Antibrowning and antimicrobial effects of onion essential oil to preserve the quality of cut potatoes

This study evaluated the effect of onion essential oil (OEO) (0, 0.5, 2.5, and 5 mg ml−1) on microbial growth, browning decay, and sensorial appealing of cut potatoes stored for 15 days at 4 °C. Dipropyl disulphide and dipropyl trisulphide were the main constituents identified in OEO, and its application at a dose of 0.5 mg mlt-1 was the most effective to prevent browning (38.5% inhibition respect to control) during storage, inhibiting PPO activity (39% respect to control) after the treatment. The higher the added OEO concentration the lower microbial growth of the treated product was, achieving a reduction of 1.27 log CFU g−1 for the 5 mg ml−1 treatment. The odour and flavour appealing of cut potatoes were well received by the panelists after 10 days of storage. Therefore, the use of OEO in cut potatoes has a potential as antimicrobial and antibrowning agent

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Instituto Español de Oceanografí

Palaeoenvironments, relative sea-level changes and tectonic influence on the Quaternary seismic units of the Huelva continental shelf (Gulf of Cadiz, southwestern Iberian Peninsula)

A seismic stratigraphical study was conducted on the Huelva continental shelf (southwestern Iberian Peninsula) between the mouths of the Guadalquivir and Guadiana Rivers. Applying the basic concepts of seismic stratigraphy, 13 seismic units bound by erosive discontinuities have been identified. Two main kinds of seismic units can be distinguished: a) Units that internally show a wide variability of seismic configurations and sheet to lensoidal external shape, located in inner-to-middle shelf settings. These units are considered high-energy units (HEU), deposited during intervals of rising and highstand sea levels. They represent coastal deposits comprising two main depositional systems: coastal barriers in the form of shoreface deposits and landward lagoonal and tidal deposits. b) Units displaying low-angle oblique seismic configurations, with reflectors exhibiting good lateral continuity and amplitude. Their thickness increases seaward, with the largest depocentres located near the shelf-break, displaying therefore a typical wedge external shape. These units are located very frequently from middle shelf emplacements to outer shelf and upper slope settings, and are considered low-energy units (LEU). They are believed to have been formed during periods of falling sea level, representing the distal portions of coastal and deltaic bodies that have been preserved from erosion. The stacking pattern of the units shows three different tectonic settings: a central subsiding sector, bounded laterally by two tectonic highs, one of them structurally controlled (the western one) and the other conditioned by diapiric uplifting (the eastern one).Un análisis de estratigrafía sísmica se ha realizado en la plataforma continental de Huelva (suroeste de la península Ibérica) entre las desembocaduras de los ríos Guadiana y Guadalquivir. Aplicando los concep tos básicos de la estratigrafía sísmica, han sido identificadas 13 unidades sísmicas limitadas por discontinuidades erosivas. Dos tipos principales de unidades sísmicas han sido identificadas: a) Unidades que internamente muestran una gran variabilidad de facies sísmicas y forma externa de lámina o lenticular, localizadas en la plataforma interna-media. Estas unidades son consideradas de alta energía (high- energy units, HEU), depositadas durante intervalos de ascenso y alto nivel del mar. Se relacionan con depósitos costeros compuestos de dos sistemas deposicionales principales: barreras costeras formadas por depósitos de frente de playa y, hacia tierra, depósitos mareales y de laguna. b) Unidades caracterizadas por clinoformas progradacionales de bajo ángulo, con reflectores de alta amplitud y continuidad. Su espesor aumenta hacia el borde de plataforma, adquiriendo una forma típica de cuña. Estas unidades están localizadas frecuentemente desde la plataforma media hasta el talud superior y son consideradas como unidades de baja energía (low-energy units, LEU). Se interpreta que representan las porciones distales de cuerpos costeros y deltaicos que se han formado durante periodos de descenso relativo del nivel del mar, y que han sido preservadas de la erosión que sufrieron las capas más someras. El patrón de apilamiento de las unidades muestra tres emplazamientos tectónicos diferentes: un sector central subsidente limitado lateralmente por dos altos tectónicos, uno controlado estructuralmente (sector oeste) y otro condicionado por un levantamiento de origen diapírico (sector este).Instituto Español de Oceanografí

Relationship between the offlap-break location of Holocene prograding wedges on wave climate in southeastern Iberian Peninsula

Wave climate exerts a significant influence on the development of Holocene sedimentary prograding wedges. This is demonstrated by the fact that near-bed orbital velocities between 0.10 and 0.14 m/s (threshold for resuspension) occur in the vicinity of the infralittoral prograding wedges (IPW) offlap-breaks during storm-weather conditions, but during medium wave energy conditions in the case of prodeltaic wedges

Statistics of the purse seine Spanish fleet in the Indian Ocean (1990-2011)

This document presents summary statistics of the purse seiner Spanish fleet fishing in the Indian Ocean from 1990 to 2011. Data include catch and effort statistics as well as some fishery index by species and fishing mode. Information about the sampling scheme and the coverage of sampling, together with maps and diagrams representing the fishing pattern of this fleet by time and area strata is also included