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The present study investigated the possibility of complete utilization of eggshell waste (ESW) transforming it to adherent egg white protein solution, calcium chloride dihydrate, and eggshell membranes (ESM). Adherent egg white protein solution was obtained by washing ESW three times with distilled water at 25°C, followed by filtration, and analyzed for the protein content and lysozyme activity. ESM and calcium chloride were obtained simultaneously by the exposure of washed eggshells to 5% hydrochloric acid treatment at 25°C for 3 h, followed by separation by filtration. The separated ESM were washed, dried, and milled to powder and analyzed for protein and lipid content. The calcium chloride solution was exposed to the neutralization of excess hydrochloric acid by calcium hydroxide, followed by evaporation to one-tenth of volume. Calcium chloride crystals were precipitated from the concentrated solution with acetone, separated by filtration, dried at 110°C, and analyzed for chemical composition and purity. The obtained results revealed that 100 g of ESW can be transformed to 1.61 ± 0.34 g of adherent white proteins containing 485,821 U of lysozyme activity, 2.84 ± 0.16 g of ESM powder, and 108.74 ± 3.62 g of calcium chloride dihydrate of high purity.

The impact of fullerene C60 water soluble daughter molecules - fullerols C60(OH)24 nanoparticles (FNP) on emerging (non-aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway) toxins production in mycelia and yeast extract sucrose (YES) media of A. flavus was investigated under growth conditions of 29 °C in the dark for a 168 h period. The FNP solution (10, 100 and 1000 ng mL−1) contained predominantly nanoparticles of 8 nm diameter and with zeta potential mean value of −33 mV. Ten emerging metabolites were produced at concentrations reaching 1,745,035 ng 50 mL−1 YES medium. Seven of the metabolites were found in mycelia and media, while three were only in mycelia. Majority of the metabolites were detected in higher quantity in mycelia than in media, at a ratio of 99:1 (m/m). However, higher metabolite quantities were found in media following FNP application, while FNP caused a decrease of total metabolite quantities in mycelia. The concentrations of the metabolites in media increased in the presence of 1000 ng mL−1 FNP while mycelial quantities of the metabolites decreased with increased applied FNP dose. The impacts of global climate changes on FNP availability in the environment and on mycotoxin occurrence in crops increase the relevance of this study for risk assessment of nanoparticles. Cordycepin is reported for the first time as metabolite of A. flavus.

Lipoxygenases are widespread enzymes that catalyze oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic, linolenic, and arachidonic acid) to produce hydroperoxides. Lipoxygenase reactions can be desirable, but also lipoxygenases can react in undesirable ways. Most of the products of lipoxygenase reactions are aromatic compounds that can affect food properties, especially during long-term storage. Lipoxygenase action on unsaturated fatty acids could result in off-flavor/off-odor development, causing food spoilage. In addition, lipoxygenases are present in the human body and play an important role in stimulation of inflammatory reactions. Inflammation is linked to many diseases, such as cancer, stroke, and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. This review summarized recent research on plant families and species that can inhibit lipoxygenase activity.

Despite the already established route of chemically catalysed transesterification reaction in biodiesel production, due to some of its shortcomings, biocatalysts such as lipases present a vital alternative. Namely, it was noticed that one of the key shortcomings for the optimization of the enzyme catalyzed biodiesel synthesis process is the information on the lipase activity in the reaction mixture. In addition to making optimization difficult, it also makes it impossible to compare the results of the independent research. This paper shows how lipase intended for use in biodiesel synthesis can be easily and accurately characterized and what is the enzyme concentration that enables achievement of the desired level of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) in the final product mixture. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of two different activity loads of Burkholderia cepacia lipase on the biodiesel synthesis varying the pH and temperature optimal for lipase activity. The optimal lipase pH and temperature were determined by two different enzyme assays: spectrophotometric and titrimetric. The B. cepacia lipase pH optimum differentiated between assays, while the lipase optimally hydrolysed substrates at 50 °C. The analysis of FAME during 24 hours of biodiesel synthesis, at two different enzyme concentrations, pH 7, 8 and 10, and using two different buffers, revealed that the transesterification reaction at optimal pH, one hour reaction time and lipase activity load of 250 U per gram of reaction mixture was sufficient to produce more than 99% FAME.

Lipoxygenases (LOXs) are a family of enzymes found in plants, mammals, and microorganisms. In animals and plants, the enzyme has the capability for the peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids. Although LOXs participate in the plant defense system, the enzyme&rsquo, s metabolites can have numerous negative effects on human health. Therefore, many types of research are searching for compounds that can inhibit LOXs. The best quantitative structure&ndash, activity relationship (QSAR) model was obtained using a Genetic Algorithm (GA). Molecular docking was performed with iGEMDOCK. The inhibition of lipoxygenase was in the range of 7.1 to 96.6%, and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation was 7.0&ndash, 91.0%. Among the synthesized compounds, the strongest inhibitor of soybean LOX-3 (96.6%) was found to be 3-benzoyl-7-(benzyloxy)-2H-chromen-2-one. A lipid peroxidation inhibition of 91.0% was achieved with ethyl 7-methoxy-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carboxylate. The docking scores for the soybean LOX-3 and human 5-LOX also indicated that this compound has the best affinity for these LOX enzymes. The best multiple linear QSAR model contains the atom-centered fragment descriptors C-06, RDF035p, and HATS8p. QSAR and molecular docking studies elucidated the structural features important for the enhanced inhibitory activity of the most active compounds, such as the presence of the benzoyl ring at the 3-position of coumarin&rsquo, s core. Compounds with benzoyl substituents are promising candidates as potent lipoxygenase inhibitors.

In order to increase the current knowledge on cold-press oil cakes composition, the present study aims to determine the chemical composition of oil cakes from hull-less pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.), flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), and hemp (Canabis sativa L.) before and after the biological treatment with Trametes versicolor and Humicola grisea using fungal-based solid-state technology. After 10 days of treatment, the content of ash, total nitrogen, total proteins, and total organic carbon increased in all the three oil cakes, while the content of ether extracts decreased. After treatment, the concentration of soluble carbohydrates decreased in pumpkin and hemp seed oil cakes, whereas it increased in flaxseed oil cake. During treatment with T. versicolor, the content of fructose significantly increased in hull-less pumpkin seed oil cake. Fiber content decreased in pumpkin and flaxseed oil cakes after treatment with both of the fungi, whereas it increased in flaxseed oil cake.

The water soluble fullerene C60 daughter product - fullerols C60(OH)24 (FNP) possesses a great potential of modifying secondary metabolites biosynthesis. In order to clarify the extent of interaction, the impact of FNP (10, 100 and 1000 ng mL−1) on aflatoxin production and the available precursors of biosynthesis pathway from Aspergillus flavus NRRL 3251 was determined, in both the mycelia and yeast extract sucrose (YES) medium, during a 168-hour growth period at 29 °C in the dark. The FNP of 8 nm in diameter, and with a zeta potential of −33 mV affected mycelial growth at 1000 ng mL−1 while conidia production was slightly affected at 10 ng mL−1. The FNP effect on aflatoxin and it biosynthetic precursors was concentration dependent and alteration of the sterigmatocystin (ST) export from the cell was observed. Most of the monitored aflatoxin precursors, except norsolorinic acid, were detected in both mycelia and YES medium. However, observed precursor concentrations were much higher in mycelia, with exception of ST. The study shows the loss of FNP antioxidative effect after 120 hours of growth, and strong concentration dependent aflatoxigenic effect after that time. Thus, this data is relevant to guide future considerations on FNP-fungal interactions in the environments and on risk assessment.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of processing (45 °C/48 h and 65 °C/6 h) and two years’ storage on sage (Salvia officinalis L.) honey and to determine the period in which the compliance to the regulations is fulfilled and degradation of nutritive components are minimal. The results showed that processing at higher temperature for shorter period had a greater impact on enzyme activity decrease and increase of color than heating at lower temperature for longer time. Processing had no significant effect on HMF increase, while during storage HMF content increased above maximum prescribed value. Although processing and storage increased phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, at the same time, quality was significantly degraded regarding enzyme activity and HMF content. Therefore, it is recommended to store sage honey for less than two years and if processing is necessary to heat it at as low temperature as possible.

The potential of right-angle fluorescence spectroscopy and selected chemical parameters for discrimination of botanical origin of Croatian honey types (n = 55) previously classified by physicochemical and melissopalynological analyses was evaluated. Systematic step-by-step fluorescence analysis included the measurement of complete excitation-emission matrix (EEM) in the range of excitation wavelengths from 260 to 400 nm, and emission wavelengths from 300 to 600 nm, followed by fluorescence intensity measurement at detected peaks of different excitation/emission wavelengths, and emission spectra recordings at selected specific excitation wavelengths of honey solutions in 50 mmol L-1 phosphate buffer pH 7.0 and methanol. A total of five different sets of emission spectral data for buffer and two for methanolic honey solutions were considered for chemometric analysis of original and normalized emission spectra including principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis. Additionally, chemical analysis of buffer and methanolic honey solutions included determination of protein, total polyphenol and reactive amino group content. Results showed that right-angle fluorescence spectroscopy of honey solutions has great potential for honey botanical origin discrimination, either by visual comparison of excitation-emission spectra landscapes, or even better, by normalized emission fluorescence spectra recordings at 260 and 280 nm of excitation. Moreover, increased honey discrimination was achieved in conjunction with chemometrics of fluorescence spectras. In addition, two rapid markers/indicators of honey authentication were found. Chestnut honey could be clearly discriminated from the other honey types by simple measurement of fluorescence intensity at 390/470 nm, while sage honeys by measurement of reactive amino group content.

In honey, the content of proteins, including the enzymes, is relatively low and has a minor nutritive significance. On the other hand, the proteins, including the enzymes, are usually used as honey quality evaluation parameters. This is because protein content and enzyme activities vary regarding the botanical origin of the honey. Since the results of protein content, glucose-oxidase, and acid phosphatase, for honeys produced in Croatia, are not available, four of the most abundant honey types produced in Croatia (black locust, sage, chestnut, and honeydew honey) are characterised according to the protein and proline content and enzyme activities. The characterisation was done to determine specificities and contribute to the characterisation of unifloral honeys. Dark honey types (honeydew and chestnut honey) had a higher proline content, and diastase, invertase, and glucose-oxidase activity than lighter sage and black locust honey. Black locust honey has a naturally low enzyme activity and showed the highest acid phosphatase activity among the analysed honey types, while honeydew honey, otherwise known to possess high proline content and enzyme activity, had a low protein content comparable to black locust honey. Statistically significant correlations were obtained between all analysed parameters, with the exception of acid phosphatase activity.

Aspergillus flavus is the most important mycotoxin-producing fungus involved in the global episodes of aflatoxin B1 contamination of crops at both the pre-harvest and post-harvest stages. However, in order to effectively control aflatoxin contamination in crops using antiaflatoxigenic and/or antifungal compounds, some of which are photosensitive, a proper understanding of the photo-sensitive physiology of potential experimental strains need to be documented. The purpose of the study is therefore to evaluate the effect of visible (VIS) light illumination on growth and conidiation, aflatoxin production ability and modulation of A. flavus oxidative status during in vitro experiment. Aflatoxigenic A. flavus strain was inoculated in aflatoxin-inducing YES media and incubated under three different VIS illumination regimes during a 168 h growth period at 29 &deg, C. VIS illumination reduced A. flavus mycelia biomass yield, both during growth on plates and in liquid media, promoted conidiation and increased the aflatoxin production. Furthermore, aflatoxin production increased with increased reactive oxidative species (ROS) levels at 96 h of growth, confirming illumination-driven oxidative stress modulation activity on A. flavus cells.

The water soluble fullerene C60 daughter product - fullerols C60(OH)24 (FNP) possesses a great potential of modifying secondary metabolites biosynthesis. In order to clarify the extent of interaction, the impact of FNP (10, 100 and 1000 ng mL−1) on aflatoxin production and the available precursors of biosynthesis pathway from Aspergillus flavus NRRL 3251 was determined, in both the mycelia and yeast extract sucrose (YES) medium, during a 168-hour growth period at 29 °C in the dark. The FNP of 8 nm in diameter, and with a zeta potential of −33 mV affected mycelial growth at 1000 ng mL−1 while conidia production was slightly affected at 10 ng mL−1. The FNP effect on aflatoxin and it biosynthetic precursors was concentration dependent and alteration of the sterigmatocystin (ST) export from the cell was observed. Most of the monitored aflatoxin precursors, except norsolorinic acid, were detected in both mycelia and YES medium. However, observed precursor concentrations were much higher in mycelia, with exception of ST. The study shows the loss of FNP antioxidative effect after 120 hours of growth, and strong concentration dependent aflatoxigenic effect after that time. Thus, this data is relevant to guide future considerations on FNP-fungal interactions in the environments and on risk assessment.

The influence of extraction temperature (90–180C), solvent concentration (36–90% ethanol) and time (30–90 min) on extractability of phenolic compounds from barley grains and on antiradical power of extracts was examined. RSM was used to design and optimize the processing parameters. Experimental results of total phenolic contents, total flavonoids and antiradical power of barley extracts were in the range from 3.27 to 26.60 mgGAE/gdb, 0.91 to 6.09 mgCE/gdb and 0.33 to 4.05 gDPPH/mLext, respectively. HPLC analysis of extracts showed epigallocatechin gallate to be the predominant phenolic compound, representing up to 93% of all phenolic compounds determined. Based on RSM analysis, temperature was the most significant factor affecting the observed responses (P

In order to increase the current knowledge on cold‐press oil cakes composition, the present study aims to determine the chemical composition of oil cakes from hull‐less pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.), flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), and hemp (Canabis sativa L.) before and after the biological treatment with Trametes versicolor and Humicola grisea using fungal‐based solid‐state technology. After 10 days of treatment, the content of ash, total nitrogen, total proteins, and total organic carbon increased in all the three oil cakes, while the content of ether extracts decreased. After treatment, the concentration of soluble carbohydrates decreased in pumpkin and hemp seed oil cakes, whereas it increased in flaxseed oil cake. During treatment with T. versicolor, the content of fructose significantly increased in hull‐less pumpkin seed oil cake. Fiber content decreased in pumpkin and flaxseed oil cakes after treatment with both of the fungi, whereas it increased in flaxseed oil cake.

Phenolic compounds, such as catechol, are released into the environment from a variety of industrial sources and they present a serious ecosystem burden. This work examined the possibility of using partially purified apple polyphenol oxidase (PPO) for bioremediation of phenolic contaminants. In order to optimize process conditions, the optimal pH and temperature for PPO activity were determined, while PPO affinity toward various phenols, as well as the effect of some salts and organic solvents which can be found in wastewaters, was used to confirm applicability of PPO in wastewater treatment. It was found that partially purified apple PPO shows maximal activity at pH 6.8 and 25 °C, but exhibits more than 85 % of its maximal activity in pH range from 5 to 8, and more than 90 % of activity in temperature range from 10 to 50 °C. PPO showed high affinity for various diphenols, but lack of affinity toward monophenols. Sodium tetraborate decahydrate moderately inhibited PPO activity, while exposure of PPO to the presence of organic solvents (φ = 5 %) caused 40 % loss in its activity. Catechol oxidation by PPO performed for just 5 min in a batch reactor at optimal process conditions resulted in 25 % conversion. Based on obtained data, it seems that partially purified apple PPO has reasonable potential in wastewater treatment.

The research focused on the effects of dietary replacement of 3% sunflower oil (SO group) with 3% milk thistle oil (MTO group) on the technological quality of meat, such as pH value, colour (CIE L*, CIE a*, CIE b*), drip loss (%), shear force (N), and cooking loss (%), as well as on the content of fatty acid lipids in broiler breast and thigh muscles. Significant difference (P< 0.05) was determined for pHi, pHu, CIE a*, CIE b* values between groups, although the values for the stated indicators were within the standard range. Lipids of breast meat of the MTO group contained more arachidic acid (P< 0.001), octadecenoic acid isomer B (P= 0.047) and eicosatrienoic acid (P= 0.041), and less α-linolenic acid (P< 0.001) and Σn-3PUFA. Lipids of thigh meat of the MTO group contained more ΣSFA, myristoleic acid, eicosatrienoic acid (P< 0.05) and eicosenoic acid (P< 0.001), and less α-linolenic acid, and had narrower Σn-3/n-6 PUFA ratio than the SO group. According to the antioxidant status of broiler liver, there was significantly higher catalase activity determined in the MTO group.

Changes in chemical composition, grain quality parameters, oxidoreductase and exopeptidase activities of wheat grains infested by Sitophilus granarius were monitored during 1 year of storage. Significant increase in flour titratable acidity of infested grains occurred by day 90. Subsequently, infestation was followed by decrease of grain hectoliter weight on day 180, decrease of carboxypeptidase activity on day 240, polyphenol oxidase and catalase activities increased and total starch decreased on day 270, while significant changes of total protein content, extractable protein concentration, phenylalanyl-aminopeptidase and Zeleny sedimentation occurred between 300 and 360 days of storage. The data indicate that S. granarius infestation influenced chemical composition, quality parameters, as well as oxidoreductase and exopeptidase activity in wheat grains, but the extent of these changes was mostly detectable at higher levels of grain infestation. Among the examined parameters, flour titratable acidity and carboxypeptidase activity showed potential to be used as early indicators of grain infestation. Practical Applications Granary weevil, S. granarius, is one of the major grain-damaging insects. This primary infester feeds on grains as adult, or on grain endosperm as larvae causing significant economic losses, due to unsuitability of damaged grains for human food production. Although various methods of S. granarius detection in stored grains have been applied worldwide, there is still a need for cheap indicative methods for detecting insect infestation. This study investigating changes in chemical composition, quality parameters, oxidoreductase and exopeptidase activities during temporal development of infestation by S. granarius shows that flour titratable acidity and carboxypeptidase activity could be used as early indicators of wheat grain infestation.

The antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic effects of two series of coumarinyl thiosemicarbazides on Aspergillus flavus NRRL 3251 were studied. Fungi were grown in YES medium for 72 h at 29 °C in the presence of 0, 0.1, 1, and 10 μg mL-1 of coumarinyl thiosemicarbazides: one series with substitution in position 7 and another with substitution in position 4 of the coumarin core. Dry mycelia weight determination was used for antifungal activity estimation, while the aflatoxin B1 content in YES media, determined by the dilute and shoot LC-MS/MS technique, was used for the antiaflatoxigenic effect estimation. Standard biochemical assays were used for oxidative status marker (TBARS, SOD, CAT, and GPX) determination in A. flavus NRRL 3251 mycelia. Results show that 7-substituted-coumarinyl thiosemicarbazides possess a better antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic activity than 4-substituted ones. The most prominent substituted compound was the compound 3, N-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-((4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl)oxy)acetyl)hydrazine-1-carbothioamide, which completely inhibited aflatoxin production at the concentration of 10 μg mL-1. Oxidative stress response of A. flavus exposed to the selected compounds points to the modulation of oxidative stress as a possible reason of aflatoxin production inhibition.

The scientific programme of the 9th International Congress “Flour-Bread ’17” and the 11th Croatian Congress of Cereal Technologists “Brašno-Kruh ’17” held from 25 to 27 October in Grand Hotel Adriatic, Opatija, Croatia, included 39 oral and 38 poster presentations. Three plenary lectures, 11 invited lectures, 19 oral presentations, three sponsor advertisement presentations, 3 interactive workshop lectures and 38 poster presentations were within one of five different Congress topics: Cereals and Cereal Product Quality, Cereal Processing Technologies, Cereals and Health, Cereal Food Safety, and Cereal Waste Management.

The antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic effects of two series of coumarinyl thiosemicarbazides on Aspergillus flavus NRRL 3251 were studied. Fungi were grown in YES medium for 72 h at 29 °C in the presence of 0, 0.1, 1, and 10 μg mL-1 of coumarinyl thiosemicarbazides: one series with substitution in position 7 and another with substitution in position 4 of the coumarin core. Dry mycelia weight determination was used for antifungal activity estimation, while the aflatoxin B1 content in YES media, determined by the dilute and shoot LC-MS/MS technique, was used for the antiaflatoxigenic effect estimation. Standard biochemical assays were used for oxidative status marker (TBARS, SOD, CAT, and GPX) determination in A. flavus NRRL 3251 mycelia. Results show that 7-substituted-coumarinyl thiosemicarbazides possess a better antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic activity than 4-substituted ones. The most prominent substituted compound was the compound 3, N-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-((4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl)oxy)acetyl)hydrazine-1-carbothioamide, which completely inhibited aflatoxin production at the concentration of 10 μg mL-1. Oxidative stress response of A. flavus exposed to the selected compounds points to the modulation of oxidative stress as a possible reason of aflatoxin production inhibition., Ispitano je antifungalno i antiaflatoksikogeno djelovanje dviju serija kumarinskih tiosemikarbazida na plijesan Aspergillus flavus NRRL 3251. Plijesan je uzgojena u YES mediju tijekom 72 sata na 29 °C u prisutnosti kumarinskih tiosemikarbazida, koncentracija 0, 0,1, 1 i 10 μg mL-1, jedne serije gdje je kumarin supstituiran u položaju 4 i druge sa supstitucijom u položaju 7 kumarinske jezgre. Antifungalna aktivnost određena je mjerenjem mase suhog micelija, a sadržaj aflatoksina B1 određen je u YES mediju dilute and shoot LC/MS-MS metodom. Za određivanje markera oksidativnoga statusa u miceliju A. flavus NRRL 3251 koristili su se standardni biokemijski testovi (TBARS, SOD, CAT i GPX). Rezultati su pokazali da tiosemikarbazidi na kumarinu supstituiranom u položaju 7 imaju bolju antifungalnu i antimikotoksigenu aktivnost nego oni s kumarinom supstituiranom u položaju 4. Od ispitivanih spojeva valja istaknuti spoj 3, N-(4-klorofenil)-2-(2-((4-metil-2-okso-2H-kromen-7-il)oksi)acetil)hidrazin-1-karbotioamid, koji je pri koncentraciji 10 μg mL-1 potpuno inhibirao produkciju aflatoksina. Iz dobivenih rezultata može se pretpostaviti da je vjerojatni uzrok inhibicije produkcije aflatoksina oksidacijski stres uzrokovan ispitanim spojevima.

Increased use of fullerols in various fields and expected increase of their environmental spread impose the necessity for testing fullerol nanoparticles (FNP) effects on microbiota. There is little information available on the interaction of mycotoxigenic fungi and FNP, despite FNP having a great potential of modifying mycotoxin production. Namely, FNP exhibit both ROS-quenching and ROS- producing properties, while oxidative stress stimulates mycotoxin synthesis in the fungi. In order to shed some light on the extent of interaction between FNP and mycotoxigenic fungi, the effects of fullerol C60(OH)24 nanoparticles (10, 100, 1000 ng/ml) on mycelial growth, aflatoxin production and oxidative stress modulation in an aflatoxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus (NRRL 3251) during 168 hr of incubation in a liquid culture medium were examined. FNP slightly reduced mycelial biomass weight, but significantly decreased aflatoxin concentration in media. Lipid peroxide content, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities suggest that FNP treatments hormetically reduced oxidative stress within fungal cells in turn suppressing aflatoxin production. These findings contribute to the assessment of environmental risk and application potential of fullerols.

Increased use of fullerols in various fields and expected increase of their environmental spread impose the necessity for testing fullerol nanoparticles (FNP) effects on microbiota. There is little information available on the interaction of mycotoxigenic fungi and FNP, despite FNP having a great potential of modifying mycotoxin production. Namely, FNP exhibit both ROS-quenching and ROS-producing properties, while oxidative stress stimulates mycotoxin synthesis in the fungi. In order to shed some light on the extent of interaction between FNP and mycotoxigenic fungi, the effects of fullerol C

Summary The influence of chemical and biological acidification on dough rheological properties and bread quality has been investigated. Two different flour types were used. Dough was chemically acidified with lactic acid. Two types of biologically acidified dough were prepared: dough with dry sourdough and with a Lactobacillus brevis preferment. Wheat dough rheological properties were investigated using the Farinograph, Extensograph and Amylograph. The baking response was also determined using standard baking tests. Addition of acidifiers resulted in firmer doughs with less stability, decreased extensibility and decreased gelatinisation maximum. The biological acidifiers increased the bread specific volume. Lactic acid addition had no influence on bread specific volume. In general, biological and chemical acidification decreased bread hardness. The addition of dry sourdough significantly decreased the lightness and increased the yellowness and redness of the bread crumb. The crust chroma, hue angle and brownness index were significantly changed by addition of acidifiers.

Aim of the study was to examine and determine distribution of glutenin (Glu-A1, Glu-B1 and Glu-D1) and gliadin (Gli-B1 and Gli-D1) loci in twenty Croatian winter wheat varieties using SDS PAGE. Highest frequency at Glu-A1 loci was recorded for subunit 2* (50 %). At Glu-B1 loci subunit 7+9 was dominant with frequency of 45 % while the subunit 7+8 was at second place with 40 %. At these loci lowest frequency (5%) had subunit 14+15. Subunit 5+10 prevailed at Glu-D1 with frequency of 70 %. At Gli-B1 loci we determined prevalence of subunits 63+67 combination with a frequency of 50 %, while the lowest prevalence had subunit 61 with a frequency of 5 %. Subunits 60, 66 and null allele (N) were also present. At Gli-D1 locus, the most common subunit was 55 with a frequency of 90 %, combination of subunits 55 + 56 + 59 and the subunit 59 were also present with frequency of 5 %.

Aim of the study was to examine and determine distribution of glutenin (Glu-A1, Glu-B1 and Glu-D1) and gliadin (Gli-B1 and Gli-D1) loci in twenty Croatian winter wheat varieties using SDS-PAGE. Highest frequency at Glu-A1 loci was recorded for subunit 2*(50%). At Glu-B1 loci subunit 7+9 was dominant with frequency of 45% while the subunit 7+8 was at second place with 40%. At these loci lowest frequency (5%) had subunit 14+15. Subunit 5+10 prevailed at Glu-D1 with frequency of 70%. At Gli-B1 loci we determined prevalence of subunits 63+67 combination with a frequency of 50%, while the lowest prevalence had subunit 61 with a frequency of 5%. Subunits 60, 66 and null allele (N) were also present. At Gli-D1 locus, the most common subunit was 55 with a frequency of 90%, combination of subunits 55+56+59 and the subunit 59 were also present with frequency of 5%.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained an incorrect version of author’s names and surnames (underlined). The correct names and surnames are: “Ivica Strelec”, “Lidija Brodar”, “Ivana Flanjak”, “Frane Cacic Kenjeric”, “Tihomir Kovac”, “Daniela Cacic Kenjeric”, “Ljiljana Primorac”.

Product colour is one of the most important criteria for determining pasta quality. For pasta produced without eggs, pasta colour will depend mostly on the content of the yellow pigment in flour. Analyses were done with 12 samples of hand-made pasta without eggs. The yellow pigment content was determined by the standard spectrophotometric method, while the pasta colour (fresh shaped and dry milled pasta) was measured using the Minolta CR-300 colorimeter. The results obtained show that there is a correlation between spectrophotometric determination of the yellow pigment content and the results of colorimetric measurement. The correlation coefficient between the colorimetric results of dry milled pasta and the yellow pigment content is higher than that between the colorimetric results of fresh shaped pasta and the yellow pigment content.

This study determined exposure of pregnant women to ochratoxin A (OTA). Forty samples of first-void urine samples from Croatian women in the third trimester of pregnancy were analyzed for OTA and its major metabolite ochratoxin alpha (OTα). The subjects filled a short food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Analysis was performed by HPLC-FLD following liquid–liquid extraction. All samples were subjected in parallel to enzymatic treatment (β-glucuronidase/aryl sulfatase) to release OTA and OTα from the conjugates. The median urinary levels of OTA and OTα before treatment were 0.02 (range: nd–1.07) ng/mL and 0.16 (nd–1.86) ng/mL; the concentrations after enzyme hydrolysis were 0.02 (nd–1.11) ng/mL and 1.18 (0.11–7.57) ng/mL. While OTα levels increased significantly following enzymatic treatment, evidence for OTA conjugation was weak. The ratio of urinary OTα medians after and before hydrolysis was 1.5 times higher than previously reported for nonpregnant female subjects, possibly indicating upregulated metabolism and/or elimination of the mycotoxin and metabolites in pregnancy. The mean daily dietary OTA intake calculated from FFQs (1.08 ± 0.57 ng/kg body weight) was well below the provisional tolerable daily intake and the greatest contributors to intake were cereal products, fruit juices, chocolate and coffee.

Invisible infestation of wheat grains by Sitophilus granarius during postharvest handling is one of the main problems particularly for small enterprises and farm grain storage facilities due to the lack of cheap and fast methods for early detection of infestation, especially when only a small proportion of grain is infested by larvae. In order to determine whether the spectrofluorimetric, spectrophotometric or chemometric analysis of various extracts of wheat grains infested by S. granarius larvae could be used for detection of infested grain, four different types of extracts: 50 mmol dm −3 Tris–HCl pH 8.9, aqueous iso -propanol ( φ = 0.55), methanol, and aqueous trichloroacetic acid ( γ = 0.2 mg cm −3 ), of non-infested and infested wheat grains have been examined for fluorescence properties and UV/VIS spectral characteristics, while the chemometric analysis included determination of protein, reactive amino groups, polyphenols and soluble sugar content. Analysis of extracts revealed significant differences in UV/VIS spectral characteristics, level of reactive amino groups and polyphenol content between infested and non-infested grains. The results obtained indicate that instrumental analysis of spectral characteristics of grain extracts could be used as a method for determination of grain infestation.

The compounds (II) and (III) are screened for their antioxidant and iron-chelating activity.