Nutritional and functional advantages of the use of fermented black chickpea flour for semolina-pasta fortification

Pasta represents a dominant portion of the diet worldwide and its functionalization with high nutritional value ingredients, such as legumes, is the most ideal solution to shape consumers behavior towards healthier food choices. Aiming at improving the nutritional quality of semolina pasta, semi-liquid dough of a Mediterranean black chickpea flour, fermented with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum T0A10, was used at a substitution level of 15% to manufacture fortified pasta. Fermentation with the selected starter enabled the release of 20% of bound phenolic compounds, and the conversion of free compounds into more active forms (dihydrocaffeic and phloretic acid) in the dough. Fermented dough also had higher resistant starch (up to 60% compared to the control) and total free amino acids (almost 3 g/kg) contents, whereas antinutritional factors (raffinose, condensed tannins, trypsin inhibitors and saponins) significantly decreased. The impact of black chickpea addition on pasta nutritional, technological and sensory features, was also assessed. Compared to traditional (semolina) pasta, fortified pasta had lower starch hydrolysis rate (ca. 18%) and higher in vitro protein digestibility (up to 38%). Moreover, fortified cooked pasta, showing scavenging activity against DPPH and ABTS radicals and intense inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation, was appreciated for its peculiar organoleptic profile. Therefore, fermentation technology appears to be a promising tool to enhance the quality of pasta and promote the use of local chickpea cultivars while preventing their genetic erosion

Impact of blanching and high hydrostatic pressure combined treatments on the physico-chemical and microbiological properties and bioactive-compound profile of an industrial strawberry smoothie

Enhancing the shelf life of fruit and vegetable products is an important research field in the food industry. Smoothies are an alternative to filtered juices and highly processed beverages. High-pressure processing (HPP) has recently gained increasing attention as a non-thermal technology to reduce microbiological load while preserving juice quality-related properties. Herein, the combination of blanching and HPP to treat strawberry smoothies at industrial scale was compared with conventional thermally pasteurized (TP) and untreated (NT) smoothies. Analysis focused on physicochemical (pH, ◦Brix, colour, and viscosity) and microbiological properties, and bioactive compound contents. Additionally, phenolic compounds were analysed by HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS, vitamin C content was analysed by HPLC-UV-Vis, and antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH and ABTS assays. HPP samples treated at 600 MPa for 3 min at 4 ◦C showed increased viscosity and a significant increase in phenolic compounds (particularly p-coumaroyl hexose) related to TP and untreated samples (26.8 and 17.6%, respectively) and maintained colour stability compared to untreated samples. Anthocyanidins retention was better in HPP- than in TP- treated samples. Vitamin C content increased significantly by 15% in HPP-treated samples, contributing to enhanced antioxidant potential (12%), as shown by the minimal microbiological load observed, in comparison with untreated samples. These findings suggest that HPP is an effective alternative to TP for improving the overall quality of strawberry smoothies

Use of sieving as a valuable technology to produce enriched buckwheat flours: A preliminary study

Fractionation processes based on physical separation are a good strategy to produce enriched cereal flours. Therefore, the aim of this work is to evaluate the suitability of sieving of buckwheat flours to produce protein and phenolic (especially rutin) enriched fractions. Because of that, dehulled whole buckwheat flour (GSTQ) was sieved obtaining fractions with a particle size of 215 \uf06dm, 160 \uf06dm, 85 \uf06dm, and 45 \uf06dm (GS215, GS160, GS85, and GS45). For that purpose, the determination of protein, ash, and total starch content and free and bound phenolic compounds was carried out. The highest content of total phenolic compounds was obtained in GS215 (3118.84 mg kg-1 d.w.), followed by GS160 (2499.11 mg kg-1 d.w.), GS85 (989.46 mg kg-1 d.w.), GSTQ (983.15 mg kg-1 d.w.), and GS45 (481.31 mg kg-1 d.w.). Therefore, the phenolic content decreased with the particle size decrease from 215 \uf06dm to 45 \uf06dm. Besides, there were no significant differences between the total phenolic content in GS85 and GSTQ. The fraction with 215 \uf06dm reported the highest protein and mineral salt content and presented rutin amounts four times higher than GSTQ

Epidemiological patterns of asbestos exposure and spatial clusters of incident cases of malignant mesothelioma from the Italian national registry

Abstract BACKGROUND: Previous ecological spatial studies of malignant mesothelioma cases, mostly based on mortality data, lack reliable data on individual exposure to asbestos, thus failing to assess the contribution of different occupational and environmental sources in the determination of risk excess in specific areas. This study aims to identify territorial clusters of malignant mesothelioma through a Bayesian spatial analysis and to characterize them by the integrated use of asbestos exposure information retrieved from the Italian national mesothelioma registry (ReNaM). METHODS: In the period 1993 to 2008, 15,322 incident cases of all-site malignant mesothelioma were recorded and 11,852 occupational, residential and familial histories were obtained by individual interviews. Observed cases were assigned to the municipality of residence at the time of diagnosis and compared to those expected based on the age-specific rates of the respective geographical area. A spatial cluster analysis was performed for each area applying a Bayesian hierarchical model. Information about modalities and economic sectors of asbestos exposure was analyzed for each cluster. RESULTS: Thirty-two clusters of malignant mesothelioma were identified and characterized using the exposure data. Asbestos cement manufacturing industries and shipbuilding and repair facilities represented the main sources of asbestos exposure, but a major contribution to asbestos exposure was also provided by sectors with no direct use of asbestos, such as non-asbestos textile industries, metal engineering and construction. A high proportion of cases with environmental exposure was found in clusters where asbestos cement plants were located or a natural source of asbestos (or asbestos-like) fibers was identifiable. Differences in type and sources of exposure can also explain the varying percentage of cases occurring in women among clusters. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates shared exposure patterns in territorial clusters of malignant mesothelioma due to single or multiple industrial sources, with major implications for public health policies, health surveillance, compensation procedures and site remediation programs

Bioprocessing of Brewers’ Spent Grain Enhances Its Antioxidant Activity: Characterization of Phenolic Compounds and Bioactive Peptides

Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) is the major by-product of the brewing industry which remain largely unutilized despite its nutritional quality. In this study, the effects of fermentation on BSG antioxidant potential were analyzed. A biotechnological protocol including the use of xylanase followed by fermentation with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (Lactobacillus plantarum) PU1, PRO17, and H46 was used. Bioprocessed BSG exhibited enhanced antioxidant potential, characterized by high radical scavenging activity, long-term inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation and protective effect toward oxidative stress on human keratinocytes NCTC 2544. Immunolabelling and confocal laser microscopy showed that xylanase caused an extensive cell wall arabinoxylan disruption, contributing to the release of bound phenols molecules, thus available to further conversion through lactic acid bacteria metabolism. To clarify the role of fermentation on the antioxidant BSG potential, phenols were selectively extracted and characterized through HPLC-MS techniques. Novel antioxidant peptides were purified and identified in the most active bioprocessed BSG

Candidate genes for milk, growth and immune system traits in Brazilian Iberian: derived Locally Adapted cattle breeds.

Along decades of breeding in a variable ecosystem throughout the country, the first taurine animals arrived in Brazil became adapted to a wide range of environments with different levels of improved fitness. We analyzed three cattle breeds representative of Brazilian Iberianderived Locally Adapted cattle (Curraleiro Pé-Duro CUR with 17 animals, and both Caracu lineages, Caracu Caldeano selected for milk ? CCD with 55 animals, and Caracu selected for beef -?CCB with 24) aimed to evaluate runs of homozygosity (ROH), identify ROH islands and functionally analyse the identified genes. We observed the occurrence of short ROH islands in all breeds, suggesting a successful matting scheme. Genes located in ROH islands were evaluated and explored throughout their biological processes (e.g. PRLR related with milk and growth traits in CCD and CCB; and CAMKK2 related with immune system in CUR) providing information about the genetic architecture of the breeds

Review: Animal model and the current understanding of molecule dynamics of adipogenesis

Among several potential animal models that can be used for adipogenic studies, Wagyu cattle is the one that presents unique molecular mechanisms underlying the deposit of substantial amounts of intramuscular fat. As such, this review is focused on current knowledge of such mechanisms related to adipose tissue deposition using Wagyu cattle as model. So abundant is the lipid accumulation in the skeletal muscles of these animals that in many cases, the muscle cross-sectional area appears more white (adipose tissue) than red (muscle fibers). This enhanced marbling accumulation is morphologically similar to that seen in numerous skeletal muscle dysfunctions, disease states and myopathies; this might indicate cross-similar mechanisms between such dysfunctions and fat deposition in Wagyu breed. Animal models can be used not only for a better understanding of fat deposition in livestock, but also as models to an increased comprehension on molecular mechanisms behind human conditions. This revision underlies some of the complex molecular processes of fat deposition in animals

Heterogeneous validity of daily data on symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis recorded by patients using the e-diary AllergyMonitor®

Background: Patient-generated symptom and medication scores are essential for diagnostic and therapeutic decisions in seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). Previous studies have shown solid consistencies between different scores at population level in real-life data and trials. For clinicians, the evaluation of individual data quality over time is essential to decide whether to rely on these data in clinical decision-making. Objective: To analyze the consistency of different symptom (SS) and symptom medication scores (SMSs) at individual level in two study cohorts with different characteristics and explore individual patient trajectories over time. Methods: Within the pilot phase of the @IT.2020 project on diagnostic synergy of mobile health and molecular IgE assessment in patients with SAR, we analyzed data of 101 children and 93 adults with SAR and instructed them to record their symptoms and medication intake daily via the mobile app AllergyMonitor®. We then assessed the correlation between different SMS and a visual analogue scale (VAS) on the impact of allergy symptoms on daily life at population and individual level. Results: At population level, the Rhinoconjunctivitis total symptom score (RTSS) correlated better with VAS than the combined symptom and medication score (CSMS). At individual level, consistency among RTSS and VAS was highly heterogeneous and unrelated to disease severity or adherence to recording. Similar heterogeneity was observed for CSMS and VAS. Conclusions: The correlation of clinical information provided by different disease severity scores based on data collected via electronic diaries (e-diaries), is sufficient at population level, but broadly heterogeneous for individual patients. Consistency of the recorded data must be examined for each patient before remotely collected information is used for clinical decision making

Candidate genes for disease, reproduction and meat quality traits in Portuguese native breeds.

Native Portuguese cattle breeds are a ?biodiversity deposit? resulting from genetic and environmental effects accumulated over the years. We assessed two cattle breeds representative of Portuguese native cattle (Barrosã - BAR and Brava de Lide ? BRA) aiming the evaluation of ROH across populations, identification of ROH islands and functional analysis of the identified genes. The pattern of ROH differed across breeds mainly from short to median range. Based on ROH islands analysis, three regions were observed to be shared by more than 35% of the individuals in the two breeds. Besides, gene networks highlighted biological associations based on genes found on ROH islands with biological processes related with reproductive traits (RBM19) and immune systems (DTX1) in BAR breed, and immune systems and adipogenesesprocesses (ZBTB16) in BRA breed

Transcript profiling of expressed sequence tag from semimembranosus muscle of commercial and naturalized pig breeds.

In general, genetic differences across different breeds of pig lead to variation in mature body size and slaughter age. The Commercial breeds Duroc and Large White and the local Brazilian breed Piau are ostensibly distinct in terms of growth and muscularity, commercial breeds are much leaner while local breeds grow much slower and are fat type pigs. However, the genetic factors that underlie such distinctions remain unclear. We used expressed sequence tags (ESTs) to characterize and compare transcript profiles in the semimembranosus muscle of these pig breeds. Our aim was to identify differences in breed-related gene expression that might influence growth performance and meat quality. We constructed three non-normalized cDNA libraries from semimembranosus muscle, using two samples from each one, of these three breeds; 6902 high-quality ESTs were obtained. Cluster analysis was performed and these sequences were clustered into 3670 unique sequences; 24.7% of the sequences were categorized as contigs and 75.3% of the sequences were singletons. Based on homology searches against the SwissProt protein database, we were able to assign a putative protein identity to only 1050 unique sequences. Among these, 58.5% were full-length protein sequences and 17.2% were pig-specific sequences. Muscle structural and cytoskeletal proteins, such as actin, and myosin, were the most abundant transcripts (16.7%) followed by those related to mitochondrial function (12.9%), and ribosomal proteins (12.4%). Furthermore, ESTs generated in this study provide a rich source for identification of novel genes and for the comparative analysis of gene expression patterns in divergent pig breeds