Biochemical and Utralmicroscopic Evaluation of Myofibril Proteins and Collagen during Ageing in Broiler Chicken PSE (Pale, Sof, Exudative) Meat

Abstract The aim of this work was to study the myofibril proteins and collagen fraction changes in broiler chickens PSE (pale, soft, exudative) meat during ageing and their relationship to meat quality. The results presented an increase of myofibril proteins and collagen solubility promoted by the enhanced proteases activities during storage. Ultramicroscopically, the PSE meat samples revealed intracellularly a sarcomere super contraction and lacunas within the A and I bands while Z-lines appeared very dense and fragmented in comparison to normal samples. This observation was noticed already at 4h storage while extracellularly collagen fibrils decreased visually within the endomysium only after 24h of conditioning. These results influenced the quality as the PSE meat presented better functional properties at the first hours of conditioning before further proteins degradation by proteases. Thereafter, at the later ageing stage a further disintegration of the abnormal meat structure would affect the meat functional properties.

Vitamin K: content in food consumed in São Paulo, Brazil

ABSTRACT Recent research on Vitamin K has shown its importance in maintaining vascular and bone health. Brazilian food composition tables do not show phylloquinone content in national foods. These data are needed to obtain more reliable results in nutritional status assessment studies of individuals in relation to this vitamin as studies have shown a geographical influence in food phylloquinone content. This study aims to determine phylloquinone (Vitamin K1) levels in its most important source: dark green leaved vegetables. Several varieties of vegetables were purchased directly from CEAGESP (General Warehouse Company of São Paulo) at different times. Phylloquinone was extracted using organic solvents and quantified by High Performance Liquid Chromatography - HPLC. Results show the concentrations of phylloquinone in commonly consumed foodstuffs. In general, results showed variations with data from literature on the amount of Vitamin K in the plants analysed.

Quality of aged shoulder from lambs fed with different oldman saltbush hay levels (Atriplex nummularia) / Qualidade da paleta maturada de cordeiros alimentados com diferentes níveis de feno de erva-sal (Atriplex nummularia)

This study assessed the effects of different levels of oldman saltbush hay and ageing time on the physical characteristics of Santa Inês lamb meat. Sixty shoulders from 32 male lambs fed with 30, 40, 50 or 60% oldman saltbush hay for 60 days were vacuum-packaged and stored in a refrigerator at 0 ± 1°C for 0, 7 or 14 days of ageing. The shear force, cooking loss and water holding capacity were 3.06kgf cm-2, 37.28% and 76.71%, respectively, and there were no significant changed by studied factors (P>0.05).

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o efeito da inclusão de diferentes níveis de feno de erva-sal e tempo de maturação sobre as características físicas da carne de cordeiros Santa Inês. Sessenta paletas apartir de 32 cordeiros machos, alimentados com 30, 40, 50 e 60% de feno de erva-sal por 60 dias foram embaladas a vácuo e mantidas sob refrigeração a 0±1oC por 0, 7 e 14 dias de maturação. A força de cisalhamento, perda por cocção e capacidade de retenção de água não foram influenciados (P>0,05) pelos fatores estudados, apresentando valores médios de 3,06kgf cm-2, 37,28% e 76,71%, respectivamente.

Teores de vitamina K em hortaliças consumidas na cidade de São Paulo / Levels of vitamin K in vegetables consumed in the city of São Paulo

Estudos sobre a vitamina K têm evidenciado seu papel na manutenção da saúde óssea e vascular. A atuação desta vitamina em tecidos extra-hepáticos não é considerada na recomendação dietética da DRI de 2001, sendo reconhecidas necessidades maiores para função óssea em pessoas acima dos 60 anos e em indivíduos que fazem uso de medicamentos antivitamina K. Visando colaborar com pesquisas futuras, onde o conhecimento do teor de vitamina K1 é relevante, além de contribuir com dados para Tabela Brasileira de Composição de Alimentos - TBCA-USP, o presente trabalho foi conduzido para determinação do teor de filoquinona (vitamina K1) de hortaliças consumidas na cidade de São Paulo. As hortaliças analisadas foram escolhidas após a conclusão de um inquérito alimentar realizado, com adultos e idosos, num projeto de pesquisa desenvolvido junto ao Departamento de Alimentos e Nutrição Experimental da FCF/USP visando a análise da ingestão diária de vitamina K. Desta forma, foram analisadas as hortaliças mais consumidas por esses grupos, submetidas ou não ao processo de cocção. Estas amostras foram adquiridas diretamente na CEAGESP - Companhia de Entrepostos e Armazéns Gerais de São Paulo. As metodologias empregadas na determinação da filoquinona (vitamina K1) foram extração e purificação pelo método líquido-líquido utilizando solventes orgânicos e quantificação através da Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE). Os resultados mostraram que as amostras de hortaliças de colorações verdes mais escuras apresentaram os maiores teores da vitamina como: salsa 491,05 µg/100g; espinafre 375,01 µg/100g, quando comparados com as amostras de colorações verdes mais claras as quais como é o caso da alface americana 113,42 µg/100g e a couve-flor 32,55 µg/100g. A maioria das hortaliças analisadas apresentaram variações entre as diferentes épocas do ano e quando comparadas com dados da literatura

Studies on vitamin K have shown its role in maintaining bone and vascular health. The role of this vitamin in extrahepatic tissues is not considered in the dietary recommendation of DRI 2001. Increased need for vitamin K intake is recognized for the bone function in people over age 60 and individuals who use anti-vitamin K drugs. Aiming at supporting future research, where knowledge of vitamin K1 is relevant, and contribute data to the Brazilian Table of Food Composition - TBCA-USP, this study was conducted to determine the level of phylloquinone (vitamin K1) of vegetables consumed in the city of São Paulo. The vegetables studied were chosen after completion of a nutrition survey carried out with adults and elderly people, a research project developed by the Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition FCF / USP aimed at analyzing the daily intake of vitamin K. Therefore, we analyzed the most consumed vegetables by these groups submitted or not to the cooking process. These samples were acquired directly at CEAGESP - General Warehouses Company of São Paulo. The methodologies employed in the determination of phylloquinone (vitamin K1) were extraction and purification method using liquid-liquid organic solvents followed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that the samples of darker green vegetables showed the highest levels of vitamin such as parsley (491.05 µg/100g) and spinach (375.01 µg/100g), when compared with samples of lighter coloration (e.g. 113.42 µg/100g lettuce, and 32.55 µg/100g cauliflower). Most vegetables analyzed showed variation in results when compared to the different seasons and the literature data

Folate intake and food sources in Japanese female dietitians

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess intake of folate/folic acid and food sources in Japanese female dietitians.</p><p><b>SUBJECTS AND METHODS</b>We evaluated folate consumption based on four season 7 consecutive day weighed diet records (WDRs) provided by 80 Japanese female dietitians and compared the results with data from a national survey. We then selected informative foods for folate intake on the basis of 2,240 WDRs according to contribution and multiple regression analyses.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Daily folate consumption (mean±SD) among Japanese dietitians was 413±158 μg from raw foods and 343±128 μg from cooked foods. Average residual rate after cooking was 84±8%. Folate intake in summer was lower than that in other seasons by analysis of variance. According to contribution and multiple regression analyses, the major contributors were vegetables, fruit and green tea.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Daily folate intake among Japanese female dietitians was far greater than the 200 μg recommended daily allowance for the Japanese. Irrespective of selection methods and raw/cooked foods, major folate sources were found to be green tea along with vegetables and fruit.</p>

Folate Intake and Food Sources in Japanese Female Dietitians

Objective: To assess intake of folate/folic acid and food sources in Japanese female dietitians. Subjects and Methods: We evaluated folate consumption based on four season 7 consecutive day weighed diet records (WDRs) provided by 80 Japanese female dietitians and compared the results with data from a national survey. We then selected informative foods for folate intake on the basis of 2,240 WDRs according to contribution and multiple regression analyses. Results: Daily folate consumption (mean±SD) among Japanese dietitians was 413±158 μg from raw foods and 343±128 μg from cooked foods. Average residual rate after cooking was 84±8%. Folate intake in summer was lower than that in other seasons by analysis of variance. According to contribution and multiple regression analyses, the major contributors were vegetables, fruit and green tea. Conclusions: Daily folate intake among Japanese female dietitians was far greater than the 200 μg recommended daily allowance for the Japanese. Irrespective of selection methods and raw/cooked foods, major folate sources were found to be green tea along with vegetables and fruit.