Lead and cadmium contents in milk, cheese and eggs on the Finnish market.

Lead and cadmium contents were determined in nationally representative samples of low-fat milk, cheese and eggs consumed in Finland. Nationally representative samples of milk and cheese were collected from dairies. Egg samples were collected from the major distributors.

Identification of a RAPD marker for palmitic-acid concentration in the seed oil of spring turnip rape (Brassica rapa ssp. oleifera).

F2 progeny (105 individuals) from the cross Jo4002 x Sv3402 were used to identify DNA markers associated with palmitic-acid content in spring turnip rape (Brassica rapa ssp. oleifera). QTL mapping and ANOVA analysis of 140 markers exposed one linkage group with a locus controlling palmitic-acid content (LOD score 27), and one RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) marker, OPB-11a, closely linked (1.

The role of the large intestine in post-ruminal digestion of feeds as measured by the mobile-bag method in cattle.

To study the importance of site of recovery and other factors related to mobile-bag (MB) digestion values, two consecutive experiments in which diets were applied in a 3 x 3 Latin square design, were carried out with cannulated growing heifers. In Expt 1, several types of experimental feed were exposed to intestinal digestion in mobile bags made of two cloth types and filled with intact or rumen-undegradable (RUD) feed material to be recovered either from the ileum (IB) or faeces (FB). In Expt 2, mean retention time (MRT) of Yb-labelled digesta particles within the intestine and in vivo digestibility of diets were measured.

Association of RAPD marker with linolenic acid concentration in the seed oil of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.).

The F2 progeny (64 individuals) from the cross between oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) cultivar Topas and R4 (a low linolenic mutation line) was analyzed with 8 RFLPs and 34 RAPDs to discover a genetic tag for gene(s) affecting linolenic acid concentration. According to variance analysis (ANOVA), one RAPD marker (25a) was significantly associated with linolenic acid content; the linolenic acid concentration in the seeds of F2 individuals showing the marker (includes both homo- and hetero-zygotes) was 7.

Lead and cadmium in some berries and vegetables on the Finnish market in 1991-1993.

In order to determine the present contribution of vegetables and berries to the intake of lead and cadmium in Finland major vegetable groups as well as strawberries and blackcurrants were collected from wholesale distribution centres, orchards and the food industry. Pooled samples were mixed to represent wholesale distribution centres, exporting countries or geographical regions. Lead and cadmium were determined after wet digestion in concentrated HNO3 using ETAAS with Zeeman effect background correction and 0.

Characterization and expression of the pepN gene encoding a general aminopeptidase from Lactobacillus helveticus.

An aminopeptidase N (pepN) gene was detected by DNA hybridization from an industrially important Lactobacillus helveticus strain using part of the L. helveticus CNRZ32 pepN gene as the probe. One of five hybridization positive clones was characterized in more detail.

Isomer specific analysis of PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in Finnish diet samples and selected individual foodstuffs.

Twenty organochlorine pesticide compounds (OCPs) and 20 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners known to be the most abundant or toxicologically significant were determined in samples of a representative Finnish diet and in individual foodstuffs. OCPs were isolated and cleaned-up by solvent extraction and concentrated sulphuric acid treatment according to the methods given by Moilanen et al. (1986) or Veierov and Aharonson (1980).

The transfer of cesium-137 and strontium-90 from soil to food crops after the Chernobyl accident.

The soil to plant transfer of 137Cs and 90Sr was studied at seven locations in Finland over 4 and 2 years, respectively. The plant/soil concentration ratio of 137Cs for field crops in the southern area (60 degrees-63 degrees N) ranged from 0.001 to 0.

Genetic variation of residual feed consumption in a selected Finnish egg-layer population.

The purpose of the study was to estimate the heritability of residual feed consumption (RFC) and the genetic correlations between RFC and economically important traits. The genetic progress after four generations of selection for RFC and the changes in economically important traits were also investigated. A selection experiment for RFC was carried out from 1983 to 1987.

Characterization and expression of the Lactobacillus helveticus pepC gene encoding a general aminopeptidase.

An aminopeptidase C gene (pepC) was detected by nucleic acid hybridization from an industrially important Lactobacillus helveticus strain. Three hybridization positive clones were isolated from a gene library of this L. helveticus strain, and one of them was characterized in more detail.

Lead and cadmium contents in Finnish breads.

A total of 647 breads from nine bakeries were pooled into 48 representative samples. After wet digestion in concentrated HNO3, the contents of lead and cadmium were determined using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with Zeeman effect background correction and (NH4)H2PO4 matrix modification. The mean lead and cadmium contents found in the various types of bread were: rye bread 16 and 14, coffee bread 19 and 23, French bread 8 and 27, whole wheat bread 8 and 30, mixed bread group I 17 and 27, and mixed bread group II 14 and 28 micrograms/kg.

Lead and cadmium contents in pork, beef and chicken, and in pig and cow liver in Finland during 1991.

Nationally representative samples of pork, beef, chicken, and pig's and cow's liver were collected from slaughterhouses and pooled to represent the collection area of each slaughterhouse. The lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contents of the freeze-dried samples were analysed after wet digestion in concentrated HNO3 using ETAAS (Varian Spectra AA 400), Zeeman background correction and (NH4)H2PO4 as the matrix modifier. A strict analytical quality control programme including reference materials and recovery tests was employed.

Effect of various commercially available enzymes in the liquid chromatographic determination with external standardization of thiamine and riboflavin in foods.

The efficacy of various commercially available enzymes in the determination of thiamine and riboflavin in foods was studied by liquid chromatography (LC) using external standards. Different enzymes, as well as the same enzyme produced by different manufacturers, very strongly affected the determination of both vitamins. The recoveries for different foods ranged from 85 to over 100% for thiamine and from 80 to 100% for riboflavin.

Evaluation of the relationship between social status and reproductive performance in farmed blue foxes.

An experimental cage system was designed for evaluating the association of social status and reproductive performance in blue foxes under fur-farm conditions. The present test cage apparatus consisted of 6 small cages and 1 large cage that were connected. The small cages were utilized for males of different social status and the large cage for females coming on heat.

Activated mammary number and litter size in the mink.

The dependence of activated mammary number on litter size was studied in standard type farmed mink in an attempt to clarify its effects on early kit mortality. The results showed highly positive correlations between litter size and the number of activated teats at 2 days, 4 weeks and 8 weeks of age. Total kit mortality was rather low and independent of litter size.

Sleeping distance in relation to sexual state in the Arctic blue fox.

The paper provides comparative data concerning sleeping distance in relation to sexual state and hierarchical dominance in the Arctic blue fox. Increasing levels of vulval swelling and electrical resistance of vaginal tract were inversely related to sleeping distance between the highest-ranking male and each female on heat. A mating pair typically slept no further than 50 cm from each other.

Chromium content of foods and diets.

Comparatively few valid data are available on the chromium content of foods and on the dietary chromium (Cr) intake of various populations. This is chiefly because of the difficulties encountered in contamination control during sampling, sample pretreatment, and analysis. Moreover, there are several analytical problems involved that are mostly owing to the low concentration level of Cr in foods.

Contents of Fusarium toxins in Finnish and imported grains and feeds.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the levels of trichothecenes in representative samples of Finnish and imported cereals and feeds from the 1987 and 1988 crops. Trichothecene concentrations were determined in samples as trimethylsilylether derivatives by a gas chromatograph equipped with a mass selective detector (GC-MSD) using selected ion monitoring (SIM) which proved to be a reliable and sufficiently sensitive technique. Representative samples of Finnish and imported oats, wheat, barley, rye, maize gluten, soy granules, rapeseed, turnip rapeseed, fish meal, poultry feed and pig feed were analysed employing 19-nortestosterone as an internal standard.

Determination of phytic acid in cereals using ICP-AES to determine phosphorus.

A novel approach for determination of phytic acid in cereals has been applied in 2 traditional methods. In the first, phytic acid in a sample extract is first separated and concentrated by ion-exchange chromatography. The phytic acid concentrate is then quantitatively determined as phosphorus by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES).