Organic acids profiles of the most important Dalmatian native grapevine (V. vinifera L.) cultivars

Native grapevine cultivars are important for viticulture production in Croatia, especially in the Dalmatian wine-growing region. Their evaluation for wine production has been intensively studied in recent decades. Tartaric, malic and citric acids are the most important organic acids in Vitis vinifera L. cultivars and these play an important role in the wine-making process, affecting some of the most important characteristics of wine. For this reason, the organic acid composition of the seven most important Dalmatian native grapevine cultivars was determined using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Trial cultivars were planted, ensuring uniformity of the environmental conditions that can largely influence the concentration of organic acids. Significant differences in the content of tartaric, malic and citric acid were determined between cultivars over the three years of the study. Tartaric acid ranged from 4.5 to 7.18 g/L, malic acid from 0.31 to 3.40 g/L, and citric acid from 110 to 368 mg/L depending on the year of study, but with clear differences between the cultivars studied. The effects of crop levels and climatic conditions over the three years of study are also discussed.     

Variability in the fermentation index,polyphenols and amino acids of seeds of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) during fermentation

The variability in the fermentation index, polyphenols, and amino acids of rambutan seeds was investigated during fermentation. Results revealed that fermentation index (FI) value ≥1 was achieved on the 4th day of fermentation. While fermentation significantly reduced the levels of total polyphenols (59%), tannin (60%), and saponins (33%), it seems to have a moderate effect on geraniin, corilagin, and a much stronger effect on ellagic, and gallic acids. During fermentation, variability in gallic acid, geraniin, corilagin, and ellagic acid did not show a consistent trend. In contrast, amino acids significantly decreased up to the second day of fermentation. Importantly, amino acids (phenylalanine, tyrosine and leucine) with characteristic bitter taste showed reductions of 20%, 30%, and 40%, respectively after 10 days of fermentation. Sucrose, which was the only sugar present in significant concentrations in unfermented seed, was significantly reduced by fermentation.     

Chemotype and genotype combined analysis applied to tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) analytical traceability

A large number of fresh fruits and vegetables are primary sources of antioxidants; tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is accepted worldwide as a significant source of antioxidant functional compounds (vitamin C, lycopene, rutin). Many cultivars and hybrids of tomato, having different chemical and nutritional characteristics, are available on the market. Tomato cultivars for industrial processing are very different, not only in fruit characteristics (size, shape), but also in lycopene and antioxidant contents. The aim of this study was the chemotyping and genotyping of the tomato varieties Heinz 3402, Leader and Perfectpeel, (1) to evaluate the genetic traceability of these varieties, and (2) to determine whether their functional antioxidants compounds are useful markers of traceability. Principal component analysis (PCA) was first applied to the Random Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprints, confirming that this approach is a powerful identification method at intra-specific level. Heinz 3402 showed the highest antioxidant activity, followed by Perfectpeel and Leader varieties. Perfectpeel showed the lower lycopene content, while Leader and Heinz 3402 showed significantly higher values (13.68 and 15.78 mg/100 g, fresh weight, respectively). The highest rutin content was observed in Heinz 3402 (12.46 ± 0.69, mg/100 g, fresh weight), followed by Leader (7.87 ± 0.72) and Perfectpeel (2.70 ± 0.68). Antioxidant capacity was significantly correlated with the lycopene and rutin content. Finally, PCA was applied to chemotype data-sets, confirming both mineral content and functional antioxidant compounds as useful markers to unambiguously identify these high-lycopene content varieties.     

Phytochemical analysis of organic and conventionally cultivated Meyer lemons (Citrus meyeri Tan.) during refrigerated storage

The levels of phytochemicals in organically and conventionally cultivated Meyer lemons (Citrus meyeri Tan.) are unknown. In this study, Meyer lemons grown in south Texas under similar climatic conditions, using organic and conventional cultivation practices, were evaluated for their levels of phytochemicals. Mature fruits were harvested in two seasons, stored at market-simulated post-harvest conditions for four weeks, and periodically evaluated for levels of phytochemicals, including flavonoids, amines, organic acids and minerals. Results indicate that organically grown lemons contain significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher levels of hesperidin, didymin and ascorbic acid than those cultivated in conventional system. Phenolic content was higher in organic lemons, whereas levels of citric acid and amines were higher in conventionally cultivated lemons. These results suggest that organically grown Meyer lemons are a good source of enhanced levels of flavonoids and ascorbic acid. Furthermore, storage of fruits at 10 °C up to four weeks helps maintain the levels of phytochemicals. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of phytochemicals evaluation of organic and conventionally grown Meyer lemons.     

Estimating the daily intake of essential and nonessential elements from lamb m. longissimus thoracis et lumborum consumed by the population in Missouri (United States)

This paper estimated the daily intake of essential and nonessential elements from lamb muscle longissimus thoracis et lumborum (m. LTL) available to the population in Missouri. Missouri grain-finished (n = 36), Missouri grass-finished (n = 40) and imported New Zealand grass-finished (n = 40) lamb m. LTL were purchased and assayed for their element composition. Total mercury in samples was quantified by atomic absorption spectrometry and other elements were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Analysis of certified reference materials (DORM-2 and TORT-2) gave recovery rates ranging from 86 to 108% and 85 to 104%, respectively. The abundance of essential elements in Missouri grain-finished and Missouri grass-finished lamb m. LTL followed the order: Potassium > phosphorus > sodium > magnesium > calcium > zinc > iron. The order in the imported New Zealand grass-finished group was: Potassium > phosphorus > sodium > calcium > magnesium > zinc > iron. Since many variables lacked normality, non-parametric (Kruskal–Wallis) comparison test was performed and the results suggested no significant difference (P > 0.05) in element composition among the lamb m. LTL groups. The estimated daily intake of 14 elements from consumption of 100 g lamb m. LTL posed no hazard to consumers.