Food Science Commons^™

Ultrasound-Assisted Synthesis Of Biodiesel From Crude Cottonseed Oil Using Response Surface Methodology, Xiaohu Fan, Feng Chen, Xi Wang

Feng Chen

Response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was used to optimize the three important reaction variables-methanol/oil molar ratio (M), NaOH catalyst concentration (C) and reaction time (T) for transesterification of crude cottonseed oil under ultrasonic irradiation. A quadratic polynomial model was obtained to predict the methyl ester yield. 98 wt% of the methyl ester yield could be reached at the deduced optimal conditions: methanol/oil molar raito of 6.2:1, NaOH catalyst concentration of 1 wt% (by the weight of crude cottonseed oil) and reaction time of 8 min. Validation experiments confirmed …

Anticancer Activity Of Branched-Chain Derivatives Of Oleic Acid, Oliver Daily, Xi Wang, Feng Chen, Guohui Huang

Feng Chen

Background: A number of unsaturated fatty acids and a few saturated branched-chain fatty acids have been reported to exhibit anticancer activity. Materials and Methods: In previously reported research, several novel branched-chain derivatives (methyl, n-butyl, phenyl) of methyl oleate were produced by bromination in the allylic position and subsequent treatment with organocuprate reagents. These compounds and their free acid counterparts were tested in vitro for their antiproliferative activities against two cancer cell lines: MCF-7 (human breast) and HT-29 (human colon). In addition, two sets of isomeric tertiary alcohols obtained as side-products in the synthesis of the branched-chain derivatives were evaluated. Testing …

Chemopreventive Effects Of Khaya Senegalensis Bark Extract On Human Colorectal Cancer, Xiao Androulakis, Stephanie Muga, Feng Chen, Youssouf Koita, Boubacar Toure, Michael Wargovich

Feng Chen

An extract of the bark of Khaya senegalensis is commonly used in African traditional medicine for pain and inflammation. Khaya senegalensis bark extract (KSBE) was hypothesized to contain inhibitors of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene and to be useful in the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer. The diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)- free radical activity and the total phenolic content of KSBE were measured, followed by an investigation of cell growth inhibition, COX and prostaglandin E 2 (PGE2) suppression, as well as apoptosis by Western blot analysis and ELISA. Our data clearly showed that KSBE displays anti-proliferative, antiinflammatory and pro-apoptotic effects on HT-29, …

Application Of Derivative Ratio Spectrophotometry For Determination Of Β-Carotene And Astaxanthin From Phaffia Rhodozyma Extract, Hui Ni, Guo-Qing He, Hui Ruan, Qi-He Chen, Feng Chen

Feng Chen

A derivative ratio spectrophotometric method was used for the simultaneous determination of beta-carotene and astaxanthin produced from Phaffia rhodozyma. Absorbencies of a series of the standard carotenoids in the range of 441 nm to 490 nm demonstrated that their absorptive spectra accorded with Beer's law and that the additivity when the concentrations of beta-carotene and astaxanthin and their mixture were within the range of 0 to 5 microg/ml, 0 to 6 microg/ml, and 0 to 6 microg/ml, respectively. When the wavelength interval (lambda) at 2 nm was selected to calculate the first derivative ratio spectra values, the first derivative amplitudes …

Shelf Life Extension Of Shrimp (White) Using Modified Atmosphere Packaging, Ranjith Kalleda, Inyee Han, Joe Toler, Feng Chen, Hyun Kim, Paul Dawson

Feng Chen

Wild caught shrimp can have a shortened shelf life compared to farm raised shrimp due to handling and on-ship limitations. The loss of freshness in shrimp is partly due to autolytic reactions caused by endogenous enzymes such as polyphenol oxidase. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of sulfites combined with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the shelf life of non-frozen shrimp. Fresh South Atlantic white shrimp were subjected to one of four treatments, no bisulfite rinse-air packaged, 1.25% bisulfite rinse-air packaged, 1.25% bisulfite rinse-MAP (60% CO2, 18% O2, 22% N2) and 1.25% bisulfite rinse-MAP (36% CO2, …

Optimized Production Of Vanillin From Green Vanilla Pods By Enzyme-Assisted Extraction Combined With Pre-Freezing And Thawing, Yanjun Zhang, Limei Mo, Feng Chen, Minquan Lu, Wenjiang Dong, Qinghuang Wang, Fei Xu, Fenglin Gu

Feng Chen

Production of vanillin from natural green vanilla pods was carried out by enzyme-assisted extraction combined with pre-freezing and thawing. In the first step the green vanilla pods were pre-frozen and then thawed to destroy cellular compartmentation. In the second step pectinase from Aspergillus niger was used to hydrolyze the pectin between the glucovanillin substrate and β-glucosidase. Four main variables, including enzyme amount, reaction temperature, time and pH, which were of significance for the vanillin content were studied and a central composite design (CCD) based on the results of a single-factor tests was used. Response surface methodology based on CCD was …

Transgenesis In Animal Agriculture And Zoonotic Disease Resistance, Michael Greger

Michael Greger, M.D.

In 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released guidelines for the commercialization of genetically engineered (GE) farm animals. Numerous applications for approval of transgenic species are currently pending. Anthropocentric concerns raised to date have tended to neglect the impact of the physiological trade-off between production efficiency and immune function. Given animal agriculture's track record of prioritizing productivity - even at the expense of animal health - the incorporation of biotechnological tools to further stress production towards biological limits may continue to undermine immunocompetence. Regulatory schemata to avert adverse public health outcomes are discussed. Given the rising incidence of …

Characterization Of The Monomer-Dimer Equilibrium Of Recombinant Histo-Aspartic Protease From Plasmodium Falciparum, Huogen Xiao, Lee-Ann Briere, Stanley Dunn, Rickey Yada

Stanley D Dunn

Histo-aspartic protease (HAP) from Plasmodium falciparum is an intriguing aspartic protease due to its unique structure. Our previous study reported the first recombinant expression of soluble HAP, in its truncated form (lys77p-Leu328) (p denotes prosegment), as a thioredoxin (Trx) fusion protein Trx-tHAP. The present study found that the recombinant Trx-tHAP fusion protein aggregated during purification which could be prevented through the addition of 0.2% CHAPS. Trx-tHAP fusion protein was processed into a mature form of tHAP (mtHAP) by both autoactivation, and activation with either enterokinase or plasmepsin II. Using gel filtration chromatography as well as sedimentation velocity and equilibrium ultracentrifugation, …

Purification And Characterization Of Novel Nucleases From A Thermophilic Fungus, Kyle Landry

Kyle S Landry

A thermophilic fungus was isolated from composted horse manure. The organism was as a Chaetomium sp. by sequencing the highly conserved ITS region of the fungus and comparing to known regions in a genomic database and was referred to as TM-417. TM-417 was found to have an optimal growth temperature of 45 ^oC and an optimal pH of 7.0. An extracellular DNase and RNase was found to be produced by the isolate and were purified 145.58-fold and 127.6-fold respectively using a combination of size exclusion chromatography and a novel affinity membrane purification system. The extent of purification was determined …

Inactivation Of Escherichia Coli By Ozone Treatment Of Apple Juice At Different Ph Levels, Sonal Patil, Vasilis Valdramidis, Patrick Cullen, Jesus Maria Frias, Paula Bourke

Patrick Cullen

This research investigated the efficacy of gaseous ozone for the inactivation of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and NCTC 12900 strains in orange juice. Orange juice inoculated with E. coli (106 CFU mL-1) as a challenge microorganism was treated with ozone at 75-78µg mL-1 for different time periods (0-18 min). The efficacy of ozone for inactivation of both strains of E. coli was evaluated as a function of different juice types: model orange juice, fresh unfiltered juice, juice without pulp, and juice filtered through 500mm or 1mm sieves. Fast inactivation rates for total reduction of E. coli were achieved in model …

Viability Of Lactic Acid Bacteria And Sensory Evaluation In Cinnamomum Verum And Allium Sativum-Bio-Yogurts Made From Camel And Cow Milk, Ahmad Salihin Hj Baba, Shori A. B.

Ahmad Salihin Hj Baba

The present study investigate the effect of herbal water extract prepared from Allium sativum and Cinnamomum verum on the viability of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus spp and Streptococcus thermophilus) in cow- and camel-milk yogurts during 21 day refrigerated storage. The organoleptic properties of fresh-yogurts were evaluated. Lactobacillus spp count for fresh cow milk-yogurts (0 day) in both present and absent of C. verum and A. sativum was ranged from 1.4×0 6 to 2.1×10 6 cfu/mL. These values were not significantly changed throughout the 21 days of refrigerated storage. Lactobacillusspp count in fresh plain camel milk- yogurt was 13.2×10 6 cfu/mL …

Development Of A Simple Model Device For In Vitro Gastric Digestion Investigation, Vish Gaikwad

Vish Shashank Gaikwad

No abstract provided.

Brescia Informs Diners About Menu Options

Leonard Piché

No abstract provided.

A Rapid Direct Solvent Extraction Method For The Extraction Of 2-Dodecylcyclobutanone From Irradiated Ground Beef Patties Using Acetonitrile., Amit Kumar

Amit Kumar, DVM, MS, PhD

The amount of irradiated beef in the U.S. market is growing, and a reliable, rapid method is needed to detect irradiated beef and quantify the irradiation dose. The official analytical method (BS EN 1785 2003) that has been adopted by the European Union is time consuming. The objective of this study was to develop a rapid method for the analysis of 2-dodecylcyclobutanone (2-DCB) in irradiated beef. A 5 g sample of commercially irradiated ground beef patty (90/10) was extracted with n-hexane using a Soxhlet apparatus or with acetonitrile via direct solvent extraction. The Soxhlet hexane extract was evaporated to dryness, …

Screen-Related Sedentary Behaviors: Children's And Parents' Attitudes, Motivations, And Practices, Meizi He, Leonard Piche, Charlene Beynon, Stewart Harris

Leonard Piché

OBJECTIVE: To investigate school-aged children's and parents' attitudes, social influences, and intentions toward excessive screen-related sedentary behavior (S-RSB).

DESIGN: A cross-sectional study using a survey methodology.

SETTING: Elementary schools in London, Ontario, Canada.

PARTICIPANTS: All grades 5 and 6 students, their parents, and their teachers in the participating schools were invited to voluntarily participate; 508 student-parent pairs completed the surveys.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Children's screen-related behaviors.

ANALYSIS: Data were analyzed using the Independent Student t test to compare differences of continuous variables and the chi-square test to test for differences of categorical variables.

RESULTS: Children spent 3.3 +/- 0.15 (standard …

Restaurants In London, On, Lenoard Piche, Elena Usdenski

Leonard Piché

Brescia professor, Dr. Len Piché, and Foods and Nutrition Masters student, Elena Usdenski, provide information about the features of London's restaurants and the nutritional analysis of their signature dishes.

Hdl-Cholesterol-Raising Effect Of Orange Juice In Subjects With Hypercholesterolemia, Elzbieta Kurowska, J. Spence, John Jordan, Stephen Wetmore, David Freeman, Leonard Piché, Paula Serratore

Leonard Piché

Background: Orange juice-a rich source of vitamin C, folate, and flavonoids such as hesperidin-induces hypocholesterolemic responses in animals. Objective: We determined whether orange juice beneficially altered blood lipids in subjects with moderate hypercholesterolemia. Design: The sample consisted of 16 healthy men and 9 healthy women with elevated plasma total and LDL-cholesterol and normal plasma triacylglycerol concentrations. Participants incorporated 1, 2, or 3 cups (250 mL each) of orange juice sequentially into their diets, each dose over a period of 4 wk. This was followed by a 5-wk washout period. Plasma lipid, folate, homocyst(e)ine, and vitamin C (a compliance marker) concentrations …

Updated Health Canada Links, Leonard Piché, Alicia Garcia

Leonard Piché

No abstract provided.

Receptivity For Probiotic Products Among Pre-Menopausal Female Students In An African University, Kingsley Anukam, Emmanuel Osazuwa, Gregor Reid, Melanie Katsivo

Kingsley C Anukam

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the receptivity for probiotic products among premenopausal female students in an African university. GOAL: The goal of this study was to determine the local knowledge in Nigeria of probiotics and the willingness of young women to use them should they be introduced. STUDY: Closed-ended questionnaires were administered to a sample of 280 participants and these addressed age, marital status, perceived risk of HIV infection for the next 3 years, and history of urogenital infections. The participants were also asked whether they would welcome a probiotic product in oral/vaginal form and in …

Perceptions And Use Of Canada's Food Guide To Healthy Eating By Grocery Shoppers In London, Ontario, Alicia Garcia, Leonard Piché

Leonard Piché

Limited information exists on grocery shoppers' perceptions and use of Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating. The main objective of this study was to examine grocery shoppers' perceptions and use of the food guide in London, Ontario. The guide tearsheet and a self-administered questionnaire about food-buying practices were distributed to 2,000 food shoppers in ten London supermarkets. The response rate was 572 of 2,000 shoppers, or 29%; detailed results are reported in a separate paper. Four months later, a follow-up survey on the perceptions and use of the food guide was conducted through the use of a mailed questionnaire. (Both …

Factors Influencing Food-Buying Practices Of Grocery Shoppers In London, Ontario, Leonard Piché, Alicia Garcia

Leonard Piché

We need to understand better the reasons why people choose to buy the foods that they do. The main objective of this study was to obtain information on some of the factors that influence food-buying practices of grocery shoppers in London, Ontario. For this study, a copy of Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating tearsheet and a self-administered seven-item postcard-style questionnaire were distributed to 2,000 grocery shoppers in ten London A&P supermarkets; 29% of receptive shoppers (572 of 2,000) completed the survey. Grocery shoppers indicated that price, freshness and health considerations were the top three factors considered important when buying …

Growth And Reproductive Performance Of Small Ruminants Under Integrated Livestock Oil Palm Production System, Ahmad Salihin Hj Baba, Azillah A., Mukherjee T. K., Abdullah R. B.

Ahmad Salihin Hj Baba

The effects of supplementation with mixed fodder or concentrate were investigated on the performance of a) growth of male lambs;md kids grazing extensively under oil palm trees and b) reproduction of ewes and goats stall-fed with native herbage. Supplemented kids and lambs had higher average daily weight gain than controls but the effect was only significant for those which received concentrate (p < 0.05). Final body weight was only significantly different from controls for lambs supplemented with concentrate (p < 0.05). The ages at puberty, first mating, first conception and first kidding of supplemented goats were about 110 days earlier than those for controls (p < 0.05 or better). Supplemented goats had first mating and conceived at lower body weights (p < 0.01) than those in control groups. Different feeding regimes had no effects (p > 0.05) on the reproductive performance of ewes apart fi om highest body weight of first lambing in animals supplemented with concentrate (p < 0.05). Native herbage available under oil palm trees of 5 years old was sufficient for growth …