Simultaneous veneers incising and lower pressing temperatures—the effect on the plywood pressing time

It was shown that incising of veneers (60–15 m/m²) prior to plywood bonding allowed reduction of pressing time by 8–9% for a pressing temperature of 90°C when compared to the controls. Nevertheless, with pressing temperatures lower than normal and shortened pressing times the shear strengths of the plywood met the requirements of the respective standards.     

Anti-homogalacturonan antibodies: A way to explore the effect of processing on pectin in fruits and vegetables?

The potential of the anti-homogalacturonan(HG) antibodies JIM5, JIM7, LM7, LM18, LM19, LM20 and PAM1 for investigating the effect of processing on pectin in fruit and vegetable tissues was screened in this study. In this respect, the specificity of the antibodies towards pectin and methoxylated polygalacturonic acid with defined degrees and patterns of methylesterification was elaborated, leading to a substantial extension of the information already available in literature. Based on the obtained specificities, the distribution of pectin methylesterification in carrot and broccoli tissue was mapped. It was established that pectin with a low degree of esterification (DE) and a more blockwise distribution of the methylesters is, both in carrot and in broccoli, preferentially located at the tricellular junctions between adjacent cells. This cell wall region, however, is also likely to contain other structural pectic domains. The inner face of the cell wall adjacent to the plasma membrane seems to contain pectin with a medium DE. To evaluate the potential of the anti-HG antibodies to detect changes in degree and pattern of methylesterification caused by processing, carrot and broccoli were subjected to a thermal treatment aimed to stimulate the endogenous pectinmethylesterase (PME) activity. It was revealed that process-induced de-esterification by endogenous PME mainly tends to take place at discrete regions of the inner face of the cell wall adjacent to the plasma membrane for carrot and in tricellular junctions and the middle lamella for broccoli.     

On the track of medical waste. Will a national medical waste policy wash up on the beach?

There's no question that medical waste pushes the nation's panic button. It took only two summers (1987 and 1988) of needles and syringes washing ashore to generate a groundswell of public anxiety that caused Congress to pass the Medical Waste Tracking Act of 1988. The act was the federal government's first attempt at cradle to grave waste management through a two-year pilot program involving four states and Puerto Rico. Now that the act and the pilot program have expired, Congress must evaluate their impact and decide whether to pursue a national medical waste policy. Such a policy likely would address the work practices of occupational groups, such as laundry workers, who frequently have contact with medical waste.     

Binding of curcumin to β-lactoglobulin and its effect on antioxidant characteristics of curcumin

The binding of curcumin (CCM) to bovine β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) was investigated by Fourier transform infrared and fluorescence. The effect of binding on antioxidant activity of CCM was determined by using ABTS and hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity and total reducing ability. Our results showed that when CCM binds to β-Lg, it lead to a partial change in protein structure. In fact, CCM was bound respectively to two different sites of protein at pH 6.0 and 7.0 via hydrophobic interaction. CCM–β-Lg complex was formed by one molecule of protein combining with one molecule of CCM. Moreover, the average distance from one binding site to Trp residues in protein is similar with another. This result suggested that fluorescence resonance energy transfer cannot be used as unique method to study the characteristics of binding of ligands to proteins. The antioxidant activity of CCM might be improved by binding with β-Lg.     

Has the use of talc an effect on yield and extra virgin olive oil quality?

The maximization of both extraction yield and extra virgin olive oil quality during olive processing are the main objectives of the olive oil industry. As regards extraction yield, it can be improved by both acting on time/temperature of malaxation and using physical coadjuvants. It is well known that, generally, increasing temperature of malaxation gives an increase in oil extraction yield due to a reduction in oily phase viscosity; however, high malaxation temperature can compromise the nutritional and health values of extra virgin olive oil, leading to undesirable effects such as accelerated oxidative process and loss of volatile compounds responsible for oil flavor and fragrance. The addition of physical coadjuvants in olive oil processing during the malaxation phase, not excluded by EC regulations owing to its exclusively physical action, is well known to promote the breakdown of oil/water emulsions and consequently make oil extraction easier, thus increasing the yield. Among physical coadjuvants, micronized natural talc is used for olive oil processing above all for Spanish and Italian olive cultivars. The quality of extra virgin olive oil depends on numerous variables such as olive cultivar, ripeness degree and quality, machines utilized for processing, oil storage conditions, etc. However, the coadjuvants utilized in olive processing can also influence virgin olive oil characteristics. The literature highlights an increase in oil yield by micronized natural talc addition during olive processing, whereas no clear trend was observed as regards the chemical, nutritional and sensory characteristics of extra virgin olive oil. Although an increase in oil stability was reported, no effect of talc was found on the evolution of virgin olive oil quality indices during storage. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

The influence of beverages on the stimulation and viscoelasticity of saliva: Relationship to mouthfeel?

The viscoelasticity and secretion rate of stimulated saliva depends on food and beverage related stimuli, and it is demonstrated that this may subsequently influence the sensory properties and particularly the mouthfeel and afterfeel associated with the product being consumed. Using saliva donated by twelve volunteers, it is shown that acidic beverages such as peach flavoured iced tea and a fizzy cola stimulate significantly higher flow rates of whole mouth saliva that has greater elasticity in comparison to that generated following stimulation by water. In comparison, mechanical action from chewing flavourless gum and the stimulation from sucking a mint also stimulate high flow rates of saliva, although it is significantly less elastic than that from acid-based stimuli. However, the viscosity of human whole mouth saliva is relatively insensitive to beverage type, chewing, or mint. It is speculated that the stimulation of highly elastic saliva in response to acidic beverages is a defence mechanism for protecting the teeth from acid erosion. A separate sensory panel was used to identify key mouthfeel attributes that are likely to be related to the response of saliva, including: tongue dryness, mouth moistness, amount of saliva, tongue sensation, and throat drying. These results indicate that saliva viscoelasticity and flow rate alter dramatically in response to what a consumer eats and drinks, and that this in turn may affect mouthfeel and other organoleptic properties.     

Extraction and chemical characterization of rye arabinoxylan and the effect of β-glucan on the mechanical and barrier properties of cast arabinoxylan films

Water-extractable hemicellulose (WEH) fractions, containing approximately 65% arabinoxylans (WE-AX) and 20% mixed-linkage β-glucans were isolated from rye bran. In addition, water-extractable mixed-linkage β-glucans (BG) were isolated from oat bran as a reference material. The β-glucan content of the rye hemicellulose isolate was reduced to less than 5% by a selective lichenase treatment. Rye hemicelluloses, WEH and WE-AX had arabinose-to-xylose ratios of 0.54 and 0.57 and weight-average molecular weights (M_w) of 270 000 and 232 000 g/mol respectively. The M_w of BG was higher at 386 000 g/mol. The material properties of films prepared from the rye hemicellulose isolate and WE-AX as such, or with varying amounts of added BG (20:80; 50:50; 80:20 ratios) were studied. Prior removal of β-glucan from the isolate decreased the tensile strength of the films significantly as well as the elongation at break. Addition of BG to the purified WE-AX resulted in an increase in the tensile strength and elongation at break of the films. In contrast, the presence of BG had no clear effect on the oxygen permeability of the films. Both pure rye WE-AX and pure BG films showed excellent oxygen barrier properties (between 0.9 and 1.0 cm³ μm/m² d kPa). However, the water vapor permeability increased with addition of increasing amounts of BG to WE-AX. To our knowledge, this is the first study on the effect of β-glucans on the material and permeability properties of arabinoxylan-based films.     

In vitro effect of some fungicides on growth and aflatoxins production by Aspergillus flavus isolated from Capsicum powder

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of some pre-harvest fungicides on growth and aflatoxin (AF) production of three Aspergillus flavus strains found in Capsicum powder. Each isolate, previously isolated from paprika, chilli and smoked paprika, was inoculated on yeast extract sucrose agar and on a 3% paprika extract agar medium supplemented with different fungicides and incubated at 20 and 30°C during 7 days. Growth measurements were obtained on days 3, 5 and 7, and the AF production was determined on day 7. The significance of the effects of the factors (strain, medium, temperature, time and fungicides) and their interaction over colony diameter and AF production was determined. Temperature constrained the effectiveness of fungicides in reducing growth, the fungicides being most effective at 20°C. The efficacy of the fungicides over AF production depended on the medium used and temperature. The most effective fungicides in inhibiting growth and AF production, regardless of the strain tested or applied conditions, were tebuconazole 25% and mancozeb 80% applied at a concentration of 0.75 and 3.5 g l(-1), respectively. Care should thus be taken in the choice of a suitable fungicide because their effectiveness may depend on intra-specific variation and temperature. Moreover, it is necessary to take into account that the most efficient fungicide in reducing growth is not always the best choice for pre-harvest treatments because it may promote AF production. Thus, the best fungicide is the one that can simultaneous prevent growth and AF production.     

Can the combination of flaxseed and its lignans with soy and its isoflavones reduce the growth stimulatory effect of soy and its isoflavones on established breast cancer?

Consumption of phytoestrogen (PE)-rich foods (i. e., soy and flaxseed (FS)) is increasing because of their suggested health benefits. However, recent studies raise concern over the safety of soy and its isoflavones, particularly genistein (GEN), for postmenopausal breast cancer (BC), due to their potential stimulatory effects on human breast tissue and on the growth of existing tumors in rodents. FS, rich in PE lignans, which is metabolized to the mammalian lignans enterolactone (ENL) and enterodiol (END), has consistently been shown to have tumor inhibitory effects in a human clinical trial as well as rodent BC models. Using the preclinical athymic mouse postmenopausal BC model, combining FS with soy protein or GEN with END and ENL, was found to negate the tumor stimulatory effects of soy protein or GEN alone. The mechanism may be related to the modulation of estrogen receptor and MAPK signaling pathways. If these studies can be confirmed in clinical trials, then consumption of combined soy and FS, or their PEs, may reduce the tumor growth stimulatory effect of soy or GEN. This may indicate that if soy is consumed with lignan-rich foods, it may continue to induce its other beneficial health effects, without inducing adverse effect on postmenopausal BC.     

The effect of dietary supplementation of vitamins C and E on the α-tocopherol content of muscles, liver and kidney, on the stability of lipids, and on certain meat quality parameters of the longissimus dorsi of rabbits

The trial was carried out to investigate the effects of adding to the diet of rabbits vitamin E (40; 300; 500 ppm) and C (0; 500 ppm), on vitamin E deposition in the muscles and organs, on the oxidative stability of muscular lipids, and on various meat quality characteristics. The α-tocopherol content in muscles and organs was roughly doubled by feeding the highest levels of vitamin E; it was also increased by giving 500 ppm of vitamin C, but only in those muscles of rabbits receiving 40 ppm of vitamin E. The α-tocopherol content in tissues was negatively correlated with TBARS values of the longissimus dorsi (LD) at days 6 and 8 post mortem (p.m.). Five hundred parts per million (ppm) of vitamin C increased lipid stability of the LD at both 6 and 8 days p.m., though its effect was significant only with 40 ppm of vitamin E. Moreover, 500 ppm of vitamin C resulted in the lowest L(*) and highest pH values at all p.m. times, when the dietary vitamin E was equal to 40 ppm, and in the highest L(*) and lowest pH values when the vitamin E was equal to 300 ppm. Conversely, weight losses of the LD were the lowest, at days 6 and 8 p.m., in the group fed the highest levels of both vitamins.     

Comparison of chitosan–gelatin composite and bilayer coating and film effect on the quality of refrigerated rainbow trout

The effect of chitosan–gelatin coating and film on the rancidity development in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillets during refrigerated storage (4 ± 1 °C) was examined over a period of 16 days. Composite and bilayer coated and film wrapped fish samples were analysed periodically for microbiological (total viable count, psychrotrophic count) and chemical (TVB-N, POV, TBARS, FFA) characteristics. The results indicated that chitosan–gelatin coating and film retained their good quality characteristics and extend the shelf life of fish samples during refrigerated storage .The coating was better than the film in reducing lipid oxidation of fillets, but there was no significant difference between them in control of bacterial contamination.     

The effect of temperature on the activity of μ- and m-calpain and calpastatin during post-mortem storage of porcine longissimus muscle

The experiment was conducted to determine the effect of temperature during post-mortem muscle storage on the activity of the calpain system, the myofibril fragmentation and the free calcium concentration. Porcine longissimus muscle were incubated from 2h post-mortem at temperatures of 2, 15, 25 and 30 °C and sampling times were at 2, 6, 24, 48 and 120 h post-mortem. After 120 h at 30 °C the free calcium concentration increased to 530 μM from 440 μM at 2 °C. Incubation at temperatures higher than 2 °C resulted in the appearance of autolyzed m-calpain activity and a decrease of native m-calpain activity. Native m-calpain decreased more slowly than native μ-calpain, and the autolysis process started later. Myofibril fragmentation increased with storage time and incubation temperature, while calpastatin activity decreased. The study showed that high temperature incubation not only rapidly activated μ-calpain but at higher temperatures and later time points also m-calpain.     

Comparative effect of carnosic acid, BHT and α-tocopherol on the stability of squalene under heating and UV irradiation

Squalene is prone to auto-oxidation because it has a high content of unsaturated bonds. The effects of carnosic acid (CA) and two common antioxidants (butylated hydroxytoluene and α-tocopherol) on oxidative stability in squalene at different accelerated conditions (heating and UV irradiation) were compared. The investigation focused on the increase in peroxide and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. The changes in functional group contents were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, while the changes in squalene content and impurities situation were monitored by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The results show that CA was more effective in restraining squalene oxidation under heating, UV-A and UV-B irradiation. The antioxidant activity of CA was stronger than that of α-tocopherol and butylated hydroxytoluene. Squalene supplemented with 0.2 mg/g CA exhibited favorable antioxidant effects and is preferable for effectively avoiding oxidation.     

Study of characters on Jiaxie fabrics in the tang and song dynasties北大核心CSCD

In this paper, the methods of historical literature and textile archaeology were applied to research character and pattern features on Jiaxie fabrics in the Tang and Song dynasties. By using the Jiaxie fabric with the design of namo Shakyamuni Buddha as the research sample, this paper analyses the relations between the characteristics of characters on Jiaxie fabrics in the Tang and Song dynasties and Jiaxie technology based on the view of technology and culture. Firstly, the Jiaxie fabric with the design of namo Shakyamuni Buddha was proved to be Jiaxie fabric after a comparative analysis of xylography, screen printing method and clamp-resistance technology. Secondly, this paper proposed a hypothesis that left and right characters on the Jiaxie fabric with the design of namo Shakyamuni Buddha could be achieved by using half-plate method with multi-pieces. Lastly, the two main reasons why characters on Jiaxie fabrics in the Tang and Song dynasties were rare were analyzed: 1) the purpose of Jiaxie fabrics restricted its development on characters; 2) technical features of folding dyeing limited the development of character design on Jiaxie fabric in the Tang and Song dynasties. © 2017 China Silk Association. All rights reserved.     

Study on the anions and moisturizing function of vitamin e fiber intertexture北大核心CSCD

To explore the impacts of different functional fiber contents, different yarn types and different fabric weaves on the functionality of textiles, this paper takes mulberry silk as the warp yarn and takes vitamin E yarn, combed cotton/'vitamin E fiber/Modal(40/40/20) blended yarn and viscose fiber as weft yarns, to prepare 9 tyj>es of vitamin E yam and viscose yarn with different weft ratios, 5 types of combed cotton/vitamin E fiber/Modal(40/40/20) blended yarns and viscose fiber with different weft ratios, 5 types of vitamin E yarn and viscose fabrics with a weft ratio of 1 • 1 and different weaves, and then tests the anions and moisturizing compound function of three series of fabrics.The results show that the anion production and moisturizing properties of fabric grow with the increase of vitamin E fiber content.Both yarn type and fabric! weave will affect the anion production and moisturizing properties of fabrics. © 2021 China Silk Association. All rights reserved.