Can information affect sensory perceptions? Evidence from a survey on Italian organic food consumers

This paper aims to investigate the influence of information on consumers’ preferences and sensory perceptions of organic food using a sample of 301 Italian organic food consumers. Consumers stated their preferences for “core organic” attributes, labels and information on food products and performed blind and informed tests on strawberry yoghurts and cookies. Data were analysed using descriptive analysis, Mann-Whitney U tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results revealed that consumers appreciate “core organic” attributes, like artisanal production and variability of sensory attributes. Comparing blind and informed tests, results showed that information affects the overall liking of products and consumers’ perception of product-specific sensory attributes. However, the influence of information on sensory perceptions depends on the product category, sensory attributes and the type of information provided

Modulation of density-fractionated RBC deformability by nitric oxide

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in maintaining normal mechanical behavior of red blood cell (RBC) has been previously demonstrated. The effects of NO donor and NOS inhibitor on the mechanical properties of density fractionated RBC were tested in this study. A non-specific NOS inhibitor, N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) at a concentration of 10(-3) M and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide donor at a concentration of 10(-6) M was added to blood samples with hematocrit adjusted to 0.4 l/l and RBC deformability was measured by an ektacytometer in the density fractionated RBC after one hour incubation at 37 degrees C. There was no significant effect of the NO donor SNP on cellular deformability in the older (denser) RBC fraction in contrast with the younger (least dense) fraction. Alternatively, the sensitivity of cellular deformability to competitive NOS inhibition by L-NAME was greater in the older fraction. These findings suggest that older RBC are characterized by diminished internal NO synthesis and are also less sensitive to external NO indicating that the target mechanisms for NO may also be deteriorated.C1 Akdeniz Univ, Fac Med, Dept Physiol, TR-07070 Antalya, Turkey.Univ So Calif, Sch Med, Dept Physiol & Biophys, Los Angeles, CA 90033 USA.Pamukkale Univ, Fac Med, Dept Physiol, Denizli, Turkey

Modulation of density-fractionated RBC deformability by nitric oxide

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in maintaining normal mechanical behavior of red blood cell (RBC) has been previously demonstrated. The effects of NO donor and NOS inhibitor on the mechanical properties of density fractionated RBC were tested in this study. A non-specific NOS inhibitor, N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) at a concentration of 10(-3) M and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide donor at a concentration of 10(-6) M was added to blood samples with hematocrit adjusted to 0.4 l/l and RBC deformability was measured by an ektacytometer in the density fractionated RBC after one hour incubation at 37 degrees C. There was no significant effect of the NO donor SNP on cellular deformability in the older (denser) RBC fraction in contrast with the younger (least dense) fraction. Alternatively, the sensitivity of cellular deformability to competitive NOS inhibition by L-NAME was greater in the older fraction. These findings suggest that older RBC are characterized by diminished internal NO synthesis and are also less sensitive to external NO indicating that the target mechanisms for NO may also be deteriorated

Modulation of density-fractionated RBC deformability by nitric oxide.

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in maintaining normal mechanical behavior of red blood cell (RBC) has been previously demonstrated. The effects of NO donor and NOS inhibitor on the mechanical properties of density fractionated RBC were tested in this study. A non-specific NOS inhibitor, N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) at a concentration of 10(-3) M and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide donor at a concentration of 10(-6) M was added to blood samples with hematocrit adjusted to 0.4 l/l and RBC deformability was measured by an ektacytometer in the density fractionated RBC after one hour incubation at 37 degrees C. There was no significant effect of the NO donor SNP on cellular deformability in the older (denser) RBC fraction in contrast with the younger (least dense) fraction. Alternatively, the sensitivity of cellular deformability to competitive NOS inhibition by L-NAME was greater in the older fraction. These findings suggest that older RBC are characterized by diminished internal NO synthesis and are also less sensitive to external NO indicating that the target mechanisms for NO may also be deteriorated