Lipid characteristics of dry-cured “Tocino” during the manufacturing process. Effects of salting intensity and ripening temperature

Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 52 (2016) 33–43

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2016.07.005

The fatty acid composition, the lipid characteristics and the colour parameters of Tocino, a salted and ripened meat product made from subcutaneous backfat from pig, were studied throughout manufacturing of the product. The effects of the ripening temperature and of the duration of the salting process were also studied. Ripening process caused a significant (P < 0.001) decrease in the total and some individual polyunsaturated fatty acids (C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3, C20:2n-6, C20:3n-6, C20:4n-6, and C20:3n-3), particularly in the polar lipid fraction (total polyunsaturated fatty acids descended from 13.6 to 3.5% of total methyl esters). Increased ripening temperature (from 8 to 12 °C) and longer duration of salting (from 2 to 4 days) caused a significantly greater decrease in the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The nutritional and health index values indicated that Tocino is not a healthy product. During the ripening stage, Tocino underwent moderate lipolysis and very intense lipid oxidation (final values of 3.57–5.09 mg KOH/g of fat and 0.84–1.16 mg malondialdehyde/kg). Increasing the ripening temperature significantly increased (P < 0.001) both lipolysis and fat oxidation, while increasing the duration of salting only had a significant positive effect on oxidation processes. Longer ripening times led to a significant increase (P < 0.001) in the b* values (from 8.81 to 18.7–23.7) and significant decreases in the a* (from 7.10 to −3.31 – −4.04) and L* (from 81.5 to 66.4–70.2) values.

Effect of high pressure treatment on the structural, mechanical and rheological properties of glucomannan gels

Food Hydrocolloids, 60 (2016) 437–444

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2016.04.015

The influence of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) of 100 (C100), 200 (C200), 400 (C400) and 600 MPa (C600) on the structural, physicochemical, and thermo-rheological properties of aqueous glucomannan dispersions (AGD) was studied. Each AGD was prepared with a 5% concentration of deacetylated glucomannan (GM) at pH = 11 for use in the preparation of restructured fish products. The control (0 MPa) AGD (C0) exhibited a partially crystalline GM network with a glass transition temperature (Tg) of ∼75 °C. C0 gels at 25 °C were rigid, with high breaking force (BF), fracture constant (Kf) and complex modulus (G*) and low tanδ values due to the large number of physical junctions produced by complete deacetylation of the GM chains. This structural response was reflected in high water binding capacity (WBC) and colour (L*) and low cooking loss (CL). Specifically, 200 MPa reduced close packing ability in the crystalline regions, evidenced in the lower Tg∼65 °C and resulting in lower gel strength (S), Kf, G* and a higher viscous component (high tanδ), thus reducing the L* value. Conversely, 600 MPa increased the degree of cross-linking in C600, reinforcing the number and extent of crystalline regions, resulting in the broadening of the O–H stretching band in the FT-IR spectrum and producing a thermoset physical network with no glass transition region. Thus, C600 gel was firmer (higher G*) with greater S, and less flexible (lower strain amplitude-γmax). Consequently, depending on the textural properties desired in the final restructured fish product, the most appropriate pressure would be 200 MPa for softer final gels and 600 MPa for firmer and less deformable gels.

Combined alkali and hydrothermal pretreatments for oat straw valorization within a biorefinery concept

Bioresource Technology

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2016.08.077

The aim of this work was the evaluation of lime pretreatment combined or not with previous step of autohydrolysis for oat straw valorization. Under selected conditions of lime pretreatment, 96% of glucan and 77% of xylan were recovered and 42% of delignification was achieved. Xylose fermentation to ethanol by metabolic engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae (MEC1133) strain improved the ethanol production by 22% achieving 41 g/L. Alternatively, first step of autohydrolysis (S0=4.22) allowed a high oligosaccharides recovery (68%) and subsequent lime pretreatment attained a 57% of delignification and 99% of glucan to glucose conversion. Oat straw processed by autohydrolysis and lime pretreatment reached the maximal ethanol concentration (50 g/L). Both strategies led to oat straw valorization into bioethanol, oligosaccharides and lignin indicating that these pretreatments are adequate as a first stage within an oat straw biorefinery.

Production and characterization of a novel distilled alcoholic beverage produced from blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

Fruits, 2016, vol. 71(4), 215-220

http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/fruits/2016013

The cultivation of underutilized berries and the process production of high-value-added products, such as fruit-based spirits, could have a beneficial effect on the economy of disadvantaged rural mountain areas of Spain. However, production of a distilled alcoholic beverage from the blueberry has not been reported before. The pulp of blueberries var. Bluecrop was fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae IFI83, distilled by using a steam drag distillation system and the volatile compounds were determined by gas chromatography. In the distillate obtained, the mean concentrations of ethanol (45.3 mL 100 mL-1 distillate), volatile substances (317.1 g hL-1 absolute alcohol) and methanol (261.0 g hL-1 absolute alcohol) were in accordance with the specifications that the European Council (Regulation 110/2008) fixed for these compounds. In addition, the ratios [3-methyl-1-butanol/2-methyl-1-propanol] and [2-methyl-1-propanol/1-propanol] were 2.60 and 1.34, respectively, indicating that the distilled alcoholic beverage has a good organoleptic quality. The results suggest that blueberry can be successfully used for the production of a novel spirit with a good sensory quality that is safe for the consumers.

Loss of Gravitropism in Farnesene-Treated Arabidopsis Is Due to Microtubule Malformations Related to Hormonal and ROS Unbalance

PLOS ONE

http://journals.plos.org/

Mode of action of farnesene, a volatile sesquiterpene commonly found in the essential oils of several plants, was deeply studied on the model species Arabidopsis thaliana. The effects of farnesene on the Arabidopsis root morphology were evaluated by different microscopic techniques. As well, microtubules immunolabeling, phytohormone measurements and ROS staining helped us to elucidate the single or multi-modes of action of this sesquiterpene on plant metabolism. Farnesene-treated roots showed a strong growth inhibition and marked modifications on morphology, important tissue alterations, cellular damages and anisotropic growth. Left-handed growth of farnesene-treated roots, reverted by taxol (a known microtubule stabilizer), was related to microtubule condensation and disorganization. As well, the inhibition of primary root growth, lateral root number, lateral root length, and both root hairs length and density could be explained by the strong increment in ethylene production and auxin content detected in farnesene-treated seedlings. Microtubule alteration and hormonal unbalance appear as important components in the mode of action of farnesene and confirm the strong phytotoxic potential of this sesquiterpene.

Carbohydrate Polymers, 146 (2016) 20–25

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.03.049

Eucalyptus globulus wood samples were treated with hot, compressed water to separate hemicelluloses (as soluble saccharides) from a solid phase mainly made up of cellulose and lignin. The liquid phase was dehydrated, and the resulting solids (containing pentoses as well as poly- and oligo- saccharides made up of pentoses) were dissolved and reacted in media containing an Acidic Ionic Liquid (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate) and a co-solvent (dioxane). The effects of the reaction time on the product distribution were studied at temperatures in the range 120–170 °C for reaction times up to 8 h, and operational conditions leading to 59.1% conversion of the potential substrates (including pentoses and pentose structural units in oligo- and poly- saccharides) into furfural were identified.

Lithological and land-use based assessment of heavy metal pollution in soils surrounding a cement plant in SW Europe

Science of The Total Environment 562, 2016, 179–190

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.03.198

We study the influence of phasing out a cement plant on the heavy metal (Hg, Pb and Cr) content in the surrounding soils, taking into account factors often neglected, such as contributions due to local lithology or land use. The range of total Hg was 10–144 µg kg− 1, reaching up to 41 and 145 mg kg− 1 for total contents of Pb and Cr, respectively. Forest soils showed higher concentration of Hg than prairie soils, indicating the importance of land use on the accumulation of volatile heavy metals in soils. In forest soils, total Hg showed a trend to decrease with soil depth, whereas in prairie soils the vertical pattern of heavy metal concentrations was quite homogeneous. In most cases, the distance to the cement plant was not a factor of influence in the soils content of the analyzed heavy metals. Total Pb and Cr contents in soils nearby the cement plant were quite similar to those found in the local lithology, resulting in enrichment factor values (EF's) below 2. This suggests that soil parent material is the main source of these heavy metals in the studied soils, while the contribution of the cement plant to Pb and Cr soil pollution was almost negligible. On the contrary, the soils surrounding the cement plant accumulate a significant amount of Hg, compared to the underlying lithology. This was especially noticeable in forest soils, where Hg EF achieved values up to 36. These results are of relevance, bearing in mind that Hg accumulation in soils may be an issue of environmental concern, particularly in prairie soils, where temporal flooding can favor Hg transformation to highly toxic methyl-Hg. In addition, the concurrence of acid soils and total-Cr concentrations in the range of those considered phytotoxic should be also stressed.

Adsorption and desorption kinetics and phosphorus hysteresis in highly weathered soil by stirred flow chamber experiments

Soil and Tillage Research, 162 (2016) 46–54

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2016.04.018

Soils with a high weathering degree present great difficulties for management of phosphorus (P) fertilization due to their high adsorption rates. The magnitude and velocity of the P retention phenomena in these soils is still poorly understood and has great importance to effective management of soil phosphorus. The objective of this study was to evaluate the adsorption and desorption kinetics and phosphorus adsorption irreversibility (hysteresis) in highly weathered soils. For this purpose, we selected four soils: Xanthic Ferralsol-1 (FR-1), Xanthic Ferralsol-2 (FR-2), Rhodic Ferralsol (FR-3) and Hortic Anthrosol “Terra Preta de Índio” (AT). Adsorption followed by desorption experiments in Stirred flow chamber were performed. From obtained data, parameters related to P kinetics were estimated, considering the presence of two types of adsorption and desorption sites (fast and slow), estimating also the hysteresis index. It was observed that FR-2 and FR-3 showed higher P adsorption and most of the adsorbed P was at first 100 min of evaluation. Furthermore, in FR-1, FR-2 and FR-3, approximately half of adsorption occurred by rapid sites (F which is the fraction of fast sites ranging from 0.45 to 0.55), while AT adsorption was lower (qmax = 48.95 mg kg−1) and occurred slower (F = 0.33). In FR-2 and FR-3, between 71 and 72% of adsorbed P was not desorbed, while in AT, only 11% of P was irreversibly adsorbed. The P kinetics in highly weathered soils proved to be a process governed by the fast sites on adsorption and slow sites on desorption, resulting in high levels of hysteresis.

Dernières nouvelles de 42 vieilles parcelles Indicateurs d’évolutions pédologiques infra-centenaires en Néoluvisol de lœss nu, sous contrainte d’applications continues de matières fertilisantes

Étude et Gestion des Sols, 23, 2016, 143-162

Ce travail présente un bilan des impacts de 85 ans d’apports d’engrais chimiques N, P, K, d’amendements basiques et organiques sur la composition et les propriétés d’un Néoluvisol de lœss, en comparaison à des situations témoins sans apport. Cette expérimentation de longue durée est menée depuis 1928 en sol nu dans le dispositif des 42 parcelles à l’Inra de Versailles. Le bilan repose sur les résultats analytiques d’échantillons collectés en 2014 dans l’ensemble des horizons de surface. Les résultats sont confrontés à des données disponibles du sol initial de 1928. L’objectif est de préciser la nature et l’ampleur des évolutions physicochimiques, induites en moins d’un siècle, et d’identifier les processus pédologiques qui en sont à l’origine.

En absence d’entrée de matières organiques (MO), de forts contrastes s’observent en fonction de la nature des apports minéraux, mais aussi dans les parcelles témoins : en 2014, d’une parcelle à une autre, l’écart maximal de pH est de 5,3 unités (3,5-8,8) et la CEC varie de 5,2 à 14,4 cmol+/kg. La garniture cationique varie de plus de 98 % de Ca échangeable dans les sols chaulés, à plus de 96 % d’Al échangeable dans les sols acides. Le carbone organique a perdu 50 à 75 % de la valeur initiale en 1928, et les teneurs en argile s’étendent entre 13 et 20 %. Des teneurs significatives de Mnéch s’observent dans les sols denses, alors que Feéch est détectable prioritairement dans les sols acides. Par contre, sous amendement de fumier, l’ambiance physicochimique est très différente, notamment par l’abondance de C organique (43-50 g/kg) et une forte valeur de la CEC, supérieure à 22 cmol+/kg.

La nature, l’ampleur et la diversité des propriétés physicochimiques enregistrés dans les horizons de surface des sols des 42 parcelles en 2014 témoignent de différents processus pédologiques en jeu, actuels ou dans le passé. Dans les sols témoins, sous la seule contrainte de la minéralisation progressive des MO et des conditions atmosphériques, les propriétés et la composition ont considérablement changé : une acidification de 1-1,5 unités de pH, la lixiviation d’une proportion notable de cations bivalents et l’apparition de quantités significatives d’Al échangeable sur le complexe d’échange, une baisse de la CEC et une perte d’argile de 2 à 3 %. La migration d’argile, l’argilluviation, processus caractéristique dans les luvisols, apparaît amplifiée sous traitements ‘monovalents’, notamment sous apport de Na où la perte d’argile par lessivage peut atteindre jusqu’à 5 à 6 %. Sous apport de K, la perte d’argile est moindre, liée à un processus d’illitisation des particules de smectite par rétrogradation du K. De plus, les apports de phosphate naturel ou de superphosphate semblent également favoriser la migration d’argile, alors que les amendements basiques et de fumier limitent, voire stoppent le processus. Dans les traitements ‘acides’, sous apports d’engrais ammoniacaux ou de sang desséché, les cations échangeables initiaux (Ca, Mg, K, Na) ont été quasi-totalement lixiviés, et remplacés par l’Al. La forte aluminisation du milieu implique un processus de dissolution minérale, affectant en premier lieu les argiles fines (smectites). Les faibles valeurs de la CEC illustrent la perte notable de charges fixes liée à la dissolution partielle des smectites. Néanmoins, l’impact de l’altération en milieu acide sur la granulométrie apparait négligeable, car la teneur en argile dans les sols acides reste inchangée par rapport à 1929. Deux pistes sont envisagées pour expliquer ce constat : un processus de microdivision par l’altération de minéraux phyllosilicatés de taille limoneuse fine et leur transformation en particules argileuses, ou alors un processus de néoformation de phases secondaires à partir de Si, Al et/ou Fe libérés par dissolution d’argiles fines en milieu acide. Enfin, un processus d’agrégation à l’échelle des particules d’argile par le développement de liaisons fortes entre les particules d’argile et des phosphates-Al (ou –Fe) formés en milieu très acide est suspecté dans les sols sous phosphate d’ammoniaque conduisant à la sous-estimation de la fraction < 2 μm lors d’analyses granulométriques courantes.

La palette très étendue de propriétés physicochimiques des horizons de surface dans les 42 parcelles souligne un laps de temps court en pédologie pour leurs changements, d’ordre infra-centenaire. Pour assimiler ces changements opérés en surface au développement de processus pédologiques, il est nécessaire à la fois de suivre l’ampleur et la chronologie des évolutions par l’analyse d’échantillons de la collection historique et d’étendre l’étude des impacts aux horizons E, BT, et C profonds. Ces travaux sont actuellement en cours.

Effects of different cooking methods on some chemical and sensory properties of Galega kale

International Journal of Food Science and Technology

DOI: 10.1111/ijfs.13181

Kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala) is rich in bioactive phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds and vitamins. However, cooking the plants can cause important changes in composition. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of some domestic cooking processes (boiling, steaming, microwaving and pressure cooking) on several quality parameters of Galega kale. Boiling had the strongest effect on the antioxidant capacity (the IC50 was four times higher than in the fresh sample), total phenolics (losses of 76.4–77.9%) and colour (ΔE = 17.79–19.12). Microwaving caused the greatest loss of soluble solids (80.8–82.2%). Steaming seems to be the best method for retaining the nutrient and antioxidant capacity of kale (100% ash, 71–77.5% soluble solids, 100% antioxidant capacity, 67–71% total phenolics, 62–71% chlorophyll). However, steamed kale was awarded the lowest sensory scores, indicating the difficulty in reconciling nutritional value and sensorial quality. Use of discriminant statistical techniques enabled the classification of 100% of samples.

Optimization of the process of aromatic and medicinal plant maceration in grape marc distillates to obtain herbal liqueurs and spirits

Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture

DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7822

Herbal liqueurs are alcoholic beverages produced by the maceration or distillation of aromatic and medicinal plants in alcohol, and are also highly valued for their medicinal properties. The process conditions, as well as the number and quantity of the plants employed, will have a great influence on the quality of the liqueur obtained. The aim of this research was to optimize these important variables.

A Box–Benhken experimental design was used to evaluate the independent variables: alcohol content, amount of plant and time during the experimental maceration of plants in grape marc distillate. Four plants were assessed, with the main compound of each plant representing the dependent variable evaluated with respect to following the evolution of the maceration process. Bisabolol oxide A in Matricaria recutita L., linalool in Coriander sativum L. and eucalyptol in Eucalyptus globulus Labill. were quantified using a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. Glycyrrhizic acid in Glycyrrhiza glabra L was determined using a high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector. Other dependent variables were also evaluated: total phenolic content, color parameters and consumer preference (i.e. appearance).

The experimental designs allowed the selection of the optimal maceration conditions for each parameter, including the preference score of consumers: 70% (v/v) of ethanol, 40 g L−1 plant concentration and a maceration process of 3 weeks. 

Second-generation bioethanol of hydrothermally pretreated stover biomass from maize genotypes

Biomass and Bioenergy, 90 (2016) 42–49

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2016.03.029

Twelve maize genotypes, were agronomically evaluated and their stover hydrothermally pretreated in a temperature range of 210–225 °C to assess the effects of genotype and pretreatment severity on stover recalcitrance toward bioethanol conversion. Maize genotypes exhibited significant variation for biomass yield and all agronomic evaluated, while among all cell wall constituents measured in the unpretreated stover, only ash content showed differences among genotypes. The pretreatment severities assayed impacted most stover compositional traits, and the glucose recovered after enzymatic hydrolysis displayed a similar profile among genotypes with similar genetic background. Harsher pretreatment conditions maximized the potential cellulosic bioethanol production (208–239 L/t), while the mildest maximized the bioethanol from the hemicellulosic hydrolysates (137–175 L/t). Consequently, when both pentose and hexose sugars were considered, the total potential bioethanol produced at the lowest and highest pretreatment temperatures was similar in all genotypes (292–358 L/t), indicating that the lowest temperature (210 °C) was the optimal among all assayed. Importantly, the ranking of genotypes for bioethanol yield (L/ha) closely resembled the ranking for stover yield (t/ha), indicating that breeding for biomass yield would increase the bioethanol production per hectare regardless of the manufacturing process. Similarly, the genetic regulation of corn stover moisture is possible and relevant for efficient energy production as biomass moisture has a potential impact on stover transportation, storage and processing requirements. Overall, these results indicate that local landrace populations are important genetic resources to improve cultivated crops, and that simultaneous breeding for production of grain and stover bioethanol is possible in corn.

F sorption/desorption on two soils and on different by-products and waste materials

Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2016) 23, 14676–14685

DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6959-8

We used batch-type experiments to study F sorption/desorption on a forest soil, a vineyard soil, pyritic material, granitic material, finely and coarsely ground mussel shell, mussel shell calcination ash, oak wood ash, pine-sawdust, slate processing fines, and three different mixtures that included three components: sewage sludge, mussel shell ash, and calcined mussel shell or pine wood ash. The three waste mixtures, forest soil, pyritic material, and shell ash showed high sorption capacity (73–91 % of added F) and low desorption, even when 100 mg F L−1 was added. All these materials (and to a lower extent wood ash) could be useful to remove F from polluted media (as certain soils, dumping sites, and contaminated waters). The vineyard soil, the granitic material, mussel shell, slate fines, and pine-sawdust were less effective in F removal. In most cases, sorption data fitted better to the Freundlich than to the Langmuir equation. These results can be useful to program the correct management of the soils, by-products, and waste materials assayed, mostly in situations where F concentrations are excessive and F removal should be promoted.

As (V)/Cr (VI) pollution control in soils, hemp waste, and other by-products: competitive sorption trials

Environmental Science and Pollution Research

DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7108-0

We study As(V)/Cr(VI) competitive sorption on a forest soil, a vineyard soil, pyritic material, mussel shell, pine bark, oak ash, and hemp waste, adding variable As(V) and Cr(VI) concentrations or displacing each pollutant with the same concentration of the other. When using variable concentrations, As(V) showed more affinity than Cr(VI) for sorption sites on most materials (sorption up to >84 % on oak ash and pyritic material). The only exception was pine bark, with clearly higher Cr(VI) sorption (>90 %) for any Cr(VI)/As(V) concentration added. Regarding the displacement experiments, when As(V) was added and reached sorption equilibrium, the subsequent addition of equal Cr(VI) concentration did not cause relevant As displacement from oak ash and pyritic material, indicating strong As bindings, and/or low competitive effects. When Cr(VI) was added and reached sorption equilibrium, the subsequent addition of equal As(V) concentration caused Cr(VI) displacement from all materials except pine bark, indicating weak Cr bindings. In view of these results, oak ash and the pyritic material could be used to remove As(V) in concentrations as high as 6 mmol L−1, even in the presence of a wide range of Cr(VI) concentrations, whereas pine bark could be used to remove Cr(VI) concentrations as high as 6 mmol L−1. The other materials assayed (including hemp waste, studied for the first time as As(V) and Cr(VI) bio-sorbent) cannot be considered appropriate to remove As(V) and/or Cr(VI) from polluted media.

Production et caractérisation d’une nouvelle boisson alcoolisée distillée produite à partir de grande myrtille (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

Fruits, 2016, vol. 71(4), 215-220

http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/fruits/2016013

La culture d’espèces de baies sous-utilisées et leur transformation en produits à haute valeur ajoutée, tels que les spiritueux à base de fruits, pourraient avoir un effet bénéfique sur l’économie des régions rurales et défavorisées des montagnes d’Espagne. La production d’une boisson alcoolisée distillée à partir de grandes myrtilles ou bleuets n’a pourtant jamais été signalée auparavant. La pâte de bleuet var. Bluecrop fermentée avec Saccharomyces cerevisiae IFI83, a été distillée en utilisant un système de distillation par train de vapeur d’eau; les composés volatils ont été déterminés par chromatographie en phase gazeuse. Dans le distillat obtenu, les concentrations moyennes d’éthanol (45,3 mL 100 mL-1 distillat), de substances volatiles (317,1 g hL-1 alcool absolu, aa) et de méthanol (261,0 g hL-1 aa) étaient conformes aux spécifications que le Conseil européen (règlement 110/2008) fixe pour ces composés. De plus, les rapports [3-méthyl-1-butanol/2-méthyl-1-propanol] et [2-méthyl-1-propanol/1-propanol] ont été de 2,60 et 1,34, respectivement, indiquant que la boisson alcoolisée distillée a une bonne qualité organoleptique. Les résultats suggèrent que la grande myrtille peut être utilisée avec succès pour la production d’un nouveau spiritueux de bonne qualité organoleptique et sanitaire pour les consommateurs.

Proteome changes in Garnacha Tintorera red grapes during post-harvest drying

LWT - Food Science and Technology, 69 (2016) 608–613

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2016.02.026

Fruit raisining is accompanied by changes in composition due to the joint action of water loss and modifying enzymes. Cell walls in grape berries form a barrier against diffusion of aromatic and polyphenolic compounds that influence wine quality. In this work, fresh and post-harvest dried grape samples of Vitis vinifera L. Garnacha Tintorera variety were compared in terms of proteome. The main change observed during raisining was over-expression from 14 to 47% of proteins involved in pathogen- and stress-resistance mechanisms, whereas metabolism-related proteins or those involved in the transcription and synthesis of other proteins decreased, respectively, from 43 to 27% and from 29 to 13%. These changes are important in the functional qualities and stability of the sweet wines obtained, since affect interactions with other macromolecules or metabolites.

Terpenoid trans-caryophyllene inhibits weed germination and induces plant water status alteration and oxidative damage in adult Arabidopsis

Plant Biology

DOI: 10.1111/plb.12471

trans-Caryophyllene (TC) is a sesquiterpene commonly found as volatile component in many different aromatic plants. Although the phytotoxic effects of trans-caryophyllene on seedling growth are relatively explored, not many information is available regarding the phytotoxicity of this sesquiterpenes on weed germination and on adult plants. The phytotoxic potential of TC was assayed in vitro on weed germination and seedling growth to validate its phytotoxic potential on weed species. Moreover, it was assayed on the metabolism of Arabidopsis thaliana adult plants, through two different application ways, spraying and watering, in order to establish the primary affected organ and to deal with the unknown mobility of the compound. The results clearly indicated that TC inhibited both seed germination and root growth, as demonstrated by comparison of the ED50 values. Moreover, although trans-caryophyllene-sprayed adult Arabidopsis plants did not show any effect, trans-caryophyllene-watered plants became strongly affected. The results suggested that root uptake was a key step for the effectiveness of this natural compound and its phytotoxicity on adult plants was mainly due to the alteration of plant water status accompanied by oxidative damage.

Cheese whey: A cost-effective alternative for hyaluronic acid production by Streptococcus zooepidemicus

Food Chemistry, 198, (2016) 54–61

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.11.062

This study focuses on the optimisation of cheese whey formulated media for the production of hyaluronic acid (HA) by Streptococcus zooepidemicus. Culture media containing whey (W; 2.1 g/L) or whey hydrolysate (WH; 2.4 g/L) gave the highest HA productions. Both W and WH produced high yields on protein consumed, suggesting cheese whey is a good nitrogen source for S. zooepidemicus production of HA. Polysaccharide concentrations of 4.0 g/L and 3.2 g/L were produced in W and WH in a further scale-up to 5 L bioreactors, confirming the suitability of the low-cost nitrogen source. Cheese whey culture media provided high molecular weight (>3000 kDa) HA products. This study revealed replacing the commercial peptone by the low-cost alternative could reduce HA production costs by up to a 70% compared to synthetic media.

Structural and thermo-rheological analysis of solutions and gels of a β-lactoglobulin fraction isolated from bovine whey

Food Chemistry, 198 (2016) 45–53

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.11.090

A β-Lactoglobulin fraction (r-βLg) was isolated from milk whey hydrolysates produced with cardosins from Cynara cardunculus. The impact of the technological process on the r-βLg structure and how in turn this determined its heat-induced gelation was investigated. Results were analysed taking pure β-Lg (p-βLg) as control sample. The process induced changes in the r-βLg native conformation causing exposure of hydrophobic groups, lower thermal stability and also, shorter thermal treatments needed to give rise to non-native and aggregated species.

At pH 3.2, r-βLg and p-βLg solutions exhibited two gelation steps, with the advantage that r-βLg protein may form stable gels at lower temperature than p-βLg. At pH 7.2, a specific thermo-viscoelastic stability to 73 °C was found, which corresponded to the gel point in both protein solutions. The difference was that while for p-βLg solution in sol state δ < 45° (solid-like), however for r-βLg solution δ > 45° (fluid-like).

Build-up of carbon fractions in technosol-biochar amended partially reclaimed mine soil grown with Brassica juncea

Journal of Soils and Sediments

May 2016, Volume 16, Issue 5, pp 1529–1537

DOI: 10.1007/s11368-016-1358-9

Soil organic carbon (SOC) and its labile fractions are strong determinants of physical, chemical and biological properties. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effects of organic amendments (technosol made of wastes and biochar) and Brassica juncea L. on the soil C fractions in a reclaimed mine soil.

The studied soil was from a former copper mine that was subsequently partially reclaimed with vegetation and wastes. A greenhouse experiment was carried out to amend the mine soil with different proportions of technosol and biochar mixture and planting B. juncea. B. juncea plants can tolerate high levels of metals and can produce a large amount of biomass in relatively short periods of time.

The results showed that with the addition of biochar and wastes, soil pH increased from 2.7 to 6.18, SOC from undetectable to 105 g kg−1 and soil total nitrogen (TN) from undetectable to 11.4 g kg−1. Amending with wastes and biochar also increased dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from undetectable to 5.82 g kg−1, carbon in the free organic matter (FOM) from undetectable to 30.42 g kg−1, FAP (carbon in fulvic acids removed with phosphoric acid) from undetectable to 24.14 g kg−1 and also increased the humification ratio, the humification index, the polymerisation rate and the organic carbon in the humified fractions (humic acids, fulvic acids and humin). Soils amended and vegetated with B. juncea showed lower FOM values and higher humification index values than the soils amended only with biochar and wastes.

This study concludes that the combined addition of wastes and biochar has a greater potential for both increasing and improving organic carbon fractions in mine soils. The authors recommend the application of biochar and technosol made of wastes as a soil amendment combined with B. juncea on soils that are deficient in organic matter, since they increased all of the SOC fractions in the studied copper mine soil.