An exometabolomics approach to monitoring microbial contamination in microalgal fermentation processes by using metabolic footprint analysis.

The early detection of microbial contamination is crucial to avoid process failure and costly delays in fermentation industries. However, traditional detection methods such as plate counting and microscopy are labor-intensive, insensitive, and time-consuming. Modern techniques that can detect microbial contamination rapidly and cost-effectively are therefore sought. In the present study, we propose gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based metabolic footprint analysis as a rapid and reliable method for the detection of microbial contamination in fermentation processes. Our metabolic footprint analysis detected statistically significant differences in metabolite profiles of axenic and contaminated batch cultures of microalgae as early as 3 h after contamination was introduced, while classical detection methods could detect contamination only after 24 h. The data were analyzed by discriminant function analysis and were validated by leave-one-out cross-validation. We obtained a 97% success rate in correctly classifying samples coming from contaminated or axenic cultures. Therefore, metabolic footprint analysis combined with discriminant function analysis presents a rapid and cost-effective approach to monitor microbial contamination in industrial fermentation processes.

Evaluating potential risks of food allergy of novel food sources based on comparison of proteins predicted from genomes and compared to www.AllergenOnline.org.

Potential proteins from three novel food sources (Chlorella variabilis, Galdieria sulphuraria, and Fusarium strain flavolapis) were predicted from genomic sequences and were evaluated for potential risks of allergic cross-reactivity by comparing the predicted amino acid sequences against the allergens in the www.AllergenOnline.org (AOL) database. The preliminary analysis used CODEX Alimentarius limits of >35% identity over 80 amino acids to evaluate the predicted proteins which include many evolutionarily conserved proteins. Regulators might expect clinical serum IgE tests based on identity matches above the criteria if the proteins were introduced in genetically engineered crops. Some regulators have the same expectations for proteins in novel foods. To address the inequality of extensively conserved sequences, we compared the predicted proteins from curated genomes of 23 highly diverse allergenic species from animals, plants and arthropods as well as humans to AOL sequences and compiled identities. Identity matches greater than CODEX limits (>35% ID over 80 AA) are common for many proteins that are conserved through extensive evolution but are not predictive of published allergy risks based on observed taxonomic cross-reactivity. Therefore, we recommend changes in the allergen databases or methods of identifying matches for risk evaluation of new food sources. Our results provide critical data for redefining allergens in AOL or for providing guidance on more predictive sequence identity matches for risk assessment of possible risks of food allergy.

Illness monitoring in team sports using a Web-based training diary.

OBJECTIVE: Use of Web-based data recording systems has received little attention in sport. An "online" training diary could provide a valuable alternative to pen-paper methods in the regular assessment of physical activity and illness occurrence in athletes. The objective of this study was to design and implement a user-friendly and efficient system to monitor incidences of illness in team sport athletes. DESIGN: Prospective monitoring study over a 48-week rugby season. Players were asked to register presence/absence of weekly illness symptoms with medical staff and also use an online training diary. Submitted self-reported diary illness data were compared with illness complaint data recorded by medical staff. Diary response rates were calculated from the number of completed diary entries against the number of available/required entries over the season. SETTING: Web-based training diary. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty professional rugby union players. INTERVENTION: Comparison of gastrointestinal and upper respiratory illnesses (URIs) reported by players using an online diary and to medical staff. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidences of URIs. RESULTS: The diary response rate in the reporting of weekly illnesses was 79% over the study period. Discrepancy existed between the number of self-reported URIs by players using the diary (118 URI incidences) compared with those reported to medical staff (23 URI incidences). Totaling all URI episodes (those self-reported + those registered by medical staff) revealed that players reported just 19% of URI episodes to medical staff. CONCLUSIONS: Players tend to underreport incidences of banal infections. Closer monitoring of self-reported illnesses using a similar system in the present study may provide a better alternative to previous methods in nonclinical illness assessment.

Effects of gluteal kinesio-taping on performance with respect to fatigue in rugby players.

Kinesio-tape(®) has been suggested to increase blood circulation and lymph flow and might influence the muscle's ability to maintain strength during fatigue. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of gluteal Kinesio-tape(®) on lower limb muscle strength in non-fatigued and fatigued conditions. A total of 10 male rugby union players performed 20-m sprint and vertical jump tests before and after a rugby-specific fatigue protocol. The 20-m sprint time was collected using light gates (SMARTSPEED). A 9-camera motion analysis system (VICON, 100 Hz) and a force plate (Kistler, 1000 Hz) measured the kinematics and kinetics during a counter movement jump and drop-jump. The effect of tape and fatigue on jump height, maximal vertical ground reaction force, reactivity strength index as well as lower limb joint work were analysed via a two-way analysis of variance. The fatigue protocol resulted in significantly decreased performance of sprint time, jump heights and alterations in joint work. No statistical differences were found between the taped and un-taped conditions in non-fatigued and fatigued situation as well as in the interaction with fatigue. Therefore, taping the gluteal muscle does not influence the leg explosive strength after fatiguing in healthy rugby players.

Mucosal immunity and illness incidence in elite rugby union players across a season.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between upper respiratory illness (URI) incidence with changes in mucosal immunity (saliva immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) and saliva lysozyme (s-Lys)) and training load (TL) in a squad of elite rugby union players. METHODS: Timed resting morning saliva samples were taken from players (n = 31) at preselected time points for 11 months. Weekly illness rates and TL were assessed using a Web-based diary and from medical/coaching staff reports. RESULTS: No significant correlation was found between absolute s-IgA or s-Lys concentrations and URI incidence. Peaks in URI (December and March) were preceded by periods of increased training intensity and reduced game activity. In 23% of all URI episodes, players reported that presence of an illness either reduced activity (14.4%) or felt the need to go to bed (8.6%). When s-IgA concentration was expressed relative to that when in a URI-free state, a 15% reduction (P = 0.08) was observed in individuals who had present URI symptoms. Decreases in absolute s-IgA (December) and s-Lys (November and February) concentrations were associated with a corresponding increase in saliva cortisol (P < 0.05). Lower s-IgA (P < 0.05) and s-Lys concentrations were consistently observed in backs than forwards, whereas URI incidence also differed for player position (3.4 forwards vs 4.3 backs). CONCLUSIONS: Regular monitoring of s-IgA and s-Lys may be useful in the assessment of exercise stress and URI risk status in elite team sport athletes. A combination of alterations in training intensity and seasonal influence is a likely contributor to observed peaks in URI incidence. It is probable that stress-induced increases in cortisol release contribute to reductions in mucosal immunity, which, when lowered, predispose rugby players to increased risk of illness.