Microbial and Chemical Characteristics of Doogh (Iranian Fermented Milk Drink)

Background. Regarding the increasing public health concerns about the safety of foodstuffs, the current survey was designed to argue the presence of preservatives (e.g., sodium benzoate (SB), potassium sorbate (PS), and natamycin) and also the level of salt and fungi in 148 samples of yoghurt drink “Doogh.” Methods. The enumeration of fungi and determination of salt content of samples were performed according to the standard procedures. Preservative determination was performed by reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection (RV-HPLC-UV). Results. 0.1% of the total analyzed samples was above the permitted level of Iranian standard for SB (0%), while PS was not detected in any of them. Furthermore, natamycin in 0.11% of the analyzed samples had more than the permissible level of Iranian standard. Additionally, about 15% of the tested samples was higher than the Iranian standard level for fungi (<102 CFU/mL). The average amount of salt in the tested Doogh samples and also in the examined Kefir samples was significantly ( P < 0.001 ) lower than the standard amount of salt (<0.8 g/100). Conclusion. In conclusion, the quality of Doogh and Kefir samples were acceptable in terms of salt content. Kefir had a significantly ( P ≤ 0.001 ) lower amount of salt in comparison with Doogh. Taken together, underlining the results of the present study, no significant public health concern would exist respecting the mentioned additives.

Analisis Kadar Kalium Sorbat Dalam Minuman Ringan Yang Dijual Bebas Di Kabupaten Pekalongan Dengan Metode Hplc

Potassium sorbate is one type of preservative that is often added in soft drinks. The addition is to inhibit and prevent the process of fermentation, acidification or other forms of destruction, or is an ingredient that can protect food from spoilage. The purpose of this study was to analyze the content of potassium preservatives in soft drink samples and to determine whether the levels of potassium sorbate in soft drinks were in accordance with the standards set by BPOM RI Number 36 of 2013 concerning the maximum limit for the use of food additives potassium sorbate which is 25 mg /kg body weight. The methods used in this research are qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative analysis used is the Color Test Method. The quantitative analysis used is High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with methanol acetonitril as the mobile phase. The results obtained from the color test of the sample change the color of the sample to pink according to the comparison color while the HPLC results obtained that the sample content is calculated in each total volume, namely M1 = 0.051 mg/kg BW, M2 = 0.226 mg/kg BW, M3 = 0.209 mg/kg BW, M4 = 0.103 mg/kg BW, M5 = 0.322 mg/kg BW, M6 = 0.150 mg/kg BW, M7 = 0.173 mg/kg BW, M8 = 0.127 mg/kg BW, M9 = 0.195 mg /kg BW, M10 = 0.185 mg/kg BW, M11 = 0.107 mg/kg BW and M12 = 0.174 mg/kg BW. It can be said that samples M1 to M12 meet the requirements for potassium sorbate levels set by BPOM RI Number 36 of 2013.Keywords: soft drinks, potassium sorbate, preservatives, content analysis, HPLC. AbstrakKalium sorbat adalah salah satu jenis zat pengawet yang sering ditambahkan dalam minuman ringan. Penambahan tersebut untuk menghambat dan mencegah proses fermentasi, pengasaman atau bentuk perusakan lainnya, atau merupakan bahan yang dapat melindungi pangan dari pembusukan. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis kandungan pengawet kalium sorbatdalam sampel minuman ringan dan untuk mengetahui apakah kadar kalium sorbatdalam minuman ringan sudah sesuai dengan standar yang telah ditetapkan oleh BPOM RI Nomor 36 Tahun 2013 tentang batas maksimal penggunaan bahan tambahan pangan kalium sorbatyaitu sebesar 25mg/kg berat badan. Metode yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah metode kualitatif dan kuantitatif. Analisis kualitatif yang digunakan yaitu Metode Uji Warna. Analisis kuantitatif yang digunakan yaitu High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) dengan fase gerak metanol asetonitril. Hasil yang diperoleh dari uji warna terjadi perubahan warna sampel menjadi berwarna merah muda sesuai dengan warna pembanding sedangkan dengan hasil HPLC diperoleh kadar sampel yang dihitung dalam tiap jumlah total volume sampel yaitu M1 = 0,051 mg/kg BB, M2 = 0,226 mg/kg BB, M3 = 0,209 mg/kg BB, M4 = 0,103 mg/kg BB, M5 = 0,322 mg/kg BB, M6 = 0,150 mg/kg BB, M7 = 0,173 mg/kg BB, M8 = 0,127 mg/kg BB, M9 = 0,195 mg/kg BB, M10 = 0,185 mg/kg BB, M11 = 0,107 mg/kg BB dan M12 = 0,174 mg/kg BB. Dapat disimpulkan bahwa sampel M1 sampai M12 memenuhi persyaratan kadar kalium sorbatyang ditetapkan oleh BPOM RI Nomor 36 Tahun 2013.Kata Kunci: minuman ringan, kalium sorbat, pengawet, analisis kadar, HPLC.

Capsule-C: an improved Steinernema carpocapsae capsule formulation for controlling Agrotis ipsilon Hufnagel (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Background Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) have long been used for controlling soil-dwelling insects. Steinernema carpocapsae HB310, previously showed a high virulence against many pests including Agrotis ipsilon Hufnagel (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Due to the lack of durable formulations, up until now, S. carpocapsae HB310 has thus far been prevented from use in large-scale farming. The present study aimed to get a better EPNs capsule formulation suitable for long-term storage and effective application. Results An improved EPNs capsule formulation, herein named: Capsule-C was prepared by the following composition: Solution I: 18% glycerol, 0.075% formaldehyde, 1% sodium alginate, 0.2% xanthan gum, 0.5% potassium sorbate, 9% glucose, 2% fructose, 2% sucrose, and the remainder was distilled water. The nematodes suspension was added to the alginate mixture in 2 × 104 IJs/mL; Solution II: 18% glycerol, 0.075% formaldehyde, 0.5% calcium chloride, 0.5% potassium sorbate, with the remainder being distilled water. After storage for 180 days at 16 °C and 100% RH, the survival rate of nematodes in Capsule-C was 75.68 ± 0.48% and the nematodes caused 82.33 ± 1.45% mortality in the 5th instar larvae of Galleria mellonella. A. ipsilon larvae preferred to chew and ingest Capsule-C due to the addition of the glucose compound. The feeding rate of A. ipsilon larvae on Capsule-C reached to 100% within 24 h and the larval mortality of A. ipsilon was 90.48 ± 6.35%. Conclusion EPNs-containing capsules were as effective as sprayed EPNs in water solution at killing A. ipsilon. These results will provide ideas to acquire a stable and efficient EPNs capsule formulation and further promote the application of environmental friendly biological pesticides.

Distinct Gut Microbiota Signatures in Mice Treated with Commonly Used Food Preservatives

Diet is one of the most important factors regulating and influencing the composition of our gut microbiome, but the specific effects of commonly used antimicrobial agents i.e., food preservatives present within foods, are not completely understood. In this study, we examined the effect of the three widely used food-grade preservatives i.e., benzoic acid, potassium sorbate, and sodium nitrite, in recommended levels, on the gut microbiota diversity and composition in a mouse model. The analysis of β-diversity reveals distinct signatures of the gut microbiota between mice consuming different preservatives. Further analyses of α-diversity indices also show that the three preservatives induce specific patterns of microbial diversity, with diversity being lowest in mice consuming potassium sorbate. In terms of bacterial abundance, each of the three preservatives demonstrated unique microbial signatures, mainly affecting the proportions of bacterial taxa belonging to Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia, and Proteobacteria. Specifically, we find the increased proportion of Bacteroides, Blautia, Ruminococcus, Oscillospira, and Dorea in mice fed with benzoate; increased abundance of Firmicutes, Turicibacter, and Alkaliphilus by sodium nitrate; and increased proportion of Parabacteroides and Adlercreutzia by potassium sorbate. The findings improve our understanding of how food-grade preservatives may influence the gut microbiota composition and diversity and should facilitate prospective studies investigating diet-microbiome interactions in relation to intestinal and metabolic health.

High-Protein Bar as a Meal Replacement in Elite Sports Nutrition: A Pilot Study

This study was focused on the creation of high-protein bars formulated using whey protein isolate (24%) and soy protein isolate (6%) as the sources of proteins; oat flakes and inulin, both abundant in dietary fibres, and creatine monohydrate and other minor ingredients (vitamin and mineral mixture, potassium sorbate) to achieve the requirements for a meal replacement formula for physically active people. The nutritional profile of the high-protein bar was examined (energy 1215 kJ/288 kcal; protein 34.1 ± 0.20 g, fat 6.01 ± 0.13 g of which was saturated 3.12 ± 0.08 g, fibre 3.10 ± 0.17 g carbohydrate 23.0 ± 0.16 g of which sugars 1.50 ± 0.19 g and starch 21.5 ± 0.11 g in 100 g), and sensory properties with instrumental parameters (texture and colour) were determined and compared with bars commercially available on the market. The created high-protein bar was sensorily acceptable in comparison to other commercially available bars. The dietary intervention study was conducted on elite athletes (professional handball players) to evaluate effects of created versus control bar consumption on their metabolic parameters. The baseline characteristics (mean age, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, muscle mass, lean mass and fat percentage) of the athletes (8) were determined at the start of the study. The cross-over intervention study was organized in two successive phases (5 days each) with a seven-day long washout period between phases. Bars were consumed after the afternoon training unit. Blood samples were collected at the start and the end of the intervention study to analyse the metabolic profiles of the athletes. Serum levels of high-density cholesterol (HDL), low-density cholesterol (LDL) and total cholesterol (HOL), glucose, triacylglycerides (TAG), total and direct bilirubin, creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured. The results showed that bar consumption significantly decreased serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and increased total and direct bilirubin levels, suggesting lower exercise-induced muscle damage and increased antioxidative response, respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that the consumption of the created high-protein bar was able to improve physiological adaptation after training.

An effect of food additives on microbiome

The paper presents a review of available data about an effect of food additives on the human microbiome and lists the main physiological functions of the gut microbiome. The process of the human microbiome evolution is examined. The relationship between the emergence of a disease and the microbiome composition, as well as the main factors influencing the gut microbiome composition are described. The main food additives used today are listed, their key features are discussed and their structural formulas are given. The information about their effect on the human body through an influence on the microbiome composition is presented. The data on an effect of polysorbate 80, carboxymethylcellulose, sodium sulfite, nisin, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, sodium nitrate, essential oils, titanium dioxide and different sweeteners on the microbiome are analyzed. It is explained what microbial communities are suppressed and what communities gain advantages in multiplication when consumers eat food with one or another food additive. The consequences of alterations in the microbiome for the consumer’s body are examined. Conclusions were made about the necessity of additional studies about an effect of food additives on the composition of the human microbiome.

Study of the efficacy of antimicrobial preservatives in justifying the composition of a dermatological gel with a phytocomplex

The microbiological stability of medicinal products always requires close attention during the pharmaceutical development phase, as microbial contamination can pose a threat to both the health of the patient and the stability of the medicinal product. The level of microbial contamination can be controlled by monitoring the quality of raw materials, compliance with appropriate sanitation of production facilities and equipment, the use of scientifically justified preservatives in the drug. The aim of the work is to substantiate the use of a preservative and its concentration in the composition of the developed gel with phytocomplex. Materials and methods. The objects of the study were gel samples with the addition of a preservative: Euxyl 9010K (90 % phenoxyethanol, 10 % ethylhexylglycerol), methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218), sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, benzoic acid. Concentrations of antimicrobial substances used corresponded to their average value from the range of used concentrations. The research has used the method of evaluating the effectiveness of antimicrobial preservatives, given in SPU 2.0. Results. Experimental studies using preservatives Euxyl 9010K 0.60 %, methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.25 %, sorbic acid 0.10 %, potassium sorbate 0.25 %, benzoic acid 0.15 % in the samples of the developed gel with phytocomplex had shown that the obtained results for all samples fully meet the requirements of SPU in terms of “antimicrobial efficacy of preservatives” for topical drugs. According to the results of the first stage of research, it had been found that the greatest antimicrobial efficacy was shown by a sample with the preservative Euxyl 9010K. The subject of the second stage of research was the substantiation of the concentration of Euxyl 9010K (0.45 %, 0.60 %, and 0.75 %) based on the results of which it had been established that the gel samples with concentrations of Euxyl 9010K 0.60 % and 0.75 % met the requirements of SPU on the indicator of “antimicrobial efficacy of preservatives” for topical medicinal products. The sample with a concentration of Euxyl 9010K 0.45 % also met these requirements, but the logarithm of the reduction in the number of viable cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria after 2 days of storage is 2.00, which was the limit value according to the requirements of SPU. Conclusions. The expediency of using Euxyl 9010K (90 % phenoxyethanol, 10 % ethylhexylglycerol) at a concentration of 0.60 % as a preservative had been experimentally substantiated.

DEVELOPMENT OF NATA DE COCO AND STRAWBERRY FLAVORED NATA DE COCO DRINK AND COMPARATIVE QUALITY EVALUATION

Nata de coco is a complementary treat of beverages made from coconut milk or water which was fermented by Acetobacter Xylinum bacteria. Although most nata are generally made with coconut milk or water, nata de coco can be made using other ingredients such as coconut milk, molasses or molasses, and other juices such as melons, pineapples, oranges, bananas, guavas, strawberries etc. This study was undertaken to design, construct and develop a new Strawberry flavored Nata De Coco and Nata De Coco drink and its comparative quality assessment respect to comparative quality evaluation of Nata De Coco drink. Best quality Nata De Coco were obtained by using 71.34% water, 13% Sugar, 15% Nata De Coco, 0.03% Gellan Gum, 0.06% Sodium Citrate, 0.12% Calcium Lactate, 0.01% Ascorbic Acid, 0.03% Potassium Sorbate, 0.012% Sodium Benzoate, 0.12%,Strawberry Flavor, 0.23% Citric Acid Anhydrous, 0.05% Liquid Cap. Overall analysis shows that Nata De coco Drinks which are produced with 15% Nata De Coco shows the best results and for other parameters results are respectively 0.23%, 0.0144 acidity; 13 ± 0.2 °Brix and pH 3.6± 0.1. As per evaluation of three samples, average value of taste of sample S3 is accepted. Because we used less citric acid in S1, more less citric acid in S3. Taste of S3 is accepted because taste quality of S1 & S2 is not perfect as per standard. Flavor of sample S3 is better than S1 & S3.Organoleptic test of S3 is better than S1 & S2. At the end of all evaluation, S3 is accepted for manufacturing. Because it is tasted well among the samples are made.