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Quality control of protein supplements intended for a large audience of consumers such as sportspeople is particularly important. A case study on quality control of dietary supplements containing protein and protein components is presented. The objective of the study was to evaluate the conformity of the quantities of amino acids, essential and branched-chain amino acids, declared on the label through measurements with chromatographic analytical tools. 16 sportspeople supplements from different European countries were tested. Analysis of concentrated whey protein highlighted some differences between the label and what was experimentally determined; in these samples some amino acids (6 amino acids out of 19) exceeded the maximum tolerance (>20%) regulated by the European Commission. To a lesser extent, analysis of the other classes revealed amino acid concentrations that exceeded the maximum analytical tolerance percentage. As regards the essential and branched amino acid supplements, it was seen that the declared quantity conforms with that determined experimentally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grafting techniques represent an efficient tool to enhance plant growth and development. The study aims to explore the effects of different grafting combinations on the growth of eggplants under diverse greenhouse conditions. Eggplant cultivar Black bell (Bb) was employed as scion, while the hybrid F1 Beaufort (Be) and Solanum torvum (To) were utilized as rootstock. The hypothesis behind this study pertains to grafting incompatibility with Beaufort F1. It postulates that this incompatibility can be mitigated by manipulating soil and greenhouse temperatures. The experimental factors encompassed plant combinations (Bb, Be/Bb and To/Bb), as well greenhouse and substrate temperature (both cold or heated). The Be/Bb combination showed higher values of plant vegetative traits, but it exhibited low grafting compatibility. Additionally, physiological analysis confirmed the presence of excessive growth and vegetative disorder within the Be/Bb combination. Examination of the xylem vessels revealed notable differences between the grafting combination involving Bb and the rootstock F1 hybrid Be/Bb, compared to the one with To/Bb and the non-grafted Bb. Specifically, the area, diameter and number of xylem vessels were approximatively 45% higher in Be/Bb than in To/Bb and the non-grafted Bb. Furthermore, a robust linear correlation was observed between plant height with morphometric and physiological traits, except fruits sets. This study lays the basis for a novel protocol for agriculture, addressing the excessive vegetative growth in rootstocks regulating air and substrate temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of extra virgin olive oils is affected mainly by hydrolytic and oxidative reactions. The present paper investigated the changes of major and minor components and oxidation indices of three monovarietal extra virgin olive oils after 18 months of storage at room temperature and in dark glass bottles conditions. After storage, the basic quality parameters such as free acidity, peroxide values, extinction coefficients, fatty acids composition, chlorophyll and carotenoid content, did not exceed the upper limits set by European Community Regulations for extra-virgin olive oils. Given the importance of the phenolic fraction, UHPLC-HESI-MS metodology was used. A decrease in 3,4-DHPEA-EDA (oleacin) and p-HPEA-EDA (oleochantal) was detected whereas, an increase of tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol was measured as a consequence of degradation of ligstroside and oleuropein derivatives. Based on the results it is possible to observe the high nutritional value of the studied oils even after 18 months of conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Portulaca oleracea is an annual succulent herb in the family Portulacaceae. It is a nutritious vegetable with high antioxidant properties and, it is among the richest plant source of ω-3 fatty acids, as well as a rich source of ω-6 fatty acids, ascorbic acid, tocopherols and beta-carotene. In the present study, three purslane populations under different Mediterranean environmental conditions for two years, for future valorization as novel food sources of omega-3 fatty acids, were evaluated. In particular, biomorphological characteristics, total phenols and fatty acids content were determined. The antioxidant activities were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay. The population "Cas" appears to have higher antioxidant activity than the other two populations ("Cal" and "S. Ven").The saturated fatty acid content is influenced only by the year of collection, while the polyunsaturated fatty acid by the populations. The most abundant unsatured fatty acids are linoleic and linolenic acids and "Cas" attained the highest contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cuccìa is a traditional Sicilian food prepared by boiling whole durum wheat kernels, in water, for many hours. This process destroys the vitamins E and B contents of crude kernels. It was rated a method to prepare the Cuccìa, preserving the vitamin content. Four varieties of durum wheat were processed comparing the traditional cooking method (TR-boiling for 5/6 hours), and an innovative one (IN-grains scarification, germination, and cooking at 50 °C for 2 hours). On soups obtained the content of biotin, niacin and α-amylase activity were determined. ANOVA showed the cooking method influences biotin and niacin content having values from 0.56 and 0.72 ng ml−1 (raw grain) and values close to 0 (TR), while only a 10% decrease (IN) respectively for both vitamins. On the contrary, α-amylase activity was reduced with IN method. The IN method combined with ancient grains, produces the soup with a good vitamin B amount. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pomegranate fruits are a rich source of polyphenols with numerous health‐promoting effects. Pomegranate juices of five genotypes ('Mollar', 'Kingdom', 'Dente di Cavallo', and two old populations 'Francofonte' and 'Santa Tecla') were evaluated regarding anthocyanin and non‐anthocyanin phenolic contents using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)–Orbitrap‐mass spectrometry (MS). Moreover, total antioxidant activity (TAA) was evaluated using a 2,2′‐azinobis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) assay. Results: Twenty‐three phenolic compounds were identified. Cyanidin‐3,5‐O‐diglucoside and pelargonidin‐3,5‐O‐diglucoside were the most representative anthocyanins in all genotypes; the Santa Tecla population had the highest content of these anthocyanins, 97.64 mg L−1 and 40.29 mg L−1 respectively. In the Francofonte population, ferulic acid hexoside was the most abundant compound (391.18 mg L−1). TAA values ranged between 221.5 and 36.73 µmol Trolox equivalents/100 mL of juice. A high TAA value was recorded for the Santa Tecla pomegranate population. Conclusion: The UHPLC–Orbitrap‐MS approach was employed for the first time to identify the phenolic compound profiling in five pomegranate genotypes. TAA was analysed using an ABTS assay, and the results showed a significant variability in nutraceutical potential of the pomegranate genotypes studied. The inclusion of phenolic information in the linear discriminant analysis allowed very good discriminations among genotypes to be obtained. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficient use of light is one of the most important factors for the development of greenhouse crops. It is increasingly necessary to use film covers that enhance transmittance and the proportion of diffuse light to generate a more homogeneous light distribution. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect that an experimental film cover with high transmittance and high light diffusivity produces on the microclimate and the growth and yield of tomato crops (Solanum lycopersicum L.), compared with a commercial thermal film cover. The trial was developed during a spring–summer growing cycle in a multispan greenhouse divided into two compartments (sectors) separated by a vertical polyethylene sheet. In the East sector, a commercial film was installed (transmittance of 85% and diffusivity of 60%) and in the West sector, an experimental film was used (transmittance of 90% and diffusivity of 55%). The results show an increase in the marketable yield of 0.25 kg·m−2 in the sector with the experimental film, which represents 3.2% growth with respect to the commercial film. The photosynthetic activity measured in tomato leaves was 21.5% higher in plants growing in the sector with the experimental film, with had the highest transmittance. The increase in radiation transmittance of 14% produced greater photosynthetic activity without generating a higher inside air temperature at the crop level (at the height of 2 m above the floor). However, the mean temperature of the soil surface was statistically higher on the side with the diffuse experimental cover film, as a logical consequence of the higher level of intercepted solar radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the interest in improving the content of bioactive compounds for enhancing the nutritional value of cereal-based products has largely increased, and several strategies, both genetic and agronomic, were proposed. Here, we report the preliminary results of the effect of two sowing periods (winter and spring) on the accumulation of bioactive compounds (i.e., anthocyanins, carotenoids, minerals) and grain morphology in three pigmented cereal species (barley, bread and durum wheat). The results showed that with delayed sowing time, a significant reduction in yield was observed in all species, less in barley (50.4%) than in wheat (70.3% and 66.5% for bread and durum, respectively). On the contrary, the carotenoids accumulation was favored (increased by 12.2%, 15.7% and 27.8% for barley, bread and durum wheat, respectively), as well as those of anthocyanins although strongly dependent on the genotype (i.e., considering only the purple genotypes, the anthocyanins increase by 4.6%, 35.4% and 72.8% in barley, bread and durum wheat, respectively). For minerals compounds, our study highlighted a strong environmental influence even when the pigmented genotypes accumulated more minerals than commercial ones, while the morphometric seed traits were less influenced by this agronomic practice. Therefore, by exploiting the genetic variability for the accumulation of anthocyanins and carotenoids in the grain and by optimizing the sowing time, it could be possible to increase the nutritional value of the final cereal-based products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lentil (Lens culinaris), consumed as a part of the diet worldwide, is a functional dietary ingredient that plays a function in human nutrition as a rich source of bioactive nutrients (low quantities of fat, sodium, and vitamin K; high content of potassium, essential amino acids, insoluble dietary fiber, and polyphenols). In this study spaghetti fortified with lentil flours (40% w/w) were developed and characterized. The addition of two different lentil flours significantly affected the sensory attributes and cooking properties of dry spaghetti. Therefore, the addition of carboxymethyl cellulose was adopted as technological option to improve the quality of fortified pasta; specifically, sensory acceptability, cooking loss, swelling index, and water absorption were studied. Chemical results highlighted that the addition of lentil to semolina significantly increased the content of lysine and threonine. It was observed an increase in essential and branched-chain amino acids. Contrary to what was expected, no increase in mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids was observed in fortified spaghetti, due to their loss during cooking, even after the addition of carboxymethyl cellulose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cardoon ( Cynara cardunculus L.), is a perennial plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, and its cultivated species are widely used in the Mediterranean diet. This review provides an overview of cardoons' chemical composition, bioactive properties and multiple industrial and food applications. Thanks to its nutritional composition, the use of cardoon has increased in food, cosmetic and industrial sectors, such as the energy industry or in the production of paper pulp or bio-packaging. An application in the food industry has involved using of cardoon as a vegetable coagulant for gourmet cheeses-making, as the flowers are rich in aspartic proteases. Cardoon by-products are also rich in bioactive compounds with important health benefits. Most of these nutritional activities are due to the presence of phenolic compounds, minerals, inulin, fibre and sesquiterpene lactones with interesting antioxidant and antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, lipid-lowering, cytotoxic and anti-diabetic activities.