Daily intake of wheat germ-enriched bread may promote a healthy gut bacterial microbiota: a randomised controlled trial

Wheat bran fibre has a beneficial effect on gastrointestinal function, but evidence for wheat germ is scarce. Accordingly, we evaluated the effects of daily intake of wheat germ on gastrointestinal discomfort and gut microbiota by adding wheat germ to refined (white) wheat bread, the most consumed bread type. We hypothesised that an improvement in the composition of refined bread could beneficially affect intestinal health without compromising consumers' acceptance.AM-R, CC, and LFA were responsible for the study design, carrying out the trial, data analysis, manuscript writ-ing, and final revision. CM, HP, SN and DS were partially responsi-ble for the data collection and analysis. JAT collaborated in the study design and final revision of the manuscript. AM-R and LFA were responsible for the statistical analysis. CC and LFA were coordina-tors of the project, with an equal contribution. This work is part of the VALORINTEGRADOR project, and was supported by the Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização and by National Funds through the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (through the operations FCOMP-01-0202-FEDER-038861 and POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007746). Our thanks to Germen and Padaria Ribeiro for the production of the bread used in this trial. We would like to thank Fran-cisca Mendes for her assistance in laboratory work. We are also espe-cially grateful to all participants for their enthusiastic collaboration in this study. We extend our thanks to Milaydis Sosa-Napolskij for proof reading this manuscript.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Odd–even effect in the formation and extraction performance of Ionic-Liquid-Based aqueous biphasic systems

Ionic-liquid-based aqueous biphasic systems (IL-based ABS) have been extensively investigated in the separation of high-value biomolecules. However, the understanding of the molecular-level mechanisms ruling phase separation and extraction performance of these systems is crucial to successfully design effective separation processes. In this work, IL-based ABS composed of K2HPO4 and cholinium carboxylate ILs ([Ch][CnCO2] with n = 1 to 7, comprising anions with odd and even alkyl chain length) were investigated. The respective ternary phase diagrams, including binodal curves, tie-lengths, tie-line lengths and critical points, as well as the Setschenow salting-out coefficients (ks) that is a quantitative measure of the two-phase formation ability, were determined at 298 K. The extraction performance of these systems was then evaluated for four amino acids (L-tryptophan, L-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine/L-dopa). It was found that ILs composed of anions with even alkyl chains display slightly higher ks values, meaning that these ILs are more easily salted-out or more easily phase separate to form ABS. On the other hand, ABS formed by ILs with anions comprising odd alkyl chains lead to slightly higher partition coefficients of amino acids. Beyond the neat ILs odd-even effect resulting from their nanostructuration, being this a well-known phenomenon occurring in a series of their thermophysical properties, it is here shown the existence of an odd-even effect displayed by the IL anion aliphatic moiety in aqueous solution, visible both in the two-phase formation ability and extraction performance of ABS. These findings contribute to elucidate the molecular-level mechanisms governing ABS formation and partitioning of biomolecules, ultimately allowing the design of effective separation platforms.publishe

Association between Elevated Iodine Intake and IQ among School Children in Portugal

Funding Information: This project was funded through grants by the Public Health Initiatives Programme (PT06), financed by EEA Grants Financial Mechanism 2009–2014, and supported by FEDER through the operation POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007746 funded by the Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização—COMPETE2020 and by National Funds through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., within CINTESIS, R&D Unit (reference UIDP/4255/2020) and within the scope of the project RISE, Associated Laboratory (reference LA/P/0053/2020). DP and VCF also received individual funding from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (SFRH/BPD/109158/2015 in the first case; SFRH/BPD/109153/2015, UIDB/50006/2020, UIDP/50006/2020, and LA/P/0008/2020 in the second case).The goal of this work was to examine whether elevated iodine intake was associated with adverse effects on IQ among school-age children in Portugal. In a representative sample of children from the north of the country, IQ percentiles by age (assessed with Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices) were dichotomized to <50 (“below-average” IQs) and ≥50. Morning urine iodine concentrations, corrected for creatinine, were dichotomized to <250 µg/g and ≥250 µg/g, according to the European Commission/Scientific Committee on Food’s tolerable upper level of daily iodine intake for young children. Data were examined with Chi-square tests, logistic regression, and GLM univariate analysis. The sample (N = 1965) was classified as generally iodine-adequate (median urinary iodine concentration = 129 µg/L; median iodine-to-creatinine ratio = 126 µg/g) according to the WHO’s criteria. A greater proportion of children in the ≥250 µg/g group had below-average IQs, compared to children with less than 250 µg/g (p = 0.037), despite a sizable (though non-significant) proportion of children in the less-than-250 µg/g group also presenting below-average IQs, at the bottom of the iodine distribution (<50 µg/g). The proportion of below-average IQs increased with increasingly elevated iodine concentrations (p = 0.047). The association remained significant after the adjustment for confounders, with the elevated iodine group showing increased odds of having below-average IQs when compared with the non-elevated iodine group (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.11–2.17; p = 0.011). Consistently, the former group presented a lower mean IQ than the latter (p = 0.006). High iodine intake was associated with lower IQs even in a population classified as iodine-adequate. These results bear on child cognition and on initiatives involving iodine supplementation.publishersversionpublishe

Linhas de Orientação para a Aplicação da Especificação de Requisitos de Serviço 3002/2: Requisitos para Preparação e Confecção Requisitos para Fornecimento : Monografia : Guidelines for Application of Service Requirements Specification 3002/2: Requirements for Preparation and Cooking Requirements for Supply

Contém um relatório de estágio curricular realizado na Companhia Geral de Restaurantes e Alimentação, SA. Gertal e no Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/ Espinho, no âmbito da licenciatura em Ciências da Nutrição pela Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação da Universidade do Porto. O exemplar do relatório de estágio existe apenas em formato papel e está disponível para consulta na Biblioteca da FCNAUPTese de licenciatura em Ciências da Nutrição apresentada à Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação da Universidade do PortoResumo da tese: A crescente sensibilização do consumidor para questões relacionadas com segurança alimentar e para questões nutricionais tem levado as empresas do sector alimentar a apostar na certificação dos seus serviços. Neste contexto, surge a ERS 3002/2 da APCER para estabelecimentos de bebidas, restauração, restauração e bebidas e restauração colectiva. No presente trabalho são fornecidas linhas de orientação para a aplicação dos requisitos dos pontos 5.3 Preparação e Confecção e 5.4 Fornecimento da ERS 3002/2, com o intuito de facilitar as empresas no processo de certificação dos seus serviços por este processo.Thesis abstract: Increasing consumer awareness of food security and nutrition issues has led the food businesses to invest in certification of their services. Consequently, ERS 3002/2 APCER was created for beverage, catering, beverage and catering and caterers establishments. In this document guidelines for implementation of the requirements 5.3 Preparation and Cooking and 5.4 Supply are given with the aim of facilitating food businesses in the certification process of their services

Grapevine diversity and genetic relationships in northeast portugal old vineyards

More than 100 grapevine varieties are registered as suitable for wine production in “Douro” and “Trás-os-Montes” Protected Designations of Origin regions; however, only a few are actually used for winemaking. The identification of varieties cultivated in past times can be an important step to take advantage of all the potential of these regions grape biodiversity. The conservation of the vanishing genetic resources boosts greater product diversification, and it can be considered strategic in the valorisation of these wine regions. Hence, one goal of the present study was to prospect and characterise, through molecular markers, 310 plants of 11 old vineyards that constitute a broad representation of the grape genetic patrimony of “Douro” and “Trás-os-Montes” wine regions; 280 samples, grouped into 52 distinct known varieties, were identified through comparison of their genetic profiles generated via 6 nuclear SSR and 43 informative SNP loci amplification; the remaining 30 samples, accounting for 13 different genotypes, did not match with any profile in the consulted databases and were considered as new genotypes. This study also aimed at evaluating the population structure among the 65 non-redundant genotypes identified, which were grouped into two ancestral genetic groups. The mean probability of identity values of 0.072 and 0.510 (for the 6 SSR and 226 SNP sets, respectively) were determined. Minor differences were observed between frequencies of chlorotypes A and D within the non-redundant genotypes studied. Twenty-seven pedigrees were confirmed and nine new trios were established. Ancestors of eight genotypes remain unknown

Odd-even effect on the formation of aqueous biphasic systems formed by 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquids and salts

This work provides a comprehensive evaluation of the effect of the cation alkyl side chain length of the 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride series ([CnC1im]Cl, n = 2-14) of ionic liquids (ILs) on their capability to form aqueous biphasic systems (ABSs) with salts and self-aggregation derived properties. The liquid-liquid phase behavior of ternary systems composed of [CnC1im]Cl, water, and K3PO4 or K2CO3 and the respective Setschenow salting-out coefficients (ks), a quantitative measure of the two-phase formation ability, were determined. An odd-even effect in the ks values along the number of methylene groups of the longest IL cation alkyl side chain was identified for the ABS formed by K2CO3, a weaker salting-out agent where the phenomenon is clearly identified. In general, cations with even alkyl side chains, being likely to display higher molar volumes, are more easily salted-out and thus more prone to undergo phase separation. The odd-even effect in the ks values is, however, more significant in ILs up to n = 6, where the nanostructuration/nanosegregation of ILs plays a less relevant role. Still, with the [CnC1im]Cl (n = 7-14) series of ILs, an odd-even effect was also identified in the ILs’ ionization degree, molar conductivity, and conductivity at infinite dilution. In summary, it is shown here that the ILs’ odd-even effect occurs in IL aqueous solutions and not just in neat ILs, an already well-established phenomenon occurring in a series of ILs’ properties described as a result of the orientation of the terminal methyl groups to the imidazolium ring cation and consequent effect in the ILs’ cohesive energy.publishe

Iodine status and iodised salt consumption in portuguese school-aged children: The iogeneration study

The World Health Organization promotes salt iodisation to control iodine deficiency. In Portugal, the use of iodised salt in school canteens has been mandatory since 2013. The present study aimed to evaluate iodine status in school-aged children (6–12 years) and to monitor the use of iodised salt in school canteens. A total of 2018 participants were randomly selected to participate in a cross-sectional survey in northern Portugal. Children’s urine and salt samples from households and school canteens were collected. A lifestyle questionnaire was completed by parents to assess children’s eating frequency of iodine food sources. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The median UIC was 129 µg/L which indicates the adequacy of iodine status and 32% of the children had UIC < 100 µg/L. No school canteen implemented the iodised salt policy and only 2% of the households were using iodised salt. Lower consumption of milk, but not fish, was associated with a higher risk of iodine deficiency. Estimation of sodium intake from spot urine samples could be an opportunity for adequate monitoring of population means. Implementation of iodine deficiency control policies should include a monitoring program aligned with the commitment of reducing the population salt intake

Performance of tetraalkylammonium-based ionic liquids as constituents of aqueous biphasic systems in the extraction of ovalbumin and lysozyme

Ionic-liquid-based aqueous biphasic systems (IL-based ABS) have been described as promising platforms for the extraction and separation of proteins. However, imidazolium-based ILs have been the preferred choice, which may raise some biocompatibility and biodegradability concerns. In this work, novel ABS composed of tetraalk- ylammonium-based ILs and potassium phosphate solutions at different pH values (pH = 7, 8, 9 and 13, using K2HPO4/KH2PO4 or K3PO4) were investigated in terms of extraction efficiency and recovery yield for two proteins, namely ovalbumin and lysozyme. These proteins were selected due to their wide application in several sectors, being present in egg white. At pH 7, the complete extraction and recovery of lysozyme to the IL-rich phase are achieved in all systems; however, low recovery yields of ovalbumin are obtained with ABS formed by ILs with longer alkyl side chains. Furthermore, an increase in the pH above the proteins isoelectric point is deleterious for their recovery in the IL-rich phase. In order to characterize the molecular-level mechanisms that could maximize the proteins recovery, molecular docking studies were carried out, showing that ILs that preferentially establish hydrophobic interactions with these proteins are those that lead to their aggregation and lower recovery yields. Finally, it is shown the proteins recovery from the IL-rich phase by ice cold ethanol precipitation, where up to 99% of lysozyme can be recovered. These results support the viability of adequate IL-based ABS to extract ovalbumin and lysozyme and the possibility of recovering stable proteins from the IL-rich phase into an adequate buffered aqueous solution, thus contributing to the design of effective separation processes.publishe