Utilization of different types of glucose oxidase for reduction of glucose concentration in synthetic grape juice

One of the most promising techniques for oxidation of glucose into a gluconic acid is the utilization of the enzyme glucose oxidase. In order to optimize the process, two types of enzymes were used as catalysts for glucose oxidation in several model synthetic grape juices. The first one is a food grade enzyme Alphamalt Gloxy 5080 from Aspergillus Niger. The other one is pure enzyme from Aspergillus Niger, used as a sole or in a combination with catalase isolated from beef liver. Both the pure glucose solution and the synthetic grape juice were used as substrates for enzymatic pretreatment. The Alphamalt Gloxy 5080 enzyme, used in a concentration of 1 g/L, showed 77.60% substrate conversion of the glucose used in a concentration of 10 g/L. the pure glucose oxidase having concentration of 25 mg/L converted only 1.32% of glucose, while when combined with 15 mL catalase, the conversion was even 49.25%

Disinfection of Drinking Water and Trihalomethanes: A Review

Trihalomethanes (THMs) as the main disinfection by-products (DBPs) during the last four decades have concerned the public and scientific opinion for the possible carcinogenic effect on human health. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the disinfection of drinking water, types of DBPs and the formation of THMs. The formation of THMs during the chlorination process represents a serious health problem, as they significantly increase the possibility of the risk of several types of cancers. In this article we are discuss the health risk imposed by THMs, considered toxic and possible carcinogenic as well as mutagenic to the human body. Thus, their elimination and regular monitoring is imperative. In this article we present the removal technologies for the THMs and their precursors. This article also provides the basic information related to the analytical methods for the determination of the THMs

Utilization of Different Types of Glucose Oxidase for Reduction of Glucose Concentration in Synthetic Grape Juice

One of the most promising techniques for oxidation of glucose into a gluconic acid is the utilization of the enzyme glucose oxidase. In order to optimize the process, two types of enzymes were used as catalysts for glucose oxidation in several model synthetic grape juices. The first one is a food grade enzyme Alphamalt Gloxy 5080 from Aspergillus niger. The other one is pure enzyme from Aspergillus niger, used as a sole or in a combination with catalase isolated from beef liver. Both the pure glucose solution and the synthetic grape juice were used as substrates for enzymatic pretreatment. The Alphamalt Gloxy 5080 enzyme, used in a concentration of 1 g/L, showed 77.60% substrate conversion of the glucose used in a concentration of 10 g/L. the pure glucose oxidase having concentration of 25 mg/L converted only 1.32% of glucose, while when combined with 15 μL catalase, the conversion was even 49.25%.

Bioavailability and conversion of plant based sources of omega-3 fatty acids – a scoping review to update supplementation options for vegetarians and vegans

Omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids offer a plethora of health benefits with the majority of evidence showing beneficial effects from marine sources of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Emerging research examines the effects of n-3 dietary intakes on blood markers of vegetarians and vegans, but official guidance for plant based marine alternatives is yet to reach consensus. This scoping review provides an overview of trials investigating bioavailability of plant n-3 oils including EPA and DHA conversion. Searches of MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL and clinical trial registers identified randomized controlled trials from January 2010 to September 2020. The ‘Omega-3 index’ (EPA + DHA (O3I)), was used to compare n-3 status, metabolic conversion and bioavailability. Two reviewers independently screened articles and extracted data on outcomes. From 639 identified articles, screening and eligibility checks gave 13 articles. High dose flaxseed or echium seed oil supplements, provided no increases to O3I and some studies showed reductions. However, microalgal oil supplementation increased O3I levels for all studies. Findings indicate preliminary advice for vegetarians and vegans is regular consumption of preformed EPA and DHA supplements may help maintain optimal O3I. Further studies should establish optimum EPA and DHA ratios and dosages in vegetarian and vegan populations

Effects of carbohydrate restricted diets on low density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels in overweight and obese adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of large randomised controlled trials of at least 6 months

Context: Carbohydrate restricted diets may increase low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and thereby cardiovascular risk. Objective: A systematic review and meta-analyses was conducted to compare the effects of very low, low and moderate carbohydrate higher fat diets versus high-carbohydrate low-fat diets on low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and other lipid markers in overweight/obese adults. Data Sources: Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Central, and CINAHL Plus were searched to identify large randomised controlled trials (n > 100) with duration ≥ 6 months. Data Extraction: Eight randomised controlled trials (n = 1633, 818 carbohydrate restricted, 815 low fat diet) were included. Data Analysis: Quality assessment and risk of bias, a random effects model, sensitivity and subgroup analysis based on the degree of carbohydrate restriction were performed using Cochrane Review Manager. Results were reported according to ‘Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocol’. Results: Carbohydrate restricted diets showed a none significant difference in low density lipoprotein cholesterol after 6, 12, and 24 months. While an overall pooled analysis statistically favoured low-fat diets [0.07 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.02, 0.13; p = 0.009] this was clinically insignificant. High density lipoprotein-cholesterol and plasma triglycerides at 6 and 12 months, favoured carbohydrate restricted diets [0.08 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.06, 0.11; p < 1x10-5 37 and -0.13 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.19, -0.08; p < 1x10-5] respectively. These favourable changes were more marked in the subgroup with very-low carbohydrate content (< 50 g/day) [0.12 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.10, 0.14; p < 1x10-5 40 and -0.19 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.26, -0.12, p = 0.02] respectively. Conclusions: Large randomised controlled trials of at least 6 months duration with carbohydrate restriction appear superior in improving lipid markers when compared to low-fat diets. Dietary guidelines should consider carbohydrate restriction as an alternative dietary strategy for the prevention/management of dyslipidaemia for populations with cardiometabolic risk

Patient education interventions for the management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Objectives This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To identify the different types of educational interventions, how they are delivered, and to determine their effectiveness and safety in people with IBD

Assessment of Evidence Quality in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Guidance: The Use and Misuse of GRADE

A core principle of evidence based medicine is that optimal clinical care must be grounded in systematic summaries of the best available evidence. Over 40 years, the methodology of systematic reviews has evolved sophisticated approaches to framing study questions, conducting comprehensive searches, evaluating risk of bias, and most recently and perhaps most crucially making judgements of the quality (also referred to as confidence or certainty) of the evidence. More recently – largely in the last 20 years – methodologists have developed and applied scientific standards to the process of moving from evidence to recommendations; that is, the process of creating clinical practice guidelines. In this article, we will discuss this evolution in the particular context of inflammatory bowel disease. Although clinical leaders and stakeholder organisations within gastroenterology have embraced scientific standards for systematic reviews and guidelines, problematic practices that risk undermining the evidence based credentials of guidelines and undoing the progress made over the last decades still remain

Thermoregulatory ability and mechanism do not differ consistently between neotropical and temperate butterflies

Climate change is a major threat to species worldwide, yet it remains uncertain whether tropical or temperate species are more vulnerable to changing temperatures. To further our understanding of this, we used a standardised field protocol to (1) study the buffering ability (ability to regulate body temperature relative to surrounding air temperature) of neotropical (Panama) and temperate (the United Kingdom, Czech Republic and Austria) butterflies at the assemblage and family level, (2) determine if any differences in buffering ability were driven by morphological characteristics and (3) used ecologically relevant temperature measurements to investigate how butterflies use microclimates and behaviour to thermoregulate. We hypothesised that temperate butterflies would be better at buffering than neotropical butterflies as temperate species naturally experience a wider range of temperatures than their tropical counterparts. Contrary to our hypothesis, at the assemblage level, neotropical species (especially Nymphalidae) were better at buffering than temperate species, driven primarily by neotropical individuals cooling themselves more at higher air temperatures. Morphology was the main driver of differences in buffering ability between neotropical and temperate species as opposed to the thermal environment butterflies experienced. Temperate butterflies used postural thermoregulation to raise their body temperature more than neotropical butterflies, probably as an adaptation to temperate climates, but the selection of microclimates did not differ between regions. Our findings demonstrate that butterfly species have unique thermoregulatory strategies driven by behaviour and morphology, and that neotropical species are not likely to be more inherently vulnerable to warming than temperate species