scholarly journals Novel Methods to Manipulate Autolysis in Sparkling Wine: Effects on Yeast

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 387
Author(s):  
Gail B. Gnoinski ◽  
Simon A. Schmidt ◽  
Dugald C. Close ◽  
Karsten Goemann ◽  
Terry L. Pinfold ◽  
...  

Sparkling wine made by the traditional method (Méthode Traditionelle) develops a distinct and desirable flavour and aroma profile attributed to proteolytic processes during prolonged ageing on lees. Microwave, ultrasound and addition of β-glucanase enzymes were applied to accelerate the disruption of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and added to the tirage solution for secondary fermentation in traditional sparkling winemaking. Scanning electron microscopy and flow cytometry analyses were used to observe and describe yeast whole-cell anatomy, and cell integrity and structure via propidium iodide (PI) permeability after 6-, 12- and 18-months post-tirage. Treatments applied produced features on lees that were distinct from that of the untreated control yeast. Whilst control yeast displayed budding cells (growth features) with smooth, cavitated and flat external cell appearances; microwave treated yeast cells exhibited modifications like ‘doughnut’ shapes immediately after treatment (time 0). Similar ‘doughnut’-shaped and ‘pitted/porous’ cell features were observed on progressively older lees from the control. Flow cytometry was used to discriminate yeast populations; features consistent with cell disruption were observed in the microwave, ultrasound and enzyme treatments, as evidenced by up to 4-fold increase in PI signal in the microwave treatment. Forward and side scatter signals reflected changes in size and structure of yeast cells, in all treatments applied. When flow cytometry was interpreted alongside the scanning electron microscopy images, bimodal populations of yeast cells with low and high PI intensities were revealed and distinctive ‘doughnut’-shaped cell features observed in association with the microwave treatment only at tirage, that were not observed until 12 months wine ageing in older lees from the control. This work offers both a rapid approach to visualise alterations to yeast cell surfaces and a better understanding of the mechanisms of yeast lysis. Microwave, ultrasound or β-glucanase enzymes are tools that could potentially initiate the release of yeast cell compounds into wine. Further investigation into the impact of such treatments on the flavour and aroma profiles of the wines through sensory evaluation is warranted.

2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (18) ◽  
pp. 2431-2442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harun Sepet ◽  
Necmettin Tarakcioglu ◽  
RDK Misra

The main purpose of this work is to study how the morphology of nanofillers and dispersion and distribution level of inorganic nanofiller influence the impact behavior and fracture probability of inorganic filler filled industrial high-density polyethylene nanocomposites. For this study, nanoclay and nano-CaCO3 fillers–high-density polyethylene mixings (0, 1, 3, 5 wt.% high-density polyethylene) was prepared by melt-mixing method using a compounder system. The impact behavior was examined by charpy impact test, scanning electron microscopy, and probability theory and statistics. The level of the dispersion was characterized with scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis. The results showed rather good dispersion of both of inorganic nanofiller, with a mixture of exfoliated and confined morphology. The results indicated that the impact strength of the industrial nanocomposite decreased with the increase of inorganic particulate content. The impact reliability of the industrial nanocomposites depends on the type of nanofillers and their dispersion and distribution in the matrix.


2011 ◽  
Vol 197-198 ◽  
pp. 1100-1103
Author(s):  
Jian Li

A polyurethane/clay (PU/clay) composite was synthesized. The microstructure of the composite was examined by scanning electron microscopy. The impact properties of the composite were characterized by impact testing. The study on the structure of the composite showed that clays could be dispersed in the polymer matrix well apart from a few of clusters. The results from mechanical analysis indicated that the impact properties of the composite were increased greatly in comparison with pure polyurethane. The investigation on the mechanical properties showed that the impact strength could be obviously increased by adding 20 wt% (by weight) clay to the matrix.


Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 5734
Author(s):  
Paulina Kosmela ◽  
Jan Suchorzewski ◽  
Krzysztof Formela ◽  
Paweł Kazimierski ◽  
Józef Tadeusz Haponiuk ◽  
...  

In this paper, novel rigid polyurethane foams modified with Baltic Sea biomass were compared with traditional petro-based polyurethane foam as reference sample. A special attention was focused on complex studies of microstructure, which was visualized and measured in 3D with high-resolution microcomputed tomography (microCT) and, as commonly applied for this purpose, scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The impact of pore volume, area, shape and orientation on appearance density and thermal insulation properties of polyurethane foams was determined. The results presented in the paper confirm that microcomputed tomography is a useful tool for relatively quick estimation of polyurethane foams’ microstructure, what is crucial especially in the case of thermal insulation materials.


Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 770
Author(s):  
Mario Allegra ◽  
Ignazio Restivo ◽  
Alberto Fucarino ◽  
Alessandro Pitruzzella ◽  
Sonya Vasto ◽  
...  

Background: Eryptosis is a physiological, apoptosis-like death of injured erythrocytes crucial to prevent premature haemolysis and the pathological sequalae generated by cell-free haemoglobin. When dysregulated, the process is associated to several inflammatory-based pathologies. 4-Hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal (HNE) is an endogenous signalling molecule at physiological levels and, at higher concentrations, is involved in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory-based diseases. This work evaluated whether HNE could induce eryptosis in human erythrocytes. Methods: Measurements of phosphatidylserine, cell volume, intracellular oxidants, Ca++, glutathione, ICAM-1, and ceramide were assessed by flow cytometry. Scanning electron microscopy evaluated morphological alterations of erythrocytes. Western blotting assessed caspases. PGE2 was measured by ELISA. Adhesion of erythrocytes on endothelial cells was evaluated by gravity adherence assay. Results: HNE in the concentration range between 10–100 µM induces eryptosis, morphological alterations correlated to caspase-3 activation, and increased Ca++ levels. The process is not mediated by redox-dependent mechanisms; rather, it strongly depends on PGE2 and ceramide. Interestingly, HNE induces significant increase of erythrocytes adhesion to endothelial cells (ECs) that are in turn dysfunctionated as evident by overexpression of ICAM-1. Conclusions: Our results unveil a new physiopathological role for HNE, provide mechanistic details of the HNE-induced eryptosis, and suggest a novel mechanism through which HNE could exert pro-inflammatory effects.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Safrina Rahmah ◽  
Safiah Ahmad Mubbarakh ◽  
Khor Soo Ping ◽  
Sreeramanan Subramaniam

Protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) ofBrassidiumShooting Star orchid were successfully cryopreserved using droplet-vitrification method. Vitrification based cryopreservation protocol is comprised of preculture, osmoprotection, cryoprotection, cooling, rewarming, and growth recovery and each and every step contributes to the achievement of successful cryopreservation. In order to reveal the lethal and nonlethal damage produced by cryopreservation, histological observation, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and biochemical analysis were carried out in both cryopreserved and noncryopreserved PLBs ofBrassidiumShooting Star orchid comparing with the control PLBs stock culture. Histological and scanning electron microscopy analyses displayed structural changes in cryopreserved PLBs due to the impact of cryoinjury during exposure to liquid nitrogen. Total soluble protein significantly increased throughout the dehydration process and the highest value was achieved when PLBs were stored in liquid nitrogen. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) showed the highest enzyme activities in both dehydration and cryostorage treatments indicating that stress level of PLBs was high during these stages.


Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 2244-2244
Author(s):  
Izabella Andrianova ◽  
Vincent M Hayes ◽  
Daria Madeeva ◽  
Rustem I. Litvinov ◽  
Douglas B. Cines ◽  
...  

Abstract Heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an iatrogenic antibody-mediated disorder with a paradoxically high propensity for thrombosis. We have shown previously that human HIT IgGs and the HIT-like monoclonal antibody (MAb) KKO bind to platelet factor 4 (PF4) complexed with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) on the surface of platelets and monocytes, initiating cell activation in vitro, thrombocytopenia in a transgenic mouse model, and thrombus formation in a laser microvascular injury model in vivo even in the absence of exogenous heparin. Monocytes bind PF4 and HIT Ab more readily than platelets because they express higher affinity GAGs, heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate, in addition to chondroitin sulfate found on both cell types. To study changes in the structure of the monocytes that accompany HIT, we used scanning electron microscopy, confocal microscopy and flow cytometry to characterize the morphology and function of isolated human monocytes and mouse transgenic Fcg receptor IIA positive (FcγRIIA+) or wt (FcγRIIA-) monocytes in the absence or presence of platelets. We show by scanning electron microscopy that upon binding of pathogenic HIT Abs to PF4/GAG complexes on FcgRIIA expressing monocytes, they initiate profound remodeling of the cell membrane. Addition of 100 μg/ml recombinant human PF4 in the absence of HIT Abs initiates the activation process with the appearance of 177 ± 53 nm "knobs" on the surface of 70% of monocytes. Subsequent addition of the HIT-like monoclonal antibody KKO at 50 μg/ml dramatically alters the cellular surface with the appearance of large 701 ± 208 nm membrane "blebs" that were not seen on FcγRIIA-mouse monocytes. These large, membrane-associated structures likely engage FcγRIIA, clustering them in proximity to cell-bound immune complexes, which promotes cell activation that leads to thrombosis. These blebs increase in size over time and are then shed from the cells as monocyte-derived microparticles, which self-aggregate. As a result of shedding of these blebs, the monocytes lose much of their typical ruffled surface (only 67% of monocytes maintain ruffles in the presence of PF4 plus KKO, compared to 97% of control monocytes) and appear smoother, sometimes with pores indicating degranulation. In the presence of platelets, monocytes exposed to PF4 and KKO formed heterocellular aggregates in addition to these subcellular changes. In contrast to KKO, addition of the non-pathogenic MAb RTO not only did not induce blebbing, but largely inhibited PF4-induced changes in the monocyte surface. This suggests that RTO might prevent monocyte activation by interfering with PF4 tetramerization. Structural analysis of the shed microparticles by microscopy revealed that they had an average diameter of 356 ± 307 nm, with many larger particles and aggregates. Flow cytometry confirmed that the shed particles contain cell membrane lipids and receptors. Confocal microscopy showed uniform binding of labeled PF4 to the monocyte cell membrane followed by rapid clustering into large complexes after the addition of KKO, but not RTO. These studies affirm the centrality of cell surface PF4/GAG complexes in the pathogenesis of HIT and provide quantitative morphometric characteristics of the changes in the monocyte membrane structure. We propose that PF4 released from activated platelets binds to the surface of GAG-expressing monocytes in vivo, forming clusters of PF4/GAG complexes that likely promote antibody binding and cause monocyte activation through FcγRIIA along with large-scale remodeling of the cell membrane and shedding of procoagulant microparticles. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimír Hrbek ◽  
Veronika Koudelková ◽  
Zdeněk Prošek ◽  
Pavel Tesárek

The reduction of industrial pollution is recently one of main goals over all fields. In civil engineering, re-cycling of structural waste provides wide opportunity contributing this effort. This paper focus on re-use of concrete waste, which after further processing can be used in new constructions as partial supplement to the mixture. To investigate the impact of re-cycled concrete addition, it is necessary to determine mechanical and structural parameters of individual phases in the “raw” material. For this purpose, grid indentation and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM, EDX) are combined to determine properties of concrete sample.


Parasitology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 147 (14) ◽  
pp. 1810-1818
Author(s):  
Cibele Nicolaski Pedron ◽  
Katielle Albuquerque Freire ◽  
Marcelo Der Torossian Torres ◽  
Dânya Bandeira Lima ◽  
Marília Lopes Monteiro ◽  
...  

AbstractVmCT1 is an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) isolated from the venom of the scorpion Vaejovis mexicanus with antimicrobial, anticancer and antimalarial activities, which the rational design with Arg-substitution has yielded AMPs with higher antimicrobial activity than VmCT1. Chagas is a neglected tropical disease, becoming the development of new antichagasic agents is urgent. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the antichagasic effect of VmCT1 and three Arg-substituted analogues, as well their action mechanism. Peptides were tested against the epimastigote, trypomastigote, amastigote forms of Trypanossoma cruzi Y strain and against LLC-MK2 mammalian cells. The mechanism of action of these peptides was evaluated by means of flow cytometry and scanning electron microscopy. VmCT1 presented activity against all three forms of T. cruzi, with EC50 against trypomastigote forms of 1.37 μmol L−1 and selectivity index (SI) of 58. [Arg]3-VmCT1, [Arg]7-VmCT1 and [Arg]11-VmCT1 also showed trypanocidal effect, but [Arg]11-VmCT1 had the best effect, being able to decrease the EC50 against trypomastigote forms to 0.8 μmol L−1 and increase SI to 175. Necrosis was cell death pathway of VmCT1, as well [Arg]7-VmCT1 and [Arg]11-VmCT1, such as observed by membrane damage in flow cytometry analyses and scanning-electron-microscopy. In conclusion, [Arg]11-VmCT1 revealed promising as a candidate for new antichagasic therapeutics.


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