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Biology is a study of living objects and their life processes. It examines all aspects of living organisms such as their occurrence, classification, internal and external structure, nutrition, reproduction, inheritance, etc. The term “biology” is commonly replaced by the terms “life sciences” and “biological sciences.” There are dozens of branches of biology. Some of the major ones include:
Biology and Life Sciences
Abstract
This paper provides a rapid method coupled with chemometrics to visualise PEL quality of eight regions. The contents of mineral elements, Vitamin C (Vc), and colour parameters were measured using spectrophotometric methods. The volatile substances were determined by electronic nose (E-nose) and headspace solid phase micro-extraction with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). Chemometric analyses were employed to visualise the sample distribution according to the geographical origin. The colour parameters, Vc, and mineral contents of PEL from diverse origins were significantly different (P < 0.05). A total of 25 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified from PELs, with the highest percentage of components being ethyl acetate. The combination of HS-SPME/GC-MS and E-nose can properly characterise PEL samples. Therefore, the results of this exploratory work highlight the possibility of discriminating PEL from different regions.
Abstract
Synthesis of nanoparticles can be long and costly processes using physical and chemical methods. Biological synthesis of nanoparticles is known to be cheaper and easier than other methods. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNP) were obtained by biological synthesis, also known as green synthesis, using Sorghum bicolor var. technicum (Körn) Stapf ex Holland seed extract, popularly known as sorghum. AgNPs were characterised by SEM, EDS, TEM, FT-IR, and UV-Vis Spectroscopy. SEM images confirmed that the shape of AgNPs was spherical. TEM analysis showed that the average sizes of AgNPs ranged from 51 to 56 nm. EDS analysis confirmed the presence of AgNPs by detecting a silver ion peak at 3 KeV. UV-Vis spectroscopy analyses indicated that the brown-burgundy colour of AgNPs exhibited maximum absorbance at 450 nm. The biological activities of the extract and AgNPs were investigated through antimicrobial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, mutagenic, and DNA cleavage activity analyses. The extract exhibited the highest MIC value against Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis (0.62 μg mL−1), whereas AgNPs demonstrated the highest antimicrobial activity specifically against Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli (0.31 μg mL−1). The antibiofilm results revealed that the extract displayed the highest percentage of biofilm inhibition against B. subtilis, while AgNPs exhibited notable efficacy against both Candida albicans yeast and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium. The antioxidant activities were evaluated using DPPH• and ABTS•+ methods, and it was determined that both samples had high antioxidant activity. Mutagenicity of the extract and AgNPs were evaluated by the Ames/Salmonella test using two strains of Salmonella typhimurium (TA98 and TA100). The mutagenic activity of the extract increased depending on the concentration for both strains, while AgNP did not show mutagenicity at any concentration. The agarose gel electrophoresis method showed that the extract and AgNPs cleaved DNA in the presence of an oxidising agent.
Abstract
In this study, a water-soluble novel polysaccharide called TPS was successfully prepared and isolated from Liubao tea. The optimal extraction conditions resulted in a yield of 10.70% for the crude TPS. The purified TPS exhibited unique physicochemical properties and structural characteristics. It was identified as an acidic polysaccharide with trace binding proteins, with a →4)-α-D-Galp-(1→) residue. The purified TPS had a dense and uneven appearance, potential crystallisation characteristics, and structural stability. Importantly, it demonstrated the ability to inhibit glucose transport in Caco-2 cells by down-regulating the expression of sodium/glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), leading to a hypoglycemic effect. These findings highlight the potential of TPS from Liubao tea as a functional food or additive with hypoglycaemic properties.
Abstract
Cultures used in dairy products make it possible to obtain standard industrial products. However, they all provide a uniform taste and aroma. Generally, non-starter lactic acid bacteria (NSLAB) isolated from raw-milk or artisanal cheeses offer varied sensory characteristics when integrated in cheese provided that biosafety criteria are met. Enterococcus faecium HZ was previously isolated from traditional Turkish cheese and determined to have strong antibacterial activity as well as no gelatinase and hemolysis activities. In this study, this strain was used as adjunct culture in white-brined cheese to improve the physicochemical, textural, and aromatic properties, as well as antimicrobial activity. Cheeses with E. faecium HZ had a higher sensory score, which could be due to the aroma-active compounds produced by this strain. The incorporation of E. faecium HZ also improved the microbial quality of cheeses and showed an inhibitory effect via a stable enterocin production on indicator microorganisms.
Abstract
The nutritional and therapeutic benefits of plants are outstanding. Wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.) collected from different regions was analysed for its phenolic, flavonoid, protein, and biological activity levels. In this case, the plant ethanol extract was obtained using a soxhlet apparatus. Rel assay kits and the DPPH test were used to assess the plant's antioxidant activity. The agar dilution test was used to determine antimicrobial efficacy. A549 lung cancer cells were used in an MTT assay to measure antiproliferative activity. The Folin−Ciocalteu reagent was used to quantify the total phenolic content of the sample. The amount of flavonoids was determined using an aluminium chloride test. The amount of protein was calculated using the AOAC's standard technique. Based on the research conducted, it was shown that the maximum total antioxidant status (TAS) value for the ethanol extract of wild mustard from various places was 5.232 ± 0.047 mmol L−1. At a concentration of 2 mg mL−1, DPPH activity was measured to be 82.06 ± 1.01. The maximum levels of total phenolic, flavonoid, and protein were 80.57 ± 2.19 mg g−1, 154.07 ± 2.79 mg g−1, and 7.75 ± 0.24%, respectively. Doses of 25–100 μg mL−1 of plant extracts were effective against fungal strains, whereas doses of 50–200 μg mL−1 were beneficial against bacterial strains. The plant extracts were shown to have potent antiproliferative properties. It was found that wild mustard's phenolic, flavonoid, protein, and biological activity levels varied according to the location from which it was gathered. It was also concluded that wild mustard had significant biological activity.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional quality of homemade beef sausages by examining the amino acid, biogenic amine, and fatty acid composition. The most abundant amino acids were Ala (15.56%), Leu (13.28%), Gly (8.64%), Pro (8.41%), Ser (8.26%), and Val (7.65%). The essential amino acids accounted for 44.30% of total amino acids. Apart from the protein building amino acids, the free amino acid content was relatively high, accounting for 10% of total amino acid content. The average biogenic amine concentration in the sausage samples was low (1.69 mg kg−1). Saturated fatty acids accounted for 59.10% of total fatty acids, followed by monounsaturated (38.63%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (2.27%). The fatty acid profile was dominated by oleic (C18:1, 34.37%) and palmitic (C16:0, 30.24%) acids, and short-chain fatty acids were also present, which may have a positive impact on gut health. The results show that beef sausages have a high nutritional value and are a good source of essential amino acids, free amino acids, and fatty acids that are important for human health.
Abstract
In this study, it is aimed to encapsulate some functional components of the olive leaves. Olive leaf extract was encapsulated using solution of sodium alginate, sodium alginate/gelatine, and sodium alginate/agar as wall material by ionic gelation technique. Also, olive leaf extract was encapsulated using solution of gelatine as wall material by cold gelation technique. The viscosities of the coating materials used in the study were investigated. An optimisation process was carried out to determine the injection time to be applied in the ionic gelation technique and the encapsulation efficiencies, particle sizes, swelling ratios, in vitro release profiles, and antioxidant activities of the obtained capsules were determined. While the encapsulation efficiency of the capsules obtained by the cold gelation technique was determined as the highest (98.2 ± 0.99%), it was revealed that the viscosity of the wall material used in the ionic gelation technique was important in the encapsulation efficiency. The particle size and swelling rate of the capsules obtained using the cold gelation technique were the highest. The release rate of oleuropein was generally higher at gastric pH than at intestinal pH. A correlation was found between antioxidant activities and the encapsulation efficiency of capsules.
Abstract
A large amount of waste, especially the outer part of citrus fruits (peel), is generated after consuming the pulp and it remains unused. The valorisation of this waste by recovering its bioactive compounds seems interesting. The aim of this study was to find the optimal conditions using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) that yield the highest carotenoid content and better antioxidant activity from Citrus reticulata Blanco peels.
Response surface methodology (RSM) through Box–Behnken experimental design was used to optimise the conditions for carotenoid extraction using UAE. Hexane concentration, temperature, and sonication time were selected as the main factors.
The results revealed that all independent variables affected the responses. The optimal UAE conditions for hexane concentration, temperature, and sonication time were 60.76%, 36.45 °C, and 37.32 min, respectively. The values of total carotenoid content (TCC) and total antioxidant activity (TAA) obtained by UAE were higher than those obtained by the maceration extraction method.
It can be concluded that the medium and extraction parameters, including hexane concentration, temperature, and sonication time, significantly influenced the recovery of carotenoids and antioxidant activity. The optimisation study allowed determining the appropriate conditions to maximise both responses. Compared to conventional maceration, the UAE method was superior and more efficient for extracting carotenoids from C. reticulata Blanco peels.
Abstract
Food allergies became a major public health and food safety interest in the past decades as their prevalence is increasing, and their only available treatment is a strict elimination diet that necessitates appropriate food labelling regulations. While such regulations are available worldwide, most of them are not taking into account inadvertent allergen cross-contamination and they usually do not define threshold doses that could support the industry in their endeavour to provide reliable food labels for allergic consumers. This resulted in the proliferation of the “may contain” type precautionary allergen labelling (PAL), which is voluntary and is intended to warn consumers for potential unintended contamination with an otherwise undeclared allergen. As this kind of labelling is hardly ever based on actual risk assessment, it puts both the industry and the consumer into a difficult position. A promising tool towards the solution of this problem could be allergen threshold doses based on clinical data, which are becoming increasingly available. This review intends to present this process, the new ways of improved risk assessment it opens, and its implications for food analysis.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of storage of mangoes (Mangifera indica L.) coated with chitosan-based nano-silver films. Chitosan-based nano-silver films were first made using chitosan with three degrees of deacetylation of 70, 80, and 90%. The films were then used for coating the mango fruits. All coated mangoes and the control samples were stored at 12 °C in a cooling room. The respiration rate, ethylene production rate, weight loss, firmness, total soluble solids, total acid, vitamin C, total sugar, and change of peel colour were evaluated once every 5 days during the storage period. As observed, the coating using the chitosan-based nano-silver films did not induce significant negative alterations on most of the physical characteristics and chemical constituents of the fruits. In addition, the coating using those materials helped reduce the respiration and the ethylene gas production and retard the ripening process of mango fruits. The chitosan-based films with higher deacetylation degrees (CN80 and CN90) better moderated the respiration of mangoes. The coating using chitosan-based nano-silver films prolonged the shelf-life of mangoes (up to 35 days) compared to the control (less than 10 days).
Abstract
Background
Early identification of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease of 2019) by diagnostic tests played an important role in the isolation of infectious patients and management of this pandemic. Various methodologies and diagnostic platforms are available. The current “gold standard” for SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) diagnosis is real-time reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). To overcome the limitations posed by the short supply experienced early during the pandemic and to increase our capacity, we assessed the performance of the MassARRAY System (Agena Bioscience).
Methods
MassARRAY System (Agena Bioscience) combines RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) with high-throughput mass spectrometry processing. We compared the MassARRAY performance to a research-use-only E-gene/EAV (Equine Arteritis Virus) assay and RNA Virus Master PCR. Discordant results were tested with a laboratory-developed assay using the Corman et al. E-gene primers and probes.
Results
186 patient specimens were analyzed using the MassARRAY SARS-CoV-2 Panel. The performance characteristics were as follows: the positive agreement was 85.71%, 95% CI (78.12 – 91.45), and the negative agreement was 96.67%, 95% CI (88.47 – 99.59). 19/186 (10.2%) results were found to be discordant and assessed by a different assay with the exception of 1, where the sample was not available for repeat testing. 14 out of 18 agreed with the MassARRAY after testing with the secondary assay. The overall performance after discordance testing was as follows: the positive agreement was 97.3%, 95% CI (90.58 – 99.67), and the negative agreement was 97.14%, 95% CI (91.88 – 99.41).
Conclusion
Our study demonstrates that the MassARRAY System is an accurate and sensitive method for SARS-CoV-2 detection. Following the discordant agreement with an alternate RT-PCR test, the performance was found to have sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy exceeding 97%, making it a viable diagnostic tool. It can be used as an alternative method during periods when real-time RT-PCR reagent supply chains are disrupted.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from artisanal cheeses and evaluate their probiotic potential and antibiotic susceptibility under in vitro conditions. Cheeses obtained at different maturation times were analysed for moisture and lipid contents, as well as for the presence of various microorganisms, including coagulase positive staphylococci, Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, filamentous fungi, yeasts, total mesophilic bacteria, and LAB. After identification, the selected LAB were subjected to human gastrointestinal tract (HGT) conditions to evaluate their survival rates. Of the 18 Lactobacillus strains isolated, 11 survived the HGT test and presented γ-haemolysis. No resistance was observed against antibiotics. Lactobacillus fermentum C1a, C1b, C1c, and C1f, as well as Lactobacillus paracasei C1d, C1e, and C1g, were identified as potential starter cultures for the food industry.
Abstract
Obesity and other unhealthy behaviors are behind cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, with the Roma population particularly at risk. The aim of our cross-sectional (questionnaire- and physical measurements-based) study was to compare the prevalence of obesity in Hungarian, Romanian, and Slovakian Hungarian-speaking Roma and non-Roma (N = 1893) in relation to lifestyle-related risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In the total sample, the proportion of extreme obesity was higher in Roma (P < 0.001) than non-Roma. The mean waist circumference was the highest in Hungary (P < 0.001). Visceral fat was higher in the Hungarian Roma sample than in the Slovak (P = 0.006) or Romanian Roma samples (P = 0.005). Hungarian Roma total cholesterol levels were lower than in the Slovak (P < 0.001) or Romanian samples (P < 0.001). Hypertension and cholesterol levels were associated with a higher risk among non-Roma men (P < 0.001), and the presence of smoking increased CVD risk among both men (P = 0.024) and women (P < 0.001) in the Roma minority. The combined presence of several risk factors was found mainly in Roma. Overall, Roma scores were found to be worse, but ethnicity did not provide clear evidence for the questions examined, but rather the level of education, which is associated with socioeconomic status.
Abstract
Radio frequency (RF) heating of agri-food, especially low moisture viscous sauces (LMVS), have obvious advantages. However, uneven heating is one main problem of RF heating technology that has to be solved. Due to the unclear heating mechanism and the difficulty to measure the three-dimensional temperature distribution in the heated object, computer-aided analysis method was adopted. Based on the RF heating numerical calculation model after experimental verification and the characteristics of polyetherimide (PEI) assisted RF heating of peanut butter (PB), this study proposed an improved method for an existing protocol. Meanwhile, parameters of the new protocol were optimised by the Multi-objective Global Optimisation (MGO) of its surrogate model. Results demonstrated that the best size of PEI block in the new protocol was Φ100 × 9.5 mm and the positional height was 12 mm. When the pasteurisation temperature Tp was set to 70 °C and the control temperature Tc was set to 75 °C, the temperature uniformity evaluation indices, Over-shoot Temperature Control Index (OTCI) and Targeted Penetration Depth (TPD), were 0.920% and 3.975 mm, respectively. Compared with 4.845% and 4.940 mm before improvement, the new protocol achieved significant optimisation and improved the temperature uniformity effectively. This also proved the feasibility of MGO method of surrogate model in relevant studies.
Abstract
In the present study, six different edible coatings were evaluated to assess their microbicidal efficiency on pre-treated disinfected fresh cut guava. Among all coatings viz. alginate, pectin, carboxy methylcellulose, carrageenan, and starch, chitosan showed significant microbial growth inhibition and preservation of physico-chemical characteristics of fresh cut guava. Further, optimisation of coating parameters i.e. concentration (% w/v) and dipping time (min) was performed using Response Surface Methodology. It revealed that the fresh-cut guava dipped in 1% (w/v) chitosan for 3 min had desirability level of 91% and extension of its shelf life up to 9 days, as compared to 5 days shelf life of uncoated fresh-cut guava, maintaining all its physico-chemical parameters and microbial growth under the permissible level. Validation of optimised conditions was conducted at 5.0 kg scale that resulted in firmness of 1.90 (kg), 2.6 g/100 g sugars content, 8.0 °Brix total soluble solids content, 3.4 pH, 4.1 log CFU g−1 total plate count, 3.1 log CFU g−1 yeast and moulds count, and 3.1 log CFU g−1 total coliforms count on fresh-cut guava at 9th day of refrigeration storage. Shelf life analysis revealed that chitosan coated fresh cut guava can stay fresh till 10th day under refrigeration with maintaining all its nutritive, microbiological, and sensory properties in the acceptable range.
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection still poses health threats especially to older and immunocompromised individuals. New emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2, including Omicron and Arcturus, have been challenging the effectiveness of humoral immunity resulting from repeated vaccination and infection. With recent study implying a wave of new mutants in vaccinated people making them more susceptible to the newest variants and fueling a rapid viral evolution, there is a need for alternative or adjunct approaches against coronavirus infections other than vaccines. Our earlier work indicated that a specific combination of micronutrients and phytochemicals can inhibit key infection mechanisms shared by SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in vitro. Here we demonstrate in vivo that an intake of this micronutrient combination before and during infection of mice with engineered SARS-CoV-2 virions and HCoV-229E virus results in a significant decrease in viral load and level of spike protein in the lungs. This was accompanied by decreased inflammatory response, including TNFα, IL1β, ILα, and IL17. These and our earlier results confirm that by targeting multiple mechanisms simultaneously by a combination treatment we can effectively and safely challenge SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-229E virus. If clinically confirmed, such an approach could complement already in-use preventive and therapeutic strategies against coronavirus infections.
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is able to form biofilms on food contact surfaces. Effectiveness of salt concentration, pH, and temperature on the formation of L. monocytogenes biofilms was evaluated individually and in combinations using microtiter plate assay by measuring the optical density. The tested strains differed in their biofilm formation (low, moderate, and strong) ability. At 37 °C, decreasing amounts of biofilms was observed in almost all L. monocytogenes strains when the NaCl concentration increased from 0.05 to 15%, but all strains were able to form biofilm even at 1 °C. There was no significant difference in biofilm formation between pH 4, 5, and 6, except for some strains. When stress conditions were tested in combination, the addition of 15% NaCl significantly inhibited the growth of L. monocytogenes at 1 °C and 4 °C, and the weak biofilm-forming strains were less sensitive to the temperature and to NaCl treatments than the strong biofilm-forming strains. These results enhance our knowledge of the application of NaCl, temperature, and pH stresses in the food industry and provide basis to develop new strategies for control of biofilm formation of this pathogen.
Abstract
In this study, 25–25 milk samples (25 colostral and 25 mature) collected at different lactational stages were used to analyse the fatty acid composition of breast milk. A gas-chromatographic method was used to perform and analyse the transmethylation of total milk lipid extracts. The milk samples contained 20 different fatty acids. Palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), myristic acid (C14:0), oleic acid (C18:1n-9), and linoleic acid (LA, C18:2n-6) were the major components of total lipid, phospholipid (PL), and triacylglycerol (TAG) fractions. Colostrum had a lower percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), a higher percentage of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), and a lower level of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 n-3) in total lipid than mature milk. Triacylglycerol and PL fractions between colostrum and mature milk samples did not differ statistically.
Abstract
Measurement of phenolics, colour parameters, and volatile compounds in wines were made from two varieties of table grapes (‘Zaoheibao’ and ‘Summer Black’) using five pretreatment methods (cold maceration, freezing grapes, lower maturity, fermenting grape juice without skin, and adding tartaric acid) and a control treatment. The effect of the pretreatment methods on the quality of wines was assessed using oenological parameters analysis and volatile compounds analysis. The results indicated that the freezing grape and cold maceration pretreatments improved the colour and increased the contents of phenolic and volatile compounds compared with the control, and freezing was considered to be the most suitable pretreatment method for ‘Zaoheibao’ wine. With respect to ‘Summer Black’ wines, cold maceration and lower maturity were considered to be suitable. Cold maceration enhanced the contents of phenolic and volatile compounds, while lower maturity increased the contents of volatile compounds and total acid. Our results provide new insights into the use of table grapes to make different styles of wine.
Az azbesztszálak kimutatására szolgáló vizsgálatok középpontjában a levegőszennyezettségi értékek álltak, de a 21. században felmerült az igény a problémakör kiterjesztésére. Az elmúlt években megjelent nemzetközi tudományos szakirodalmak megcáfolták az évtizedeken át fennálló feltételezést, miszerint az azbeszt csupán a levegőterheltség révén vált ki kockázatot. Vízminőségi és talajminőségi kutatások által teret nyert az azbesztszálak, különösen a krizotilszálak alternatív transzportútjainak vizsgálatát célzó kutatásterület. Annak ellenére, hogy mind a települési, mind pedig a mezőgazdasági vízgazdálkodás potenciálisan érintett a krizotil-azbeszt jelenléte kapcsán, nincs nemzetközi szinten egységes és elfogadott módszer vagy küszöbérték az egyes vízforrások biztonságára vonatkozóan. A kutatások nyilvánvaló korlátja, hogy csekély mennyiségű és minőségű tudás érhető el. Az azbesztszálak megjelenése az egyes vízbázisokban jelentősen megváltoztatja mind a mezőgazdasági, mind a települési vízgazdálkodás környezeti hatásoknak való kitettségéről alkotott eddigi ismereteinket. Az öntözővizzel és a gyűjtött csapadékkal kijuttatott azbesztszálak hatásainak palettája mára túlhaladta a humán- és állategészségügyi hatásokat, immár figyelmet kell fordítani a vegetációs hatásokra is. Annak érdekében, hogy nagyobb betekintést nyerjünk az azbeszttoxicitás növényekre gyakorolt hatásaiba, sokkal több tudományos eredményre van szükség.
Jelen összefoglaló tanulmányban bemutatjuk az azbeszt, különös tekintettel a krizotil azbeszt legfontosabb tulajdonságait, humán-, állat- és növényegészségügyi kockázatait. Rávilágítunk arra, hogy ismereteink rendkívül hiányosak, valamint felhívjuk a figyelmet a települési és mezőgazdasági vízgazdálkodás érintettségének egyes faktoraira, közvetlen és közvetett kockázati tényezőire, valamint arra, hogy ezek miként hatnak az élőlényekre, kiemelt tekintettel a növényekre.
Abstract
Oxygen plays a crucial role in all stages of wine production. The aim of this study was to quantify dissolved oxygen in filtered wines trained on fine lees during different technological operations such as racking, coarse filtration, stabilisation of thermolabile proteins, and sterile filtration and bottling. The most significant oxygenation of wine occurs during filtration (1.9–3.57 mg L−1) and during bottling (2.99–4.12 mg L−1). At the same time, oxygen affects the phenolic composition, antioxidant activity and sulphur dioxide.
Understanding and being able to use oxygen correctly during wine production can lead to a reduction in the doses of sulphur dioxide used. It has been shown that wines trained on fine lees are more able to withstand oxygen and, therefore, the sulphur dioxide doses can be reduced substantially. The experiment, in which two different winemaking technologies were observed, was carried out on the Welschriesling variety using both stainless steel tanks and oak barrels.
Abstract
This work explored the impact of mixed flow spray drying on the physical and functional properties of whey powder without any subsequently added drying agent to increase whey utilisation. Spray drying was performed on a pilot scale using a mixed flow spray dryer. The effects of the inlet air temperature (150–210 °C) and feed flow rate (2–7 L h−1) on several responses such as moisture content, yield, dispersibility, bulk density, and outlet air temperature were investigated using response surface methodology. In addition, with the optimised parameters, Carr index, Hausner ratio, solubility, wettability, hygroscopicity, degree of caking, crystallinity, and morphology of the obtained whey powder were determined. The investigation revealed that feed flow rate is the main parameter influencing all responses. The inlet air temperature significantly affected the bulk, tapped density, and outlet air temperature. The optimal inlet air temperature and feed flow rate for the production of whey powder were 182 °C and 3.2 L h−1, respectively. Under these parameters the moisture content, yield, bulk density, hygroscopicity, and degree of caking of the obtained product were 28.6, 1.80%, 0.24 g cm−3, 16.10 g H2O/g powder, and 85.56%, respectively.
Abstract
This paper reviews of the recent progress in the acarological researches and knowledge on mites occurring in the canopy of ornamental trees and shrubs. The inventory of Acari includes 444 mite species belonging to 33 families which were recorded from 283 hardwood tree and shrub species of 45 plant families. The highest number of mite families and species were reported from the families Rosaceae (21 mite families), Salicaceae (20) and Oleaceae (17), and Salicaceae (99 mite species), Rosaceae (98) and Fagaceae (63), respectively. The most diverse acarine fauna was found on Acer campestre (37 mite species), Prunus spinosa (37), Acer pseudoplatanus (33), Tilia cordata (33) and Salix alba (31). The most frequently occurring mite species were Euseius finlandicus (on 78 host species), Tydeus californicus (64) and Zetzellia mali (60).
Abstract
All known trachyuropodid mites (Acari: Uropodina: Trachyuropodidae) are listed together with diagnoses of the family Trachyuropodidae and trachyuropodid genera. A new illustrated key to trachyuropodid genera is also presented. The second species of the genus Trachyibana (T. kozari sp. nov.) is described and illustrated from Singapore. Forty eight new combinations are also presented: Arculatatrachys darwini (Kontschán and Starý, 2013) comb. nov.; Arculatatrachys newtoni (Kontschán, 2010) comb. nov.; Bostocktrachys berlesesellnickia (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; B. extremica (Kontschán and Starý, 2013) comb. nov.; B. kiewensis (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; B. myrmecophila (Wiśniewski and Hirschmann, 1992) comb. nov.; B. plagiata (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; B. zicsii (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; Castritrachys quadriauricularia (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; Cristicepstrachys sinuata (Berlese, 1904) comb. nov.; Cephalojanetia multituberculata (Hirschmann, 1976) comb nov.; C. tuberosa (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; C. dentata (Kontschán, 2007) comb. nov.; Cephalouropoda alapaducta (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; Excavatatrachys auricularia (Costa, 1962) comb. nov.; E. longicornuta (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; E. longicornutasimilis (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; E. poppi (Hirschmann and Zirngiebl-Nicol, 1969) comb. nov.; E. quadricornuta (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; E. sellnicki (Hirschmann and Zirngiebl-Nicol, 1969) comb. nov.; Graecatrachys bali (Kontschán and Starý, 2013) comb. nov.; G. endrodyi (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; G. ghanaensis (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; G. mesofovea (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; G. mesofoveasimilis (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; G. represa (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; G. rufipes (Hirschmann, 1976) comb nov.; Magnatrachys dacica (Huţu, 1973) comb. nov.; M. imperforata (Berlese, 1904) comb. nov.; M. mexicana (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; M. pecinai (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; M. schusteri (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; M. schusterisimilis (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; Trogulotrachys ablesi (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; T. celtica (Halbert, 1907) comb. nov.; T. hirschmanni (Pecina, 1980) comb. nov.; T. kinsella (Kontschán et al., 2010) comb. nov.; T. michaeli (Ewing, 1909) comb. nov.; T. wasmanniana (Berlese, 1903) comb. nov.; T. willmanni (Hirschmann and Zirngiebl-Nicol, 1969) comb. nov.; Urojanetia baloghi (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; U. baloghisimilis (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; U. belunensis (Lombardini, 1962) comb. nov.; U. hexaspinosa (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; U. mahunkai (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; U. similicoccinea (Hiramatsu, 1979) comb. nov.; Urotrachytes formicariasimilis (Hirschmann, 1975) comb. nov.; and Ur. ponticuli (Karg, 1989) comb. nov.
Abstract
Membrane filtration has a promising advantage in the processing of egg products. In this study, liquid egg whites (LEW) were separately concentrated by using reverse osmosis (RO) and ultrafiltration (UF) techniques. The first aim of this research was to determine the effects of the concentration pre-treatments on the physico-chemical quality criteria (pH, relative whipping capacity, foaming stability, water holding capacity-WHC, colour) and the rheological behaviour (viscosity, oscillation) of LEW samples. The second aim of this research was to investigate the impact of the membrane pre-treatment on meringue's functional quality attributes such as meringue batter density and meringue batter colour values (L*, a*, b*). The average dry matter of LEW was increased from 12% to 23% by the concentration pre-treatment process (RO and UF), and water was removed from the LEW. In addition, the batter density of meringue cookie samples was 0.37 ± 0.01 g mL−1 in UF and RO. The differences between the pH and dry matter values of the ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis treated groups were found to be statistically similar, and it was observed that the elastic modulus (G′) increased with the increase in frequency in the rheological measurements. It has been determined that G′ is higher than G″ in all samples. An elastic/solid-like (G′ > G″) structural behaviour was determined while increasing the frequency value. It was determined that the WHC of LEW treated with RO was higher than of the group treated with UF. The results of the study showed that while reducing transportation and storage costs, the water content of >80% of LEW (raw material-the treated liquid egg white) removed by UF and RO applications can be suitable to produce meringue batter cookies (semi-finished product).
Abstract
For a long time, olive oil has been considered for formulation of biopharmaceuticals and received a prestigious place in cuisine for its unique organoleptic and nutritional properties. Nevertheless, oxidation of fatty acids in olive oil provides short shelf-life and undesirable organoleptic properties. Thus, microencapsulation of olive oil is a considerable promising approach to maintain its quality and biological activities. The objective of this investigation was to prepare extra virgin olive oil microcapsule by sequential technologies, such as water emulsification of olive oil with wall material (matrix) and freeze drying of emulsion. The effect of wall material composition was examined to prepare microcapsule of extra virgin olive oil. Different ratios of wall materials such as maltodextrin (MD), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and gum arabic (GA) were used. Furthermore, effects of emulsification technologies, such as homogenisation with rotor–stator homogeniser (RSH) and cross-flow membrane emulsification (CFME) were investigated. The stability of emulsion was higher when emulsion was prepared by RSH; however, the droplet mean diameter (D32) was lower in case of RSH compared to CFME. The highest encapsulation efficiency (EE) was found as 68.96 ± 2.6% when CFME was adopted and composition of wall materials was 15 g MD, 15 g GA, and 5 g CMC.
Abstract
Rye is an important raw material of bread due to tradition and its favourable nutritional and technological qualities. Despite the beneficial fibre composition, a special group of short-chain carbohydrates, the so called FODMAPs (fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols) may cause problems for patients with irritable bowel syndrome. The aim of our work was to investigate the non-starch carbohydrate (dietary fibre compounds, short-chain carbohydrates) composition of rye varieties, and of their novel milling fractions obtained from industrial milling trials and test loaves made from them. Regarding fibre and short chain carbohydrate composition, rye varieties did not show significant differences. In new subfractions, fibre and FODMAP composition were described, among profiles most of them differ from commonly used flours, independently from variety. The yeast fermentation and baking caused a decrease in water-extractable arabinoxylan content, at the same time increased the substitution pattern of water-extractable arabinoxylans. Furthermore, breadmaking process decreased the fructan content, and therefore increased the fructose level, thus modifying the short-chain carbohydrate composition. Based on our knowledge, this research is among the first ones investigating the fibre and short-chain composition of rye from the seeds to the consumable final products.
Abstract
Coatings of rice flour (RF), reinforced or not with rosemary essential oil (ROS), were used to evaluate changes in the internal quality of quail eggs stored at room temperature. Quality parameters [egg weight loss (EWL, %), Haugh unit (HU), yolk index (YI), albumen and yolk pH], microbiological (counts of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae) and sensory (colour, aroma, odour, texture, taste, and general acceptability) parameters were evaluated during the experiment. Compared to the number of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria on the shell of uncoated eggs (2.02 ± 0.49; 1.78 ± 0.20 log10 CFU mL−1), RF/ROS exhibited significant inhibition effects for these bacteria on 0. (1.16 ± 0.25 log10 CFU mL−1) and 21. (0.84 ± 0.11 log10 CFU mL−1) days of storage at room temperature. On days 7, 14, and 21, RF had no effect on HU (P > 0.05), but eggs coated with RF/ROS had significantly higher HU (P < 0.05) than uncoated eggs from day 14, maintaining grade AA (73.88 ± 2.67) on day 21, while uncoated eggs had grade A (68.90 ± 1.55) at that time. The RF coating reinforced with ROS was a bioactive, efficient, and safe formulation for application based on internal quality, microbiological and sensorial aspects of quail eggs.
Abstract
Flagellation is one of the major virulence factors of Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni), enabling bacterial cells to swarm in rather high viscous fluids. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the surrounding viscosity on the expression of motility related genes of C. jejuni. Therefore, bacterial RNA was extracted from liquid cultures as well as from bacterial cells recovered from the edge and the center of a swarming halo from high viscous media. The expression pattern of selected flagellar and chemotaxis related genes was investigated by RT-PCR. Higher mRNA levels of class 1 and lower levels of class 2 and 3 flagellar assembly genes were detected in cells derived from the edge of a swarming halo than in cells from the center. This indicates different growth states at both locations within the swarming halo. Furthermore, higher mRNA levels for energy taxis and motor complex monomer genes were detected in high viscous media compared to liquid culture, indicating higher demand of energy if C. jejuni cells were cultivated in high viscous media. The impact of the surrounding viscosity should be considered in future studies regarding motility related questions.
Abstract
Pectobacteriaceae are plant pathogens responsible for serious diseases on many crops of interest including potato. Currently, regarding the several disadvantages of conventional control by chemicals, the application of bio-agents as alternatives is increasingly being explored. The present investigation was conducted in order to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the fungal strain Trichoderma asperellum T34 as an antagonist against phytopathogen Dickeya solani on tubers of three potato varieties (Agata, Monalisa, and Picobello). For this, half-tubers were inoculated by T34 suspension with concentrations of 103 and 105 cells mL−1 at 6, 9, and 12 h before bacterial infection (D. solani at concentrations of 107 and 108 cfu mL−1). The results of infection assays without the antagonist indicated that Picobello variety was the least sensitive to soft rot, Monalisa and Agata varieties showed medium and high sensitivity, respectively. The antagonism assays revealed strong antibacterial activities, manifested by the regression of softened tissues gradually with the time of preincubation with T34, leading to a complete disappearance of disease symptoms using 12 h. Hence, the application of antagonistic Trichoderma strains as antimicrobial agents in the control of harmful plant pathogens is a subject of great interest and can be considered a promising strategy to handle soft rot diseases.
Abstract
Germalus kozari sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea: Geocoridae) is now described. Comparative notes, keys, diagnoses, and distribution data to allied Indomalayan species is provided. Germalus greeni is reported for the first time from outside of India and Sri Lanka.
Abstract
Nemoura kozari sp. n. is described on the basis of morphology of male adults collected in the Eastern Carpathians. The new species is classified as a member of the Nemoura marginata species group. It was found in medium elevations of the Krasna Mts, Ukraine, and the Rodna Mts, Romania, inhabiting slowly flowing, small brooks. New diagnosis of the marginata group and enumeration of its members are provided.
The categorisation of plant species according to their life form has a long history in plant ecology. The most popular system worldwide and also in Hungary is Raunkiaer’s categorisation according to the position of buds (meristems) surviving the adverse season. The original system contains only seven categories, resulting in high diversity within each category. Therefore, different refinements are suggested. This paper aims to apply an internationally accepted refinement of Raunkiaer’s categorisation, the Ellenberg and Mueller-Dombois system, to the Hungarian flora.
As part of the PADAPT project, the authors compiled the invasion biological database of the alien vascular flora of Hungary, which contains the nativeness, residence time, introduc- tion mode and invasion status of 878 alien or cryptogenic taxa. In the absence of adequate evidence, the classification of some species was only possible into uncertain, transitional cat- egories. The definitions of most categories are compatible with several international termi- nologies, but are primarily based on Central European traditions. Of the 560 taxa that have already been naturalised in Hungary, 85 are invasive, and 22 of them are transformer alien vascular plants. Only 5 of these transformers are included in the European list of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern (Ailanthus altissima, Asclepias syriaca, Elodea nuttallii, Heracleum mantegazzianum and H. sosnowskyi), which require uniform preventive interventions and treatments throughout the continent, while the rest of transformers in Hungary (e.g., Robinia pseudoacacia, Fallopia × bohemica and Solidago gigantea) draw attention to the unique, local and/ or regional invasion biological situation of the Pannonian Basin and Central Europe.
The Teucrium genus is an important source of essential oil-bearing plants. The essential oils of this genus are endowed with important phytochemical diversity, exert widespread biological properties, and have several uses in traditional medicine. Teucrium takoumitense is an endemic aromatic and medicinal plant, grown in a very limited area in southeastern Morocco. To the best of our knowledge, there is no published report on the phytochemical or biological studies of Teucrium takoumitense essential oil (EO) harvested from the Errachidia region in Southeast Morocco. GC/MS analysis, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial tests on the EO of this plant were carried out in this study. The results of GC/MS analysis showed that β-ocimene (10.12%), δ-bisabolene (8.35%), linalool (8.16%), β-eudesmol (8.05%), and δ-cadinene (7.89%) are the major compounds in the EO. Important antioxidant activity (IC50 DPPH = 2.4 mg/mL, IC50 ABTS = 1.58 mg/mL, IC50 FRAP = 0.71 mg/mL, and TAC value = 230.72 AAE mg/g EO) and potent anti-inflammatory effect evaluated by phenol induced inflammation in rat ears were induced by the volatile oil. Moreover, the volatile oil induced antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. In conclusion, Teucrium takoumitense EO was found to be rich in volatile compounds and exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. More studies are recommended to be evaluated on the extracts of this plant and conservation interventions need to be carried out to maintain its sustainability.
Genus Barbilophozia is reported and described as a new generic record for India from union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Western Himalaya. Two species, namely Barbilophozia lycopodioides and Barbilophozia barbata are described in the present communication.
Eighteen species of foliicolous lichens have been mentioned earlier from the Fiji Islands in various literature sources and based on collections since 1860. Current records originate from the collections of Göran Thor from 1985 and Sarolta and Tamás Pócs from 2003. G. Thor visited lowland rainforests of Island Viti Levu, S. and T. Pócs collected also in higher elevations (up to ca 1,000 m) in submontane, montane and montane mossy (cloud) forests on Kadavu, Taveuni and Viti Levu Islands. These relatively small collections (of ca 300 and 150 leaves, respectively) resulted in 78 species of the 85 lichen species known today, among them 67 species are new for the foliicolous lichen flora of the area in this publication. New taxa described are Phylloblastia taveuniensis Farkas, Porina kadavuensis Farkas, furthermore the genus Tamasia Farkas (Ramalinaceae) and species Tamasia fijiensis Farkas containing cyanobacterial photobiont.
Abstract
Scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) fauna on imported tropical and subtropical fruits collected between 2013 and 2021 was investigated. The study revealed two armored scale insect (Diaspididae) species new to the fauna of Hungary (namely Aonidiella citrina (Coquillett) and Lepidosaphes pinnaeformis (Bouché)). Number of species of the Hungarian scale insect fauna increased to 279, while number of species collected on imported tropical and subtropical fruits changed to 16.
During the study on flora of Hyrcanian forests and collecting specimens in order to plant in Hyrcanian habitat of National Botanical Garden of Iran, among the collected specimens, some specimens of the Quercus castaneifolia (Chestnut leaved oak) from south of Sari city in Mazandaran Province in North of Iran seemed to be interesting and were different from the other known subspecies of Q. castaneifolia. Results of morphological study of the species showed that there are clear differences between shape of the cupule and some micro-morphology traits of the leaf trichomes and pollen. Thus, based on the botanical traits of the new taxon and according to summarised data from the obtained results of the other subspecies and variety of the Q. castaneifolia, this taxon was identified as a new subspecies and named: Quercus castaneifolia subsp. recurvatus Zare et Panahi which is described here. The new taxon is related to Quercus castaneifolia subsp. castaneifolia var. castaneifolia and well characterised by having different shape and arrangement of the involucral bracts on the acorn cupule comparing with the others.
Following the work of Tatár (1939), no new revised and detailed list was made of endemic plants of the Pannonicum phytogeographical region, which takes into account the latest research results. A survey of vascular plants endemic and subendemic to the Pannonicum is presented here based on a critical revision of published and sometimes unpublished data on contemporary taxonomic and chorological knowledge. For this, it was necessary to review the delineation of Pannonicum and the problem of drawing the boundaries. I would also like to draw the attention to the Pannonian flora islands outside the Carpathians, which descend along the sandy alluvium of the Danube. The research covers 11 countries: Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and a small part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine and Bulgaria (flora islands). The final evaluation of endemic status was made for 225 taxa of vascular plants, including 143 taxa confirmed as endemic or subendemic to the Pannonicum, 5 narrowly distributed taxa shared endemic of the Pannonicum and western part of the Carpaticum and 77 taxa are not endemic according to current taxonomic and phytogeographical knowledge (the list does not include hybrids). The final list of endemic and subendemic taxa includes 42 species, 29 subspecies and 73 apomictic species (including 47 taxa of Sorbus and 23 taxa of Taraxacum). Tatár mentions 55 taxa (without apomicts) of which only 29 (53%) are still considered endemic today. In terms of habitat preferences for (sub)endemic taxa most plants (excluding apomictic taxa) occur in rocky or sandy habitats.
Thymus saturejoides is an endemic species of the Lamiaceae family, native to Morocco and Algeria with a restricted distribution to the High Atlas, Middle Atlas, Anti-Atlas, Middle Atlantic Morocco, and the Saharan Atlas regions of Morocco, and the Aures Mountains in Algeria. This research focused on taxonomy, ethnobotany, chemical compounds, and biological and pharmacological actions of T. saturejoides. Folk medicine has documented continued use of this plant species. The review summarises the scientific literature and experimental research from the databases including Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, ResearchGate, Academia.edu, PubMed, and PubFacts. Finally, we have provided a complete document on ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and biological properties fields of T. saturejoides.
Abstract
During survey from 2013 to 2018, Cynodon dactylon at Shahjahnapur, Azamagarh, Oplismenus burmannii at Shahjahnapur, Arundo donax at Deoria and Ocimum cannum at Gorakhpur were observed with phytoplasma suspected symptoms. The maximum disease incidence (34%) was recorded at Deoria District in case of A. donax plant with witches' broom symptom. The nested PCR using universal primer pairs (R16F2n/R16R2) confirmed the phytoplasma association with all the suspected samples. Further BLASTn and phylogenetic analysis of the sequences revealed the association of 16SrXIV-A subgroups phytoplasma with C. dactylon, O. burmannii and phytoplasma belonging to 16SrI-B subgroups with A. donax and O. cannum plants in the present study.
Abstract
Anauchen (?) kozari n. sp. is described from Luang Prabang province, central Laos. This new species is temporarily placed in the genus Anauchen due to the similarity of its apertural barriers to those of A. messageri (Bavay & Dautzenberg, 1904). Boysidia gereti Bavay & Dautzenberg, 1904 is a junior synonym of Anauchen rochebruni (Mabille, 1887) (originally described as Hypselostoma).
Abstract
We report on a 38-year-old male patient with disseminated gonococcal infection. Preceding the discharge diagnosis, the patient was treated regarding rheumatoid arthritis, which resulted in the deterioration of the patient's medical condition due to the immunomodulatory nature of the applied medication. The causative agent was identified by culturing joint puncture fluid inoculated into blood culture vials. Primary infection with the pathogen could not be pinpointed in terms of time, but on further questioning, the patient reported intimate contacts with a number of different male partners, which may be assumed to have included the infection source. The case hereby demonstrates the impact that an early misdiagnosis and a limited anamnesis can have on the progress of a patient's disease. Furthermore, this case has helped us to propose possible improvements in both clinical and microbiological diagnostic approaches.