Dynamics of drinking water biofilm in flow/non-flow conditions

Drinking water biofilm formation on polyvinyl chloride (PVC), cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) was followed in three different reactors operating under stagnant or continuous flow regimes. After one week, a quasi-steady state was achieved where biofilm total cell numbers per unit surface area were not affected by fluctuations in the concentration of suspended cells. Metabolically active cells in biofilms were around 17-35% of the total cells and 6-18% were able to form colony units in R(2)A medium. Microbiological analysis showed that the adhesion material and reactor design did not affect significantly the biofilm growth. However, operating under continuous flow (0.8-1.9 Pa) or stagnant water had a significant effect on biofilm formation: in stagnant waters, biofilm grew to a less extent. By applying mass balances and an asymptotic biofilm formation model to data from biofilms grown on PVC and HDPE surfaces under turbulent flow, specific growth rates of bacteria in the biofilm were found to be similar for both materials (around 0.15 day(-1)) and much lower than the specific growth rates of suspended bacteria (around 1.8 day(-1))

Phytochemical profiling of underexploited Fabaceae species: Insights on the ontogenic and phylogenetic effects over isoflavone levels

There is an increasing trend towards finding alternative sources of valued phytochemicals due to their diverse potentialities in food industry and pharmaceutical applications. Phenolic compounds, in particular, have been the focus of several profiling reports, but isoflavones characterization has been studied in fewer cases and in a very limited group of plant species. Despite their acknowledged bioactivity, there's actually a strict number of plants validated for their isoflavones contents. In a previous report, we have identified nine Leguminosae species (from genera Biserrula, Lotus, Ornithopus and Scorpiurus) as potential alternative sources of these phenolic compounds. However, the isoflavone profiles are highly modulated by the ontogenic stage. Therefore, the present study was conducted in the same Leguminosae species, but harvested at three sequential vegetative development stages: vegetative elongation, late bud and late flowering, with the main purpose of assessing the evolution of isoflavones content throughout the plant development. In general, the plant species from Biserrula and Lotus genera showed the highest potential as new natural sources of isoflavones, especially owing their high levels of biochanin A. Independently of the plant species, it was possible to identify the phenologic stages where each of the quantified isoflavones is maximized. These findings are useful to predict isoflavone yields according to harvesting time, validating the potential use of the studied plants in innovative food formulations.João C.M. Barreira and T. Visnevschi-Necrasov are grateful to “FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia” for their grants (SFRH/BPD/72802/2010 and SFRH/BD/31734/2006, respectively) financed by POPH-QREN and subsidized by FSE and MCTES. This work received financial support from the European Union (FEDER funds through COMPETE) and National Funds (FCT) through project Pest-C/EQB/LA0006/2013. The work also received financial support from the European Union (FEDER funds) under the framework of QREN through Project NORTE-07-0124 FEDER-000069.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Convective dehydration processing of peach

Dehydration of peach is an alternative to enhance storage stability, mínimize packaging requirement and reducing post-harvest cost without a sensorial and nutritional quality loss. Preservation of fruits through sun drying techniques is practiced in Cova da Beira (a Portuguese region that has a protected geographical indication for peach), as a homemade process without quality and safety control. The aim of this work was to prepare quality dehydrated products based on a convective drying process with low cost. This process has short drying time and controlled temperature that causes minimal damage to the product without added preservatives or sugar. The samples of ‘Baby Gold’ cultivar (Prunus persica) obtained from local producer were peeled, laminated and immediately dehydrated. Samples were stored in sealed plastic containers at 25°C for subsequent analysis. In the drying process were controlled forced convection air velocity of 1.25 to 1.50 m/s, air temperature between 45 and 75°C and drying time between 7 to 11 hours. During dehydration process temperature and fruit moisture were controlled. pH, acidity, soluble solids content (SSC) and mesophilic aerobic count were performed in fresh and dehydrated fruit. Dehydrated peach were similar to homemade products. Moisture was below 12%, without significant variation of SSC and acidity (on a dry basis). No deleterious effect occurred on peach mesophilic aerobic count, since a slight decrease was registered between fresh and dehydrated fruit.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Use of European pulses to produce functional beverages – From chickpea and lupin as dairy alternatives

Consumption of plant based products as dairy alternatives is increasing steeply. This diet transition can only be achieved if these products keep the nutritional value and meet consumer’s sensory acceptance. This work aimed to evaluate the decrease of the “beany” flavour and of raffinose, stachyose and verbascose contents in EU pulse beveragés production, and also the best lactic fermentation conditions of the beverages, towards chickpea- and lupin-based yoghurts, with rheology properties similar to the commercial soy yoghurts. The reduction of “beany” volatile compounds of chickpea and lupin beverages during processing was confirmed through GC–MS analysis. Soaking and cooking processes were effective in removing flatulence sugars with almost 48% loss from the initial content in lupin beverage. The fermentation conditions at 40 ◦C, 12 h and 2% (w/v) of starter concentration evidenced the best viscoelastic structure and flow properties. The lupin yoghurt-type showed a similar gel structure to commercial soy yoghurt.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Advances in isoflavone profile characterisation using matrix solid-phase dispersion coupled to HPLC/DAD in medicago species

Analytical methods used in phytochemistry analysis are limited by the sample preparation step, which should ideally be fast, accurate, ecofriendly and achievable using low quantities of the sample. Matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) may be a good alternative for combining extraction and purification procedures, thereby reducing the indicated limitations. Objective-Applying an MSPD extraction procedure coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography diode-array detection (HPLC/DAD) as an alternative methodology to evaluate isoflavone profiles. Methods-Isoflavone profiles were determined for the leaves of nine species of Medicago in the late flower phenological stage (one or more nodes with 50% open flowers, no seed pods). Extraction was performed following MSPD, and isoflavone profiles were characterised using HPLC/DAD. The quantified amounts were compared with previous results in different species commonly recognised as good sources of isoflavones. Results-Formononetin was the major isoflavone in most species, except M. polymorpha and M. truncatula. The isoflavone amounts were significantly different among the assayed species, with M. orbicularis and M. arabica as the major isoflavone sources, while M. rigidula presented the lowest contents. Furthermore, the detected differences allow electing the best species as a primary source of a specific isoflavone. Conclusion-The MSPD allowed good extraction efficiency, reproducibility and recovery. Some of the species showed relevant isoflavone contents, even when compared with acknowledged plant sources such as soy or red clover. To the best of our knowledge the results presented are reported for the first time in these species.T. Visnevschi-Necrasov and João C.M. Barreira are grateful to ‘FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia’ for their grants (BD/ 31734/2006 and SFRH/BPD/72802/2010, respectively). S.C. Cunha is grateful to ‘POPH-QREN - Tipologia 4.2, Fundo Social Europeu e Fundo Nacional MCTES’.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Medicago spp. as potential sources of bioactive isoflavones: Characterization according to phylogenetic and phenologic factors

A high variety of plant species are often proposed as potential natural sources of specific bioactive components, with emphasis in phenolic compounds. However, the ability to produce a determined phytochemical might be variable, even among species with close phylogeny. Furthermore, the metabolic dynamics vary greatly according to phenologic factors. Herein, it was verified whether isoflavone production in Medicago spp. is more associated with phylogenetic or phenologic determinants, to define the optimal productive conditions. Isoflavone profiles were characterized in field-grown Medicago species in three phenologic stages. Isoflavones were extracted by matrix solid-phase dispersion method and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode-array detector. The obtained data were evaluated by a generalized linear model (GLM) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). Formononetin, genistein and irilone were the most abundant isoflavones, reaching values higher than those present in acknowledged plant sources like soy or red clover. Outputs from GLM and LDA indicate that the phylogenetic factors are the most defining criteria. This study promotes Medicago spp. as potential isoflavone sources, particularly because the effects of these compounds are highly dependent on their type and concentration, with potential application as foodstuff, feedstuff, or in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutica l industry.Visnevschi-Necrasov and João C.M. Barreira are grateful to ‘‘FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia’’ for their Grants (SFRH/BD/31734/2006 and SFRH/BPD/72802/2010, respectively). S.C. Cunha is grateful to ‘‘POPH-QREN – Tipologia 4.2, Fundo Social Europeu e Fundo Nacional MCTES’’.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Phylogenetic insights on the isoflavone profile variations in Fabaceae spp.: Assessment through PCA and LDA

Legumes (Fabaceae) are important crops, known as sources of food, feed for livestock and raw materials for industry. Their ability to capture atmospheric nitrogen during symbiotic processes with soil bacteria reduces the need for expensive chemical fertilizers, improving soil and water quality. Several Fabaceae species are acknowledged for the high levels of secondary metabolites. Isoflavones are among the most well-known examples of these compounds, being recognized for their several types of biological activity. Herein, isoflavone profiles were characterized in nine species of four Fabaceae genera (Biserrula, Lotus, Ornithopus and Scorpiurus). Plants were harvested in the late flower physiological stage to prevent biased results due to naturally occurring variations along the vegetative cycle. Isoflavones were extracted using matrix solid-phase dispersion and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography/diode-array detection. The detected profiles revealed significant differences, inclusively among species belonging to the same genus, indicating that other factors besides the genotypic features contribute to the expression of these phenolic compounds. The classification of the results by principal component analysis placed species belonging to the same genus in different clustering groups, proving this latter assumption. However, the detected profiles proved to be characteristic of the assayed, as it was proved by the applied linear discriminant analysis.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Probing Isospin Dynamics in Halo Nuclei

Nuclear many-body theory is used to study nuclear matter and finite nuclei at extreme isospin. In-medium interactions in asymmetric nuclear matter are obtained from (Dirac-) Brueckner theory. Neutron skin formation in Ni and Sn isotopes is investigated by relativistic mean-field calculations in DDRH theory with density dependent meson-nucleon vertices. Applications to light nuclei are discussed with special emphasis on pairing and core polarization in weakly bound nuclei. Approaches accounting for continuum coupling in dripline pairing and core polarization are presented. Calculations for the halo nuclei $^8$B, $^{11}$Be and $^{19}$C show that shell structures are dissolving when the driplines are approached. Relativistic breakup data are well described by eikonal calculations.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figure

Occurrence of Salmonella spp. in the broiler production chain

ABSTRACT Brazilian chicken meat is exported to more than 150 countries and consumed by consumer markets that demand high quality and food safety, thus, requiring very strict control of pathogens present in food to guarantee these rigorous safety standards. This study evaluates the reports from the Salmonella spp. Control and Monitoring Program of the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply of seven slaughterhouses inspected by the Federal Inspection Service from the western region of Paraná state, Brazil, from March 2017 to February 2019. The broiler litter swab and carcass analyses revealed a Salmonella spp. positivity ratio of 5.9% (19/319) and 23.5% (75/319), respectively. The concomitant presence of Salmonella spp. in the broiler litter swab and chicken carcasses occurred in 58% of the positive samples. The most frequently isolated serovar in the carcasses was Salmonella Heidelberg (85.3%) followed by Salmonella spp. (10.6%). During slaughter, carcass positivity to Salmonella spp. was significantly different (p=0.047) between the first (19.6%) and the second (29.4%) shifts. The results alert for the possibility of carcass contamination during slaughtering and, therefore, more stringent hygiene measures between shifts must be implemented to mitigate carcass contamination

Tejo Internacional. Guia de Visita.

Em sintonia com os objetivos fixados aquando da criação do Parque Natural do Tejo Inernacional, em agosto de 2000, assume-se como propósito deste guia a apresentação de um instrumento de informação e orientação que potencie o respeito pelos valores intrínsecos do PNTI, bem como o usufruto e fruição equilibrada dos mesmos. Neste contexto procede-se a uma breve descrição caracterizadora do Território do Parque, informação relativa ao apoio à visitação, é ainda apresentado um elenco de espécies de fauna e flora.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio