Novel, edible melanin-protein-based bioactive films for cheeses: antimicrobial, mechanical and chemical characteristics

The cheese rind is the natural food packaging of cheese and is subject to a wide range of external factors that compromise the appearance of the cheese, including color defects caused by spoilage microorganisms. First, eight films based on whey protein isolate (WPI) coatings were studied, of which IS3CA (WPI 5% + sorbitol 3% + citric acid 3%) was selected for presenting better properties. From the IS3CA film, novel films containing melanin M1 (74 g/mL) and M2 (500 g/mL) were developed and applied to cheese under proof-of-concept and industrial conditions. After 40 days of maturation, M2 presented the lowest microorganism count for all the microbial parameters analyzed. The cheese with M2 showed the lowest lightness, which indicates that it is the darkest cheese due to the melanin concentration. It was found that the mechanical and colorimetric properties are the ones that contribute the most to the distinction of the M2 film in cheese from the others. Using FTIR-ATR, it was possible to distinguish the rinds of M2 cheeses because they contained the highest concentrations of melanin. Thus, this study shows that the film with M2 showed the best mechanical, chemical and antimicrobial properties for application in cheese.This work was financially supported by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) with financial support from IPCB-CERNAS (UID/AMB/00681/2020) Research Unit Grant from FCT, and from UIDB/00239/2020 (CEF). Work was supported by UIDB/04046/2020 and UIDP/04046/2020 Centre grants from FCT, Portugal (to BioISI). The work was co-funded by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement and Compete 2020. This work is the recipient of a project (PTDC/Bia- BQM/28355/2017) grant, and Ana Rita Ferraz acknowledges a Ph.D. fellowship (SFRH/BD/135692/2018) from FCT (Portugal).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Customized WO3 nanoplatelets as visible-light photoelectrocatalyst for the degradation of a recalcitrant model organic compound (methyl orange)

WO3 nanoplatelets have been synthesized by electrochemical anodization in acidic electrolytes containing two different complexing agents: fluorides and hydrogen peroxide. The influence of the morphology and size of these nanoplatelets on their photoelectrocatalytic performance has been studied following the degradation of a model organic recalcitrant compound, such as methyl orange (MO). The effect of several supporting electrolytes on this photodegradation process has also been checked. The best MO decoloration was observed for nanoplatelets fabricated in the presence of low H2O2 concentrations, whose distribution and small size made them expose a very high surface area to the problem solution. With this nanostructure, decoloration efficiencies of ca. 100% were obtained after just 60 min. This result is considerably better than others reported in similar works, indicating the excellent behavior of these WO3 nanoplatelets as photoelectrocatalysts

Simultaneous measurements of aerosol size distributions at three sites in the European high Arctic

19 pages, 9 figures, 1 tableAerosols are an integral part of the Arctic climate system due to their direct interaction with radiation and indirect interaction through cloud formation. Understanding aerosol size distributions and their dynamics is crucial for the ability to predict these climate relevant effects. When of favourable size and composition, both long-rangetransported-and locally formed particles-may serve as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). Small changes of composition or size may have a large impact on the low CCN concentrations currently characteristic of the Arctic environment. We present a cluster analysis of particle size distributions (PSDs; size range 8-500 nm) simultaneously collected from three high Arctic sites during a 3-year period (2013-2015). Two sites are located in the Svalbard archipelago: Zeppelin research station (ZEP; 474 m above ground) and the nearby Gruvebadet Observatory (GRU; about 2 km distance from Zeppelin, 67 m above ground). The third site (Villum Research Station at Station Nord, VRS; 30 m above ground) is 600 km west-northwest of Zeppelin, at the tip of northeastern Greenland. The GRU site is included in an inter-site comparison for the first time. K-means cluster analysis provided eight specific aerosol categories, further combined into broad PSD classes with similar characteristics, namely pristine low concentrations (12 %-14 % occurrence), new particle formation (16 %-32 %), Aitken (21 %-35 %) and accumulation (20 %-50 %). Confined for longer time periods by consolidated pack sea ice regions, the Greenland site GRU shows PSDs with lower ultrafine-mode aerosol concentrations during summer but higher accumulation-mode aerosol concentrations during winter, relative to the Svalbard sites. By association with chemical composition and cloud condensation nuclei properties, further conclusions can be derived. Three distinct types of accumulation-mode aerosol are observed during winter months. These are associated with sea spray (largest detectable sizes, > 400 nm), Arctic haze (main mode at 150 nm) and aged accumulation-mode (main mode at 220 nm) aerosols. In contrast, locally produced particles, most likely of marine biogenic origin, exhibit size distributions dominated by the nucleation and Aitken mode during summer months. The obtained data and analysis point towards future studies, including apportioning the relative contribution of primary and secondary aerosol formation pro cesses and elucidating anthropogenic aerosol dynamics and transport and removal processes across the Greenland Sea. In order to address important research questions in the Arctic on scales beyond a singular station or measurement events, it is imperative to continue strengthening international scientific cooperationThis research has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy through project BIO-NUC (CGL2013-49020-R), PI-ICE (CTM2017-89117-R) and the Ramon y Cajal fellowship (RYC-2012-11922). The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 654109, the Danish Council for Independent Research (project NUMEN, DFF-FTP-4005-00485B) and previously from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no. 262254. The work at Villum Research Station, Station Nord, was financially supported by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency via the MIKA/DANCEA funds for Environmental Support to the Arctic Region. The Villum Foundation funded the construction of Villum Research Station, Station Nord. CCN measurements are supported by a KOPRI program (PN19081), funded by a National Research Foundation of Korea grant (NRF-2016M1A5A1901769). The authors acknowledge financial support (to David C. S. Beddows) from the Natural Environment Research Council's funding of the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS) (grant number R8/H12/83/011)Peer Reviewe

Allelopathic action of some weed extracts on rice germination

O efeito do extrato aquoso de três plantas daninhas, Cynodon dactylon (l.)Pers., Cyperus rotundus l. e Sorghum halepense (l.) Pers. sobre a germinação e o crescimento de plântulas de arroz (Oryza salina L. cv. IAC-165) foi estudado, com a finalidade de investigar a sensibilidade do arroz aos efeitos alelopáticos dessas plantas. Foram utilizados, na preparação dos extratos, raizes de Cynodon daclylon, tubérculos de Cyperus rolundus: e riomas de Sorglun halepense, os quais foram homoneizados em solução aquosa, submetidos a filtração e centrifugação. O sobrenadante foi aplicado no substrato de germinação das sementes, verificando-se, aos sete dias após a se meadura, que apenas os extratos de Cy-nodon daetylon e Sorghum halepense afetaram a porcentagem de germinação das sementes de arroz. Entretanto, o crescimento da radícula e da parte aérea das plântulas foi prejudicado pelos três extratos testados, sendo o efeito mais drástico causado pelo extrato de Cyperus, retundus.The present study was carried out to evaluate the possible allelopathic effects of Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus rotundus and Sorghum halepense on seed germination of Oryza sativa cv. IAC-165. Extracts from roots of Cynodon dactylon and Sorghum halepense and from tubers of Cyperus rotundas were used to evaluate the effects on rice seed germination. Aqueous solution of these organs, obtained by homogenization, filtration and centrifugation, were introduced on Petri dishes containing rice seeds. The evaluation of germination and initial growth showed a strong negative allelopathic effect of all three weeds studied

Allelopathic action of some weed extracts on rice germination

O efeito do extrato aquoso de três plantas daninhas, Cynodon dactylon (l.)Pers., Cyperus rotundus l. e Sorghum halepense (l.) Pers. sobre a germinação e o crescimento de plântulas de arroz (Oryza salina L. cv. IAC-165) foi estudado, com a finalidade de investigar a sensibilidade do arroz aos efeitos alelopáticos dessas plantas. Foram utilizados, na preparação dos extratos, raizes de Cynodon daclylon, tubérculos de Cyperus rolundus: e riomas de Sorglun halepense, os quais foram homoneizados em solução aquosa, submetidos a filtração e centrifugação. O sobrenadante foi aplicado no substrato de germinação das sementes, verificando-se, aos sete dias após a se meadura, que apenas os extratos de Cy-nodon daetylon e Sorghum halepense afetaram a porcentagem de germinação das sementes de arroz. Entretanto, o crescimento da radícula e da parte aérea das plântulas foi prejudicado pelos três extratos testados, sendo o efeito mais drástico causado pelo extrato de Cyperus, retundus.The present study was carried out to evaluate the possible allelopathic effects of Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus rotundus and Sorghum halepense on seed germination of Oryza sativa cv. IAC-165. Extracts from roots of Cynodon dactylon and Sorghum halepense and from tubers of Cyperus rotundas were used to evaluate the effects on rice seed germination. Aqueous solution of these organs, obtained by homogenization, filtration and centrifugation, were introduced on Petri dishes containing rice seeds. The evaluation of germination and initial growth showed a strong negative allelopathic effect of all three weeds studied

Derivatization of estrogens enhances specificity and sensitivity of analysis of human plasma and serum by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

AbstractEstrogens circulate at concentrations less than 20pg/mL in men and postmenopausal women, presenting analytical challenges. Quantitation by immunoassay is unreliable at these low concentrations. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) offers greater specificity and sometimes greater sensitivity, but ionization of estrogens is inefficient. Introduction of charged moieties may enhance ionization, but many such derivatives of estrogens generate non-specific product ions originating from the “reagent” group. Therefore an approach generating derivatives with product ions specific to individual estrogens was sought.Estrogens were extracted from human plasma and serum using solid phase extraction and derivatized using 2-fluoro-1-methylpyridinium-p-toluenesulfonate (FMP-TS). Electrospray in positive mode with multiple reaction monitoring using a QTrap 5500 mass spectrometer was used to quantify “FMP” derivatives of estrogens, following LC separation.Transitions for the FMP derivatives of estrone (E1) and estradiol (E2) were compound specific (m/z 362→238 and m/z 364→128, respectively). The limits of detection and quantitation were 0.2pg on-column and the method was linear from 1–400pg/sample. Measures of intra- and inter-assay variability, precision and accuracy were acceptable (<20%). The derivatives were stable over 24h at 10°C (7–9% degradation). Using this approach, E1 and E2, respectively were detected in human plasma and serum: pre-menopausal female serum (0.5mL) 135–473, 193–722pmol/L; male plasma (1mL) 25–111, 60–180pmol/L and post-menopausal female plasma (2mL), 22–78, 29–50pmol/L.Thus FMP derivatization, in conjunction with LC–MS/MS, is suitable for quantitative analysis of estrogens in low abundance in plasma and serum, offering advantages in specificity over immunoassay and existing MS techniques

Distribution and biological role of the oligopeptide-binding protein (OppA) in Xanthomonas species

In this study we investigated the prevalence of the oppA gene, encoding the oligopeptide binding protein (OppA) of the major bacterial oligopeptide uptake system (Opp), in different species of the genus Xanthomonas. The oppA gene was detected in two Xanthomonas axonopodis strains among eight tested Xanthomonas species. The generation of an isogenic oppA-knockout derivative of the Xac 306 strain, showed that the OppA protein neither plays a relevant role in oligopeptide uptake nor contributes to the infectivity and multiplication of the bacterial strain in leaves of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and Rangpur lime (Citrus limonia). Taken together these results suggest that the oppA gene has a recent evolutionary history in the genus and does not contribute in the physiology or pathogenesis of X. axonopodis