Changes In Nutritional Quality Research Articles

Grassland structural heterogeneity in a savanna is driven more by productivity differences than by consumption differences between lawn and bunch grasses.

Savanna grasslands are characterized by high spatial heterogeneity in vegetation structure, aboveground biomass and nutritional quality, with high quality short-grass grazing lawns forming mosaics with patches of tall bunch grasses of lower quality. This heterogeneity can arise because of local differences in consumption, because of differences in productivity, or because both processes enforce each other (more production and consumption). However, the relative importance of both processes in maintaining mosaics of lawn and bunch grassland types has not been measured. Also their interplay been not been assessed across landscape gradients. In a South African savanna, we, therefore, measured the seasonal changes in primary production, nutritional quality and herbivore consumption (amount and percentage) of grazing lawns and adjacent bunch grass patches across a rainfall gradient. We found both higher amounts of primary production and, to a smaller extent, consumption for bunch grass patches. In addition, for bunch grasses primary production increased towards higher rainfall while foliar nitrogen concentrations decreased. Foliar nitrogen concentrations of lawn grasses decreased much less with increasing rainfall. Consequently, large herbivores targeted the biomass produced on grazing lawns with on average 75 % of the produced biomass consumed. We conclude that heterogeneity in vegetation structure in this savanna ecosystem is better explained by small-scale differences in productivity between lawn and bunch grass vegetation types than by local differences in consumption rates. Nevertheless, the high nutritional quality of grazing lawns is highly attractive and, therefore, important for the maintenance of the heterogeneity in species composition (i.e. grazing lawn maintenance).Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00442-016-3698-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The tale of the shrinking weapon: seasonal changes in nutrition affect weapon size and sexual dimorphism, but not contemporary evolution.

Sexually selected traits are often highly variable in size within populations due to their close link with the physical condition of individuals. Nutrition has a large impact on physical condition, and thus, any seasonal changes in nutritional quality are predicted to alter the average size of sexually selected traits as well as the degree of sexual dimorphism in populations. However, although traits affected by mate choice are well studied, we have a surprising lack of knowledge of how natural variation in nutrition affects the expression of sexually selected weapons and sexual dimorphism. Further, few studies explicitly test for differences in the heritability and mean-scaled evolvability of sexually selected traits across conditions. We studied Narnia femorata (Hemiptera: Coreidae), an insect where males use their hind legs as weapons and the femurs are enlarged, to understand the extent to which weapon expression, sexual dimorphism and evolvability change across the actual range of nutrition available in the wild. We found that insects raised on a poor diet (cactus without fruit) are nearly monomorphic, whereas those raised on a high-quality diet (cactus with ripe fruit) are distinctly sexually dimorphic via the expression of large hind leg weapons in males. Contrary to our expectations, we found little evidence of a potential for evolutionary change for any trait measured. Thus, although we show weapons are highly condition dependent, and changes in weapon expression and dimorphism could alter evolutionary dynamics, our populations are unlikely to experience further evolutionary changes under current conditions.

Effects of Processing and Storage Preservation Technologies on Nutritional Quality and Biological Activities of Edible Fungi: A Review

AbstractConsumption of edible fungi, which are rich in nutritional and bioactive components, plays an important role in human health. A gradual decline in moisture, sensory properties, quality of edible fungi is observed after harvest. The recent studies on the changes of nutritional quality and biological activities of edible fungi during processing and postharvest storage have been summarized in this review. In addition, the study discusses the recycling of waster that is produced in processing. The action of bioactive components and their proposed mechanisms of action have also been discussed to accelerate the further exploration and utilization of edible fungi.Practical ApplicationsNutritional contents and bioactive components of edible fungi have a direct dependence on the type of processing and storage preservation technique used, which influences the chemical composition and commercial value of edible fungi. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the information described to date about the effects of processing and storage on edible fungi, to give further detailed guidance for obtaining a technological and economic alternative for use with edible fungi, with special emphasis on the various mechanisms potentially involved. It is clear that further scientific studies need incorporate these technologies into the value‐added edible fungi and edible fungi‐related products.

PT010 Estimating the Changes in Nutritional Quality and Environmental Impact of Primary School Meals if All Meals Met the New School Food Plan Standards in England

PT010 Estimating the Changes in Nutritional Quality and Environmental Impact of Primary School Meals if All Meals Met the New School Food Plan Standards in England

Physicochemical Properties and Nutritional Value of Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) Fruit at Different Maturity and Ripening Stages

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) fruit is an important medicinal plant in Iran. The harvesting time is a crucial for jujube fruit quality. Several characteristics of jujube fruit when harvested at four development stages; white mature (light green), crisp mature (white-red), fully mature (red) and fully ripe (dehydrated brown) were evaluated. Fruit weight, diameter, volume, pulp to stone ratio, firmness, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), ascorbic acid, total phenolics content, protein, ash and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were determined. The results showed that fruit dry weight, TSS, TSS/TA were increased significantly, while firmness, protein content and ash weight were decreased as jujube fruit harvested at progressed development stages. Ascorbic acid in fruit was decreased from white to crisp mature stage and thereafter increased significantly to fully mature stage. However, the content of total phenol increased significantly from white to crisp mature stage and thereafter decreased at more maturity and ripening stages. Moreover, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were influenced by harvesting time. The F0 and Fm showed a positive significant correlation with total phenolic, ascorbic acid and protein content and a negative significant correlation with DW. Therefore, chlorophyll fluorescence maybe a helpful, nondestructive technique to evaluate the nutritional quality changes in jujube fruit. Overall, jujube fruit harvested at crisp (white-red) and fully mature (red) stages, seem best in respect of postharvest handling and nutritional criteria.

Changes in protein nutritional quality as affected by processing of millet supplemented with Moringa seed flour

Pearl millet flour was supplemented with 5%, 10% and 15% defatted Moringa seeds flour (DMSF). Raw and supplemented flour were fermented and/or cooked for 0, 8 and 16h. Changes in protein content and digestibility and amino acid compositions and scores of the samples were investigated. Supplementation of raw flour increased significantly (p⩽0.05) the protein content and digestibility. Further increase in protein content and digestibility was observed in the fermented dough of raw flour and higher values were obtained after cooking of 16h-fermented dough (p⩽0.05). Amino acids were increased significantly (p⩽0.05) with supplementation level. Cooking of the flour supplemented with 10% DMSF lowered both essential and non-essential amino acids with lysine and glycine reduced to 25.68 and 12.09mg/100g, respectively. Fermentation for 16h increased amino acids except isoleucine, phenylalanine, arginine, serine and proline compared to cooked composite flour. All amino acids were significantly (p⩽0.05) increased after cooking of 16h-fermented dough. The chemical scores of the essential amino acids of the flour were fluctuated after supplementation. The majority of the amino acids scores were decreased after cooking of 10% DMSF fermented dough except histidine, lysine and threonine.

A comparative transcriptome and proteomics analysis reveals the positive effect of supplementary Ca2 + on soybean sprout yield and nutritional qualities

Effects of Ca2+ on yield and nutritional qualities of soybean sprout were investigated. Ca-treated sprouts had higher yield than water-treated ones. Metabolism of selected storage materials and bioactive substances in soybean sprouts was strengthened by Ca2+. The phytic acid and saponin content of Ca-treated soybean sprouts were lower than those of control. Supplemental Ca2+ increased content of gamma-aminobutyric acid, isoflavones, phenolics, and vitamins, respectively. These findings indicate that supplemental Ca2+ can increase soybean sprout yield and improve its nutritional qualities. The comparative transcriptome and proteomics between water-treated and Ca-treated soybean sprouts were studied. As consequence 1912 genes and 460 proteins were up- or down-regulated after 4days of Ca2+ treatment. The functional classification of these differentially expressed genes and proteins indicated their connection with primary/secondary metabolic pathways, ion transport, signal transduction, and transcriptional regulation. The results obtained here will enable to understand how changes in yield and nutritional quality are regulated by extra Ca2+ in soybean sprouts. Biological significanceIn this study, a total of 1912 genes and 460 proteins involved in the growth, storage material decomposition, and bioactive substance synthesis in soybean sprouts after treated with Ca2+ were identified. This is the first report of a comprehensive transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of soybean sprout in response to supplemental Ca2+.

Home parenteral nutrition is beneficial in systemic sclerosis patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction

Objectives: To assess 12-month changes in nutritional status and quality of life (QoL) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients requiring home parenteral nutrition (HPN).Method: We conducted a retrospective, single-centre database analysis of SSc patients regarding a 12-month period of HPN at an interdisciplinary University Unit/team for nutrition and rheumatic diseases. Nutritional status was analysed by nutritional risk screening (NRS) and body mass index (BMI). QoL was evaluated using Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaires.Results: Between 2008 and 2013, daily nocturnal HPN was initiated in five consecutive SSc patients (four females and one male, mean age 62.2 years) suffering severe malnutrition due to gastrointestinal tract (GIT) involvement. After 12 months of HPN, the mean NRS score decreased from 4.4 (range 4–5) to 1.4 (range 1–2), the mean BMI increased from 19.1 (range 17.4–20.3) to 21.0 kg/m2 (range 18.3–23.4). QoL improved in all patients, reflected by the summary of physical components with 33.92 points before vs. 67.72 points after 12 months of HPN, and the summary of mental components with 49.66 points before vs. 89.27 points after 12 months of HPN. Two patients suffered one catheter-related infection each with subsequent surgical removal and reinsertion.Conclusions: HPN is a feasible method for improving anthropometric parameters and QoL in SSc patients severely affected by GIT dysfunction. We recommend HPN in malnourished, catabolic SSc patients unable to otherwise maintain or improve their nutritional status.

Copepod vital rates under CO2-induced acidification: a calanoid species and a cyclopoid species under short-term exposures

Although copepods have been considered tolerant against the direct influence of the ocean acidification (OA) projected for the end of the century, some recent studies have challenged this view. Here, we have examined the direct impact of short-term exposure to a pCO2/pH level relevant for the year 2100 (pHNBS, control: 8.18, low pH: 7.78), on the physiological performance of two representative marine copepods: the calanoid Acartia grani and the cyclopoid Oithona davisae. Adults of both species, from laboratory cultures, were preconditioned for four consecutive days in algal suspensions (Akashiwo sanguinea) prepared with filtered sea water pre-adjusted to the targeted pH values via CO2 bubbling. We measured the feeding and respiratory activity and reproductive output of those pre-conditioned females. The largely unaffected fatty acid composition of the prey offered between OA treatments and controls supports the absence in the study of indirect OA effects (i.e. changes of food nutritional quality). Our results show no direct effect of acidification on the vital rates examined in either copepod species. Our findings are compared with results from previous short- and long-term manipulative experiments on other copepod species.

Combined effects of wrack identity and solar radiation on associated beach macrofaunal assemblages

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 531:167-178 (2015) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11304 Combined effects of wrack identity and solar radiation on associated beach macrofaunal assemblages Iván F. Rodil1,*, Celia Olabarria2, Mariano Lastra2, Francisco Arenas1 1Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal 2Department of Ecology and Animal Biology, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain *Corresponding author: ifrodil@gmail.com ABSTRACT: The ecological role of wrack as a habitat-forming species for beach macrofauna was investigated by experimental manipulation of 2 macroalgal species: Laminaria ochroleuca Bachelot de la Pylaie, 1824, and Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt. Both species are abundant in rocky bed communities, and commonly found shaping wrack patches on Atlantic sandy beaches in NW Spain. In beach ecosystems, this resource subsidy provides macroinvertebrates with accessible food, refuge and nursery in an otherwise inhospitable environment. Our analysis indicated a substantial shift in the dominant macrofauna, from wrack-dependent consumers in L. ochroleuca patches to terrestrial larval species in S. muticum patches. In addition, we examined in situ for the first time the direct impacts of changes in ambient solar radiation on the macroalgal biochemical content, and the consequent effects on wrack-associated macrofauna. During a 5 d experiment, cut-off filters were applied to generate treatments: P: photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (400-700 nm), PA: PAR + UVA (320-700 nm), PAB (procedural control): PAR + UVA + UVB (280-700 nm), and C: control with no filter. Lack of natural radiation affected the biochemical content of the wrack and promoted differences in the associated macrofaunal composition; taxa assemblages among wrack patches exposed to C and PAB treatments were more similar compared to P or PA exposed patches. Our results indicated that changes in wrack nutritional quality and phenols caused by a moderate manipulation of the UVR had consequent effects on beach macrofauna looking for shelter, food or both. We suggest that in a scenario of global impacts, changes in the identity and fundamental biochemical traits of wrack can affect beach macrofaunal assemblages with unpredictable implications for coastal food-webs and ecosystem functioning. KEY WORDS: Cut-off filters · Macrofaunal assemblages · Sandy beaches · Solar radiation · Wrack · Laminaria ochroleuca · Sargassum muticum Full text in pdf format Supplementary material PreviousNextCite this article as: Rodil IF, Olabarria C, Lastra M, Arenas F (2015) Combined effects of wrack identity and solar radiation on associated beach macrofaunal assemblages. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 531:167-178. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11304 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 531. Online publication date: July 02, 2015 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2015 Inter-Research.

Sprouting characteristics and associated changes in nutritional composition of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata).

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), is an important arid legume with a good source of energy, protein, vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre. Sprouting of legumes enhances the bioavailability and digestibility of nutrients and therefore plays an important role in human nutrition. Improved varieties of grain cowpea viz. Pant Lobia-1 (PL-1) and Pant Lobia-2 (PL-2) and Pant Lobia-3 (PL-3) were examined for sprouting characteristics and associated changes in nutritional quality. Soaking time, sprouting time and sprouting temperature combinations for desirable sprout length of ¼ to ½ inch for cowpea seed samples were standardized. All the observations were taken in triplicate except soaking time, where six observations were taken in a completely randomized design of three treatments. Results revealed that optimum soaking time of PL-1 and PL-2 seed was 3h whereas PL-3 required 9h. Sprouting period of 24h at 25°C was found to be desirable for obtaining good sprouts. Significant improvement in nutritional quality was observed after sprouting at 25°C for 24h; protein increased by 9-12%, vitamin C increased by 4-38 times, phytic acid decreased by 4-16 times, trypsin inhibitor activity decreased by 28-55% along with an increase of 8-20% in in-vitro protein digestibility.

Effect of free-air CO2enrichment on grain quality of rice (Oryza sativa) and maize (Zea mays) grown under varying nitrogen levels

The production of foodgrains are likely to be affected by increasing atmospheric [CO2] levels with subsequent changes in the grains quality. The objective of the present study was to quantify the interactive effects of increasing CO2 and different levels of soil nitrogen applications on quality of the produce. For this rice, C3 (Oryza sativa L.) and maize, C4 (Zea mays L.) crops were grown under ambient [CO2] (380 ppm, AC) and elevated [CO2] (550 ppm, EC) using free air CO2 enrichment (FACE) with five application levels of nitrogen (N0 = No external supply, N1 = 50 kg ha−1, N2 = 100 kg ha−1, N3 =150 kg ha−1 and N4 =200 kg ha−1). Grainswere sampled at maturityand their starch, sugar, protein and mineral nutrient (N, P, K, Zn and Fe) concentrations were analyzed. Increment in grain yield due to elevated [CO2] was more in rice (∼12%) as compared to maize (∼7%). Similarly, the effect of elevated [CO2] on nutritional quality of rice grains was higher as compared to maize grain under all nitrogen levels. Protein concentration declined both in rice and maize grain under elevated CO2 condition at all nitrogen levels as compared to its ambient CO2 counterparts. However, starch and sugar contents increased both in rice and maize grains under elevated CO2 condition at all nitrogen levels. Grain nutrient concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and iron were diluted both in rice and maize under EC at all nitrogen levels. In general, the extent of changes in nutritional quality was lower in maize than in rice grain. Despite reduction in protein concentration, the grain protein yield (g pot−1) was increased both in rice and maize under EC. Data from this study indicate that CO2 fertilization has the potential to change both the quality and quantity of C3 (rice) and C4 (maize) crops.

English

This study was conducted to generate information on the dynamics in nutritional qualities of natural pasture hay as affected by harvesting stage, storage method and storage duration at Holetta representing cool tropical environment in the central highlands of Ethiopia. The study was designed with a factorial combinations of four harvesting stages/times (mid-October, late-October, mid-November, late-November), two storage methods (open-air, shelter shade) and five storage durations (zero, two, four, six and eight months). Crude protein (CP), in vitro OM digestibility (IVOMD), metabolizable energy (ME), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and lignin contents in the hay were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by harvesting stages, storage methods and storage durations. The mean CP content was reduced by 30.2%, while both IVOMD and ME contents were reduced by 17.8% each with the delay in harvesting time from mid-October (full heading stage of the pasture) to late-November (one and half months past the full heading stage). On the other hand, the mean of NDF, ADF and lignin contents were increased by 13.8, 21.6 and 36.0%, respectively with the delay in harvesting time within the specified periods. Harvesting during late-October resulted in higher yields of DM (6.83 t/ha), CP (0.48 t/ha) and digestible OM yield (3.77 t/ha) than the other harvests suggesting that late-October is the ideal harvesting time for producing large quantity of better quality hay from natural pasture in the area. The nutritional qualities of the hay also showed considerable dynamism during the eight months storage period both under shade and in open air storage methods. However, the regression analysis indicated that daily rates of changes in nutritional qualities (the rates of decline in CP content and IVOMD, and the rates of increase in the fiber fractions) during storage were higher when the hay was stored in open air than under shade. The result generally showed that in terms of contents of the important nutritional parameters (CP, IVOMD, ME, NDF, ADF and lignin), hay-based feeding could be detrimental to the nutrition of dairy cattle with the delay in harvesting beyond the late-October. Substantial reductions in nutritional qualities were also observed during storage with higher rates of nutrient losses when the hay was stored in open-air than under shade. Therefore, current findings should be supported by further animal performance studies in order to establish proper supplementation schemes considering harvesting stage, storage method and storage duration in hay-based feeding system of dairy cattle in the highlands of Ethiopia.   Key words: Native pasture hay, harvesting stage, hay storage, nutritional qualities, cool highlands.

Seasonal changes in technological and nutritional quality of Mytilus galloprovincialis from suspended culture in the Gulf of Trieste (North Adriatic Sea)

Nutritional quality parameters, microbiological and technological quality indicators (condition index, meat yield and water-holding capacity) of blue mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, reared in the North Adriatic Sea were characterised at monthly intervals over a 1year period. Contents of protein (7.5–11.6g/100g), lipid (1.0–2.2g/100g) and ash (2.2–3.3g/100g) varied significantly accordingly to condition index (6–15%). n-3 PUFAs were the predominant fatty acids (38.7–45.9% of fatty acids) and docosahesaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids were the most abundant (167 and 93.3mg/100g, respectively). Glycine, glutamic and aspartic acids accounted for 40% of total amino acids. All samples exhibited limited concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu and Zn, as well as Na. M. galloprovincialis from the North Adriatic Sea showed the highest technological and nutritional quality, considering also the inter-annual variability, in late spring, which corresponds to the period immediately before gamete release.

Degradation state of algal diets affects fatty acid composition but not size of red urchin gonads

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 509:213-225 (2014) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps10888 Degradation state of algal diets affects fatty acid composition but not size of red urchin gonads Wendel W. Raymond1,*, Alexander T. Lowe1,2, Aaron W. E. Galloway1,3 1Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington, 620 University Rd, Friday Harbor, Washington 98250, USA 2Department of Biology, University of Washington, Box 351800, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA 3Present address: Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden *Corresponding author: wraymond@u.washington.edu ABSTRACT: Kelps in temperate marine ecosystems produce substantial detrital biomass that provides a carbon subsidy to consumers. After detachment, detrital kelp degrades and potentially changes in nutritional quality. Red sea urchins Mesocentrotus franciscanus are an abundant consumer of drift algae, but little is known about the effects of kelp degradation on feeding preferences or nutritional value to urchins. We compared the response of gonad index (GI), carbon and nitrogen stable isotope (SI) content, and fatty acid (FA) composition in the gonads of red urchins fed 2 species of fresh or degraded kelp for 17 wk. We found significant effects of kelp species but not kelp degradation state on urchin GI and SI, but also significant interactions between kelp species and degradation state. Urchins with greater gonad growth had δ13C values more similar to those of their diet than did urchins with low gonad growth. Multivariate FA composition of the kelp diets (both in terms of species and degradation state) and the gonads of urchins fed those diets differed significantly. Several polyunsaturated essential FA (including SDA, EPA, and ARA) and FA summary classes were important for differentiating urchin gonads among treatments, suggesting kelp species-dependent effects of diet degradation. The total concentration of ω-3 and ω-6 FA declined with degradation state in both diets but did not differ in the gonads of urchins fed these diets. Thus, even if diets are depleted in certain FA, urchins are able to maintain concentrations of these FA in their gonads. KEY WORDS: Fatty acids · Stable isotopes · Gonad index · Food availability · Red urchins · Drift algae Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Raymond WW, Lowe AT, Galloway AWE (2014) Degradation state of algal diets affects fatty acid composition but not size of red urchin gonads. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 509:213-225. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps10888 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 509. Online publication date: August 27, 2014 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2014 Inter-Research.

Post‐flowering photoperiod has marked effects on fruit chemical composition in red raspberry (Rubus idaeus)

AbstractThe effect of photoperiod on nutritional quality and chemical composition of ‘Glen Ample’ red raspberry has been studied under controlled environment conditions. Long day (LD) conditions during fruit growth and maturation significantly increased fruit concentrations of ascorbic acid, total phenolics, organic acids such as malic, quinic and ellagic acids, as well as the ferric reducing activity power, while reducing the concentrations of soluble solids, sucrose and the sugar/acid ratio. The levels of total anthocyanin and oxalic acid were not significantly affected by photoperiod whereas semi‐quantitative analysis indicated a significant increase in the levels of some ellagitannins. The same responses were found whether LD was established by day‐length extension with low‐intensity light or by night interruption, thus demonstrating that the observed changes in nutritional quality of raspberry fruit was mediated through specific photoperiodic mechanism(s) independently of the daily light energy supply.

Effect of soaking on composition of soy milk

The effect of soaking of soybean on the quality and functional attributes has been studied. The pH of controlled soy milk was found in the range of 6.71, whereas it decreased a little in soaked soybean milk (6.63) after 16 h. Changes in nutritional qualities, total phenolic content, trypsin inhibitor (TA) level and total bacterial count (TBC) was found in soy milk during soaking. The total phenolic content was found to increase 2.36 mg GAE/g to 2.63 mg GAE/g after 16 h of soaking and the concentration of trypsin inhibitor was found to decrease from 29.6 mg/g to 23.76 mg/g and after cooking the concentration reduced up to 4.62 mg/g in soymilk. The nutritional parameters enhanced in comparison to conventional soy milk.

Inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus on the beef jerky by radio-frequency atmospheric pressure plasma discharge treatment

Abstract Radio-frequency atmospheric pressure plasma discharge as an inactivation technique was tested to reduce Staphylococcus aureus on the surface of polystyrene, agar, and beef jerky. S. aureus ATCC12600 was reduced by 3–4 log colony forming unit on the polystyrene and agar after 2 min treatment, but on beef jerky sample after 10 min treatment. It suggests that the surface feature can significantly affect the inactivation of S. aureus by plasma. The scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that the S. aureus cells were disintegrated into pieces and many holes were created. The analysis of optical emission spectrum suggests that reactive oxygen species, especially the singlet state of oxygen at 777 nm are mainly responsible for the inactivation and cellular deformation of S. aureus. No significant change was found in the fatty acid composition, color and shear force of the beef jerky samples (p > 0.05). This study shows that radio-frequency atmospheric pressure plasma is effective in inactivation of S. aureus on the food samples such as beef jerky with little changes in nutritional and sensory qualities. Industrial relevance Inactivation of S. aureus on polystyrene, agar, and beef jerky samples using radiofrequency atmospheric pressure plasma is presented. The plasma treatment was a useful technology to reduce a microbial contamination on the surface of thin and dehydrated food products such as beef jerky. It is promising in the industrial application since no significant change was found in the fatty acid composition, color, and shear force of the beef jerky after the plasma treatment.

Optimization of carotenoids extraction from Penaeus semisulcatus shrimp wastes

Global production of fish and shrimp has been steadily increasing over the last decade and this trend is expected to continue. Of the estimated 131 million tons of fish produced in 2000 in the world, of which nearly 74% (97 million tons) was used for direct human consumption[1]. Shrimp waste is one of the important sources of natural carotenoids. Carotenoids are responsible for the color of many important fish and shellfish products. Most expensive seafoods, such as shrimp, lobster, crab, crayfish, trout, salmon redfish, red snapper and tuna, have orange-red integument and/or flesh containing carotenoid pigments[2]. Oxidation of lipids and proteins during processing and storage of food products decreases consumer acceptability of foods by causing undesirable changes in flavour, texture, appearance and nutritional quality, as well as by producing toxic compounds[3]. Consumption of these potentially toxic products can give rise to several diseases. Oxidation of foods can be minimised by removing prooxidants, such as free fatty acids, metals and oxidised compounds, by protecting foods from light and air, and by adding antioxidants. In practice, it is very difficult to completely remove all the pro-oxidants and air from foods. Therefore, antioxidants are PEER REVIEW ABSTRACT

Nutritional quality changes throughout shelf-life of fresh-cut kailan-hybrid and ‘Parthenon’ broccoli as affected by temperature and atmosphere composition

The nutritional quality changes of the fresh-cut kailan-hybrid broccoli were compared with those of the 'Parthenon' cv. throughout 15 days at 2 ℃, 5 ℃ and 8 ℃ under air and modified atmosphere packaging. Florets showed higher dietary fiber content than stems. The total protein content of kailan-hybrid florets was 2.2-fold higher than that of 'Parthenon' cv. and higher amounts of S, Ca, Mg, Fe, Sr, Mn, Zn and Cu were found. However, 'Parthenon' florets registered higher initial total phenolics content than the kailan-hybrid edible part, followed by an increase throughout shelf-life favored at 5 ℃ and 8 ℃ under modified atmosphere packaging (5-7 kPa O2 + 14-15 kPa CO2). Modified atmosphere packaging stored samples at 8 ℃ showed higher individual phenolics content than modified atmosphere packaging stored samples at 2 ℃. The initial total antioxidant capacity of the kailan-hybrid edible part was higher than that of 'Parthenon' cv. florets. In conclusion, the kailan-hybrid florets generally showed healthier properties on the analyzed bioactive compounds, except total phenolic content, compared to the conventional 'Parthenon' cv.