Search Results (67)

The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in the physicochemical characteristics, fatty acid profiles and volatile compounds of different muscle types (semimembranosus (SM), biceps femoris (BF) and semitendinosus (ST)) used to produce dry-cured Bísaro ham. Sixteen dry-cured hams were used. The physicochemical parameters were significantly affected by the muscle type, with the differences being mainly related to the different drying degrees and the intramuscular fat and collagen contents of the fresh muscles. Additionally, the type of muscle had a significant influence on the polyunsaturated fatty acids, such that the muscle with the highest fat content (ST) had the lowest PUFA content and vice versa. There were strong significant differences in the total content of volatile compounds derived from the Strecker reaction, which was higher in the ST muscle, and in the proportions of these compounds with different functional groups. The amount of sulfur compounds was also affected by the muscle type and was higher in the SM muscle. Due to the great impact of Strecker-derived and sulfur compounds on the flavor of the cured hams, these differences would affect the flavor perception of the different muscles. The variability between muscles in composition, fatty acids and volatile compounds allowed for discrimination of the samples by muscle type using multivariate analysis. Full article

Short- and medium-sized peptides have long been used as effective and versatile organocatalysts. In the early 80s, Inoue used diketopiperazines in the Strecker reaction, while Juliá and Colonna reported the epoxidation of chalcone catalyzed by poly-L-Ala. Since then, a variety of peptide-catalyzed reactions have been described. However, peptide synthesis typically implicates the use of toxic reagents and generates wastes; therefore, peptide recycling is expected to significantly improve the overall sustainability of the process. Easy recovery and recycling of peptide catalysts can be expediently attained by covalent binding, inclusion, or adsorption. In addition, immobilization can significantly accelerate the screening of new peptide catalysts. For these reasons, diverse supports have been tested, including natural or synthetic polymers, porous polymeric networks, inorganic porous materials, organic-inorganic hybrid materials, and finally metal–organic frame-works. Full article

Lassa mammarenavirus (LASV), a member of the family Arenaviridae, is a highly pathogenic virus capable of causing severe systemic infections in humans. The primary host reservoir is the Natal multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis), with human infections typically occurring through mucosal exposure to virus-containing aerosols from rodent excretions. To better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying LASV replication in the respiratory tract, we utilized differentiated primary human airway epithelial cells (HAECs) grown under air–liquid interface conditions, closely mimicking the bronchial epithelium in vivo. Our findings demonstrate that HAECs are permissive to LASV infection and support productive virus replication. While LASV entry into polarized HAECs occurred through both apical and basolateral surfaces, progeny virus particles were predominantly released from the apical surface, consistent with an intrinsic apical localization of the envelope glycoprotein GP. This suggests that apical virus shedding from infected bronchial epithelia may facilitate LASV transmission via airway secretions. Notably, limited basolateral release at later stages of infection was associated with LASV-induced rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton, resulting in compromised epithelial barrier integrity. Finally, we demonstrate that LASV-infected HAECs exhibited a pronounced type III interferon response. A detailed understanding of LASV replication and host epithelial responses in the respiratory tract could facilitate the development of targeted future therapeutics. Full article

This study investigated the effects of dietary Antarctic krill meal (AKM) on the physiological metabolism and flavor quality of adult Eriocheir sinensis ovaries during the postharvest temporary rearing. The AKM concentrations tested were 0% (including negative control group and positive control group), 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%. The results indicate that the E. sinensis ovaries in 8% AKM group produced the highest levels of aroma compounds after thermal processing, including hexanal, heptanal, phenylacetaldehyde, 3-octanone, and 2-methylbutanoic acid ethyl ester. The 8% AKM and negative control group were analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS combined with the nontargeted and widely targeted metabolomics technique. The AKM altered the composition of aroma precursors by adjusting the metabolism of glycerophospholipid, linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, and amino acid in ovaries. Moreover, lipids composed of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were significantly upregulated (p < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with 8% AKM had the best effect on improving the ovarian flavor quality of E. sinensis. During the postharvest temporary rearing, more aromatic precursors were produced by regulating physiological metabolism. The ovarian flavor was enhanced by lipid oxidation, Maillard reaction, and Strecker degradation during thermal processing. Full article

During defatted Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae powder production, oil is obtained as a by-product, mainly intended for feed enrichment or as a biofuel component. In 2021, EFSA authorized TM as the first insect to be a novel food. Thus, the study aimed to assess the composition, including fatty acids (FAs), tocopherols, carotenoids, phenolics, volatiles, antioxidant capacity, sensory aroma attributes, physical properties, and oxidative and hydrolytic stability of TM oil. The FAs profile was dominated by oleic—C18:19c (36.8%) and linoleic—C18:29c12c (32,4%) acids, resulting in a PUFA/SFA ratio similar to vegetable oils. Thus, TM oil was characterized by a beneficial Health Promoting Index (HPI) (2.42), which was 10-fold higher than the HPI of common animal fats. TM oil contained bioactive compounds such as carotenoids (13.65 mg/kg), tocopherols (105.8 mg/kg), and phenolic compounds (74 mg GAE/kg). A noticeable amount of apigenin was also noted among nine detected phenolic compounds. The substantial presence of lipophilic and phenolic compounds contributed to antioxidative potential. Sensory estimation revealed the dominance of fried and nutty aromas, probably because of the abundance of Strecker aldehydes and pyrazines in their volatile profile. The results indicated that the technological process needs modification to limit the formation of lipid oxidation volatile compounds such as aldehydes and eliminate some differences between batches. This preliminary study on the composition and properties of TM oil encourages its use as an ingredient for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics purposes. Full article

Basel humanists shaped religious discourse beyond the Reformed sphere through their collections of exempla, short narratives designed to illustrate a moral or doctrinal message. Because scholars of early modern exempla typically focus on either Lutheran or Catholic exempla collections, the role of Reformed compilers as mediators between confessions has been obscured. This article uses methods from the field of digital humanities and corpus linguistics to examine the lasting influence of Theodor Zwinger (1533–1588), Conrad Lycosthenes (1518–1561), and Johannes Herold (1514–1567) on Lutheran and Catholic exempla collections in a newly quantitative way. Using the concordance software AntConc, this study identifies numerous citations that demonstrate that Zwinger and Lycosthenes facilitated confessional cross-pollination of exemplary narratives from the mid-sixteenth through the early eighteenth century. Although citations of Zwinger, Lycosthenes, and Herold are more frequent in Lutheran exempla collections, the existence of several Catholic editions of Zwinger’s Theatrum vitae humanae indicates that Catholic readers also valued Zwinger’s work. This examination showcases the vital role of Swiss humanists in cross-confessional networks of information exchange and religious discourse in early modern Europe. Full article

Beer is a popular beverage consumed globally, and studies have emphasized the benefits of moderate consumption as well as its sensory effects on consumers. Color is a crucial sensory attribute, being the first aspect a consumer notices when assessing a beer’s quality. This review seeks to offer detailed insights into how brewing methods, raw materials, and the chemical diversity of beer influence the production of beer color. The chemical mechanisms responsible for color development and how consumers and color systems perceive the color of beer were assessed. A systematic review following the PRISMA methodology, coupled with a bibliometric analysis, was performed using (Rayyan 2022) and (VOSviewer 1.6.20) software to assess and evaluate the scientific research retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. The findings highlight the significant roles of malt types, heat brewing processes, control of chemical parameters, and innovative brewing techniques in conventional beer color production. Novel chromophores like perlolyrine, pyrrolothiazolate, and furpenthiazinate are thought to affect Pilsen-style beers, along with melanoidins, Strecker aldehydes, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in conventional beers. In craft beers, such as fruit- or herb-based beers, flavonoids like anthocyanins, along with other natural pigments and synthetic colorants, are identified as the primary sources of color. However, studies related to the influence of chromophores like perlolyrine, pyrrolothiazolate, and furpenthiazinate on beer color are scarce, and emerging additives, such as pigments from microorganisms, spices, exotic herbs, and leaves of plants, on craft beer offer insights for future research. Full article

In allergen-specific immunotherapy, adjuvants are explored for modulating allergen-specific Th2 immune responses to re-establish clinical tolerance. One promising class of adjuvants are β-glucans, which are naturally derived sugar structures and components of dietary fibers that activate C-type lectin (CLR)-, “Toll”-like receptors (TLRs), and complement receptors (CRs). We characterized the immune-modulating properties of six commercially available β-glucans, using immunological (receptor activation, cytokine secretion, and T cell modulating potential) as well as metabolic parameters (metabolic state) in mouse bone marrow-derived myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs). All tested β-glucans activated the CLR Dectin-1a, whereas TLR2 was predominantly activated by Zymosan. Further, the tested β-glucans differentially induced mDC-derived cytokine secretion and activation of mDC metabolism. Subsequent analyses focusing on Zymosan, Zymosan depleted, β-1,3 glucan, and β-1,3 1,6 glucan revealed robust mDC activation with the upregulation of the cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40), CD80, CD86, and MHCII to different extents. β-glucan-induced cytokine secretion was shown to be, in part, dependent on the activation of the intracellular Dectin-1 adapter molecule Syk. In co-cultures of mDCs with Th2-biased CD4⁺ T cells isolated from birch allergen Bet v 1 plus aluminum hydroxide (Alum)-sensitized mice, these four β-glucans suppressed allergen-induced IL-5 secretion, while only Zymosan and β-1,3 glucan significantly suppressed allergen-induced interferon gamma (IFNγ) secretion, suggesting the tested β-glucans to have distinct effects on mDC T cell priming capacity. Our experiments indicate that β-glucans have distinct immune-modulating properties, making them interesting adjuvants for future allergy treatment. Full article

Hybrid positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MR) opens new possibilities in multimodal multiparametric (m2p) image analyses. But even the simultaneous acquisition of positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) does not guarantee perfect voxel-by-voxel co-registration due to organs and distortions, especially in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), which would be, however, crucial to derive biologically meaningful information. Thus, our aim was to optimize fusion and voxel-wise analyses of DWI and standardized uptake values (SUVs) using a novel software for m2p analyses. Using research software, we evaluated the precision of image co-registration and voxel-wise analyses including the rigid and elastic 3D registration of DWI and [18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET from an integrated PET/MR system. We analyzed DWI distortions with a volume-preserving constraint in three different 3D-printed phantom models. A total of 12 PET/MR-DWI clinical datasets (bronchial carcinoma patients) were referenced to the T1 weighted-DIXON sequence. Back mapping of scatterplots and voxel-wise registration was performed and compared to the non-optimized datasets. Fusion was rated using a 5-point Likert scale. Using the 3D-elastic co-registration algorithm, geometric shapes were restored in phantom measurements; the measured ADC values did not change significantly (F = 1.12, p = 0.34). Reader assessment showed a significant improvement in fusion precision for DWI and morphological landmarks in the 3D-registered datasets (4.3 ± 0.2 vs. 4.6 ± 0.2, p = 0.009). Most pronounced differences were noted for the chest wall (p = 0.006), tumor (p = 0.007), and skin contour (p = 0.014). Co-registration increased the number of plausible ADC and SUV combinations by 25%. The volume-preserving elastic 3D registration of DWI significantly improved the precision of fusion with anatomical sequences in phantom and clinical datasets. The research software allowed for a voxel-wise analysis and visualization of [18F]FDG-PET/MR data as a “combined diffusivity–metabolic index” (cDMI). The clinical value of the optimized PET/MR biomarker can thus be tested in future PET/MR studies. Full article

This review highlights the most recent applications of Cd(II)-carboxylate-based coordination polymers (Cd(II)-CBCPs), such as sensors, catalysts, and storage materials, in comparison with those of Zn(II) counterparts. A wide range of species with luminescence properties were designed by using proper organic fluorophores, especially a carboxylate bridging ligand combined with an ancillary N-donor species, both with a rigid structure. These characteristics, combined with the arrangement in Cd(II)-CBCPs’ structure and the intermolecular interaction, enable the sensing behavior of a plethora of various inorganic and organic pollutants. In addition, the Lewis acid behavior of Cd(II) was investigated either in developing valuable heterogeneous catalysts in acetalization, cyanosilylation, Henry or Strecker reactions, Knoevenagel condensation, or dyes or drug elimination from wastewater through photocatalysis. Furthermore, the pores structure of such derivatives induced the ability of some species to store gases or toxic dyes. Applications such as in herbicides, antibacterials, and electronic devices are also described together with their ability to generate nano-CdO species. Full article

Spirulina platensis (SP) has gained popularity over the last few years, owing to its remarkable nutritional properties and high potential across various industrial sectors. In this study, we analyzed the volatile profile of eight SP samples from the same strain subjected to different drying (oven-drying, air-drying, and spray-drying) and storing conditions (“freshly prepared” and after 12 months of storage) using HS-SPME-GC-MS. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used as a multivariate technique to discern similarities and differences among the samples. The main aim was to assess the impact of the drying technique on the aroma profile and storage life of SP samples. Air-drying leads to the less pronounced formation of by-products related to heat treatment, such as Maillard and Strecker degradation compounds, but promotes oxidative and fermentative phenomena, with the formation of organic acids and esters, especially during storage. Thermal treatment, essential for limiting degradation and fermentation during storage and extending shelf life, alters the aroma profile through the formation of volatile compounds, such as Strecker aldehydes and linear aldehydes, from amino acid and lipid degradation. High temperatures in spray-drying favor the formation of pyrazines. The findings underscore the trade-offs inherent in choosing an appropriate drying method, thereby informing decision-making processes in industrial settings aimed at optimizing both product quality and efficiency. Full article

Tracking coffee roasting at an industrial scale for quality control is challenging. Bean color is a practical gauge for monitoring and regulating the process but only occurs before and after the process. This study highlights the feasibility of monitoring the process throughout using Raman spectroscopy. Strecker degradation and the Maillard reaction contribute to various aromatic compounds that can serve as markers in quality monitoring. Among these are chlorogenic acids (CGAs), recognized as pivotal factors determining the desired aroma. Here, drum and fluidized bed roaster processes were monitored, capitalizing on the chemical alterations induced by high temperatures (140–200 °C), particularly through the Maillard reaction. These chemical changes manifest in the scattered light signal. For real-time monitoring, Raman spectra were taken every 10 ms in selected ranges, with an average calculated every second. Utilizing a calibration matrix from a High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method, CGA concentration becomes the control variable for assessing roasting progress. This study reveals the potential of Raman spectroscopy for tracking CGA during roasting. It establishes a correlation between inelastic scattered light and CGA validated through laboratory measurements and fixed roasting conditions, resulting in a theoretical CGA concentration that can be used as a process termination criterion. Full article

The objective of this study is to determine the effect of two distinct cooking techniques, namely roasting and stewing, on the formation of volatile compounds in various beef muscles (Semimembranosus, Biceps femoris, and Rectus femoris) and how this relates to consumer acceptance. The research employs the concept of volatile “marker” compounds to discern the influence of cooking techniques on the flavor profile of beef. Eighteen “marker compounds” were selected to represent a number of the mechanisms of formation and quantified in beef subjected to two different cooking methods. While no statistically significant differences were observed in consumer evaluations between the two cooking methods, notable disparities emerged in the consumer assessments of specific muscle cuts. Notably, the Rectus femoris muscle received the highest ratings (p < 0.05) among other evaluated muscles. The utilization of Solid-Phase Microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods for the analysis of volatile “marker compounds” in beef proved effective in highlighting significant differences in flavor compound classes between cooking methods, and these differed between muscles. The main effect was of the cooking method with stewed beef aroma having approximately 39× more dimethyl trisulphide, 9× more dimethyl disulphide, 7× more pentanal, 3× more hexanal, and twice as much benzaldehyde and 2-methylthiophene. Dimethyldisulphide, dimethyltrisulphide, hexanal, and heptanal, therefore, emerged as characteristic volatile compounds associated with the stewing cooking technique, suggesting their potential as markers for lipid and other oxidation reactions. This work indicates that certain lipid oxidation compounds, Strecker aldehydes, and sulfur compounds can be markers for the undesirable and/or desirable flavors of cooked beef, but that this depends on the cooking method chosen. It shows that flavor differences may be understood through the analysis of volatile flavor compounds in association with palatability and other chemical measurements. Full article

Even when fresh, non-alcoholic, and low-alcoholic beers (NABLABs) exhibit significant staling defects due to premature oxidation. In this study, the antioxidant power of eleven fresh commercial NABLABs was assessed by means of three different assays: the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), the linoleic acid-induced oxidation (TINH), and the indicator time test (ITT). Only the first two assays, both involving radicalar degradations initiated by AAPH, were found to correlate with each other. NABLABs displayed lower ORAC values than conventional beers (on average, 6127 μmol eq. Trolox/L), except for three samples made with special-colored malts or dry-hopped. Dealcoholization was the step with the greatest impact on the ORAC value (up to a 95% loss) and on flavan-3-ols, sotolon, and polyfunctional thiols, while pasteurization strongly affected color, TBA, and Strecker aldehydes. ORAC assays applied to hop, alternative cereals, and various botanical ingredients indicated that mashing with red sorghum, dry hopping/spicing, and wood maturation could bring the antioxidant power of a NABLAB close to those of conventional beers. With an ORAC value not reached by any other tested botanical ingredient (5234 µmol eq. Trolox/g), African Vernonia amygdalina leaves (traditionally used for Rwandan Ikigage beers) emerged here as the best candidate. Full article

TFF3 is a typical secretory poplypeptide of mucous epithelia belonging to the trefoil factor family (TFF) of lectins. In the intestine, respiratory tract, and saliva, TFF3 mainly exists as a high-molecular-mass complex with IgG Fc binding protein (FCGBP), which is indicative of a role in mucosal innate immunity. For the first time, we identified different forms of TFF3 in the endocervix, i.e., monomeric and homodimeric TFF3, as well as a high-molecular-mass TFF3-FCGBP complex; the latter also exists in a hardly soluble form. Immunohistochemistry co-localized TFF3 and FCGBP. Expression analyses of endocervical and post-menopausal vaginal specimens revealed a lack of mucin and TFF3 transcripts in the vaginal specimens. In contrast, genes encoding other typical components of the innate immune defense were expressed in both the endocervix and vagina. Of note, FCGBP is possibly fucosylated. Endocervical specimens from transgender individuals after hormonal therapy showed diminished expression, particularly of FCGBP. Furthermore, mucus swabs from the endocervix and vagina were analyzed concerning TFF3, FCGBP, and lysozyme. It was the aim of this study to illuminate several aspects of the cervico-vaginal innate immune barrier, which is clinically relevant as bacterial and viral infections are also linked to infertility, pre-term birth and cervical cancer. Full article