Inclusion complexes of trans-iso-alpha-acids with beta-cyclodextrin : preparation of highly enriched cis- and trans-iso-alpha-acids

Separation of cis-iso-alpha-acids from trans-iso-alpha-acids, starting from the commercial isomerised hop extract, was successfully carried out by complex formation of the trans-iso-alpha-acids with beta-cyclodextrin. The separation was performed on laboratory scale permitting the quantitative dosage of cis-iso-alpha-acids resp. trans-iso-alpha-acids to 50 L of fermented beer, addition rate 25 mg/L. The methodology consists of two successive complex formation steps with a saturated solution of beta-CD in water. The precipitate from the first complex formation step is enriched in trans-isomers, which can be recovered from the beta-CD inclusion complexes. The collected first supernatant is already enriched in cis-isomers, but in order to obtain a higher enrichment in cis-isomers in this fraction, it was incubated again with beta-CD for a second complex formation step. The cis-isomers were then isolated from the second supernatant by solid phase extraction. The final cis-and trans-isomers fractions were highly enriched in respectively cis-iso-alpha-acids (98 %) and trans-iso-alpha-acids (90 %), as opposed to common isomerised hop extracts with a typical ratio of 70 % cis-iso-alpha-acids and 30 % trans-iso-alpha-acids. The established methodology for the isolation of cis-iso-alpha-acids and trans-iso-alpha-acids from a commercial isomerised hop extract allows highly advanced beer bittering on pilot scale and represents an innovative tool to further investigate both the cis-and trans-specific bitter acids degradation in beer in relation to flavour stability

Who to screen for hepatitis C? A cost-effectiveness study in Belgium of comprehensive hepatitis C screening in four target groups

Background and study aims : hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection often causes asymptomatic disease and patients are frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage. Oral direct acting antivirals (DAAs) are successful in treating HCV with high sustained virologic response (SVR) and excellent tolerability. The aim of this study is to evaluate cost-effectiveness of a broad screening strategy proposing screening to all undiagnosed members of a population (comprehensive HCV screening), in the general adult population, emergency department (ED) attendees, men who have sex with men (MSM) and people who inject drugs (PWID). Patients and methods : We populated a theoretical model with Belgian data. A decision tree model simulating HCV screening and diagnosis was combined with a Markov state transition model simulating treatment. There was one screening round per year during live years. In the ED population only one screening round was considered. Results : The model calculated that more HCV patients could be detected and treated with comprehensive screening compared to the current situation. Incremental cost per incremental quality . adjusted life years (QAIN) gained was lower than 10.000(sic)/QALY for one and for the screening rounds in the general population (5,139 and 5.200 respectively), in ED attendees (one screening round 5.967), in MSMs (4.292 and 4.302 respectively) and in PWIDs (3.504 and 3.524 respectively). Conclusion : A broad screening strategy combined with treatment is likely to be a cost-effective strategy to detect and treat HCV infected patients and diminish the HCV burden in Belgium

Who to screen for hepatitis C? A cost-effectiveness study in Belgium of comprehensive hepatitis C screening in four target groups

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection often causes asymptomatic disease and patients are frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage. Oral direct acting antivirals (DAAs) are successful in treating HCV with high sustained virologic response (SVR) and excellent tolerability. The aim of this study is to evaluate cost-effectiveness of a broad screening strategy proposing screening to all undiagnosed members of a population (comprehensive HCV screening), in the general adult population, emergency department (ED) attendees, men who have sex with men (MSM) and people who inject drugs (PWID). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We populated a theoretical model with Belgian data. A decision tree model simulating HCV screening and diagnosis was combined with a Markov state transition model simulating treatment. There was one screening round per year during five years. In the ED population only one screening round was considered. RESULTS: The model calculated that more HCV patients could be detected and treated with comprehensive screening compared to the current situation. Incremental cost per incremental quality adjusted life years (QALY) gained was lower than 10.000€/QALY for one and for five screening rounds in the general population (5.139 and 5.200 respectively), in ED attendees (one screening round 5.967), in MSMs (4.292 and 4.302 respectively) and in PWIDs (3.504 and 3.524 respectively). CONCLUSION: A broad screening strategy combined with treatment is likely to be a cost-effective strategy to detect and treat HCV infected patients and diminish the HCV burden in Belgium.status: publishe

Influence of dietary fat composition on fatty acid composition and sensory properties of dry-cured Parma ham

A feeding trial with 27 pigs was performed in order to estimate the effect of different dietary fats on the fatty acid composition, flavour and sensory properties of dry-cured Parma hams, ripened for 16 months. The animals received a pelleted diet supplemented with different fat sources: tallow (TA), corn oil (CO), and rapeseed oil (RO). The sensory quality of the hams was evaluated by means of sensory analyses and by instrumental procedures such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the volatile aroma compounds. A treatment effect was detected for linolenic acid in RO vs. CO and TA hams (P < 0.01) and for MUFA content (P < 0.01) that was higher in RO and TA compared with CO. The results of panel test showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) between TA vs. CO and RO hams. Volatile compounds showed limited differences even if in CO group the amount of singular compound is higher than TA and RO

The oxygenated sesquiterpenoid fraction of hops in relation to the spicy hop character of beer

Hop-derived sesquiterpenoid-type oxidation products have been associated with a spicy or herbal hoppy beer character. However, the flavour threshold values of hitherto identified oxygenated sesquiterpenes are generally much higher than their estimated levels in beer. By applying two-step supercritical fluid extraction of hop pellets using carbon dioxide. followed by chromatographic purification of the enriched sesquiterpenoid fraction, highly specific varietal hop oil essences containing all main oxygenated sesquiterpenes were obtained. Post-fermentation addition (at ppb levels) of these purified sesquiterpenoid essences from various European aroma hops led to distinctive spicy or herbal flavour notes, reminiscent of typical 'noble' hop aroma. It is concluded that a spicy hop flavour impression in beer depends significantly on minor constituents of the natural sesquiterpenoid hop oil fraction

A combined morphometric and AFLP based diversity study challenges the taxonomy of the European members of the complex Prunus L. section Prunus

Multivariate analysis of both endocarp and leaf morphometrics is combined with cluster analysis and Bayesian inference of AFLP markers to assess the morphologic and genetic variation of five European members of Prunus section Prunus (P. cerasifera, P. domestica, P. insititia, P. spinosa, and P. x fruticans). Endocarp morphometrics separate most Prunus taxa studied, but overlap remains between P. domestica and P. cerasifera, and P. spinosa and P. x fruticans. Leaf morphometrics yield better separation of P. domestica and P. cerasifera, but do not allow distinction between P. spinosa and P. x fruticans. Both cluster analysis and PCoA of AFLP markers equally produce three distinct clusters. A first consists of all P. cerasifera samples and the sole P. cocomilia; a second cluster includes all individuals of P. domestica and P. insititia; and a third group comprises all P. spinosa and P. x fruticans samples