Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Istituto di Scienze dell'Alimentazione Via Roma 52 a/c 83100 Avellino, (AV), Italy Tel. +39.0825.299.111 Fax +39.0825.781.585 Cell. +39.347.69.57.969
Abstract: In this study, we used natural polysaccharides (pectin, alginate and chitosan) as binders to generate pellets for crayfish feeding. Pellets were produced by cold extrusion in order to preserve nutrients from degradation and reduce energy consumption. Thereafter, pellets were submitted to a coating procedure, with the aim of improving pellet stability inwater. Pelletwater stability was analyzed bymonitoring the diameter of the released particles in water over progressive time intervals up to 24 h, employing a Low Angle Laser Light Scattering Technique. Alginate containing pellets released particles with a smaller diameter than chitosan and pectin containing pellets, indicating that alginate containing pellets disaggregated more and therefore were less stable in water than the other pellet types. The effects of the different polysaccharide containing pellets were evaluated on crayfish feeding response employing juvenile Cherax albidus. The feeding experiment
was carried out for 12 weeks, at the end of which growth parameters and the activity of amylase, lipases and proteases in the gastric juice, hepatopancreas and intestine were recorded. Crayfish fed pectin containing pellets exhibited a significant weight gain. Digestive enzyme activities did not statistically show significant differences in the digestive tract except for amylase that was significantly higher in the intestine of animals
fed pectin containing pellets. Our data indicate that pectin and chitosan pellets showed the best water stability
performances, moreover pectin pellets brought about the highest body weight gain and affected the amylase
profile in the intestine of juvenile Cherax albidus.
Abstract: Non-Saccharomyces yeasts are microorganisms that play an important role in the fermentation dynamics, compositions and flavour of wine. The aromatic compounds responsible for varietal aroma in wine are mainly terpenes, of which the most important group are the monoterpenes because of their volatility and odour if present in a free form. In fact, some terpenyl-glycosides do not contribute to the aroma unless they are hydrolysed. The glycosylated form of terpenes can be converted by hydrolysis with b-glycosidases produced by yeasts during the winemaking process, into aromatic compounds. In this study we utilized a non-Saccharomyces yeast, with a high extra-cellular glycosidase activity, isolated from grapes of cultivars typical of Irpinia region. This strain, identified as a Rhodotorula mucillaginosa (strain WLR12), was used to carry out an experimental winemaking process and the results were compared with those obtained with a commercial yeast starter. Chemical and sensorial analysis demonstrated that the wines produced with WLR12 strain had a more floral aroma and some sweet and ripened fruit notes compared to those obtained with commercial yeast. The data also showed an increasing of the free terpenes fraction that, however, did not significatively modify the bouquet of the wines.
Abstract: Both type 2 diabetes (T2D) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection are associated with increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Cytokines are known to play an important role not only in the mechanisms of insulin resistance and glucose disposal defects but also in the pathological processes occurring in the liver during viral infection. We evaluated the serum levels of many cytokines, chemokines, adipokines and growth factors in patients with type 2 diabetes, CHC, CHC-related cirrhosis, CHC and type 2 diabetes and CHC-related cirrhosis and type 2 diabetes by BioPlex assay. The obtained data evidenced that the serum levels of some proteins are significantly up-regulated in all the patients or in those with only one disease and are often higher, even if in different amounts, when both diseases are associated. In particular, our results can be useful for the clinical monitoring of patients because they give specific information in regard to the progression from CHC to LC and CHD to LCD. Moreover, some molecules have shown significant correlations with clinical/biochemical data, suggesting the possibility to define mini-panels that can be used as specific markers for the different disease staging. However, our observations demonstrate that an integrated approach is much more powerful than isolated measurements to evaluate specific stages of these two complex pathologies (type 2 diabetes and chronic CHC hepatitis) alone or when they are concomitant in a patient. In fact it has emerged as an accurate, simple, specific, noninvasive, reproducible and less expensive method that, in future, could be included in routine clinical practice to monitor the association of type 2 diabetes and/or CHC to liver cirrhosis and, possibly, to cancer, and to improve the prognosis of these diseases.
Abstract: The algal polysaccharide agar has long been used as a food binder due to its structure, rheological behaviour, stability and interactions ^ properties that help to generate ¢rm, round, disk-shaped pellets that may be used in recirculating sea urchin-rearing systems. Three algae-based diets (Ulva lactuca, Gracilaria gracilis, Cystoseira sp.) containing 3% and 6% agar were tested on the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus in order to examine the e¡ect of varying percentages of agar on pellet stability in water and sea urchin gonad growth. The kinetics of water
absorption and solute leaching of pellets were measured by immersing quadruplicate samples of the pellets inwater for1,2,3,4,5 and 6 days. Our results
show that the pellets had good water stability, were readily consumed by sea urchins and the presence of agar did not hamper sea urchin gonad growth.
Animals fed Ulva-containing pellets reached a more advanced gametogenic stage with respect to animals fed Cystoseira- and Gracilaria-containing pellets. Moreover, the presence of agarase activity in the digestive system indicated that agar may be an energy source. Pellets are relatively low cost and easy to prepare and store. They may represent a useful resource for rearing sea urchins under intensive conditions.
Abstract: The cytokines/related receptors system represents a complex regulatory network that is involved in those chronic inflammatory processes which lead to many
diseases as cancers. We developed a Cytokine Receptor Database (CytReD) to collect information on cytokine receptors related to their biological activity, gene
data, protein structures and diseases in which these and their ligands are implicated. This large set of information may be used by researchers as well as by
physicians or clinicians to identify which cytokines, reported in the literature, are important in a given disease and, therefore, useful for purposes of diagnosis or
prognostic.
Abstract: The correlation between decreased levels of selenium and increased DNA damage and oxidative stress shows the significance of this trace element. A number of studies have provided evidence for lower serum, plasma and tissue levels of selenium in patients with various diseases and types of cancer. In this study, liver selenium concentrations were measured in tissue samples of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed that the selenium concentrations decreased when the malignant grade increased. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between selenium levels and human selenium binding protein-1 (SELENBP1) downâregulation in the liver. Therefore, we suggest that the evaluation of selenium and SELENBP1 concentrations can be used for improving the prognosis of HCC.
Abstract: The aim of this work is to monitor essential metals Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Ni and Zn, and xenobi-otic environmental metals As, Cd and Pb in hair of young boys. It is a strategic choice that could allow a preliminary study for a synergistic assessment of the possible relationships among diet and environmental local pollution in students of 12 - 13 years old, living in dif-ferent cities of Salerno province with different grade of urban and industrial development and the presence of water pollution (Sarno river and its tributaries) (Figure 1). Itâs known that the age and sex samples, for their growth physiological features, are suited to this study. The experimental data, reported in table and compared to reference data, showed signifi-cant ponderal difference in metal levels between the samples collected by sex. Concentration of the above-mentioned elements were determined by means of atomic absorption spec-trometry after a washing procedure following a mineralization in a microwave digestion sys-tem. Particularly the arithmetic mean value of concentrations of lead in hairs of schoolboys of âSalernoâ and âSolimenaâ secondary schools, were 1.50 g/g and 1.44 g/g; moreover âSolimenaâ schoolboys present a value of nickel (2.79 g/g) highest in comparison with other sampling sites; at last âScafatiâ secondary school childrenâs hairs have a unsafe con-centration of arsenic (2.47 μg/g). Two-way ANOVA demonstrates a significant interaction between sampling site and sex on hair arsenic and nickel levels (P=0.013 and P=0.014 re-spectively) as well as a significant effect of sex and sampling site on cadmium, calcium, cop-per, lead and magnesium levels (P<0.05). The results support the hypothesis that hair metals levels can be considered an indicator of different relative exposure of populations to essen-tial and toxic metals pollution.
Abstract: In this study two algal polysaccharides, alginate and agar, chitosan from chitin, and one fruit extracted polysaccharide, pectin, have been used as binders to make solid pellets to be employed in intensive crayfish farming. We examined the performance of the pellets in water and their effect on crayfish growth. The kinetics of water absorption and solute leaching of the pellets were measured for up to 24 h. Recovered liquid was analyzed for the release of particles in water by a Low Angle Laser Light Scattering Technique. The pellets were stable in water up to 24 h, although the water stability of pectin based pellets and chitosan based pellets was greater than other pellets. At the same time, crayfish feeding response to each pellet type was monitored in growth experiments by testing diets containing similar concentrations of nutrients (proteins, lipids and carbohydrates) mixed with each of the different polysaccharides. The presence of polysaccharides positively affected crayfish growth. Indeed, animals fed these pellets showed a higher percentage growth when compared to control animals. The simple methodology used for making pellets, and the encouraging results obtained in this study, could be considered suitable parameters for people interested in crayfish farming under intensive conditions.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to test the sensitivity of computerized sperm motility analysis in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus as the endpoint in toxicity bioassays. The tested matrices were pore water samples collected in an agriculture-impacted Mediterranean lagoon, Lake Varano (Italy). Two standardized bioassays were also conducted as controls, the P. lividus spermiotoxicity test and the Vibrio fischeri (Microtox) test. VCL (curvilinear velocity), VSL (straight line velocity), VAP (average path velocity), and the percentage of rapid spermatozoa recorded by the Sperm Class Analyzers system showed high sensitivity and discrimination ability, to a degree comparable with the larval development
endpoint of the spermiotoxicity test. The test evaluated in this study requires small volumes of matrices, involves minimal sample manipulation, and can easily be extended to many other bioindicator species. It may therefore be considered a promising ââquick response toolââ following hazardous events that may adversely affect an aquatic ecosystem.
Abstract: In the present work, the effects of innovative technologies of apples de-hydration based on the application of biopolymer films on the content of flavour were studied. For comparison we applied also more standardized drying methods, such as air drying at different temperatures and freeze-drying. Films made of blends of biodegradable and biocompatible polymers belonging to well known families of natural polysaccharides, already approved for use in agro-food industry, were tested. Our studies have shown that the
drying kinetic depends on the type of drying methodology and the bio-films, although allowing an efficient de-hydration, preserve the flavour more efficiently than other methods. The results are attributed to substantial non permeability of organic molecules through the used bio-films.
Abstract: Lo scopo della presente ricerca è stato quello di determinare la quantità di metalli fisiologici e xenobiotici spettrofotoche vengono assorbite durante i processi di produzione di due vini tipici dell'lrpinia: Aglianico e Fiano di Avellino. Per poter valutare le concentrazioni dei metalli durante l' intero processo di produzione campioni di uva e di mosto, di entrambi i vini, sono stati raccolti a diversi intervalli di tempo durante le fasi di fermentazione e maturazione. I livelli di rame, cromo, nickel, ferro, zinco, piombo e cadmio sono stati determinati mediante spettrofotometria ad assorbimento atomico (AAS). Le concentrazioni ottenute sono state confrontate con i limiti fissati dall'Organizzazione Internazionale de la Vigne et du Vin (O.I.V.) e dalla vigente legislazione italiana ed europea.
Abstract: The research presented here describes the assessment of a number of physiological and xenobiotic metal concentrations occurring throughout the enological production processes of two native wines from Irpinia, Aglianico and Fiano of Avellino. In order to evaluate the winesâ metal content throughout the entire wine making process, samples of grapes and musts from both wines were taken at time intervals during the fermentation and maturation phases. Copper, chromium, nickel, iron, zinc, lead and cadmium levels were analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The concentration of metals obtained were compared to the limits fixed by the Organization Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin (O.I.V.) and in the Italian ad European legislation.
Abstract: Two algal polysaccharides: alginate and agar and one polysaccharide from fruit, pectin, have been used as food additives in relation to their structure and their rheological behavior, stability and interactions, to generate firm pellets to be employed in crayfish aquaculture. Three diets containing the same amount of nutrients (protein, lipid and carbohydrate) mixed with each of the three different polysaccharides were tested on male freshwater crayfish Cherax albidus growth. The aims of this study were to examine the effect of alginate, agar and pectin, on pellet stability in water, and on crayfish growth. The kinetics of water absorption and solute leaching of pellets were measured by immersing quadruplicate samples of the diets in water for 0.5, 2, 4 and 8 h. After the required immersion time, the samples were recovered, freeze-dried for 24 h and re-weighed. Recovered liquid was analyzed by Low Angle Laser Light Scattering Technique, which allowed the monitoring of the released particles in water during immersion. At the same time, the crayfish feeding response to firm pellets was monitored in feeding behavior and growth experiments.
Our results show that pellets had good water stability, were preferred by crayfish and the presence of polysaccharides positively affected crayfish growth. Indeed, animals fed pellets showed a higher percentage of growth when compared to animals fed a fresh diet. In particular, pectin gave the best results, showing better water stability than alginate and agar and causing the best growth performance. Pellets are relatively low cost
and easy to make and they may represent an advantage for those who want to farm crayfish under intensive conditions.
Abstract: The degree of milling of flour of soft wheat is carried out in order to estimate the degree of sifting of the
flourmill. Milling technology affects the percentage of damaged starch that it is one of the factors responsible
for the rheological-qualitative behaviour of flour during bread-making. In this report we have estimated the
distribution of particle dimensions by laser scattering characterised by greater accuracy compared with
traditional sieve systems and the percentage of damaged starch by X-ray diffraction techniques. In particular,
one variety has been split into fractions by sieves and analysed for further information. The results suggest
that there is no clear correlation between the particle size distribution and percentage of damaged starch.
Abstract: The Lesina lagoon is located on the southern Adriatic coast of Italy; many marine species, such as the shrimp M. kerathurus, use the Lesina lagoon as a nursery, spending their initial growth phase there. In order to assess the usefulness of migratory species as biomonitors of the environmental quality of this nursery area, we evaluated the metal content of the M. kerathurus juveniles at the end of their growth phase in the lagoon (October), when they are assumed to have bioaccumulated the maximum level of metals from the lagoon environment. The concentrations of Cr, Cd, Pb, Zn, Mn and Cu were measured in the muscle and exoskeleton of the shrimp, and in the sediments and waters of three areas of the Lesina Lagoon. Both the water and sediment levels of the investigated metals tended to fall within the ranges recorded for other lagoon environments characterized by similar anthropic impact and texturally similar sediment; the juveniles of the shrimp M. kerathurus proved to be strong bioaccumulators of heavy metals such as Zn and Cu (biota-sediment accumulation factors - BSAFs - 6.01 and 25.0 respectively), which derive from agricultural activities; therefore, at the end of their growing phase in the lagoon they can be considered useful biomonitors of metal contamination of agricultural origin in their nursery area.
Abstract: A methodology based on matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry of intact bacterial cells was used for rapid discrimination of 24 bacterial species, and detailed analyses to identify Escherichia coli O157:H7 were carried out. Highly specific mass spectrometric profiles of pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria that are well-known major food contaminants were obtained, uploaded in a specific database, and made available on the Web. In order to standardize the analytical protocol, several experimental, sample preparation, and mass spectrometry parameters that can affect the reproducibility and accuracy of data were evaluated. Our results confirm the conclusion that this strategy is a powerful tool for rapid and accurate identification of bacterial species and that mass spectrometric methodologies could play an essential role in polyphasic approaches to the identification of pathogenic bacteria.
