Investigating proximate composition and fatty acid profile of Longissimus dorsi from Anatolian Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) raised in similar conditions

Abstract The aim of the present study was to compare the proximate analysis and fatty acid profile of water buffalo meats. Samples were taken from three different local meat suppliers in Baklalı, Orcunlu, and Nakkas villages, Istanbul Province, Turkey. Animals were males 24 months old reaching final live weights of 420-440 kg. Significant differences were observed in pH, moisture, fat, color and fatty acid profile of water buffalo meats (p<0.05 and p<0.01). The results of proximate analysis demonstrated that the pH (5.03-5.46), moisture (48.60-59.73%), fat (18.90-30.02%), ash (2.48-3.56%), protein (15.12-17.65%), ‘L’ lightness (24.38-33.50), ‘a’ redness (9.88-13.81), and ‘b’ yellowness (5.66-8.53) were found in the samples. C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C16:1, C18:1 and C18:2 content of the water buffalo meats were found to be 1.53-4.15%, 19.99-26.85%, 19.48-34.50%, 2.95-5.33%, 35.37-50.62%, and 1.02-3.56%, respectively. The total SFAs, total MUFAs, total PUFAs, and total UFAs contents of the samples ranged between 40.73 and 60.28%, 38.32 and 55.15%, 1.34 and 4.46%, and 39.72 and 59.27%, respectively

Inhaled non-steroidal polyphenolic alternatives for anti-inflammatory combination therapy

The inhaled corticosteroids are considered the first line of defence for the treatment of persistent asthma and COPD in adults and children. However, clinically, up to 50% of asthmatics and the majority of COPD patients have been reported to respond sub-optimally to inhaled corticosteroid therapy. Therefore, reduced responsiveness to corticosteroids or in extreme cases, a complete lack of response even to high doses, is becoming a growing cause of concern to the medical community. This work therefore seeks to circumvent the problem via pioneering an inhalable non-steroidal polyphenolic dry powder combination comprising curcumin, quercetin and trans-resveratrol from the phenolic acid, flavonoid and stilbene classes respectively, for benign anti-inflammatory therapy (without the corticosteroid-linked side effects). The optimized L-leucine-containing spray-dried powder was partially crystalline and moisture-resistant, and the powder particles were of respirable-size (d50 of ~1.95 ± 0.03 μm), corrugated and porous. When dispersed via an Aerolizer® inhaler at 60 l/min, the powder showed concomitant in-vitro deposition with robust FPFs of ~44%. Significant improvements to the drug release rate and extent were also achieved. Favorably, the optimized formulation was comparable to the mainstream corticosteroids, budesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate, and more potent than an ivy leaves extract preparation, in inhibiting GM-CSF release from inflamed A549 cells. Potentially, this corticosteroid-sparing inhaled alternative might be a potent yet safer treatment option for juvenile, corticosteroid-resistant, or even mainstream patients.ASTAR (Agency for Sci., Tech. and Research, S’pore

Frequently asked questions about in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence: practical issues

The aim of this educational review is to provide practical information on the hardware, methodology, and the hands on application of chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence technology. We present the paper in a question and answer format like frequently asked questions. Although nearly all information on the application of Chl a fluorescence can be found in the literature, it is not always easily accessible. This paper is primarily aimed at scientists who have some experience with the application of Chl a fluorescence but are still in the process of discovering what it all means and how it can be used. Topics discussed are (among other things) the kind of information that can be obtained using different fluorescence techniques, the interpretation of Chl a fluorescence signals, specific applications of these techniques, and practical advice on different subjects, such as on the length of dark adaptation before measurement of the Chl a fluorescence transient. The paper also provides the physiological background for some of the applied procedures. It also serves as a source of reference for experienced scientists