Nutritional properties of organic and conventional beef meat at retail

BACKGROUND: Consumers perceive that organic meat has superior nutritional properties compared to conventional meat,although the available evidence from commercial samples is very scarce. The present study compared the nutritional composi-tion of organic and conventional beef meat sold at retail, including, for the first time, the bioactive compounds coenzyme Q10,carnosine, anserine, creatine and taurine. Sampling comprised two muscles: longissimus thoracis and supraspinatus.RESULTS: Organic beef had 17% less cholesterol, 32% less fat, 16% less fatty acids, 24% less monounsaturated fatty acids,170% more휶-linolenic acid, 24% more휶-tocopherol, 53% more휷-carotene, 34% more coenzyme Q10and 72% more taurinethan conventional beef. Differences between organic and conventional samples were clearly dependent on the muscle becauselongissimus thoracis and supraspinatus showed different patterns of compound accumulation.CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, a higher amount of bioactive compounds in organic beef meat is reported for the first timein the present study. Retail organic beef had a higher nutritional value than retail conventional beef, which resulted frombetter-balanced lipid and bioactive compound contents.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Proyecto piloto de establecimiento de parcela de resinación de Pinus halepensis con objetivo múltiple en Sant Josep de Sa Talaia, Eivissa (Illes Balears)

[ES] El aprovechamiento de los terrenos forestales en la isla de Ibiza fue importante en el pasado. Hoy en día, debido a una fuerte transformación hacia el sector terciario con la llegada del turismo, dicha actividad ha sufrido un importante abandono. La consecuencia directa de ello es la pérdida del acervo cultural etnológico vinculado al mundo rural ibicenco, además del aumento del riesgo de incendios forestales, poniendo en riesgo al medio ambiente y a las personas. El presente proyecto (con memoria y anejos, planos, pliego de condiciones y presupuesto) propone el establecimiento de una parcela que combine la recuperación y muestra de tradiciones rurales con la prevención de incendios. Para ello, se ha localizado y analizado una zona de pinar de 7 ha y se han propuesto los tratamientos selvícolas adecuados (desbroce y clara) en base a su previa caracterización. Con la ejecución de los trabajos selvícolas proyectados se pretende convertir la masa en un punto de anclaje o zona segura en la defensa contra incendios forestales, además de servir de parcela piloto para la resinación del pino carrasco (Pinus halepensis Mill.) tanto por metodología tradicional ibicenca como por métodos más modernos, y así tener una primera estimación de rendimientos resineros en esta especie de pino. Además, para la recuperación de las tradiciones se proyecta un recorrido etnológico en el que a lo largo de sus 360 metros mostrará, mediante 8 paneles, la tradición resinera ibicenca y la construcción de pedra en sec de los márgenes de bancales, cuya restauración está también contemplada en el proyecto mediante la reposición de 585 m2 de muro. El presupuesto es de 59.227,08 € y de financiación privada.[EN] In the past, forests in Ibiza played a relevant role. However, in recent times, due to a huge increase of the third sector, especially the tourism industry, the management of these forests and rural areas has importantly decreased. Consequently, traditions and rural knowledge attached to them have gradually been lost, followed by an increasing risk of forest fires; which endangers not only the environment but also the population of the island. This project, which consists in memory and supplements, plans, conditions document and budget, proposes the establishment of a plot of land that combines the recovery of different antique rural traditions in Ibiza with wild forest fires prevention. To do so, a 7 ha Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) zone has been localised and studied. Based on its characterization, o proposal of the silvicultural treatments required to prepare the wood to become a safety zone in forest fires defence (brushing out and thinning) has been suggested. Furthermore, these treatments will prepare the forest tor the extraction of resin from its pines both in the traditional ibicenco way, and at the same time allowing modern extraction methods in order to have a first estimation of resin production in Aleppo pine. To fulfil the objective of recovering the cultural heritage in Ibiza, a 360 meters ethological path has been projected, equipped with 8 panels aimed at explaining these traditions. In addition, 585 m2 oftypical terrace wallsthat exist in the zone will be restored. The cost is expected to be 59.227,08 € and would be covered by private funding.Ribas Costa, VA. (2019). Proyecto piloto de establecimiento de parcela de resinación de Pinus halepensis con objetivo múltiple en Sant Josep de Sa Talaia, Eivissa (Illes Balears). http://hdl.handle.net/10251/123642TFG

Influence of pulsed electric fields processing on the bioaccessible and non-bioaccessible fractions of apple phenolic compounds

Pulsed electric fields (PEF) are known to influence the chemical and microstructural factors governing apple phenolic compounds fate upon digestion. However, the effect of PEF on fruit phenolic compounds bioaccessibility has yet to be determined. This work assessed the effects of PEF treatment (0 and 24 h after 0.01, 1.8 and 7.3 kJ kg−1) on the bioaccessible and non-bioaccessible fractions of apple phenolic compounds. Bioaccessible and non-bioaccessible 5-caffeoylquinic acid increased at 24 h after delivering 0.01 kJ kg−1 (61 and 35%, respectively). At 1.8 and 7.3 kJ kg−1, the overall bioaccessible content decreased, although the percentage of compounds released (bioaccessibility) increased in some cases. Bioaccessibility of overall phenolic compounds increased from 14% (untreated) to 27% (24 h after 7.3 kJ kg−1). Therefore, PEF processing could modulate the apple functional value, by either increasing phenolic contents in the bioaccessible and non-bioaccessible fractions or the phenolic bioaccessibility.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (grant AGL2013-44851-R). Albert Ribas-Agustí is holder of a post-doctoral grantJuan de la Cierva-formación from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness

High hydrostatic pressure enhances the formation of oleocanthal and oleacein in 'Arbequina' olive fruit

During olive oil production, the activity of endogenous enzymes plays a crucial role in determining the oil's phenolic composition. β-Glucosidase contributes to the formation of secoiridoids, while polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POX) are involved in their oxidation. This study investigated whether high hydrostatic pressure (HHP), known to cause cell disruption and modify enzymatic activity and food texture, could reduce PPO and POX activity. HHP was applied to ‘Arbequina’ olives at different settings (300 and 600 MPa, 3 and 6 min) before olive oil extraction. The tested HHP conditions were not effective in reducing the activity of PPO and POX in olives, resulting in oils with a lower phenolic content. However, HHP increased the secoiridoid content of olives, particularly oleocanthal and oleacein (>50%). The pigments in oils produced from HHP-treated olives were higher compared to the control, whereas squalene and α-tocopherol levels and the fatty acid profile remained the same. © 2023 The Authors</p

Environmentally driven transcriptomic and metabolic changes leading to color differences in “Golden Reinders” apples

Apple is characterized by its high adaptation to diverse growing environments. However, little is still known about how different environments can regulate at the metabolic or molecular level specific apple quality traits such as the yellow fruit peel color. In this study, changes in carotenoids and chlorophylls, antioxidants as well as differences in the transcriptome were investigated by comparing the peel of “Golden Reinders” apples grown at different valley and mountain orchards. Mountain environment favored the development of yellow color, which was not caused by an enhanced accumulation of carotenoids but rather by a decrease in the chlorophyll content. The yellow phenotype was also associated to higher expression of genes related to chloroplast functions and oxidative stress. Time-course analysis over the last stages of apple development and ripening, in fruit from both locations, further revealed that the environment differentially modulated isoprenoids and phenylpropanoid metabolism and pointed out a key role for H2O2 in triggering apple peel degreening. Overall, the results presented herein provide new insights into how different environmental conditions regulate pigment and antioxidant metabolism in apple leading to noticeable differences in the apple peel colorinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Water UV-C treatment alone or in combination with peracetic acid: A technology to maintain safety and quality of strawberries

Disinfection of fruits is one of the most important steps since they are going to be eaten fresh-or minimally-processed. This step affects quality, safety, and shelf-life of the product. Despite being a common sanitizer in the fruit industry, chlorine may react with organic matter leading to the formation of toxic by-products. Alternative sustainable disinfection strategies to chlorine are under study to minimize environmental and human health impact. Water-assisted UV-C light (WUV-C) is proposed here as an alternative sanitizing method for strawberries. In this study, strawberries were washed for 1 or 5 min in a tank with 2 or 4 lamps on, each emitting UV-C light at 17.2 W/cm2, or in a chlorine solution (200 ppm, pH 6.5). Moreover, trials with 4 lamps on, together with a washing solution consisting on peracetic acid at 40 or 80 ppm, were carried out. Overall, quality and nutritional parameters of strawberries after treatments were maintained. Changes in color were not noticeable and fruits did not lose firmness. No major changes were observed in antioxidant activity, organic acid, anthocyanin, vitamin C, and total phenolic content. Yeasts and molds were not affected by the WUV-C treatment, and 5 min were needed to significantly reduce total aerobic mesophylls population. However, reductions of artificially inoculated Listeria innocua and Salmonella Typhimurium after WUV-C treatments were comparable to those obtained with chlorine-wash, which were 3.0 log CFU / g. Moreover, WUV-C light was effective to minimize microorganisms remaining in washing water, avoiding cross-contamination and thus, allowing water recirculation. This effect was improved when combining the action of UV-C light with peracetic acid, showing the suitability of this combined treatment, understood as an alternative to chlorine sanitation, for sanitizing strawberries and keeping the populations of pathogenic bacteria in washing water lower than 0.6 ± 0.1 log CFU / mL.The authors are thankful to ‘Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad’ for the financial support of the project AGL2016-78086-R. I. Nicolau-Lapeña is in receipt of a predoctoral grant awarded by the ‘Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad’ (grant number BES-2017-079779). Dr. I. Aguiló-Aguayo thanks the National Programme for the Promotion of Talent and Its Employability of the ‘Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad’ of the Spanish Government and the European Social Fund for her Postdoctoral Senior Grant ‘Ramon y Cajal’ (RYC-2016-2019 949)

Hypatia I: a multi-generational and multi-disciplinary crew of female analog astronauts dedicated to space research, scientific outreach, and promotion of female role models in space careers

The low representation of women (~33%) in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers is extremely concerning and cultivates male-dominant cultures across a variety of academic and professional disciplines. In Spain, only 39% of national projects are led by women, thus evidencing the so-called “leaking pipeline”, that is, the tendency of women and other underrepresented groups to eventually abandon STEM-related fields. This social disequilibrium is particularly strong in the international space sector, where women represent less than ~20% of the workforce. The Hypatia I mission —a multi-generational and multi-disciplinary crew of 9 female scientists— seeks to help address this problem. In April 2023, the Hypatia I crew will participate in a two-week Martian analog mission at the Mars Desert Research Station (Utah, United States) with the goal of (i) performing high-quality space-related research in a simulation environment, (ii) conducting outreach and science communication activities, and most importantly, (iii) promoting female role models in STEM-related fields and inspiring future generations of scientists, particularly young girls interested in space career

Hazard control through processing and preservation technologies for enhancing the food safety management of infant food chains

Food safety of infant foods is of paramount importance due to the high vulnerability of this population. Food business operators guarantee safety of the products they put on the market by implementing control measures that prevent, eliminate, reduce, or keep relevant physical, microbiological and/or chemical hazards to an acceptable level. It is essential that the efficacy of control measures is validated during process design and on-line monitoring and periodic verification activities are implemented during the commercial production. Infant foods are usually processed through conservative thermal treatments that guarantee food safety but usually negatively affect the organoleptic properties, reduce vitamin and nutrient contents. Heat treatments can trigger the formation of process induced contaminants.The EU-SAFFI project aims to set and validate new/emerging processing and preservation technologies (i.e. pulse combustion drying, radiofrequency and high pressure processing) to control key contaminants and pathogens as efficiently as classical technologies and to provide a decision support system to manage food safety in infant food. This article describes how the project is addressing the research to control (i) furan, a key process-induced toxicant in infant food whose formation is induced during thermal preservation processes of foods such as infant formulas and jarred baby foods, (ii) tropane alkaloids, natural contaminants found in agricultural crops due to accidental harvesting of weeds whose presence above the maximum regulated levels have been documented in cereal-based foods for infants and children and (iii) different vegetative and spore forming bacterial pathogens, a group of microbiological hazards with product and technology-specific relevance and resistance.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio