Exploitation of an olive oil industry by-product: olive pomace as a source of food aroma compounds

Italy is the second largest producer in the world of olive oil, preceded only by Spain. Although olive oil can be considered as a “green gold” all over the world, the treatment of its by-products is a critical aspect to cope with. Indeed, the polluting character of such by-product together with its high costs for an effective disposal strongly penalize the olive oil industry. In particular, 50 % of oil production costs depend on its waste disposal. In this context, the aim of this work was to evaluate a potential exploitation of olive pomace as a feedstock for the production of flavours of interest for the food industry

Lactobacillus paracasei A13 and high-pressure homogenization stress response

Sub-lethal high-pressure homogenization treatments applied to Lactobacillus paracasei A13 demonstrated to be a useful strategy to enhance technological and functional properties without detrimental effects on the viability of this strain. Modification of membrane fatty acid composition is reported to be the main regulatory mechanisms adopted by probiotic lactobacilli to counteract high-pressure stress. This work is aimed to clarify and understand the relationship between the modification of membrane fatty acid composition and the expression of genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis in Lactobacillus paracasei A13, before and after the application of different sub-lethal hyperbaric treatments. Our results showed that Lactobacillus paracasei A13 activated a series of reactions aimed to control and stabilize membrane fluidity in response to high-pressure homogenization treatments. In fact, the production of cyclic fatty acids was counterbalanced by the unsaturation and elongation of fatty acids. The gene expression data indicate an up-regulation of the genes accA, accC, fabD, fabH and fabZ after high-pressure homogenization treatment at 150 and 200 MPa, and of fabK and fabZ after a treatment at 200 MPa suggesting this regulation of the genes involved in fatty acids biosynthesis as an immediate response mechanism adopted by Lactobacillus paracasei A13 to high-pressure homogenization treatments to balance the membrane fluidity. Although further studies should be performed to clarify the modulation of phospholipids and glycoproteins biosynthesis since they play a crucial role in the functional properties of the probiotic strains, this study represents an important step towards understanding the response mechanisms of Lactobacillus paracasei A13 to sub-lethal high-pressure homogenization treatments

Suitability of the nisin Z-producer lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis CBM 21 to be used as an adjunct culture for squacquerone cheese production

This research investigated the technological and safety effects of the nisin Z producer Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis CBM 21, tested as an adjunct culture for the making of Squacquerone cheese in a pilot-scale plant. The biocontrol agent remained at a high level throughout the cheese refrigerated storage, without having a negative influence on the viability of the conventional Streptococcus thermophilus starter. The inclusion of CBM 21 in Squacquerone cheesemaking proved to be more effective compared to the traditional one, to reduce total coliforms and Pseudomonas spp. Moreover, the novel/innovative adjunct culture tested did not negatively modify the proteolytic patterns of Squacquerone cheese, but it gave rise to products with specific volatile and texture profiles. The cheese produced with CBM 21 was more appreciated by the panelists with respect to the traditional one

Evaluation of Common Bean Varieties for Yield and Yield Component in Segen Area Peoples Zone SNNPRS, Ethiopia

Studies on the evaluation of variety performance provide opportunities to increase productivity of common bean. Therefore, the current study evaluates the performance of varieties on yield and yield components of common bean during the main cropping season of 2015 and 2016 at four locations in Segen Zone,Konso woreda (Southwestern Ethiopia) with the objectives of  selecting high yielding common bean varieties those are adapted to the study area. Fifteen released common bean varieties and one local cultivar were planted in randomized complete block design with three replications. The analysis revealed that significant variation for all traits except maturity date. Highest yield obtained from Nasir(2136 kgha-1) and Hawassa dume (1948 kgha-1) followed by Sari (1751 kgha-1) were as at Addis Gebere, high grain yield was obtained from Sari (2227 kgha-1), Hawassa dume (2111 kgha-1) and Dimtu (2073 kgha-1). For average mean yield from overall location, high yield obtained from Hawassa dume (2129 kgha-1) and Nasir (2002 kgha-1) followed by Sari (1989 kgha-1). Results revealed that Hawassa dume, Nasir and Sari were best performed and better adapted varieties than the others respectively. Therefore, the above mentioned varieties are promising varieties for the production area and recommendable for area with similar agro-ecologies. Keywords: Phaseolus Vulagris L, Evaluation, Grain yield,Varieties

Reduced pulmonary oxygen diffusion at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age in small-for-gestational-age preterm infants of less than 32 weeks without bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Background: Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) preterm infants are at increased risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). There is limited information on pulmonary oxygen diffusion of SGA preterm infants, particularly in those without BPD. Objective: To compare the pulmonary oxygen diffusion of SGA to that of appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) preterm infants without BPD. Study Design: Preterm infants with a gestational age (GA) between 24.0 and 31.6 weeks were studied. The oxygen saturation (SpO2), fraction to inspired oxygen (FiO2), and the SpO2 to FiO2 ratio (SFR) were compared between SGA and AGA infants. The association between SGA and SFR at 36 weeks was assessed using a multiple regression analysis. In the subgroup without BPD, SGA were match-paired for GA and gender with AGA infants. Results: We analyzed 1189 infants surviving at 36 weeks: 194 (16%) were SGA and 995 (84%) AGA. The incidence of BPD was significantly higher in SGA than AGA infants (32% vs. 13%; p =.000). Out of the 995 infants without BPD, 132 (13%) were SGA and 863 (87%) AGA. SGA was negatively associated with the SFR value at 36 weeks, independently from BPD. SGA infants without BPD had significantly higher (better) SFR at birth, but lower (worse) SpO2 and SFR and from 33 to 36 weeks than their matched AGA counterpart. At 36 weeks, median SpO2 and SFR values were 97.7 versus 98.4 (p =.006) and 465 versus 468 (p =.010) in match-paired SGA and AGA, respectively. Conclusion: Among preterm infants of less than 32 weeks and without BPD, SGA infants had a reduced pulmonary oxygen diffusion at 36 weeks in comparison with AGA infants

West Nile Virus Encephalitis and Myocarditis in Wolf and Dog

In the third season (2002) of the West Nile virus epidemic in the United States, two canids (wolf and dog) were diagnosed with West Nile virus encephalitis and myocarditis with similarities to known affected species (humans, horses, and birds). The West Nile virus infections were confirmed by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction

Role of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and Inflammation in Obese Children

Knowledge of the real incidence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in obese children and its role in obesity development seems essential for a more effective approach to the treatment of this condition. In this prospective, single-blind study, presence of SIBO was evaluated in a group of children with overweight/obesity. A blood sample for evaluation of cytokine profile was collected to establish the potential relationship with inflammatory condition and lactulose breath test (LBT) to diagnose SIBO was performed. A total of 36 patients with excess of adipose tissue were recruited. Among them, 16 (44.4%) were overweight and 20 (45.6%) were obese. Overall, 26 (72.2%) children had a positive LBT and were considered suffering from SIBO, 12 (75.0%) among those overweight and 14 (70.0%) among those obese. Measurement of cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-12p70, IL-17, IFN-α2, IFN-γ, TNF-α), cytokine antagonists (IL-1ra), chemokines (IP10, MCP-1, MIP1α, MIP1β), and growth factors (EGF, G-CSF, GM-CSF, and VEGF) secreted in culture supernatants by PHA activated-PBMCs revealed that in the study population proinflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IFN-γ, IL-18, and TNF-α were high, whereas anti-inflammatory mediators IL-4 and IL-10 were low. However, no significance difference between children with SIBO and those without were evidenced. Evaluation of relationship of severity of SIBO showed a significant positive relationship between EGF or IFN-α2 and H2 but not CH4 levels and an inverse significant relationship with CH4 but not H2. Despite its limitations and further studies are needed, this study seems to indicate that SIBO is extremely common in overweight and obese children and can be demonstrated not only in severely obese subjects but also in moderately overweight patients. The inflammatory state seems to precede obesity development and SIBO does not seem to have relevance in obesity development, with no relationship found between severity of SIBO and inflammatory state

Efficacy of biodegradable, antimicrobial packaging on safety and quality parameters maintenance of a pear juice and rice milk-based smoothie product

In this study, the effect of a Polylactic acid (PLA) antimicrobial biodegradable packaging activated with lysozyme by cold plasma on a pear juice and rice milk-based smoothie was investigated. The antimicrobial effect of the active innovative packaging was evaluated In-vitro and on the smoothie inoculated with Listeria monocytogenens and Lactobacillus plantarum. After a preliminary evaluation of the lysozyme release kinetics in different conditions, its influence on some smoothie quality parameters (water activity, pH, colour and microbial growth) was evaluated. In-vitro trials showed an antimicrobial activity of the activated film against different microorganisms. Inoculated smoothies packed in activated and not materials were stored at 10 and 4 °C and analysed overtime. Results showed the capability of the activated package to inhibit Listeria monocytogenes and to maintain a better and a more stable colour compared to control ones. Activated pouches showed the best antimicrobial effect on samples stored at 10 °C compared to 4 °C, difference due to the faster lysozyme release kinetic from the packaging material at the highest storage temperature. Obtained results highlight the potentiality of the biodegradable packaging activated with lysozyme to be applied successfully in food industry, to improve safety and extend shelf-life of juice-based product

Immunoreactivity of gluten-sensitized sera toward wheat, rice, corn, and Amaranth flour proteins treated with microbial transglutaminase

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of microbial transglutaminase (mTG) on the immunoreactivity of wheat and gluten-free cereals flours to the sera of patients with celiac disease (CD) and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). Both doughs and sourdoughs, the latter prepared by a two-step fermentation with Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis and Candida milleri, were studied. In order to evaluate the IgG-binding capacity toward the proteins of the studied flours, total protein as well as protein fractions enriched in albumins/globulins, prolamins and glutelins, were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results showed that while mTG modified both gluten and gluten-free flour by increasing the amount of cross-linked proteins, it did not affect the serum's immune-recognition. In fact, no significant differences were observed in the immunoreactivity of sera from CD and NCGS patients toward wheat and gluten-free protein extracts after enzyme treatment, nor did this biotechnological treatment affect the immunoreactivity of control samples or the sera of healthy patients. These results suggest that mTG may be used as a tool to create innovative gluten and gluten-free products with improved structural properties, without increasing the immune-reactivity toward proteins present either in doughs or in sourdoughs