Changes in Proximate Chemical and Mineral Compositions of Different Sex Categories of Mutton during the Dry-Curing Process

The aim of this research was to determine the effect of sex, castration, and processing on the chemical properties of mutton in the production of kaštradina—a traditional Dalmatian dry-cured meat product. Therefore, the carcasses of 20 ewes (E), 20 rams (R), and 20 wethers (W) of the Dalmatian pramenka breed were processed by dry-curing. On the 1st, 35th, and 60th days of processing, the samples from the scapulae were taken, then the proximate chemical, NaCl, and mineral analyses were performed, and significant differences between most of the parameters were found. Unlike W, the R samples contained significantly more proteins (p < 0.01), NaCl (p < 0.05), and potassium (p < 0.05) and less fat (p < 0.05). Furthermore, compared to the W and R categories, the E category of kaštradina contained significantly more calcium (p < 0.05). The higher contents of intramuscular fat, potassium, and calcium and lower content of NaCl could positively affect the sensory (marbling, flavor, juiciness, and tenderness) and chemical (fatty acid profile) properties of kaštradina. These findings suggest that the W and E raw mutton could be a better-quality raw material for production of kaštradina than could the R, but further research is needed for a more comprehensive picture of its quality.

Biochemical, rheological and hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) evaluation of Archachatina marginata (snail) mucin extract for possible nutraceutical and nano biopharmaceutical applications

Purpose: To evaluate the rheological, biochemical, hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) of Archachatina marginata (snail) mucin extract for possible use as a nutraceutical and nano biopharmaceutical material. Methods: Snail mucin was extracted with acetone and water, lyophilized and the biochemical, proximate and mineral analyses of the extracts were studied using standard methods. The rheological properties of the extracts (1, 2, 4 and 8 % w/v) and their emulsion-based preparations were evaluated. Other physicochemical properties and HLB values of the preparations were also determined. Results: Snail mucin extracts contained protein (84 %), fats (2.91 %) and carbohydrate (1.2 %) and showed significant nutraceutical composition (p < 0.05). Ash content of 4.21 and 4.12 % was obtained for water and acetone extracts, respectively. Moisture content was < 9 % for both the aqueous and nonaqueous mucin extracts. Potassium, calcium and phosphorus were present in high quantities in the extracts while iron, copper and zinc were in trace amounts (< 4 %). Mucin dispersions exhibited viscosity in the range of 0.89 to 0.93 cp. Water sorption and dry weight were higher in the acetone extract than in the aqueous extract. The HLB values, which ranged from 7 to 15, were within the acceptable values for material for nanobiopharmaceutical application, except that the acetone extract. Conclusion: Snail mucin exhibits good nutraceutical properties and also possesses good properties that render it a potential excipient for use in the formulation of drug delivery systems

Lowermost Jurassic dinosaur ecosystem from the Bleymard Strait (southern France): sedimentology, mineralogy, palaeobotany and palaeoichnology of the Dolomitic Formation

We report the first Hettangian theropod tracksite (~200 Ma) yielding a rich accumulation of plant remains from the Bleymard Strait (southern France). It constitutes an excellent opportunity to reconstruct lowermost Jurassic ecosystems hosting dinosaurs and which are still poorly documented in this area. Two morphotypes of tridactyl tracks are distinguished. They share similarities with Grallator and Kayentapus. Plant-bearing beds yield abundant leafy axes (Pagiophyllum peregrinum), male cones (Classostrobus sp.), wood (Brachyoxylon sp.) and pollen of conifers (Classopollis classoides). Sedimentological, petrological and mineralogical analyses demonstrated that, in the Dolomitic Formation from Bleymard, the palaeoenvironment progressively evolved from (1) a shoreface to a foreshore domain; to (2) a shallow environment that is restricted or occasionally open to the sea; then to (3) an intertidal to supratidal zone. The Hettangian theropod ecosystem of the Bleymard Strait was composed of tidal flats that were periodically emerged and bordered paralic environments inhabited by a littoral conifer-dominated forest in which Cheirolepidiaceae were the main component. The paucity of the palaeobotanical assemblage, as well as the xerophytic characteristics of Pagiophyllum, show that flora from Bleymard was adapted to withstand intense sunlight and coastal environments exposed to desiccant conditions coupled with salty sea spray, and dry conditions. These features are those of a conifer-dominated flora under a tropical to subtropical climate. The flora as well as the clay mineral analyses suggest contrasting seasons (cyclically dry then humid). This study supports that theropods were abundant and particularly adapted to this type of littoral environment bordering Cheirolepidiaceae-dominated forests.

Central European Variscan Basement in the Outer Carpathians: A Case Study from the Magura Nappe, Outer Western Carpathians, Poland

Exotic crystalline blocks within the Outer Carpathian flysch have the potential to establish the nature of their eroded basement source(s) and thus to reconstruct the paleogeography of the Outer Carpathians. Petrological investigations (including mineral analyses) coupled with zircon and apatite U-Pb dating were performed on an exotic crystalline block within Eocene siliciclastic rocks in the Rača Zone of the Magura Nappe in the Outer Western Carpathians, Poland. This exotic block is a large (c. 1 m diameter) pink porphyritic granitoid block found in the Osielczyk Stream, southeast of Osielec village in the Makowski Beskid mountains. The timing of magmatic crystallization is constrained by a U-Pb zircon age of 315.9 ± 2.6 Ma (MSWD = 0.69), while inherited zircon cores yield Archean (c. 2780 Ma), Cadomian (541.8 ± 6.7 Ma; MSWD = 0.53), Devonian (417 ± 11 Ma; MSWD = 0.57) and Early Variscan (c. 374 Ma) ages. Apatites from the same sample yield a Tera Wasserburg lower intercept U-Pb age of 311.3 ± 7.5 (MSWD = 0.87). The granitoid exhibits geochemical characteristics typical of I-type granites and eNd(316 Ma) = 2.15 (with a TDM model age of 1.18 Ga) and 87Sr/86Sr(316 Ma) = 0.704710. These data suggest a likely source region in the Saxo-Danubian Granite Belt, which possibly formed the basement of the Fore-Magura Ridge.

Multibeam Bathymetry and Distribution of Clay Minerals on Surface Sediments of a Small Bay in Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica

The second Antarctic station of South Korea was constructed at Terra Nova Bay, East Antarctica, but local seafloor morphology and clay mineralogical characteristics are still not fully understood. Its small bay is connected to a modern Campbell Glacier, cliffs, and raised beaches along the coastline. Fourteen sampling sites to collect surface sediments were chosen in the small bay for grain size and clay mineral analyses to study the sediment source and sediment-transport process with multibeam bathymetry and sub-bottom profiles. Under the dominant erosional features (streamlined feature and meltwater channel), icebergs are the major geological agent for transport and deposition of coarse-sized sediments along the edge of glaciers in summer, and thus the study area can reveal the trajectory of transport by icebergs. Glacier meltwater is an important agent to deposit the clay-sized detritus and it results from the dominance of the illite content occurring along the edge of Campbell Glacier Tongue. The high smectite content compared to Antarctic sediments may be a result of the source of the surrounding volcanic rocks around within the Melbourne Volcanic Province.

Survey on the Use of Calcium Carbide as Ripening Agent in Ilorin Metropolis

This research work examined the use of calcium carbide as ripening agent for banana and plantain in major markets within Ilorin metropolis. Open ended/structured questionnaires were administered to banana/plantain handlers in six different markets, afterward samples of ripe banana and plantain were also collected from different points in each market at the same time for physicochemical and mineral analyses. Results showed that a total of 85 respondents returned their questionnaires from all the markets; of which majority were female (99 percent), 89 percent of them were married, only 35 percent had formal education, 94 percent of them do store their plantain/banana, 83 percent were aware of the use of calcium carbide in ripening of plantain/banana but only 1 percent admitted using it. Comparing with the control samples, the physicochemical and mineral analyses showed that there were reduced moisture and vitamin C contents with increased values of arsenic and phosphorus being recovered from banana and plantain samples. Many authors had associated induced ripening with the use of ripening agent such as calcium carbide with reduced moisture and vitamin C contents with elevated values of arsenic and phosphorus in ripe fruits which had many health risks. Samples of banana and plantain collected from Ilorin markets were probably forced ripen with artificial ripening agents. The needs for constant education of the public especially fruits handlers on the health implications of the use of calcium carbide as ripening agent cannot be overemphasized.

Phytochemical and Cytotoxic Screening of Selected Medicinal Plants (Byrsocarpus coccineus, Terminalia avicennioides and Anogeissus leiocarpus) Using Brine Shrimp (Artemia salina) Lethality Assay

Three medicinal plants, were investigated based on their ethno-medicinal uses. Byrsocarpus coccineus (B.C), Terminalia avicennioides (T.A) and Anogeissus leiocarpus (A.L) are used traditionally in the treatment of various ailments in Nigeria. Proximate and mineral analyses were carried out on the leaf, stem and root of the three plants. Phytochemical composition and antioxidant activities of the aqueous, ethanol and pet ether (leaf, stem and root) extracts, of the three plants were determined and the extracts were subjected to cytotoxic screening using the in vivo brine shrimp lethality tests. The proximate and mineral analyses show appreciable dietary nutrients in the three plants. Phytochemical analyses of B.C, T.A and A.L (leaf, stem and root) extracts, showed the presence of bioactive compounds, such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroid and phenol. Antioxidant activities (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide, lipid peroxidation and reducing power), increase in all the plant extracts in a dose dependent manner. The results of brine shrimp lethality tests indicate that plant extracts of B.C, T.A and A.L except A.L stem aqueous extract (130.72 µg/ml), T.A leaf aqueous (130.15 µg/ml) and root aqueous extracts were moderately cytotoxic, while the others were highly cytotoxic. B. coccineus leaf ethanol extract (17.31 µg/ml) was the most cytotoxic. The result shows that B. coccineus leaf ethanol extract has significant antioxidant activity and is cytotoxic to brine shrimp even at low concentration giving credence to its ethno-medicinal uses.

Incorporating Far-Infrared Data into Carbonate Mineral Analyses

Polycrystalline carbonate minerals (including calcite, Mg-calcite, and aragonite) can show distinctive variations in their far-infrared (FIR) spectra. We describe how to identify mixed-phase samples by correlating FIR spectral changes with mid-infrared spectra, X-ray diffraction data, and simple peak overlap simulations. Furthermore, we show how to distinguish portlandite-containing (Ca(OH) 2 ) mixtures that are common in heated calcium carbonate samples. Ultimately, these results could be used for tracking how minerals are formed and how they change during environmental exposure or processing after extraction.