Suchergebnisse

A functional microemulsified concentrate was obtained from an industrial shrimp cooking effluent by using a centrifugal separator, resulting in a new effluent with only 5% of dry matter. The shrimp concentrate (C) showed valuable properties for use as a bioactive ingredient, being rich in lipids (~16%) and proteins (~11% w/w), and exhibiting antioxidant (radical scavenging capacity and reducing power) and antimicrobial properties. Chitosan–gelatin (ChG) biocomposites with and without the shrimp concentrate were prepared and characterized. The incorporation of C provided film-forming dispersions (S-ChGC) and dried films (F-ChGC) with increased antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The film microstructure changed with the incorporation of the concentrate, which caused an evident plasticizing effect and reduced the tensile strength. The resulting biocomposites containing the shrimp cooking concentrate showed great potential for use in food applications (as food preservation or food design), medical devices or for cosmetic purposes, as wound dressing or film matrix for application on mucous membranes and epithelia with different functionalities. ; This research was financed by: (i) the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through project AGL2011-27607, AGL2014-52825-R and project AGL2017-84161-C2 and (ii) the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) through project 201370E036. M. Arancibia was funded by a SENESCYT Scholarship provided by the Ecuadorian government. ; Peer Reviewed

An active shrimp concentrate (SC), obtained from Litopenaeus vannamei cooking juice, was incorporated into a chitosan-gelatin matrix to develop edible packaging covers (coating and film). Both types of packaging, which showed antimicrobial activity against some fish spoilers and pathogenic organisms, were applied to preserve fish sausages during chilled storage. The storage trial showed that the coating increased the lag phase of total viable microorganisms and enterobacteria to 15 and 10 days, respectively, while the film drastically inhibited growth of these groups. No presence of Staphylococcus aureus or lactic acid bacteria was detected in any batches during storage. Total volatile bases and pH values also decreased during storage, the decrease being more pronounced in the film. With regard to physical-chemical properties, the coated sausages exhibited values for moisture, water holding capacity, and shear strength similar to those of the control sausages until about day 25. The coating was imperceptible and could be a promising way of improving the quality of sausages during storage since it delayed microbial growth. The sausages wrapped in the film showed a drop in pH and moisture, as well as texture hardening, and were described as resembling a pickled product. The sausages were stable for at least 42 days, which represents a shelf life increase of at least this time with respect to the control sausages (in commercial plastic casings). The coating and the film had different effects on the physicochemical and microbiological properties of the fish sausage, and therefore on the stability of the product. In addition, the film triggered modifications in the product that resulted in a product different from the original, offering an attractive alternative with regard to product design. ; This research was financed by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through projects AGL2011-27607, 201370E036, and AGL2014-528225. Ecuadorian government by scholarship SENESCYT. ; Peer Reviewed

Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) fillets were coated by gallic acid and chitosan solutions, including chitosan nanoparticles, and fish quality and shelf life were assessed during chilled storage for 13 days. All chitosan-containing coatings decreased microorganisms' growth in more than 2 log cycles up to late storage stages; however, those with chitosan nanoparticles resulted to be more effective, probably due to a greater contact surface with fish muscle. Furthermore, the lowest total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) values, as well as pH values below 7, were found for horse mackerel fillets coated by those solutions with chitosan nanoparticles. Additionally, horse mackerel fillets coated by solutions with chitosan nanoparticles also showed the lowest thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values, maybe owing to a more sustained release of gallic acid. In this regard, it is worth noting that, although gallic acid solution showed no antimicrobial activity, this prevented lipid oxidation and, therefore, preserved color and texture during the chilling storage. ; Authors thank the Basque Government (PA20/02), the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa (Department of Economic Development, the Rural Environment and Territorial Balance), the University of the Basque Country (GIU18/154), and the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), through projects AGL2017-84161 and RTI2018-097100-B-C22, for financial support. I. Z. thanks the Quality and Food Industry Department of the Basque Government for her fellowship (22-2018-00078). ; Peer reviewed

OBJECTIVES: General: to increase the quality of mother-baby care in our population. Specific: to improve by at least 10% the record of activities with poorest compliance at the first evaluation on the quality cycle. DESIGN: Quality cycle of the normal pregnancy monitoring programme in primary care (PC). The scientific-technical dimension of quality was the one studied. There was a retrospective, crossed evaluation, on internal initiative, about the clinical records of the pregnant women. Sequence: first evaluation of pregnancies in 1994-95; application of corrective measures in 1996; second evaluation of pregnancies in 1997-98. SETTING: Primary care. PATIENTS: All the pregnancies monitored by our PC team during the periods described. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Criteria evaluated: care activities of the programme for monitoring normal pregnancies in Area 10. First evaluation (n = 54): 11.5% overall non-compliance. The criteria with under 80% compliance were: folic acid supplement, counselling, diagnosis of pregnancy diabetes and attendance in the month after delivery. Second evaluation (n = 69): 6.3% overall non-compliance. All activities surpassed 80% compliance except obstetric examination on the first visit, attendance a week after delivery and attendance a month after delivery. CONCLUSIONS: After introducing certain simple corrective measures, we achieved overall improvement of over 40% and increased compliance in most activities, except for attendance after delivery and obstetric examination on the first visit. We think a continuous cycle of quality improvement needs to be maintained in order to achieve adequate mother-baby care.

7 páginas, 3 figuras, 2 tablas ; A concentration-response bioassay against the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitits capitata, was performed to evaluate the insecticidal activity of biodegradable films containing clove (Eugenia caryophyllata, Myrtaceae) or citronella (Cymbopogon nardus, Poaceae) oils. We recorded the time of knock down flies after the exposure to soy protein-lignin films incorporated with 3% food grade clove or citronella essential oils, or control films without bioactive. The vapors of clove released from the film containing 3% essential oil were efficient to trigger the tumbling of the flies (40% after 4 h exposition) and after 20 h 90% of the flies died. However, films containing citronella essential oil had poor insecticidal activity. Citronella oil have a much higher insecticidal activity in a pure form, but probably one or both of their main bioactive compounds (citronellal and geraniol) were poorly released from the films. In this work, for the first time, a novel packaging system controlling the release of essential oil of clove with good insecticidal activity against Ceratitits capitata was achieved, that can be used to improve quality of fruit and for food products. ; Thank for the financial support to SENESCYT Scholarship of the Ecuadorian government of M. Arancibia and CYTED (action 309AC0382) Agrobioenvase ; Peer reviewed

Eight seafood protein hydrolysates (SPHs) obtained from squid, shrimp and fish gelatin were incorporated as substitutes of peptones in culture media in order to evaluate its effect on survival and metabolic activity (lactic acid, acetic acid and bacteriocins production) of Enterococcus faecalis DM19. The substitution of commercial peptones in culture media by either a shrimp hydrolysate prepared with Protamex, or by squid protein hydrolysates prepared with Esperase or Alkaline protease, stimulated E. faecalis DM19 growth up to 16%. The incorporation of SPHs, mainly from shrimp, in the culture media significantly increased production of lactic and acetic acids in more than 60%. Furthermore, the media containing SPHs stimulated antimicrobial activity by E. faecalis DM19. The inhibitory activity was observed against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms, but it was remarkably observed against Listeria monocytogenes. SPHs incorporated in culture media render properties of bio-technological interest, which, together with their low price, make them suitable for industrial use. ; This research was financed by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (projects AGL2011-27607, AGL2014-52825-R). Author M. Djellouli is funded by The National Centre of Biotechnology Research (CHER-Stage 06-2013) (CNRBt) of Algeria and ENP (Exceptional National Program) Scholarship provided by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Algeria (099/PNE/ENS./ESPAGNE/2015-2016). Author M. Arancibia is funded by a SENESCYT Scholarship (20100338) provided by the Ecuadorian government. ; Peer Reviewed

The recent interest in diversification in food consumption and the current salinization and desertification processes of farmland have placed the focus on halophytic plants as new food, making necessary the characterization of their biochemical composition and the identification of possible bioactive compounds. In this work, three edible halophytic plants were characterized: common iceplant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum), sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum), and seaside arrowgrass (Triglochin maritima). The plants studied were a good source of minerals. Sea fennel showed high contents of dietary fibre and calcium (8.5 ppm, wet weight), common iceplant had a high potassium content (6500 ppm, wet weight), while seaside arrowgrass presented high levels of iron (62 ppm, wet weight). The glucose content of the three species was below 30 mg/g per dried weight. The Sb, Pb, Cr, As, Cd, and Hg content was negligible. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly α-linolenic and linoleic acid, prevailed in the three species analyzed. Hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids predominated in common iceplant and sea fennel. Glycosylated flavones, especially isoorientin, prevailed in seaside arrowgrass. These plants present a relevant nutritional profile for which their use as foods or ingredients should be promoted. ; This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness project under Grant (number AGL2014-52825-R) and cofounded with European Union ERDF funds (European Regional Development Fund). Author Sánchez-Faure was also funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (fellowship number BES-2015-074420). ; Peer reviewed

The default approach in the risk assessment (RA) of chemicals is to assess external exposure by combining different sources and routes of exposure. This kind of approach contains various uncertainties and may overestimate exposure, since conservative estimates are needed due to the limited data on, for example, the absorption of the chemical and interspecies and intraspecies differences. Human biomonitoring (HBM) can help improve RA by providing measured data on combined exposures. In some cases, biomonitoring data can even provide a direct link to health effects. In some cases, biomonitoring allows to link exposure to specific contexts such as occupational settings. Although recent years have seen good examples of the use of biomonitoring in the risk assessment of chemicals, much work is still needed to improve its use in regulatory RA and human impact assessment (HIA). The European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) was recently launched for fulfilling the gap between the exposure to hazardous chemical agents and their impact on human health. One of the aims of the HBM4EU project is to enhance the use of HBM data in RA and HIA of chemicals in different regulatory contexts including legislation on chemicals, plant protection products, and biocides, as well as legislation on cosmetics, food safety, and occupational safety. RA models for mixtures are also considered. Firstly, current RA practices are evaluated: is the use of biomonitoring integrated with the available RA guidance, and do give RA schemes have good examples of the advanced use of biomonitoring? A survey is also conducted to gather information from national regulatory risk assessors (in the EU, but also in non-EU countries) on their risk assessment practices, the use of HBM, and the obstacles and challenges related to its use. The challenges of the use of HBM data in RA may include a lack of guidance in the use of biomonitoring, a lack of knowledge regarding the interpretation of biomonitoring results, or the inability to link biomonitoring ...

Additional grant support pilot study cohorts: The CODECS study is supported by a grant from Stichting Coolsingel, the Netherlands. Funding for the PROCRAS study was obtained through ZonMw as part of the 'TopZorg' project in 2015 (grant # 842003011). The CU-STRIDE study was funded by the Health and Health Services Research Fund (0708041) of the Food and Health Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The CU-RISK study was funded by General Research Fund (grant number GRF CUHK 471911), the National Key Research and Development Program of China (grant number 2016YFC1300600), and the Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine, and Therese Pei Fong Chow Research Center for Prevention of Dementia (in memory of Donald H. K. Chow). The Mild Stroke Study 2 was funded by the Wellcome Trust (WT088134/Z/09/A), the Row Fogo Charitable Trust and Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (long-term follow-up, ref no: Res14/A157). J.M.W. is supported by the Fondation Leducq Transatlantic Network of Excellence for the Study of Perivascular Spaces in Small Vessel Disease (ref no. 16 CVD 05) and the UK Dementia Research Institute at The University of Edinburgh. O.K.L.H. is supported by the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Edinburgh and the Wellcome Trust. ; Peer reviewed ; Publisher PDF