Twenty-one apricot varieties, originating from various Chinese production areas, were subjected to a 50-day cold storage period at 0°C before being displayed at 25°C. Measurements and analyses targeted the storage quality, chilling injury, reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant activity, and concentrations of bioactive components in the apricots. A study of 21 apricot cultivars identified two groups based on their response to low-temperature storage, one exhibiting chilling tolerance and the other lacking it. Shelf life was compromised for eleven apricot varieties, including the Xiangbai and Yunbai, due to severe chilling injury after cold storage. The 11 apricot varieties lacking chilling tolerance demonstrated a considerable rise in superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide accumulation after 50 days of storage at 0°C, when compared to the 10 varieties with chilling tolerance. Furthermore, the activities of ROS scavenging enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase, were notably diminished in 11 apricot cultivars exhibiting a deficiency in chilling tolerance during storage. A significant reduction was observed in the levels of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties, including ascorbic acid, total phenols, carotenoids, and total flavonoids. Of the ten apricot varieties, Akeximixi and Suanmao stand out for their resistance to chilling injury, maintaining normal levels of ROS (reactive oxygen species) production and clearance, preventing the harm caused by excessive ROS buildup in the fruit. In parallel, the 10 apricot varieties that tolerated cold temperatures during storage showcased increased sugar and acid levels after the harvest. This substance can fuel the physiological metabolic processes during cold storage and provide the carbon frameworks for secondary metabolic functions, thereby enhancing the fruits' tolerance to chilling temperatures. Geographical distribution of 21 fruit varieties, coupled with cluster analysis results, revealed that apricot varieties exhibiting chilling tolerance during storage are exclusively from China's northwestern region, characterized by significant diurnal temperature fluctuations and rapid climate shifts. To reiterate, maintaining the proper equilibrium between the production and elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a crucial element in increasing the cold storage tolerance of apricots. In addition, apricots characterized by higher initial glycolic acid and bioactive substance levels display a lower likelihood of chilling injury.
A meat abnormality, wooden breast myopathy (WBM), is observed in the pectoralis major muscles (PMs) of broiler chickens with accelerated growth. WBM-impacted PMs presented a diverse range of meat properties, contingent on the extent of WBM. As raw materials, Normal PMs (NOR), mild WBM-affected PMs (MIL), moderate WBM-affected PMs (MOD), and severe WBM-affected PMs (SEV) were selected. head impact biomechanics To ascertain the structural and organizational characteristics of connective tissue and fibrillar collagen, the techniques of sodium hydroxide immersion, Masson trichrome staining, and electron microscopy were implemented. Shear force measurements were taken on intramuscular connective tissue samples treated with sodium hydroxide solution to evaluate their mechanical strength. Differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were utilized to investigate the thermal properties and secondary structure of connective tissue. Using sodium hydroxide solution, the obtained connective tissue was dissolved, allowing for the evaluation of the physicochemical characteristics of proteins, including particle size, molecular weight, surface hydrophobicity, and intrinsic fluorescence. The particle size was determined via a zeta potential instrument measurement. Analysis of the molecular weight was performed using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Surface hydrophobicity and intrinsic fluorescence were assessed with the aid of spectroscopic methodology. A histological analysis of WBM-affected PMs, especially those with severe fibrosis, including blood vessels, showed the presence of macrophage infiltration, myodegeneration, necrosis, regeneration, and thickened perimysial connective tissue. Endomysial layers under NOR conditions displayed an average collagen fibril diameter of 3419 nanometers; however, the application of WBM within the SEV group increased this average to a considerable 5693 nanometers. A noticeable enhancement in molecular weight was ascertained, exhibiting a spread of sizes, including specific bands at 270 kDa, 180-270 kDa, 110-180 kDa, 95-100 kDa, and a proportion below 15 kDa. CX-3543 As WBM severity escalated, connective tissue displayed a thickened structure, with tightly-arranged collagen fibers, greater mechanical robustness, and heightened thermal levels; furthermore, particle size, surface hydrophobicity, and intrinsic protein fluorescence also increased.
P. notoginseng, a prized medicinal plant, holds a significant place in traditional Asian medicine. Notoginseng is a remarkable substance, serving both medicinal and edible purposes. Although P. notoginseng is marked with a unique origin, it has become a target for fraudulent activity due to the misleading or hidden origin information. By applying an untargeted nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics strategy, this study aimed to discern the geographical origins of P. notoginseng in four primary Chinese cultivation regions. Employing NMR spectral analysis, researchers identified and quantified fifty-two components, including saccharides, amino acids, saponins, organic acids, and alcohols, before further screening for area-specific geographical identification components. The hypoglycemic and cardioprotective effects of Yunnan P. notoginseng were attributed to its substantial levels of acetic acid, dopamine, and serine; in contrast, Sichuan P. notoginseng, characterized by a high concentration of fumarate, presented greater benefit for nervous system disorders. Samples of P. notoginseng, sourced from Guizhou and Tibet, contained high concentrations of malic acid, notoginsenoside R1, and amino acids. The geographical origins of P. notoginseng can be readily determined using our findings, which are also suitable for nutritional guidelines for human consumption.
We conducted a study on catering services, surveying caterers with and without past hygiene problems, to examine the staffing, food safety practices, and correlations to microbial counts in food and their preparation areas, in order to understand the palpable impact of food poisoning. Historical violations of food safety standards exhibited no detrimental consequences for the current deployment of food safety procedures, nor for the microbial quality of the food. Instead of penalizing operators who deviate from standards, we propose alternative approaches to improve food safety, along with the policy implications arising from such strategies.
In managing postharvest pathogens affecting fruits and vegetables, inorganic salts, such as disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA-Na2) and sodium silicate (Na2SiO3), are 'Generally Recognized as Safe' (GRAS) compounds with notable advantages. This work focused on establishing the median effective concentration (EC50) of Na2SiO3 (0.06%, 0.05%, 0.07%, and 0.08%) and EDTA-Na2 (0.11%, 0.08%, 0.5%, and 0.07%) against a panel of common pathogens impacting postharvest citrus fruits, namely Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium italicum, Geotrichum citri-aurantii, and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Application of Na2SiO3 and EDTA-Na2 at the EC50 level led to a reduction in spore germination, a visible disruption of the spore cell membrane structure, and a significant increase in lipid droplets (LDs) in the four examined postharvest pathogens. The application of both treatments at EC50 concentrations led to a substantial reduction in the incidence of P. italicum (by 60% and 93335%, respectively) and G. citri-aurantii (by 50% and 7667%, respectively), as measured against the control. The application of Na2SiO3 and EDTA-Na2 treatments resulted in a marked decrease in disease severity of the four pathogens, showing no significant change in citrus fruit characteristics in comparison to the control. In light of the foregoing, Na2SiO3 and EDTA-Na2 represent a promising pathway for managing postharvest diseases of citrus fruits.
Raw seafood, particularly shellfish of diverse species, is a frequent source of the ubiquitous marine foodborne pathogen, Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Individuals who consume uncooked or undercooked seafood contaminated with V. parahaemolyticus may develop severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Vibrio spp. exhibit a remarkable ability to endure temperatures well below freezing. Frozen seafoods can harbor viable, yet uncultivable bacteria for extended periods, potentially introducing unseen sources of foodborne illness. In the current study, 77 frozen bivalve mollusks, consisting of 35 mussels and 42 clams, were screened for viable Vibrio parahaemolyticus using standard microbiological procedures. By employing an optimized protocol, VBNC forms were detected and quantified via the combined use of Propidium Monoazide (PMA) and Quantitative PCR (qPCR). In all samples, the standard culture techniques failed to detect or enumerate the presence of V. parahaemolyticus. A notable presence of VBNC forms was observed in 117% of the examined samples (9 out of 77), displaying a range of 167 to 229 Log CFU/g. The presence of VBNC forms was confirmed solely through analysis of clam samples. Frozen bivalve mollusks may contain VBNC V. parahaemolyticus, according to the outcomes of this study. The need for further data on the presence of VBNC V. parahaemolyticus in frozen seafood is evident for producing a robust risk assessment.
Exploration of the immunomodulatory function of the exopolysaccharides (EPSs) generated by Streptococcus thermophilus is still lacking. postprandial tissue biopsies Moreover, no comparative studies have been undertaken concerning the functional properties of EPSs produced by streptococci in diverse food systems. EPSs from S. thermophilus SBC8781, isolated post-fermentation of soy milk (EPS-s) or cow milk (EPS-m), were analyzed in this work for their capacity to modulate immunity within porcine intestinal epithelial cells, after identification and characterization.