Sensory evaluation of dessert milk products

Kvalitetu gotovog proizvoda obilježava niz faktora, a jedan od njih je i nivo senzorske poželjnosti. Od velike je važnosti za osiguranje plasmana novih proizvoda na tržištu saznanje o tome kako ih prihvaćaju potrošači. U ovom radu istraživane su dvije vrste mliječnih desertnih proizvoda na bazi proteina sirutke. Šezdeset potrošača testiralo je uzorke koristeći hedonističku skalu od 9 mogućih odgovora (ocjena). Senzorska kvaliteta je također procijenjena primjenom sistema bodovanja koristeći faktore značaja na skali od 20 bodova. Svježi uzorci i uzorci čuvani u uvjetima hladnjaka (4 °C, 85% rel. vlažnosti) ocjenjivani su svakih 7 dana (u razdoblju od 35 dana) u uvjetima temperature 20 °C. Bodovanje je provela panel grupa od 5 članova. Podaci su statistički obrađeni i interpretirani. Rezultati hedonističke skale pokazali su da ih potrošači smatraju vrlo poželjnim (preko 95%). Sistem bodovanja korišten u senzorskoj procjeni pokazao je da dolazi do značajnih promjena u kvaliteti za vrijeme skladištenja, ali one nisu toliko brze i velike da bi proizvod nakon 35 dana skladištenja bio senzorski neprihvatljiv (<11,2 boda). Može se zaključiti da je nivo kvalitete istraživanih uzoraka vrlo visok prema procjeni potrošača i senzorskih analitičara.The quality of a product is compromise between many factors, one of which is high level of sensory appeal Of major importance among factors determining marketing success of a new food product is consumers\u27 acceptability. Two kinds of new dessert milk products based on whey proteins were studied. Consumers (60 persons) tasted samples using nine-point hedonic scale. Quality was evaluated as well using sensory scoring method and 20-point scale. Fresh samples and cold stored samples (4 °C, 85% R. H.) were evaluated every 7 days (during 35 days) at room temperature (20 °C) by a panel composed of 5 members. Data of sensory and hedonic evaluation of quality were statistically analyzed. The results of hedonic scale application showed high consumers acceptability (above 95%) of new products. Sensory scoring pointed out significant changes in quality of both soft albumin cheeses during storage, that was not fast and strong enough to reach cut-off level (<11,2 points) during 35 days of storage. Concluding it is possible to state that quality level of new products was very high as according to consumers \u27or sensory analitcs\u27 opinion

The ABCG2 efflux transporter from rabbit placenta: Cloning and functional characterization

AbstractIn human placenta, the ATP-binding cassette efflux transporter ABCG2 is highly expressed in syncytiotrophoblast cells and mediates cellular excretion of various drugs and toxins. Hence, physiological ABCG2 activity substantially contributes to the fetoprotective placenta barrier function during gestation. Developmental toxicity studies are often performed in rabbit. However, despite its toxicological relevance, there is no data so far on functional ABCG2 expression in this species. Therefore, we cloned ABCG2 from placenta tissues of chinchilla rabbit. Sequencing showed 84–86% amino acid sequence identity to the orthologues from man, rat and mouse. We transduced the rabbit ABCG2 clone (rbABCG2) in MDCKII cells and stable rbABCG2 gene and protein expression was shown by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. The rbABCG2 efflux activity was demonstrated with the Hoechst H33342 assay using the specific ABCG2 inhibitor Ko143. We further tested the effect of established human ABCG2 (hABCG2) drug substrates including the antibiotic danofloxacin or the histamine H2-receptor antagonist cimetidine on H33342 accumulation in MDCKII-rbABCG2 or -hABCG2 cells. Human therapeutic plasma concentrations of all tested drugs caused a comparable competitive inhibition of H33342 excretion in both ABCG2 clones. Altogether, we first showed functional expression of the ABCG2 efflux transporter in rabbit placenta. Moreover, our data suggest a similar drug substrate spectrum of the rabbit and the human ABCG2 efflux transporter

Senzory evaluation of cheese quality by scoring system

Za procjenu kakvoće prehrambenih proizvoda koristi se niz metoda, medu kojima senzorske metode zauzimaju sve značajnije mjesto. U ovom radu prikazana je praktična provedba senzorske procjene uzoraka mekih i polutvrdih sireva sistemom ponderiranih bodova. Izrađene su potrebne ocjenjivačke liste za svaku grupu istraživačkih uzoraka, u koje su unesena odgovarajuća svojstva (parametri kvalitete), zahtjevi za kakvoćom izraženi odgovarajućom ocjenom, kao i "faktori značaja". Istraživanje je obuhvatilo uzorke mekih sireva s plemenitim plijesnima tipa "Camembert" i uzorke polutvrdih sireva tipa "Trapist" različitih jugoslavenskih proizvođača. Ocjenjivanje je provela grupa od 5 senzorskih analitičara ("penel") i to u dva uzastopna zasjedanja. Rezultati su statistički interpretirani, utvrđena je preciznost i pouzdanost ispitivača, a uzorci su, na temelju postignutih bodova, svrstani u odgovarajuće kategorije kvalitete.Numerous methods are used, for quality evaluation of food products, sen-soric evaluation being one of more significant. Practical realization of sensoric evaluation of soft (type Camembert) and semi-hard (trapist) cheese samples is presented using scoring system (20-poin-ts scale) and ponderable factors. Property sheets were made for each group of cheese samples. Scored quality parameters were evaluated in two successive session by a panel of 5 experts. Results are statistically interpreted, precision and ability of the assessors established and samples classified in quality categories according to achieved scores

Consumers\u27 acceptability of commercial plain yogurt using hedonic scale

Grupa potrošača (70 članova) ocjenjivala je prihvatljivost uzoraka jogurta sa zagrebačkog tržišta. Istraživanjem su obuhvaćeni odgovori grupe potrošača za opći utisak te za vanjski izgled, konzistenciju, slatkost i kiselost, koristeći hedonističku skalu s 9 mogućih odgovora. Ocjene potrošača za opći utisak uspoređivane su s ocjenama za ostale parametre i izračunate su odgovarajuće korelacije. Provedena je statistička analiza rezultata. Ocjene potrošača za opći utisak kretale su se od 6,7 do 7,8. Uzorci su bili značajno različiti (P = 0,05). Vanjski izgled uzorka bio je ocijenjen od 6,6 do 7,6; konzistencija od 6,4 do 8,0; slatkost od 6.1 do 7.6: a kiselost od 6,5 do 7,5. Utvrđena je pozitivna korelacija između ocjena za opći utisak i ocjena za konzistenciju, slatkost i kiselost. Slabije je izražena korelacija općeg utiska i vanjskog izgleda. Rezultati provedenog istraživanja pokazuju da su potrošači vrlo dobro prihvatili sve uzorke (88,6 do 100,0%).Consumers (70 members) evaluated commercial plain yogurt for acceptance on the Zagreb market. Objectives included determination of consumers\u27 panel responses for overall liking, appearance, consistency, sweetness and sourness using a nine-point hedonic scale. Consumers\u27 responses for overall liking were correlated with other attribute ratings. The data were analyzed statistically. Consumer hedonic scores for overall liking varied from 6.7 to 7.8. Samples were significantly different (P= 0.05). Appearance liking ranged from 6.6 to 7.6; consistency varied from 6.4 to 8.0. Sweetness and sourness showed values from. 6.1-7.6 and 6.5-7.5 respectively. Hedonic ratings for consistency, sweetness and sourness positively correlated with overall liking. Overall liking showed the lowest correlation with appearance liking. The results of hedonic scale showed high consumer acceptability for all samples (ranged from 88.6 to 100.0%)

Homoarginine, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death in haemodialysis patients

Aims Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a major contributor to the excess mortality of patients on maintenance dialysis. Homoarginine deficiency may lead to decreased nitric oxide availability and endothelial dysfunction. Based on this rationale we assessed whether homoarginine deficiency is a risk factor for SCD in dialysis patients. Methods and results This study examined the association of homoarginine with cardiovascular outcomes in 1255 diabetic haemodialysis patients from the German diabetes and dialysis study. During a median of 4 years of follow-up, hazard ratios (HR) (95% CI) for reaching the following pre-specified, adjudicated endpoints were determined: SCD, myocardial infarction, stroke, death due to heart failure, and combined cardiovascular events. There was a strong association of low homoarginine concentrations with the presence of congestive heart failure and left ventricular hypertrophy as well as increased levels of brain natriuretic peptide. Per unit decrease in homoarginine, the risk of SCD increased three-fold (HR 3.1, 95% CI 2.0–4.9), attenuating slightly in multivariate models (HR 2.4; 95% CI 1.5–3.9). Patients in the lowest homoarginine quintile experienced a more than two-fold increased risk of SCD, and more than three-fold increased risk of heart failure death than patients in the highest quintile, which accounted for the high incidence of combined cardiovascular events. Low homoarginine showed a trend towards increased risk of stroke, however, myocardial infarction was not meaningfully affected. Conclusion Low homoarginine is a strong risk factor for SCD and death due to heart failure in haemodialysis patients. Further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, offering the potential to develop new interventional strategies

A Protein Diet Score, Including Plant and Animal Protein, Investigating the Association with HbA1c and eGFR-The PREVIEW Project

Higher-protein diets have been advocated for body-weight regulation for the past few decades. However, the potential health risks of these diets are still uncertain. We aimed to develop a protein score based on the quantity and source of protein, and to examine the association of the score with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Analyses were based on three population studies included in the PREVIEW project (PREVention of diabetes through lifestyle Intervention and population studies in Europe and around the World): NQplus, Lifelines, and the Young Finns Study. Cross-sectional data from food-frequency questionnaires (n = 76,777 subjects) were used to develop a protein score consisting of two components: 1) percentage of energy from total protein, and 2) plant to animal protein ratio. An inverse association between protein score and HbA1c (slope -0.02 +/- 0.01 mmol/mol, p <0.001) was seen in Lifelines. We found a positive association between the protein score and eGFR in Lifelines (slope 0.17 +/- 0.02 mL/min/1.73 m(2), p <0.0001). Protein scoring might be a useful tool to assess both the effect of quantity and source of protein on health parameters. Further studies are needed to validate this newly developed protein score.Peer reviewe

Thrombin Induces Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Release and Upregulation in Urothelium: A Possible Contribution to Bladder Inflammation

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine expressed by urothelial cells that mediates bladder inflammation. We investigated the effect of stimulation with thrombin, a Protease Activated Receptor-1 (PAR1) agonist, on MIF release and MIF mRNA upregulation in urothelial cells.MIF and PAR1 expression was examined in normal human immortalized urothelial cells (UROtsa) using real-time RT-PCR, Western blotting and dual immunostaining. MIF and PAR1 immunostaining was also examined in rat urothelium. The effect of thrombin stimulation (100 nM) on urothelial MIF release was examined in UROtsa cells (in vitro) and in rats (in vivo). UROtsa cells were stimulated with thrombin, culture media were collected at different time points and MIF amounts were determined by ELISA. Pentobarbital anesthetized rats received intravesical saline (control), thrombin, or thrombin +2% lidocaine (to block nerve activity) for 1 hr, intraluminal fluid was collected and MIF amounts determined by ELISA. Bladder or UROtsa MIF mRNA was measured using real time RT-PCR.UROtsa cells constitutively express MIF and PAR1 and immunostaining for both was observed in these cells and in the basal and intermediate layers of rat urothelium. Thrombin stimulation of urothelial cells resulted in a concentration- and time-dependent increase in MIF release both in vitro (UROtsa; 2.8-fold increase at 1 hr) and in vivo (rat; 4.5-fold) while heat-inactivated thrombin had no effect. In rats, thrombin-induced MIF release was reduced but not abolished by intravesical lidocaine treatment. Thrombin also upregulated MIF mRNA in UROtsa cells (3.3-fold increase) and in the rat bladder (2-fold increase) where the effect was reduced (1.4-fold) by lidocaine treatment.Urothelial cells express both MIF and PAR1. Activation of urothelial PAR1 receptors, either by locally generated thrombin or proteases present in the urine, may mediate bladder inflammation by inducing urothelial MIF release and upregulating urothelial MIF expression

Comprehensive framework for human health risk assessment of nanopesticides

Nanopesticides are not only in an advanced state of research and development but have started to appear on the market. Industry and regulatory agencies need a consolidated and comprehensive framework and guidance for human health risk assessments. In this perspective we develop such a comprehensive framework by exploring two case studies from relevant product types: an active ingredient delivered with a nanocarrier system, and a nanoparticle as an active ingredient. For a nanocarrier system, three entities are tracked during the assessment: the nanocarrier–active ingredient complex, the empty nanocarrier remaining after the complete release of the active ingredient, and the released active ingredient. For the nanoparticle of pure active ingredient, only two entities are relevant: the nanoparticle and the released ions. We suggest important adaptations of the existing pesticide framework to determine the relevant nanopesticide entities and their concentrations for toxicity testing. Depending on the nature of the nanopesticides, additional data requirements, such as those pertaining to durability in biological media and potential for crossing biological barriers, have also been identified. Overall, our framework suggests a tiered approach for human health risk assessment, which is applicable for a range of nanopesticide products to support regulators and industry in making informed decisions on nanopesticide submissions. Brief summaries of suitable methods including references to existing standards (if available) have been included together with an analysis of current knowledge gaps. Our study is an important step towards a harmonized approach accepted by regulatory agencies for assessing nanopesticides

Report from the BfR expert hearing on practicability of hormonal measurements: recommendations for experimental design of toxicological studies with integrated hormonal end points

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