Seasonal effect on the technological and chemical traits of sheep "ricotta Pistoiese" cheese

The "ricotta di pecora pistoiese" is comprised in the list of the traditional agrofood products of Tuscany and the relative PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) has be required. This research, analysing the making process, aimed to evaluate its chemical and nutritive traits as influenced by some factors, with particular attention to the season. During the four seasons of two consecutive years, the making process of ricotta cheese was monitored in four farms for a total of 32 control-days. Yields, chemical composition and fatty acid profile of fat were determined. The amount of milk added to whey influenced the fat and protein content and the yields at 0 and 24 hours. Season affected only the protein content, higher in winter and spring. Fatty acid composition was influenced strongly by the season being the ricotta cheese of summer richer of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated FA than that of autumn and winter, probably due to the feeding regimen based mainly on fresh grass

Effect of rearing system on body traits and fillet quality of meagre (Argyrosomus regius, Asso 1801) chilled for a short time

The purpose of this study was to evaluate qualitative traits of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) from two different rearing systems (land-based tank filled with geothermal water vs offshore sea cage) and after short-term storage at chilling temperature (1, 2, or 3 days). Fish originated from the same batch were fed the same diet. Morpho-biometric traits, L*, a*, and b* colour parameters, texture, free water, proximate composition, total lipids, fatty acids, iron, and selenium contents were analyzed in the fillets. Most parameters were affected by rearing system. Compared to tank-reared fish, caged fish were shorter, poorer in visceral fat, and had higher incidence in cavity content and liver, lower incidence in gonads and head. Caged fish also had softer fillets in the epaxial site, which showed a higher tendency towards greenish colour. Caged fish also showed higher lipid content but lower Fe and Se content. Tank-reared fish fillets were more abundant in PUFAn-3, mainly due to DHA (18.54 vs 12.95%; P<0.001) and consequently showed the best healthiness indexes. Minimal changes, mostly involving colour and texture, were detected during the first three days of refrigerated storage. During storage, no significant modification of the parameters investigated could be ascribed to the rearing system

Three-dimensional local anisotropy of velocity fluctuations in the solar wind

We analyse velocity fluctuations in the solar wind at magneto-fluid scales in two datasets, extracted from Wind data in the period 2005-2015, that are characterised by strong or weak expansion. Expansion affects measurements of anisotropy because it breaks axisymmetry around the mean magnetic field. Indeed, the small-scale three-dimensional local anisotropy of magnetic fluctuations ({\delta}B) as measured by structure functions (SF_B) is consistent with tube-like structures for strong expansion. When passing to weak expansion, structures become ribbon-like because of the flattening of SFB along one of the two perpendicular directions. The power-law index that is consistent with a spectral slope -5/3 for strong expansion now becomes closer to -3/2. This index is also characteristic of velocity fluctuations in the solar wind. We study velocity fluctuations ({\delta}V) to understand if the anisotropy of their structure functions (SF_V ) also changes with the strength of expansion and if the difference with the magnetic spectral index is washed out once anisotropy is accounted for. We find that SF_V is generally flatter than SF_B. When expansion passes from strong to weak, a further flattening of the perpendicular SF_V occurs and the small-scale anisotropy switches from tube-like to ribbon-like structures. These two types of anisotropy, common to SF_V and SF_B, are associated to distinct large-scale variance anisotropies of {\delta}B in the strong- and weak-expansion datasets. We conclude that SF_V shows anisotropic three-dimensional scaling similar to SF_B, with however systematic flatter scalings, reflecting the difference between global spectral slopes.Comment: accepted in MNRA

Efficacy of free glutathione and niosomal glutathione in the treatment of acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in cats

Acetaminophen (APAP) administration results in hepatotoxicity and hematotoxicity in cats. The response to three different treatments against APAP poisoning was evaluated. Free glutathione (GSH) (200mg/kg), niosomal GSH (14 mg/kg) and free amino acids (180 mg/kg of N-acetylcysteine and 280 mg/kg of methionine) were administered to cats that were intoxicated with APAP (a single dose of 150 mg/kg, p.o.). Serum concentration of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) along with serum, liver and erythrocyte concentration of GSH and methemoglobin percentage were measured before and 4, 24 and 72 hours after APAP administration. Free GSH (200 mg/kg) and niosomal GSH (14 mg/kg) were effective in reducing hepatotoxicity and hematotoxicity in cats intoxicated with a dose of 150 mg/kg APAP. We conclude that both types of treatments can protect the liver and haemoglobin against oxidative stress in APAP intoxicated cats. Furthermore, our results showed that treatment with niosomal GSH represents an effective therapeutic approach for APAP poisoning.Fil: Denzoin Vulcano, L. A.. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Fisiopatologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tandil. Centro de Investigacion Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Confalonieri, O.. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Clinicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tandil. Centro de Investigacion Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Franci, R.. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Clinicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tandil. Centro de Investigacion Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Tapia, Maria Ofelia. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Fisiopatologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tandil. Centro de Investigacion Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Soraci, Alejandro Luis. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Fisiopatologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tandil. Centro de Investigacion Veterinaria de Tandil; Argentin

Magnetic field turbulence in the solar wind at sub-ion scales: in situ observations and numerical simulations

We investigate the transition of the solar wind turbulent cascade from MHD to sub-ion range by means of a detail comparison between in situ observations and hybrid numerical simulations. In particular we focus on the properties of the magnetic field and its component anisotropy in Cluster measurements and hybrid 2D simulations. First, we address the angular distribution of wave-vectors in the kinetic range between ion and electron scales by studying the variance anisotropy of the magnetic field components. When taking into account the single-direction sampling performed by spacecraft in the solar wind, the main properties of the fluctuations observed in situ are also recovered in our numerical description. This result confirms that solar wind turbulence in the sub-ion range is characterized by a quasi-2D gyrotropic distribution of k-vectors around the mean field. We then consider the magnetic compressibility associated with the turbulent cascade and its evolution from large-MHD to sub-ion scales. The ratio of field-aligned to perpendicular fluctuations, typically low in the MHD inertial range, increases significantly when crossing ion scales and its value in the sub-ion range is a function of the total plasma beta only, as expected from theoretical predictions, with higher magnetic compressibility for higher beta. Moreover, we observe that this increase has a gradual trend from low to high beta values in the in situ data; this behaviour is well captured by the numerical simulations. The level of magnetic field compressibility that is observed in situ and in the simulations is in fairly good agreement with theoretical predictions, especially at high beta, suggesting that in the kinetic range explored the turbulence is supported by low-frequency and highly-oblique fluctuations in pressure balance, like kinetic Alfv\'en waves or other slowly evolving coherent structures.Comment: Manuscript submitted to Frontiers Astronomy and Space Sciences, Research Topic: Improving the Understanding of Kinetic Processes in Solar Wind and Magnetosphere: From CLUSTER to MM

A methodological approach to assess nutrient requirements of heavy pigs in Italy

This paper reports the results of the work of the "Nutrient requirements of heavy pigs" ASPA Commission. The Commissionwork was mainly focused on the problem of identifying a good and flexible methodology for establishing nutrient requirements of heavy pigs in Italy, in a situation where the major part of the pigs are used for ham and other typical products. Nutrient allowance was considered to be a variable open to manipulation, since its optimal definition depends on the specific circumstances of each single production unit. It appeared that the most logical way to account for the many interactions involved was to integrate available information using computer simulation techniques. A methodology based on the following steps was proposed and analyzed: i) selection of a mathematical model to describe the chemical growth of pigsover time as result of the interactions of genotype, feed and climate; ii) developing suitable equations to predict the qualityparameters of the carcass and, if possible, of the single cuts from the body's chemical status and implementation ofthese equations in the model; iii) identification of production targets and use of the model as a tool to simulate the effectof different genotypes, feed and climate on the productive and the economic results. A model strongly rooted in a theoreticalframework, simple enough to be applied in practice and requiring a limited number inputs was selected from literature.From a preliminary evaluation, performed by using experimental calorimetric data, it was concluded that the modelwas potentially able to accurately predict the chemical growth of pigs under different conditions of feeding and climate.The major lack of knowledge regarded the values of genotypic descriptors of the national pig populations, the evaluationfor which some simple experimental protocols are described in literature. Other lack of knowledge involved relationshipsto predict the anatomical growth and the evolution of quality parameters of carcass and cuts from the chemical compositionof the body. If a correlation between the chemical composition of the pig's body and production targets is confirmed,then a link between the farmer and the industry can be established and the model could be used to identify more convenientfeeding strategies. The conceptual basis and the way to assess nutrient requirements of heavy pigs have beenclearly identified

A methodological approach to assess nutrient requirements of heavy pigs in Italy

This paper reports the results of the work of the "Nutrient requirements of heavy pigs" ASPA Commission. The Commission work was mainly focused on the problem of identifying a good and flexible methodology for establishing nutrient requirements of heavy pigs in Italy, in a situation where the major part of the pigs are used for ham and other typical products. Nutrient allowance was considered to be a variable open to manipulation, since its optimal definition depends on the specific circumstances of each single production unit. It appeared that the most logical way to account for the many interactions involved was to integrate available information using computer simulation techniques. A methodology based on the following steps was proposed and analyzed: i) selection of a mathematical model to describe the chemical growth of pigs over time as result of the interactions of genotype, feed and climate; ii) developing suitable equations to predict the quality parameters of the carcass and, if possible, of the single cuts from the body's chemical status and implementation of these equations in the model; iii) identification of production targets and use of the model as a tool to simulate the effect of different genotypes, feed and climate on the productive and the economic results. A model strongly rooted in a theoretical framework, simple enough to be applied in practice and requiring a limited number inputs was selected from literature. From a preliminary evaluation, performed by using experimental calorimetric data, it was concluded that the model was potentially able to accurately predict the chemical growth of pigs under different conditions of feeding and climate. The major lack of knowledge regarded the values of genotypic descriptors of the national pig populations, the evaluation for which some simple experimental protocols are described in literature. Other lack of knowledge involved relationships to predict the anatomical growth and the evolution of quality parameters of carcass and cuts from the chemical composition of the body. If a correlation between the chemical composition of the pig's body and production targets is confirmed, then a link between the farmer and the industry can be established and the model could be used to identify more convenient feeding strategies. The conceptual basis and the way to assess nutrient requirements of heavy pigs have been clearly identified

Enriquecimiento de la hamburguesa Cinta Senese con ácidos grasos omega-3. Efecto del tipo de adición y condición de almacenamiento en las características de calidad

The most beneficial omega-3 PUFAs to human health, EPA and DHA fatty acids, are typically present in fish products, but extraneous to meat. Therefore, Cinta Senese pork burgers were added with microencapsulated (M) and bulk fish oil (F) and subjected to three storage conditions: no storage (T0), chilled (T5) and frozen storage (T30). The physico-chemical and sensory attributes of raw and cooked burgers were investigated. After storage and cooking, EPA and DHA were better preserved in M burgers than in F samples, which showed the highest TBAR values at T0 and T5, while M samples presented scores similar to the control. Panelists observed differences mainly in greasy appearance, odor intensity and cooked meat odor and flavor. The M group showed the best scores at T5 with respect to the control and F burgers. So, fish oil microencapsulation was an effective method to prevent EPA and DHA oxidation while respecting burger quality characteristics.EPA y DHA son los ácidos grasos poliinsaturados omega 3 más beneficiosos para la salud humana, se presentan típicamente en el pescado, y no se encuentran en carnes. Por ello, se elaboraron hamburguesas de cerdo de la especie “Cinta Senese” añadiendo aceite de pescado (F), microcápsulas que contenían aceite de pescado (M) o sólo a base de carne (control (C)) y se mantuvieron bajo las siguientes condiciones de almacenamiento: sin almacenaje (T0), en refrigeración (T5) y congelación (T30). Se estudiaron los atributos sensoriales y físico-químicos de las hamburguesas crudas y cocinadas. En cuanto al almacenamiento y el cocinado, las hamburguesas con microcápsulas preservaron mejor los EPA y DHA que las muestras con aceite de pescado, las cuales presentaron los valores más altos de TBARs en las muestras T0 y T5, mientras que las M mantuvieron unos resultados similares a las de tipo control. En los resultados de la cata realizada se observaron, entre los tratamientos realizados y respecto a las distintas condiciones de almacenamiento, diferencias en la apariencia grasienta, olor y flavor a carne cocida e intensidad de olor. En las hamburguesas M se obtuvieron las mejores puntuaciones frente a las encontradas en F y C en el tipo T5. Por tanto, la microencapsulación de aceite de pescado se verificó como un método efectivo para prevenir la oxidación de EPA y DHA respetando la calidad y características de las hamburguesas

ESTIMATION OF REAL PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION OF MEAT IN ITALY

Food consumption refers to the amount of food available for human consumption. The knowledge of food consumption is crucial to set production and food supply policies, to compare eating habits with other countries, to assess the nutritional status of a population and to study the relationship between diet and health. In the last years all these aspects have taken an increasingly important interest because epidemiological studies have indicated a possible association between high consumption of meat and an risk of several forms of cancer as well as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Unfortunately meat consumption is often estimated by methods that are inappropriate for this use because they do not represent the actual amount of meat consumed or, better, eaten by the consumers. The actual food consumption may be lower than the quantity shown as food availability depending on the magnitude of wastage and losses of food during the slaughtering, in the household, e.g. during storage, in preparation and cooking, as plate-waste or quantities fed to domestic animals and pets, thrown or given away The consumption estimated by FAO and by statistical offices of the various countries through the national food balance sheets does not indicate the amount of meat, ie the weight of the skeletal muscles of animals with included or adherent tissues, but the amount of the weighted carcass at the slaughterhouse, including bones, tendons, connective tissues and fat. This paper discusses a method of estimating the real per capita consumption of meat in Italy with accuracy comparable to that of individual consumption, developed by the Study Commission of Animal Science and Production Association (ASPA). This action responds to the need of producing statistical indicator related to health food, as recommended by many international organizations (FAO, Eurostat)