An Overview of Algerian Food Quality Legislation, Regulation and Control Authorities

Consumers are faced with a multitude of hazards that may be present in the foodstuffs they consume. Legislation in the agri-food industry is a set of strict rules to be followed at every step in the process of releasing products. Quality assurance in Algeria is essentially based on legislation framed by the law on fraud repression and consumer protection, together with health law, phytosanitary law and veterinary law. This is in accordance with international standards, such as the Codex Alimentarius, the ISO standards and international legislation, including the Basic General Food Law (EC 178/2002) and the Hygiene Package, as well as HACCP requirements. Public authorities must take all necessary measures to guarantee safe and healthy food products. The State, through its services, is the guarantor of public health

Suillus mediterraneensis from the Algerian Coastline: Morphological Recognition and Mycochemical Profiling

Suillus mediterraneensis is an ectomycorrhizal mushroom of two-needle pines. The purpose of the present study is to initially determine the morphological characterization of the species and, thereafter, the mycochemical investigation of the hydro-methanolic extract in order to identify the main chemical classes of their composition in terms of secondary metabolites using simple and rapidly recognized methods and techniques. This survey is being carried out in the coastal region of Ghazaouet within the wilaya of Tlemcen. The morphological determination of the mushroom is based on a range of macroscopic features, including the cap (by its shape, size, color, and surface or its cuticle), the hymenophore, the hymenium (tubes: their color, their shape, and the way they are attached), the stipe (thickness and shape), and the flesh. Furthermore, microscopic examination, either fresh or with reagents, especially Melzer’s reagent, is needed to determine the shape, ornamentation, and size of the spores. The macro-chemical reaction of the different parts can be useful. This identification allows us to determine the species S. mediterraneensis, the family of Suillaceae, under Pinus halepensis with the presence of granules on the stipe. The results of the mycochemical screening carried out on the extract showed the presence of substances belonging to the classes of active compounds that include flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, free quinones, reducing compounds, and coumarins. Anthraquinones, terpenoids, and saponins are absent. These preliminary results encourage the characterization of other molecules, and further studies are needed to evaluate their biological activities

Lactose consumption in whey by new Lactobacillus plantarum strains isolated from Camel milk

Lactic acid bacteria have a wide range of applications in fermented food industry that can ferment carbohydrates to produce lactic acid. These bacteria have the particularity of having in their enzymatic baggage a particular enzyme, which is β-galactosidase, capable of degrading lactose and splitting it into galactose and glucose. The aim of present research was to select and investigate through some Lactobacillus plantarum isolated from camel milks from the Algerian Sahara, those most active in the degradation of lactose contained in whey from local manufacturing plant soft cheeses called camembert (Sidi Saada Relizane, Algeria). Results showed that among the eight isolated strains, four strains showed an interesting rates of consumption of lactose contained in whey, and which are in decreasing order P3, P8, P6 and P5, corresponding respectively to the percentages of 29.12, 28.82, 25.72 and 21.19%. Kinetic behaviors of five Lactobacillus strains were investigated with Contois model, data showed that the highest biomass production was obtained with the strain Lactobacillus P3 with 0.09 g g−1, followed by P2 and P6 with 0.08 g g−1, then followed by P8 and P5 with 0.07 g g−1. Whereas the rest of the strains, they appears to have a lower biomass production compared to others in decreasing order: P1 (0.06 g g−1), P4 and P7 (0.05 g g−1). These results reflect the capacity of these strains as well as their strong lactose degradation activity, this property would be important in particular for the use and possible exploitation of its strains in food industry, in particular dairy products, in order to in the recovery of whey which constitute a major waste from the dairy industry, which minimizes the risk of pollution. These strains can also be used in food products containing a low level of lactose, which will be intended for consumer suffering from lactose intolerance.</jats:p

Physicochemical Characterization and In-Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Chitosan Extracted from Shrimp Shells Waste from Beni Saf Sea, Algeria

Chitosan is the most abundant natural organic polymer in nature. Its positive charge and its molecular arrangement confer interesting properties on the plane food, pharmaceutical, medical, cosmetic, water treatment. The present study was undertaken to study the physiochemical parameters and the in vitro antimicrobial activity of chitosan extracted from shrimp shells waste. The molecular weight of chitosan is 1414.33±16.99 kDa with, the percent of Ash 0,345±0,040 %, moisture is 2,98 ±0,13 % , and protein is 0.3 ±0,041 %.Chitosan produced (5 %) was also characterized with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) the spectrum of the chitosan sample from the shell recorded 16 peaks in the range of 689.40/cm and 3430.02 /cm. The antibacterial and antifungul activities of chitosan were examined against Escherichia coli ATCC10536, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC7644, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29213, Aspergillus niger ATCC 16888 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 by agar wells diffusion the tests inhibitions zones diameters were 49,74± 0,75 , 54,35±0,93 , 42,27±1,07 , 32,95±0,28 and 53,73±0,64mm respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using a broth microdilution method against tested microorganisms was ranging from 008% to 1.22%. These results open interesting perspectives of the chitosan. It can be used as new biomaterial with utility in many industrial areas.</jats:p

Antagonistic activity of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LbRE-LSAS and some Bifidobacterium sp against Shigella sonnei

Since their discovery, antibiotics have been one of the most useful tools in the struggle against infectious disease. However, due to their overuse, numerous pathogens developed multiple resistances against antibiotics. Searching and studying antagonistic GRAS (generally recognized as save) bacteria is a promising field to find innovating treatment against infectious diseases. Lactic acid bacteria and Bifidobacterium are GRAS bacteria well known for their antagonistic effect on other microorganisms including pathogens such as Shigella sonnei. The antagonistic activity of Lactobacillus rham-nosus LbRE-LSAS strain and four strains of Bifidobacterium genera: longum (Bl431 and Bl432), bifidum (Bb442) and animalis. sbsp lactis (Bb12), was evaluated using two different techniques: Spot On Agar Test (SPAT) and Agar well diffusion test (AWDT) against Shigella sonnei (Ss CECT 457), Micrococcus luteus (M1-CECT241) and five lactic indicator strains: Carnobacterium maltoaromaticum CECT 5805), Lactobacillus plantarum (LbP CECT 748), Pedio-coccus pentosaceus (Pp CECT 4695), Lactobacillus acidophilus (LbA CECT 4529), Lactobacillus sakei (Lbs 673). We noted a maximum diameter of the inhibition zone by SPAT technique with strain the Bb12 (16.67 mm) followed by the strain LbRE-LSAS (16.42 mm). However, the maximum diameter of the inhibition zone using SPAT technique was obtained with the strain Bb12 (11.89 mm) followed by the strain LbRE-LSAS (11.11 mm). The antagonistic activity against Shigella sonnei was also evaluated using the coculture method. The maximum inhibition observed after 24 h of coculture was 6.54 log recorded with the strain LbRE-LSAS. Through these results we can clearly deduce the antagonistic potential of the two strains Lactobacillus rhamnosus LbRE-LSAS and Bifidobacterium longum Bl431, as to prevent or treat any shigellosis caused by Shigella sonnei.</jats:p

Mycochemical Constituents and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of <i>Terfezia claveryi</i> Chatin from Algeria

Mushrooms are receiving particular attention as a new source of valuable biotherapeutics. The aim of the current study is the valorization of Terfezia claveryi Chatin from Algeria. The mycochemical constituents, polyphenol, flavonoid and condensed tannin composition and the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity were examined using the heat denaturation protein inhibition method. Mycochemical tests presented very interesting richness in terms of secondary metabolites, and the polyphenol, flavonoid and condensed tannin contents of the hydro-methanol extract were, respectively, 82.27 ± 1.44 µg GAE/mg, 14.94 ± 0.98 µg CE/mg, and 27.50 ± 2.50 µg CE/mg. The extract at the 1.5 mg/mL level showed an inhibition of denaturation of 83.53 ± 1.57% compared to diclofenac sodium (98.43 ± 0.52%). This research revealed Terfezia claveryi’s interesting anti-inflammatory properties, which confirms its value in traditional use

Ammoides pusilla (Brot.) Breistr. from Algeria: Effect of harvesting place and plant part (leaves and flowers) on the essential oils chemical composition and antioxidant activity

The chemical variability and antioxidant activity of the flower and leaf essential oils (EOs) of Ammoides pusilla, collected at Algeria was evaluated. The EOs were isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by Gas Chromatography (GC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH, ABTS, Reducing Power and TBARS assays. Oxygen-containing monoterpenes (54-77%) dominated all but one A. pusilla leaf EOs, and in two flower EOs (53% both). Thymol dominated in practically all leaf and flowers EOs, but cumin alcohol, p-cymene and limonene attained also relatively high percentages in some EOs. A strong negative correlation (p<0.01) between IC50 values of ABTS, DPPH, and hydroxyl scavenging activity and the percentages of p-cymene and cumin alcohol present in EOs were observed, showing that higher levels of these monoterpenes were responsible for the best activities found. In spite of this finding, the antagonism and/or synergism between EO components must be taken into account, since the EO activity can only be considered as a whole. Moreover, given the EOs chemical variability their use as antioxidants, should be preceded by their chemical evaluation

Antioxidant, haemolytic activities and HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn characterization of phenolic compounds from root bark of Juniperus oxycedrus subsp oxycedrus

International audienceThis study investigates the phenolic compound content antioxidant and haemolytic activities in four extracts (methanol, water, hexane and dichloromethane) of Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. oxycedrus root bark. The methanol extract was the most concentrated in total phenolics (76.1 +/- 2.8 mg GAE/g DW), flavonoids (39 +/- 2.5 mg CE/g DW) and tannins (31.3 +/- 2.1 mg CE/g DW). HPLC-MSn analysis of the methanol extract led to the identification of proanthocyanidin oligomers, quercetin hexose, quercitrin, and isorhamnetin hexose. The highest antioxidant activities were found in the methanol extract which exhibited the lowest IC50 in all the antioxidant assays i.e. DPPH, ABTS, oxygen singlet, hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion scavenging assays, inhibition of the beta-carotene bleaching and lowest EC50 in iron reducing assays. Incubation of the four extracts (20 mg/ml) with human erythrocytes for one hour led to haemolytic activities between 2.05% and 4.37%. The present findings suggest than the root bark could be used as food ingredient

Evaluation of lactase activity in new isolated Lactobacillus strains

International audienceThe aim of this study was to isolate and characterize new Lactobacillus strains in order to check their β-galactosidase activity. A total of 28 strains were isolated from camel and goat milks collected from the Algerian Sahara. These strains were identified with the method of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) of the 16S rRNA gene. Their ability to hydrolyze O-nitrophenyl-β-D ga-lactopyranoside (ONPG) was determined. Cell lysis method involving soni-cation and lysozyme treatment was used for β-galactosidase release from the isolated strains. Analysis of their 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strains clustered in the Lactobacillus genus, 17 isolates were identified as L. plantarum, 10 isolates as L. herbarum and one isolate as L. brevis. The best intracellular enzymatic β-galactosidase activities obtained in descending order are 14.84 (L. plantarum P4), 14.66 (L. plantarum P17), 14.33 (L. planta-rum P12), 14.10 (L. plantarum P10), 13.49 (L. plantarum P6), 12.13 (L. herba-rum H10) and 11.27 (L. plantarum P7) U/mL; while a very low level of this activity was found for Lactobacillus brevis B1. These findings are an argu-ment for the use of these isolated Lactobacilli in the dairy industry in order to alleviate lactose intolerance