The effect of the matrix system in the delivery and in-vitro bioactivity of microencapsulated oregano essential oil

Microencapsulation allows bioactive compounds protection from external factors. Innovation in food industry often requires adding functional ingredients, to tailor flavour and texture, to improve preservation, to control bioactive compounds stability and controlled release during processing/storage. Oregano, besides richness in aroma compounds, is also known by potential antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. These sensitive compounds need protection in order to allow their use in a wider range of processes. In this study, oregano essential oil (EO) was microencapsulated by spray/freeze drying in: rice starch (with/without bonding agents), gelatine/sucrose and inulin, dried at different temperatures. Microencapsulates were analysed for morphology and structure (SEM, CLSM, X-ray diffraction and FTIR). Releasing ability of entrapped EO (UV–VIS spectroscopy) was evaluated by diffusion coefficient (D). Antioxidant activity (AA) - ORAC and HORAC- and antimicrobial activities against pathogens were evaluated. Rice starch spherules, presenting interconnecting cavities, were formed. Spray-dried inulin and gelatine/sucrose systems formed continuous walled and smooth surface spherical capsules (3-4.5 and 0.9-10m, respectively). EO was uniformly distributed inside the structures (CLSM) and its presence confirmed by FTIR. Depending on the system, D varied among 10-13 (starch), 10-13-10-15, (gelatine/sucrose) and 10-16 m2/s (inulin). In starch system, D was mainly influenced by the gelatin concentration, increasing with it. X- ray diffraction and FTIR results suggest some kind of linkage between gelatine and starch. Spray-dried gelatine/sucrose system, revealed to be unsuitable for EO encapsulation due to capsules disintegration but freeze-drying was effective. The D of EO from inulin capsules decreases when these are produced above 140 ºC. The impact of encapsulation method on EO bioactivity and product stability during 6 months, was verified through the determination of microcapsules AA, using free EO value as reference. The results obtained provide information on the release/stability of oregano EO from different matrices, relevant for functional ingredients microencapsulation

Inulin potential for encapsulation and controlled delivery of Oregano essential oil

The ability of inulin, a prebiotic material, as encapsulation matrix was explored. Microcapsules of Raftiline were produced by spray drying inulin solutions at different solids content (5, 15 and 25%) at 120, 155 and 190 °C, according to a Central Composite Rotatable design. Produced capsules were analysed for morphology and size by SEM and physiochemical characterized by DSC, IR and RAMAN. Oregano essential oil was incorporated in the inulin solutions at 15% solids basis and the emulsions dried at the same conditions. The above mentioned methodologies were applied to evaluate the encapsulation ability and the changes induced by the presence of the EO in capsules morphology and structure. Furthermore the kinetics and amount of release was assessed by a spectrophotometric method. Results showed that it was possible to produce regular spherical inulin microcapsules (3–4.5 μm) for all the tested experimental conditions. According to IR and Raman results mainly drying temperature affected the structure of the capsules, three groups being clearly formed. These groups could be related to the morphology of inulin crystals. The EO was successfully encapsulated in the system as demonstrated by IR and Raman analysis. The differences found in the EO releasing amount, make clear that different degrees of core material retention is achieved, what should be related to structural changes in the matrix wall, denoting in some processing conditions interactions phenomena among inulin and EO. Those different releasing profiles patterns may be quite useful in finding different potential uses for the encapsulates.Thanks are due for the financial support given by Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through the project PTDC/AGR/ALI/67194/2006 and through a post-doctoral grant of first author (SFRH/BPD/44200/2008) supported by programme QREN - POPH - Tipologia 4.1. The authors also express their gratitude to Mr Octavio Chaveiro from INIAV for the given support in microscopy studies

Effect of the matrix system in the delivery and in vitro bioactivity of microencapsulated Oregano essential oil

The effect of encapsulating matrix on retention, protection and delivery of Oregano essential oil (EO) was studied. EO was encapsulated in rice starch porous spheres, inulin and gelatine/sucrose capsules by spray drying. Gelatine/sucrose matrix was also dried by freeze drying. Experimental designs were applied to test the effect of bonding agents and solids content for rice starch and drying temperature and solids content for inulin and gelatine/sucrose systems. The ratio of gelatine/sucrose was also tested. EO was identified (confocal laser scanning microscopy and FT-IR) in all tested matrices and the release profiles,antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity of encapsulates evaluated. Results showed that the three tested materials are able to encapsulate Oregano EO. Higher diffusion coefficients were obtained for starch microcapsules (about 1013 m2/s) followed by spray-dried gelatine/sucrose systems (about 1015 m2/s) and inulin microcapsules (about 1016 m2/s). Gelatine/sucrose microparticles exhibit high antioxidant and antimicrobial activity while inulin and rice starch microencapsulates ensure higher stability.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) - PTDC/AGR/ALI/67194/2006, SFRH/BPD/44200/2008, QREN – POPH – Tipologia 4.1

Kafirin structure and functionality

The structural and functional properties of kafirins are reviewed. Three classes of kafirin: the a, ß and ? forms have been identified at the protein level and one, the d, has been identified only at the gene and transcript levels. All forms show high homology with the equivalent zein proteins. By analogy with the zeins it is believed that the a-kafirins probably have an extended hairpin structure in solution, comprising elements of a-helix, ß-sheet and turns folded back on itself. Kafirins are the most hydrophobic of the prolamins as shown by their solubility, and calculated hydration free energies. The proteins exhibit extensive cross-linking by disulphide bonds and on cooking form indigestible aggregates which are not solubilised by reduction of disulphide bonds. In spite of continuing studies, the reasons for the low digestibility of the protein remain uncertain and there may be several factors involved. Other research has shown that kafirins may have non-food uses and may be used to form films

The Role of Practice Research Networks (PRN) in the Development and Implementation of Evidence: The Northern Improving Access to Psychological Therapies PRN Case Study

Practice research networks (PRNs) can support the implementation of evidence based practice in routine services and generate practice based evidence. This paper describes the structure, processes and learning from a new PRN in the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme in England, in relation to an implementation framework and using one study as a case example. Challenges related to: ethics and governance processes; communications with multiple stakeholders; competing time pressures and linking outcome data. Enablers included: early tangible outputs and impact; a collaborative approach; engaging with local research leads; clarity of processes; effective dissemination; and committed leadership

The Relationship Between Therapist Effects and Therapy Delivery Factors: Therapy Modality, Dosage, and Non-completion.

To consider the relationships between, therapist variability, therapy modality, therapeutic dose and therapy ending type and assess their effects on the variability of patient outcomes. Multilevel modeling was used to analyse a large sample of routinely collected data. Model residuals identified more and less effective therapists, controlling for case-mix. After controlling for case mix, 5.8 % of the variance in outcome was due to therapists. More sessions generally improved outcomes, by about half a point on the PHQ-9 for each additional session, while non-completion of therapy reduced the amount of pre-post change by six points. Therapy modality had little effect on outcome. Patient and service outcomes may be improved by greater focus on the variability between therapists and in keeping patients in therapy to completion

Nutritional, physicochemical, and endogenous enzyme assessment of raw milk preserved under hyperbaric storage at variable room temperature

Raw milk (a highly perishable food) was preserved at variable room temperature (RT) under hyperbaric storage (HS) (50-100 MPa) for 60 days and compared with refrigeration (RF) under atmospheric pressure (AP) on quality, nutritional, and endogenous enzyme activity parameters. Overall, a comparable raw milk preservation outcome was observed between storage under AP/RF and 50/RT after 14 days, with similar variations in the parameters studied indicating milk degradation. Differently, even after 60 days (the maximum period studied) under 75-100/RT, a slower milk degradation was achieved, keeping most of the parameters similar to those of milk prior to storage, including pH, titratable acidity, total solid content, density, color, viscosity, and volatile organic and fatty acid profiles, but with higher free amino acid content, signs of an overall better preservation. These results indicate an improved preservation and enhanced shelf life of raw milk by HS/RT versus RF, showing HS potential for milk and highly perishable food preservation in general.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The tropical Atlantic observing system

The tropical Atlantic is home to multiple coupled climate variations covering a wide range of timescales and impacting societally relevant phenomena such as continental rainfall, Atlantic hurricane activity, oceanic biological productivity, and atmospheric circulation in the equatorial Pacific. The tropical Atlantic also connects the southern and northern branches of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation and receives freshwater input from some of the world’s largest rivers. To address these diverse, unique, and interconnected research challenges, a rich network of ocean observations has developed, building on the backbone of the Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Tropical Atlantic (PIRATA). This network has evolved naturally over time and out of necessity in order to address the most important outstanding scientific questions and to improve predictions of tropical Atlantic severe weather and global climate variability and change. The tropical Atlantic observing system is motivated by goals to understand and better predict phenomena such as tropical Atlantic interannual to decadal variability and climate change; multidecadal variability and its links to the meridional overturning circulation; air-sea fluxes of CO2 and their implications for the fate of anthropogenic CO2; the Amazon River plume and its interactions with biogeochemistry, vertical mixing, and hurricanes; the highly productive eastern boundary and equatorial upwelling systems; and oceanic oxygen minimum zones, their impacts on biogeochemical cycles and marine ecosystems, and their feedbacks to climate. Past success of the tropical Atlantic observing system is the result of an international commitment to sustained observations and scientific cooperation, a willingness to evolve with changing research and monitoring needs, and a desire to share data openly with the scientific community and operational centers. The observing system must continue to evolve in order to meet an expanding set of research priorities and operational challenges. This paper discusses the tropical Atlantic observing system, including emerging scientific questions that demand sustained ocean observations, the potential for further integration of the observing system, and the requirements for sustaining and enhancing the tropical Atlantic observing system

Quantitative Contactless Photothermal Monitoring Of Drying In Foodstuff Materials

The role of a quantitative method, based on contactless photothermal monitoring, in the drying process of food products was described. The influence of moisture content on the effective thermal transport properties of the materials was used in the study. The transperency consideration in the foodstuff provided direct information related to the optical and thermal parameters. The infrared detection formed the basis for analyzing the frequency dependent thermal wave signals at different drying states.741 II744746Delgadillo-Holtfort, I., (2000) Quantitative Infrared Thermograph 5, QIRT 2000, pp. 103-104. , Reims, France, edited by D. Balageas et alDelgadillo-Holtfort, I., (2001) Anal. Sci., 17, p. 507Bein, B.K., (1999) BAM-DGZfP-Berichtsband, BB 69-CD, pp. M1Xiao, P., (2001) Anal. Sci., 17, pp. s349Bolte, J., (1997) High Temp.-High Press., 29, p. 567Bein, B.K., (1986) Can. J. Phys., 64, p. 1208Bein, B.K., (1997) High Temp.-High Press., 29, p. 43

Physicochemical parameters, lipids stability, and volatiles profile of vacuum-packaged fresh Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) loins preserved by hyperbaric storage at 10 °C

Lipid stability, physical properties and volatiles profile of vacuum-packaged fresh Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) loins were evaluated after hyperbaric storage at low temperature (HS/LT: 60 MPa/10 °C) and compared to atmospheric pressure and conventional refrigeration (AP/5 °C) after 5, 15 and 30 days, and at low temperature (AP/10 °C), after 5 and 15 days. No variations in drip loss and water holding capacity were observed for HS/LT samples. Compared to AP, HS/LT caused lower changes on muscle fibres, visible by scanning electron micrographs, and a decrease of resilience property (only after 30 days). In addition, myofibrillar fragmentation index did not change at HS/LT. Fatty acids were generally not affected by the different storage conditions, while the polyene index at HS/LT was similar to fresh samples during the 30 days of storage, confirmed by the lower lipid oxidation state of these samples, compared to AP. According to the volatile profile (SPME-GC/MS), HS samples showed to be more similar to the fresh ones, retaining fresh-like alcohols and aldehydes, generally not detected in AP samples after 15 days, the latter presenting spoilage-related compounds probably derived from microbial activity. According to these results, HS/LT represents a promising preservation methodology for fresh salmon loins (and fish in general), retaining better important physicochemical properties for 30 days, when compared to the conventional refrigeration.publishe