Avaliação da eficiência de diferentes produtos enológicos na remoção de ocratoxina A de vinho

As micotoxinas são metabolitos secundários tóxicos produzidos por certos fungos, sendo a ocratoxina A (OTA) das mais importantes. A presença de OTA nos vinhos pode constituir um risco para a saúde dos consumidores, sendo por isso aconselhado que se tomem medidas para atingir níveis seguros para o consumo humano [1]. De acordo com o Regulamento n.º 1881/2006 da Comissão Europeia, o limite máximo para a OTA em vinho é de 2 µg/kg [2]. Sendo assim, foi objetivo deste trabalho conhecer a eficiência de diferentes produtos enológicos na remoção de OTA de vinhos, bem como o seu impacto nas suas características organoléticas. Foram testados onze produtos enológicos diferentes, com origem mineral, sintética, microbiana, vegetal e animal, de forma a avaliar a sua eficiência na remoção de OTA de vinhos. Os ensaios foram realizados em vinhos artificialmente suplementados com OTA numa concentração final de 10 µg/L. O produto enológico mais eficiente na remoção de OTA do vinho branco (80%) é composto por gelatina, bentonite e carvão ativado. Reduções entre 10-30% foram também obtidas com o caseinato de potássio, paredes de células de levedura e proteína de ervilha. Com a aplicação de bentonite, carboximetilcelulose, polivinilpolipirrolidona e quitosana não se verificou nenhuma remoção considerável de OTA dos vinhos brancos. Estes resultados podem fornecer informações úteis para os produtores de vinho, ajudando-os na seleção do produto enológico mais adequado para a remoção de OTA de vinhos brancos, reduzindo a toxicidade do vinho e melhorando simultaneamente a segurança alimentar e qualidade do produto final.Agradecimentos: Este trabalho foi financiado por fundos FEDER através do Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade - COMPETE e por fundos nacionais através da Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia -FCT, ref. FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-028029 e PTDC/AGR-TEC/3900/2012, respetivamente. Luís Abrunhosa recebeu apoio através da bolsa Incentivo/EQB/LA0023/2014 do ON.2 O Novo Norte

Interactions between protein fining agents and proanthocyanidins

A comparative fining trial was conducted in a laboratory scale to study the influence of protein fining agents on proanthocyanidins, colour and browning potential of white wine. The monomeric flavanols were significantly depleted by casein, and gelatine with low molecular weight (MW) distribution, and isinglass obtained from fish swim bladder (MW > 94.0, containing some bands in the range 94.0–43.0 and at 20.1 kDa). However, the other gelatines and isinglass with a MW polydispersion below 20.1 kDa did not interact significantly (P < 0.05) with these compounds. In contrast, the oligomeric compounds were not decreased by swim bladder isinglass. It was also observed that neither of the isinglasses decreased the polymeric flavanols significantly (P < 0.05). Although casein and potassium caseinate had similar MW distributions and isoelectric points, potassium caseinate decreased the polymeric flavanols, whereas casein did decrease monomeric, oligomeric and polymeric flavanols significantly (P < 0.05). The degree of polymerisation of polymeric proanthocyanidins that remained in the fined wine decreased significantly (P < 0.05) after addition of protein fining agents except when potassium caseinate was used. Casein, potassium caseinate and swim bladder isinglass induced a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in wine colour (A420nm), a decrease in browning potential and a decrease in turbidit

The Pachamama Worldview in the Ecuadorian Urban Ayllu Network: Mashi identity and resistance in early 21st century Quito

Political mobilization by Ecuadorian mashikuna or indigenous pueblos and nations culminated nationwide in the 1990 uprising whereby the Ecuadorian president was overthrown. This political maneuver was orchestrated by coalitions of different sectors of Ecuadorian society. Mashikuna national networks mobilized effectively to block transportation and commerce, backed by mestizo elite and working sectors, and military leadership, with the help of rank and file. Rising national discontent with neoliberal policy implementation in the late 1980's fueled alliances against corrupted political leadership. Shifts in national political and cultural identity were fueled by popular projects of interculturalism whereby linguistic, ethnic, and ideological differences were encouraged and openly observed. As of 2007, the Ecuadorian constitution officially acknowledges the concept of mother earth as a living being. It also recognizes Pachamama worldview concepts such as sumak kawsay, or well-being, as underpinnings of a sustaining way of life. Better chances at self-determination and communal development became available during these social shifts in Ecuador. As migration to Quito and other large cities continued in this century, ayllu networks grew dramatically in predominantly mashi districts like San Roque, just south of Old Town Quito. San Roque provides mashi ayllu networks a degree of autonomy to develop influential political, economic, and spiritual coalitions according to their sumak kawsay. An autonomous space to practice it has always been available to mashikuna for it is essential to their continuance and identity. However, in the 21 century ayllu the practice of sumak kawsay, mashi identity, and their resistance against inequality takes place within an empowered position unparalleled in recent history. Despite migration to urban centers, outside cultural and technological influence, religious shifts, and continuing racism, mashi continue to live in solidarity with one another, according to the Pachamama worldview. The San Roque network in Quito is an example of how Ecuadorian urban ayllu networks acculturate while maintaining a core identity that entails complex political and economic ties.To understand the everyday practice of Pachamama worldview is essential to understand Ecuadorian indigenous identity and political mobilization in the 21st century. Sumak kawsay provides political, spiritual and economic support for ayllus that are have no government support. The importance of sumak kawsay in the life of mashikuna explains their unwavering resistance against neoliberal projects of individualism and the destruction of the environment for profit

Geometrically induced singular behavior of entanglement

We show that the geometry of the set of quantum states plays a crucial role in the behavior of entanglement in different physical systems. More specifically it is shown that singular points at the border of the set of unentangled states appear as singularities in the dynamics of entanglement of smoothly varying quantum states. We illustrate this result by implementing a photonic parametric down conversion experiment. Moreover, this effect is connected to recently discovered singularities in condensed matter models.Comment: v2: 4 pags, 4 figs. A discussion before the proof of Proposition 1 and tomographic results were included, Propostion 2 was removed and the references were fixe

Carbon dot-protoporphyrin IX conjugates for improved drug delivery and bioimaging

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses photosensitisers such as protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) to target tumours via the release of toxic singlet oxygen when irradiated. The effectivity of the treatment is limited by the innate properties of the photosensitizers; they typically exhibit inefficient accumulation in target tissue and high dark toxicity. Carbon dots (CDs) are biocompatible fluorescent nanoparticles which can improve PpIX cellular uptake and solubility. In this work, we present conjugates synthesised by host-guest encapsulation (PpIX@CD) and amide cross-linking (PpIX-CD). Characterization demonstrated conjugates have a loading efficiency of 34–48% and similar singlet oxygen production to PpIX. PpIX-containing CDs showed a 2.2 to 3.7-fold decrease in dark toxicity. PpIX-CD and PpIX@CD showed equivalent light-induced toxicity to PpIX in concentrations >1 μg/ml, leading to a 3.2 to 4.1-fold increase in photo-toxicity index (PI). The less soluble fraction of cross-linked conjugates (PpIX-CD)p did not show significant difference from PpIX. Confocal light scanning microscopy demonstrated rapid intracellular uptake and accumulation of conjugates. Our results demonstrate the variations between cross-linking strategies in CD-based conjugates, highlighting their potential as carriers in drug delivery and bioimaging applications

Absence of functional TolC protein causes increased stress response gene expression in Sinorhizobium meliloti

The TolC protein from Sinorhizobium meliloti has previously been demonstrated to be required for establishing successful biological nitrogen fixation symbiosis with Medicago sativa. It is also needed in protein and exopolysaccharide secretion and for protection against osmotic and oxidative stresses. Here, the transcriptional profile of free-living S. meliloti 1021 tolC mutant is described as a step toward understanding its role in the physiology of the cell