Inspections of accredited workshops: Some Italian experiences

Among the activities established by the Directive 128/09 and by NAP (National Action Plan), a periodical inspection by authorities is addressed to official workshops in charge of sprayer inspections.In this paper we describe activities carried out by two Italian regions (Umbria and Campania) that have recently started a regular activity for the inspection of workshops. An inspection procedure according to technical national guidelines (ENAMA documents) was prepared in collaboration with regional authorities and CRA-ING, that is in charge of technical aspects of inspections. The approach, the key elements and some results of inspections are reported in the paper

Impact of Enzymatic Hydrolysis and Heat Inactivation on the Physicochemical Properties of Milk Protein Hydrolysates

This study determined the physicochemical properties (apparent viscosity (ηapp ), turbidity (A550nm ), particle size and molecular mass distribution) of hydrolysates generated from whey protein concentrate (WPC), milk protein concentrate (MPC) and sodium caseinate (NaCN), following incubation with Debitrase HYW20™ and Prolyve™ at 50◦ C, pH 7.0 for 1 and 4 h, before and after heat inactivation (80◦ C for 10 min). The degree of hydrolysis (DH) increased with incubation time, giving values of 6.56%, 8.17% and 9.48%, following 1 h hydrolysis of WPC, MPC and NaCN with Debitrase HYW20™, and 12.04%, 15.74% and 17.78%, respectively, following 4 h incubation. These DHs were significantly higher compared to those obtained following 4 h incubation with Prolyve™. Hydrolysis with Debitrase HYW20™ gave >40% of peptides with molecular masses < 1 kDa for all substrates, which was higher than the value obtained following hydrolysis with Prolyve™. The effect of hydrolysis on the physicochemical properties was substrate dependent, since ηapp decreased in WPC and NaCN hydrolysates, particle size decreased for all the substrates, with aggregate formation for MPC, and turbidity decreased in WPC and MPC hydrolysates, while it increased in NaCN hydrolysates. The physical properties of the hydrolysates were influenced by the enzyme thermal inactivation step in a DH-dependent manner, with no significant effect on turbidity and viscosity for hydrolysates at higher DHs

Identification of Flavescence dorée-related phytoplasma infecting grapevines on the isle of Ischia (southern Italy)

Among the grapevine diseases, Flavescence dorée (FD) is considered to be one of the greatest threats for grapevine cultivation throughout Europe. In Italy, where several major outbreaks of FD have occurred in the past, the disease is still mainly restricted to the northern regions and is under mandatory regulation. In 2011 the disease was recorded for the first time in southern Italy, in several vineyards located on the isle of Ischia (Campania). In order to determine the FD-related phytoplasma infecting these grapevines, molecular investigations were carried out on grapevine samples collected from several FD infected vineyards. The 16S rDNA/spacer region and the FD9 non-ribosomal fragment (secY gene) were investigated using a PCR/RFLP based method; a nucleotide sequence analysis of the FD9 amplified fragments was also carried out. The RFLP profiles obtained from all the analyzed samples showed the presence of FD-D phytoplasma type, on both 16S and secY genomic regions. Sequencing of the FD9 fragments showed a 99 % nucleotide sequence identity among the tested isolates and the various FD-D strains retrieved from the NCBI database.

Freeze-dried products based on walnuts: Interaction between fat fraction and dietary fiber

Walnuts are appreciated all around the world by consumers and food industries because of their different and positive properties including flavouring, texturizing and nutritional qualities. Walnut paste production and use are commonly associated to confectionery or traditional products but may find space in different innovative foods, as fat replacer and functional component. The aim of this work was to increase the nutritional value of walnut paste and, at the same time, limit its oxidative degradation by developing a freeze-drying process with addition of polysaccharide matrices including dietary fiber. The effects of different formulations and technological treatments on product stability were evaluated. Shelled walnuts were roasted at 165 °C for 15 minutes, grinded, and refined; the obtained walnut paste was mixed with betaglucan, inulin and pectin, singly or combined with tragacanth gum and DE12 maltodextrin. The different formulations were added to water, emulsified and dehydrated by freeze-drying. Lyophilized samples were finally stored at 60 °C for 15 days. Walnut paste, samples just after lyophilization, and lyophilized samples after storage were evaluated in terms of moisture, peroxide number, acidity and pH, conjugated dienes and trienes, total phenols and tocopherols. Further analyses (color, 410 and 420 nm absorption, and total phenols content after ethanol precipitation) were carried out on freeze dried samples before and after storage. The results showed that the freeze-drying process affected the nutritional profile of the walnuts, limiting the onset of oxidative phenomena. After storage the content of total phenols and tocopherols was significantly higher already in the freshly lyophilized walnut paste, compared to the untreated one. The addition of polysaccharide compounds aided to preserve total phenols. However, when betaglucan, inulin, or pectin were individually included, a significant depletion of tocopherols was observed. Maltodextrin and tragacanth gum played a fundamental role in maintaining high levels of both total phenols and tocopherols. Nevertheless, formulations including also dietary fiber were slightly more oxidized. Among them, the inclusion of betaglucan provided the overall best results

Walnut paste: oxidative stability and effect of grape skin extract addition

Walnut paste, obtained by roasting and grinding of kernels, was characterized and supplemented with encapsulated grape skin extract aiming to evaluate its potential effect on oxidative stability and/or antioxidant capacity. Based on the oxidation induction period in screening trials 5000 ppm (w/w) extract addition was selected as effective in inhibiting oxidation processes. Walnut paste with and without 5000 ppm grape skin extract were maintained for 15 days at 60 \ub0C, simulating 2 year storage at 20 \ub0C, based on an estimated activation energy of 80,327 kJ/mol for walnut lipid oxidation. Monitoring of data from peroxides, conjugated dienes and trienes, total phenolics, ABTS, ORAC, FRAP, and tocopherols values showed the deterioration of walnut paste started at the end of the observed period, even remaining below the threshold of unacceptability. Moreover, 5000 ppm extract addition did not prove to enhance oxidative stability nor antioxidant properties of the walnut paste. In the future, specific parameters of oxidation kinetics and antioxidant activity in the advanced phase of storage could be investigated

Functional nanocomposite films of poly(Lactic acid) with well-dispersed chitin nanocrystals achieved using a dispersing agent and liquid-assisted extrusion process

The development of bio-based nanocomposites is of high scientific and industrial interest, since they offer excellent advantages in creating functional materials. However, dispersion and distribution of the nanomaterials inside the polymer matrix is a key challenge to achieve high-performance functional nanocomposites. In this context, for better dispersion, biobased triethyl citrate (TEC) as a dispersing agent in a liquid-assisted extrusion process was used to prepare the nanocomposites of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and chitin nanocrystals (ChNCs). The aim was to identify the effect of the TEC content on the dispersion of ChNCs in the PLA matrix and the manufacturing of a functional nanocomposite. The nanocomposite film’s optical properties; microstructure; migration of the additive and nanocomposites’ thermal, mechanical and rheological properties, all influenced by the ChNC dispersion, were studied. The microscopy study confirmed that the dispersion of the ChNCs was improved with the increasing TEC content, and the best dispersion was found in the nanocomposite prepared with 15 wt% TEC. Additionally, the nanocomposite with the highest TEC content (15 wt%) resembled the mechanical properties of commonly used polymers like polyethylene and polypropylene. The addition of ChNCs in PLA-TEC15 enhanced the melt viscosity, as well as melt strength, of the polymer and demonstrated antibacterial activity

Recovery of winemaking by products for innovative food applications : A review

Winemaking by-products are potential resources for second-generation biorefineries, i.e., biorefineries fed with biowaste to produce added-value products, particularly for the food sector. In fact, winemaking by-products are outstanding sources of oil, phenolic compounds and dietary fibre and possess numerous health benefits and multifunctional characteristics, such as antioxidant, colouring, antimicrobial and texturizing properties. The present review highlights promising developments for the conversion of winemaking by-products into novel food ingredients, as well as their use in innovative foods, focusing on the type of recovered ingredients, dosage, formulation and processing. In addition, the primary benefits of winemaking by-products to new foods are described

The effect of novel biodegradable films on agronomic performance of zucchini squash grown under open-field and greenhouse conditions

The soil mulching is an important agricultural practice for increasing crop productivity and earliness. Mulching can be made with natural or synthetic materials. The common films being used these days are usually made of low density polyethylene (LDPE), but its disposal can represent a serious environmental and economic problem. The biodegradable mulching can overcome these problems. Two experiments were carried out comparing the effects of biodegradable and LDPE mulching films on yield and quality of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) grown in two environments (open-field vs. greenhouse). In both the environments a randomized complete block design was adopted. The treatments composed of no-mulched crop (control), soil covered by 15 microns black biodegradable film (MB15) and soil covered by 50 microns black LDPE film. The results showed that MB15 was able to maintain discrete technical proprieties until the end of cycle, especially in greenhouse, assuring a sufficient heating of soil, similar to LDPE. The soil heating promoted crop development. Furthermore, earliness was increased (84 in greenhouse vs. 99 days in open air) in greenhouse. The early production of zucchini grown on MB15 was similar to the one in LDPE production in greenhouse. The total marketable yield of plants grown on both films was not different but it was lower in open air. The biodegradable film significantly improved fruits quality, with higher values of firmness and total soluble solid than fruits grown on LDPE

Sorption Enhanced Water Gas Shift for H2 production using sour gases as feedstock

Even though hydrogen is considered the future of energy carrier, it is still produced from fossil fuels therefore with no benefits for the CO2 emission reduction. This paper discusses an innovative concept for hydrogen production which combines the Acid Gas to Syngas (AG2S (TM)) concept and the Sorption Enhanced Water Gas Shift (SEWGS) process. The AG2S (TM) process produces H-2 and elemental Sulfur from H2S and CO2, then H-2 purification is performed through amine scrubbing. The SEWGS technology is a Pressure Swing Adsorption process where the CO2 and H2S are adsorbed on hydrotalcite-based material. With respect to amine scrubbing, SEWGS takes advantage of a higher operating temperature of 350 degrees C -400 degrees C which reduces temperature swing losses, lower regeneration energy and the possibility to recycle the H2S while capturing the CO2. This study aims at exploring the potential of the SEWGS technology by means of the evaluation of detailed mass and energy balances, showing the potentialities of the AG2S (TM)+SEWGS technologies which more than double the H-2 production efficiency (25.0%) with respect to the amine scrubbing configuration (10.7%). Including the steam production, the overall process efficiency can be higher than 90% which is again more than twice the value of the AG2S (TM) reference case. (C) 2019 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC