Can COO Labeling be a Means of Pepper Differentiation: Quality Expectation and Taste Experience

Country of Origin (COO) labeling has been shown in several studies to be an important extrinsic cue for consumers in their quality evaluation of food products such as olive oil. COO has not been discussed in the context of pepper; a spice which’s quality is highly dependant on its heritage. This is the first study that combines face-to-face interviews regarding attitudes, image and knowledge with a bind tasting of pepper and an investigation of consumer's WTP for pepper from different origins and processing characteristics. The study reveals that organic consumes are able to experience taste differences to due COO. They expect taste differences. But also concerned and involved consumers are not to that extent informed about COO that they rely in their purchase decision on COO information. As a result consumers are not willing to pay a significant higher price for COO labeled pepper.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

The role of taste perception for the success of country of origin labeling in the case of organic pepper

Consumers associate with the quality of food its freshness (97%) and taste (93%) (e.g. GFK 2000). As the extrinsic cue country of origin serves as an indicator for the intrinsic cue taste it works as quality indicator (PETZOLDT ET AL. 2007; KROEBER-RIEL 2003). Indeed several studies reveal that country of origin labeling (COOL) plays an important role in consumers’ quality evaluation of food products (e.g. VAN ITTERSUM ET AL. 2001; HONG AND WYER 1989; ELLIOTT AND CAMERON 1994). Most studies investigating consumers’ preferences and willingness to pay for COOL focus on meat (e.g. VERBEKE AND WARD 2006; LOUREIRO AND MCCLUSKY 2000), olive oil (e.g. SANDALIDOU ET AL. 2002) or wine (e.g. SKURAS AND VAKROU 2002). Spices such as pepper have not been researched yet. Nevertheless, pepper for instance seems very interesting to analyze as we can note a shift from pepper being a low-involvement commodity to becoming a lifestyle product. This holds especially for consumers of organic products and for gourmets (KAUSCH 2008; NATUR AND KOSMOS 2007). For example freshly grounded pepper experiences an increasing culinary demand (DEAK 2004). Pepper experts state that pepper should be differentiated with respect to country and region of origin, as it is already common for wine, tea and coffee, because origin has a strong effect on peppers aroma (NATUR AND KOSMOS 2007; MCFADDEN 2008). Research reveals knowledge is a crucial factor for the use of country of origin labels as purchase criterion (e.g. SCHÄFER 1997; VAN ITTERSUM ET AL. 2001). We can suspect that conscious consumers know about a products’ diversity, e.g. taste variety as a result of its country of origin. Therefore it can be assumed that consumers’ knowledge and taste perception is of relevance for the success of country of origin labeling. Against this background, we carried out a standardized survey (n=100) in a organic grocery store in Bonn, Germany in August 2009 to investigate whether consumers expect taste differences with respect to pepper, olive oil, wine, rice and tea and if so, whether they assume these differences to be a result of country of origin. The word association test is used to gain insights into what comes to consumers mind when being asked about pepper. Based on these results we assess the relevance of country of origin (COO) in the case of pepper. In addition, we analyze consumers’ awareness and expertise with respect to the diversity of pepper as a result of country of origin and region. Finally, a blind tasting of black pepper of different origins and production methods (organic versus conventional) is conducted to assess whether consumers are able to identify aroma differences between the different varieties. The results show that consumers’ awareness of taste differences regarding product varieties differentiated by countries/locations depends on the familiarity with the considered product. For all products analysed, the correlation between COO and taste is positive (above 0.5) and highly significant at the 0.01 level. In the case of wine 82 % of the respondents expect taste differences due to the COO with 61 % indicating a preference for a specific country in their purchase decision. The preferred wine countries are Germany (34 %) and France (18 %). Also with respect to olive oil the majority of respondents (79 %) assume taste differences due to the COO and 66 % reveal a preference for a specific country (e.g. 52 % for Italy; 33 % for Greek). In the case of pepper only 44 % of the survey participants expect taste differences in view of country of origin. 16 % indicate a preference for a specific origin of which India is most often mentioned (56 %), followed by China, however with a considerable smaller relevance (13 %). The low relevance of the COO in the case of pepper might be a result of the fact that only organic brands label the producing country. Additionally advertisement for spices focusing on country of origin is in general rare. Therefore it is not surprising that the connection between COO and taste is less made for pepper compared to wine and olive oil which are, in contrast to pepper, considered as high involvement products and are often discussed in the context of country of origin. For these products advertisement focuses on and highlights this attribute (Becker 2000). Therefore we can assume that consumers’ knowledge and awareness of the producing country is more skilled and present for wine and olive oil. Based on these results, we conclude that COO serves as an indicator for taste for the products under investigation. On the basis of a word association test, the relevance of the attribute ‘country of origin’ is analysed in comparison to other product characteristics for pepper. The test reveals that country of origin (17 times mentioned) is only one of many relevant product attributes consumers associate with pepper. Most frequently mentioned are varietal diversity (64 times) and spiciness (54 times). Thus, the results of the word association test indicate that differences the majority of the respondents make between pepper varieties are rather based on the degree of maturity (e.g. black pepper versus green pepper) than on country of origin. The blind tasting test aims to analyse whether consumers are indeed able to perceive taste differences between pepper of different origins and production methods. Therefore in the blind testing pepper of two different regions (India versus Sri Lanka) and two different production methods (organically versus conventionally produced) was considered. Three of the four organic peppers were exclusively distributed in organic stores. One organic and one conventional pepper are distributed in the conventional retail sector. All peppers distributed in the organic stores are COO labelled, the ones in the conventional retail stores are not. The results reveal that consumers are able to identify taste differences - pungency, finish and aroma are the aspect respondents were asked to evaluate - between peppers of different countries of origin and production methods. We found out that aroma was the most important attribute for the appraisal of a pepper and consumers’ willingness to buy one. On a scale from 1(hardly any aroma) to 4 (very aromatic) the two organic peppers exclusively listed in organic stores were from India and were ranked first and third by consumers. The organic pepper without COOL distributed in the conventional retail sector was placed second with regard to aroma. The organic pepper brand from Sri Lanka (also exclusively listed in organic stores) ranked fourth and the conventional one last. Overall our results indicate that German consumers prefer a specific country of origin only if they assume that this is linked to differences in taste. Lacking awareness and knowledge hinders most of the participants of our survey to combine taste and country of origin in the case of pepper. This holds despite the fact that the survey was conducted in an organic grocery store and thus was directed at consumers of organic food who are in general considered to be more involved in purchase decision and are more knowledgeable with respect to production issues (see e.g. OLTERSDORF 1996; SENAUER 2001). In times of increasingly importance and renaissance of food culture, product differentiation by means of COOL can be appropriate to meet consumers’ preferences for geographical indication. With respect to pepper our study indicates that this is still a low involvement product even for consumers in organic grocery stores. A precondition for the success of COOL in the case of pepper would be to increase consumers’ knowledge of the relevance of country of origin for peppers taste.Crop Production/Industries, Marketing,

Antisense-Inhibition der bakteriellen RNase P

Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war die in vitro- und in vivo-Inhibition bakterieller RNase P mit Antisense-Oligonukleotiden (AS-ON). RNase P ist ein essentielles Ribonukleoproteinenzym, das in allen drei Reichen des Lebens für die Reifung der ptRNAs zuständig ist. Für die Inhibitionsversuche wurde je eine RNase P RNA des Strukturtyps A und B ausgewählt (Typ A: Escherichia coli RNase P RNA; Typ B: Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae RNase P RNA). Bei beiden Strukturtypen bindet die ptRNA an die sogenannte CCA-Bindungsstelle in der P15-Schleife der RNA-Untereinheit als Voraussetzung für eine effiziente Abspaltung der 5´-Flanke der ptRNA. Die CCA-Bindungsstelle ist für die ptRNA-Reifung also von zentraler Bedeutung und sie ist gut zugänglich, da sie an der Oberfläche des Holoenzyms liegt. Die Sequenzen in der Nähe der CCA-Bindungsstelle sind bei verschiedenen Bakterienstämmen nicht hoch konserviert, was die Möglichkeit bietet, AS-ON spezifisch für einen Bakterienstamm oder eine Subgruppe von Bakterien zu konzipieren. Außerdem ist in eukaryontischen P RNAs keine CCA-Bindungsstelle bekannt. Dies alles macht die CCA-Bindungsstelle zu einem interessanten target für Antisense-Strategien zur Bekämpfung pathogener Bakterien. Ausgangspunkt waren haarnadelförmige RNA-AS-ON die teilweise komplementär zur CCA-Bindungsregion der E. coli RNase P RNA und in Anlehnung an ein in E. coli natürlich vorkommendes Antisense-Prinzip entworfen worden waren. Der Versuch, die Strategie der haarnadelförmigen AS-ON auf die Typ B-RNase P RNA von Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae zu übertragen, schlug fehl. Untersuchungen zum Wirkmechanismus der AS-ON auf die E. coli-RNase P RNA zeigten, dass ein einzelsträngiges RNA-AS-ON (RNA-15mer), das nur aus dem zur CCA-Bindungsstelle komplementären Teil des haarnadelförmigen Inhibitors bestand, ein deutlich höheres Inhibitionspotential aufwies. Im weiteren Verlauf wurde das RNA-15mer als Ausgangspunkt für Optimierungen der E. coli-spezifischen Inhibitoren gewählt. Veränderungen in der Länge der Oligonukleotide führten zu dem effektivsten Inhibitor (RNA-14mer, Ki-Wert = 2,2 nM). Da die AS-ON langfristig in vivo eingesetzt werden sollten, wurde im zweiten Teil der Arbeit das Inhibitionspotential Nuklease-stabilisierter Analoga des RNA-14mers untersucht. Für das LNA-14mer (Locked Nucleic Acid) und das RNA 14mer wurde ein vergleichbarer Ki-Wert gefunden, gefolgt von der PNA-Variante (Peptide Nucleic Acid) und DNA-Variante. Um die Spezifität der 14mere zu adressieren, wurden sie an anderen bakteriellen RNase P RNAs getestet, die sich in ihrer Sequenz im Bereich der P15-Region geringfügig von der E. coli-RNase P RNA unterscheiden. Dabei stellte sich heraus, dass die PNA-Variante spezifischer als das RNA-14mer und beide deutlich spezifischer als das LNA-14mer waren. Eine Untersuchung des Assoziationsverhaltens der vier sequenzgleichen 14mere ergab die höchste Assoziationsrate für das PNA-Analogon, gefolgt von der LNA-, RNA- und DNA-Variante. In Bleispaltungsversuchen konnte der Nachweis geführt werden, dass die Inhibition tatsächlich über einen Antisense-Mechanismus abläuft und So wurde für alle vier 14mere die Invasion in die E. coli-P RNA gezeigt, bei der die Helix P15 aufgebrochen wird und es zur Bildung einer Hybridhelix über die gesamte Länge des 14mer-Inhibitors kommt. Aufgrund seiner hohen Assoziationsrate, guten Affinität und Spezifität wurde das PNA-Oligomer für die in vivo-Versuche ausgewählt. PNA-Oligomere können auf Grund der gleichen Kopplungschemie unproblematisch mit invasiven Peptiden verknüpft werden, die die Durchlässigkeit der bakteriellen Zellhüllen für AS-ON verbessern. Im dritten Teil der Arbeit wurde die PNA-Variante an zwei verschiedenen E. coli-Stämmen auf ihr in vivo-Inhibitionspotential untersucht. Das PNA-14mer wurde mit zwei verschiedenen linker-Varianten (dem neuen Glycin und dem Standard AEEA-linker), an das invasive Peptid KFFKFFKFFK gekoppelt. Tests in dem in vitro Standardassay legten nahe, dass weder einer der linker noch das Peptid einen signifikant störenden Einfluss auf die Inhibitionswirkung haben. In in vivo-Experimenten mit dem E. coli-Wildtyp K12 in 10% LB-Medium konnte bei einer Konzentration von 10 µM des PNA-Peptid-Konjugats mit dem Glycin-linker keine Koloniebildung mehr nachgewiesen werden, während das AEEA-linker-Konjugat das Wachstum nur partiell hemmte. Die Inhibitoren zeigten eine qualitativ sehr ähnliche, jedoch stärker ausgeprägte Hemmwirkung auf den LPS-defizienten Stamm AS19. Die unterschiedliche Wirksamkeit veranschaulichte die Bedeutung der äußeren Zellmembran als Hindernis für die zelluläre Aufnahme der PNA-Peptid-Konjugate. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass über die Kopplung solcher Peptide die Aufnahme von AS-ON erheblich verbessert werden kann. Die Aufnahme in die Zelle scheint sehr effizient zu erfolgen, da bereits nach 10 min Inkubationszeit in Anwesenheit einer 10 µmolaren Konzentration des PNA-G-Peptids fast keine Koloniebildung mehr beobachtet wurde

Saint-Gilles du-Gard, la restitution 3D: un outil au service de la réflexion archéologique

International audienceLa création d’un modèle 3D del’abbatiale de Saint-Gilles seheurte aux innombrables irrégularitéset changements au cours dela construction de l’édifice à l’intérieur del’espace précontraint d’un bâti monastiquedéjà en place. l’état fragmentaire des vestigesarchitecturaux romans et leur cloisonnementajoute à la grande difficulté decréer une vision virtuelle cohérente. nosexpériences précédentes avec les cathédralesd’auxerre et de Fribourg-en-brisgau ontdémontré l’intérêt fondamental de l’imagetridimensionnelle pour la reconstitutiondu processus constructif et le dialogue permanententre l’archéologue et l’architecteinfographequ’elle suscite, un constatqui ne fait plus débat aujourd’hui

Techniques, stratégies et finalités du relevé numérique et manuel : l’exemple de l’étude de l’ancienne abbaye de Saint-Gilles-du-Gard (projets de recherche AEGIDIANA-AEGIMAIOR)

International audienceL'ancienne abbaye de Saint-Gilles du Gard de ses relevés (relevés numériques : plan, élévations et coupes, pierre à pierre ; relevé manuel) vers la restitution tridimentionnelle virtuell

Complementary limb motion estimation for the control of active knee prostheses

To restore walking after transfemoral amputation, various actuated exoprostheses have been developed, which control the knee torque actively or via variable damping. In both cases, an important issue is to find the appropriate control that enables user-dominated gait. Recently, we suggested a generic method to deduce intended motion of impaired or amputated limbs from residual human body motion. Based on interjoint coordination in physiological gait, statistical regression is used to estimate missing motion. In a pilot study, this complementary limb motion estimation (CLME) strategy is applied to control an active knee exoprosthesis. A motor-driven prosthetic knee with one degree of freedom has been realized, and one above-knee amputee has used it with CLME. Performed tasks are walking on a treadmill and alternating stair ascent and descent. The subject was able to walk on the treadmill at varying speeds, but needed assistance with the stairs, especially to descend. The promising results with CLME are compared with the subject's performance with her own prosthesis, the C-Leg from Otto Boc

The Effects of Vitamin D Deficiency on Neurodegenerative Diseases

Approximately 90% of the elderly population in the western countries has at least a mild to moderate vitamin D hypovitaminosis. Besides the well-known function of vitamin D in calcium homeostasis, it has been recently found that several enzymes and receptors involved in its homeostasis are expressed in the nervous system and brain suggesting also an important role in the brain homeostasis. Interestingly, epidemiological and clinical studies found reduced vitamin D level associated with an increased risk of several neurodegenerative disorders. In this chapter, we focus on a potential link between vitamin D and Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, prion disease, and motor neuron disease. Epidemiological studies were summarized, an overview of the known potential underlying pathomolecular mechanisms are given, and results from clinical studies dealing with vitamin D supplementation were presented. As an outlook, recent literature suggesting an impact of vitamin D on autism spectrum disease, depression, and schizophrenia are briefly discussed. In conclusion, the identification of an abundant vitamin D metabolism in the brain and the tight link between the increasing number of several neurological and mental disorders emphasize the need of further research making a clear recommendation of the intake and supplementation of vitamin D in a growing elderly population

Inhibition of bacterial adhesion to live human cells: Activity and cytotoxicity of synthetic mannosides

AbstractBacterial adhesion to glycosylated surfaces is a key issue in human health and disease. Inhibition of bacterial adhesion by suitable carbohydrates could lead to an anti-adhesion therapy as a novel approach against bacterial infections. A selection of five α-mannosides has been evaluated as inhibitors of bacterial adhesion to the polysaccharide mannan, as well as to the surface of live human HT-29 cells. Cell toxicity studies were performed to identify the therapeutic window for a potential in vivo-application of the tested carbohydrates. A previously published mannosidic squaric acid diamide was shown to be exceptionally effective as inhibitor of the bacterial lectin FimH

Ice Nucleating Particles in Northern Greenland: annual cycles, biological contribution and parameterizations

Ice nucleating particles (INPs) can initiate ice formation in clouds at temperatures above &minus;38 &deg;C through heterogeneous ice nucleation. As a result, INPs affect cloud microphysical and radiative properties, cloud life time and precipitation behavior and thereby ultimately the Earth&rsquo;s climate. Yet, little is known regarding the sources, abundance and properties of INPs especially in remote regions such as the Arctic. In this study, two-year-long INP measurements (from July 2018 to September 2020) at Villum 5 Research Station (VRS) in Northern Greenland are presented. A low-volume filter sampler was deployed to collect filter samples for off-line INP analysis. An annual cycle of INP concentration (NINP) was observed and the fraction of biogenic INPs was found to be higher in snow-free months and lower in months when the surface was snow-covered. Samples were categorized into three different types based only on the slope of their INP spectra, namely into summer, winter and mix type. For each of the types a temperature dependent INP parameterization was derived, clearly different depending on the time 10 of the year. Winter and summer type occurred only during their respective seasons and were seen 60 % of the time. The mixed type occurred in the remaining 40 % of the time throughout the year. April, May and November were found to be transition months. A case study comparing April 2019 and April 2020 was performed. The month of April was selected because a significant difference in NINP was observed during these two periods, with clearly higher NINP in April 2020. NINP in the case study period revealed no clear dependency on either meteorological parameters or different surface types which were passed 15 by the collected air masses. Overall, the results suggest that the coastal regions of Greenland were main sources of INPs in April 2019 and 2020, most likely including both local terrestrial and marine sources. In parallel to the observed differences in NINP, also a higher cloud ice fraction was observed in satellite data for April 2020, compared to April 2019.</p

Synthesis of tumor-associated MUC1-glycopeptides and their multivalent presentation by functionalized gold colloids

The mucin MUC1 is a glycoprotein involved in fundamental biological processes, which can be found over-expressed and with a distinctly altered glycan pattern on epithelial tumor cells; thus it is a promising target structure in the quest for effective carbohydrate-based cancer vaccines and immunotherapeutics. Natural glycopeptide antigens indicate only a low immunogenicity and a T-cell independent immune response; however, this major drawback can be overcome by coupling of glycopeptide antigens multivalently to immunostimulating carrier platforms. In particular, gold nanoparticles are well suited as templates for the multivalent presentation of glycopeptide antigens, due to their remarkably high surface-to-volume ratio in combination with their high biostability. In this work the synthesis of novel MUC1-glycopeptide antigens and their coupling to gold nanoparticles of different sizes are presented. In addition, the development of a new dot-blot immunoassay to test the potential antigen-antibody binding is introduced