Oxidation of benzoic acid from biomass burning in atmospheric waters

International audienc

Impact of Enzyme-and Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Methods on Biological Properties of Red, Brown, and Green Seaweeds from the Central West Coast of Portugal

Seaweeds are an excellent source of bioactive compounds, and therefore the use of sustainable and food compatible extraction methods such as enzyme-assisted (EAE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction were applied on Sargassum muticum, Osmundea pinnatifida, and Codium tomentosum. Extracts were evaluated for proximate characterization and biological properties. Higher extraction yields were observed for C. tomentosum EAE (48-62%; p < 0.05 for Cellulase and Viscozyme), followed by O. pinnatifida (49-55%; p < 0.05 except Alcalase) and S. muticum (26-31%; p < 0.05). S. muticum extracts presented the highest nitrogen (25 +/- 2 mg/g(lyoph) (extract)) and total phenolics (261 +/- 37 mu g(catechol) (equiv)/gl(yoph) (extract)) contents, whereas higher sugars (78 +/- 14 mg(glucose) (equiv)/g(lyoph) (extract)) including sulfated polysaccharide (44 +/- 8 mg(Na2SO4) (acid)/g(lyoph) (extract)) contents characterized O. pinnatifida extracts. A higher effect on hydroxyl-radical scavenging activity (35-50%) was observed for all extracts, whereas S. muticum Alcalase and C. tomentosum Cellulase extracts exhibited higher prebiotic activity than fructooligosaccharides. O. pinnatifida and C. tomentosum EAE showed inhibitory potential against alpha-glucosidase (38-49%)

<i>Sargassum muticum</i> and <i>Osmundea pinnatifida</i> Enzymatic Extracts: Chemical, Structural, and Cytotoxic Characterization

Seaweeds, which have been widely used for human consumption, are considered a potential source of biological compounds, where enzyme-assisted extraction can be an efficient method to obtain multifunctional extracts. Chemical characterization of Sargassum muticum and Osmundea pinnatifida extracts obtained by Alcalase and Viscozyme assisted extraction, respectively, showed an increment of macro/micro elements in comparison to the corresponding dry seaweeds, while the ratio of Na/K decreased in both extracts. Galactose, mannose, xylose, fucose, and glucuronic acid were the main monosaccharides (3.2&#8211;27.3 mg/glyophilized extract) present in variable molar ratios, whereas low free amino acids content and diversity (1.4&#8211;2.7 g/100 gprotein) characterized both extracts. FTIR-ATR and 1H NMR spectra confirmed the presence of important polysaccharide structures in the extracts, namely fucoidans from S. muticum or agarans as sulfated polysaccharides from O. pinnatifida. No cytotoxicity against normal mammalian cells was observed from 0 to 4 mglyophilized extract/mL for both extracts. The comprehensive characterization of the composition and safety of these two extracts fulfils an important step towards their authorized application for nutritional and/or nutraceutical purposes

The potential effect of FOS and inulin upon probiotic bacterium performance in curdled milk matrices

Inulin and fructooligosaccharides were studied for their prebiotic effect upon growth/survival of probiotic bacteria and technological potential in probiotic food processing, via characterization of glycolysis, proteolysis and lipolysis in curdled milk matrices; the ultimate goal is the manufacture of synbiotic cheeses. Prebiotic compounds did not significantly affect growth/viability of all strains studied, except Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5. Proteolysis indices revealed considerable casein degradation in probiotic and synbiotic matrices inoculated with Bifidobacterium lactis B94 and Lactobacillus casei-01; lower values were achieved in those inoculated with L. acidophilus La-5, yet a synbiotic effect was apparent in NPN values. Lipolysis was not extensive over storage, irrespective of matrix type; however, interesting differences in terms of the qualitative free fatty acids profile were observed. CLA isomers, and α-linolenic and γ−linolenic acids were detected upon 15 d of ripening of all inoculated matrices. Principal component analysis was able to discriminate the various matrices according to degree of maturation, throughout the ripening period. Microbiological and biochemical parameters unfolded a very good technological potential, especially of B. lactis B94 and L. casei-01, to produce novel types of functional dairy matrices – although extrapolation to actual cheeses should still be done with care, because e.g. syneresis was not considered.publishe

Disposable sensors for environmental monitoring of lead, cadmium and mercury

Miniaturization is an increasing trend in the field of analytical chemistry as a response to the need to develop new analytical techniques for food, clinical, and environmental applications. There is therefore also an increasing trend towards the use of miniaturized disposable sensors, which are inexpensive and designed to be one-shot and do not require pre-treatment prior to use or cleaning between measurements. This review describes disposable sensors for detection of lead, cadmium and mercury in the environment, taking into account their analytical performance. Further, we also discuss the role of certain factors, such as the immobilization procedure and surface modification affecting the analytical characteristics of sensors. Finally, we comment on future applications and potential research interest in this field

Época de nascimento sobre a composição regional e tecidual da carcaça de cordeiros da raça Texel Birth season on regional and tissue carcass composition in Texel breed lambs

Foram avaliados os efeitos de épocas alternativas de nascimento sobre a composição regional e tecidual da carcaça em ovinos. Quarenta e nove cordeiros machos não-castrados da raça Texel, nascidos em duas épocas (agosto e novembro), foram mantidos em regime de pastagem e abatidos com média de idade de 129 e 164 dias, respectivamente. Previamente aos abates foi feita a avaliação da produção forrageira do campo pelo método Botanal. Foram verificadas melhores condições forrageiras para os cordeiros nascidos em agosto, que apresentaram maior peso e proporção na maioria dos cortes, assim como menor proporção de músculo na paleta e perna; apresentando maior conteúdo de tecido adiposo na maioria dos cortes da carcaça. Para os cordeiros nascidos em novembro, ocorreu maior relação músculo:gordura e músculo:osso na paleta e na perna, assim como maior relação músculo:gordura no costilhar. As condições nutricionais são responsáveis pelas diferenças nos pesos e rendimentos dos cortes, assim como na composição tecidual da carcaça, em cordeiros mantidos em regime de pasto, viabilizando o uso de época alternativa de nascimentos para incrementar a oferta de animais para o abate.<br>The effect of alternative birth season on regional and tissue carcass composition of sheep was evaluated. Forty nine (49) Texel intact male lambs, born in two seasons (August and November), were kept under grazing and slaughtered with an average age of 129 and 164 days, respectively. Prior to slaughter forage production was measured using Botanal method. Lambs born in August had more favorable forage conditions, showing higher body weight and proportion in the majority of cuts, as well as lower proportion of shoulder and leg muscles showing higher adipose tissue content in the majority of carcass cuts. For lambs born in November, a higher muscle:fat and muscle:bone rate in shoulder and leg, as well as a higher ribcut muscle:fat rate. Nutritional conditions are responsible for differences in weights and cuts yields, as well as for the tissue carcass composition, in lambs maintained under grazing regime, making feasible the use of alternative birth periods to increase animal offer for slaughter

BioTIME : a database of biodiversity time series for the Anthropocene

Motivation: The BioTIME database contains raw data on species identities and abundances in ecological assemblages through time. These data enable users to calculate temporal trends in biodiversity within and amongst assemblages using a broad range of metrics. BioTIME is being developed as a community-led open-source database of biodiversity time series. Our goal is to accelerate and facilitate quantitative analysis of temporal patterns of biodiversity in the Anthropocene. Main types of variables included: The database contains 8,777,413 species abundance records, from assemblages consistently sampled for a minimum of 2 years, which need not necessarily be consecutive. In addition, the database contains metadata relating to sampling methodology and contextual information about each record. Spatial location and grain: BioTIME is a global database of 547,161 unique sampling locations spanning the marine, freshwater and terrestrial realms. Grain size varies across datasets from 0.0000000158 km (158 cm) to 100 km (1,000,000,000,000 cm). Time period and grain: BioTIME records span from 1874 to 2016. The minimal temporal grain across all datasets in BioTIME is a year. Major taxa and level of measurement: BioTIME includes data from 44,440 species across the plant and animal kingdoms, ranging from plants, plankton and terrestrial invertebrates to small and large vertebrates. Software format:.csv and.SQL