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Triggered by the development of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) during the production of Scotch whisky, this study examined the influence of yeast and LAB inoculation on whisky flavor. Four new spirits were produced using the same process. LAB were added as a form of a Greek yogurt's live culture. In each category (barley and rye), one sample was fermented with Greek yogurt while the other was fermented without it. The spirits were matured and analyzed at five different points. Results from gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed basic volatile compounds, along with some important extra compounds with yogurt culture. The most obvious differences were observed in the concentration of butanoic acid, a characteristic acid in spirits undergoing lactic acid fermentation: to identify esters such as ethyl butanoate, ethyl isobutanoate, isoamyl butanoate, and 2-phenylethyl butanoate, they are not typical compounds in whisky.

The current study evaluates the Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) technique for the extraction of polyphenols from the plants Rosa canina, Calendulaofficinalis and Castanea sativa. These plants are traditionally used both for the preparation of therapeutic decoctions and the aromatization of beverages (alcoholic or not). Pulses of 10 μs duration were used to apply electric field intensities ranging from 1.2 to 2.0 kV cm−1. The period of the phenomenon was set to 1 ms, with a total extraction time of 20 min. The total polyphenol content as well as the identified polyphenolic compounds of the extracts were determined for monitoring and evaluation. To estimate the PEF effect, control extracts were prepared using the same process as PEF extracts but without the application of electric field. For all the three plant materials studied, the PEF technique appeared to be successful in increasing polyphenols extraction. The application of a moderate to high electric field, up to 1.4 kV cm−1, resulted in increased total and individual polyphenols recovery, reaching 63.79% and 84%, respectively, in the case of Rosa canina fruits.

To fine tune the production of phenolic aromas in beer, a pulsed electric field (PEF) was applied to beer wort, which was enriched with flax seeds. The choice of flax seeds as a source of FA is based on its high content of ferulic precursors and their intrinsic nutritional value. PEF was applied to ground flax seeds, with and without beta glycosidase. Fermentation was carried out with Saccharomyces and non-Saccharomyces yeast strains. Moreover, 4-vinylguaiacol (4-VG), a flavor highly active derived from volatile phenol, was produced by decarboxylation of ferulic acid (FA), or its precursor and flavor-inactive (4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid). All yeast strains could metabolize FA into 4-VG, using the pure compound in the synthetic medium or in flax seeds, with the best quantity produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a precursor. The method yields 4-VG production efficiencies up to 120% (mgL−1). Experimental treatment conditions were conducted with E= 1 kV/cm, total time treatment 15 min (peak time ti = 1 μs, pause time tp = 1 ms, Total pulses 9003). Treatment efficacy is independent of the fermentation yeast.

This paper investigates the process of extracting hop pellets (hops) utilizing the pulsed electric field (PEF) technique and the contrasting effects of the technique between two distinct hop varieties (one bitter and one aromatic). The effect of PEF on the extraction was evaluated by measuring the concentration of α-acids and β-acids (humulones and lupulones). Regarding the aromatic character, the hop’s volatile caryophyllene, humulene and β-myrcene were analyzed both with and without employing the PEF treatment. In order to analyze the acids and the volatile fraction, the analytical method of UV–vis spectrophotometry was applied followed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. For the second technique, the extracts were previously purified through a Graphitized Carbon Black syringe for Solid Phase Extraction. The results revealed that PEF had a positive impact on the alpha acids of bitter hops by increasing the extraction rate of these acids by 20%, while the volatiles demonstrated an increase of 5.6 and 7.4% for humulene and caryophyllene, respectively. Concerning the aromatic variety of hops, the PEF treatment appeared to have no noteworthy effects.

Traditional Greek yogurt-based salad Tzatziki is one of the most popular ready-to-eat deli salads in Greece. The objective of this study was to estimate the microbial stability of Tzatziki, with and without chemical preservatives, using a rapid method. Determination of the microbial count was carried out using the bioluminescence method (ATP) and traditional microbiological analysis, plate-counting method (CFU) in various batches of the final product of Tzatziki. The results showed that the Tzatziki salad without preservatives initially gave higher relative light units (RLU) values (79,532) than the same salad with preservatives (43,198) because the potassium sorbate and the sodium benzoate, used in recipe, appeared to suspend the action of microorganisms. After incubation in two different substrates, MacConkey and Sabouraud, the Tzatziki salad without preservatives gave higher RLU values (9,488 and 16,176, respectively) than the salad with preservatives (12,780 and 12,005, respectively). In the two selective substrates, differences appeared between the two methods of microbial count (RLU and CFU). While RLU values were roughly at the same level, the CFU values presented significant differences ( p < 0.05). It was also shown that there was a strong correlation ( R 2 = 0.93-0.95) between bacterial counts estimated by traditional CFU and ATP methods. As expected, the dominant microbial population in Tzatziki was Lactobacillus spp., originated from yogurt. Coliforms and yeasts were not able to survive in this environment. Generally, according to the results, Greek traditional Tzatziki salad was a microbial stable product and the bioluminescence method could be a rapid method to determine its microbial state.

An improved method for the discrimination of oils and fats is being proposed. The method is based on the principal component analysis and discrimination analysis of the results obtained by determination of the mole percentage of total fatty acids (fatty acid methyl esters analysis by GC) and regiospecific distribution of the same fatty acids in positions 1 and 3 of triglycerides (using a regiospecific lipase and analysis by GC of the produced butyl esters). Various samples (pure olive oils, various seed oils, mixtures of pure olive oils with seed oils, commercially available foods containing animal fats and/or vegetable oils and, finally, local pure olive oils from different areas of Greece) were subjected to two transesterification treatments. It was proved that the proposed method has a global discriminating ability of identifying (at a level of 5%) olive oil adulteration with various seed oils, discriminating animal fats from vegetable oils and animal fat adulteration with seed oils and, finally, discriminating olive oils on the basis of their geographical origin, in a small area like south Greece. Additionally, the introduced method includes a complete database (as a demonstration tool, mainly for olive oil) in order to be used by any concerned laboratory.

The insecticidal activity of a new nano-formulated natural pyrethrin was examined on the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and the predators Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Macrolophus pygmaeus Rambur (Hemiptera: Miridae), in respect with the nano-scale potential to create more effective and environmentally responsible pesticides. Pyrethrin was nano-formulated in two water-in-oil micro-emulsions based on safe biocompatible materials, i.e., lemon oil terpenes as dispersant, polysorbates as stabilizers, and mixtures of water with glycerol as the dispersed aqueous phase. Laboratory bioassays showed a superior insecticidal effect of the pyrethrin micro-emulsions compared to two commercial suspension concentrates of natural pyrethrins against the aphid. The nano-formulated pyrethrins were harmless, in terms of caused mortality and survival time, to L3 larvae and four-instar nymphs of the predators C. septempunctata and M. pygmaeus, respectively. We expect that these results can contribute to the application of nano-technology in optimization of pesticide formulation, with further opportunities in the development of effective plant protection products compatible with integrated pest management practices.

This work was dedicated to reporting the full chemical and physical characterisation of Crambe abyssinica Hochst. seed oil. The oil from the seeds was extracted using n-hexane. The seeds contain about 30 % oil. Density, refractive index, colour, smoke point, viscosity, acidity, saponification value, iodine value, fatty acid methyl esters, the relative position of fatty acids in C1 and C3 carbon glycerol, sterols, tocopherols, peroxide value, \( \mathop E\nolimits_{{1{\text{cm}}}}^{1\,\% } \) at 232 nm, and the susceptibility to oxidation measured by the Rancimat method were determined. The oil was found to contain high levels of unsaturated fatty acids, especially C22:1 (63.77 %). The dominant saturated acid was C22:0 (2.14 %). The oil was also found to contain high levels of β-sitosterol (51.93 %), campestanol (21.98 %), and brassicasterol (12.35 %). α-, γ-, and δ-Tocopherols were detected up to levels of 7.67, 125.04, and 3.99 mg/kg, respectively. The induction period (at 110 °C and 20 l/h) of the oil was 8.83 h. The relative position of fatty acids in C1 and C3 position was as follows: linoleic 0.45 %, oleic 8.84 %, and erucic 90.72 %. The thermal profile of the oil presented a single peak at −20.94 °C.

Red wine from the Greek grape cultivar Aghiorghitiko, was aged in stainless steel with and without wood chips toasted to different degrees (heavily, medium, lightly) and in a 225L American standard oak barrel for 32 days. Headspace concentrations of four wood-derived congeners (furfural, guaiacol, cis and trans oak lactones) were determined over this period after which the wines were bottled, stored and subjected to sensory descriptive analyses. Of the 36 attributes for appearance, aroma and oral characters, 14 were significant in univariate analyses and differentiated wines in a multivariate (principal component analysis) product space explaining 72% variance in two factors. Wines from medium toast wood chips scored highest for woody, vegetative and smoky aromas and flavours but also for bitter taste and astringent mouthfeel and after 14 days had the highest headspace concentrations of furfural and cis oak lactone. Wood-related notes were ranked from heavily and lightly toasted chips, barrel and steel control.

Green, unripe olives were subjected to post-harvest treatment under a CO2 atmosphere for a period of 12 days. The total polyphenol (TP), total flavonoid (TFd) and total anthocyanin (TA) contents, along with the antioxidant and sensory characteristics, were continuously monitored during the treatment on a 24 h-interval basis, in order to identify possible changes in the quality of olives related mainly to changes in the polyphenolic contents. The storage of olives under CO2 atmosphere resulted in pronounced increases in TP and TF contents, mainly within the first 3-5 days, but TA exhibited a different pattern of evolution. Furthermore, storage under CO2 contributed to flavour appearance with the development of fruity/floral notes, and reduced bitterness. The in vitro antioxidant properties of the CO2-treated sample showed notable increases compared with the sample stored under regular atmospheric conditions. It was concluded that storage of olives under a CO2 atmosphere resulted in the appearance of desired sensory attributes, by decreasing bitterness and developing aroma and colour, and the functional (antioxidant) properties were improved. This approach may be used as an alternative, chemical-free means of table olive debittering.

Comparative sensory evaluation of wines produced by immobilized cells of Uvaferme 299 on dried raisin berries and free cells using the Saint Denis grape variety and of commercial Greek products (‘Biblia Chora’ rose wine produced from the Syrah grape variety, ‘Palivos’ and ‘Strofilia’ rose wines both produced from the Agiorgitiko grape variety) was carried out. Sensory evaluation was conducted twice by 11 tasters previously trained and a method for panel validation was proposed. Subsequently, the wines were evaluated for their aroma intension, aroma complexity, aroma elegance and overall quality. Duncan's multiple range test clearly showed that there were statistically significant differences between wines produced using different grape varieties and fermentation conditions. Linear regression analysis of the results was performed in order to investigate which sensory parameter had a significant effect on the overall quality and it revealed that only aroma elegance affected significantly the overall quality. Wine produced by immobilized cells scored a statistically higher value for its overall quality than the wine produced by free cells. Finally, discriminant sensory evaluation revealed a gooseberry, cherry, mint aroma for ‘Biblia Chora’ wine and a citrus, rose aroma for ‘Strofilia’ and ‘Palivos’ wines. Wines produced using immobilized and free cells were characterized by a fruity, banana-like aroma, and a herbaceous note was predominant. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry

Due to the market introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in crops, foods, and ingredients, legislation worldwide came face to face with the question of the use and labeling requirements on GMO crops and their derivatives. In this review, protein- and DNA-based methods, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blots, and qualitative and quantitative polymerase chain reaction PCR (Q-PCR) are reviewed. Qualitative detection methods for genetically modified (GM) sequences in foods have evolved rapidly during the past years. The sensitivity of these systems is extremely high, even for processed foodstuffs. However, the availability of quantitative detection methods for GMO analysis is an important prerequisite for the introduction of threshold limits for GMOs in food. The recently introduced labeling threshold for GMOs in food ingredients by the European Union has forced official food control laboratories to apply quantitative PCR methods. Taking the precision of quantitative ...

Kyoho cultivar is a hybrid of V. vinifera and V. labrusca and is one of the major varieties cultivate in South Korea. Kyoho grapes are characterized for their intense grape flavor and sour attributes. Korean climatic conditions are different from worldwide wine producing countries. The summer season is hot and dominated by heavy rains. Wines from Kyoho grapes are distinct for their intense grape flavor and the key odors that characterize the wines are aromas of caramel and strawberry notes. The past few years efforts are put to improve the quality and to advance the potential of the domestic wines. The objective of the present study is to provide insight to the main aromatic compounds that form the aroma profile of Kyoho wines. For this aim, Gas Chromatography was coupled with Mass Spectrometry for the separation and identification of the compounds. Analysis allowed to identify the volatile compounds that form the aroma of the wine and to detect the key odors of its characteristic aroma. (2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone) Furaneol® , which is associated with caramel-like flavor, was one of the compounds that were detected along with ((3R)-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyloxolan-2-one) pantolactone.

Cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylic acid (CDA) and trans-2-phenylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (PCCA) are the main representatives of a group of compounds that are structural analogues of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) and have been proved to have an inhibitory effect on the wound ethylene produced by Lycopersicum esculentum fruit discs. During the experiments, that were carried out in this work the inhibition pattern of PCCA and CDA were studied when tested on partially purified apple ACO and their Ki values were determined. A mechanistic proposal was given, in order to explain the kinetic behaviour of the inhibitors. The common feature of these molecules is their cyclopropane ring, with different substitutes mainly at the positions C1 and C2. Two other compounds with similar structure where also tested as inhibitors, in order to clarify the relationship between structure and activity. These compounds are: 2-methyl cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (MCA), and cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (CCA).

Inhibition of wound-ethylene by eight structural analogues of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) studied seperately was investigated in unripe tomato fruit discs (Lycopersicum esculentum). The compounds tested were: trans-2-phenylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (PCCA), cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylic acid (CDA), cyclopropylamine (CPA), cyclopropyl methyl ketone (CMK), chrysanthemyl alcohol (CHRA), 2-methyl cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (MCA), cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (CCA), 2-methyl-cyclopropane-methanol (2-MCM). The level of inhibition was a function of treatment concentration and time. Differential inhibition induced by the tested compounds was related to their structure.

Dwarf plants derived from tissue cultures of Pelargonium capitatum, gave an essential oil of quite different composition from that produced by normal plants. This difference persisted for as long as the plant demonstrated the effect of the growth retardant. The chemical composition of the essential oil derived from ‘growth-retarded plants’ is presented.

Olives (Olea europaea cv. Chondrolia) were stored under a CO2 atmosphere immediately after harvesting for a period of 12 days. Samples obtained at 24-h intervals were analyzed by HPLC to identify components that may reflect changes in the biochemical behavior of the tissue. Four substances were shown to undergo significant fluctuations during storage, while their evolution was found to be different in olives stored under CO2 from those stored under regular atmospheric conditions (control). On the basis of data provided by liquid chromatography−electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, these substances were tentatively identified as hydroxytyrosol glucoside, demethylated ligstroside aglycone, ibotalactone A methyl ester, and verbascoside. The data are discussed in relation to the effect of postharvest treatments of olives for purposes of manipulating their polyphenolic content and plausible development of novel debittering processes. Keywords: Antioxidants; liquid chromatography−mass spectrometry; hydroxy...

In this work, the effect of a modified atmosphere with carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) on the biochemical pathways, responsible for the production of the secondary metabolites; such as aroma, anthocyanins, flavonoids etc…; was studied. The results of the effect of CO 2 treatment can be correlated with biochemical events such as the expression of the enzymes, responsible for the aroma development; the levels of the endogenous hormones, (e.g. IAA, ethylene), resulted to the further maturation of fruits. The commercial applications of this type of experiments are extensive and are correlated with the production of fruit juices and wines, as well as with the conservation of fresh fruits.

The existence of myrosinase activity in both the endocarp and the seeds of Cucumis melo fruit is reported. This activity increases during the ripening of the fruit.