Greek vs traditional yogurts: Sensory and physicochemical comparison

ABSTRACT Greek yogurt (GY) has gained popularity in recent years for its marked texture, taste, and nutritional characteristics compared to traditional yogurt (TY). The objective of this work was to analyze the physicochemical, sensory, and lipid profile of GY and TY with blueberry flavor, both manufactured by a local industry in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Protein and lipid content, as well as humidity, ash, and fatty acid profile were quantified and a sensory evaluation was completed using the affective method. The physicochemical results showed 1.5% and 2.3% more proteins and lipids, respectively, for GY compared to TY. The humidity in TY was 10% lower than in GY. Eighteen types of polyunsaturated, saturated, monounsaturated fatty acids were identified, with a high proportion of C14, C16, and C18. Sensory analysis showed a preference for GY over TY (64% versus 36%, p0.05). Both the protein and lipid content, associated with creaminess, likely influence better acceptance of GY.

RESUMEN El yogur griego (YG) ha ganado popularidad durante los últimos años por su marcada textura, sabor y características nutricionales en comparación con el yogur tradicional (YT). El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar el perfil fisicoquímico, sensorial y lipídico de YG y YT con sabor a arándano, ambos fabricados por una industria ubicada en el estado de Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Fueron cuantificados el contenido de proteínas, lípidos, humedad y cenizas, así como también el perfil de ácidos grasos y la evaluación sensorial por método afectivo. Los resultados fisicoquímicos mostraron que YG contiene 1,5% y 2,3% más de proteínas y lípidos, respectivamente, en comparación con YT (p0,05) en relación a la aceptación de los atributos color, olor, sabor y acidez. Los atributos cuerpo, apariencia y textura presentaron mejores scores de aceptación para el YG. Tanto el contenido de proteínas y lípidos, asociados a la cremosidad, probablemente hayan influenciado una mejor aceptación del YG.

Adding palm oil to the diet of sheep alters fatty acids profile on yogurt: Benefits to consumers.

The aim of this study was to modify the fatty acid profile of yogurt from sheep milk by the inclusion of different concentrations of palm oil into their diet. Thus, thirty-six sheep during lactation were separated in four groups with nine animals each, as described below: the group T0 (0%); the group T2 (inclusion of 2% of palm oil); the group T4 (inclusion of 4% of palm oil) and the group T6 (inclusion of 6% of palm oil). After 60 days of the supplementation, milk samples were collected and yogurt was produced, which was evaluated regarding the concentration of saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PFA). A significant reduction (p<0.05) in most SFA and a significant increase (p<0.05) on MFA and PFA was observed in the yogurt of sheep supplemented with 4 and 6% of palm oil. Consequently, it is possible to conclude that palm oil supplementation exerts positive effects on yogurt, since it led to the reduction of undesirable fatty acids and increased fatty acids beneficial to human health.

Adding palm oil to the diet of sheep alters fatty acids profile on yogurt: Benefits to consumers

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to modify the fatty acid profile of yogurt from sheep milk by the inclusion of different concentrations of palm oil into their diet. Thus, thirty-six sheep during lactation were separated in four groups with nine animals each, as described below: the group T0 (0%); the group T2 (inclusion of 2% of palm oil); the group T4 (inclusion of 4% of palm oil) and the group T6 (inclusion of 6% of palm oil). After 60 days of the supplementation, milk samples were collected and yogurt was produced, which was evaluated regarding the concentration of saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PFA). A significant reduction (p<0.05) in most SFA and a significant increase (p<0.05) on MFA and PFA was observed in the yogurt of sheep supplemented with 4 and 6% of palm oil. Consequently, it is possible to conclude that palm oil supplementation exerts positive effects on yogurt, since it led to the reduction of undesirable fatty acids and increased fatty acids beneficial to human health.

The role of coagulation disorders in patients with retinal vein occlusion.

BACKGROUND: The role of a hypercoagulable state in the pathogenesis of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) has not been conclusively established. AIM: To analyse the prevalence of thrombophilia in RVO. DESIGN: Prospective case-control study. METHODS: All the patients diagnosed with RVO were referred to an Internal Medicine clinic and compared with sex- and age-matched individuals from a population-based cohort. Demographic, clinical and laboratory variables (including a thrombophilia panel) were analysed. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy patients (93 men and 77 women; 68 ± 11 years) and 170 controls (80 men and 90 women; 67 ± 10 years) were included. RVO was peripheral in 113 cases. Genetic thrombophilia was detected in 13% of patients. Acquired thrombophilia was observed in 10% of cases and 4.7 % of controls (P < 0.01). Sixty-three percent of cases and 24.6% of controls had serum hyperhomocysteinemia (odds ratio [OR] 5.2, IC 95% 2.7-10.1; P < 0.0001) : In RVO patients aged <50 years (n = 11), 36.4% had genetic thrombophilia (P = 0.04), as well as 50% of those without vascular risk factors (n = 18; P = 0.01). Forty-one (24%) patients with RVO received antiplatelet agents and 13 (7.6%) were on anticoagulants due to preexistent atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that, in patients with RVO, hyperhomocysteinemia and antiphospholipid syndrome should be ruled out. Moreover, a study of genetic thrombophilia should only be considered in those aged <50 years or without cardiovascular risk factors. Antiplatelet therapy with aspirin is probably the treatment of choice of RVO, to reduce the overall vascular risk. Anticoagulation should only be considered in patients with high-risk thrombophilia.

In vitro and in vivo anti-malarial activity of plants from the Brazilian Amazon.

BACKGROUND: The anti-malarials quinine and artemisinin were isolated from traditionally used plants (Cinchona spp. and Artemisia annua, respectively). The synthetic quinoline anti-malarials (e.g. chloroquine) and semi-synthetic artemisinin derivatives (e.g. artesunate) were developed based on these natural products. Malaria is endemic to the Amazon region where Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax drug-resistance is of concern. There is an urgent need for new anti-malarials. Traditionally used Amazonian plants may provide new treatments for drug-resistant P. vivax and P. falciparum. Herein, the in vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity of medicinal plant extracts were investigated. METHODS: Sixty-nine extracts from 11 plant species were prepared and screened for in vitro activity against P. falciparum K1 strain and for cytotoxicity against human fibroblasts and two melanoma cell lines. Median inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were established against chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum W2 clone using monoclonal anti-HRPII (histidine-rich protein II) antibodies in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Extracts were evaluated for toxicity against murine macrophages (IC50) and selectivity indices (SI) were determined. Three extracts were also evaluated orally in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. RESULTS: High in vitro antiplasmodial activity (IC50 = 6.4-9.9 µg/mL) was observed for Andropogon leucostachyus aerial part methanol extracts, Croton cajucara red variety leaf chloroform extracts, Miconia nervosa leaf methanol extracts, and Xylopia amazonica leaf chloroform and branch ethanol extracts. Paullinia cupana branch chloroform extracts and Croton cajucara red variety leaf ethanol extracts were toxic to fibroblasts and or melanoma cells. Xylopia amazonica branch ethanol extracts and Zanthoxylum djalma-batistae branch chloroform extracts were toxic to macrophages (IC50 = 6.9 and 24.7 µg/mL, respectively). Andropogon leucostachyus extracts were the most selective (SI >28.2) and the most active in vivo (at doses of 250 mg/kg, 71% suppression of P. berghei parasitaemia versus untreated controls). CONCLUSIONS: Ethnobotanical or ethnopharmacological reports describe the anti-malarial use of these plants or the antiplasmodial activity of congeneric species. No antiplasmodial activity has been demonstrated previously for the extracts of these plants. Seven plants exhibit in vivo and or in vitro anti-malarial potential. Future work should aim to discover the anti-malarial substances present.

Avaliação das condiçöes higiênico sanitárias de sorvetes tipo italiano (soft), comercializados na cidade de São Leopoldo, RS / Evaluation of hygienic and sanitary conditions of Italian type ice-cream (soft cream), commercialized in the city of São Leopoldo, RS

Teve como objetivo mostrar as condições higiênico-sanitárias de sorvetes de creme tipo italiano (soft), comercializados na cidade de São Leopoldo (RS), processados artesanalmente. Foram analisadas 16 amostras entre novembro de 1999 a janeiro de 2000, em 8 pontos da cidade. Realizaram-se as análises do número mais provável (NMP) de coliformes totais e fecais; confirmação de E. coli; contagem total de aeróbicos mesófilos e Staphylococcus aureus. A metodologia utilizada foi recomendada pela American Public Health Association (APHA, 1992). Os resultados foram comparados com os padrões previstos na legislação (Resolução Normativa nÝ4/78 - CTA). Verificou-se que para a contagem geral de microrganismos aeróbicos estritos e facultativos viáveis 100 por cento das amostras estavam dentro da legislação vigente. Para coliformes totais 56,25 por cento das amostras estão acima do padrão estabelecido pela legislação. Esta mesma porcentagem foi confirmada para coliformes fecais, sendo que este último não está previsto na legislação. As contagens de S.aureus em 12,5 por cento das amostras foram superiores aos valores previstos pela legislação. A presença de coliformes fecais e a confirmação, em algumas amostras, de E.coli, denotam falta de princípios básicos de higiene na fabricação e manipulação de tais sorvetes.