Probe diffusion in phase-separated bicontinuous biopolymer gels.

Probe diffusion was determined in phase separated bicontinuous gels prepared by acid-induced gelation of the whey protein isolate-gellan gum system. The topological characterization of the phase-separated gel systems is achieved by confocal microscopy and the diffusion measurements are performed using pulsed field gradient (PFG) NMR and fluorescence recovery after photo-bleaching (FRAP). These two techniques gave complementary information about the mass transport at different time- and length scales, PFG NMR provided global diffusion rates in the gel systems, while FRAP enabled the measurements of diffusion in different phases of the phase-separated gels.

Selective fishing induces density-dependent growth.

Over the last decades, views on fisheries management have oscillated between alarm and trust in management progress. The predominant policy for remedying the world fishing crisis aims at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) by adjusting gear selectivity and fishing effort. Here we report a case study on how striving for higher yields from the Eastern Baltic cod stock by increasing selectivity has become exceedingly detrimental for its productivity.

Extensional viscosity of microfibrillated cellulose suspensions.

The extensional properties of micro fibrillated cellulose (MFC)-suspensions at different fibril concentrations and with different amounts of added sodium chloride were evaluated. The MFC-suspensions were obtained by diluting a stock solution consisting of 0.95 wt.

μPIV methodology using model systems for flow studies in heterogeneous biopolymer gel microstructures.

A methodology for studying flow in heterogeneous soft microstructures has been developed. The methodology includes: (1) model fractal or random heterogeneous microstructures fabricated in PDMS and characterised using CLSM; (2) μPIV measurements; (3) Lattice-Boltzmann simulations of flow. It has been found that the flow behaviour in these model materials is highly dependent on pore size as well as on the connectivity and occurrence of dead ends.

Effects of molecular weight on permeability and microstructure of mixed ethyl-hydroxypropyl-cellulose films.

Films of ethyl cellulose (EC) and water-soluble hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) can be used for extended release coatings in oral formulations. The permeability and microstructure of free EC/HPC films with 30% w/w HPC were studied to investigate effects of EC molecular weight. Phase separation during film spraying and subsequent HPC leaching after immersion in aqueous media cause pore formation in such films.

Acceptance of Nordic snack bars in children aged 8-11 years.

Background: A health promoting diet is suggested to be tailored to regional circumstances to preserve the cultural diversity in eating habits, as well as contribute to more environmentally friendly eating. It may influence consumer acceptance, however, if the components of the diet differs considerably from their habitual food.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether snack bars composed of Nordic ingredients were accepted by 8-11 year-old Danish (n=134) and Swedish (n=109) children.

Objective and quantitative definitions of modified food textures based on sensory and rheological methodology.

Introduction: Patients who suffer from chewing and swallowing disorders, i.e. dysphagia, may have difficulties ingesting normal food and liquids.

The origin of off-odours in packaged rucola (Eruca sativa).

Rucola (Eruca sativa) was decontaminated and then reinoculated with selected microorganisms. The produce was then stored in three different atmospheres and at two temperatures. The accumulation of off-odours in the packaging headspace was analysed.

Sensory design of foods for the elderly.

Background/aims: Elderly persons with dysphagia need food that requires little or no chewing, that is easy to swallow and has attractive sensory characteristics. The aim was to investigate how ingredients varied according to experimental designs influence the perceived sensory, chewing and swallowing characteristics of two types of texture-modified model foods.

Methods: Meat- and carrot-based, texture-modified model foods were produced.

Influence of long-chain polyphosphate and heat treatment on Clostridium cochlearium and Clostridium sporogenes isolated from processed cheese spread.

The outgrowth of Clostridium spp. spores causes spoilage in processed cheese products due to gas and off-odor formation. The present study focuses on the response of spores of Clostridium sporogenes and Clostridium cochlearium at 25 degrees C to polyphosphate, both alone and in combination with heat treatment.

Characterization of Clostridium spp. isolated from spoiled processed cheese products.

Of 42 spoiled cheese spread products, 35 were found to harbor Clostridium spp. Typical signs of spoilage were gas production and off-odor. The identity was determined for about half of the isolates (n = 124) by Analytab Products (API), Biolog, the RiboPrinter System, 16S rDNA sequencing, cellular fatty acid analysis, or some combination of these.

Preventing lipid oxidation during recovery of functional proteins from herring (Clupea harengus) fillets by an acid solubilization process.

It has previously been found that a process based on solubilization at pH 2.7 gives high yields of herring muscle proteins with good functionality. In this study, the development of lipid oxidation during acid processing of herring mince was studied.

Modification of IgE binding to beta-lactoglobulin by fermentation and proteolysis of cow's milk.

The effect of fermentation by Lactobacilli and of proteolytic hydrolysis of whole milk on the IgE binding ability of beta-lactoglobulin was studied using an ELISA inhibition assay. Sera from nine adult milk allergic patients were tested. The individual sera showed a similar inhibition pattern in the changes during fermentation and proteolysis.

Characterization of phase separation in film forming biopolymer mixtures.

Enhanced, tailor-made films can be achieved by combining the good gas barrier of the hydrophilic high amylose maize starch (hylon) with the water resistance of the hydrophobic protein zein. Two polymers are not always miscible in solution, and the phase separation behavior of the mixture is therefore important for the final film structure and its properties. Phase separation of a mixture of these two biopolymers was induced either by cooling, which was observed as growing droplets of the hylon phase which in some cases also formed small aggregates, or by solvent evaporation and studied in real-time in a confocal laser scanning microscope.

Migration of model contaminants from PET bottles: influence of temperature, food simulant and functional barrier.

To simulate post-consumer recycled plastics, selected model contaminants were incorporated into PET bottles using a time saving method. Migration into 3% acetic acid, a cola-type beverage and 95% ethanol was followed during 1 year of storage at 20 and 40 degrees C. Aroma compounds previously found in post-consumer PET material were used as model contaminants.

Bet v 1 homologues in strawberry identified as IgE-binding proteins and presumptive allergens.

Background: No strawberry allergen has so far been identified and characterized.

Methods: Serum samples were collected from patients with a suggestive case history of adverse reactions to strawberry and other fruits. Extracts from fresh and frozen strawberries were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), Western blotting and mass spectrometry.

Modification of IgE binding during heat processing of the cow's milk allergen beta-lactoglobulin.

The effect of heat treatment on the IgE binding ability of beta-lactoglobulin, as pure protein or in whole milk, was studied by inhibition of IgE antibody binding using FEIA-CAP inhibition. A slight but significant decreased IgE binding was seen between unheated and heat-treated beta-lactoglobulin solution at 74 degrees C (IC(50) = 2.03 and 3.

Effects of amylopectin structure and molecular weight on microstructural and rheological properties of mixed beta-lactoglobulin gels.

Nongelling amylopectin fractions from potato and barley have been used to form mixed beta-lactoglobulin gels. The amylopectin fractions were produced by varying the time of alpha-amylase hydrolysis followed by sequential ethanol precipitation. The molecular weights, radius of gyration, chain length distribution, and viscosity of the fractions were established.

Mechanisms and prevention of plant tissue collapse during dehydration: a critical review.

The appearance and functional properties are primordial in the quality assessment of semifinished fruit and vegetable products. These properties are often associated with shrunken, shriveled, darkened materials of poor rehydration ability after been subjected to air-drying--the most used drying method in the food industry. Fruits and vegetables are cellular tissues containing gas-filled pores that tend to collapse when subjected to dehydration.

Recovery of functional proteins from herring (Clupea harengus) light muscle by an acid or alkaline solubilization process.

Proteins from herring (Clupea harengus) light muscle were extracted using acidic or alkaline solubilization; 92 and 89% of the initial muscle proteins were solubilized at pH 2.7 and 10.8, respectively, of which 96 and 94% were recovered during precipitation at pH 5.

Bacteriological safety issues in red meat and ready-to-eat meat products, as well as control measures.

The importance of Eschericha coli O157, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium DT104 as meat-borne pathogens is well established. Pathogenic bacteria such as Aeromonas spp., Arcobacter spp.

Aging of whey protein films and the effect on mechanical and barrier properties.

This work focuses on the aging of whey protein isolate (WPI) films plasticized with glycerol (G) and sorbitol (S). The films were cast from heated aqueous solutions at pH 7 and dried at 23 degrees C and 50% relative humidity (RH) for 16 h. They were stored in a climate room (23 degrees C, 50% RH) for 120 days, and the film properties were measured at regular intervals.

Relationship between the microstructure and the mechanical and barrier properties of whey protein films.

This work was focused on the relationship between the microstructure and the mechanical and barrier properties of whey protein isolate (WPI) films. Sorbitol (S) and glycerol (G) were used as plasticizers and the pH was varied between 7 and 9. The films were cast from heated aqueous solutions and dried in a climate room at 23 degrees C and 50% relative humidity for 16 h.

Lipid oxidation in fillets of herring (Clupea harengus) during frozen storage. Influence of prefreezing storage.

Fillets of herring (Clupea harengus) were kept on ice for 0, 3, 6, and 9 days prior to storage at -18 degrees C for 0, 21, 42, 63, and 84 days. At each storage point, peroxide value (PV), absorbance at 268 nm (A(268)), fluorescent products (FP), alpha-tocopherol, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) activity, and ascorbic acid were measured. As shown by regression analyses, samples held for 6 days on ice formed oxidation products at the highest rate during frozen storage, followed by, for PV and FP, the 9-day samples.