Equivalence of nonequilibrium ensembles in turbulence models

Understanding under which conditions it is possible to construct equivalent ensembles is key to advancing our ability to connect microscopic and macroscopic properties of non-equilibrium statisti- cal mechanics. In the case of fluid dynamical systems, a first issue is to test whether different models for viscosity lead to the same macroscopic properties of the fluid systems in different regimes. Such models include, besides the standard choice of constant viscosity, also cases where the time symme- try of the evolution equations is exactly preserved, as it must be in the corresponding microscopic systems, when available. Here a time-reversible dynamics is obtained by imposing the conservation of global observables. We test the equivalence of reversible and irreversible ensembles for the case of a multiscale shell model of turbulence. We verify that the equivalence is obeyed for the mean-values of macroscopic observables, up to an error that vanishes as the system becomes more and more chaotic

Characteristics, occurrence, detection and detoxification of aflatoxins in foods and feeds

Mycotoxin contamination continues to be a food safety concern globally, with the most toxic being aflatoxins. On-farm aflatoxins, during food transit or storage, directly or indirectly result in the contamination of foods, which affects the liver, immune system and reproduction after infiltration into human beings and animals. There are numerous reports on aflatoxins focusing on achieving appropriate methods for quantification, precise detection and control in order to ensure consumer safety. In 2012, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, M1 and M2 as group 1 carcinogenic substances, which are a global human health concern. Consequently, this review article addresses aflatoxin chemical properties and biosynthetic processes; aflatoxin contamination in foods and feeds; health effects in human beings and animals due to aflatoxin exposure, as well as aflatoxin detection and detoxification methods.(undefined)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Identification of Passion Fruit Oil Adulteration by Chemometric Analysis of FTIR Spectra

Passion fruit oil is a high-value product with applications in the food and cosmetic sectors. It is frequently diluted with sunflower oil. Sunflower oil is also a potential adulterant as its addition does not notably alter the appearance of the passion fruit oil. In this paper, we show that this is also true for the FTIR spectrum. However, the chemometric analysis of the data changes this situation. Principal component analysis (PCA) enables not only the straightforward discrimination of pure passion fruit oil and adulterated samples but also the unambiguous classification of passion fruit oil products from five different manufacturers. Even small amounts—significantly below 1%—of the adulterant can be detected. Furthermore, partial least-squares regression (PLSR) facilitates the quantification of the amount of sunflower oil added to the passion fruit oil. The results demonstrate that the combination of FTIR spectroscopy and chemometric data analysis is a very powerful tool to analyze passion fruit oil

Metrology, agriculture and food: literature quantitative analysis

Great attention has been given in recent years to the relationships between metrology, agriculture, and food. This study aims at providing an analysis of the literature regarding the relationships between metrology, agriculture, and food. The Scopus online database has been used to extract bibliometric data throughout the search string: TITLE-ABS-KEY (Metrology* AND Agriculture* OR Food*), and the VOSviewer bibliometric software was used to visualize results as bubble maps. The novelty character of this perspective paper is to indicate and point out the main research themes/lines addressing the relationships between metrology, agriculture, and food by analyzing: (i) the authors of the published papers; (ii) the type of paper; (iii) the countries and institutions where the research is developed. Bibliometrics allows one to holistically examine entire scientific areas or sub-fields to get new qualitative and quantitative insights. These results represent a useful tool for identifying emerging research directions, collaboration networks, and suggestions for more in-depth literature searches.This research received no external funding.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Abelmoschus esculentus (L.): Bioactive Components Beneficial PropertiesFocused on Antidiabetic RoleFor Sustainable Health Applications

The main features of the okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.), are highlighted. The evaluation of interactions between biologically active compounds and other components of the food matrix can be considered as the first action in the investigation of potential benefits of this annual herb. Moreover, updated examples of current and innovative directions in an integrated and multidisciplinary approach are discussed, with particular attention to chemometrics. Among the main effects attributed to okra, its antidiabetic property is the focus. Finally, the use of okra in different fields will be discussed.(undefined)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Wine polyphenols and health: quantitative research literature analysis

The relationship between wine polyphenols and health has been receiving growing scientific attention in the last few years. To confirm this point, the proposed paper identifies the major contributors to academic journals regarding the relationships between wine polyphenols and health. The endpoints of the proposed study are to provide a comprehensive overview and analysis of the literature regarding the relationships between wine polyphenol and health based on a bibliometric analysis. Bibliometric data were extracted from the Scopus online database using the search string TITLE-ABS-KEY (wine AND polyphenol* AND health OR (french paradox OR cardiovascular disease* OR atherosclerosis OR microbiota) and analyzed using the VOSviewer bibliometric software to generate bubble maps and to visualize the obtained results. This perspective paper analyzes: (i) the research themes addressing the relationships between wine polyphenols and health; (ii) the major contributors origin, e.g., country and/or regions; (iii) the institutions where the research is based; (iv) the authors; and (v) the type of paper. These results represent a useful tool to identify emerging research directions, collaboration networks, and suggestions for more in-depth literature searches.Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of a Portuguese honey harvested over two consecutive years.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ready to use therapeutical beverages: focus on functional beverages containing probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics

The growing global interest in functional foods containing nutrients capable of adding possible beneficial health effects is rapidly increasing both interest and consumer demand. In particular, functionalized beverages for their potential positive effect on health e.g., decreasing cholesterol level, lowering sugar, high fiber content, ability to enhance the immune system, and help digestion, have recently received special attention. Among the different beverages available on the market, probiotic dairy and non-dairy products have attracted much attention because of their affordable cost and their numerous therapeutic activities. Fermented milk and yogurt are currently worth €46 billion, with 77% of the market reported in Europe, North America, and Asia. Consumption of dairy beverages has some limitations due for example to lactose intolerance and allergy to milk proteins, thereby leading consumers to use non-dairy beverages such as fruit, grains, and vegetable juices to add probiotics to diet as well as driving the manufacturers to food matrices-based beverages containing probiotic cultures. The purpose of this review article is to evaluate the therapeutic performance and properties of dairy and non-dairy beverages in terms of probiotic, prebiotic, and synbiotic activities.This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding UID/FIS/04650/2020, UID/BIO/04469/2020 and UID/QUI/00686/2020, and projects PTDC/BTM-MAT/28237/2017 and PTDC/EMD-EMD/28159/2017 and Associate Laboratory for Green Chemistry—LAQV, financed by national funds from FCT/MCTES (UIDB/50006/2020). The authors also thank the FCT for the SFRH/BPD/121526/2016 (DMC) grant. The authors acknowledge funding by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) through the project MAT2016-76039-C4-3-R (AEI/FEDER, UE) and from the Basque Government Industry and Education Departments under the ELKARTEK, HAZITEK and PIBA (PIBA-2018-06) programs, respectively.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sage species case study on a spontaneous mediterranean plant to control phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria

Sage species belong to the family of Labiatae/Lamiaceae and are diffused worldwide. More than 900 species of sage have been identified, and many of them are used for different purposes, i.e., culinary uses, traditional medicines and natural remedies and cosmetic applications. Another use of sage is the application of non-distilled sage extracts and essential oils to control phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi, for a sustainable, environmentally friendly agriculture. Biocidal propriety of non-distilled extracts and essential oils of sage are w documented. Antimicrobial effects of these sage extracts/essential oils depend on both sage species and bacteria and fungi species to control. In general, it is possible to choose some specific extracts/essential oils to control specific phytopathogenic bacteria or fungi. In this context, the use of nanotechnology techniques applied to essential oil from salvia could represent a future direction for improving the performance of eco-compatible and sustainable plant defence and represents a great challenge for the future.The authors acknowledge the support of the research project: Nutraceutica come supporto nutrizionale nel paziente oncologico, CUP: B83D18000140007. E.B.S. acknowledges the sponsorship of the projects M-ERA-NET-0004/2015-PAIRED and UIDB/04469/2020 (strategic fund), receiving support from the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation, Ministry of Science and Education (FCT/MEC) through national funds, and co-financed by FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020. The authors also acknowledge Agricultural Department of Campania Region (Italy) for financial support.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio