Phytoestrogens dietary intake and health status of retiree from middle-north Slovakia region

Phytoestrogens found in foods of plant origin presents chemical substances that possess a wide range of biochemical benefits. It has been found that they contribute in different health related problems. A wide range of commonly consumed foods contain appreciable amounts of phytoestrogens. Consumption of diet rich to phytoestrogen acts as a protective factor against many diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, post-menopausal symptoms in the context of osteoporosis, cancerous illnesses of colon, prostate and breast. Three main classes of phytoestrogens covers: isoflavones, lignans and coumestans. Selected nine major phytoestrogens had been analyzed simultaneously in the same foods. Questionnaire designed to determine intake frequency as well as amount of selected foods and the most common diseases presented in the population has been used to find relationships between dietary habits and health status. Evaluation of selected goals in the present study has been realized in cooperation with 140 respondents in retired age (divided into Males - covered by 34 individuals and Females - 106 individuals), comming from middle-north Slovakia region. On the base of collected data it can be concluded, that evaluated population is presented by high values of lignans intake and particularly secoisolariciresinol, mainly caused by relative high proportion of cereals and linseed in the diet. Furthermore, the relationship between phytoestrogens intake and eating habits as well as its contribution in protection against selected diseases was demonstrated

Comparison of phytoestrogens dietary intake from vegetables and fruit in selected population in Slovakia

Phytoestrogens are compounds that are naturally present in almost all plant foods to a varying degree. They include several different classes of chemical compounds known as isoflavones, coumestans and lignans. In our work we analyzed intake of phytoestrogens is based upon our answer questionaries' in different ages. Evaluating health effects of phytoestrogens is difficult and depends on numerous factors, including the kind and dose (amount) of phytoestrogens eaten and the age, gender, and health of the person. We are exposed daily to highly variable amounts of phytoestrogens. While adults are eating a vegetarian diet or those taking dietary supplements containing phytoestrogens have high levels of exposure, infants drinking soy-based formula have the highest exposure levels by far. Accurate information about dietary phytoestrogens is therefore important but there is very limited data concerning food contents. In this study, we analyzed the phytoestrogen content in fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. The comprehensive database of phytoestrogen content determined simultaneously in vegetables and fruits foods has been developed. The important source of phytoestrogens in Slovak men and women is garlic. Phytoestrogen intake of fruits in men as an in woman is very low. Slovak populations consume a lot of fruits but the total intake is low due to the lower content of phytoestrogens

Identification of differences in chemical composition among whole stick and sliced Nitran salamis trough principal component analysis

The subject of this work was to examine differences in chemical composition of sliced and whole stick Nitran salamis, purchased from various manufacturers. Nitran salamis are traditional dry fermented meat products of Slovak origin. Taking into account variations in raw materials, production process and potential adulteration, differences in chemical composition within one brand of salami from different manufacturers might be expected. Ten salamis were determined for basic chemical composition attributes and Principal Component Analysis was applied on data matrix to identify anomalous ones. It has been shown that six attributes, namely: protein without collagen of total protein, total protein, total meat, total fat, collagen of total protein and NaCl, were the most important for salamis as first two Principal Components together explained 70.16% of variance among them. Nitran D was found to be the most anomalous salami, as had the lowest value of protein without collagen of total protein (14.14% ±0.26%), total protein (17.42% ±0.44%), total meat (120.29% ±0.98%) and the highest one of total fat (50.85% ±0.95%), collagen of total protein (18.83% ±0.50%) and NaCl (9.55% ±1.93%), when compared to its whole stick variant Nitran C and other samples. In addition to collagen of total protein content, Nitran D together with Nitran A, F and H did not satisfied the legislatively determined criterion, which is ≤16%. This suggested that extra connective tissues were added to intermediate products, which resulted in high variability and inferior quality of final products. It is a common practice in the meat industry to increase the protein content or water binding properties of meat products

Texture quality of muskmelons (Cucumis melo L.) From different retailers during storage

The subject of study was to assess and to compare the effect of storage time on flesh firmness and skin strength in muskmelons (Cucumis melo L.) obtained from supermarket and marketplace. Texture quality of fruit is considered to be the major determinant for customer preference that depends on harvesting maturity and proper storage conditions of fruit and its fresh-cuts. Changes in flesh firmness and skin strength were measured periodically in stored fresh-cut fruits in both groups for initial, 2nd, 5th and 6th day. Analysis of basic physical parameters revealed that muskmelons from marketplace had higher height and width perimeter and therefore also a higher weight, compared to those ones from supermarkets. Textural analysis pointed out to significant differences (p <0.05) in flesh firmness among initial day group and all tested groups from 2nd, 5th and 6th day in muskmelons from supermarket. In marketplace muskmelon group was observed significant difference (p <0.05) between samples from initial day and 5th day. Within the skin strength, there were demonstrated significant differences (p <0.05) between initial day and most of remaining storage days in both supermarket and marketplace muskmelons groups. The data for flesh firmness and skin strength were used in linear regression analysis, in order to evaluate trends during storage period. The correlation coefficients of linear model describing relationship between storage time and skin strength for the group of supermarket and marketplace muskmelons were r = -0.828 and r = -0.780, respectively, which indicated approximately equal relationship between time and skin strength in both tested groups. A strong inverse correlation (r = -0.816) between time and flesh firmness in the group of supermarket muskmelons was noticed. In the group of marketplace muskmelons, there was observed weaker inverse correlation (r = -0.441) within this relation, compared to commercial ones. The model revealed that the muskmelons from marketplace retailers tend to maintain the flesh firmness for a longer time than did commercial ones. The melon flesh quality was markedly changing during storage period and highly depends on the muskmelon origin

Optimalisation of species identification of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) using SYBR® green I real-time PCRmethod

European Union Member States, together with a number of countries around the world, places great emphasis on ensuring the protection of consumers as a potential food allergic from food allergies. to inform consumers that their product may contain any of the risk of allergenic ingredients. For species identification of fish and fish products as a potential food allergens are used by many analytical methods as well as their authentication. We are in our work applied the method of SYBR® Green I. Real-Time PCR. We focused on pre-designed molecular - genetic marker of common carp (Cyprinus carpio), which comes from the mtDNA control D - loop area. We analyzed its presence in DNA isolates from the 5 kinds of freshwater fish, diluted to 10 % concentration. Results of using the optimized SYBR ® Green I Real-Time PCR method for species identification common carp (Cyprinus carpio) indicate to its suitability

Influence of different curing methods on the fatty acid composition in sausages prepared from red deer meat

These curing agents play a decisive role in obtaining the specific sensory properties, stability and hygienic safety of products such as fermented sausages, ham and, more recently, emulsion type of sausages. The effect of using two different curing agents (sodium chloride and nitrate) on fatty acid compounds in dry-cured deer meat was investigated in our study. The concentration of free fatty acids in the fat depends on the hydrolytic activity of the lipases, the microbial metabolic processes, and the oxidative reactions that work on the free fatty acids released in the lipolysis. The main identified fatty acids in all different types of curing were palmitic acid (16 : 0), oleic acid (c18 : 1 cis-9), stearic acid (C18 : 0). The resulting n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio in the muscle samples of red deer showed no variation in different types of curing and was beneficially low within the range of 3.9 : 1 and 4.49 : 1. Total free fatty acids, whether saturated, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids, did not increased (p >0.05) greatly through the processing of dry-cured deer meat. Also there was no effect of curing method on fatty acids composition in two different muscles Semitendinosus muscle (ANOVA, p >0.05, F - 0.003, F crit. - 3.041) and Triceps brachii muscle (ANOVA, p >0.05, F - 0.05, F crit. - 3.01). There were found no significant (p >0.05) differences between fatty acids content in sausages prepared by brining in NaCl and Nitrate salt. The present study revealed that game meat can function as a good source of bioactive compounds that are essential for human nutrition

Detection of ovine milk adulteration using taqman real-time pcr assay

Food safety, quality and composition have become the subjects of increasing public concern. To prevent fraud and enhance quality assurance, credible analysis of dairy products is crucial. Bovine milk is more widely available and cheaper than milk of sheep and goat. Bovine milk is also processed in large quantities to produce a range of dairy produce. DNA-based methods have proven to be more reliable, because of the stability of DNA under the conditions of high temperature, high pressure, and chemical treatment used during the processing of some food products. The commercial InnuDETECT cheese assay based on the principle TaqMan real-time PCR systems have been tested for the identification and quantification of bovine DNA in ovine milk samples. DNA was extracted using the InnuPREP DNA Mini Kit and quantified by the QuantiFluor dsDNA system. The assay showed good linearity, with correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.983 and efficiency of 86%. The internal control amplified fragment from different mammalian species (cow, sheep and goat), with similar CT values. Detection of bovine DNA in milk mixtures was achieved even in samples containing 0.5% of bovine milk. The InnuDETECT cheese assay has been successfully used to measure bovine DNA in ovine milk, and will prove useful for bovine species identification and quantitative authentication of animal-derived products

Authentication of caprine milk and cheese by commercial qPCR assay

The objective of the study was to investigate potential adulteration of commercial caprine milks and cheeses with bovine milk using commercial qPCR assay. The assay comprised of bovine-, ovine- and caprine-specific primers and TaqMan probe and mammalian internal control. Specificity, sensitivity, linearity, reproducibility and efficiency of the bovine assay were tested as well. Specificity was verified by running reaction on the DNA of other milk-producing species (caprine and ovine) and made-up bovine-caprine (v/v) milk mixes. In both experiments, a bovine DNA fragment was amplified whereas no amplification was obtained from the other species. Sensitivity, linearity, reproducibility and efficiency were tested on 10-fold dilution series of 10 ng bovine DNA. The assay has shown good linearity (R2 = 0.983) within whole range, with efficiency of 86% and excellent reproducibility (SD around the CT for the technical replicates <0.5). The sensitivity was adequate, as calculated LOD and LOQ were 1.44 pg and 2.94 pg of bovine DNA, respectively. Finally, the assay was used to authenticate 5 caprine milk samples and 5 caprine cheese samples, purchased from local supermarkets. Totally, 1 milk sample has shown the fluorescence signal, which exceeded baseline in cycle 39.01 ±0.69. However, the signal was above LOD and LOQ suggesting that there could not be unambiguously declared any adulteration with bovine milk. Amplification of bovine-specific DNA was not observed in the other samples indicating products were not adulterated. The commercial qPCR assay has proved that real-time PCR assays, as well as DNA-based techniques in a general, are the excellent and reliable tools for fighting with frauds in the food industry and protecting the public health.&nbsp

The effect of UV-C irradiation on grape juice turbidity, sensoric properties and microbial count

In this work, we investigated the effect of UV-C radiation (254 nm) on turbidity, microbial count and sensoric properties of the grape juices treated or not treated with sulphur dioxide. The UV-C radiation is considered to be germicidal against microorganisms. This technology is routinely used to treat drinking water. Application of this method for the purpose of treating the wine was tested in few studies. These studies have shown a positive effect on the inactivation of microorganisms, but they not dealt in detail with the sensory properties of grape juice after the treatment. The main idea of using this method appears to eliminate the sulphur dioxide from wine making technology. There are people who have a genuine allergy to sulfites, and these allergies are often linked with asthma. These people have an rapid onset of symptoms when drinking liquids like wine treated with sulphur dioxide. In our work we have found that the application of this method of treating the grape juice is problematic. Intensity of UV-C radiation increases the turbidity of grape juices. This effect was observed in all grape juices with or without addition of sulphur dioxide and also in clarified or not clarified grape juices. We found that UV-C radiation negatively affect the sensory properties of grape juices. This effect was more pronounced in grape juices treated with SO2. The smell and taste were significantly negatively changed. Exposure of grape juice treated with sulphur dioxide to UV-C radiation can probably lead to arising the sulphur compounds, which affects the smell and taste of grape juices. Also, it is very likely that the negative change in taste and smell may affect the quality of produced wines. For this purpose, we do not recommend to use UV-C treatment for the grape juice treatment. It will be interesting to conduct a detailed analysis of the grape juices composition before and after UV-C radiation treatment