Effects of Clarification and Storage on Anthocyanins and Color of Pomegranate Juice Concentrates

Whole pomegranates with rinds were processed into juice and then concentrate. Effects of cold clarification and storage temperatures (-23C, 5C, 12C and 20C) on anthocyanins (ACNs), ACN composition and color were determined. Major ACNs in pomegranate juice concentrate (PJC) were identified as cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside (47.9%), delphinidin-3,5-diglucoside (23.2%) and cyanidin-3-glucoside (18.5%). Diglucosides were more stable than monoglucosides during storage. ACN degradation and polymeric color formation were fitted to first-order reaction models. Higher storage temperatures increased the rate of ACN degradation and polymeric color formation in PJCs. Good correlation (r=-0.988) was found between ACN degradation and polymeric color formation during storage. Rate of ACN degradation and polymeric color formation were slower in the PJC obtained from unclarified juice than PJC obtained from clarified juice during storage. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Realization and Properties of Biochemical-Computing Biocatalytic XOR Gate Based on Enzyme Inhibition by a Substrate

We consider a realization of the XOR logic gate in a process biocatalyzed by an enzyme (here horseradish peroxidase: HRP), the function of which can be inhibited by a substrate (hydrogen peroxide for HRP), when the latter is inputted at large enough concentrations. A model is developed for describing such systems in an approach suitable for evaluation of the analog noise amplification properties of the gate. The obtained data are fitted for gate quality evaluation within the developed model, and we discuss aspects of devising XOR gates for functioning in "biocomputing" systems utilizing biomolecules for information processing

Anthocyanin and colour changes during processing of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.; Cv. Hicaznar) juice from sacs and whole fruit

The effects of clarification and pasteurisation on anthocyanins (ACNs) and the colour of pomegranate juice (PJ) produced from sacs and whole fruits were investigated. Clarification caused a loss of 4% of ACNs in juice from sacs (JFS) and a loss of 19% in juice from whole fruit (JFWF). After pasteurisation, there was an 8-14% and 13-9% loss of ACNs from unclarified and clarified JFS and JFWF samples, respectively. Polymeric colour was very high even in unclarified samples (25-29%). Compared to JFS, higher polymeric colour was formed in JFWF. HPLC analyses of PJ revealed that cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside was the major ACN, followed by cyanidin-3-glucoside and delphinidin-3-glucoside. Cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside showed higher stability to clarification and pasteurisation than cyanidin-3-glucoside in both PJ samples. Cold clarification with only gelatin is recommended for PJ. To prevent excessive ACN loss and the formation of brown colouring, PJ should be subjected to minimal heating. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Renal impairment and coronary collaterals in patients with acute coronary syndrome

We aimed to elucidate the relationship between mild-to-moderate renal impairment and the development of coronary collateral vessels (CCV) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

Acute Myocardial Infarction?

Aims The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of spironolactone on left ventricular (LV) remodeling in patients with preserved LV function following acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods and Results Successfully revascularized patients (n=186) with acute ST elevation MI (STEMI) were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into three groups, each of which was administered a different dose of spironolactone (12.5, 25mg, or none). Echocardiography was performed within the first 3days and at 6months after MI. Echocardiography control was performed on 160 patients at a 6-month follow-up. The median left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) increased significantly in all groups, but no significant difference was observed between groups (P=0.13). At the end of the sixth month, the myocardial performance index (MPI) had improved in each of the three groups, but no significant difference was found between groups (F=2.00, P=0.15). The mean LV peak systolic velocities (S-m) increased only in the control group during the follow-up period, but there is no significant difference between groups (F=1.79, P=0.18). The left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI) and the left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI) did not change significantly compared with the basal values between groups (F=0.05, P=0.81 and F=1.03, P=0.31, respectively).Conclusion In conclusion, spironolactone dosages of up to 25mg do not augment optimal medical treatment for LV remodeling in patients with preserved cardiac functions after AMI