Ascertaining the influence of lacto-fermentation on changes in bovine colostrum amino and fatty acid profiles

The aim of this study was to collect samples of bovine colostrum (BCOL) from different sources (agricultural companies A, B, C, D and E) in Lithuania and to ascertain the influence of lacto-fermentation with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain 135 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strain 244 on the changes in bovine colostrum amino (AA), biogenic amine (BA), and fatty acid (FA) profiles. It was established that the source of the bovine colostrum, the used LAB, and their interaction had significant effects (p < 0.05) on AA contents; lactic acid bacteria (LAB) used for fermentation was a significant factor for aspartic acid, threonine, glycine, alanine, methionine, phenylalanine, lysine, histidine, and tyrosine; and these factor’s interaction is significant on most of the detected AA concentrations. Total BA content showed significant correlations with glutamic acid, serine, aspartic acid, valine, methionine, phenylalanine, histidine, and gamma amino-butyric acid content in bovine colostrum. Despite the differences in individual FA contents in bovine colostrum, significant differences were not found in total saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids. Finally, the utilization of bovine colostrum proved to be challenging because of the variability on its composition. These results suggest that processing bovine colostrum into value-added formulations for human consumption requires the adjustment of its composition since the primary production stage. Consequently, animal rearing should be considered in the employed bovine colostrum processing technologies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Antimicrobial potential of LEGUMES extracts against foodborne pathogens: A review

[EN] Background: Alternative protein sources are being investigated in response to increasing consumer demand for innovative and healthy food products of vegetable origin to replace non-sustainable animal exploitation. The Leguminosae family includes a wide variety of plants and nutritious seeds, very rich in protein with a high biological value, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Not only the seeds but also the aerial parts, pods, hulls and roots have proved to be natural sources of antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial compounds. Scope and approach: The present article overviews the antimicrobial potential of the most popular legumes worldwide against foodborne pathogens. Key findings and conclusions: According to the literature reviewed, soybean and chickpea are the two consumed legumes with the highest antimicrobial activity. Long-chain soy peptides (IKAFKEATKVDKVVVLWTA) have a high antimicrobial potential against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria at a concentration level of 37.2 ¿M. Also, a wide spectrum of proteins and peptides in raw chickpeas and processed extracts have exerted antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens when applied in the range 8¿64 ¿g/ml. These results open a new research line with good prospects regarding the development of a new generation of natural preservative ingredients and extracts to be included in novel formulated products. However, critical aspects, such as (i) the stability of antimicrobial activity during the shelf-life of newly formulated food products, and (ii) the microbial inactivation kinetics generated in novel matrices, should be covered prior to exploitation of legumes as sources of novel technological ingredients with antimicrobial potential.The present research work has been supported by funds provided by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) as the HELICOFOOD project, with reference AGL2014-53875-R. The post-doctoral contract of M.C. Pina-Pérez as Juan de la Cierva-Incorporación granted by the MINECO is also acknowledged.Pina Pérez, MC.; Ferrús Pérez, MA. (2018). Antimicrobial potential of LEGUMES extracts against foodborne pathogens: A review. Trends in Food Science & Technology. 72:114-124. doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2017.12.007S1141247

Mortgage portfolio in the baltic countries: analysis of main factors

During the last decade Baltic countries experienced a full economic cycle – slow recovery, fast growth and sharp deterioration of whole economy. On the growth period the portfolio of mortgage loans and real estate market developed extremely rapidly, thus, since 2007 - 2008 there was discussions about the overheating of economies and bubbles of the real estate prices in the Baltic countries. However, the majority of the citizens were still taking advantage of easy accessible mortgage loans for the acquisition of desired real estate even prices were going upwards. Unfortunately, doubts about overheating of the separate parts of economies were reasonable and economies of the Baltic countries contracted the most among all EU. Therefore, with a full picture of economic cycle the analysis of portfolio of mortgage loans is being developed. Identification of the main factors that are determining growth of the portfolio of mortgage loans is important for developing a strategy to avoid possible economic crises in the future or to ease the negative effects of economic downturn. The aim of the paper – to find out the most important macroeconomic factors that are determining the dynamic of mortgage portfolio in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The object of the paper – the mortgage portfolio of the three Baltic countries and macroeconomic factors of the mortgage portfolio. To reach the aim of the paper such tasks were developed: 1) Examine the theory and the models that are analyzing the mortgage portfolio. 2) Determine the macroeconomic factors of the mortgage portfolio. 3) Study dynamics of the mortgage portfolio in the Baltic countries. 4) Build up a most suitable model for analyzing the factors of the mortgage portfolio in the Baltic countries. 5) Find out the most influential factors of mortgage portfolio in the Baltic countries. The paper consists of 52 pages, 22 graphs and 12 tables. The research was based on 52 references. The paper is split into 3 main parts. In the first part of paper the main economic factors of mortgage portfolio are indentified, and various authors and theoretical models are analyzed. Such factors as fluctuation of the inflation, negative growths of GDP, the growth of real interest rates, swings in real estate market, over leverage of the government and private individuals, should be closely monitored in order to maintain a sustainable development of the mortgage portfolio. In the second part of the paper, the current situation of the Baltic countries during period 1999 – 2009 is analyzed. The focus is on the rapid development of the mortgage portfolio during the credit boom times. Also, a sudden stop of the growth of loan portfolio and a rapid increase of the provisioning levels for non-performing loans are being discussed. The main causes of the artificial and unsustainable growth of mortgage portfolio are described. Afterwards, the model for factors of mortgage portfolio of the Baltic counties is build up. In the third part, the research of the Baltic countries mortgage portfolio is done based on correlation and regression analysis of the macroeconomic factors. Results of the research confirmed that real GDP is the main factor determining the development of mortgage portfolio in the Baltic countries. Analysis of the real estate market prices and real GDP growth showed that growth of economy is more sustainable when the main driver of mortgage portfolio is real GDP growth, but not growth of the real estate prices. Also, the results showed that changes of real interest rates did not have any significant correlation with mortgage portfolio. However mortgage portfolio showed significant negative correlation with nominal national interbank interest rates - Vilibor, Rigibor and Talibor. When average income was analyzed – it showed no significant relation to the mortgage market – and that could be one of the main reasons of the unsustainable growth of the mortgage portfolio in the Baltic countries

The perspectives associated with the computer-based diagnostic method of depressive disorder

Depressive disorder (DD) shortens a healthy and productive human life and leads to significant public health costs and high suicide rates. In a depressed person, a lack of emotions is visible in expression and behavior, with low energy, high tension, weakened sense perception, and loss of food taste. We hypothesize that the measure of a patient’s facial expressions and emotional response to different tastes of food can be used as a diagnostic moderator for the development of a new contactless, computer-based diagnostic method for DD. The confirmation of a diagnostic hypothesis of DD using facial and emotional expressions as responses to different tastes of food can shed new perspectives on early contactless, computer-based psychiatric diagnostic strategies and early identification of suicidal tendencies, which is an important issue in public mental health

Effects of Ethanol Extracts of Origanum vulgare and Thymus vulgaris on the Mycotoxin Concentrations and the Hygienic Quality of Maize (Zea mays L.) Silage

The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) extracts to decrease mycotoxin contents and improve the hygienic quality of maize (Zea mays L.) silage. Under laboratory conditions, maize silage samples were fermented with oregano (OE), thyme (TE), oregano and thyme mixture (MIX), and two commercial inoculants. After 90 days of fermentation, silos were opened and silage samples were taken for evaluation of mycotoxin concentrations and for hygienic quality analysis: assessment of fermentation parameters, the content of biogenic amines, and microbiological status. It was determined that the mycotoxin concentrations decreased differentially: ochratoxin A concentration was below the detection limit after treatment with the TE and MIX extracts, the lowest zearalenone and deoxynivalenol concentrations were achieved with the OE extract treatment, T-2 toxin concentration was significantly lower after treatment with the TE extract, and HT-2 toxin concentration was lower after treatment with the MIX extract. The lowest content of biogenic amines in maize silage was established with the MIX extract. Concerning the silage hygienic quality, the best results of fermentation parameters and microbiological status were also achieved with the MIX extract. The present study indicated that oregano and thyme herbal plant extracts can be used to decrease mycotoxin concentrations and improve the hygienic quality of maize silage

The quality of wheat bread with ultrasonicated and fermented by-products from plant drinks production

During plant-based drinks production a significant amount of valuable by-products (BPs) is obtained. The valorization of BPs is beneficial for both the environment and the food industry. The direct incorporation of the fermented and/or ultrasonicated almond, coconut, and oat drinks production BPs in other food products, such as wheat bread (WB) could lead to the better nutritional value as well as quality of WB. Therefore, in this study, various quantities (5, 10, 15, and 20%) of differently treated [ultrasonicated (37 kHz) or fermented with Lacticaseibacillus casei LUHS210] almond, coconut, and oat drinks preparation BPs were used in wheat bread (WB) formulations. Microbiological and other quality parameters (acidity, color, specific volume, porosity, moisture content, overall acceptability) as well as bread texture hardness during the storage and acrylamide content in the WB were evaluated. Among the fermented samples, 12-h-fermented almond and oat, as well as 24-h-fermented coconut drinks preparation BPs (pH values of 2.94, 2.41, and 4.50, respectively; total enterobacteria and mold/yeast were not found) were selected for WB production. In most cases, the dough and bread quality parameters were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) influenced by the BPs used, the treatment of the BPs, and the quantity of the BPs. The highest overall acceptability of the WB prepared with 20% fermented almond drink preparation by-product (AP), 15% fermented oat drink preparation by-product (OP), and 15% ultrasonicated OP was established. After 96 h of storage, the lowest hardness (on average, 1.2 mJ) of the breads prepared with 5% fermented AP, coconut drink preparation by-product (CP), and OP and ultrasonicated CP was found. The lowest content of acrylamide in the WB prepared with OP was found (on average, 14.7 μg/kg). Finally, 15% fermented OP could be safely used for WB preparation because the prepared bread showed high overall acceptability, as well as low acrylamide content

Variations of the antimicrobial, antioxidant, sensory attributes and biogenic amines content in Lithuania-derived bee products

This study examined the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, overall acceptability (OA), including influence of the product-induced emotions, and biogenic amine (BA) content in fourteen honey (H1–14), four propolis (P15–18) and four bee bread (BB19–22) samples, collected in northwest Lithuania. The all tested bacteria were inhibited by summer honey H13. P18 inhibited 10, while bee breads inhibited 10–11 out of the 15 tested bacteria strains. All propolis-samples inhibited B.cereus and P.multocida. The highest antioxidant activity and content of total phenolic compounds (TPC) were found in bee bread (93% and 394mg GAE/100g, respectively). The TPC had moderate and strong negative correlations with the L* (r=−0.58) and b* colour coordinates (r=−0.66), respectively. The each bee products group (BPs) induced different intensities of emotions, and the OA showed a moderate positive correlation with the “neutral” emotion (r=0.47). A low content of BAs (<15mg/kg) was identified in six honeys, two bee breads and one propolis sample. In sum, Lithuanian bee products possessed valuable biological attributes that can be beneficially used in food industry and medicine, although further research is needed for the factors, which may contribute to bioactive properties of this region bee products and BAs formation

Challenges associated with byproducts valorization—comparison study of safety parameters of ultrasonicated and fermented plant-based byproducts

In order to promote the efficient use of byproducts from the production of plant-based beverages, which still contain a large amount of nutritional and functional compounds, microbiological and chemical safety characteristics should be evaluated and, if needed, improved. Many challenges are associated with byproducts valorization, and the most important ones, which should be taken into account at the further steps of valorization, are biological and chemical safety. For safety improving, several technological treatments (biological, physical etc.) can be used. In this study, the influence of low-frequency ultrasonication (US) and fermentation with Lactobacillus casei LUHS210 strain, as physical and biotechnological treatments, on the safety characteristics of the byproducts (BYs) from the processing of rice, soy, almond, coconut, and oat drinks was compared. Ultrasonication, as well as fermentation, effectively improved the microbiological safety of BYs. Ultrasonication and fermentation reduced the concentration of deoxynivalenol, on average, by 24% only in soy BYs. After fermentation, 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol was formed in all samples (<12 μg kg−1), except for soy BYs. The lowest total biogenic amines content was found in fermented rice BYs and ultrasonicated coconut BYs. When comparing untreated and fermented BYs, significant changes in macro- and micro-elements content were found. Ultrasonication at 37 kHz did not significantly influence the concentrations of macro- and micro-elements, while fermentation affected most of the essential micro-elements. Consequently, while ultrasonication and fermentation can enhance the safety of BYs, the specific effects must be taken into account on biogenic amines, mycotoxins, and micro and macro elements

Lactic acid bacteria isolation from spontaneous sourdough and their characterization including antimicrobial and antifungal properties evaluation

This research effort aimed at isolating and phenotypically characterizing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolates from a spontaneous rye sourdough manufactured following traditional protocols, as well as at evaluating their antimicrobial and antifungal properties as key features for future industrial applications. Thirteen LAB strains of potential industrial interest were isolated and identified to species‐level via PCR. Most of the sourdough isolates showed versatile carbohydrate metabolisms. The Leuconostoc mesenteroides No. 242 and Lactobacillus brevis No. 173 demonstrated to be gas producers; thus, revealing their heterofermenter or facultative homofermenter features. Viable counts higher than 7.0 log10 (CFU/mL) were observed for Lactobacillus paracasei No. 244, Lactobacillus casei No. 210, L. brevis No. 173, Lactobacillus farraginis No. 206, Pediococcus pentosaceus No. 183, Lactobacillus uvarum No. 245 and Lactobacillus plantarum No. 135 strains, after exposure at pH 2.5 for 2 h. Moreover, L. plantarum No. 122, L. casei No. 210, Lactobacillus curvatus No. 51, L. paracasei No. 244, and L. coryniformins No. 71 showed growth inhibition properties against all the tested fifteen pathogenic strains. Finally, all LAB isolates showed antifungal activities against Aspergillus nidulans, Penicillium funiculosum, and Fusarium poae. These results unveiled the exceptionality of spontaneous sourdough as a source of LAB with effective potential to be considered in the design of novel commercial microbial single/mixed starter cultures, intended for application in a wide range of agri‐food industries, where the antimicrobial and antifungal properties are often sought and necessary. In addition, metabolites therefrom may also be considered as important functional and bioactive compounds with high potential to be employed in food and feed, as well as cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications

Evaluation of the use of lactic acid bacteria and Thymus vulgaris essential oil on Suffolk and Ile de France lamb breed (MuscuIus gluteus) quality parameters

In the present study, Lactobacillus plantarum (LUHS135), Thymus vulgaris essential oil (0.1% v/v) and their combination were used to treat Suffolk and Ile de France lamb meat. Changes in the microbiological profile and physicochemical parameters of meat were evaluated after 24 h of treatment at 4 °C. Treatments resulted in significantly lower mould/yeast, total enterobacteria (by up to 45%) counts, water holding capacity (by 21-63%) and cooking loss (by 17-35%) in all samples. Moisture content increased, on average, by 14.5% in the Suffolk meat. Polyunsaturated fatty acids content increased after all treatments. Treatments and breed significantly affected the content of malondialdehide and some biogenic amines. Sensory analysis showed that raw lamb meat colour was more acceptable after all treatments, while the odour acceptability was ranked highest after combined treatment. These findings suggest that the applied treatments could be used to improve microbiological safety and some quality characteristics and to increase the PUFA content of lamb meatAgronomijos fakultetasLietuvos sveikatos mokslų universitetasVytauto Didžiojo universiteta