Extraction and characterization of chia (Salvia Hispanica l.) mucilage for application in food products

The present study aimed to carry out the extraction, characterization and comparison of oven-dried and freeze-dried chia mucilage, for use in food products. The chia seed mucilage was extracted and dried by two different methods: freeze-drying and conventional drying in an oven. The composition, microstructure and functional properties of the two mucilage were evaluated for application as food ingredients. The analyses held in the dried mucilage were % of yield, the determination of the functional properties: water holding capacity, oil retention capacity, emulsifying capacity and solubility, besides color and microscopy. The dried and freeze-dried chia mucilage showed similar proximal composition and distinct functional properties that confirm their use as ingredients in food products. The scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that the oven-dried mucilage has a structure similar to a film while the lyophilized mucilage has a fibrous and spongy structure

Anti-atherogenic properties associated with the antioxidant activity from the hydrophilic extracts of Halimeda incrassata (Chlorophyta, Bryopsidales)

Seaweeds are a source of natural antioxidants having potential application in oxidative stress and associated diseases. In this work, anti-atherogenic properties associated with the antioxidant activity from the hydrophilic extracts of Halimeda incrassata were studied. The phenolic content assessed inthe aqueous extract and fraction phenolic acids (FPA) was 0.13 ± 0.05 and 0.47 ± 0.09 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry seaweed, respectively. In DPPH?, radical scavenging assay fractions exhibited a dependent concentration. The seaweeds extract inhibited the desoxirribose oxidation in the presenceor absence of EDTA (IC50 = 1.91± 0.09 mg/mL) (IC50 = 2.95 ± 0.01 mg/mL). In vivo antioxidant properties of FPA-H.incrassata were investigated in rats with a CCl4-induced liver injury. Pre-treatment with H.incrassata led to approximately 50% reductions in liver TBARS levels. The treatment with H. incrassataFPA also increased the activity of the CAT enzyme, which in turn resulted in an enhanced antioxidantdefense. The expression of Catalase by PCR-RT technique demonstrated a higher gene expression when compared with that which was observed in the CCl 4-treated group. Antiatherogenic properties were studied in the inhibition of lipoprotein oxidation mediated by Cu2+ or HRP/H2O2, free radicalscavenging, and metal ion chelation, and it was dose dependent with a higher concentration needed for the aqueous extract than for the FPA fraction. Antioxidant activity was also improved in macrophages as evaluated in the cell supernatant (by TBARS formation); and by luminol enhanced chemiluminescence after cell activation with zymosan; and a degree of cell lipoperoxidation wasdecreased by the Halimeda incrassata extract. The results of this work add to the antioxidant potential of the seaweed for its application in oxidative stress associated conditions.Fil: Vidal-Novoa, Alexis. Universidad de la Habana. Facultad de Biología; CubaFil: Costa-Mugica, Ariadna. Universidad de la Habana. Facultad de Biología; CubaFil: Zulueta Díaz, Yenisleidy de Las Mercedes. Universidad de la Habana. Facultad de Biología; Cuba. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Diaz-Gutierrez, Daylín. Universidad de la Habana. Facultad de Biología; CubaFil: de Oliveira e Silva, Ana, Mara. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Vazquez, Ana María. Center For Molecular Inmunology; CubaFil: Claudina, Zaldívar-Munoz. Universidad de la Habana. Facultad de Biología; CubaFil: Dalva, Assuncao Portari de Mancini. Institute Butantan Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Mancini-Filho, Jorge. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi

A single mutation in cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase from Paenibacillus barengoltzii changes cyclodextrin and maltooligosaccharides production

Cyclodextrin glycosyltransferases (CGTases) are bacterial enzymes that catalyze starch conversion into cyclodextrins, which have several biotechnological applications including solubilization of hydrophobic compounds, masking of unpleasant odors and flavors in pharmaceutical preparations, and removal of cholesterol from food. Additionally, CGTases produce maltooligosaccharides, which are linear molecules with potential benefits for human health. Current research efforts are concentrated in the development of engineered enzymes with improved yield and/or particular product specificity. In this work, we analyzed the role of four residues of the CGTase from Paenibacillus barengoltzii as determinants of product specificity. Single mutations were introduced in the CGTase-encoding gene to obtain mutants A137V, A144V, L280A and M329I and the activity of recombinant proteins was evaluated. The residue at position 137 proved to be relevant for CGTase activity. Molecular dynamics studies demonstrated additionally that mutation A137V produces a perturbation in the catalytic site of the CGTase, which correlates with a 10-fold reduction in its catalytic efficiency. Moreover, this mutant showed increased production of maltooligosaccharides with a high degree of polymerization, mostly maltopentaose to maltoheptaose. Our results highlight the role of residue 137 as a determinant of product specificity in this CGTase and may be applied to the rational design of saccharide-producing enzymes.Fil: Castillo, Julieta de Las Mercedes. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Caminata Landriel, Soledad. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas; ArgentinaFil: Sànchez Costa, M.. Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa"; EspañaFil: Taboga, Oscar Alberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Berenguer, J.. Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa"; EspañaFil: Hidalgo, A.. Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa"; EspañaFil: Ferrarotti, Susana Alicia. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas; ArgentinaFil: Costa, Hernán. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable; Argentin

Estudio Integral sobre la Evaluación del Recurso Eólico en Entornos Urbanos. Estación Anemométrica Adaptable

Como consecuencia de un intenso proceso de trabajo, coordinado con Investigadores del CIEMAT (Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas), se pretende comunicar el estado del trabajo de Investigación relacionado con la Evaluación del Potencial Eólico en entornos urbanos, con vistas a la posible generación de energía eléctrica limpia

Conceptos de Paridad y Periodicidad de una Función en carreras de Ingeniería: un estudio de caso

En este trabajo se destaca la importancia que poseen los conceptos de paridad y periodicidad de una función, como herramienta matemática por su utilidad en diversos campos de la ingeniería. Se elabora un estudio de caso en la Facultad de Ingeniería de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata, que comprende varios aspectos. Se revisan los contenidos curriculares y las guías de estudio de las asignaturas de matemática en esa Facultad, y la bibliografía recomendada, con el objetivo de conocer cuándo y cómo se estudian esos conceptos. Luego se realiza un cuestionario a un grupo de estudiantes de distintos años y carreras sobre cuáles conocimientos poseen acerca de las funciones pares, impares y periódicas. Se concluye que esos conceptos son, en general, relegados en las guías de estudio y que los estudiantes vinculan la noción de periodicidad con las funciones trigonométricas y la noción de paridad no es siempre identificada por ellos.Investigación en Metodologías Alternativas para la Enseñanza de las Ciencia

O impacto das estratégias corporativas no CIEE Lisboa

Numa era em que o mercado está altamente competitivo e globalizado, as empresas são forçadas a repensar e inovar as estratégias. Esta investigação pretende averiguar se o CIEE Lisboa recorre à implementação de estratégias corporativas para atingir os seus objetivos estratégicos, ampliar a área de atuação e aumentar a performance. A metodologia utilizada foi de carácter qualitativo, tendo sido realizadas 18 entrevistas, posteriormente submetidas a uma extensa análise de conteúdo. O estudo conclui que o CIEE implementa estratégias de diversificação de produto que lhe permitem crescer organicamente, contribuindo assim para a criação de barreiras à entrada de novos concorrentes. Também conclui que a formação de alianças estratégicas é vital e tem um impacto positivo na satisfação dos consumidores. Por fim, a investigação mostra que o recurso a uma F&A não é uma opção viável para a organização, pois não se encontra alinhada com a fase de desenvolvimento atual.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Adherence to human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-L) of Plasmodium vivax isolates from Colombia

ABSTARCT: For years Plasmodium vivax has been considered the cause of benign malaria. Nevertheless, it has been observed that this parasite can produce a severe disease comparable to Plasmodium falciparum. It has been suggested that some physiopathogenic processes might be shared by these two species, such as cytoadherence. Recently, it has been demonstrated that P. vivax-infected erythrocytes (Pv-iEs) have the capacity to adhere to endothelial cells, in which intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) seems to be involved in this process

Molecular identification of a cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase-producinmicroorganism and phylogenetic assessment of enzymatic activities

Cyclodextrin glycosyltransferases (CGTases) are important enzymes in the biotechnology field because they catalyze starch conversion into cyclodextrins and linear oligosaccharides, which are used in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The CGTases are classified according to their product specificity in α-, β-, α/β-and γ-CGTases. As molecular markers are the preferred tool for bacterial identification, we employed six molecular markers (16S rRNA, dnaK, gyrB, recA, rpoB and tufA) to test the identification of a CGTase-producing bacterial strain (DF 9R) in a phylogenetic context. In addition, we assessed the phylogenetic relationship of CGTases along bacterial evolution. The results obtained here allowed us to identify the strain DF 9R as Paenibacillus barengoltzii, and to unveil a complex origin for CGTase types during archaeal and bacterial evolution. We postulate that the α-CGTase activity represents the ancestral type, and that the γ-activity may have derived from β-CGTases.Fil: Caminata Landriel, Soledad. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas. Area de Química Biológica; ArgentinaFil: Castillo de las Mercedes Julieta. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas. Area de Química Biológica; ArgentinaFil: Taboga, Oscar Alberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Ferrarotti, Susana Alicia. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas. Area de Química Biológica; ArgentinaFil: Gottlieb, Alexandra Marina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución. Laboratorio de Citogenética y Evolución; ArgentinaFil: Costa, Hernán. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas. Area de Química Biológica; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable; Argentin

Contributions on Transmitarrays for Far-Field Applications

XI Encuentro Ibérico de Electromagnetismo Computacional-IIEC, 8-11 de noviembre de 2016, Asturias (España)Different contributions made to the development of Transmitarrays (TA) for Far-Filed applications are presented in this contribution. Firstly, a unit cell, based on four patches coupled by a slot or a symmetric cross, is introduced, and then, an arraybased model used to analyze a system formed by a TA and a planar lens in a time-efficient manner without using a full-wave method. Thus, both features are used to design and analyze the different prototypes reviewed in this contribution. That is, an ultra-thin planar lenses based on a 2-bit unit cell and a dualpolarized TA that has been designed in order to be used in polarized agile antenna. Thus, by rotating the feed of the system, a linear polarized antenna, it is possible to obtain any kind of polarization, form linear to circular. Finally, this TA has been used in a multibeam application fed with a network of quasi-yagi antenna

Environmental refugees and the action of UNHCR as an international protection organism

Currently, in the international order, it can be seen the emergence of environmental refugees or environmentally displaced people. The environmental refugee or environmentally displaced is the one who is forced to leave his living place due to an environmental disaster or degradation, which put their life in danger, or that do not allow to ensure their survival. They are unprotected by International Law, showing a regulatory gap. The objective of this study is to analyze the possibilities of nominating UNHCR as an international agency to protect environmental refugees or environmentally displaced people. The methodological procedures used are bibliographical and documentary research and international instruments. First, it presents the concepts of environmentally displaced people or environmental refugees. Secondly, it analyzes the position adopted by UNHCR in relation to those affected, since 2007. At last, it makes final observations.Atualmente, na ordem internacional, verifica-se o surgimento dos refugiados ambientais ou deslocados ambientais forçados. O refugiado ambiental ou deslocado ambiental forçado é aquele que é obrigado a deixar seu lugar de moradia devido a um desastre ambiental ou degradação ambiental, que colocam sua vida em perigo, ou que não permitem assegurar sua sobrevivência. Eles estão desprotegidos no Direito Internacional, verificando-se uma lacuna normativa. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar as possibilidades de que seja designada a ACNUR como uma agência internacional para proteger os refugiados ambientais ou deslocados ambientais forçados. Os procedimentos metodológicos utilizados são a pesquisa bibliográfica, documental e instrumentos internacionais. Em primeiro lugar, conceitua-se os deslocados ambientais forçados ou refugiados ambientais. Em segundo lugar, analisa-se a posição adotada por ACNUR em relação a esses afetados, desde 2007. Finalmente, apresentamse as observações finais.Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociale