[Extraction and purification of glycomacropeptide from whey to be used as a source of protein for phenylketonuria patients]

Phenylketonuria [PKU] is a genetic disease. Patients suffering from PKU must adhere to a lifelong low-phenylalanine diet. Glycomacropeptide [GMP] is a unique source of protein for PKU patients, because it contains no phenylalanine. The objective of this study was to extract GMP from whey and purify it in order to obtain a product with a minimum phenylalanine content. The ultrafiltration membrane technology was used to separate GMP from the whey protein concentrate solution at different pH values. Two ultrafilteration disc membranes with 50 and 10 kDa cut-off were used to extract glycomacropeptide from a solution of whey protein concentrtae [10% protein w/v].The experiments in triplicates were performed at the ambient temperature [25 +/- 2 °C] and a pH of 3.5, 4 or 4.5. The diafilteration technique was used for purification of glycomacropeptide in both ultrafilteration phases; the protein, phenylalanine, and non-protein nitrogen [NPN] contents were measured. The phenylalanine and NPN contents of the ultrafiltered whey at a pH of 4 were at the lowest and highest level, respectively, indicating the high purity and recovery rate of glycomacropeptide. Sweet whey, the major type of whey produced in the country, is the best alternative available for producing a new food source for phenylketonuria patients

Effect of arsenic on neural tube in mouse embryo and relation to reduced folate carrier [RFC-1]

Arsenic is an important environmental toxicant which is usually found in drinking water in inorganic form

The hypothesis tested in this investigation is; arsenic exposure causes neural tube defects [NTDs] and these defects of the central nervous system are more likely related to folate deficiency during fetal life. In this study, sodium arsenate was administered via intraperitoneal route at a rate of 40 mg/kg body weight on the 6th day of gestation to every individual of 20 mated Albino mice. On the 8th [E8], 10th [E10], 16th [E16] and 19th [E19] days of the gestation, the pregnant mice in control and experimental groups were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. All embryos belonging to [E16] and [E19] were examined for external morphological neural tube defects. Histological staining techniques were haematoxylin and eosin and the immunofluorescence staining was also implemented. It was observed that, the intraperitoneal injection of sodium arsenate caused a number of morphological neural tube defects including; open fourth ventricle, exencephally, myelomeningocele and anencephaly. Difference in control and experimental specimens was significant [P<0.001] on the [E16] group. The histomorphologic changes of neural tube were significant in all of the experimental groups in comparison to the controls. Immunofluorescence study revealed reduced folate carrier [RFC-1] protein reduction in neural tissue, and these results demonstrate that the association between prenatal exposure to inorganic arsenic and NTDs is more likely related to a defect in reduced folate carrier protein?

[Application of edible coatings incorporated avishan-e shirazi [zataria multiflora] alcoholic extract for inhibition of aspergillus flavus growth on the pistachio kernel]

Antimicrobial packaging is a form of active packaging that could extend the shelf-life of foods and provides microbial safety for consumers. In order to control undesirable microorganisms on food surfaces, volatile and non-volatile antimicrobial agents can be incorporated into polymers. Incorporation of essential oils and other antifungal agents in edible films composition is an antimicrobial packaging that able to inhibit fungal growth on the pistachio and aflatoxins production. The antifungal activity of Avishan-e Shirazi [Zataria multifora] extracts against Aspergillus flavus in whey protein concentrate-based coating on pistachio kernels was investigated. The antifungal effect of Avishan-e Shirazi extracts was investigated in culture media by direct method [cup plate method] and application of whey protein concentrate [WPC] films as discs [disc deffusion method] incorporated with different concentrations of extracts. In order to evaluate the antifungal effect of extract in pistachio kernels coated with different concentrations of extract inoculated with a culture media discs contain 9-day-old growing A. flavus colony and the growth rate of inoculated discs were measured during 1 week. In experimental condition, minimal inhibition concentration was achieved by 90ppm of ahcoholic extract [30 percent concentration]. The results also showed that WPC coating incorporated with 2500ppm of Zataria multiflora extracts on pistachio kernels inhibited A. flavus growth totally. Regarding to application of importance of contamination with toxigenic fungi in pistachio kernel is suggested the application of Avishan-e Shirazi extract incorporated in edible coatings for toxigenic fungi growth and toxin production in foods