Box–Behnken design optimization of microwave postharvest treatment on peach quality in cold storage

The effect of microwave postharvest treatment on peach cv.“Mashhad SorkhoSefid” quality in cold storage was optimized using Box–Behnken response surface design coupled with numerical optimization technique. The individual and interactive effect of process variables (microwave power (MP), microwave exposure time (MET) and storage time (ST)) on the quality attributes (decay (%), weight loss (%) and firmness (N)) were studied. The results showed that, MET, MP and ST had significant effect on quality parameters of peaches. The experimental data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and second-order polynomial models were developed using multiple regression analysis. The models developed from the experimental design were predictive and good fit with the experimental data with high coefficient of determination (R2) values. An optimization study using desired function methodology was performed and the optimal conditions were found to be MP; 250.44w, MET; 49.47s and ST; 30 days. The corresponding predicted values were 5.18% for decay; 3.35% for weight loss, and 1.25 N for firmness

Anticonvulsant treatments of dysphoric mania: a trial of gabapentin, lamotrigine and carbamazepine in Iran

The treatment of dysphoric mania is challenging given the need to treat symptoms of both depression and mania simultaneously without provoking any clinical exacerbation. The newer antiepileptic drugs such as gabapentin, lamotrogine, and carbamazepine are often used as adjuncts to either lithium or valproic acid in the treatment of bipolar disorder. We decided to undertake a monotherapy trial because previous evidence suggested mixed states may be more responsive to anticonvulsants than more traditional antimanic agents. 51 patients with a DSM IV diagnosis of dysphoric mania were randomized to three groups comprising gapbapentin, lamotrogine or carbamazepine and followed for 8 weeks. Psychiatric diagnosis was verified by the structural clinical interview for the DSM-IV (SCID). The MMPI-2 in full was used to assess symptoms at baseline and 8 weeks. All three groups showed significant changes in MMPI-2 scores for depression and mania subscales. Gabapentin showed the greatest change in depression symptom improvement relative to lamotrogine and carbamazepine, respectively. Although manic symptoms improved overall, here were no differences between groups in the degree of manic symptom improvement

Investigating the physicochemical, sensory and microbial properties of plant-based protein products (meat-free burgers) formulated using various Vicia ervilia (L.) Willd. protein isolates

The present study investigated the effect of using various protein isolates of Vicia ervilia (L.) Willd. (Bitter vetch; Family: Fabaceae) in formulating plant burgers on physicochemical, sensory and microbial properties of the resulting plant-based protein products. The results indicated that the plant-based protein products in the formulation of which protein isolates produced based on salt extraction methods were used, had higher rates of protein, fat and oil. On the contrary, they had lower rates of carbohydrate and moisture in contrast to the plant-based protein products formulated using protein isolates produced based on isoelectric precipitation methods. The reason for the high amount of fat and protein in these treatments can be attributed to the isolates’ production conditions, high amount of oil diffused from the product in contrast to low oil retention and absorption capacity and low level of the measured moisture in comparison with the high protein content. In the current century, due to the uneven human population growth as well as the limited growth of animal resources, the debate about protein deficiency is particularly important in developing societies. Efforts for finding abundant and cheap herbal sources of protein have led to various researches regarding the use of some such less-known legumes in developing countries. In this regard, different protein isolates of Vicia ervilia have been used in the formulation of vegetable burgers to produce a new, inexpensive and productive plant protein product in the food industry

Relationship between serum anti-heat shock protein 27 antibody levels and obesity

Background Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) is an intracellular molecular chaperone that is expressed at high levels following the exposure of cells to environmental stressors such as heat, toxins, and free radicals. High levels of HSP antigens and antibody titers have been reported in several conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancers. We measured serum anti-HSP27 antibody levels in 993 subjects and assessed the associations between serum anti-HSP27 antibody levels and demographic characteristics including coronary risk factors. Methods A total of 993 subjects were recruited as part of the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerotic Disorders (MASHAD) cohort study. Demographic, clinical, and biochemical parameters and serum anti-HSP27 antibody titers were determined in all the subjects. Results Serum anti-HSP27 antibody levels increased with increasing age in men. No significant differences in levels were detected between men and women. Serum anti-HSP27 antibody levels were significantly higher in obese subjects than in nonobese subjects (P = 0.046); however, no significant influence of smoking status was observed. Moreover, serum anti-HSP27 antibody titers were positively associated with age, body mass index, waist/hip ratio, the presence of diabetes mellitus, nonsmoking habit, serum triglycerides, cholesterol, and high-sensitivity c-reactive protein. Conclusion We have found that serum anti-HSP27 antibody titers are related to several cardiovascular risk factors, necessitating further studies on the value of this emerging marker for risk stratification

Relationship between platelet count and platelet width distribution and serum uric acid 1 concentrations in patients with untreated essential hypertension

Hematological parameters have emerged as independent determinants of high serum concentrations of uric-acid and predictive-factors in the evaluation of the total cardiovascular-risk in patients with essential-hypertensive. Here we have investigated the possible relationships between hematological-factors and serum uric-acid levels in hypertensive-patients recruited as part of Mashhad-Stroke and Heart-Atherosclerotic-Disorders cohort study. Two-thousand three-hundred and thirty four hypertensive individuals were recruited from this cohort and these were divided into two groups; those with either high or low serum uric acid concentrations. Demographic, biochemical and hematological characteristics of population were evaluated in all the subjects. Logistic-regression-analysis was performed to determine the association of hematological-parameters with hypertension. Of the 2334 hypertensive-subjects, 290 cases had low uric-acid, and 2044 had high serum uric acid concentrations. Compared with the low uric acid group, the patients with high serum uric acid, had higher values for several hematological parameters, whilst platelet counts (PLT) were lower. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that PLT and serum hs-CRP were correlated with serum uric acid level. Stepwise multiple logistic regression model confirmed that PDW and gender were independent determinant of a high serum uric acid. PDW and PLT appear to be independently associated with serum uric acid level in patients with hypertension

Factors Associated with The Incidence of Coronary Heart Disease in The Mashad: A Cohort Study

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, and specifically in Iran. Accurate assessments of Coronary heart disease (CHD) incidence is very necessary for public health. In current study we aimed to investigate the incidence of CHD and importance of several classical, modifiable and un-modifiable risk factors for CHD among an urban population in eastern Iran after 6 years of follow-up. Methods The population of MASHAD cohort study were followed up for 6 years, every 3 years in two step by phone and who reported symptoms of CVD were asked to attend for a cardiac examination, to estimate the incidence of CHD with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) as well multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association of several baseline characteristics with incidence of CHD event. Evaluation of goodness-of-fit was done using ROC analysis. CHD cases divided into four different classes which include: stable angina, unstable angina pectoris, myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death. Results In the six years\u27 follow-up of Mashhad study, the incidence rate of all CHD event in men and women in 100,000 people-years with 95% confidence intervals were 1920 (810-3030) and 1160 (730-1590), respectively. The areas under ROC curve (AUC), based on multivariate predictors of CHD outcome, was 0.7825. Conclusion Our findings indicated that the incidence rate of coronary heart diseases in MASHAD cohort study increases with age as well as our final model designed, was able to predict approximately 78% of CHD events in Iranian population

Optimization of Wall Material of Freeze-Dried High-Bioactive Microcapsules with Yellow Onion Rejects Using Simplex Centroid Mixture Design Approach Based on Whey Protein Isolate, Pectin, and Sodium Caseinate as Incorporated Variables

For the food sector, onion rejects are an appealing source of value-added byproducts. Bioactive compounds were recovered from yellow onion rejects using a pulse electric field process at 6000 v and 60 pulses. The onion extract was encapsulated with whey protein isolate (WPI), pectin (P), and sodium caseinate (SC) with a mass ratio of 1:5 (extract/wall material, w/w). A Simplex lattice with augmented axial points in the mixture design was applied for the optimization of wall material for the encapsulation of onion reject extract by freeze-drying (FD). The optimal wall materials were 47.6 g/100 g (SC), 10.0 g/100 g (P), and 42.4 g/100 g (WPI), with encapsulation yield (EY) of 85.1%, total phenolic content (TPC) of 48.7 mg gallic acid equivalent/g DW, total flavonoid content (TFC) of 92.0 mg quercetin equivalent/g DW, and DPPH capacity of 76.1%, respectively. The morphological properties of the optimal encapsulate demonstrated spherical particles with a rough surface. At optimal conditions, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract (mean diameter of inhibition zone: 18.8 mm) was shown as antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger

Microwave osmotic dehydration of apples («Red Gala») under continuous flow medium spray conditions (MWODS) for improving moisture transport rate and product quality

Microwave osmotic dehydration (MWOD) is a novel technique with a good potential for more efficient osmotic drying of fruits and vegetables. It combines the microwave heating with osmotic dehydration for enhancing moisture transfer rate in the osmotic dehydration process and product quality. Preliminary studies were carried out to compare the osmotic dehydration kinetics of apple (Red Gala) cylinders in microwave osmotic dehydration under continuous flow medium spray conditions (MWODS) with microwave osmotic dehydration under continuous flow medium immersion conditions (MWODI), as well as conventional osmotic drying (COD) in immersion (CODI) and spray (CODS) modes. The results showed that the MWODS process considerably enhanced the moisture transfer rate from the fruit, and limited the solids gain at the same time. In the second part, the two-parameter Azuara model and the conventional diffusion model were evaluated for describing the mass transfer kinetics of apple (Red Gala) cylinders during MWODS, MWODI, CODS and CODI. The results showed that both models adequately described the transient mass transfer kinetics during the OD process; however the Azuara model was superior. MWODS was further studied to evaluate the effect of various process variables (sucrose concentration, medium temperature, flow rate and contact time) by using response surface methodology and a central composite rotatable design. Predictive models were developed relate the response variables to process parameters. Finally optimization studies were carried out to elucidate optimal processing conditions under MWODS. The study demonstrated that moisture loss (ML), solids gain (SG) and weight reduction (WR) were predictably higher at higher sucrose concentrations, higher medium temperatures, longer contact times and higher flow rates. Since OD only results in partial dehydration, a second stage drying was evaluated employing conventional air drying and compared with freeze drying to identify cost effective systems for preserving the quality of the osmotically dehydrated shelf-stable fruits. The effect of MWODS pretreatment on air-drying kinetics and quality parameters (color, texture, and rehydration characteristics) of apple (Red Gala) cylinders was evaluated. The results revealed that drying time decreased with increasing concentrations and medium temperature of the MWODS treatment. Compared with untreated control samples, MWODS air-dried samples had higher coefficient of moisture diffusivity (Dm). In terms of quality parameters, the MWODS air-drying combination process resulted in a product with lower color change and a more chewy structure. The air dried product without MWODS had the least desirable quality characteristics. While the color was better preserved in the freeze dried product, it was much more brittle than MWODS – air-dried product. The rehydration capacity of MWODS air-dried products was lower than freeze-dried products and higher than air-dried. Overall, the thesis research contributes to a better understanding of the moisture transfer behavior during microwave osmotic dehydration under continuous flow medium spray processing conditions. Together with a simple second stage air-drying it can produce high quality dehydrated apple products.La déshydratation osmotique à l'aide des micro-ondes (MWOD) est une nouvelle technique avec un bon potentiel pour plus d'efficacité de séchage osmotique des fruits et légumes. Il combine le chauffage micro-onde avec la déshydratation osmotique pour améliorer le taux de transfert de l'humidité dans le procédé de déshydratation osmotique et la qualité du produit. Des études préliminaires ont été effectuées pour comparer la cinétique de déshydratation osmotique des cylindres de pommes (Rouge Gala) à déshydratation osmotique sous conditions de flux continu de pulvérisation (MWODS) avec déshydratation osmotique à l'aide des micro-ondes sous flux continu d'immersion (MWODI), ainsi que séchage osmotique le conventionnel (COD) en mode d'immersion (CODI) et en mode de pulvérisation (CODS). Les résultats ont montré que le processus de MWODS a considérablement amélioré le taux de transfert d'humidité à partir du fruit et a limité le gain des solides en même temps. Dans la deuxième partie, le modèle d'Azuara à deux paramètres et le modèle de diffusion classique ont été évalués pour décrire la cinétique de transfert de masse des cylindres de la pomme (Rouge Gala) pendant MWODS, MWODI, COD et CODI. Les résultats ont montré que les deux modèles décrivent adéquatement la cinétique transitoire de transfert de masse pendant le processus d'OD, mais le modèle Azuara était supérieur. MWODS a aussi été étudié pour évaluer l'effet des différentes variables de processus (concentration en saccharose, la température du moyen, le taux de flux et le temps de contact) en utilisant la méthodologie de surface de réponse et la décomposition rotative du programme global. Les modèles prédictifs ont été développés pour relier les variables de réponse aux paramètres du procédé. Enfin, des études d'optimisation ont été menées pour élucider les conditions optimales de transformation sous MWODS. L'étude a démontré que la perte d'humidité (ML), les gains de solides (SG) et les pertes de poids (WR) ont été plus prévisibles à des concentrations de saccharose, températures de moyen, temps de contact et taux de flux plus élevés. Une deuxième étape de séchage a été évaluée employant l'air de séchage conventionnel par rapport à la lyophilisation pour identifier les systèmes efficaces pouvant préserver la qualité des fruits osmotiquement déshydratés. L'effet du prétraitement du MWODS sur la cinétique du séchage à l'air et l'effet des paramètres de qualité (couleur, texture, et caractéristiques de réhydratation) des cylindres de pomme (Rouge Gala) ont été évalués. Les résultats ont révélé que le temps de séchage diminue avec l'augmentation des concentrations et de la température du moyen du traitement MWODS. Par rapport aux échantillons témoins non traités, les MWODS échantillons séchés à l'air était ont un coefficient de diffusivité de l'humidité (Dm) plus entée. En termes de paramètres de qualité, le processus de MWODS avec séchage à l'air arrive à un produit avec un changement de couleur inférieur et une structure plus tendre. Le produit séché à l'air sans MWODS avait les caractéristiques de qualité le moins souhaitable. Bien que la couleur a été mieux préservé dans le produit lyophilisé, le produit était beaucoup plus fragile que le produit MWODS avec séchage à l'air. La capacité de réhydratation des produits de MWODS séchés à l'air est supérieure de celle des produits séchés à l'air et celle des produits lyophilisés.En général, cette recherche contribue à une meilleure compréhension du comportement de transfert d'humidité à micro-ondes pendant la déshydratation osmotique sous flux continu du moyen avec de la pulvérisation. Avec une deuxième simple étape du séchage à l'air, le processus peut produire des produits de pomme avec une haute qualité

Optimization of ultrasound-assisted osmotic treatment of Aleo vera gel impregnated with grape pomace phenolic compounds using response surface methodology

This study was focused on investigating the use of pulsed ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration (UAOD) for enhancing the infusion of phenolic compounds extracted from grape pomace (GPx) to Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller,) gel (AVG) using response surface methodology (RSM) and produce a dehydrated product with high antioxidant content. Fresh AVG were initially immersed in a sucrose solution of 50° B with three levels of GPx (10, 20, and 30 v/v) and subjected to pulsed ultrasound (US) treatment with a probe of 2 cm diameter, two levels of ultrasound amplitude (UA) (50 and 100%), and three ultrasound treatment times (UT) (30, 135 and 210 min). The pulsed on and off times were set at 15 and 1 min, respectively. A multiple regression analysis was carried out to develop second-order polynomial models with high coefficients of determination value (R2 > 0.81). The optimal conditions were obtained using the Design Expert software. The best condition obtained for the UAOD optimization was UA = 59%, 20% grape pomace extract in 50% sucrose, UT = 173 min to result in a moisture loss of 51.3 % (predicted 49.9%), solid gain of 4.3 % (5.0%), total phenolic contents of 30.5 mg/g (31.8%), and DPPH radical scavenging activity of 15.3% (15.0%). UAOD therefore appears to be a promising process for antioxidant incorporation and preparing added value product.

Comparison of sanitizing disinfectants on the physicochemical and microbial properties of onion puree (OP)

There is a growing demand for fresh cut, value-added and ready-to-use food in households, as well as for widespread use in retail, food services and the various food industries. Amongst vegetables, onions have many medicinal properties and can lead to health.This study evaluated the effect of disinfection methods including; T1: Nisin & Citric acid (N+C), T2: Sodium hypochlorite (SH+S+C), T3: Calcium chloride+ Ascorbic acid+ Citric Acid (CC+AS+CA);T4: Control,during 21 days storage at 4°C on onion pure (OP). Each week, pH, soluble solids, acidity, weight loss, total phenolic compounds antioxidant activity and microbial tests (total microbial count, total molds and yeasts) were performed on the samples. Statistical analysis of the data by way of a completely randomized factorial design, demonstrated that in all treatments, the chemical properties of the storage period decreased, and the total number of living microbes and the total number of molds and yeast increased but, in T3(CC+AS+CA), the chemical properties, phenolic compounds, and the antioxidant activity were preserved and had the lowest microbial growth rate