Characterization of Pot Ale from a Scottish Malt Whisky Distillery and Potential Applications.

Over 2.7 billion liters of pot ale is produced annually as a co-product of Scottish malt whisky, and apart from evaporation to pot ale syrup as a feed, it is primarily treated by anaerobic digestion or land/sea disposal. The aim of this study was to assess pot ale components and their potential applications. The insoluble solid fraction, mainly consisting of yeast, contained 55% protein, and as a protein feed ingredient, this could yield 32,400 tons of feed per annum, although the Cu content of this fraction would need to be monitored. The liquid fraction could yield 33,900 tons of protein per annum, and an SDS-PAGE profile of this fraction demonstrated that the proteins may be similar to those found in beer, which could extend their application as a food ingredient. This fraction also contained phosphorus, potassium, and polyphenols among other components, which could have added value. Overall, fractionation of pot ale could offer an alternative to evaporation to pot ale syrup while retaining the protein fraction in the food chain.

Short-term spontaneous fluctuations of HBV DNA levels in a Senegalese population with chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the short-term spontaneous fluctuations of HBV DNA and HBsAg levels in Senegalese patients with chronic infection with hepatitis B virus and normal ALT and determined factors related to these fluctuations. METHOD: A total of 87 patients with persistent normal ALT values were enrolled in the study. Serum samples were obtained at three different visits, with an interval of 2 months (M0, M2, and M4), and without initiating anti HBV treatment. Levels of HBV DNA, quantitative HBsAg, ALT and AST, genotyping and viral DNA mutations were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 87 patients, genotype E was predominant (75%). The median HBV DNA level was 2.9 log10 IU/mL [2.2-3.4], 2.7 log10 IU/mL [2.1-3.6] and 2.7 log10 IU/mL [2.1-3.4] at M0, M2 and M4, respectively. The values ranged from <1.1 to 7 log10 IU/mL and 55 (63%) had HBV DNA fluctuations≥0.5 log10 IU/mL between two visits. Patients in whom HBV DNA fluctuated ≥0.5 log10 IU/mL between M0 and M2 also had significant fluctuations between M2 and M4, while patients with stable HBV DNA between M0 and M2 showed a stable viral load between M2 and M4. The only factor found to be associated with HBV DNA fluctuations≥0.5 log10 IU/mL was a low BMI (<21 kg/ m2). HBsAg levels were not correlated with HBV DNA levels. CONCLUSION: Sixty-three percent of the enrolled Senegalese population showed a large, short-term fluctuation of HBV DNA levels. Such fluctuations may have an impact on therapeutic management, requiring closer monitoring.

Liver stiffness measurement and biochemical markers in Senegalese chronic hepatitis B patients with normal ALT and high viral load.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Despite the high prevalence of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in Africa, few studies have been performed among African patients. We sought to evaluate liver stiffness measurement by FibroScan® (LSM) and two biochemical scores (FibroTest®, Fibrometer®) to diagnose liver fibrosis in Senegalese CHB patients with HBV plasma DNA load ≥3.2 log(10) IU/mL and normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values. METHODS: LSM and liver fibrosis biochemical markers were performed on 225 consecutive HBV infected Senegalese patients with high viral load. Patients with an LSM range between 7 and 13 kPa underwent liver biopsy (LB). Two experienced liver pathologists performed histological grading using Metavir and Ishak scoring. RESULTS: 225 patients were evaluated (84% male) and LB was performed in 69 patients, showing F2 and F3 fibrosis in 17% and 10% respectively. In these patients with a 7-13 kPa range of LSM, accuracy for diagnosis of significant fibrosis according to LB was unsatisfactory for all non-invasive markers with AUROCs below 0.70. For patients with LSM values below 7 kPa, FibroTest® (FT), and Fibrometer® (FM) using the cut-offs recommended by the test promoters suggested a fibrosis in 18% of cases for FT (8% severe fibrosis) and 8% for FM. For patients with LSM values greater than 13 kPa, FT, FM suggested a possible fibrosis in 73% and 70%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In highly replicative HBV-infected African patients with normal ALT and LSM value below 13 kPa, FibroScan®, FibroTest® or Fibrometer® were unsuitable to predict the histological liver status of fibrosis.