Although the metabolism of phytochelatins and higher polyamines are linked with each other, the direct relationship between them under heavy metal stress has not yet been clarified. Two approaches were used to reveal the influence of polyamine content on cadmium stress responses, particularly with regard to phytochelatin synthesis: putrescine pre-treatment of rice plants followed by cadmium stress, and treatment with the putrescine synthesis inhibitor, 2- (difluoromethyl) ornithine combined with cadmium treatment. The results indicated that putrescine pre-treatment enhanced the adverse effect of cadmium, while the application of 2- (difluoromethyl) ornithine reduced it to a certain extent. These differences were associated with increased polyamine content, more intensive polyamine metabolism, but decreased thiol and phytochelatin contents. The gene expression level and enzyme activity of phytochelatin synthase also decreased in rice treated with putrescine prior to cadmium stress, compared to cadmium treatment alone. In contrast, the inhibition of putrescine synthesis during cadmium treatment resulted in higher gene expression level of phytochelatin synthase. The results suggest that polyamines may have a substantial influence on phytochelatin synthesis at several levels under cadmium stress in rice.
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In recent years, there has been a growing interest in natural antioxidants as replacements of synthetic compounds because of increased safety concerns and worldwide trend toward the use of natural additives in foods. One of the richest sources of natural antioxidants, nowadays largely studied for their potential to decrease the risk of diseases and to improve oxidative stability of food products, are edible brown seaweeds. Nevertheless, their antioxidant mechanisms are slightly evaluated and discussed. The aims of this study were to suggest possible mechanism (s) of Fucus vesiculosus antioxidant action and to assess its bioactivity during the production of enriched rye snacks. Chemical and cell-based assays indicate that the efficient preventive antioxidant action of Fucus vesiculosus extracts is likely due to not only the high polyphenol content, but also their good Fe2 + -chelating ability. Moreover, the data collected during the production of Fucus vesiculosus-enriched rye snacks show that this seaweed can increase, in appreciable measure, the antioxidant potential of enriched convenience cereals. This information can be used to design functional foods enriched in natural antioxidant ingredients in order to improve the health of targeted consumers.
Background: Obesity is characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation and associated with type 2 diabetes. Seaweed is one of the largest producers of biomass in the marine environment and is a rich arsenal of functional ingredients that may possess the potential to prevent type 2 diabetes.
Objective: The aim was to investigate the effects of seaweed extract on glucose metabolism and markers of inflammation in overweight and obese individuals.
Methods: Participants (N = 76, ≥40 years, body mass index ≥25 kg / m2) who volunteered for this 10- week randomized, controlled, doubly blinded intervention study, were randomized into an intervention group (seaweed extract, 3 capsules = 1200 mg / day) or a control group (placebo, 3 capsules / day). The extract derived from the brown seaweed bladder wrack (Fucus vesiculosus). At baseline and endpoint of the study, fasting samples were analyzed for blood glucose, insulin, inflammation markers, liver enzymes and creatinine (renal function).
Results: Drop out was 11.8% and not significantly different between groups. Fasting blood glucose and insulin were improved at the endpoint in the intervention group, but no changes were observed in the control group (corrected endpoint differences between groups: glucose = 0.61 mmol / L, P = 0.038; insulin = 0.72 μU / L, P = 0.038). Measures of inflammation, liver enzymes and renal function did not change significantly during the study.
Conclusion: Ingestion of seaweed extract over 10 weeks improves glucose metabolism without affecting measures of inflammation, liver function or renal function.
With the fast rising population, the discussion focused around need for novel sustainable protein sources and meat replacement is also increasing. Meat analogues have already taken important place in this discussion with a fast growth of meat analogue industry. Rapeseed (or canola) is very promising alternative source of a novel protein on the plant-based market that can be used as a meat analogue ingredient. However, meat analogues containing rapeseed protein can only be successful if these products are acceptable to consumers. This study presents results of a cross-cultural study from five European countries on female consumers' attitudes towards meat analogue containing rapeseed protein, who are also regular meat consumers. The results suggest that consumers' attitude towards meat analogue was significantly influenced by the attitude towards its main ingredient, rapeseed protein. These effects were similar across investigated countries pointing to the fact that main ingredient of the meat analogue, rapeseed protein, defines and differentiates meat analogue delineating consumer acceptance. Nevertheless, consumers 'intention to substitute meat protein in the diet is another crucial component for forming consumers' attitudes towards meat analogues and their acceptance, while the effect of attitude towards using plant protein in food production was less prominent. The results advise that in order to make meat analogue more acceptable to meat consumers, the focus should be on the main meat analogue ingredient where the consumers' intention to substitute meat protein in the diet could boost or inhibit this acceptance.
The island of Surtsey was formed in 1963–1967 on the offshore Icelandic volcanic rift zone. It offers a unique opportunity to study the subsurface biosphere in newly formed oceanic crust and an associated hydrothermal-seawater system, whose maximum temperature is currently above 120 ° C at about 100m below surface. Here, we present new insights into the diversity, distribution, and abundance of microorganisms in the subsurface of the island, 50years after its creation. Samples, including basaltic tuff drill cores and associated fluids acquired at successive depths as well as surface fumes from fumaroles, were collected during expedition 5059 of the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program specifically designed to collect microbiological samples. Results of this microbial survey are investigated with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and scanning electron microscopy. To distinguish endemic microbial taxa of subsurface rocks from potential contaminants present in the drilling fluid, we use both methodological and computational strategies. Our 16S rRNA gene analysis results expose diverse and distinct microbial communities in the drill cores and the borehole fluid samples, which harbor thermophiles in high abundance. Whereas some taxonomic lineages detected across these habitats remain uncharacterized (eg, Acetothermiia, Ammonifexales), our results highlight potential residents of the subsurface that could be identified at lower taxonomic rank such as Thermaerobacter, BRH-c8a (Desulfallas-Sporotomaculum), Thioalkalimicrobium, and Sulfurospirillum. Microscopy images reveal possible biotic structures attached to the basaltic substrate. Finally, microbial colonization of the newly formed basaltic crust and the metabolic potential are discussed on the basis of the data.
This study investigated the effect of seaweed supplementation in dairy cow diets on milk yield, basic composition, and mineral concentrations. Thirty-seven Icelandic cows were split into three diet treatments: control (CON, no seaweed), low seaweed (LSW, 0.75% concentrate dry matter (DM), 13–40 g / cow / day), and high seaweed (HSW, 1.5% concentrate DM, 26–158 g / cow / day). Cows were fed the same basal diet of grass silage and concentrate for a week, and then were introduced to the assigned experimental diets for 6 weeks. The seaweed mix of 91% Ascophyllum nodosum: 9% Digital Laminaria (DM basis), feed, and milk samples were collected weekly. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed effects model, with diet, week, and their interaction as fixed factors, cow ID as random factor, and the pre-treatment week data as a covariate. When compared with CON milk, LSW and HSW milk had, respectively, less Se (−1.4 and −3.1 μg / kg milk) and more I (+744 and +1649 μg / kg milk), while HSW milk also had less Cu ( −11.6 μg / kg milk) and more As (+0.17 μg / kg milk) than CON milk. The minimal changes or concentrations in milk for Se, Cu, and As can not be associated with any effects on consumer nutrition, but care should be taken when I-rich seaweed is fed to cows to avoid excessive animal I supply and milk I concentrations.
Producing products of reliable quality is vitally important to the food and beverage industry. In particular, companies often fail to ensure that the sensory quality of their products remains consistent, leading to the sale of goods which fail to meet the desired specifications or are rejected by the consumer. This book is a practical guide for all those tasked with using sensory analysis for quality control (QC) of food and beverages.
The application of the EPCIS standard for food traceability purposes was tested in this project. The approach used is based on identification of states and events in food production and mapping these events to the EPCIS standard. During this pilot, one day catch of redfish was followed throughout the HB Grandi premises, from catch to packaged items
ready to depart. The catch was tracked by use of RFID and EPCIS software developed in this project. The EPCIS-based traceability system performed well in this pilot and opens up new possibilities for improved internal traceability presentation to other stakeholders in the value chain.