Modelling the effect of temperature, water activity and carbon dioxide on the growth of Aspergillus niger and Alternaria alternata isolated from fresh date fruit.

AIMS: To quantify and model the combined effects of temperature (T) (10-40°C), water activity (aw ) (0·993-0·818) and CO2 concentration (9·4-55·1%, v/v) on the growth rate of Aspergillus niger and Alternaria alternata that cause spoilage during the storage and packaging of dates. METHODS AND RESULTS: The effects of environmental factors were studied using the γ-concept. Cardinal models were used to quantify the effect of studied environmental factors on the growth rates. Firstly, the cardinal parameters were estimated independently from experiments carried out on potato dextrose agar using a monofactorial design. Secondly, model performance evaluation was conducted on pasteurized date paste. The boundary between growth and no-growth was predicted using a deterministic approach. Aspergillus niger displayed a faster growth rate and higher tolerance to low aw than Al. alternata, which in turn proved more resistant to CO2 concentration. Minimal cardinal parameters of T and aw were lower than those reported in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of the aw and CO2 effects significantly affected As. niger and Al. alternata growth. The γ-concept model overestimated growth rates, however, it is optimistic and provides somewhat conservative predictions. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The developed model provides a decision support tool for the choice of the date fruit conservation mode (refrigeration, drying, modified atmospheric packaging or their combination) using T, aw and CO2 as environmental factors.

Physiological change in camel milk composition (Camelus dromedarius) 2: physico-chemical composition of colostrum.

Eleven samples of dromedary camel colostrum in Kazakhstan, which originated from one farm only, were collected to study the changes in the physico-chemical composition (total fat, total protein, iodine index, lactose, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin C, urea, ammonia, density, Dornic acidity, pH, and skimmed dry matter) all along the first postpartum week. At that time, the fat matter decreased from 25.9% to 3.1% and protein from 17.2% to 4.2%, in contrast to vitamin C which increased. Minerals showed high variations with lower values the first day after parturition and variable changes up to the end of the week where the values were stabilized. The iron concentration decreased from the second day postpartum. No clear changes of the other parameters were observed, notably for the non-protein nitrogen (urea and ammonia).

Lactoferrin and immunoglobulin contents in camel's milk (Camelus bactrianus, Camelus dromedarius, and Hybrids) from Kazakhstan.

Lactoferrin (Lf) and IgG were estimated in camel's milk from Kazakhstan, where 2 species of camels (Camelus bactrianus, Camelus dromedarius) and their hybrids cohabit. The concentrations of Lf and IgG were determined according to 3 variation factors: region (n = 4), season (n = 4), and species (n = 5; sample 4 was mixed milk and sample 5 was of unknown origin). The mean values in raw camel's milk were 0.229 +/- 0.135 mg/mL for Lf concentration and 0.718 +/- 0.330 mg/mL for IgG concentration. The seasonal effect was the only significant variation factor observed, with the highest values in the spring for Lf and in the winter for IgG. The Lf concentration varied in 1-wk postpartum milk from 1.422 to 0.586 mg/mL. The range in IgG concentration was wide and decreased from 132 to 4.75 mg/mL throughout the 7 d postpartum, with an important drop after parturition. In fermented milk, the lactoproteins are generally hydrolyzed. For milk samples from undefined species, discriminant analyses did not allow the origin of the species to be determined. A slight correlation between Lf and IgG concentrations was observed in raw milk. The values were slightly higher than those reported in cow's milk, but this difference was insufficient to attribute medicinal virtues to camel's milk.

Synthesis and pharmacological properties of 4-piperazino-5-methylthiopyrimidines. Selection of new antiemetic agents.

We have synthetized a series of 22 new 4-piperazinopyrimidines bearing a methylthio substituent in the 5 position of the pyrimidine ring. These compounds have been obtained by separation of the isomers formed during nucleophilic attack of the corresponding 2,4,6-trichloropyrimidine by amines. Pharmacological screening has shown that this chemical series displays a very interesting profile, which includes antiemetic, tranquilizing, analgesic, antiserotonin, and musculotropic-spasmolytic properties. We have particularly selected for clinical investigations two compounds with powerful antiemetic activity: 2-methylamino-4-(N-methylpiperazino)-5-methylthio-6-chloropyrimidine and 2-isopropylamino-4-(H-methylpiperazino)-5-methylthio-6-chloropyrimidine.

Fermentation by Lactobacillus fermentum Ogi E1 of different combinations of carbohydrates occurring naturally in cereals: consequences on growth energetics and alpha-amylase production.

Glucose, fructose, sucrose and starch are naturally present in cereals. Fermentation of different combinations of these carbohydrates by Lactobacillus fermentum Ogi E1, a sourdough heterofermentative lactobacillus, was investigated to determine effects on fermentation kinetics, growth energetics and alpha-amylase production. Irrespective of the substrate combination, the strain was able to simultaneously produce alpha-amylase and consume starch, glucose, fructose and sucrose. In mixtures of starch with either sucrose or fructose or with both fructose and glucose, yields of alpha-amylase from biomass (Y(amy/x)) were similar to those observed for starch. However, for starch and glucose or starch, glucose, fructose and sucrose mixtures, both Y(amy/x) and the specific rate of alpha-amylase production decreased markedly. In fructose- or sucrose-containing mixtures, mannitol was formed stoichiometrically indicating that fructose served as electron acceptor, and acetate was produced at constant yield from biomass (Y(ac/x)) (1 g acetate g biomass(-1)). Acetate production was expected to confer to the strain a competitive advantage during natural fermentation by improving biomass formation and growth through an increase in the ATP gain. Y(ATP) varied depending on the carbohydrate mixture, indicating different effects of substrate mixtures on the efficiency in ATP coupling to biomass formation. Compared to starch fermentation, the highest value of Y(ATP) (29 g biomass mol ATP(-1)) was estimated for the starch/fructose mixture but no increase in mu(max) was observed. The lowest value (16 g biomass mol ATP(-1)) was obtained for the starch, glucose and fructose mixture, whereas for the mixture of all carbohydrates, Y(ATP) was similar to that obtained with starch alone (20 g biomass mol ATP(-1)) and it was intermediary for the starch and sucrose mixture (17 g biomass mol ATP(-1)). It is concluded that competitiveness of the strain cannot be based on expected energy gain in mixed substrate fermentation involving fructose and sucrose with glucose and starch, but rather on its ability to simultaneously use carbohydrates while producing alpha-amylase and to produce acetic acid. Acetic acid production could enhance the strain capacity to inhibit nonacid-tolerant, competitive microflora at the earlier stage of natural fermentation.

Study of starch fermentation at low pH by Lactobacillus fermentum Ogi E1 reveals uncoupling between growth and alpha-amylase production at pH 4.0.

Lactobacillus fermentum Ogi E1 is an amylolytic heterofermentative lactic acid bacterium previously isolated from ogi, a Benin maize sourdough. In the present study, the effect of different pH between 3.5 and 6.0 on starch fermentation products and alpha-amylase production was investigated. Whereas a pH of 5.0 was optimum for specific growth rate and lactic acid production, growth was only slightly affected at suboptimal pH of 4.0 and 6.0. Over a pH range of 6.0 to 3.5, yields of product formation from substrate and of biomass relative to ATP were constant. These results showed that L. fermentum Ogi E1 was particularly acid tolerant, and well adapted to the acid conditions that develop during natural fermentation of cereal doughs. This acid tolerance may partly explain the dominance of L. fermentum in various traditional African sourdoughs. Surprisingly, alpha-amylase production, unlike growth, dropped dramatically when the strain was cultivated at pH 4.0 with starch. With maltose as substrate, the yield of alpha-amylase relative to biomass remained unchanged at pH 4.0 and 5.0, unlike that observed with starch. Based on the distribution of enzyme activity between extra- and intracellular fractions and fermentation kinetics, it appears that starch was first hydrolyzed into dextrins by alpha-amylase activity, and maltose was produced from dextrins by extracellular enzyme activity, transferred into the cell and then hydrolyzed into glucose by intracellular alpha-glucosidase.

On the metabolism of clofibride, a hypolipaemic drug.

The absorption and metabolism of clofibride, a new hypolipaemic drug of p-chlorophenoxyisobutyric type, were investigated in the CD rat, the beagle and the olive baboon monkey. Clofibride is rapidly and massively resorbed and hydrolysed into 4-chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid (CPIB) and 4-hydroxy-N-dimethylbutyramide (HMB). CPIB, in free and glucuroconjugated form, and its metabolite, 4-chlorophenol, in the form of the glucuronate ether, are found in the serum of the rat. HMB is rapidly metabolized. The half-life of CPIB, the main active metabolite, in the serum is about 12 h in the rat, 43 +/- 9 h in the dog and 6 +/- 1 h in the baboon. In the rat, peak hypocholesterolaemic activity occurs late--24 h after administration of the drug and 20 h after peak concentration of CPIB in the blood. The half-life of 4-chlorophenol glucuronate ether in the serum is about 4 h whereas that of HMB is about 3 h. In the rat, the elimination of clofibride takes place mainly via the urine since 70% of the dose administered is found in the form of free or conjugated CPIB, 10% in the form of HMB or one of its metabolites, in 48 h samples of urine. Over the same period, faecal elimination accounts for no more than 2% of the dose ingested. In addition, in this species, the CPIB, 30% of which is secreted via the biliary route without being eliminated in the faeces, undergoes an enterohepatic circulation.

Nutritional requirements and simplified cultivation medium to study growth and energetics of a sourdough lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus fermentum Ogi E1 during heterolactic fermentation of starch.

AIMS: Nutritional requirements of Lactobacillus fermentum Ogi E1 were studied in order to define a simplified fermentation medium. METHODS AND RESULTS: When grown with MRS-medium in 2l bioreactors, a biphasic pattern of growth and metabolite production was observed. Study of nutritional requirements resulted in a simplified medium (SYAM) that allowed, under anaerobiosis, similar results to be obtained as in MRS medium, but without biphasic fermentation kinetics. The best substrates for both growth and amylase production were starch and maltose. Although melibiose, raffinose, fructose, sucrose and glucose also supported growth, lower amylase activity was observed. CONCLUSION: The physiology of the strain can be investigated with SYAM medium, using either starch or maltose as substrate. The strain also presented potential for alpha-galactoside fermentation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Lactobacillus fermentum was one of the dominant bacteria of African maize dough fermentations. Amylolytic strains with activity against other compounds (i.e. raffinose) suggested a potential to be used as starter for cereal fermentation.

Gastrointestinal prokinetic and antiemetic effects of a new substituted pyrimidinO 6553 (2-methylamino-4-N-methylpiperazino-5-thiomethyl-6-chloropyrimidine hydrochloride).

2-Methylamino-4-N-methylpiperazino-5-methylthio-6-chloropyrimidine hydrochloride (O 6553) is a new molecule showing an original pharmacological profile in the laboratory tests. It possesses at the same time potent gastro-intestinal prokinetic and central antiemetic properties, demonstrated on the one hand by the gastro-duodenal transit of barium meal in rats, and on the other hand by apomorphine-induced vomiting in dogs. The drug also has interesting anxiolytic and antiserotonin properties and, at doses which change gastro-intestinal behaviour, it is devoid of any untoward side effect. The acute and subacute toxicities of O 6553 show that the drug has a very good safety margin.