Spatial distribution of pesticides in surface water of the Estacas stream (Argentine Espinal region) associated with crop production.

The Espinal region (Entre Ríos, Argentina) has suffered land use changes caused by expansion of the agricultural frontier. This expansion has led to an increased use of pesticides. This study is aimed at better understanding the spatial distribution of pesticides in surface water of the Estacas stream, a representative basin of the Espinal region, associated with crop production.

Occurrence of bacteria with technological and probiotic potential in Argentinian human breast-milk.

Breast milk can be a source of potential probiotic bacteria, but the technological capacity of isolates obtained from this source is not always guaranteed. We aimed at isolating lactobacilli from breast milk samples collected in Argentina, focusing on isolates with functional and technological potential as probiotics. Fourteen and one isolates were obtained from 164 samples donated by 104 mothers.

Technological variables influencing the growth and stability of a silage inoculant based on spray-dried lactic acid bacteria.

Aims: To investigate the influence of different culture media and fermentation conditions on growth performance and viability of three lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains with potential as silage inoculants, and to optimize spray-drying in order to enhance survival to dehydration and storage stability.

Methods And Results: In house-formulated MRS was a suitable low-cost culture medium for Lactobacillus plantarum Hv75, Pediococcus acidilactici 3903 and L. buchneri B463.

Effect of high-pressure treatment on hard cheese proteolysis.

The application of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment has been proposed to reduce the ripening time of cheese via modifications in the enzymatic activities or the substrate reactivity. Investigations on the effect of HHP on cheese proteolysis have been undertaken with either encouraging results or little effect according to the treatment conditions and the type of cheese, but information concerning the effect of HHP on the ripening of hard cooked cheese is still lacking. In this report, we describe the effect of HHP treatment on Reggianito cheese proteolysis.

Use of cheese whey for biomass production and spray drying of probiotic lactobacilli.

The double use of cheese whey (culture medium and thermoprotectant for spray drying of lactobacilli) was explored in this study for adding value to this wastewater. In-house formulated broth (similar to MRS) and dairy media (cheese and ricotta whey and whey permeate) were assessed for their capacity to produce biomass of Lactobacillus paracasei JP1, Lb. rhamnosus 64 and Lb.