Food Mixtures Research Articles

Food selectivity and processing by the cold-water coral <i>Lophelia pertusa</i>

Abstract. Cold-water corals form prominent reef ecosystems along ocean margins that depend on suspended resources produced in surface waters. In this study, we investigated food processing of 13C and 15N labelled bacteria and algae by the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa. Coral respiration, tissue incorporation of C and N and metabolically derived C incorporation into the skeleton were traced following the additions of different food concentrations (100, 300, 1300 µg C L−1) and two ratios of suspended bacterial and algal biomass (1 : 1, 3 : 1). Respiration and tissue incorporation by L. pertusa increased markedly following exposure to higher food concentrations. The net growth efficiency of L. pertusa was low (0.08 ± 0.03), which is consistent with its slow growth rate. The contribution of algae and bacteria to total coral assimilation was proportional to the food mixture in the two lowest food concentrations, but algae were preferred over bacteria as a food source at the highest food concentration. Similarly, the stoichiometric uptake of C and N was coupled in the low and medium food treatment, but was uncoupled in the high food treatment and indicated a comparatively higher uptake or retention of bacterial carbon as compared to algal nitrogen. We argue that behavioural responses for these small-sized food particles, such as tentacle behaviour, mucus trapping and physiological processing, are more likely to explain the observed food selectivity as compared to physical–mechanical considerations. A comparison of the experimental food conditions to natural organic carbon concentrations above CWC reefs suggests that L. pertusa is well adapted to exploit temporal pulses of high organic matter concentrations in the bottom water caused by internal waves and downwelling events.

Reemergence of Blenderized Tube Feedings: Exploring the Evidence.

A blenderized tube feeding (BTF) is a mixture of food and liquid that is pureed and administered through a feeding tube. This method of providing nourishment has been used for millenniums. In fact, it could be viewed as the original form of nutrition support. However, over time, the role of BTF has changed. Initially, it was the only method of nourishing a patient who could not sustain himself or herself on oral feeds. With the development of commercial formulas in the mid-20th century, the usage of this feeding modality declined drastically due to the nutrition precision, ease, and sterility of commercial formulas. Recently, there has been a reemergence in blenderized tube feeds, largely due to patient/family request. The modern perception is that BTF is more natural because the nutrition is coming from whole foods and is able to be varied, as it would be in an oral diet. There are also reports of improved feeding tolerance, such as a reduction in constipation and gagging/retching. However, concerns also exist, such as contamination of the blend with microorganisms and increased viscosity causing feeding tube occlusion. This review summarizes key historical points of the diet, discusses the rationale for use, describes points to consider when using a blenderized diet, and reviews the evidence in practice.

Olive Oil Consumption and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Alienor Study.

BackgroundOlive oil provides a mixture of lipids and antioxidant nutrients which may help preventing age-related diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, little is known about the associations between olive oil consumption and the risk of AMD.ObjectiveTo examine associations between olive oil use and AMD prevalence in elderly subjects.MethodsAlienor (Antioxydants, Lipides Essentiels, Nutrition et maladies OculaiRes) is a population-based study on eye diseases performed in elderly residents of Bordeaux (France). In 1999–2000, frequencies of consumption of main categories of dietary fats used were collected. In 2006–2088, AMD was graded from non mydriatic retinal photographs into three exclusive stages: no AMD, early AMD, and late AMD. Two categories of preferred dietary fat used (olive oil, n-3 rich oils, n-6 rich oils, mixed oils, butter and margarine) were defined: “no use” and “regular use” (using fat for spreading and/or cooking and/or dressing). Associations of AMD with each fat use were estimated using Generalized Estimating Equation logistic regressions models.ResultsOur study included 654 subjects (1269 eyes) with complete data (n = 268 eyes with early AMD and n = 56 with late AMD). After adjustment for potential confounders, regular use of olive oil was significantly associated with a decreased risk of late AMD (odds ratio [OR] = 0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21;0.91). In contrast, regular use of olive oil was not significantly associated with early AMD (OR = 0.84, 95%CI: 0.59;1.21). No associations were found between regular consumption of n-3 rich oils, n-6 rich oils, mixed oils, butter and margarine and AMD, whatever the stage.ConclusionsThis study suggests a protective effect of olive oil consumption for late AMD in this elderly community-dwelling population. Characterization of the mediating nutrients deserves further research.

Expression of progesterone receptor in the porcine uterus and placenta throughout gestation: correlation with expression of uteroferrin and osteopontin

Progesterone (P4) stimulates production and secretion of histotroph, a mixture of hormones, growth factors, nutrients, and other substances required for growth and development of the conceptus (embryo or fetus and placental membranes). Progesterone acts through the progesterone receptor (PGR); however, there is a gap in our understanding of P4 during pregnancy because PGR have not been localized in the uteri and placentae of pigs beyond day 18. Therefore, we determined endometrial expression of PGR messenger RNA (mRNA) and localized PGR protein in uterine and placental tissues throughout the estrous cycle and through day 85 of pregnancy in pigs. Further, 2 components of histotroph, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5 (ACP5; uteroferrin) and secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1; osteopontin) proteins, were localized in relation to PGR during pregnancy. Endometrial expression of PGR mRNA was highest at day 5 of the estrous cycle, decreased between days 5 and 11 of both the estrous cycle and pregnancy, and then increased between days 11 and 17 of the estrous cycle (P < 0.01), but decreased from days 13 to 40 of pregnancy (P < 0.01). Progesterone receptor protein localized to uterine stroma and myometrium throughout all days of the estrous cycle and pregnancy. PGR were expressed by uterine luminal epithelium (LE) between days 5 and 11 of the estrous cycle and pregnancy, then PGR became undetectable in LE through day 85 of pregnancy. During the estrous cycle, PGR were downregulated in LE between days 11 and 15, but expression returned to LE on day 17. All uterine glandular epithelial (GE) cells expressed PGR from days 5 to 11 of the estrous cycle and pregnancy, but expression decreased in the superficial GE by day 12. Expression of PGR in GE continued to decrease between days 25 and 85 of pregnancy; however, a few glands near the myometrium and in close proximity to areolae maintained expression of PGR protein. Acid phosphatase 5 protein was detected in the GE from days 12 to 85 of gestation and in areolae. Secreted phosphoprotein 1 protein was detected in uterine LE in apposition to interareolar, but not areolar areas of the chorioallantois on all days examined, and in uterine GE between days 35 and 85 of gestation. Interestingly, uterine GE cells adjacent to areolae expressed PGR, but not ACP5 or SPP1, suggesting these are excretory ducts involved in the passage, but not secretion, of histotroph into the areolar lumen and highlighting that P4 does not stimulate histotroph production in epithelial cells that express PGR.

Seed yield and quality enhancement of pollarded subabul (Leucaena leucocephala) by nutrient supplementation

Agroforestry species Leucaena leucocephala (subabul), a multipurpose leguminous tree, is one of the most suitable species for silvipasture system. Its seeds, a good protein source to livestock, also have lot of industrial application. Subabul responds well to pollarding, a practice that helps growth of understory crops but reduces seed yield of main tree species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nutrient application on fruit and seed characters, seed yield, germination and vigour of pollarded subabul trees. The study was conducted on three important salvodar type subabul varieties (K8, K636 and S24) with different fruit and seed characters. Three nutrient mixtures (SSP @ 150 kg/ha + ZnSO4 @ 20 kg/ha; CuSO4 @ 0.25 % + Borax @ 0.15 % + KNO3 @ 1 % in 500 l spray volume per ha and KNO3 @ 4 kg/ha) were applied before anthesis. The nutrient treatments have enhanced fruit length and weight without affecting the fruit width. Similarly, seed characters responded positively to nutrient applications resulting in enhanced mean yield across varieties and years. The seed viability measured as germination percentage varied among varieties with maximum viability in small-seeded K 636. The application of nutrients enhanced the germination and vigour in all three varieties irrespective of the seed size. Among the nutrient mixtures, potassium nitrate @ 4 kg/ha has better effect on seed yield and its attributing characters as well as on seed quality across the varieties over the years.

The Genetic Potential of Wheat Resistance to Heavy Metals

The aim of this study was to identify wheat germplasm resistant to heavy metals (zinc and cadmium) that are priority pollutants in eastern Kazakhstan region and identification of donors for breeding and promising forms destined for agricultural production. The objects of research are different genotypes of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from the collection of the East Kazakhstan Research Institute of Agriculture. Model experiments were performed on 10-days-old sprouts of wheat genotypes, which were grown on nutrient mixtures containing Cd or Zn ions. In field experiment plants were grown on scientific test site, under natural environmental pollution in East Kazakhstan region. Heavy metals in soil and in plant samples were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Experiments and determination of physiological parameters were conducted by the method of field experiment. Research in model experiment has revealed tolerant and sensitive genotypes. The membranes permeability for the electrolyte in a resistant variety changed in a less degree than the more sensitive in both cases is due to effect of cadmium as well as zinc. This fact testifies that stability of plants in general can be caused by resistance of their cellular membranes to the action of stressor. Field experiment showed genotypic differences in the accumulation of cadmium and zinc in the seeds. Identified genotypes that accumulate a minimum amount of cadmium in the seeds can be recommended for further study in breeding process. Also identified genotypes accumulate a minimum amount of zinc in seeds, they can be recommended for further use in breeding for resistance to zinc accumulation in the grain. Research has revealed the most productive varieties of spring wheat. Two varieties of wheat can be recommended for cultivation on soils contaminated with cadmium, as these varieties of spring wheat accumulate least of cadmium in the seeds and at the same time are characterized by high yields and good survival during the spring-summer growing season in a polymetallic contamination of soil.

Effect of Feeding Probioticated Functional Food Mixture on Serum Cholesterol Levels in Albino Rats

Probiotics are dietary supplements containing potentially beneficial bacteria or yeasts. These probiotics promote good health and have therapeutic value. In this regard a study has been conducted to find the effect of probioticated millet mix on cholesterol levels in albino rats. Forty eight male Wistar rats were divided into six groups, all groups showed normal growth. Normal levels of serum hematological and serum values were observed where as Composite Mix Single Probiotic (CMSP) diet showed better results. Reduction in serum cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL, LDL and improvement in the HDL levels were observed over a period of 45 days in experimental animals. CMSP was found to have good effect when compared to Composite Mix with Mixed Probiotic (CMMP). Hypocholesterolemic effect was observed in rats fed with CMSP diet.

Towards a Mobile-Based Platform for Traceability Control and Hazard Analysis in the Context of Parenteral Nutrition: Description of a Framework and a Prototype App.

BackgroundThe parenteral nutrient (PN) mixtures may pose great risks of physical, microbiological, and chemical contamination during their preparation, storage, distribution, and administration. These potential hazards must be controlled under high levels of excellence to prevent any serious complications for the patients. As a result, management control and traceability of any of these medications is of utmost relevance for the patient care, along with ensuring treatment continuity and adherence.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to develop a mobile-based platform to support the control procedures and traceability services in the domain of parenteral nutrient (PN) mixtures in an efficient and nonintrusive manner.MethodsA comprehensive approach combining techniques of software engineering and knowledge engineering was used for the characterization of the framework. Local try-outs for evaluation were performed in a number of application areas, carrying out a test/retest monitoring to detect possible errors or conflicts in different contexts and control processes throughout the entire cycle of PN. From these data, the absolute and relative frequencies (percentages) were calculated.ResultsA mobile application for the Android operating system was developed. This application allows reading different types of tags and interacts with the local server according to a proposed model. Also, through an internal caching mechanism, the availability of the system is preserved even in the event of problems with the network connection. A set of 1040 test traces were generated for the assessment of the system under various environments tested. Among those, 102 traces (9.81%) involved conflictive situations that were properly taken care of in this paper by suggesting solutions to overcome them.ConclusionsA mobile oriented system was generated and tested in order to allow enhanced control and quality management of PN mixtures that is easy to integrate into the daily praxis of health care processes.

Compaction of chemically defined cell culture media increases its dissolution rate through an increase of solvent accessible surface area

Cultivation of mammalian cells for the generation of therapeutics requires the use of cell culture media which is a defined mixture of nutrients including carbohydrates, amino acids, lipids, vitamins, and inorganic salts. Its composition influences the cell density, yield, and quality of the molecule expressed. These chemically defined cell culture media are manufactured as powders since they offer advantages of storage, handling and stability. To prevent de-mixing of the powders and maintain homogeneity, these powders are milled down to small particle size ranges. However, this small particle size allows for inter-particle forces to impact powder flow properties, and decreases the surface area available to dissolution. Hence a method is required that improves these powder parameters, without altering their composition. A deeper understanding of the dissolution mechanism of multi-component mixtures like cell culture media is also needed. Here, cell culture media granules, generated from homogeneous powders by roller compaction are evaluated. The granulation process did not alter the composition of the media and properties of solutions generated thereof. The analysis and comparison of the dissolution profile of powder and compacted media enabled the calculation of the actual surface area available to dissolution. The improvement in granule dissolution can be attributed to dispersion and disintegration of the granules on wetting increasing available surface area. Decrease in inter-particle forces in granules also improves flow-ability properties. Surface character and pores on the granules further augments the improvement in dissolution.

Antioxidant power as biochemical endpoint in bread for screening and early managing quality and toxicant-related safety anomalies in food production

Flaxseeds are both a food ingredient and a natural source of antioxidants (e.g. lignans, PUFAs) and pro-oxidant contaminants (e.g. cadmium): the variable mixture of anti- and pro-oxidant substances may impact on the redox homeostasis of flaxseed-enriched foods. The antioxidant power is studied here as biochemical activity of flaxseeds in white wheat bread and as endpoint for possible screening of anomalous variations of bioactive mixtures (antioxidants vs. prooxidants) in food matrices.A bioprobe assay based on the superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme (6 channels of the multiprobe bioelectronic platform BEST) was performed on white wheat bread with and without flaxseeds. Nine BEST channels were simultaneously used for validation and monitoring of measuring conditions (temperature, pH, conductivity). Findings were compared with quantitative analysis of antioxidants and pro-oxidant contaminants. Organic and aqueous extracts of both bread types were examined in parallel.The SOD-probe detected the difference in antioxidant power given by 10% flaxseed, thus supporting the use of antioxidant power detected by bioenzymatic screening as sensitive biochemical endpoint. Mixtures of bioactive molecules in foods generate biochemical activities that can be monitored as time-effective indicators of invariability, which is pivotal in the daily control of anomalies in food production and therefore in the protection of consumers′ health.

Formulation Optimization of Antioxidant-Rich Juice Powders Based on Experimental Mixture Design

This study optimized the mixing ratio of broccoli (BroMP), cabbage (CabMP), and carrot-mixed powders (CarMP) for the development of juice powders containing high total phenolic content (TPC), high antioxidant activities, and preferable sensory properties using a mixture design. TPC and antioxidant activities of juice powders were increased with a higher proportion of BroMP and lower proportions of CabMP and CarMP. However, the overall acceptance was increased with a higher CarMP proportion and lower BroMP and CabMP proportions. The optimal mixing ratio was 67.4% BroMP, 16.7% CabMP, and 15.9% CarMP. At this ratio, the predicted response values of TPC, ABTS radical scavenging activity (IC50), FRAP activity, and overall acceptance were 9.51 mg GAE/g, 5.35 μg/mL, 81.3 mM FSE/g, and 4.62, respectively. The optimized mixed juice powder showed high sums of individual phenolic compounds, with chlorogenic acid (121.16 mg/100 g) and quercetin (71.74 mg/100 g) as the major phenolics. Practical Applications Vegetable juice powder containing BroMP, CabMP, and CarMP can be utilized as a functional drink having high antioxidant activities and preferable sensory properties. The optimized juice powder contained higher contents of individual phenolic compounds than those of the broccoli or cabbage powder. Thus, mixed vegetable powders can provide large amounts of diverse phenolic compounds from different vegetable sources. The mixture design approach was found to be a suitable method for optimizing a healthy and delicious juice formulation, and can be effectively applied in other food mixture systems.

Enrichment of Food Mixtures with Essential Fatty Acids and Calcium from Nile Tilapia By-Products

ABSTRACTThis work aimed at increasing the content of calcium and the quality of fatty acid composition of food mixtures developed with by-products from Nile tilapia fed with flaxseed. Mixes using cassava flour and by-products were submitted to analyses of proximate composition, fatty acids and minerals quantification, and sensory assessment. The lipid and protein fractions were higher for the mix containing 30% addition of fish meal. There was an incorporation effect of essential fatty acids in the mix of flours containing fish fed with flaxseed. Calcium had the highest concentration among minerals. Sensory acceptance range was 55–65% for formulations with fish by-products.

The larvicidal effects of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) and piperine against insecticide resistant and susceptible strains of Anopheles malaria vector mosquitoes.

BackgroundInsecticide resistance carries the potential to undermine the efficacy of insecticide based malaria vector control strategies. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new insecticidal compounds. Black pepper (dried fruit from the vine, Piper nigrum), used as a food additive and spice, and its principal alkaloid piperine, have previously been shown to have larvicidal properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the larvicidal effects of ground black pepper and piperine against third and fourth instar Anopheles larvae drawn from several laboratory-reared insecticide resistant and susceptible strains of Anopheles arabiensis, An. coluzzii, An. gambiae, An. quadriannulatus and An. funestus.MethodsLarvae were fed with mixtures of standard larval food and either ground black pepper or piperine in different proportions. Mortality was recorded 24 h after black pepper and 48 h after piperine were applied to the larval bowls.ResultsBlack pepper and piperine mixtures caused high mortality in the An. gambiae complex strains, with black pepper proving significantly more toxic than piperine. The An. funestus strains were substantially less sensitive to black pepper and piperine which may reflect a marked difference in the feeding habits of this species compared to that of the Gambiae complex or a difference in food metabolism as a consequence of differences in breeding habitat between species.ConclusionsInsecticide resistant and susceptible strains by species proved equally susceptible to black pepper and piperine. It is concluded that black pepper shows potential as a larvicide for the control of certain malaria vector species.

The combined influence of two agricultural contaminants on natural communities of phytoplankton and zooplankton.

Concentrations of glyphosate observed in the environment are generally lower than those found to exert toxicity on aquatic organisms in the laboratory. Toxicity is often tested in the absence of other expected co-occurring contaminants. By examining changes in the phytoplankton and zooplankton communities of shallow, partitioned wetlands over a 5month period, we assessed the potential for direct and indirect effects of the glyphosate-based herbicide, Roundup WeatherMax(©) applied at the maximum label rate, both in isolation and in a mixture with nutrients (from fertilizers). The co-application of herbicide and nutrients resulted in an immediate but transient decline in dietary quality of phytoplankton (8.3% decline in edible carbon content/L) and zooplankton community similarity (27% decline in similarity and loss of three taxa), whereas these effects were not evident in wetlands treated only with the herbicide. Thus, even at a worst-case exposure, this herbicide in isolation, did not produce the acutely toxic effects on plankton communities suggested by laboratory or mesocosm studies. Indirect effects of the herbicide-nutrient mixture were evident in mid-summer, when glyphosate residues were no longer detectable in surface water. Zooplankton abundance tripled, and zooplankton taxa richness increased by an average of four taxa in the herbicide and nutrient treated wetlands. The lack of significant toxicity of Roundup WeatherMax alone, as well as the observation of delayed interactive or indirect effects of the mixture of herbicide and nutrients attest to the value of manipulative field experiments as part of a comprehensive, tiered approach to risk assessments in ecotoxicology.

Three New Host Plants ofEdessa loxdalii(Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) and Notes on Its Rearing in the Laboratory

Summary The poorly known stink bug, Edessa loxdalii Westwood (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) was intercepted in Francisco Beltrao, Parana State, Brazil (26.0808333°S, 53.0547222°W) feeding and reproducing on soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill (Fabales: Fabaceae), on oriental raisin tree, Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (Rosales: Rhamnaceae), and on the wild solanaceous plant Solanum corymbiflorum (Sendtn.) Bohs. (Solanales: Solanaceae). Preliminary data obtained in the laboratory on a mixture of natural foods indicated a delayed development time and high nymphal mortality.

Trophic relationships between the farmed pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera and its epibionts revealed by stable isotopes and feeding experiments

Bivalve cultures support a host of epibionts, mainly suspension feeders, which can compete for food resources with the cultivated bivalves. However, the magnitude of interspecific competition for food in bivalve aquaculture settings remains inconclusive, especially in tropical areas. We investigated the interactions for food between the farmed pearl oyster Pinctada margar- itifera and its epibionts, using stable isotope analysis and feeding experiments. Inter- and intra- specific variations of δ 13 C and δ 15 N stable isotope ratios (SIRs) were determined for oysters in the presence or absence of epibionts. The diet of the most abundant epibionts, Herdmania momus and Didemnum sp., was specified using isotope measurements and flow cytometry during feeding experiments, to determine the main phytoplankton groups consumed by these ascidians in natural conditions. The absence of intraspecific variation in SIRs among oysters with or without epibionts suggested that the diet of P. margaritifera was not affected by the presence of epibionts, indicating a reduced diet overlap and no food limitation. The δ 13 C signature of ascidians (�21‰) was lower than that of oysters (�18‰), indicating a difference in organic matter sources ingested by these filter feeders despite receiving the same food mixture. While the main carbon source of oysters came from large particulate organic matter (POM) >20 µm, our results showed that the diet of ascidians mainly came from smaller particles (POM <20 µm) and reflects the composition of ambi- ent water (mainly picophytoplankton <2 µm), which confirmed their lack of food selectivity. In the studied conditions, food competition between oysters and epibionts, specifically ascidians, was not a limiting factor, in spite of a diet overlap for nanophytoplankton.

In vitro Direct Regeneration from Node and Leaf Explants of Phalaenopsis cv. ‘Surabaya’

An efficient and reproducible procedure for the direct regeneration of phalaenopsis cv. ‘Surabaya’ using of nodal explants and leaf segments derived from in vitro flower stalk was conducted. Three experiments were carried out for shoot development and subsequent plant regeneration: Direct shoot regeneration from nodal explants of Phalaenopsis cv. ‘Surabaya’ flower stalks on MS added with different combination of NAA and BAP, direct regeneration of protocormlike bodies (PLBs) from leaf explants in a MS with different concentrations of the TDZ, acclimatization of regenerated plantlets in different mixture of components and nutrients. The results showed that 5 mg/l BAP and 2 mg/l NAA were most effective concentration for shoot regeneration, regenerated shoots were cultured on half strength of MS containing activated charcoal, IAA and NAA at various concentrations, highest number of root (6.7) was obtained in higher concentration of NAA (2 mg/l). TDZ induced a higher frequency of embryogenesis from leaf explants than BAP, the highest number of embryos per explant was 22.45 at 3 mg/l TDZ. Altogether, BAP at higher concentration (10 mg/l) with 1 mg/l NAA had the highest enhancement on the amount of direct embryogenesis. In our investigation 87.20% plantlets via nodal explants survived acclimatization process in medium containing cocopeat and coal (1 : 1). The survival rate of regenerated plantlets via nodal explants (82.07%) was more than of regenerated plantlets via leaf explants (70.47). This protocol provides the basis for further investigation on micropropagation and breeding programs in Phalaenopsis cv. ‘Surabaya’.Plant Tissue Cult. &amp; Biotech. 25(2): 193-205, 2015 (December)

Critical Dietary Habits in Early Childhood: Principles and Practice.

The adequacy of a diet is usually evaluated based on nutrient intake. As people eat foods but not nutrients, food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) are needed. To evaluate dietary habits in infants and young children, the following stepwise approach is suggested: (1) develop country-specific FBDG to identify the potential of common nonfortified foods to ensure adequate nutrient intake and (2) examine potential 'critical' dietary patterns if main food groups are excluded, such as in vegetarian diets or if a family's precarious social status leads to food constraints. The German FBDG for infant and child nutrition demonstrate that a well-designed mixture of common foods results in an adequate supply of nutrients, except for vitamin D, iodine and iron. The following solutions are feasible to address deficiencies in these critical nutrients: routine supplementation (vitamin D), fortified complementary food consumption or supplementation for infants as well as inclusion of table salt in the family diet for children (iodine), and individual pediatric care for infants at risk (iron). In the exclusion of food groups of animal origin from vegetarian diets, several nutrients are at risk of becoming deficient if not substituted. Existing studies characterizing vegetarian children are rare. These were mainly published in the 1980s and 1990s and were biased towards a high social status. Thus, firm conclusions on today's dietary practices and health statuses of European vegetarian children cannot be drawn. A social gradient exists for food patterns and dietary quality in children, but energy intake need not necessarily be affected. Scenarios in Germany suggest that families on unemployment assistance can afford to eat a diet compliant with German FBDG only if they restrict food selection to basic food. Yet, the question of how families cope with financial constraints in everyday life remains. In conclusion, well-designed FBDG provide various opportunities to identify critical nutrients and critical food habits in early childhood and beyond.

Development and inter-laboratory transfer of a decaplex polymerase chain reaction assay combined with capillary electrophoresis for the simultaneous detection of ten food allergens

Food allergies cause health risks to susceptible consumers and regulations on labeling of food allergen contents have been implemented in many countries and regions. To achieve timely and accurate food allergen labeling, the development of fast and effective allergen detection methods is very important. Herein, a decaplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay combined with capillary electrophoresis was developed to detect simultaneously 10 common food allergens from hazelnut, pistachio, oat, sesame, peanut, cashew, barley, wheat, soybean and pecan. The absolute limit of detection (LODa) of this system is between 2 and 20 copies of haploid genome, and the relative LOD (LODr) is as low as 0.005% (w/w) in simulated food mixtures. The developed assay was subsequently applied to 20 commercial food products and verified the allergen ingredients stated on the labels. Furthermore, results using this decaplex PCR assay was successfully replicated in three other laboratories, demonstrating the repeatability and applicability of this assay in routine analysis of the 10 food allergens.

Mathematical model of organic substrate degradation in solid waste windrow composting

Organic solid waste composting is a complex process that involves many coupled physical, chemical and biological mechanisms. To understand this complexity and to ease in planning, design and management of the composting plant, mathematical model for simulation is usually applied. The aim of this paper is to develop a mathematical model of organic substrate degradation and its performance evaluation in solid waste windrow composting system. The present model is a biomass-dependent model, considering biological growth processes under the limitation of moisture, oxygen and substrate contents, and temperature. The main output of this model is substrate content which was divided into two categories: slowly and rapidly degradable substrates. To validate the model, it was applied to a laboratory scale windrow composting of a mixture of wood chips and dog food. The wastes were filled into a cylindrical reactor of 6 cm diameter and 1 m height. The simulation program was run for 3 weeks with 1 s stepwise. The simulated results were in reasonably good agreement with the experimental results. The MC and temperature of model simulation were found to be matched with those of experiment, but limited for rapidly degradable substrates. Under anaerobic zone, the degradation of rapidly degradable substrate needs to be incorporated into the model to achieve full simulation of a long period static pile composting. This model is a useful tool to estimate the changes of substrate content during composting period, and acts as a basic model for further development of a sophisticated model.