Impact assessment of mechanical harvest on fruit physiology and consequences on oil physicochemical and sensory quality from ‘Manzanilla de Sevilla’ and ‘Manzanilla Cacereña’ super-high-density hedgerows. A preliminary study

BACKGROUND Super-intensive cultivation facilitates olive mechanized harvesting, allowing substantial savings in the production cost of virgin olive oil (VOO). However, the number of varieties adapted to this type of cultivation is small. This study explores the impact that harvesting with a grape straddle harvester of ‘Manzanilla de Sevilla’ and ‘Manzanilla Cacereña’ olives grown in super-intensive cultivation has on the physiology of the fruit and the quality of the oil subsequently extracted. RESULTS For both cultivars, fruits harvested mechanically showed higher respiration and ethylene production and lower firmness than fruits harvested by hand. Their oils exhibited lower phenol contents, lower oxidative stability and lower presence of positive sensory attributes. However, in these oils the values of parameters used to assess the level of quality of VOO remained within the limits required for the best commercial category. CONCLUSION Mechanical harvesting of ‘Manzanilla de Sevilla’ and ‘Manzanilla Cacereña’ super-high-density hedgerows induced physiological alterations in the fruits and a reduction in the contents of natural antioxidants and flavour components in the oils, though it did not result in a loss of the ‘Extra’ level of quality. © 2014 Society of Chemical IndustryThis work was funded by the research project AGL2011-30371-C02-02 of the Spanish State Secretary for Research and by the FEDER program. Special thanks are due to Elaia SA for providing facilities for this study and to Alejandro Trigo (technical assistant of Elaia SA), María del Carmen Martínez, Cristina Rodríguez and Antonio Montero for technical assistance.Peer Reviewe

Rapid Determination of Olive Oil Chlorophylls and Carotenoids by Using Visible Spectroscopy

The determination of total chlorophylls and total carotenoids in olive oil by using visible spectroscopy (VIS) is reported. The proposed technique has been compared with the determination of these pigments by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and VIS together with NIRS. Several procedures for multivariate regression were tested. The reference methods used were the determination of the extinction coefficient K670 for total chlorophylls and K470 for total carotenoids. A total of 258 samples were tested. The optimization of the calibration for total chlorophylls was set by using multiple linear regression (MLR) from the wavelengths 670¿686 nm exclusively visible. Its satisfactory performance was proven from the model coefficients standard error of calibration SEC 2.63 and R2 0.97, and the residual predictive deviation (RPD) 5.76 from the external validation. For the total carotenoids the best VIS calibration was fit by using the window of 465¿475 nm and partial least squares (PLS), which provided an RPD of 3.68. However, the model built using the entire spectrum VIS-NIRS available (350¿2,500 nm) was slightly better for this last pigment, showing an RPD of 3.86. Hence, this study showed that the proposed VIS technique can be advantageous for the determination of total chlorophylls in olive oils while it is also suitable for determining total carotenoids.The authors are indebted to the Junta de Andalucía (project AGR-6456) for its financial support, and gratefully acknowledge Antonio Montero, of the Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología (CSIC) for his technical assistance. Our thanks are also due to the group Quality and Purity of Oils, of the Instituto de la Grasa (CSIC), for the use of the chromatographic equipmentPeer Reviewe

Sociology of caprine production systems in western Pampa

Goat ranches in the west area of La Pampa Province (Argentina) are analyzed by mean of surveys. These are long tradition family enterprises (2.5 man equivalent) with owners (average 53.3 years old) that believe in the continuity of their farms. The educational level is very low (about 80 percent are real or functional illiterates), although 46 percent of their inheritors had completed the primary school and 15 percent had completed the high school. Technical assistance is received mainly from governmental programs. Kids are the main sale product and about 18 percent of them are used for family feeding. Other source of income would be increased adding value by mean of handmade manufacture (cheese, hair, spinning, tan leather, etc.)Mediante encuesta se estudian las explotaciones caprinas del oeste pampeano (Argentina). Son empresas familiares (2,5 equivalentes hombre), de larga tradición cuyos responsables, de bastante edad (53,3 años), confían en la continuidad de las explotaciones. El nivel educativo es muy bajo (alrededor del 80 p.100 son analfabetos reales o funcionales), aunque entre los posibles herederos el 46 p.100 ha completado la escuela primaria y el 15 p.100 la secundaria. El apoyo técnico que reciben corresponde casi exclusivamente a programas estatales. El cabrito para venta es el principal producto registrándose un 18 p.100 de autoconsumo. Otras fuentes de ingreso podrían potenciarse agregándoles valor por medio de procesos artesanales de elaboración (quesos, hilado de pelo, curtidos de cueros, etc.)

La coordinacion de materias de economia en el Grado de Marketing e Investigación de Mercados

El objetivo del proyecto es conocer la posible existencia de solapamiento de los contenidos de las diversas asignaturas de economía que imparte el departamento de Economía e Historia Económica en el grado de Marketing y evaluar el grado de satisfacción del alumno con la metodología utilizada a fin de mejorar la misma. Para ello, se ha realizado una encuesta de elaboración propia a los alumnos matriculados entre los cursos académicos 2004-05 y 2008-09. Los resultados obtenidos nos permiten descartar un excesivo solapamiento de contenidos, tan solo el 10,6% de la muestra manifestó dicha opción, y para el 43,6% de los preguntados los contenidos de las asignaturas resultan complementarios. En cuanto a la metodología docente aunque no parece distar de la adecuada en función de las respuestas, un 60% considera que debería combinar las clases magistrales del profesor, con la preparación y posterior exposición por parte de los alumnos de contenidos teóricos y prácticos de las asignaturas .Sí manifiestan una excesiva carga teórica que dificulta en ocasiones la comprensión de las materias. En cuanto a la motivación del alumnado a partir del trabajo de los profesores, la respuesta supera una media de 3 en la escala de Likert, lo cual implica que no hay una clara desmotivación, aunque es susceptible de mejora al no encontraese con una media de 4The goal of this research is to determine if there exist overlapping contents among the different subjects of economics given by Economics and Economic History Department at the Marketing degree. In addition, we try to evaluate the student’s satisfaction with the methodology applied in the different subjects in the past, in order to improve it. To achieve these goals, we have carried out our own survey to the students along the academic years between 2004/2005 and 2008/2009. The main results can be summarised as follows: On the one hand, the existence of excessive common contents can be rejected since only the 10% of the sample suggests that such common contents exist. Moreover, for the 43,6% of the students, the content of the different subjects are complementary. On the other hand, as far as educational methodology is concerned, the answers given in the survey allow us to conclude that in general they have been satisfactory for the students. Nevertheless, more than the 60% of the sample considers that the methodology should combine the traditional lectures with personal work and later exposition of theoretical and practical contents of subjects by the students. Furthermore, students suggest that theoretical contents are excessive in comparison with the practical ones which can be an obstacle to understand the subjects. Concerning students’ motivation, on average the answer is over 3 in the Likert scale, which implies that, although there is not discouragement in relation to the subjects given by the Department, improvements can be done in this are

Milk production and adjustment of lactation curve in the Florida caprine breed

Milk yield and average lactation curves is studied in the Florida caprine breed. 968 valid lactations are analyzed corresponding to 317 females kept under a semi-extensive management system, fed by grazing and additional in the feeding rack, with an average feed intake of 1783 g/day of dry matter in autumn-winter, 2938 g/day in spring and 1974 g/day in summer. The milking was done in the morning, and the milk control monthly. Milk production was determined with the adaptation of Carré to the Fleischmann method. A 71.6 percent of the lactations have a duration that fluctuates between 188 and 341 days, being the average duration 301.5 ± 3 days. The lactations that initiate in winter-spring are of shorter than the ones of summer-autumn (288.4±3.6 days vs 315.5±5.2 days), the same as the first lactation in comparison to the rest (283.7±4.8 days vs 310.5±3.8 days). The type of kidding doesn"t affect significantly the duration of the lactation. The milk yield to 210, 240, 270 days and complete lactation is 475.3±4.3 kg, 538.9±5.0 kg, 598.5±6.3 kg and 611.4±7.8 kg, respectively. The females that kid in winter-spring produce more quantity of milk until 270 days of lactation, although their production is less at complete lactation due to its shorter duration. The primiparous goats produce a 19-20 percent less quantity of milk than the multiparous goats, while the ones that kid more than one kid produce a 38-40 percent more than the ones having a simple kid or abortions. The Inverse polynomial and Incomplete gamma functions present a similar adjustment (R2= 0.943; CME=0.5361 and 0.5365), although they show differences in the components of the lactation curve: the initial production is estimated in 0.82 kg/d and 2.56 kg/d; maximum production in 2.71 kg/d and 2.68 kg/d; the peak production at day 27 and 13, and the decrese in 4.58 g/d and 4.32 g/d, respectively.Se estudia la producción láctea y la curva de lactación en caprinos de raza Florida. Se analizan 968 lactaciones válidas correspondientes a 317 hembras manejadas en un régimen semiextensivo, alimentadas a pasto más suplementación en pesebre, con un nivel de ingesta medio de 1783 g/día de materia seca en otoño-invierno, 2938 g/día en primavera y 1974 g/día en verano. El ordeño se efectuaba por la mañana, y el control lechero se realizaba mensualmente. La producción de leche se determinó con la adaptación de Carré al método de Fleishmann. El 71,6 p.100 de las lactaciones tienen una duración comprendida entre 188 y 341 días, siendo la duración media de 301,5±3 días. Las lactaciones que se inician en invierno-primavera son más cortas que las de verano-otoño (288,4±3,6 días vs 315,5±5,2 días), al igual que la primera lactación frente a las restantes (283,7±4,8 días vs 310,5±3,8 días). El tipo de parto no afecta significativamente la duración de la lactación. La producción de leche tipificada a 210, 240 y 270 días y a lactación completa es de 475,3±4,3 kg, 538,9±5,0 kg, 598,5±6,3 kg y 611,4±7,8 kg, respectivamente. Las hembras que paren en invierno- primavera producen mayor cantidad de leche hasta 270 días de lactación, en tanto que su producción es menor a lactación completa por su menor duración. Las cabras primíparas producen un 19-20 p.100 menos cantidad de leche que las multíparas, mientras que las que paren más de un cabrito producen un 38-40 p.100 más que las de parto simple o abortos. Las funciones Polinomial inversa y Gamma incompleta presentan un ajuste similar (R2= 0,943; C.M.E= 0,5361 y 0,5365), aunque muestran diferencias en las componentes de la curva de lactación: la producción inicial se estima en 0,82 kg/d y 2,56 kg/d, la producción máxima en 2,71 kg/d y 2,68 kg/d, el pico de lactación al día 27 y 13, y el descenso en 4,58 g/d y 4,32 g/d, respectivamente

Carcass and meat quality in light lambs in the segureña breed

Meat and carcass quality were studied in 124 Segureña breed lambs, 62 males and 62 females, slaughtered at the market weight, of 19-25 kg. Carcasses, with a yield between 48 percent (CCW/SW) and 55 percent (HCW/EW), were qualified for the most part in the 2 class of conformation as a fairly fatty, of 2/3 covered kidney and pink color muscle. There were differences among sexes for the fatness scores. The pelvic limb represents the 33.6 percent of the carcass, the shoulder 19.5 percent, the ribs+loin 17.7 percent, the breast 11.1 percent, the neck 7.3 percent, and the anterior ribs 6.7 percent; for commercial categories 58.1 percent pertained to the first category, 19.5 percent to the second and 19.8 percent to the third. Carcass were formed by 19.9 percent of fat, 52.7 percent muscle and 19.2 percent bone; these values show an ideal degree of fatness, in the local market. The sex had a significant effect on the percentage of fat and bone of the carcass. The average pH values, 6.6 and 6.5, following the preparation of the carcass for m. longissimus dorsi and m. triceps, decreased to 5.8 and 5.9, respectively, at 24 hours post mortem. These muscles presented a water holding capacity of 16.4 and 9.9 percent, and a tenderness of 3866 and 3945 g/cm2. The haem pigments and the color of m. longissimus dorsi and m. rectus abdominis confirm the results of its subjective evaluation.Se estudiaron características de calidad de la canal y de la carne en 124 corderos, 62 machos y 62 hembras, de raza Segureña sacrificados a peso de mercado, 19-25 kg. Las canales, con rendimientos entre el 48 p.100 (PCF/PVS) y el 55 p.100 (PCC/PVV), son de conformación normal (nota 2), medianamente grasas, de riñón cubierto 2/3 y músculo de color rosa; registrándose diferencias entre sexos para las calificaciones de engrasamiento. Al despiece, la pierna representó el 33,6 p.100 de la canal, la espalda el 19,5 p.100, el costillar el 17,7 p.100, los bajos el 11,1 p.100, el cuello el 7,3 p.100 y el badal el 6,7 p.100; lo que por categorías comerciales supone el 58,1 p.100 para las de 1ª, el 19,5 p.100 y 19,8 p.100 para las de 2ª y 3ª, respectivamente. La canal contenía 19,9 p.100 de grasa, 52,7 p.100 de músculo y 19,2 p.100 de hueso lo que muestra su buen grado de acabado. El sexo afectó significativamente al porcentaje de grasa y hueso de la canal. Los valores iniciales de pH, 6,6 y 6,3 para m. longissimus dorsi y m. triceps brachii, descienden a 5,8 y 5,9 a las 24 horas post mortem, respectivamente. La capacidad de retención de agua de estos músculos fue de 16,4 y 9,9 p.100 y su dureza media 3866 y 3945 g/cm2. El pigmento hemínico y el color de m. longissimus dorsi y m. rectus abdominis confirman la valoración subjetiva del color de la carne

La coordinación de materias de economía en el Grado de Marketing e Investigación de Mercados

El objetivo del proyecto es conocer la posible existencia de solapamiento de los contenidos de las diversas asignaturas de economía que imparte el departamento de Economía e Historia Económica en el grado de Marketing y evaluar el grado de satisfacción del alumno con la metodología utilizada a fin de mejorar la misma. Para ello, se ha realizado una encuesta de elaboración propia a los alumnos matriculados entre los cursos académicos 2004-05 y 2008-09. Los resultados obtenidos nos permiten descartar un excesivo solapamiento de contenidos, tan solo el 10,6% de la muestra manifestó dicha opción, y para el 43,6% de los preguntados los contenidos de las asignaturas resultan complementarios. En cuanto a la metodología docente aunque no parece distar de la adecuada en función de las respuestas, un 60% considera que debería combinar las clases magistrales del profesor, con la preparación y posterior exposición por parte de los alumnos de contenidos teóricos y prácticos de las asignaturas .Sí manifiestan una excesiva carga teórica que dificulta en ocasiones la comprensión de las materias. En cuanto a la motivación del alumnado a partir del trabajo de los profesores, la respuesta supera una media de 3 en la escala de Likert, lo cual implica que no hay una clara desmotivación, aunque es susceptible de mejora al no encontraese con una media de 4.The goal of this research is to determine if there exist overlapping contents among the different subjects of economics given by Economics and Economic History Department at the Marketing degree. In addition, we try to evaluate the student’s satisfaction with the methodology applied in the different subjects in the past, in order to improve it. To achieve these goals, we have carried out our own survey to the students along the academic years between 2004/2005 and 2008/2009. The main results can be summarised as follows: On the one hand, the existence of excessive common contents can be rejected since only the 10% of the sample suggests that such common contents exist. Moreover, for the 43,6% of the students, the content of the different subjects are complementary. On 94 the other hand, as far as educational methodology is concerned, the answers given in the survey allow us to conclude that in general they have been satisfactory for the students. Nevertheless, more than the 60% of the sample considers that the methodology should combine the traditional lectures with personal work and later exposition of theoretical and practical contents of subjects by the students. Furthermore, students suggest that theoretical contents are excessive in comparison with the practical ones which can be an obstacle to understand the subjects. Concerning students’ motivation, on average the answer is over 3 in the Likert scale, which implies that, although there is not discouragement in relation to the subjects given by the Department, improvements can be done in this area

High-Temperature Short-Time and Holder Pasteurization of Donor Milk: Impact on Milk Composition

Holder pasteurization (HoP; 62.5 °C, 30 min) is commonly used to ensure the microbiological safety of donor human milk (DHM) but diminishes its nutritional properties. A high-temperature short-time (HTST) system was designed as an alternative for human milk banks. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of this HTST system on different nutrients and the bile salt stimulated lipase (BSSL) activity of DHM. DHM was processed in the HTST system and by standard HoP. Macronutrients were measured with a mid-infrared analyzer. Lactose, glucose, myo-inositol, vitamins and lipids were assayed using chromatographic techniques. BSSL activity was determined using a kit. The duration of HTST treatment had a greater influence on the nutrient composition of DHM than did the tested temperature. The lactose concentration and the percentage of phospholipids and PUFAs were higher in HTST-treated than in raw DHM, while the fat concentration and the percentage of monoacylglycerides and SFAs were lower. Other nutrients did not change after HTST processing. The retained BSSL activity was higher after short HTST treatment than that following HoP. Overall, HTST treatment resulted in better preservation of the nutritional quality of DHM than HoP because relevant thermosensitive components (phospholipids, PUFAs, and BSSL) were less affected.This research was funded by grants from the Spanish Research Projects in Health funded by ISCIII-the state plan for scientific and technical research and innovation and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (ref. PI12/02128 and PI15/00995) and by ALG2016-75476-R project from the Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Spain). Moreover, this work has received a grant from the Hero Institute for Infant Nutrition (Alcantarilla, Murcia, España; 2012). Additionally, this study was supported by RETICS “Maternal and Child Health and Development Network” (SAMID Network), funded by the PN I+D+i 2008-2011 (Spain), ISCIII-Sub-Directorate General for Research Assessment and Promotion and the ERDF (ref. RD12/0026)