Digital Commons Network^™

The Effect Of Genetic Background And Dose On Non-Targeted Effects Of Radiation, Sarah Irons, Virginia Sierra, Deborah Bowler, Kim Chapman, Stefania Militi, Fiona Lyng, Munira Kadhim

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Purpose: This work investigates the hypothesis that genetic background plays a significant role in the signalling mechanisms underlying induction and perpetuation of genomic instability following radiation exposure.

Materials and methods: Bone marrow from two strains of mice (CBA and C57) were exposed to a range of X-ray doses (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 3 Gy). Different cellular signalling endpoints: Apoptosis, cytokine levels and calcium flux, were evaluated at 2 h, 24 h and 7 d post-irradiation to assess immediate and delayed effects.

Results: In CBA (radiosensitive) elevated apoptosis levels were observed at 24 h post X-irradiation, and …

Hyperspectral Imaging For Non-Contact Analysis Of Forensic Traces, Patrick J. Cullen, G. Edelman, T. Van Leeuwen, M. Aalders, E. Gaston

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Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) integrates conventional imaging and spectroscopy, to obtain both spatial and spectral information from a specimen. This technique enables investigators to analyze the chemical composition of traces and simultaneously visualize their spatial distribution. HSI offers significant potential for the detection, visualization, identification and age estimation of forensic traces. The rapid, non-destructive and non-contact features of HSI mark its suitability as an analytical tool for forensic science. This paper provides an overview of the principles, instrumentation and analytical techniques involved in hyperspectral imaging. We describe recent advances in HSI technology motivating forensic science applications, e.g. the development of portable …

The Effect Of Delactosed Whey Permeate On Phytochemical Content Of Canned Tomatoes., Lubna Ahmed, Ankit Patras, Ana Belen Martin-Diana, Daniel Rico, Catherine Barry-Ryan

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The effect of delactosed whey permeate (DWP) treatment on antioxidant and phyto-chemical 26 components of canned Irish plum tomatoes were investigated. Tomatoes were sterilized for 5 27 min (F0) at 120 °C and stored for 6 months. The DWP treatment retained significantly 28 (p

The Influence Of Auxiliary Ligands On The Photophysical Characteristics Of A Series Of Ruthenium (Ii) Polypyridyl Complexes, Luke O'Neill, Laura Perdisatt, Christine O'Connor

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A series of ruthenium polypyridyl complexes were studied using UV/Vis absorption and luminescence spectroscopy as well as luminescence lifetime determination by time correlated single photon counting (TCSPC). The complexes were characterised with regard to the variation in the electronic band-gap as a result of the sequential variation of the auxiliary ligand 2,2’-bipyridine (bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and 2,2’-biquinoline (biq) ligands while the main ligand remained constant for three different main ligand types. Luminescence yields were calculated and correlated with structural and electronic variation. It was found that both the absorption and emission characteristics could be tailored through the systematic variation of …

Characterisation Of The Colour Doppler "Twinkle" Artefact, Deirdre Cassidy, Andrew Fagan, Jacinta Browne

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This investigation involved the development of a range of Colour Doppler Twinkle Artefact phantoms to characterise and quantify the “Twinkle” artefact which is often present when an irregular structure is encountered in the imaged field of view. The artefact occurs in both colour and power Doppler ultrasound imaging and manifests as a false depiction of colour velocity information in stationary soft tissue and therefore can cause significant misdiagnosis of areas of flow within the patient. It has been hypothesised that it is generated due to a strongly reflecting medium composed of individual reflectors and therefore becomes a clinical concern when …

Genetics Of Sle: Functional Relevance For Monocytes/Macrophages In Disease, Jennifer C. Byrne, Joan Ní Gabhann, Elisa Lazzari, Rebecca Mahony, Siobhán Smith, Kevin Stacey, Claire Wynne, Caroline A. Jefferies

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Genetic studies in the last 5 years have greatly facilitated our understanding of how the dysregulation of diverse components of the innate immune system contributes to pathophysiology of SLE. A role for macrophages in the pathogenesis of SLE was first proposed as early as the 1980s following the discovery that SLE macrophages were defective in their ability to clear apoptotic cell debris, thus prolonging exposure of potential autoantigens to the adaptive immune response. More recently, there is an emerging appreciation of the contribution both monocytes and macrophages play in orchestrating immune responses with perturbations in their activation or regulation leading …

Weaning Onto Solid Foods: Some Of The Challenges, Annemarie E. Bennett, Annalouise O'Connor, Nicola Canning, Alice Kenny, Edel Keaveney, Katherine Younger, Mary Flynn

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Weaning - the transition from milk to solid food - influences life-long health. Dietary challenges during weaning include providing sufficient critical nutrients such as iron with minimal added sugar and fat and no added salt. This study assessed the inclusion of iron-containing red meat in infant diets before age one year, and the Irish commercial baby food environment. Of mothers with an infant under 30 months of age who were surveyed in shopping centres in Ireland (n195), 82% (n159) reported wanting more weaning information. A quarter (n24) of infants over age 12 months ( …

Inhibition Of Burkholderia Multivorans Adhesion To Lung Epithelial Cells By Bivalent Lactosides, Ciara Wight, Rosaria Leyden, Paul V. Murphy, Máire Callaghan, Trinidad Velasco-Torrijos, Siobhan Mcclean

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Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is an opportunistic pathogen in cystic fibrosis patients which is inherently resistant to antimicrobial agents. The mechanisms of attachment and pathogenesis of Bcc, a group of 17 species, are poorly understood. The most commonly identified Bcc species in newly colonised patients, Burkholderia multivorans, continues to be acquired from the environment. Development of therapies which can prevent or reduce the risk of colonization on exposure to Bcc in the environment would be a better alternative to antimicrobial agents. Previously, it has been shown that Bcc strains bound to many glycolipid receptors on lung epithelia. Using a …

Impact Of Macular Pigment On Visual Performance, James Loughman, Peter Davison, John Nolan, Stephen Beatty

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PURPOSE. To investigate changes in macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and visual performance following supplementation with different macular carotenoid formulations. METHODS. Thirty-six subjects (19 male, 17 female; mean 6 SD, age 51 6 13 years) were recruited into this single-masked placebo-controlled study, and were randomly assigned to one of the following three intervention (supplementation) groups: (1) group 1 (20 mg lutein [L] and 2 mg zeaxanthin [Z]); (2) group 2 (10 mg L, 2 mg Z, and 10 mg meso-zeaxanthin [MZ]); and group 3 (placebo). Outcomes measures included visual performance and MPOD response. Data were collected at baseline, at 3 …

Clinical Applicability Of The Macular Degeneration Detection Device (Mdd-2): A Novel Photostress Recovery Measurement Device, James Loughman, Ciara Hewitt, Claire Judge, Louise Martin, Claire Moulds, Peter Davison

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Background: Diseases affecting the macula, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy and central serous retinopathy can result in impaired photostress recovery time (PSRT) despite normal visual acuity and fundoscopic appearance. The MDD-2 Macular Degeneration Detection Device is a novel flash photostress recovery device. In this study, we examine the repeatability of the MDD-2 in a normal population and its suitability for incorporation into routine clinical practice. Methods: One hundred (60 female) subjects (mean age 35+-8 years; range 18 to 66 years) were recruited to partake in this study. The photostress recovery time was measured using the MDD-2 on …

Comparative Review Of Imaging Methods Used For Diagnosing Renal Artery Stenosis (Ras), Deirdre King, Carmel Moran, Jacinta Browne

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This comparative review examines the efficacy of different imaging methods to detect and quantify renal artery stenosis (RAS). Detection of RAS is important because it can lead to renovascular hypertension which is the most common form of secondary hypertension. Furthermore, it is important that a RAS is detected as early as possible as it is a potentially correctable cause of hypertension.¹ If detected at an early stage RAS can potentially be treated using a minimally invasive drug treatment regimen rather than the more invasive percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty without or with stent placement or surgery. Currently there are a …

Students Fail To Transfer Knowledge Of Chromosome Structure To Topics Pertaining To Cell Division, Dina L. Newman, Christina M. Catavero, Leslie Kate Wright

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Cellular processes that rely on knowledge of molecular behavior are difficult for students to comprehend. For example, thorough understanding of meiosis requires students to integrate several complex concepts related to chromosome structure and function. Using a grounded theory approach, we have unified classroom observations, assessment data, and in-depth interviews under the theory of knowledge transfer to explain student difficulties with concepts related to chromosomal behavior. In this paper, we show that students typically understand basic chromosome structure but do not activate cognitive resources that would allow them to explain macromolecular phenomena (e.g., homologous pairing during meiosis). To improve understanding of …

Concentrated Flow Erodibility For Physically Based Erosion Models: Temporal Variability In Disturbed And Undisturbed Rangelands, Osama Z. Al-Hamdan, Frederick B. Pierson, Mark A. Nearing, C. Jason Williams, Jeffry J. Stone, Patrick R. Kormos, Jan Boll, Mark A. Weltz

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Current physically based overland flow erosion models for rangeland application do not separate disturbed and undisturbed conditions in modeling concentrated flow erosion. In this study, concentrated flow simulations on disturbed and undisturbed rangelands were used to estimate the erodibility and to evaluate the performance of linear and power law equations that describe the relationship between erosion rate and several hydraulic parameters. None of the hydraulic parameters consistently predicted the detachment capacity well for all sites, however, stream power performed better than most of other hydraulic parameters. Using power law functions did not improve the detachment relation with respect to that …

Identifying Knowledge, Skill And Competence For Nanoscience And Nanotechnology Research: A Study Of Postgraduate Researchers’ Experiences, Deepa Chari, Paul Irving, Robert Howard, Brian Bowe

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Over the past few decades, scientific disciplines have changed significantly with the introduction of new and complex aspects of research, particularly in the area of nanoscience and nanotechnology (N&N). Efforts to develop science education programmes in N&N area to adopt these complex changes are also evident from recent literature and educational reports. However, these attempts are focused towards identification and inclusion of contextual scientific knowledge in the curricula and very little is understood about the attributes knowledge, skill and competence necessary to successfully undertake N&N research. Identification of these attributes is important so that the contextual scientific knowledge can be …

Optimized Monopole And Dipole Antennas For Uwb Asset Tag Location Systems, Antoine Dumoulin, Matthias John, Max Ammann, Patrick Mcevoy

Articles

Miniaturized monopole and dipole antenna designs are reported with performances optimized for ultrawideband pulsed radio applications. The geometries are created using Bézier spline shapes, which have been refined with a genetic algorithm to simultaneously take account of both frequency- and time-domain criteria. Time-domain measurements of ultra wideband antennas with uniformly distributed energy across the full 3.1-10.6 GHz mask are reported for the first time and validate a new approach to minimization of pulse dispersion effects in the antenna designs.

Dimethylsulfoxide Exposure Modulates Hl-60 Cell Rolling Interaction, David Gee, Leslie Kate Wright, Jonathan Zimmerman, Kayla Cole, Karen Soule, Michelle Ubowski

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Human leukaemic HL-60 cells are widely used for studying interactions involving adhesion molecules [e.g. P-selectin and PSGL-1 (P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1)] since their rolling behaviour has been shown to mimic the dynamics of leucocyte rolling in vitro. HL-60 cells are neutrophilic promyelocytes that can undergo granulocytic differentiation upon exposure to compounds such as DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide). Using a parallel plate flow chamber functionalized with recombinant P-selectin–Fc chimaera, undifferentiated and DMSO-induced (48, 72 and 96 h) HL-60 cells were assayed for rolling behaviour. We found that depending on P-selectin incubation concentration, undifferentiated cells incurred up to a 6-fold increase in rolling velocity while …

Polyamidoamine Dendrimer Nanoparticle Cytotoxicity, Oxidative Stress, Caspase Activation And Infammatory Response: Experimental Observation And Numerical Simulation, Sourav Prasanna Mukherjee, Hugh Byrne

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Mechanisms underlying the in vitro cytotoxicity of Polyamidoamine nano-dendrimers in human keratinocytes are explored. Previous studies demonstrated a systematic, dendrimer-generation-dependent cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity. The emerging picture is of dendrimer endocytosis, endosomal rupture and subsequent mitochondrial attack and cell death. To understand the underlying mechanisms, the evolution of reactive oxygen species, intracellular glutathione, caspase activation, mitochondrial membrane potential decay, and inflammatory responses have been examined. Early-stage responses are associated with endosomal encapsulation, later-stage with mitochondrial attack. In all cases, the magnitude and evolution of responses depend on dendrimer generation and dose. The early-stage response is modelled using a rate …

Interaction Of Environmental B. Cenocepacia Strains With Cystic Fibrosis And Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchial Epithelial Cells In Vitro., Annamaria Bevivino, Luisa Pirone, Ruth Pilkington, Noemi Cifani, Claudia Dalmastri, Máire Callaghan, Fiorentina Ascenzioni, Siobhan Mcclean

Articles

Burkholderia cenocepacia is an important human pathogen in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Non-clinical reservoirs may play a role in the acquisition of infections, so it is important to evaluate the pathogenic potential of environmental B. cenocepacia isolates. In this study, we investigated the interactions of two environmental B. cenocepacia strains (Mex1 and MCII-168) with two bronchial epithelial cell lines,16HBE14o- and CFBE41o-, which have a non-CF and a CF phenotype, respectively.

The environmental strains showed a significantly lower level of invasion into both CF- and non-CF cells in comparison with the clinical B. cenocepacia LMG16656^T strain. Exposure of polarized …

Uv-C Treatment Of Soymilk In Coiled Tube Uv Reactors For Inactivation Of Escherichia Coli W1485 And Bacillus Cereus Endospores, Srinivasarao Bandla, Ruplal Choudhary, Dennis G. Watson, John Haddock

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Coiled tube UV reactors were used to investigate the influence of tube diameter (1.6 mmID, and 3.2 mmID) and Reynolds number (Re) to inactivate Escherichia coli W1485 and Bacillus cereus spores in raw soymilk (RSM). Four levels of Re (343, 686, 1029 and 1372) were tested in RSM inoculated separately with each bacterium and treated in the UV reactors at a constant residence time of 11.3 s with UV-C dose of 11.187 mJ/ cm2 at 253.7 nm. Inactivation efficiency of both microorganisms increased with Re. Maximumreductions of 5.6 log10 CFU/ml of E. coli and 3.29 log10 CFU/ml of B. cereus …

Large-Scale Experimental Studies Show Unexpected Amino Acid Effects On Protein Expression And Solubility In Vivo In E. Coli, W. Nicholson Price Ii, Samuel K. Handelman, John K. Everett, Saichiu N. Tong, Ana Bracic, Jon D. Luff, Victor Naumov, Thomas Acton, Philip Manor, Rong Xiao, Burkhard Rost, Gaetano T. Montelione, John F. Hunt

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The biochemical and physical factors controlling protein expression level and solubility in vivo remain incompletely characterized. To gain insight into the primary sequence features influencing these outcomes, we performed statistical analyses of results from the high-throughput protein-production pipeline of the Northeast Structural Genomics Consortium. Proteins expressed in E. coli and consistently purified were scored independently for expression and solubility levels. These parameters nonetheless show a very strong positive correlation. We used logistic regressions to determine whether they are systematically influenced by fractional amino acid composition or several bulk sequence parameters including hydrophobicity, sidechain entropy, electrostatic charge, and predicted backbone disorder. …

Impaired Clearance And Enhanced Pulmonary Inflammatory/Fibrotic Response To Carbon Nanotubes In Myeloperoxidase-Deficient Mice, Aidan Meade, Anna Shvedova, Alexandr Kapralov, Wei Hong Feng, Elena Kisin, Ashley Murray, Robert Mercer, Claudette St. Croix, Megan Lang, Simon Watkins, Nagarjun Konduru, Brett Allen, Jennifer Conroy, Gregg Kotchey, Bashir Mohamed, Yuri Volkov, Alexander Star, Bengt Fadeel, Valerian Kagan

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Advancement of biomedical applications of carbonaceous nanomaterials is hampered by their biopersistence and proinflammatory action in vivo. Here, we used myeloperoxidase knockout B6.129X1-MPO (MPO k/o) mice and showed that oxidation and clearance of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) from the lungs of these animals after pharyngeal aspiration was markedly less effective whereas the inflammatory response was more robust than in wild-type C57Bl/6 mice. Our results provide direct evidence for the participation of MPO – one of the key-orchestrators of inflammatory response – in the in vivo pulmonary oxidative biodegradation of SWCNT and suggest new ways to control the biopersistence of …

What Is The Pensee Sauvage And Is It Still Alive In Modern Society?, Mark William Farrell

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The culinary process has changed somewhat down through the ages but not to any great extent. The raw materials are still similar but innovation and creativity has been applied to them to give the finished product varying degrees of taste, texture, sensory and aesthetic pleasure. Fundamentally the tools which we use to interpret or rate our food are the very same apparatus which animals use to define theirs. The anthropology of sensory perception is essentially the same for animals and man in an evolutionary perspective (Pasquet, Simmen & Pagezy, 2000). It reflects the capacity of the animal or primitive human …

The Positive Role Of Breastfeeding On Infant Health During The First 6 Weeks: Findings From A Prospective Observational Study Based On Maternal Reports, Roslyn Tarrant, Margaret Sheridan-Pereira, Katherine Younger, John Kearney

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This study aimed to report on adverse infant and maternal clinical outcomes, and investigate the relationship between infant feedingpractice and such adverse clinical outcomes in infants during the first 6 weeks postpartum. From an eligible sample of 450 motherterminfant pairs recruited from the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital in Dublin, 27.1% of infants (n=122) werematernally reported to have had an illness during the first 6 weeks that necessitated the provision of prescribed medication ± generalpractitioner/paediatrician attendance ± hospitalisation. Of these, 90 infants had ≥1 episode of infection ± viral ± gastro-intestinalrelatedcondition. After adjustment, ‘any’ breastfeeding to 6 weeks was …

Disciplinary Identity Of Nanoscience And Nanotechnology Research- A Study Of Postgraduate Researchers’ Experiences, Deepa Nathamuni Chari, Robert Howard, Brian Bowe

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Nanoscience and Nanotechnology research although growing at very fast rate, its disciplinary identity remains ‘ill-defined’. It is often viewed as multidisciplinary; and/or interdisciplinary science or even as a unique discipline on its own way. As a consequence, whether this growing research area requires researchers that have studied specialised undergraduate or postgraduate nanoscience and nanotechnology programmes; or traditional science and engineering disciplines is still less understood. The examination of postgraduate researchers’ experiences of nanoscience and nanotechnology research can provide a way of understanding nanoscience and nanotechnology research and the associated forms of disciplinarity, which in turn can address what the type …

Physicochemical And Microbiological Quality Of Harvested Rainwater From An Agricultural Installation In Ireland, Sean O'Hogain, Liam Mccarton, Niamh Mcintyre, Jenny Pender, Anna Reid

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Members of DTC Research Group. Dublin Institute of Technology was commissioned in 2005 by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government in Ireland to assess the feasibility of utilising rainwater to replace treated mains water for nonpotable uses. The project involved the design, installation, commissioning and monitoring of rainwater harvesting on a farm. Two monitoring programmes, Regime 1 and Regime 2, examined the physicochemical and microbiological quality of the harvested rainwater. Samples were taken monthly and tested. Regime 1 analysis showed that the microbiological quality of the rainwater from the site did not comply with the requirements of the …

A Microfiber Coupler Tip Thermometer, Ming Ding, Pengfei Wang, Gilberto Bramilla

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A compact thermometer based on a broadband microfiber coupler tip is demonstrated. This sensor can measure a broad temperature interval ranging from room temperature to 1283 degrees C with sub-200 mu m spatial resolution. An average sensitivity of 11.96 pm/degrees C was achieved for a coupler tip with similar to 2.5 mu m diameter. This is the highest temperature measured with a silica optical fiber device. (C)2012 Optical Society of America

On Creativity, Kerry Meakin

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A review of available literature on creativity was undertaken to determine the definition of creativity, the common traits displayed by those perceived as being creative and how those traits may possibly be nurtured. The word ‘creativity’ has been used by politicians as if it is tangible commodity that must be developed in time of economic recession. Indeed, Dublin City Enterprise Board, a local government authority are in the process of staging ‘Idea Generation’ workshops, “this workshop not only shows you what ideas are good ideas but also introduces you to the concepts of thinking laterally” (Dublin Regional Authority, 2011). The …

Preparation And Rapid Analysis Of Antibacterial Silver, Copper And Zinc Doped Sol–Gel Surfaces, Swarna Jaiswal, Brendan Duffy, Patrick Mchale

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The colonisation of clinical and industrial surfaces with microorganisms, including antibiotic-resistant strains, has promoted increased research into the development of effective antibacterial and antifouling coatings. This study describes the preparation of metal nitrate (Ag, Cu, Zn) doped methyltriethoxysilane (MTEOS) coatings and the rapid assessment of their antibacterial activity using polyproylene microtitre plates. Microtitre plate wells were coated with different volumes of liquid sol–gel and cured under various conditions. Curing parameters were analysed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and visual examination. The optimum curing conditions were determined to be 50–70 °C using a volume of 200 μl. The coated wells were challenged …

Review Of Ultrasound Elastography Quality Control And Training Test Phantoms, S. Cournane, Andrew Fagan, Jacinta Browne

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While the rapid development of ultrasound elastography techniques in recent decades has sparked its prompt implementation in the clinical setting adding new diagnostic information to conventional imaging techniques, questions still remain as to its full potential and efficacy in the hospital environment. A limited number of technical studies have objectively assessed the full capabilities of the different elastography approaches, perhaps due, in part, to the scarcity of suitable tissue-mimicking materials and appropriately designed phantoms available. Few commercially-available elastography phantoms possess the necessary test target characteristics or mechanical properties observed clinically, or indeed reflect the lesion-to-background elasticity ratio encountered during clinical …

Evaluation And Identification Of Markers Of Damage In Mushrooms (Agaricus Bisporous) Postharvest Using A Gc/Ms Metabolic Profiling Approach., Aoife O'Gorman, Catherine Barry-Ryan, Jesus Maria Frias

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The aim of this research was to use the gas mass spectrometry (GC/MS) profiling method coupled with chemometric tools to profile mechanically damaged and undamaged mushrooms during storage and to identify specific metabolites that may be used as markers of damage. Mushrooms grown under controlled conditions were bruise damaged by vibration to simulate damage during normal transportation. Three damage levels were evaluated; undamaged, damaged for 20 min and damaged for 40 min and two time levels studied; day zero and day one after storage at 48C. Applying this technique over 100 metabolites were identified, quantified and compiled in a library. …