically evaluated for their immunostimulating effects after oral intake. Similar to dietary supplements, prebiotics and biopreservatives, these water-soluble bioactives are easily incorporated into dairy products and beverages. Notwithstanding, the use of COS in fermented foods would be limited by its antimicrobial properties. In order to study the interaction with yoghurts as a model of fermented food, the effects of COS on chemical composition, viability, morphology and metabolism of lactic acid bacteria, fatty acid profiles and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) were assessed over 28 days and after chemical digestion. There were no significant differences between the nutritional composition of controls and yoghurts supplemented with concentrations up to 0.1% w/w of COS. However, the acidification of milk decreased at 0.5% (p < 0.05) and the formation of yoghurt failed at 3.0%, without affecting viable counts. Lipid hydrolysis of yoghurts supplemented with 0.1% COS was not affected by chemical digestion. No significant differences were found between CLA percentages of controls and supplemented yoghurts after digestion. Although the nutritional composition, fatty acids and viable counts were not significantly modified after COS supplementation, the present study shows that COS diminishes bacterial acidification at concentrations higher than 0.1%, thus limiting the amounts that could be added to yoghurt.Fil: Vela Gurovic, Maria Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida(i); ArgentinaFil: Dello Staffolo, Marina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico la Plata. Centro de Investigaciones en Criotecnología de Alimentos (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; ArgentinaFil: Montero, Mirta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química; ArgentinaFil: Debbaudt, Adriana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química; ArgentinaFil: Albertengo, Liliana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez, María Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química; Argentin