[Effects of barley beta -glucan on some rheological properties of wheat flour]

In the recent years, hydrocolloids have been the subject of much investigation as functional foods. In the present study beta-glucan was acid-extracted from barley and its effects on some rheological properties of wheat flour were investigated. Beta-glucanwas extracted from whole barley flour by the acid-extraction method. The total beta-glucan content of the extracted gum was determined using the Megazyme assay kit. The beta-glucan gum obtained was added to 3 samples of wheat flour, namley Nol, Setareh, and their Mix [50:50] flours at a level of 0.0%, 0.5%, or 1%. Doughs wer prepared from the what flour samples and theirrheological properties investigated. The SPSS software was used for data analysis. A completely randomized design was used for the experiment, the means being compared using the LSD test. The rheological behavior of beta-glucan-enriched doughs depended on flour quality and beta-glucan concentration. All the farinographic characteristics, specially water absorption, improved with increasing beta -glucan concentration. Extensograph results also showed that resistance to extension and extensibility increased with increasing beta -glucan concentration. The mix flour with 1% beta -glucan showed the best rheological properties [p<0.05]. In all the treatments addition of beta-glucan increased water absorption, dough resistance time, dough development time, extensibility, resistance to extension, and the surface area under the curve, and it decreased dough loss. Beta-glucan at1% level showed better rheological properties as compared to the 0.5% sample. Overall, considering all the chemical and rheological tests, it can be concluded that addition of 1% beta-glucan to mix flour results in the best treatment, although it is not the most effective

[Isolation and molecular identification of Acanthamoeba in surface stagnant waters of Qazvin]

Background: Regarding the increasing number of acanthamoebiasis cases in recent decades, investigating the environmental pollution of this amoeba is now a focus of more attention. Surface stagnant water is considered as one of the important sources of human infections

Objective: The aim of this study was isolation and molecular identification of Acanthamoeba spp in surface stagnant waters of Qazvin

Methods: This was a descriptive study carried out in the autumn of 2010. A total of 40 samples of surface stagnant waters from the city parks and squares in Qazvin were collected. Samples were initially filtered using 0.45 micro nitrocellulose membrane filters and later the residual components left on filter membrane cultured on non-nutrient agar. The cultures media were microscopically examined for the presence of trophozoites and cysts of free-living amoebae. Positive cultures for amoebae were examined by PCR [polymerase chain reaction] method using specific primers for the genus of Acanthamoeba

Findings: Free-living amoebae were identified in 32 [80%] samples by culture method. In addition, Acanthamoeba was identified by PCR method in 14 [43.8%] cases of positive cultures showing a nearly 500bp band

Conclusion: considering the prevalent of Acanthamoeba in surface stagnant waters of Qazvin, more attention to the potential role of such waters in transmission of infection by the regional clinicians and health practitioners is necessary

[Evaluation of parasitic and fungal contamination and physicochemical parameters of indoor public swimming pools in Kashan during 2008-9]

Swimming in indoor public pools may lead to transmission of contagious diseases such as ear problems, foot tinea, conjunctivitis and amoebic meningoencephalitis in swimmers. The aim of this study was to determine the types of fungal and parasitic contamination and physicochemical parameters of indoor public swimming pools in Kashan. In this cross-sectional study, 200 water samples were collected from surface and depth of four swimming pools of Kashan during 2008-9. Physicochemical parameters such as, temperature, pH, residual chlorine and turbidity of the pools were studied. Samples were tested for the presence of parasitic and fungal contamination by specific mediums. The residual chlorine in 71% of samples was standard. The average pH level was 7.7 and 88% of samples were standard. No parasite and free living amoebae were observed. The prevalence of saprophytic and opportunistic fungi was 42% in surface and 12% in depth, which was not significant in different swimming pools [P=0.95]. Twelve species of saprophytic and opportunistic fungi were isolated; the highest and the lowest number of species were aspergillus [50%] and fusarium [3.7%], respectively. The residual chlorine in fungal contamination between swimming pools was less than standard [P=0.014]. Although no parasites and free living amoebae were observed in Kashan's swimming pools, the prevalence of saprophytic and opportunistic fungi was relatively high. Such condition may be attributed to low concentration of residual chlorine, inadequate water treatment and water high temperature