Prediction of pork loin storage period using a compact impedance device.

Management of storage period is essential for meat. The purpose of this study was to develop a technique for predicting storage period in pork loins using a compact impedance-measuring device. Eight measurement positions were placed on pork loin block meat from five fattening pigs, and impedance values at frequencies of 2 and 100 kHz, modified K values (mK values), which are derived from nucleotide-related substances were collected during storage ranging from 0 to 14 days.

Inactivation mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 by ozone in aqueous and gas phases.

The comparison of the inactivation rate of SARS-CoV-2 by ozone in water with that in gas, based on data from references and experiments, has indicated the inactivation rate of the former is remarkably higher than that of the latter. To investigate the reason for this difference, we analyzed the reaction rate using a diffusional reaction model, in which ozone is carried by micro spherical viruses to inactivate the target viruses. Using this model, we can evaluate the amount of ozone required to inactivate a virus based on the ct value.

Lignin-degrading enzymes from a pathogenic canker-rot fungus Inonotus obliquus strain IO-B2.

Inonotus obliquus is a pathogenic fungus found in living trees and has been widely used as a traditional medicine for cancer therapy. Although lignocellulose-degrading enzymes are involved in the early stages of host infection, the parasitic life cycle of this fungus has not been fully understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the activities of laccase (Lac), manganese peroxidase (MnP), and lignin peroxidase (LiP) from I.

Changes in annual transcriptome dynamics of a clone of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) planted under different climate conditions.

Environmental responses are critical for plant growth and survival under different climate conditions. To elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms of environmental responses in Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don), the annual transcriptome dynamics of common clonal trees (Godai1) planted at three different climate sites (Yamagata, Ibaraki, and Kumamoto Prefectures) were analyzed using microarrays.

Effect of Theaflavin on Oral Bacteria in Japanese Subjects: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study.

Black tea is a popular beverage worldwide. Theaflavins (TFs), which are active functional components of black tea, are potentially valuable for preventing and/or treating the progression of periodontal diseases. Our previous pilot study showed that TF intake decreases the number of () bacteria in the saliva.

Bud endodormancy in deciduous fruit trees: advances and prospects.

Bud endodormancy is a complex physiological process that is indispensable for the survival, growth, and development of deciduous perennial plants. The timely release of endodormancy is essential for flowering and fruit production of deciduous fruit trees. A better understanding of the mechanism of endodormancy will be of great help in the artificial regulation of endodormancy to cope with climate change and in creating new cultivars with different chilling requirements.

Physical and mechanical properties of wood and their geographic variations in Larix sibirica trees naturally grown in Mongolia.

We examined the physical and mechanical properties of wood in Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) trees that grow naturally in five Mongolian provenances (Khentii, Arkhangai, Zavkhan, Khuvsgul, and Selenge) and the geographic variations between them. Five trees with stem diameters of 20 to 30 cm at 1.3 m above ground were collected from each provenance.