Human Consumption (human + consumption)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Krill for Human Consumption: Nutritional Value and Potential Health Benefits

NUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 2 2007
Janet C. Tou PhD
The marine crustacean krill (order Euphausiacea) has not been a traditional food in the human diet. Public acceptance of krill for human consumption will depend partly on its nutritive value. The aim of this article is to assess the nutritive value and potential health benefits of krill, an abundant food source with high nutritional value and a variety of compounds relevant to human health. Krill is a rich source of high-quality protein, with the advantage over other animal proteins of being low in fat and a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. Antioxidant levels in krill are higher than in fish, suggesting benefits against oxidative damage. Finally, the waste generated by the processing of krill into edible products can be developed into value-added products. [source]


Dietary Cholate Is Required for Antiatherogenic Effects of Ethanol in Mouse Models

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 9 2003
Mark A. Deeg
Background: Human consumption of moderate amounts of ethanol is associated with reduced cardiovascular events. Studies examining the effect of ethanol on atherosclerosis in mouse models have yielded conflicting results that may be due to differences in dietary fat and cholate content. To determine if dietary cholate influences ethanol's effect on atherosclerosis, we fed apolipoprotein E,/, and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR),/, mice different liquid diets with or without ethanol. Methods: Apolipoprotein E,/, mice were fed a low-fat or high saturated fat, cholate-containing diet with or without ethanol for 3 to 10 weeks, and LDLR,/, mice were fed a low-fat, high saturated fat, or high saturated fat diet with cholate with or without ethanol for 7 weeks. At the end of the feeding study, aortic root lesion size was determined and compared with serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Because dietary cholate increases hepatic nuclear factor (NF)-,B and ethanol inhibits NF-,B, we also examined the effect of ethanol on aortic NF-,B binding activity. Results: Adding ethanol to a low-fat diet had no effect on lesion size. Similarly, ethanol had no effect on lesion size in LDLR,/, mice consuming a high saturated fat diet. Adding ethanol to a high-fat, cholate-containing diet for either strain resulted in a 25% to 50% reduction in lesion size. Dietary cholate increased and ethanol reduced NF-,B binding activity in the aorta. Conclusions: These results suggest that ethanol inhibits atherosclerosis in the presence of dietary cholate, which may occur via an anti-inflammatory mechanism. [source]


Cytotoxic effects induced by hexachlorobenzene in Squilla mantis (L.) (Crustacea, Stomatopoda)

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 1 2008
Antonio Dell'Anno
Abstract Contamination of marine environments by hexachlorobenzene (HCB) represents a serious concern for potential consequences on ecosystem and human health. Despite this, information on cytotoxic effects on marine organisms is still largely lacking. In this study, we investigated cytotoxic effects induced by HCB on gonads and muscular tissue of Squilla mantis by analysing Na+/K+ -ATPase activity and plasma membrane fluidity. This crustacean species was selected as a model for its habitat, trophic level, feeding behavior, and commercial exploitation for human consumption. Time course experiments revealed that low concentrations of HCB (i.e. 50 nM) determine an exponentially decrease of Na+/K+ -ATPase activity and a significant modification of cellular membrane fluidity. Significant negative relationships between Na+/K+ -ATPase activity and membrane fluidity were observed, suggesting that changes in the structure and packing of cellular membranes induced by HCB may be the primary factor affecting the activity of essential bilayer-associated enzymes. Overall these findings suggest that even small concentrations of HCB may determine important changes on cell metabolism with potential cascade effects on recruitment of this commercial species. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2008. [source]


Seasonal dynamics of the hepatotoxic microcystins in various organs of four freshwater bivalves from the large eutrophic lake Taihu of subtropical China and the risk to human consumption

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 6 2005
Jun Chen
Abstract So far, little is known on the distribution of hepatotoxic microcystin (MC) in various organs of bivalves, and there is no study on MC accumulation in bivalves from Chinese waters. Distribution pattern and seasonal dynamics of MC-LR, -YR and -RR in various organs (hepatopancreas, intestine, visceral mass, gill, foot, and rest) of four edible freshwater mussels (Anodonta woodiana, Hyriopsis cumingii, Cristaria plicata, and Lamprotula leai) were studied monthly during Oct. 2003,Sep. 2004 in Lake Taihu with toxic cyanobacterial blooms in the summer. Qualitative and quantitative determinations of MCs in the organs were done by LC,MS and HPLC. The major toxins were present in the hepatopancreas (45.5,55.4%), followed by visceral mass with substantial amount of gonad (27.6,35.5%), whereas gill and foot were the least (1.8,5.1%). The maximum MC contents in the hepatopancreas, intestine, visceral mass, gill, foot, and rest were 38.48, 20.65, 1.70, 0.64, 0.58, and 0.61 ,g/g DW, respectively. There were rather good positive correlation in MC contents between intestines and hepatopancreas of the four bivalves (r = 0.75,0.97, p < 0.05). There appeared to be positive correlations between the maximum MC content in the hepatopancreas and the ,13C (r = 0.919) or ,15N (r = 0.878) of the foot, indicating that the different MC content in the hepatopancreas might be due to different food ingestion. A glutathione (GSH) conjugate of MC-LR was also detected in the foot sample of C. plicata. Among the foot samples analyzed, 54% were above the provisional WHO tolerable daily intake (TDI) level, and the mean daily intakes from the four bivalves were 8,23.5 times the TDI value when the bivalves are eaten as a whole, suggesting the high risk of consuming bivalves in Lake Taihu. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 20: 572,584, 2005. [source]


Wastewater treatment plants as a pathway for aquatic contamination by pharmaceuticals in the Ebro river basin (Northeast Spain)

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 8 2007
Meritxell Gros
Abstract The occurrence of 28 pharmaceuticals of major human consumption in Spain, including analgesics and anti-inflam-matories, lipid regulators, psychiatric drugs, antibiotics, antihistamines, and ,-blockers, was assessed along the Ebro river basin, one of the biggest irrigated lands in that country. Target compounds were simultaneously analyzed by off-line solid-phase extraction, followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The loads of detected pharmaceuticals and their removal rates were studied in seven wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located in the main cities along the basin. Total loads ranged from 2 to 5 and from 0.5 to 1.5 g/d/1,000 inhabitants in influent and effluent wastewaters, respectively. High removal rates (60,90%) were achieved mainly for analgesics and anti-inflammatories. The other groups showed lower rates, ranging from 20 to 60%, and in most cases, the antiepileptic carbamazepine, macrolide antibiotics, and trimethoprim were not eliminated at all. Finally, the contribution of WWTP effluents to the presence of pharmaceuticals in receiving river waters was surveyed. In receiving surface water, the most ubiquitous compounds were the analgesics and anti-inflammatories ibuprofen, diclofenac, and naproxen; the lipid regulators bezafibrate and gemfibrozil; the antibiotics erythromycin, azithromycin, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, and less frequently, ofloxacin; the antiepileptic carbamazepine; the antihistamine ranitidine; and the ,-blockers atenolol and sotalol. Although levels found in WWTP effluents ranged from low ,g/L to high ng/L, pharmaceuticals in river waters occurred at levels at least one order of magnitude lower (low ng/L range) because of dilution effect. From the results obtained, it was proved that WWTP are hot spots of aquatic contamination concerning pharmaceuticals of human consumption. [source]


Bioaccumulation of the hepatotoxic microcystins in various organs of a freshwater snail from a subtropical Chinese Lake, Taihu Lake, with dense toxic Microcystis blooms

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 1 2007
Dawen Zhang
Abstract In this paper, we describe the seasonal dynamics of three common microcystins (MCs; MC-RR, MC-YR, and MC-LR) in the whole body, hepatopancreas, intestine, gonad, foot, remaining tissue, and offspring of a freshwater snail, Bellamya aeruginosa, from Gonghu Bay of Lake Taihu, China, where dense toxic Microcystis blooms occur in the warm seasons. Microcystins were determined by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrum. Microcystin (MC-RR + MC-YR + MC-LR) content of the offspring and gonad showed high positive correlation, indicating that microcystins could transfer from adult females to their young with physiological connection. This study is the first to report the presence of microcystins in the offspring of the adult snail. The majority of the toxins were present in the intestine (53.6%) and hepatopancreas (29.9%), whereas other tissues contained only 16.5%. If intestines are excluded, up to 64.3% of the toxin burden was allocated in the hepatopancreas. The microcystin content in the intestine, hepatopancreas, and gonad were correlated with the biomass of Microcystis and intracellular and extracellular toxins. Of the analyzed foot samples, 18.2% were above the tolerable daily microcystin intake recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for human consumption. This result indicates that public health warnings regarding human ingestion of snails from Taihu Lake are warranted. In addition, further studies are needed to evaluate the occurrence by Microcystis in relation to spatial and temporal changes in water quality. [source]


Mutagenicity and disinfection by-products in surface drinking water disinfected with peracetic acid

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2002
Silvano Monarca
Abstract The aims of this research were to study the influence of peracetic acid (PAA) on the formation of mutagens in surface waters used for human consumption and to assess its potential application for the disinfection of drinking water. The results obtained using PAA were compared to those found with sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and chlorine dioxide (ClO2). The Ames test, root anaphase aberration assay, and root/micronuclei assay in Allium cepa and Tradescantia/micronuclei test were used to evaluate the mutagenicity of disinfected samples. Microbiological tests were also performed, and disinfection by-products (DBPs) were identified using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A slight bacterial mutagenicity was found in raw lake and river water, and similar activity was detected in disinfected samples. A plant test revealed genotoxicity in raw river water, and microbiological analysis showed that PAA has bactericidal activity but lower than that of the other disinfectants. The DBPs produced by PAA were mainly carboxylic acids, which are not recognized as mutagenic, whereas the waters treated with the other disinfectants showed the presence of mutagenic/carcinogenic halogenated DBPs. However, additional experiments should be performed with higher concentrations of PAA and using water with higher organic carbon content to better evaluate this disinfectant. [source]


Carp (Cyprinus carpio) oils obtained by fishmeal and ensilage processes: characteristics and lipid profiles

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 8 2009
Valéria T. Crexi
Summary Fish oil is an important source of long-chain ,-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid. The common carp (Cyprinus carp) is a major fish species in world aquaculture production. This study aimed towards obtaining carp viscera oil by ensilage and fishmeal processes. Characteristics of crude oils obtained were also compared with oil extracted by Bligh and Dyer methods. Crude oils obtained by the three processes resulted in significant difference (P < 0.05) for free fatty acids, peroxide, thiobarbituric acid and Lovibond colour values; however, iodine and saponification values were not significantly affected (P > 0.05). Recovery yield of crude oils was approximately 85% in relation to carp viscera oil. Carp crude oils obtained by the ensilage and fishmeal processes resulted in high unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid contents (67.4%), and ,3/,6 ratios around 1.15. These oils are applicable in fish diets; however, crude oils require refinement for human consumption. [source]


Modelling ecological half-lives for radiocaesium in Norwegian brown trout populations

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2000
Dag O. Hessen
Summary 1.,Models of ecological half-life may be valuable and cost-effective predictive tools for authorities setting restrictions on human consumption of freshwater fish after environmental releases of radioactivity. This work aimed to validate such a model for radioactive caesium (134Cs and 137Cs) in brown trout Salmo trutta populations. Data were drawn from lakes with a wide variability in abiotic and biotic factors and initial caesium load. 2.,In Norway, the highest fallout (more than 150 kBq m,2 of 137Cs) from the Chernobyl accident occurred in Oppland county, in south central Norway. Radioactivity was measured in more than 1800 samples of brown trout in nearly 100 localities in this region during 1986,95. 3.,The back-calculated maximum initial radioactivity on 1 January 1987 showed a strong regional variability (range 443,13 370; average 3855 Bq kg,1). Large variation in initial radioactivity was also recorded on a local scale (within 50 km). 4.,The ecological half-life model for caesium in brown trout populations for 1987,94/95 gave a close fit to real data from all localities with sufficient time series. Predicted half-lives ranged from 1·2 to 4·2 years (average 2·5) but 95% confidence limits were narrow (2·7 and 2·3 years). 5.,The overall variability in radioactivity levels over time was almost entirely related to the initial load and, with few exceptions, 88% of the changes in radioactivity was explained by the simple regression model. Modest variability in ecological half-life was not correlated with initial activity, and no clear effects of water quality or season could be detected. For most lakes, levels of radioactivity in brown trout appeared to be predictable, with high accuracy after a fallout event, without extensive information on population ecology and water quality. However, more detailed work may be required to assess patterns within individual lakes. [source]


Phyllosphere microbiology with special reference to diversity and plant genotype

JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2008
J.M. Whipps
Summary The phyllosphere represents the habitat provided by the aboveground parts of plants, and on a global scale supports a large and complex microbial community. Microbial interactions in the phyllosphere can affect the fitness of plants in natural communities, the productivity of agricultural crops, and the safety of horticultural produce for human consumption. The structure of phyllosphere communities reflects immigration, survival and growth of microbial colonists, which is influenced by numerous environmental factors in addition to leaf physico-chemical properties. The recent use of culture-independent techniques has demonstrated considerable previously unrecognized diversity in phyllosphere bacterial communities. Furthermore, there is significant recent evidence that plant genotype can play a major role in determining the structure of phyllosphere microbial communities. The main aims of this review are: (i) to discuss the diversity of phyllosphere microbial populations; (ii) to consider the processes by which microbes colonize the phyllosphere; (iii) to address the leaf characteristics and environmental factors that determine the survival and growth of colonists; (iv) to discuss microbial adaptations that allow establishment in the phyllosphere habitat and (v) to evaluate evidence for plant genotypic control of phyllosphere communities. Finally, we suggest approaches and priority areas for future research on phyllosphere microbiology. [source]


Chitin production by Lactobacillus fermentation of shrimp biowaste in a drum reactor and its chemical conversion to chitosan

JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 9 2005
Mukku Shrinivas Rao
Abstract Chitin was produced by fermenting shrimp heads and shells with Lactobacillus plantarum 541 in a drum reactor with an internal volume of 3 dm3. The crude chitin yield from heads and shells was 4.5 and 13% respectively, comparable to the values obtained by the chemical method. For shrimp heads 83% deproteination and 88% demineralisation and for shrimp shells 66% deproteination and 63% demineralisation were achieved. The liquor obtained in both cases was of good sensory quality with a high content of essential amino acids and therefore with potential to produce protein powder for human consumption. The crude chitin was refined and converted to chitosan using 12.5 M NaOH. The chitosan obtained had a residual ash and protein content below 1%, a solubility of more than 98%, a viscosity in the range 50,400 cP and a degree of deacetylation of 81,84%. The molecular weight was in the range (0.8,1.4) × 106 Da. IR analysis indicated that the chitosan obtained through fermentation was similar to that obtained by the chemical method. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Pharmacokinetics of oxolinic acid in gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata L.

JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 7 2002
G Rigos
This is the first study on the pharmacokinetic parameters of oxolinic acid (OA) in gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata L. The kinetic profile of OA was studied after a single intravascular injection (20 mg kg,1) in 100 g fish at 20 °C. The distribution half-life (t1/2,) and the elimination half-life (t1/2,) of the drug were found to be short (0.51 and 12.60 h, respectively). The drug penetration from the plasma to the tissues was adequate as the apparent volume of distribution of the drug at steady-state (Vd(ss)) was found to be 2.11 L kg,1. The mean residence time (MRT) of OA was short (14.25 h) and the total clearance rate (ClT) of the drug was low (0.15 L kg,1 h,1). The bioavailability (F,%) of OA following oral administration (30 mg kg,1) was also low (14%). Maximum values were observed for muscle at 0.5 h after injection, with levels declining as with subsequent sampling. At the first two time points (0.5 and 1 h) plasma levels of OA were higher than muscle, however, the reverse was evident for subsequent samples. Following oral administration, highest muscle levels were found at 16 h and, with the exception of the 24-h sampling, muscle OA concentrations were higher than plasma at all time points. The fast elimination of OA suggests short withdrawal times with reference to human consumption of treated fish. [source]


EFFECT OF VARIOUS ANTIOXIDANTS ON THE OXIDATIVE STABILITY OF ACID AND ALKALI SOLUBILIZED MUSCLE PROTEIN ISOLATES

JOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2009
SIVAKUMAR RAGHAVAN
ABSTRACT Protein isolates prepared from cod (Gadus morhua) myofibrillar proteins using acid or alkali solubilization are susceptible to oxidative rancidity. Oxidation could be delayed by the exogenous addition of antioxidants. The objective of this research was to compare the efficacy of antioxidants such as ,-tocopherol, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and propyl gallate, to inhibit oxidation in acid- and alkali- solubilized cod protein isolates. Oxidation was catalyzed using cod hemolysate. Oxidation of lipids was monitored by the measurement of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and painty odor. Results showed that protein isolates prepared using the acid process was significantly (P < 0.05) more susceptible to lipid oxidation than alkali-solubilized protein isolates. Regardless of pH treatments, the efficacy of various antioxidants decreased in the order propyl gallate > BHA > ,-tocopherol. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Research has shown that seafood available for human consumption is rapidly getting depleted and that many fish species may become extinct in the next half-century or so. Acid and alkali solubilization methods are recent but well-known techniques used for preparing protein isolates from under-utilized aquatic species and the by-products of seafood industry. Although numerous researchers have studied the use of acid and alkali processes on several sources of seafood, almost no research has been done on the use of antioxidants to protect protein isolates from lipid oxidation. In our research, we have studied the effect of various antioxidants on the oxidative stability of acid- and alkali-solubilized fish myofibrillar proteins. The results from this work will enable the seafood industry to properly identify the process and the type of antioxidants required for making muscle food products with increased oxidative stability. [source]


LIPID-LOWERING EFFECTS OF ARONIA MELANOCARPA FRUIT JUICE IN RATS FED CHOLESTEROL-CONTAINING DIETS

JOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2007
S. VALCHEVA-KUZMANOVA
ABSTRACT Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ) is very rich in phenolic antioxidants, mainly flavonoids from the subclass anthocyanins. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of AMFJ on body and liver mass, plasma lipids and lipoprotein profiles, and the histopathology of liver and aorta in rats fed with cholesterol diets. AMFJ was applied orally for 30 days at doses of 5, 10 and 20 mL/kg. In rats fed the cholesterol-containing diets, AMFJ significantly hindered an increase in plasma lipids (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides) because of cholesterol feeding. Body weight gains, liver weights, and liver and aorta histopathology were not influenced either by high-cholesterol diets or by AMFJ treatment. In conclusion, AMFJ showed lipid-lowering effects in rats with experimentally induced hyperlipidemia, and could be valuable in reducing lipidemia as a factor of cardiovascular risk. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Hyperlipidemia characterized by an increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and a decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Plant foods with high contents of phenolic phytochemicals are reported to be inversely correlated with plasma total cholesterol (TC) and LDL cholesterol. Aronia melanocarpa fruits are remarkably rich in phenolic substances. They are used for human consumption as juice, syrup, jam and wine. Our research demonstrated that A. melanocarpa fruit juice hindered the dietary-induced elevation of plasma TC, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in rats. In view of the results from our experiment, we can suppose that the juice may be further tested for reducing hyperlipidemia in humans and possibly approved a valuable dietary supplement. [source]


CLONAL HERBAL EXTRACTS AS ELICITORS OF PHENOLIC SYNTHESIS IN DARK-GERMINATED MUNGBEANS FOR IMPROVING NUTRITIONAL VALUE WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR FOOD SAFETY

JOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2002
PATRICK McCUE
ABSTRACT Plant phenolics are secondary metabolites that confer beneficial properties to the plants that produce them. Extracts made from plants that produce these phytochemicals are increasingly being recognized for their antimicrobial properties. In this study, we investigated extracts made from high-phenolics-producing clonal lines of oregano and thyme for potential as elicitors of phenolic antioxidant production in dark-germinated mungbean (Vigna radiata,). Mungbean was dark-germinated under the rationale that any energy stored in the bean seed in the form of starch may potentially be utilized for enhanced phenolics production, since without a light source the dark-germinated seedling may not stimulate the development of photosynthetic components. Wafer-based herb extracts showed the greatest ability to stimulate phenolic content in dark-germinated mungbeans. Three of the oregano extracts were investigated further and showed an ability to stimulate glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and antioxidant activity. These results suggest that the extracts contain an active elicitor that stimulates phenolic antioxidant content, as well as activity of the pentose-phosphate pathway. In addition, the results of this study suggest that extracts of high-phenolics-producing clonal plants may have potential in the food and agriculture industry as seed treatments for preventing bacterial infection in germinating sprouts by stimulating phenolic antioxidant-producing pathways, as well as for increasing the nutritional value of sprouts for human consumption. [source]


INFLUENCE OF FROZEN PERIOD ON THE PROXIMATE COMPOSITION AND MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF NILE TILAPIA FISH (OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS)

JOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION, Issue 4 2010
SHIMELIS A. EMIRE
ABSTRACT The rationale of the study was to investigate the influence of frozen period on quality of fish fillet. The proximate composition and microbiological analyses were carried out at 15 days interval on tilapia fish fillets during frozen storage. It was found that the protein, moisture and ash contents decreased significantly (P < 0.05) during the entire storage period. However, the fat content increased from 0.37 ± 0.01 to 0.56 ± 0.01 g/100 g of fillet. The total volatile bases nitrogen and pH values also increased significantly The total bacterial load in fresh fillets was reduced from 2.57 × 106 to 8.2 × 105 cfu/g after 90 days of frozen storage. The total coliforms decreased from 460 to 23 MPN/g and the fecal coliforms decreased from 23 MPN/g to undetectable level, respectively. Thus, a significant quality loss was observed for tilapia during storage. However, the present frozen conditions retained the fish material under acceptable microbiological conditions for human consumption. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The main challenge that fish industries face in developing countries like Ethiopia is to comply with consumer expectations, particularly on product quality. The quality of fresh fish is one of the key factors that govern the shelf life of the final product at low temperature preservation. The Ethiopian fish production and marketing enterprise is vested with the responsibility of inland fisheries processing and marketing. The enterprise, without any scientific basis, labeled the frozen tilapia fish shelf life to be 9 months. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the low-temperature (,18C) preservation technique practiced by the enterprise in order to evaluate the influence of frozen period on quality of a fish fillet. The results on changes in proximate composition and microbial load of Nile tilapia fish fillet enabled to determine the frozen period of a fish fillet that can be fit for human consumption devoid of deterioration. The results can also be used for further investigation and detailed research is required to help commercial processors beyond 90 days of frozen storage. [source]


SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF OIL IN DEVELOPING COCONUT

JOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY, Issue 2 2009
S. NARESH KUMAR
ABSTRACT Studies on seasonal variation in oil and fatty acid profile of developing solid endosperm of two cultivars, West Coast Tall (WCT) and Chowghat Orange Dwarf (COD), and their hybrids indicated that oil percentage increased from 30% in 6-month-old nuts to 63% in matured nuts (12 months old). Nuts sampled during July from different levels of maturity had high oil percentage and followed by those sampled during April, October and January. During nut development to maturity, the percentages and contents of medium and long chain saturated fatty acids increased except that of palmitic and myristic acids. Concentration of long chain unsaturated fatty acids (LCUFAs) in developing coconut kernel were high at 5 and 6 months after fertilization and then decreased toward maturity. The LCUFAs were high in nuts developing during October; consequently, saturated to unsaturated fatty acid ratios were low during October. Results indicated that nuts matured during October had better nutritional quality for human consumption and those matured during January are more suitable for industrial purpose due to higher medium chain fatty acid concentrations. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Coconut is consumed either as the tender nut (5,6 months after fertilization) or as the kernel from mature nut (12 months after fertilization). Recent technologies of making snowball tender nut use the nuts aged 7,8 months old. Kernel also is consumed in this product. Apart from this, the coconut is being increasingly used for making different kernel-based value-added products. This information is useful, as the value-added products are being developed using different maturities of coconut. Hence, it is of paramount importance that the fatty acid profile of coconut kernel is known in detail for assessing the safety of food consumption from the human health point of view. Apart from this, information on the seasonal variation in fatty acid profile of developing endosperm gives an integrated knowledge so as to optimize the usage of coconut kernel for both human consumption and industrial exploitation. [source]


Chemical Characterization of Liver Lipid and Protein from Cold-Water Fish Species

JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 6 2006
Peter J. Bechtel
ABSTRACT:, The largest US harvests of marine fish for human consumption are from Alaska waters. Livers from these fish are combined with other fish offal and made into fish meal and oil or discarded. The purpose of this study was to characterize liver lipids and proteins from important commercial species including walleye pollock (WP), pink salmon (PS), Pacific halibut (PH), flat head sole (FS), and spiny head rock fish (RF), and underutilized species including arrow tooth flounder (AF) and big mouth sculpin (BS). Liver lipid content ranged from 50.3% in WP to 3.3% in PS. Protein content ranged from 7.7% in WP to 18.4% in BS. PS livers had the highest content of ,-3 fatty acids at 336 mg/g of oil and AF had the lowest content at 110 mg/g of oil. There were significant differences in the content of 9 amino acids with methionine and lysine values ranging from 2.66% to 3.43% and 7.19% to 9.45% of the total amino acids, respectively. Protein from the cold water marine fish livers was of high quality and the oils contained substantial quantities of ,-3 fatty acids. Fish livers had distinct chemical properties and can be used for the development of unique food ingredients. [source]


Selection and Use of Postharvest Technologies as a Component of the Food Chain

JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 2 2004
MALCOLM C. BOURNE
ABSTRACT: Postharvest technologies refer to the stabilization and storage of unprocessed or minimally processed foods from the time of harvest until final preparation for human consumption. There is a special emphasis on seasonal crops, and simple, labor-intensive, capital-sparing technologies suitable for developing countries where food spoilage rates are high and malnutrition is prevalent. The first step is to determine the major spoilage vectors for each type of food and then identify a technology that will control that vector. For cereal grains the major spoilage vectors are mold, insects, rodents, and other vertebrate pests. Mold is controlled by prompt and adequate drying to a water activity below 0.7. Insects are controlled by good housekeeping, and use of insecticides and fumigants. Rodents are controlled by baits, traps, fumigants, and rodent-proof storage structures. For fruits, vegetables, roots, and tubers the main spoilage vectors are bruising, rotting, senescence, and wilting. Bruising is avoided by careful handling and use of shock-resistant packaging. Rotting is controlled by good housekeeping, gentle handling to avoid breaking the skin, cool storage, and use of preservatives. Senescence is retarded by cold storage or controlled-atmosphere storage. Wilting is controlled by high humidity and cold storage. Growth of microbes is the major spoilage of fish and other foods of animal origin. This is controlled by refrigerated or frozen storage, drying, freezing, or canning. Most spoilage vectors accelerate as the temperature and humidity increase; this makes it more difficult to control spoilage in tropical than in temperate regions. [source]


A measure of food seeking in individuals with Prader,Willi syndrome

JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, Issue 1 2006
J. Young
Abstract Background Individuals with Prader,Willi syndrome (PWS), a chromosome 15 genetic disorder, often have a significant preoccupation with food and problem behaviour related to food seeking is often prevalent. Methods In the present study, we compared how individuals with PWS responded on a survey regarding the acceptability of food in various locations that varied according to degree of appropriateness for human consumption (e.g. food on a plate, food in a garbage can). For a subgroup of participants, we observed how they actually responded when placed in a room with food items placed in the same locations depicted in the survey. In the first part of the study, three groups (25 typically developing individuals, 7 individuals with intellectual disability (ID), and 19 individuals with PWS) responded to a visual survey to determine the degree of acceptability of food items in various locations (e.g. on a table near a hairbrush, on the floor behind a toy box, in a trash can). In the second part of the study, these food items (popcorn, jelly beans) were placed in the 12 locations described above. Nine individuals diagnosed with PWS (deletion type) and three individuals with ID were given some break time in the room for 15 min. The amount of food consumed, the time spent food seeking, and time spent interacting with materials were measured. Results Results of the survey indicated that the PWS group differed significantly with regard to how they responded on the survey from the typically developing group, but did not differ significantly from the ID group. Results of the food seeking observations indicated that only three individuals with PWS ate a significant number of items. The three individuals did not differ from the rest of the group according to IQ or compulsivity score; however, they had significantly lower body mass index (BMI) scores and were younger than the other participants. Conclusions The findings from the survey indicate that individuals with PWS are able to discriminate the appropriateness of eating items in more or less contaminated areas; however, the amount of time spent seeking food and the amount of food covertly consumed appeared to depend more directly on age and BMI. [source]


Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in olive oil by a completely automated headspace technique coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 6 2006
Francisco J. Arrebola
Abstract A new and completely automated method for the determination of ten relevant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in olive oil is proposed using an extraction by the headspace (HS) technique. Quantification and confirmation steps are carried out by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) combining simultaneously selected-ion monitoring (SIM) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). This combination offers on one hand an increased sensitivity and on the other hand, selective and reliable qualitative information. Sample pretreatment or clean-up are not necessary because the olive oil sample is put directly into an HS vial, automatically processed by HS and introduced into the GC-MS instrument for analysis. Because of its high selectivity and sensitivity, a triple-quadrupole (QqQ) detector coupled with the gas chromatograph allows us to limit handling. Each sample is completely processed in approximately 63 min (45 min for HS isolation and 18 min for GC-MS determination), a reduced time compared with previously published methods. The chemical and instrumental variables were preliminarily optimized using uncontaminated olive oil samples spiked with 25 µg kg,1 of each target compound. The final method was validated to ensure the quality of the results. The precision was satisfactory, with relative standard deviation (RSD) values in the range 3,9%. Recovery rates ranged from 96 to 99%. Limits of detection (LOD) were calculated as 0.02,0.06 µg kg,1 and the limits of quantification (LOQ) were obtained as 0.07,0.26 µg kg,1. It must be mentioned that the LOD and LOQ are much lower than the maximum levels established by the European Union (EU) in oils and fats intended for direct human consumption or for use as an ingredient in foods, which are set at 2 µg kg,1. All the figures of merit are completely in accordance with the latest EU legislation. This fact makes it possible to consider the proposed method as a useful tool for the control of PAHs in olive oils. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Determination of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in water samples using liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detector and mass spectrometry

JOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 17 2005
Jolanta Debska
Abstract An analytical method for the determination of trace levels of six different nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in water samples has been developed and validated. Environmentally relevant pharmaceuticals were chosen according to human consumption in Poland. Final analysis of the target compounds was performed by RP LC,diode-array detection,MS, whereas sample preparation included an SPE step. For this SPE step, a number of packing materials, such as LiChrolut RP-18, calixarene, Strata-X, BAKERBOND Narc-2, BAKERBOND Polar Plus, BAKERBOND styrene divinylbenzene-1, and Discovery DSC-18, were used, and their respective advantages and disadvantages in this study were discussed. The RP-18 phase was found to be the most retentive for all analytes. The detection limits for compounds in surface waters were varied from 0.005 for diflunisal to 0.095 ,g/L for ibuprofen. The average recoveries of NSAIDs from the surface water samples ranged from 80 up to 103%. RSD value is relatively low (from 4% for fenoprofen up to 8% for ibuprofen). The performance of the method was tested with several environmental water samples. [source]


Evaluation of alternative cereal sources in dog diets: effect on nutrient utilisation and hindgut fermentation characteristics

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 13 2009
Kumar B Kore
Abstract BACKGROUND: Rice is one of the most commonly used cereal grains in pet foods. However, other cereals such as pearl millet, sorghum and maize have good amino acid profiles and could be used as alternatives to rice in the diet of dogs, thus sparing rice for human consumption. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional worth of these cereals for pet dogs. RESULTS: Eight adult Spitz dogs (age ,10 months, average body weight 6.14 ± 0.58 kg) were used in a 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design to compare the effects of dietary inclusion of four cereals, namely rice, maize, pearl millet and sorghum, on digestibility and hindgut fermentation characteristics. The digestibility of dry matter (DM) was significantly (P < 0.01) reduced when rice was replaced by the alternative cereals. Additionally, the digestibilities of protein, fat and total dietary fibre decreased (P < 0.01) in dogs fed the pearl millet-based diet. The DM voided in faeces increased (P < 0.05) when rice was replaced by the alternative cereals. Faecal ammonia concentration was higher (P < 0.05) on the rice-based diet, while faecal lactate concentration was reduced (P < 0.01) on the pearl millet- and sorghum-based diets. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that maize, pearl millet and sorghum are not as effectively utilised as rice as cereal source in the diet of dogs. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Texture and colour properties of proteins recovered from whole gutted silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) using isoelectric solubilisation/precipitation

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 2 2009
Latif Taskaya
Abstract BACKGROUND: According to an FAO report, carp are the cheapest and by far the most commonly consumed fish in the world. Carp have minimal growth requirements, yet rapid growth rates. Although carp are generally considered unsuitable for human consumption in the USA, they have rapidly started populating major bodies of fresh water in the USA to the extent that commercial processing becomes of interest. However, typical mechanical means of meat recovery from carp are impractical owing to the bony nature of the carp carcass. Therefore the aim of the present study was to devise processing strategies to recover fish meat from carp that could be used in the development of human food products. RESULTS: Isoelectric solubilisation/precipitation at acidic and basic pH values was applied to whole gutted silver carp. Depending on the solubilisation pH, protein and fat recovery yields were approximately 420,660 and 800,950 g kg,1 respectively. The process effectively removed impurities such as bones, scales, skin, fins, etc. from whole gutted carp. The proteins were concentrated to approximately 900 g kg,1, while the fat was reduced by 970,990 g kg,1. Functional additives (potato starch, beef plasma protein, transglutaminase and polyphosphate) improved (P < 0.05) the texture of carp protein-based gels such that it was generally comparable to the texture of Alaska pollock surimi gels. Although titanium dioxide improved (P < 0.05) the whiteness of carp gels, it was lower (P < 0.05) than the whiteness of Alaska pollock surimi gels. CONCLUSION: Isoelectric solublisation/precipitation allows protein and lipid recovery from whole gutted carp. However, if the proteins are used as a gelling ingredient in fish food products, functional additives are recommended. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Aflatoxin contamination of consumer milk caused by contaminated rice by-products in compound cattle feed

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 2 2009
Erik Nordkvist
Abstract BACKGROUND: Elevated levels of aflatoxin M1 were observed in routine checks of consumer milk in southern Sweden in early 2006. A trace-back study revealed contaminated milk from several farms, and a total of 68 farms were banned from delivering milk to dairies for shorter or longer periods. The maximum level of aflatoxin M1 in a single sample from an individual farm was 257 ng kg,1 fresh milk. RESULTS: Aflatoxin analyses of commercial compound feed revealed that the contamination originated from the ingredient rice feed meal, a by-product from the preparation of Basmati rice for human consumption. Up to 56 µg kg,1 of aflatoxin B1 was found in rice feed meal at one feed mill. CONCLUSION: The present example shows that an aflatoxin-contaminated minor feed ingredient included at less than 10% (w/w) of compound cattle feed can significantly contaminate the milk produced. This emphasises the need for effective monitoring of the feed chain of food-producing animals in order to prevent food contamination. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Laboratory preparation and evaluation of Pollock variety avocado (Persea americana Mill) guacamole

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 11 2007
Giselle A Ramtahal
Abstract Guacamole was produced from ripe avocado (Persea americana) by blending the pulp with local herbs, spices and salt. The guacamole was stored at 5 °C for 2 weeks, during which physical, chemical and microbial analyses were conducted. Organoleptic evaluations by a semi-trained panel were also performed, until the guacamole was deemed unfit for human consumption. The results indicated that fresh avocado pulp contains 835, 13, 16, 92, 44, 16 and 0.078 g kg,1, moisture, ash, protein, fat, carbohydrate, fiber, and vitamin C respectively, and has a pH of 6.7; compared with 838, 13, 16, 92, 44, 16, and 0.042 g kg,1, respectively, of the same nutrients in freshly prepared guacamole, which has a pH of 6.0. During storage, the moisture content, consistency, total soluble solids and total titratable acidity (as citric acid) of the guacamole increased, but the vitamin C content decreased. The color of the avocado pulp, which darkened during conversion into guacamole, darkened further as storage increased as evidenced by a decrease in the L, a and b values. Sensory evaluation revealed that the mean storage period (5 °C) for the guacamole was 6 days. Although the fresh avocado pulp, the freshly prepared guacamole, and the stored guacamole contained bacteria, yeasts and molds, the pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella were absent. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Effect of dietary supplementation with vitamin E on characteristics of vacuum-packed lamb

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 4 2007
Jesús de la Fuente
Abstract The effect of dietary vitamin E supplementation on lamb during vacuum-packed storage was studied. Thirty-six weaned male Manchego breed lambs were offered four dietary treatments (20, 270, 520 and 1020 mg vitamin E kg,1 feed). Lambs were fed the vitamin E-supplemented diet from 13 until 26 kg live weight. Pieces of M. longissimus dorsi were stored under vacuum at 2 ± 1 °C in the dark and meat quality was assessed after 5, 14 and 28 days of storage. Dietary supplementation significantly increased the ,-tocopherol concentration in the muscle (P < 0.001). Initially, lipid oxidation, meat colour and bacterial load were similar in all groups. In meat of non-supplemented lambs the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance value increased throughout storage, whereas in meat of supplemented lambs it did not increase. Meat pigments and discolouration proportion were significantly affected by storage time (P < 0.001). The bacterial load was low initially, but after 28 days of storage it was close to 7 log10 colony-forming units (cfu) cm,2 and Enterobacteriaceae surpassed the limit of acceptability of 2.5 log10 cfu cm,2, making the lamb unsuitable for human consumption. Meat of supplemented lambs displayed less lipid oxidation than that of their non-supplemented counterparts, while meat colour and bacterial load were not affected by supplementation. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Dietary effects on growth, plasma lipid and tissues of rats fed with non-conventional oil of Telfairia occidentalis

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 13 2004
Ibironke A Ajayi
Abstract The nutritional value of Telfairia occidentalis seed and seed oil available in local market was studied in rats. The average values of the proximate analysis on dry matter basis were 203 g kg,1 crude protein, 536.3 g kg,1 fat, 39 g kg,1 ash, 95 g kg,1 crude fibre and 43.7 g kg,1 carbohydrate, while the moisture content was 75 g kg,1. The mineral analyses showed that T occidentalis seeds contain potassium (3280 mg kg,1), sodium (1230 mg kg,1), magnesium (60.8 mg kg,1), calcium (60.8 mg kg,1) and iron (13.0 mg kg,1). The oil extracted from the seed sample showed physicochemical properties that suggest its suitability for edible and industrial uses. The oil contained high levels of unsaturated fatty acids, oleic and linoleic, which accounted for 63.22% of total fatty acids recovered, while palmitic acid (27.4% of the oil by weight) was the most prevalent saturated fatty acid in the oil. No trace of eleostearic acid was detected in the oil. The effect on physical appearance, weight gain, organ weight, tissue and plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels was determined in rats fed a diet containing 5% T occidentalis oil. These were compared with those of rats fed a control diet (0% T occidentalis oil) over an 8 week study period. Weekly monitoring of the rats showed good physical appearance and steady weight increase. The test rats were not anaemic and no mortality was recorded. While there was a significantly higher (p < 0.05) level of cholesterol in the heart of test rats compared with the control, there was a significantly lower (p < 0.05) plasma cholesterol level, suggesting that T occidentalis seed oil can be used to lower plasma levels of cholesterol. Histological examination of the sections of the heart, liver, kidney and spleen of the test rats revealed varying degrees of pathology. These include artherosclerotic changes in the walls of vasa vasori and lymphatics in the heart and hyaline degeneration of myofibrils, fatty infiltration of hepatocytes, and glomerular and tubular degeneration in the kidneys. These lesions may have been due to the effect of fatty acids, especially erucic acid, in the seed oil, which at 1.24% (less that the 5% conventional allowable limit for edible oils) may be intolerable for rats and may be unsuitable for human consumption. The seed oil may be used for industrial purposes such as soap making, lubrication and cosmetics for which it is well suited. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Sulfachlorpyrazine residues depletion in turkey edible tissues

JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 4 2010
EBKOWSKA-WIERUSZEWSKA
,ebkowska-Wieruszewska, B.I., Kowalski, C.J. Sulfachlorpyrazine residues depletion in turkey edible tissues. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.2009.01147.x. Sulfachlorpyrazine (SCP) is currently used to treat coccidian infections in turkeys; however, there is no information available about the withdrawal period necessary for the turkey to be safe for human consumption. A high performance liquid chromatography method with ultraviolet-visible light detection was adapted and validated for the determination of SCP in turkey tissues. The procedure is based on isolation of the (SCP sodium) compound from edible turkey tissues (muscles, liver, kidneys, and fat with skin) with satisfactory recovery (72.80 ± 1.40) and specificity. The residue depletion of SCP in turkeys was conducted after a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight/day had been administrated orally for 3 days. After treatment has been discontinued residue concentrations were detected in tissues on the 7th day. The highest SCP concentrations were measured in muscles. Based on the results presented in this study, it could be assumed that a withdrawal period of 21 days, before medicated turkeys could be slaughtered, would be sufficient to ensure consumer safety. [source]


An overview of factors affecting the disposition of intramammary preparations used to treat bovine mastitis

JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 4 2006
R. GEHRING
The administration of antimicrobial drugs by the intramammary route offers a convenient option for the treatment of bovine mastitis. The goal of antimicrobial treatment is to achieve effective drug concentrations at the site of infection. Drug concentrations must also decrease to safe levels before the milk is harvested for human consumption. The rate of change of drug concentrations in the milk and udder tissues over time is dependent on the physicochemical characteristics of the drug and how these interact with the biological environment, affecting the rate and extent of absorption, distribution and elimination. Studies reported in the literature have identified various pathophysiological and pharmaceutical factors that may influence these processes. This review summarizes current understanding of factors affecting the disposition of drugs following intramammary administration. Areas of incomplete knowledge requiring further research have been identified. [source]