Search

Year-round greenhouse production in northern latitudes depends on the use of artificial lighting. Light emitting diodes provide a promising means to save energy during cultivation as well as to modify the light spectrum to regulate the growth and quality of the crop. We compared the effects of light emitting diode lighting with different spectral compositions on the growth, development and nutritional quality of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. ‘Frillice’). We show that warm-white and warm-white supplemented with blue spectra provide equal growth and product quality compared to conventional high-pressure sodium lighting in the absence and presence of daylight. Our data indicate that for biomass accumulation, the far-red component in the light spectrum is more critical than green light or the red/blue ratio. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a red + blue spectrum increases the concentration of several vitamins in lettuce. However, biomass accumulation using this spectrum was insufficient when daylight was excluded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along with the high energy-efficiency potential, light-emitting diode (LED) lighting provides the possibility for spectrum control. Our study presents the original data on the influence of LED light spectrum quality on the growth and macro- and micro-nutrient uptake of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Frillice) plants cultivated in indoor conditions and without daylight. Four LED light spectral combinations were investigated using conventional high-pressure sodium (HPS) lighting as a control. In general, the LED light spectra were more favourable than the HPS light spectrum for promoting the growth and nutrient uptake of plants. In particular, the light spectrum provided by the combination of the far-red, deep-red and blue LEDs had the highest growth and nutrient uptake indices. This spectral combination particularly enhanced the uptake of potassium, calcium and magnesium in comparison to control plants grown under conventional HPS lamps. The uptake of iron and zinc were significantly influenced by the spectral changes of the red and blue light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In most studies correlating health outcomes with air pollution, personal exposure assignments are based on measurements collected at air-quality monitoring stations not coinciding with health data locations. In such cases, interpolators are needed to predict air quality in unsampled locations and to assign personal exposures. Moreover, a measure of the spatial uncertainty of exposures should be incorporated, especially in urban areas where concentrations vary at short distances due to changes in land use and pollution intensity. These studies are limited by the lack of literature comparing exposure uncertainty derived from distinct spatial interpolators. Here, we addressed these issues with two interpolation methods: regression Kriging (RK) and ordinary Kriging (OK). These methods were used to generate air-quality simulations with a geostatistical algorithm. For each method, the geostatistical uncertainty was drawn from generalized linear model (GLM) analysis. We analyzed the association between air quality and birth weight. Personal health data ( n = 227) and exposure data were collected in Sines (Portugal) during 2007–2010. Because air-quality monitoring stations in the city do not offer high-spatial-resolution measurements ( n = 1), we used lichen data as an ecological indicator of air quality ( n = 83). We found no significant difference in the fit of GLMs with any of the geostatistical methods. With RK, however, the models tended to fit better more often and worse less often. Moreover, the geostatistical uncertainty results showed a marginally higher mean and precision with RK. Combined with lichen data and land-use data of high spatial resolution, RK is a more effective geostatistical method for relating health outcomes with air quality in urban areas. This is particularly important in small cities, which generally do not have expensive air-quality monitoring stations with high spatial resolution. Further, alternative ways of linking human activities with their environment are needed to improve human well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global increase in energy prices, the urgent need to reduce CO2 emissions to the atmosphere and the high energy usage are currently the major threats to the greenhouse industry. Optimised control of the lighting quality, quantity and periodicity can contribute to improvements in the productivity and energy efficiency of greenhouses. In this paper, the effects of dynamic control of supplemental lighting intensity on electricity consumption and fresh weight accumulation of lettuce plants are investigated. The use of the dynamic lighting control resulted in a 20% reduction in the electricity consumption in comparison to a similar lighting system operated under a discontinuous on–off regime. However, there was no statistically significant difference between both regimes in terms of plants’ average fresh weight accumulated per electrical energy unit consumed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

There is an urgent need to find environmentally sustainable technologies that help to address the challenges related to increasing global demand for energy and food. Horticultural lighting allows for year-round cultivation of vegetable crops independent of weather conditions or season of the year. However, high energy prices, environmental impact and market competition are threatening this industry. Although understanding the principles and processes behind human responses to light and lighting is important, the investigation of similar aspects for plants deserves more attention from the lighting research community. This paper provides an overview of the present and future challenges facing horticultural lighting and food production in the context of a food- and fuel-hungry world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors describe the design of a suitable antenna and receiver for navigation between doors in order to help the blind or the visually impaired moving inside buildings. The proposed antenna must have an extremely narrow radiation pattern. The reason behind this specification is related to the way the receiver would let the user know that a door entrance is approaching; in other words, the identification of a door is made through the search of the maximum of the radiation pattern. Once the maximum value of power is found, the person knows that he or she is correctly positioned to enter or exit the room with the help of an adequate receiver to process the signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effects of land-use on species and communities are usually studied by considering high-intensity land-use gradients. However, in many Mediterranean Europe areas, the traditional land-use regime is of low-intensity, including low-impact forestry practices and extensive livestock pasture. This low-intensity land-use is associated with ‘High Nature Value Farmlands’, which occupy more than 50% of total farmland area in Mediterranean areas. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of traditional low-intensity land-use on epiphytic lichen communities in Mediterranean cork-oak woodlands. We intend to investigate the value of lichen communities as early indicators of the effects of land-use changes. For that, lichens were sampled along a gradient of low-intensity land-use that included forestry and pasture activities. As lichen diversity variables we considered: (i) total species richness, (ii) total species frequency (LDV), and (iii) richness and frequency of functional groups dividing species according to their eutrophication-tolerance. We found an increase of total species richness with an increase of land-use intensity which is opposite to expectations and which was shown for first time in lichens. The increase in total species richness was due to an increase of the number of eutrophication tolerant species accompanied by the maintenance of the sensitive one when we analyzed the lichen-data at the functional response group level. These results fit with the intermediate disturbance hypothesis that predicts higher diversity under an intermediate disturbance due to the coexistence of species with contrasting ecological requirements. Traditionally managed cork-oak woodlands with low-intensity land-use can thus support a high diversity of lichen species. An important outcome was that we confirmed the importance of using ecological indicators based on functional-groups for monitoring changes in ecosystems and, since lichens responded to low levels of land-use intensity, we have also shown the possibility of using lichens as early indicators of the impacts of low intensity land-use. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A total of 88 volatile and semi-volatile components were formally or tentatively identified in flowers, leaves and stems of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don (cv. Little Bright Eye), by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and by dichloromethane extraction, combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). These include some diterpenic compounds (manool and manoyl oxides), a sesquiterpen (α-bisabolol), and some pyridine, pyrazine, indol and carotenoid derivatives. Applying multivariate analysis (principal component analysis and agglomerative hierarchic cluster analysis) to the HS-SPME–GC–MS data, it was possible to characterize each part of the vegetal material using a relative small number of compounds. Hence, flowers were richer in terpenic molecules (including limonene), α-bisabolol, methyljasmonate, cis-jasmone, 2-phenylethanol, phenylacetaldehyde, trans-2-octenal, benzylic alcohol and 2-isobutyl-3-methoxypyrazine. Leaves can be characterized by the methyl and propyl esters of fatty acids, mono- and disaturated, trans-phytol, carotenoid derivative compounds, hydrofarnesylacetone, methylanthranilate, manool and epi-manool oxide, while stems have high levels of volatile aldehydes, such as hexanal, octanal, cis-2-nonenal, cis-2-decenal, cis, trans-2,6-nonadienal, trans, trans-2,4-decadienal and cis, trans-2,4-decadienal. Dichloromethane extraction allowed also the identification of some alkaloid-like compounds that were not detected by HS-SPME. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The representation of the degradation of the monoterpenes, α- and β-pinene, in version 3.1 of the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM v3.1) has been evaluated, using environmental chamber data from the Statewide Air Pollution Research Center (SAPRC) at the University of California. As part of this evaluation, a representation of the reactions of the monoterpenes with O(3P) has also been included, these reactions being significant under chamber conditions but generally insignificant under atmospheric conditions. The results demonstrate that MCM v3.1 provides a consistent description of the photo-oxidation of α-pinene/NO X mixtures for a range of initial VOC/NO X , but with the formation rate of ozone and decay rate of α-pinene generally being overestimated. Sensitivity of the system to parameter uncertainties and mechanistic variations proposed in the literature are described. The collective implementation of a number of refinements allows the simulations to be brought into good agreement with the experimental observations for the complete series of experiments, with each of the refinements being consistent with reported parameter uncertainty ranges or mechanistic adjustments. The system is particularly sensitive to the magnitudes of sources and sinks of free radicals. The impacts of several other reported mechanistic variations which potentially influence the first generation product distribution and the ozone formation chain length of the initial oxidation step are also described and assessed. MCM v3.1 is shown to provide a reasonable, but less consistent, description of photo-oxidation of β-pinene/NO X mixtures. The simulated magnitudes of the ozone formation rates and β-pinene removal rates are broadly comparable with the experimental observations, but the mechanism tends towards overestimation of ozone formation at low VOC/NO X and underestimation at high VOC/NO X . Implementation of a number of mechanistic variations reported in the literature does not allow the associated simulations to be brought into good agreement with the observations for the entire VOC/NO X range. The system is particularly sensitive to changes which influence the formation of HCHO (and resultant radical production upon its photolysis), and the impacts of the tested mechanistic variations are usually dominated by this effect. As a result of this work, gaps and uncertainties in the kinetic, mechanistic and chamber database for the monoterpenes are identified and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The representation of alkene degradation in version 3 of the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM v3) has been evaluated, using environmental chamber data on the photo-oxidation of ethene, propene, 1-butene and 1-hexene in the presence of NOx, from up to five chambers at the Statewide Air Pollution Research Center (SAPRC) at the University of California. As part of this evaluation, it was necessary to include a representation of the reactions of the alkenes with O(3P), which are significant under chamber conditions but generally insignificant under atmospheric conditions. The simulations for the ethene and propene systems, in particular, were found to be sensitive to the branching ratios assigned to molecular and free radical forming pathways of the O(3P) reactions, with the extent of radical formation required for proper fitting of the model to the chamber data being substantially lower than the reported consensus. With this constraint, the MCM v3 mechanisms for ethene and propene generally performed well. The sensitivity of the simulations to the parameters applied to a series of other radical sources and sink reactions (radical formation from the alkene ozonolysis reactions and product carbonyl photolysis; radical removal from the reaction of OH with NO2 and β-hydroxynitrate formation) were also considered, and the implications of these results are discussed. Evaluation of the MCM v3 1-butene and 1-hexene degradation mechanisms, using a more limited dataset from only one chamber, was found to be inconclusive. The results of sensitivity studies demonstrate that it is impossible to reconcile the simulated and observed formation of ozone in these systems for ranges of parameter values which can currently be justified on the basis of the literature. As a result of this work, gaps and uncertainties in the kinetic, mechanistic and chamber database are identified and discussed, in relation to both tropospheric chemistry and chemistry important under chamber conditions which may compromise the evaluation procedure, and recommendations are made for future experimental studies. Throughout the study, the performance of the MCM v3 chemistry was also simultaneously compared with that of the corresponding chemistry in the SAPRC-99 mechanism, which was developed and optimized in conjunction with the chamber datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaluation of air quality is an important topic. It is well known that lichens have a set of characteristics that make them well suited for biomonitoring purposes. Sampling lichen diversity is not as expensive as chemical analysis, allowing a dense sampling grid and reducing the costs. Lichen diversity can be used to identify more disturbed areas, resulting from pollution, land use or ecological variables. In recent years, in order to enable extended use of lichens and to reduce ambiguities, i.e., variations due to unwanted environmental variables, efforts have been made to develop a feasible protocol for lichen sampling for biomonitoring purposes. This work aims at providing the information neededa priori for an air quality assessment study, in the form of a map showing areas where lichen diversity and abundance is lower.This study was done by sampling foliose and fruticulose lichen diversity and frequency, in a region in southwest Portugal (Sines) with large industrial facilities. A long-term study has been underway in the same area since the 1970s using lichens as bioindicators to evaluate air quality. In this work, we used a standard protocol to determine a lichen diversity value (LDV), to be used as an indicator of environmental quality. In order to reduce uncertainty concerning the type of disturbance affecting lichens, sampling sites were restricted using well-defined criteria. Whenever possible, sampling site variables were quantified. This method allowed us to reduce the many sources of variability affecting lichen diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polychlorodibenzeno-dioxins and polychlorodibenzeno-furans (PCDD/Fs) are considered among the most toxic compounds on earth. The aim of the present study was to evaluate atmospheric PCDD/F deposition and identify the areas with greater deposition of these compounds in an important industrialized and urbanized region of Portugal, using lichens as biomonitors. For this purpose, samples of the lichenXanthoria parietinawere collected at 60 sampling sites, covering urban, industrial, forestry and agriculture areas, and analyzed for PCDD/Fs, sulfur, nitrogen, zinc, iron, chromium, lead, cobalt, nickel, copper, calcium, manganese, magnesium and potassium. The concentrations of PCDD/Fs in lichens were compared with the other elements and related to land-use and population density. The results obtained through the geostatistical interpolations and after principal component analysis have shown that PCDD/F deposition estimated by lichens is greater near industrial and highly populated urban areas. We found that lichens are suitable biomonitors of PCDD/F atmospheric deposition and can contribute to a better knowledge of air quality in a region, enabling identification of critical pollutant deposition areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method for analysis of heavy sulphur compounds in wines, based on gas chromatography (GC) with flame photometric detection, is reported. Wine samples preparation includes a dichloromethane liquid–liquid extraction followed by concentration under a nitrogen atmosphere. The extracted fraction was also analysed by GC–mass spectrometry. The method enables high recovery of sulphur compounds in wine and satisfies the requirements of repeatability and sensitivity. Applications of the method to red, white and Port wines are reported. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study to determine volatile compounds present in very low levels on white wines by solid phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography. It describes the SPME solvent-free technique using simple instrumentation and avoiding multiple steps in the sampling stage. Direct SPME was successfully applied to the analysis of volatiles directly related to white wine aroma. Results show that the majority of important compounds are easily and readily determined by this method.

The article cites a research on malnutrition and poverty in São Paolo, Brazil, conducted by Marie-Caroline Saglio-Yatzimirsky. The researcher studied the slum dwellers, interviewing two distinct settlements of ten families each living in shacks on the outskirts of the city. Findings revealed that those living in shacks consumed the highest-calorie, cheapest types of foods and their basic diet is poor. She also found out that families do not eat together because they cannot afford to invite neighbors and friends for meals. Moreover, the state launched programs to ameliorate the malnutrition of the dwellers, but they have been plagued by fraud and lack of community organization.

This article discusses anthropoligical aspects of Brazilian motion pictures, with specific reference to an analysis by Julio César Lobo. Lobo, who explored the representation of the Northeasterner in Brazilian musical comedy motion pictures during the period 1952 to 1961, finds the stereotypes of Northeasterners as social identities created in the urban locations of the Brazilian film industry. According to Lobo, these stereotypes are changing continuously and are jointly produced by the filmmakers and screenwriters of the South and the Northeastern actors who interpret the characters.

Higher-quality Touriga Nacional (TN) wines are characterized by a fruity-citric aroma described as sweet and fresh citrus evoking the bergamot fruit ( Citrus bergamia). In fact, “bergamot-like” descriptor is currently employed to rate higher quality TN wines. The aim of this work was to identify among volatile compounds present in bergamot fruit extracts (mainly terpenes) which of them contributes the most to the bergamot overall perception, and relate these data with the volatile composition of TN wines. The identification of the most important descriptors was done by sensory analysis. Among 18 descriptors 3 were selected: bergamot-like aroma, orange like, and violet. A GCO of a typical TN wine extract allows the identification of 3 related odorant zones ZO1, ZO2, and ZO3 related with bergamot-like aroma. Using AEDA, ZO2 was confirmed to be one of the most important odorant zones. Using AEDA the presence of linalool and linalyl acetate was confirmed. A similarity test was performed with a non-TN wine added with linalool and linalyl acetate alone or in combinations. The highest similarity value was observed when linalool (SV = 5.9) was added. In fact, results obtained from the analysis of several red wines from different varieties show that terpenols are present in higher amounts in wines coming from TN variety, which proves that these compounds can be the clue to the varietal aroma of TN wines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the study of Bruno Cesar Cavalcanti and Rachel Rocha de Ameida Barros which examines the social structure of the rural communities in an ecological reserve of the Atlantic Forest in Alagoas, Brazil. According to the researchers, the communities differ in their historical origins, ties to the land and the openness to new discussions about sustainability. They claim that the communities' city desires are visible in their behavior. Moreover, they emphasize that the new settlers are more open to new ideas than the traditional community members. They conclude that the new residents will create new territories in the rural areas like an imaginary city.

The article offers information on the role of The Mountain Institute (TMI) in promoting conservation anthropology. It is noted that anthropological studies, skills, and methods can prove invaluable for international conservation agencies aiming to promote local participation and for NGOs in developing countries seeking financial support. In Peru, anthropologist Jorge Recharte, director of the Andean division of TMI, has aided this organization to face the challenges of small staff and finances while incorporating the goals of international agencies and local communities relative to the concerns of community development, cultural preservation and conservation.

Abstract: Hanseniaspora guilliermondii and Hanseniaspora uvarum were tested in grape must fermentations as pure and mixed starter cultures with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In pure cultures, the specific growth rates found were 0.29 h−1 for H. uvarum, 0.23 h−1 for H. guilliermondii and 0.18 h−1 for S. cerevisiae. No significant differences were observed between these values and those obtained in mixed cultures. Results presented in this work show that growth of apiculate yeasts during the first days of fermentation enhances the production of desirable compounds, such as esters, and may not have a negative influence on the production of higher alcohols and undesirable heavy sulphur compounds. Growth of apiculate yeasts reduced the total content of higher alcohols in wines, when compared to those produced by a pure culture of S. cerevisiae. Furthermore, the highest levels of 2-phenylethyl acetate were obtained when H. guilliermondii was inoculated in grape musts, whereas H. uvarum increased the isoamyl acetate content of wines. Apiculate yeasts produced high amounts of ethyl acetate; however, the level of this compound decreased in mixed cultures of apiculate yeasts and S. cerevisiae. When S. cerevisiae was used as a starter culture, wines showed higher concentrations of glycerol, 2-phenylethanol and ethyl hexanoate. In mixed cultures of apiculate yeasts and S. cerevisiae, wines presented amounts of methionol, acetic acid-3-(methylthio)propyl ester, 4-(methylthio)-1-butanol, 2-mercaptoethanol and cis-2-methyltetrahydro-thiophen-3-ol similar to those produced by a pure culture of S. cerevisiae. An increase in the amounts of 3-(ethylthio)-1-propanol, trans-2-methyltetrahydro-thiophen-3-ol and 3-mercapto-1-propanol was obtained in wines produced from mixed cultures with H. guilliermondii. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The objective of this study was to compare the reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows submitted to first AI after combination of estrus detection and fixed timed AI (FTAI) and FTAI only. Cows were randomly assigned to receive AI at detected estrus between 50 and 70 d in milk (DIM), if not detected in estrus, were enrolled in either Ovsynch (ED-Ov, n = 485) or PRIDsynch (ED-PR, n = 505) protocols; or received FTAI at 80 DIM after Double-Ovsynch protocol (DO, n = 501). Cows were body condition scored (BCS) at calving and at 43 DIM; and evaluated for postpartum disorders within 7 d postpartum; clinical mastitis, lameness and bovine respiratory disease were recorded until first AI. Ovarian cyclicity was monitored at 43 and 50 DIM, and at 70 and 77 DIM. Pregnancy diagnoses (PD) were performed at 32 and 63 d after AI. Overall prevalence of postpartum anovulation was 7.8%. Pregnancy per AI (P/AI) did not differ between reproductive strategies at 32 d PD (ED-Ov = 43.2%; ED-PR = 41.7%; DO= 45.3%). Primiparous cows had greater P/AI than multiparous cows (53.7% vs 36.8%). Cows on farm 1 had lower P/AI compared with their counterparts on farm 2 (42.1% vs 45.4%). Cows with BCS > 2.5 at 43 DIM had greater P/AI compared with cows with BCS ≤ 2.5 (44.5% vs 34.7%). Similar P/AI for cow's receiving AI at detected estrus and FTAI, low prevalence of disease anovulation may have contributed to the similar performance of ED-Ov, ED-PR and DO. • Reproductive performance was similar in all the reproductive strategies tested. • Double Ovsynch increased synchronization rates compared to Ovsynch and PRIDsynch. • Farm, parity and body condition score had an effect in fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two methods based on headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled to gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry (GC-IT/MS) were proposed for the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in cork material used in the production of cork stoppers. The effect of various factors affecting the extraction efficiency was carried out by means of a 2 full factorial design. The first method allowed the extraction of 17 terpenes by using a divinylbenzene/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (DVB/CAR/PDMS) fiber (50/30 μm). The optimal conditions were achieved when cork extract (5 mL) added with 2.3 g of NaCl was extracted during 35 min at 55 °C. The second method allowed the identification of 41 carbonyl compounds after in-solution (5 mL) derivatization with O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine hydrochloride (PFBHA, 2.3 mg/mL), followed by an incubation period of 6 min at 52 °C and extraction during 36 min at the same temperature, using a PDMS/DVB (50/30 μm) fiber. Both methods are simple, solvent free and fast. These methods were applied to the analysis of different cork raw material showing significant differences in the amounts of volatile compounds analyzed. Alcanfor and α-terpineol were the terpenes compounds present at highest amounts, and within carbonyl compounds analyzed, some samples presented a high level of butanal, octanal, nonanal, and glyoxal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Volatile profile of Senegalese sole, fed with different diets, was determined. [•] Fish meal replacement up to 75% with plant protein (PP) has no effect on sole muscle volatile composition. [•] Replacement of fish oil did not influence sensory appreciation. [•] PP diets led to the production of lower amounts of volatile compounds than vegetable oil diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effect of heat treatment and the presence or absence of fish skin on the volatile composition of Senegalese sole muscle was studied. The volatile profile of Senegalese sole at different storage periods was also evaluated. All samples were analysed by HS-SPME–GC–IT/MS and subjected to sensory evaluation. As expected, cooking enhanced the production/liberation of volatile compounds. Fish with the skin present, after cooking, had higher levels of sulphur compounds, 2-nonanone, ethyl octanoate and lower contents of hexanol and heptanol than skinned fish; moreover, the samples with the skin had a better overall sensory acceptability. During storage, changes on the volatile composition of Senegalese sole samples were found. The major differences were obtained after 2 weeks of storage. Compounds such as hexanal, heptanal, octanal, decanal, (E)-2-hexenal, (E)-2-decen-1-al, (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal, benzaldehyde, 4-ethyl-benzaldehyde, 1-penten-3-ol, heptanol and (E)-2-octen-1-ol decreased after 2 weeks of storage, and other compounds, such as 3-methyl-1-butanal, 2-methyl-1-butanal, 2-heptanone, dimethyl trisulphide, dimethyl tetrasulphide and 2-methyltetrahydrothiophen-3-one increased. These differences were confirmed by sensory evaluation. Principal component analysis was applied to the chemical data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present study evaluates the possible effects of dietary protein sources on Senegalese sole muscle volatile compounds. Senegalese sole juveniles (8g mean IBW) were fed with six extruded diets containing different protein sources: a control diet contained fish meal as the main protein source and five plant protein-based diets, in which fishmeal was replaced by increasing levels of a blend of vegetable proteins: soybean, pea, potato, wheat and corn gluten at five graded levels. The volatile profiling of the raw fish fillets was evaluated using automated HS-SPME coupled to GC–MS. Thirty-five compounds were identified and the most abundant in all samples were quantified. 1-Penten-3-ol, hexanal, 1-octen-3-ol and (E)-2-nonen-1-ol were present in the highest concentrations. Among the 20 compounds quantified, no major differences were observed in muscle volatile profile of fish fed with the different diets (p >0.05). These findings indicated that fish meal substitution by plant proteins has no major effects on sole’s muscle volatile composition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

BACKGROUND: The permutation entropy, the approximate entropy, and the index of consciousness are some of the most recently studied electroencephalogram-derived indexes. In this work, a thorough comparison of these indexes was performed using propofol anesthesia in a rabbit model. METHODS: Six rabbits were anesthetized with three propofol infusion rates: 70, 100, and 130 mg · kg · h, each maintained for 30 min, in a random order for each animal. Data recording was performed in the awake animals 20, 25, and 30 min after each infusion rate was begun in the recovered animals and consisted of electroencephalogram recordings, evaluation of depth of anesthesia according to a clinical scale, and arterial blood samples for plasma propofol determination. Median and spectral edge frequencies were analyzed for single-scale permutation entropy and composite multiscale permutation entropy, approximate entropy, index of consciousness, and the spectral parameters. The spectral parameters and single-scale and multiscale permutation entropies were corrected for the presence of burst suppression. Performance of the indexes was compared by prediction probability and pharmacodynamic analysis. RESULTS: The single-scale and composite multiscale permutation entropies with a burst suppression correction showed better prediction probabilities than did the other electroencephalogram-derived parameters but not better than the electromyographic activity. CONCLUSION: Single-scale and multiscale permutation entropies may be promising measures of propofol anesthetic depth when corrected for burst suppression. Additional studies should investigate the information measured by electromyography algorithms from commercial monitors of anesthetic depth. The rabbit may be a promising animal model for electroencephalographic studies because it provides a good-quality signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: It is becoming increasingly evident that ingested products, such as wine, may have profound effects on the therapeutic efficacy of certain drugs. As various xeno- and endobiotics are organic cations, the purpose of our study was to examine the modulation of organic cations intestinal apical uptake by red (RW) and white wine (WW). For this purpose, we used RW, WW, the same alcohol-free wines, phenolic compounds and ethanol. The uptake of the organic cation 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) was evaluated in Caco-2 cells, an intestinal epithelial cell model. RW and alcohol-free RW increased 3H-MPP+ apical uptake, although the effect of alcohol-free RW was less pronounced. On the other hand, WW and alcohol-free WW decreased the organic cation uptake but the effect of alcohol-free WW was more pronounced. Our results show that the total content in phenolic compounds was 7 times higher, and the dialysis index was about 4 times higher in RW compared to WW. Ethanol, in the same concentration found in wine, caused a significant decrease in 3H-MPP+ apical uptake. The solution containing high molecular weight compounds from dialyzed RW increased 3H-MPP+ apical uptake. In conclusion, the results suggest that RW may increase and WW may reduce the intestinal absorption of organic cations present in the diet, such as drugs or vitamins (e.g. thiamine and riboflavin). As ethanol alone decreased the uptake of MPP+, and alcohol-free RW and WW had a lower potency than intact wine upon the transport, the presence of ethanol is probably important for the solubilisation/bioavailability of the components endowed with the transport modulating activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The influence of nitrogen compounds in grape musts on the content of sulphur compounds of wines was studied. Different vinifications were performed with the addition of methionine (20 mg l−1) and/or cysteine (40 mg l−1) to grape musts before alcoholic fermentation. Six grape musts, with different nitrogen composition, from cultivars of the ‘Vinhos Verdes’ Region, in Portugal, were used. Addition of methionine to grape musts enhanced the content of wines in 3-(methylthio)-1-propanol, acetic acid-3-(methylthio)propyl ester, 3-(methylthio)propionic acid and some unidentified sulphur compounds. Increase of cysteine concentration in musts led to the production of wines with high levels of hydrogen sulphide and cis-2-methyltetrahydro-thiophene-3-OL and also unidentified sulphur compounds; however, the content of 3-(methylthio)propionic acid in the wines decreased considerately with the addition of cysteine to grape musts. This work showed that cultivars from the Vinho Verde Region show different sulphur compound contents. Avesso wines, elaborated from grape musts with low amino acids level, presented the highest total sulphur compounds content. Wines from Azal branco and Alvarinho were characterised by high contents of 4-(methylthio)-1-butanol and 3-(methylthio)propionic acid, respectively. A high content of N-(3-(methylthio) propyl)-acetamide and dimethylsulphone characterise the Loureiro wines. In contrast, Trajadura wines, produced from a must rich in amino acids, presented a low total sulphur compounds content; however, these wines were also characterised by high concentrations of 4-(methylthio)-1-butanol, acetic acid-3-(methylthio)propyl ester and hydrogen sulphide. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study characterizes the sensory features and odour active volatile organic compounds (VOC) profile of P. lividus , taking into consideration the sex and harvest location. Sensory evaluation was performed by an experienced panel through the application of Projective Mapping paired with Ultra Flash Profile. VOC were determined by headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). Data showed that sea urchin gonad's sensory properties were mainly influenced by sex, while their volatile profile was affected both by sex and harvest location. Males tended to be sweeter, softer and with a pale-yellow colour, while females revealed an intense sweet tropical taste and a bright-orange colour. PCA unveiled variations in the levels of p-xylene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene and m -xylene between locations, whereas levels of β-pinene, 2,4-dimethyl-1-heptene, d -limonene and heptane discriminate sex. This study contributes to a better characterization of the sensory profile of sea urchin gonads aiming the selection of premium gonads. • Sea urchin gonads' sensory properties were mainly influenced by sex. • Females revealed an intense sweet tropical taste and a bright-orange colour. • Volatile profile was affected both by sex and harvest location. • Levels of p-xylene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene and m-xylene varied between locations. • Levels of β-pinene, 2,4-dimethyl-1-heptene, d -limonene and heptane discriminate sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]