Detection of terbufos in cases of intoxication by means of entomotoxicological analysis using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics.

The detection of toxic substances in larvae from carcasses in an advanced stage of decomposition may help criminal expertise in elucidating the cause of death in suspected cases of poisoning. Terbufos (Counter®) or O,O-diethyl-S-[(tert-butylsulfanyl)methyl] phosphorodithioate is an insecticide and systemic nematicide, which has very high toxicity from an acute point of view (oral LD50 in rodents ranging from 1.4 to 9.2 mg/kg) that has been marketed irregularly and indiscriminately in Brazil as a rodenticide, often being used to practice homicides. The present study aims to evaluate the use of attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy to detect traces of terbufos pesticide in fly larvae (Sarcophagidae). ATR-FTIR spectra of scavenger fly larvae from control (n = 31) and intoxicated (n = 80) groups were collected and submitted to chemometric analysis by means of multivariate classification using principal component analysis with quadratic discriminant analysis (PCA-QDA), successive projections algorithm with quadratic discriminant analysis (SPA-QDA) and genetic algorithm with quadratic discriminant analysis (GA-QDA) in order to distinguish between control and intoxicated groups. All discriminant models showed sensitivity and specificity above 90%, with the GA-QDA model showing the best performance with 98.9% sensitivity and specificity. The proposed methodology proved to be sensitive and promising for the detection of terbufos in scavenger fly larvae from intoxicated rat carcasses. In addition, the non-destructive nature of the ATR-FTIR technique may be useful in preserving the forensic evidence, meeting the precepts of the chain of custody and allowing for counter-proof.

Cyanide content, nutritional quality, and sensory acceptance of raw and cooked lima bean grain varieties / Teor de cianeto, qualidade nutricional e aceitação sensorial de grãos de variedades de fava crua e cozida

The Phaseolus lunatus L. (lima bean) is a species of the Fabaceae family widely cultivated in the Northeast region of Brazil and is an important source of nutrients for the population. The lima bean has high genetic variability, which results in many cultivated varieties. However, there is little information about the cyanide levels, nutritional quality and sensory acceptance of these varieties, as well as about the changes caused by the cooking process, especially with regard to free cyanide contents. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the cyanide contents, nutritional quality and sensory attributes of lima bean varieties. Potential and free cyanide levels, quality attributes and a Qualitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA) were evaluated in raw and cooked grains. The study was carried out in a completely randomized design, with five lima bean varieties (Orelha de Vó, Branca, Roxinha, Rosinha, and Cearense), in 4 replications. Relatively to the raw ones, cooked grains presented larger size and smaller contents of ash, proteins, carbohydrates, potential cyanide and free cyanide, in the studied varieties. The Orelha de Vó lima bean showed higher mass of raw and higher firmness of cooked grains, which was judged to have the bitterest flavor among the others but showed safe levels of free cyanide after cooking. When cooked, Branca lima bean had a greater intention of purchase and global acceptance, due to its greater intensity of characteristic aroma and lower residual bitter taste.(AU)

A Phaseolus lunatus L. (fava) é uma espécie da família Fabaceae amplamente cultivada na região Nordeste do Brasil, sendo uma importante fonte de nutrientes e geração de renda para a população. A fava possui elevada variabilidade genética, o que resulta em muitas variedades cultivadas. No entanto, existem poucas informações sobre os níveis de cianeto, qualidade nutricional e aceitação sensorial dessas variedades, bem como sobre as alterações ocasionadas pelo processo de cocção, principalmente no que se refere aos teores de cianeto livre. Diante disso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os teores de cianeto, qualidade nutricional e atributos sensoriais de grãos de variedades de fava. Os níveis de cianeto potencial e livre, atributos de qualidade nutricional e uma Análise Descritiva Qualitativa (ADQ) foram avaliados em grãos crus e cozidos. O estudo foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco variedades de fava (Orelha de Vó, Branca, Roxinha, Rosinha e Cearense), em 4 repetições. Relativamente aos crus, grãos cozidos apresentaram maior tamanho e menores teores de cinzas, proteínas, carboidratos, cianeto potencial e cianeto livre, das variedades estudadas. A fava Orelha de Vó apresentou maior massa nos grãos crus e maior firmeza nos cozidos, que foi julgada como sabor residual mais amargo entre as demais, mas apresentou níveis seguros de cianeto livre após cozimento. Quando cozida, a fava branca teve maior intenção de compra e aceitação global, devido a sua maior intensidade de aroma característico e menor sabor amargo residual.(AU)

Characterization of odour-active volatiles and sensory analyses of roasted oak (Quercus humboldtii Bonpl) acorns, a coffee substitute / Caracterización de los compuestos activos olfativamente y análisis sensorial de los frutos tostados del roble (Quercus humboldtii Bonpl), como una bebida sustituta de café

Background: Oak acorns are roasted and grounded to produce a powder that is used to prepare a coffee substitute beverage. Objective: To identify the odour-active volatiles of the powder derived from roasted acorns of Quercus humboldtii and to perform a quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) of its appearance, odour, and taste. Methods: The odour-active volatiles of roasted oak acorn powder were extracted by SDE and analyzed by GC/MS and olfactory analyses (GC/O). Sensorial analyses of this beverage were done by QDA (Quantitative Descriptive Analysis). Results: Nineteen compounds were identified, showing acid, buttery/caramel, smoke/roasted, and fruity odour notes, which are common to those of roasted coffee. Ketones, aldehydes, aliphatic acids, furanic alcohols and pyrazines were identified as relevant for this coffee substitute beverage. The major volatile compounds were furfural, 5-methyl furfural, furfuryl alcohol, and 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, some of them related to the sugar breakdown by heating. Odour attributes characterized by QDA, were in agreement with those detected by GC-O (Gas Chromatography coupled to Olfactometry), but some off-taste notes were detected. Conclusions: The results of molecular sensory approach confirmed that this product resembles coffee; however, QDA analyses showed the presence of undesirable taste. More studies are needed in order to improve the taste quality of this coffee substitute.

Antecedentes: los frutos del roble se tuestan y muelen para producir un polvo que es empleado en la preparación de una bebida sustituta del café. Objetivos: identificar los compuestos volátiles activos olfativamente presentes en el polvo proveniente de los frutos tostados de Quercus humboldtii; así como llevar a cabo un análisis cuantitativo descriptivo (QDA) de la apariencia, olor y sabor de este polvo. Métodos: os compuestos volátiles activos olfativamente del polvo de los frutos tostados del roble se extrajeron por DES y se analizaron por CG-EM y análisis olfativo (CG-O). La caracterización sensorial de esta bebida sustituta de café fue realizada mediante el empleo de QDA. Resultados: se identificaron diecinueve compuestos y se evidenció la presencia de notas de olor como manteca/caramelo, ahumado/tostado y frutal, similares a las encontradas en el café tostado. Los componentes mayoritarios identificados para este sustituto de café fueron cetonas, aldehídos, ácidos alifáticos, alcoholes furánicos y pirazinas. Los compuestos mayoritarios detectados fueron furfural, 5-metil furfural, alcohol furfurílico y 3-hidroxi-2-butanona, algunos de ellos relacionados con la descomposición térmica de azúcares. Los atributos de olor caracterizados por QDA fueron similares a los detectados por CG-O, aunque se detectaron algunas notas de sabor desagradable. Conclusiones: los resultados del molecular sensory approach confirmaron que este producto se parece al café; sin embargo el QDA mostró la presencia de un sabor desagradable. Estudios adicionales son necesarios para mejorar la calidad del sabor de este sustituto de café.

Sensory and volatile profiles of monofloral honeys produced by native stingless bees of the brazilian semiarid region.

Monofloral honeys produced by stingless bees M. subnitida Ducke and M. scutellaris Latrelle in typical flowering of the Brazilian semi-arid Ziziphus juazeiro Mart (juazeiro), Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth (velame branco) and Mimosa arenosa willd Poir (jurema branca) were characterized in relation to volatile and sensorial profile. It identified 11 sensory descriptors and 96 volatile compounds. It was noticed a strong effect of flowering in sensorial profile and volatile of honeys. Juazeiro honey stood out with a higher characteristic aroma, taste sweet, caramel flavor and levels of aromatic aldehydes; jurema honey has been described with herb and beeswax aroma and the presence of sulfur compounds and ketones; volatile acids associated with acid taste, medicinal taste and clove aroma characterized the velame branco honey. These results demonstrate that the knowledge of the sensory and aroma profile of these honeys can contribute to characterization of its floral and geographical identity.

Influence of the fiber from agro-industrial co-products as functional food ingredient on the acceptance, neophobia and sensory characteristics of cooked sausages.

The sensory analysis of new products is essential for subsequent acceptance by consumers, moreover in the functional food market. The acceptance and food neophobia of cooked sausages formulated with cactus pear fiber or pineapple pear fiber, as functional ingredient, was complemented with a sensory characterization by R-index and qualitative descriptive analysis (QDA). Female consumers aged between 40 and 50 years showed greater interest in the consumption of healthy foods, with a higher level of food neophobia towards pineapple fiber sausages. R-index for taste was higher in pineapple fiber samples. Cactus pear fiber samples presented higher R-index score for texture. In QDA, color, sweet, astringent and bitter flavors, pork meat smell and a firm and plastic texture were significant, with a good relationship (38%) between the evaluated attributes. Sensory attributes are important on the acceptance and neophobia of functional foods like cooked sausages with fruit peel fiber as functional ingredient.

Passion fruit juice with different sweeteners: sensory profile by descriptive analysis and acceptance.

This study evaluated the effect of different sweeteners on the sensory profile, acceptance, and drivers of preference of passion fruit juice samples sweetened with sucrose, aspartame, sucralose, stevia, cyclamate/saccharin blend 2:1, and neotame. Sensory profiling was performed by 12 trained assessors using quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA). Acceptance tests (appearance, aroma, flavor, texture and overall impression) were performed with 124 consumers of tropical fruit juice. Samples with sucrose, aspartame and sucralose showed similar sensory profile (P < 0.05), without bitter taste, bitter aftertaste, and metallic taste, and samples with sucrose and sucralose did not differ from each other for the attribute sweet aftertaste. Passion fruit flavor affected positively and sweet aftertaste affected negatively the acceptance of the samples. Samples sweetened with aspartame, sucralose, and sucrose presented higher acceptance scores for the attributes flavor, texture, and overall impression, with no significant (P < 0.05) differences between them. Aspartame and sucralose can be good substitutes for sucrose in passion fruit juice.

Sensory descriptive quantitative analysis of unpasteurized and pasteurized juçara pulp (Euterpe edulis) during long-term storage.

This study evaluated the effect of pasteurization followed by storage under different conditions on the sensory attributes of frozen juçara pulp using quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA). Pasteurization of packed frozen pulp was performed by its immersion in stainless steel tank containing water (80°C) for 5 min, followed by storage under refrigerated and frozen conditions. A trained sensory panel evaluated the samples (6°C) on day 1, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90. Sensory attributes were separated as follows: appearance (foamy, heterogeneous, purple, brown, oily, and creamy), aroma (sweet and fermented), taste (astringent, bitter, and sweet), and texture (oily and consistent), and compared to a reference material. In general, unpasteurized frozen pulp showed the highest score for foamy appearance, and pasteurized samples showed highest scores to creamy appearance. Pasteurized samples remained stable regarding brown color development while unpasteurized counterparts presented increase. Color is an important attribute related to the product identity. All attributes related to taste and texture remained constant during storage for all samples. Pasteurization followed by storage under frozen conditions has shown to be the best conservation method as samples submitted to such process received the best sensory evaluation, described as foamy, slightly heterogeneous, slightly bitter, and slightly astringent.

Estudo das características sensoriais e da composição química de queijo de coalho industrializado / Sensorial characteristics and chemical composition of manufactured coalho cheese

O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar as características de queijo de coalho industrializado utilizando a Análise Descritiva Quantitativa (ADQ), teste de aceitabilidade, intenção de compra e análises físico-químicas. O teste de aceitabilidade foi realizado por 50 consumidores. A amostra A foi analisada nos aspectos como: aroma típico de queijo de coalho e sabor típico de queijo de coalho; a amostra B foi caracterizada pela coloração amarela e qualidade de mastigação. Os atributos, como olhaduras, sabor de gordura e sabor ácido não foram relevantes na caracterização das amostras analisadas. A amostra C recebeu maior pontuação nos atributos como aroma de manteiga (5,4) e sabor salgado (4,6). A amostra A obteve a maior média de aceitabilidade para aparência (7,14) e sabor (7,02) e, consequentemente, a maior intenção de compra nos conceitos “certamente compraria” (40,0%) e “provavelmente compraria” (32,0%). As amostras apresentaram alto teor de umidade, variando de 51,98% (amostra A) – 53,25% (amostra C). A amostra A apresentou teor de cloreto de 1,37%, acidez de 0,91 (g% de ácido láctico) e pH 6,0. O teor de sal e a porcentagem de acidez encontrados na amostra A estão próximos aos valores desejáveis para queijo de coalho.

This study evaluated the defining features of manufactured coalho cheese by Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA), as acceptability test, purchasing intention and physical-chemical analyses. The acceptability test was carried out by 50 consumers. The sample A was assessed on the features as typical curd cheese aroma, typical curd cheese taste, while sample B was evaluated on its yellow color and chewiness. Characteristics as holes, fatty taste, and acid taste were not relevant for qualifying any of the samples. Sample C was highly scored on buttery aroma (5.4) and salty taste (4.6). Sample A received the highest acceptance score on appearance (7.14) and taste (7.02) features, and therefore it got the highest purchasing intention score, being “I would certainly buy” (40.0%) and “I would probably buy” (32.0%). The samples showed a highhumidity varying from 51.98% (sample A) to 53.25% (sample C). Chloride contents in sample A was 1.37%, and acidity of 0.91 (g% of lactic acid) and pH 6.0. Presumably, the salt contents and the percentage of acid found in sample A are close to the desirable rates for coalho cheese.

Sensorial characteristics and chemical composition of manufactured coalho cheese / Estudo das características sensoriais e da composição química de queijo de coalho industrializado

This study evaluated the defining features of manufactured coalho cheese by Quantitative DescriptiveAnalysis (QDA), as acceptability test, purchasing intention and physical-chemical analyses. The acceptabilitytest was carried out by 50 consumers. The sample A was assessed on the features as typical curd cheese aroma,typical curd cheese taste, while sample B was evaluated on its yellow color and chewiness. Characteristicsas holes, fatty taste, and acid taste were not relevant for qualifying any of the samples. Sample C was highlyscored on buttery aroma (5.4) and salty taste (4.6). Sample A received the highest acceptance score onappearance (7.14) and taste (7.02) features, and therefore it got the highest purchasing intention score,being I would certainly buy (40.0%) and I would probably buy (32.0%). The samples showed a highhumidity varying from 51.98% (sample A) to 53.25% (sample C). Chloride contents in sample A was 1.37%,and acidity of 0.91 (g% of lactic acid) and pH 6.0. Presumably, the salt contents and the percentage of acidfound in sample A are close to the desirable rates for coalho cheese.

O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar as características de queijo de coalho industrializado utilizando aAnálise Descritiva Quantitativa (ADQ), teste de aceitabilidade, intenção de compra e análises físico-químicas.O teste de aceitabilidade foi realizado por 50 consumidores. A amostra A foi analisada nos aspectos como:aroma típico de queijo de coalho e sabor típico de queijo de coalho; a amostra B foi caracterizada pelacoloração amarela e qualidade de mastigação. Os atributos, como olhaduras, sabor de gordura e sabor ácidonão foram relevantes na caracterização das amostras analisadas. A amostra C recebeu maior pontuaçãonos atributos como aroma de manteiga (5,4) e sabor salgado (4,6). A amostra A obteve a maior média deaceitabilidade para aparência (7,14) e sabor (7,02) e, consequentemente, a maior intenção de compra nosconceitos certamente compraria (40,0%) e provavelmente compraria (32,0%). As amostras apresentaramalto teor de umidade, variando de 51,98% (amostra A) 53,25% (amostra C). A amostra A apresentou teorde cloreto de 1,37%, acidez de 0,91 (g% de ácido láctico) e pH 6,0. O teor de sal e a porcentagem de acidezencontrados na amostra A estão próximos aos valores desejáveis para queijo de coalho.