Tasting of traditional Polish fermented cucumbers: Microbiology, morpho-textural features, and volatilome.

In the present study, naturally fermented and unpasteurized cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) collected from 4 producers located in different regions of Poland were studied. The fermented cucumbers were characterized by significant nutritional features in terms of polyphenols content and antioxidant activity. Microbiological analyses revealed active bacterial populations of lactococci, thermophilic cocci, lactobacilli, and coagulase-negative cocci. The microbiological characterization of cucumber and brine samples through metataxonomic analysis allowed the dominant species to be detected, being Lactococcus and Streptococcus in cucumbers, and Lactiplantibacillus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus, Secundilactobacillus, and Lentilactobacillus in brine. The isolation activity offered a clear picture of the main active lactic acid bacteria at the end of fermentation, being Pediococcus parvulus and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum group. All the studied isolates showed a good attitude in fermenting a cucumber-based broth, thus suggesting their potential application as starter or adjunct cultures for guided cucumber fermentation. Moreover, for the same isolates, strong aminopeptidase activity (due to leucine arylamidase and valine arylamidase) was observed, with potential effect on the definition of the final sensory traits of the product. Only a few isolates showed the ability to produce exopolysaccharides in synthetic medium. Of note, the presence of the hdcA gene in some Pediococcus ethanolidurans isolates also confirmed the need for a thorough characterization of starter candidates to avoid undesired adverse effects on consumer's health. No isolate showed the production of bacteriocins against Listeria innocua used as surrogate for Listeria monocytogenes. Based on the results of Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry analysis, a rich and complex volatilome, composed by more than 80 VOCs, was recognized and characterized. In more detail, the detected compounds belonged to 9 main classes, being oxygenated terpenes, alcohols, terpenes, ketones, acids, aldehydes, esters, sulfur, and sesquiterpenes.

Liquid sourdough from stone-ground soft wheat (Triticum aestivum) flour: Development and exploitation in the breadmaking process.

The aim of the study was to set up a liquid sourdough obtained using stone-ground soft wheat (Triticum aestivum) flour to be exploited in breadmaking. Therefore, a Type II sourdough (dough yield = 350) was developed from a stable stone-ground wheat Type I sourdough (dough yield = 156) used as inoculum. Both sourdoughs were analyzed for lactic acid bacteria (LAB) viable counts, pH and total titratable acidity (TTA), LAB biodiversity by a combined culture-dependent and -independent approach (PCR-DGGE) and they were tested for their breadmaking ability. In addition, the chemical and rheological features and volatile organic compounds of the stone-ground soft wheat flour used in the experiment were investigated. The flour had a high protein content, good bakery properties and it also presented a rich aroma pattern characterized not only by the prevalence of green grass, flowery, and sweet aromas but also nutty, roasted and popcorn aromas. The sourdoughs I and II used in the trial were characterized by viable LAB counts, pH and TTA values typical of mature sourdoughs, i.e., approximately 9 log cfu gr-1 and mL, pH 3.9 and 10 mL 0.1 N NaOH. In addition, Levilactobacillus brevis and Companilactobacillus paralimentarius species represented the LAB stable microbiota of both sourdoughs. Both sourdoughs efficiently produce acceptable experimental breads characterized by different volatile profiles thus indicating that the type of sourdough fermentation significantly influenced the features of the final products. Overall, for the first time in the present study stone-ground wheat flour and bread have been characterized for their volatile aroma profile and sensory properties.

Dietary Supplementation with Fish Oil or Conjugated Linoleic Acid Relieves Depression Markers in Mice by Modulation of the Nrf2 Pathway.

Inflammation and oxidative stress play an important role in the pathogenesis of depressive disorders and nuclear erythroid related factor 2 (Nrf2), a regulator of RedOx homeostasis and inflammation, is a promising target for depression prevention/treatment. As fish oil (FO) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) are known Nrf2 inducers, their protective ability is comparatively evaluated in a murine model of depression (MRL/MpJ-Faslpr ). Oxidative stress, fatty acids content, and critical factors reflecting brain functioning-namely brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), synaptic markers, and cholinergic signaling-are preliminarily evaluated in the frontal cortex of 8-week (Young) and in 22-week old animals (Old), which are used as model of depression. These markers are measured in Old mice at the end of a 5-week pretreatment with FO or CLA (728 or 650 mg kg-1 , respectively). Old mice exhibit disrupted Redox homeostasis, compensatory Nrf2 hyperactivation, lower docosaheaxaenoic acid (DHA), and lower BDNF and synaptic function proteins compared to Young mice. FO and CLA treatment relieves almost all the pathophysiological hallmarks at a level comparable to Young mice. Presented data provide the first evidence for the comparable efficacy of FO or CLA supplementation in preventing depression signs in Old MRL/lpr mice, likely through their ability of improving Nrf2-mediated antioxidant defenses.

Physico-chemical properties and fatty acid composition of pomegranate, cherry and pumpkin seed oils.

BACKGROUND: Nut and seed oils are often considered waste products but in recent years they have been receiving growing interest due to their high concentration of hydrophilic and lipophilic bioactive components, which have important pharmacological properties on human health. The aim of this work was to compare the physico-chemical and biochemical properties of pomegranate (Punicagranatum), sweet cherry (Prunusavium) and pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seed oils obtained by solvent extraction. RESULTS: High amount of linoleic acid was found in the cherry and pumpkin seed oils, while pomegranate seed oil showed relevant content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) along to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and nervonic acid. Pumpkin seed oil had high concentration of carotenoids, while pomegranate oil was the best absorber in the UV-A and UV-B ranges. CONCLUSION: Pomegranate, cherry and pumpkin seed oils can be an excellent source of bioactive molecules and antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids and unsaturated fatty acids. These seed oils can be included both as preservatives and functional ingredients in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields and can contribute to disease prevention and health promotion. Moreover, high absorbance of UV light indicates a potential use of these oils as filters from radiations in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic fields.

Use of solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for determination of urinary volatile organic compounds in autistic children compared with healthy controls.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders which have a severe life-long effect on behavior and social functioning, and which are associated with metabolic abnormalities. Their diagnosis is on the basis of behavioral and developmental signs usually detected before three years of age, and there is no reliable biological marker. The objective of this study was to establish the volatile urinary metabolomic profiles of 24 autistic children and 21 healthy children (control group) to investigate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as potential biomarkers for ASDs. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) using DVB/CAR/PDMS sorbent coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to obtain the metabolomic information patterns. Urine samples were analyzed under both acid and alkaline pH, to profile a range of urinary components with different physicochemical properties. Multivariate statistics techniques were applied to bioanalytical data to visualize clusters of cases and to detect the VOCs able to differentiate autistic patients from healthy children. In particular, orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) achieved very good separation between autistic and control groups under both acidic and alkaline pH, identifying discriminating metabolites. Among these, 3-methyl-cyclopentanone, 3-methyl-butanal, 2-methyl-butanal, and hexane under acid conditions, and 2-methyl-pyrazine, 2,3-dimethyl-pyrazine, and isoxazolo under alkaline pH had statistically higher levels in urine samples from autistic children than from the control group. Further investigation with a higher number of patients should be performed to outline the metabolic origins of these variables, define a possible association with ASDs, and verify the usefulness of these variables for early-stage diagnosis.

Survey of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-furans (PCDFs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and mineral components in Italian citrus cold-pressed essential oils.

Investigation of PCDDs, PCDFs, PCBs, Al, As, Pb, Ba, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Cd, Ag, Sn, Zn, and Hg contents in 60 samples of cold-pressed essential oils produced in Calabria and Sicily in 2003-2005 was carried out. PCDDs, PCDFs, and PCBs were analyzed by HRGC-HRMS techniques using U.S. EPA 1613/94 and U.S. EPA 1668/A (1999) analytical methods. Mineral components were determined through GFAAS techniques; Hg content was determined by FI-M/H-AAS. The results of this study showed that essential oil contamination was due to a widespread pollution, typical background of rural areas, with relatively higher concentrations of PCDDs compared to PCDFs and little presence of PeCDF. Congeners OCDD, HpCDF, and OCDF were found at high concentrations. Regarding mineral components, mean values of Cr, Fe, and Ni were in agreement with data reported in the literature. Concentrations of As and Pb were below the maximum limits accepted by the current legislation. Finally, none of the samples analyzed were contaminated with Hg.