The interaction effect between vibrations and temperature simulating truck transport on the flavor stability of beer.

BACKGROUND: Beer flavor stability is important to brewers as a result of the increased global demand for beer. Increasing export leads to prolonged periods of transportation and storage and causes fresh flavor deterioration. Therefore, the present study examined the effect of different temperatures in combination with vibrations on beer quality. Beer was exposed to vibrations (50 Hz, 15 m s-2 , simulating transport) at 5, 30 and 45 °C for 22, 38 and 90 h and (for half the samples) aged for 60 days at 30 °C. RESULTS: The results obtained indicated decreased oxygen concentrations as a result of an elevated temperature and vibrations. There was no effect (P > 0.05) on color and a limited effect of temperature and vibrations on iso-α-acids. The parameters temperature and vibrations have a significant influence (P < 0.05) on aldehyde concentrations, namely total aldehydes, and especially '2-methylpropanal', '2-methylbutanal' and 'furfural'. CONCLUSION: The impact of vibrations on the aldehydes concentrations was substantial when subjected to an elevated temperature. Furthermore, a forced aging test of shorter duration than traditional methods might be developed. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Opening the research agenda for selection of hot spots for human biomonitoring research in Belgium: a participatory research project.

BACKGROUND: In order to select priority hotspots for environment and health research in Flanders (Belgium), an open procedure was organized. Environment and health hotspots are strong polluting point sources with possible health effects for residents living in the vicinity of the hot spot. The selection procedure was part of the work of the Flemish Centre of Expertise for Environment and Health, which investigates the relation between environmental pollution and human health. The project is funded and steered by the Flemish government. METHODS: The involvement of other actors than merely experts is inspired by the 'analytical-deliberative' approach of the National Research Council in the United States and the extended peer community approach. These approaches stress the importance of involving different expert- and social perspectives in order to increase the knowledge base on complex issues. In the procedure used in the project a combination of expert and stakeholder input was essential. The final decision was supported by a multi-criteria analysis of expert assessment and stakeholder advice. RESULTS: The endeavour was challenging from the start because of the complicated ambition of including a diversity of actors, potential hotspots, concerns and assessment criteria, but nevertheless the procedure proved its value in both structuring and informing the decision-making process. Moreover the process gained the support of most actors participating in the process, even though the final selection could not satisfy all preferences. CONCLUSIONS: Opening the research agenda exemplifies the value of inter- and transdisciplinary cooperation as well as the need for a well-structured and negotiated procedure that combines relevant factors and actors with pragmatism. The value of such a process also needs to prove itself in practice after the procedure has been completed: the tension between an ambition of openness on the one hand and a more closed attitude amongst experts on the other will continue to play a role even after closure.