Beer as a vehicle for probiotics

Background and Objective: Beer is one of the most consumed beverages worldwide that can be used to transfer probiotics to the host. The aim of this study was to generally review technological parameters incorporated in the production of probiotic beers. Probiotic beer production needs solving technical problems that are linked to processing stages. Although use of probiotics in fermented dairy products has been searched in available scientific literatures, beer is a relatively novel matrix for the incorporation of probiotics and hence a review on its capability as a probiotic carrier can be advantageous. Therefore, objective of the recent review was to investigate the most recent method for the production of probiotic beers. Furthermore, factors affecting the viability of probiotics in the final product were studied. Conclusion: Scientific literatures verified that probiotic beers could be produced with a few modifications from the non-probiotic beers. As probiotic species include poor growth abilities and probiotic viability is the most important factor considering a product as a probiotic product, multiple criteria for the production of probiotic beers include selecting an alcohol and acid-tolerant probiotic strain, administration of encapsulated probiotics, eliminating thermal and filtration processes, controlling oxygen concentration during fermentation process and after inoculation with probiotic strain, inhabiting severe acidic condition during the probiotic beer production and holding temperature below 5 ˚C during storage and transportation. However, several researches are needed to clarify limiting factors to achieve optimum conditions for the production of appropriate probiotic beers. However, incorporation of nonviable probiotics as alternate germs can be considered as a novel method for the production of health improving beers. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest

Broad spectrum late blight resistance in potato differential set plants MaR8 and MaR9 is conferred by multiple stacked R genes

Phytophthora infestans is the causal agent of late blight in potato. The Mexican species Solanum demissum is well known as a good resistance source. Among the 11 R gene differentials, which were introgressed from S. demissum, especially R8 and R9 differentials showed broad spectrum resistance both under laboratory and under field conditions. In order to gather more information about the resistance of the R8 and R9 differentials, F1 and BC1 populations were made by crossing Mastenbroek (Ma) R8 and R9 clones to susceptible plants. Parents and offspring plants were examined for their pathogen recognition specificities using agroinfiltration with known Avr genes, detached leaf assays (DLA) with selected isolates, and gene-specific markers. An important observation was the discrepancy between DLA and field trial results for Pi isolate IPO-C in all F1 and BC1 populations, so therefore also field trial results were included in our characterization. It was shown that in MaR8 and MaR9, respectively, at least four (R3a, R3b, R4, and R8) and seven (R1, Rpi-abpt1, R3a, R3b, R4, R8, R9) R genes were present. Analysis of MaR8 and MaR9 offspring plants, that contained different combinations of multiple resistance genes, showed that R gene stacking contributed to the Pi recognition spectrum. Also, using a Pi virulence monitoring system in the field, it was shown that stacking of multiple R genes strongly delayed the onset of late blight symptoms. The contribution of R8 to this delay was remarkable since a plant that contained only the R8 resistance gene still conferred a delay similar to plants with multiple resistance genes, like, e.g., cv Sarpo Mira. Using this “de-stacking” approach, many R gene combinations can be made and tested in order to select broad spectrum R gene stacks that potentially provide enhanced durability for future application in new late blight resistant varieties

Effects of addition of different probiotic strains on the biochemical and microbiological properties of Aloe vera drink

Introduction: Recently, an increased demand for nondairy probiotic products comes from the vegetarians, those with lactose intolerance and high cholesterol blood content in dairy products. In this research, the effects of adding different probiotic strains to the Aloe vera drink were studied on biochemical and microbiological specifics during refrigerated storage. Materials and Methods: About 7% of any cultured single strain probiotic (Lactobacillus (L) acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus fermentumor Lactobacillus plantarum) were added to Aloe vera juices. Samples were studied in 7 days intervals throughout 21 days of storage at 5°C. pH and redox potential values were measured by pH-meter. Titrable acidity value was determined by titration with 0.1 N NaOH. Probiotic bacteria were enumerated using MRS-agar medium. Results: The highest and lowest biochemical changes were observed in treatments with L. reuteri and L. acidophilus, respectively. Therefore, different types of inoculated probiotic strains, with different ability in fermentation at refrigerated temperature, had effects on the amount of the biochemical changes during storage. The most probiotic viable counts in treatments with L. acidophilus were observed at the end of storage. Conclusion: Probiotic viability was improved in Aloe vera juices probably due to high amounts of nutrients such as aminoacids, proteins, sugars, vitamins, phenolic compounds and antioxidants. L. acidophilus and L. fermentum are suitable choice to use in Aloe vera drin

Oxidative stress and leaf senescence

Abstract Background Senescence is an important developmental process that leads to the cell death through highly regulated genetically controlled processes in plants. Biotic and abiotic Oxidative stresses can also artificially induce senescence and increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) specifically in chloroplast. One of the important oxidative stresses is paraquat that induces deviation of electron from photosynthesis electron chain and lead to the production of more ROS in chloroplast. Plants have evolved special adoptive mechanism to reallocate nutrient to reproductive and juvenile organs in senescence and different oxidative stresses. Rubisco seems to be the most abundant protein in plants and is involved in many changes during senescence. Results In the present study, the effects of ROS on Rubisco during senescence and oxidative stresses were evaluated by measuring photosynthesis factors such as net photosynthesis rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (G), evaporation rate (E), intra cellular CO2 concentration (Ci), fluorescence and total protein during three stages of development. Our results showed that in paraquat treated plants, CO2 assimilation is the most effective factor that refers to Rubisco damages. The highest correlation and regression coefficient belonged to Ci, while correlation coefficient between photosynthesis rate and total protein was much smaller. Conclusion It appears in the early stage of oxidative stresses such as exposing to paraquat, ROS has the most effect on Rubisco activity that induces more susceptibility to Rubisco specific protease. Moreover, Rubisco deactivation acts as an initiative signal for Rubisco degradation.</p

Fructose and high fructose corn syrup: are they a two-edged sword?

High-fructose syrups are used as sugar substitutes due to their physical and functional properties. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is used in bakery products, dairy products, breakfast cereals and beverages, but it has been reported that there might be a direct relationship between high fructose intake and adverse health effects such as obesity and the metabolic syndrome. Thus, fructose has recently received much attention, most of which was negative. Although studies have indicated that there might be a correlation between high fructose-rich diet and several adverse effects, however, the results of these studies cannot be certainly generalised to the effects of HFCS; because they have investigated pure fructose at very high concentrations in measurement of metabolic upsets. This review critically considered the advantages and possible disadvantages of HFCS application and consumption in food industry, as a current challenging issue between nutritionists and food technologists

Chemical Compositions, Somatic Embryogenesis, and Somaclonal Variation in Cumin

This is the first report evaluating the relationship between the chemical compositions of cumin seeds (based on the analysis of the content of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, proline, protein, terpenic compounds, alcohol/phenols, aldehydes, and epoxides) and the induction efficiency of somatic embryogenesis in two Iranian superior cumin landraces (Golestan and North Khorasan). Cotyledons isolated from Golestan landrace seeds cultivated on MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/L kinetin proved to be the best primary explant for the induction of somatic embryogenesis as well as the regeneration of the whole plantlet. Results indicated that different developmental stages of somatic embryos were simultaneously observed on a callus with embryogenic potential. The high content of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, proline, and terpenic hydrocarbons and low content of alcoholic and phenolic compositions had a stimulatory effect on somatic embryogenesis. Band patterns of RAPD markers in regenerated plants were different from those of the mother plants. This may be related to somaclonal variations or pollination system of cumin. Generally, measurement of chemical compositions can be used as a marker for evaluating the occurrence of somatic embryogenesis in cumin. Also, somaclonal variations of regenerated plants can be applied by the plant breeders in breeding programs