Epithiospecifier protein activity in broccoli: the link between terminal alkenyl glucosinolates and sulphoraphane nitrile.

The chemical nature of the hydrolysis products from the glucosinolate-myrosinase system depends on the presence or absence of supplementary proteins, such as epithiospecifier proteins (ESPs). ESPs (non-catalytic cofactors of myrosinase) promote the formation of epithionitriles from terminal alkenyl glucosinolates and as recent evidence suggests, simple nitriles at the expense of isothiocyanates. The ratio of ESP activity to myrosinase activity is crucial in determining the proportion of these nitriles produced on hydrolysis.

Compositional changes of Australia-grown Western Schley pecans [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] during maturation.

Changes in composition during the maturation of Western Schley pecans [Carya illinoinensis(Wangenh.) K. Koch] grown in Australia were investigated.

Effects of Irradiation on Bacterial Load and Listeria monocytogenes in Raw Chicken.

After irradiation of chickens to a dose of 2.5 kGy, the decrease in the standard plate count (SPC) was similar in air and in vacuum-packaged chickens. During storage at 4°C for 15 d, the SPC increased progressively in both types of packaged chickens.

A Comparison of Selected Methods for Determining Sulfite in Prawns.

As the standard technique for sulfite analysis, the Monier-Williams distillation, is time consuming and relatively insensitive, many alternative methods have been developed. Three of these methods were tested for their suitability for the routine determination of residual sulfite in prawns: i) a rapid steam distillation; ii) high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and iii) an enzyme-based procedure. Testing of the three selected methods involved analyses of standard sulfite solutions, prawns of known sulfite levels and prawns of unknown sulfite levels and comparison of results with those determined by the Monier-Williams procedure.