No description available.

Abstract There is concern whether cabbage and beetroot wastes from the Fresh Produce Market are safe for feeding animals given the fact that some will have been discarded at the onset of putrefaction. This study evaluated the effects of sun-drying on microbiological load (E. coli, coliform, yeast and moulds and total bacterial count) in waste vegetables from the fresh produce market, since smallholder farmers tend to use the by-products without processing given the opportunity. Cabbage and beetroot wastes were sun dried to 14% moisture and micro-organisms were enumerated on both wet and dried samples. The results showed that sun drying reduced the level of micro-organisms significantly in both cabbage and beetroot. Although microbial load varied from batch to batch in the wet samples, coliforms were significantly more abundant in wet beetroot than in the dried samples. However, dried beetroot contained significantly more yeast and moulds. Wet cabbage contained more coliform and yeast and moulds compared to sun-dried cabbage. The sun drying process is thus an efficient processing method for resource poor farmers to reduce the microbial load in these animal feed sources and improve their shelf life.

No description available.

Master of Science / Department of Kinesiology / Thomas J. Barstow / Dietary nitrate supplementation via beetroot juice (BR) has been shown to have positive effects on mitochondrial and muscle efficiency during large muscle mass exercise in humans, and more recently on locomotory muscle blood flow [Q-dot] in rats. To date, an integrated measure of these effects has not been performed in humans. Therefore, we assessed the influence of BR on [Q-dot] and muscle oxygenation characteristics during moderate and severe intensity handgrip exercise. Seven healthy men (age: 25 ± 3 yrs; height: 179 ± 4 cm; weight: 82 ± 9 kg) completed four constant-power exercise tests randomly assigned to condition (BR or placebo (PL)) and intensity (moderate (40% peak) or severe (85% peak)). Resting mean arterial pressure was significantly lower after BR compared to PL (79.3 ± 5.8 vs 86.8 ± 6.7 mmHg; p < 0.01). All subjects were able to sustain 10 min of exercise at moderate intensity in both conditions. BR had no significant effect on exercise tolerance during severe (342 ± 83 vs 382 ± 138 s, p = 0.382). Brachial artery [Q-dot] was not significantly different after BR at rest or any time during exercise in either intensity. Deoxygenated-[hemoglobin + myoglobin] was elevated at min 2 & 3 for moderate (p < 0.05) and throughout severe exercise (p = 0.03) after BR. The estimated metabolic cost ([V-dot]O₂) was not significantly different during either intensity after BR. These findings support the notion that an acute dose of BR may be valuable to reduce blood pressure in young adults, but revealed that it does not augment [Q-dot] or [V-dot]O₂ during small muscle mass handgrip exercise.

Introduction and aim: Increases in the bioavailability of nitric oxide have been shown to reduce the oxygen (O2) cost of exercise, improve exercise performance, alter gastric blood flow and mediate glucose uptake in healthy individuals. Aim: Does dietary nitrate reduce the O2 cost of exercise, improve walking performance in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or alter hepatic diffusion and positively affect glucose homeostasis in healthy adults? Methods: Experimental chapters utilised a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, experimental design. Breath by breath pulmonary gas analysis was utilised to assess the O2 cost of exercise in 48 individuals with T2DM and 13 with COPD. Walking performance was assessed via the six minute walk test (6MWT) in cohorts 1 and 2. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess portal vein flux, velocity and the apparent diffusion coefficient, in order to assess hepatic microvascular diffusion (apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)). Blood pressure (BP) was measured in all trials. Results: Relative to placebo, beetroot juice resulted in a significant increase in plasma nitrate and nitrite. There were no differences between placebo vs. beetroot juice for the O2 cost of walking (T2DM: placebo; 946 ± 221 vs. beetroot juice; 939 ± 223 ml.min-1; P=0.59) or cycling (COPD: placebo; 933 ± 323 vs. beetroot juice; 939 ± 302 ml: min-1; P=0.88), distance covered in the 6MWT (T2DM: placebo; 550 ± 83 vs. beetroot juice; 554 ± 90m; P=0.17 or COPD: placebo; 456 ± 86 vs. beetroot juice; 449 ± 79 m; P=0.37) or BP (T2DM: systolic: placebo; 134 ± 10 vs. beetroot juice; 132 ± 12 mmHg, P=0.17; diastolic: placebo; 77 ± 7: vs. beetroot juice; 76 ± 11 mmHg, P=0.27. COPD: systolic: placebo; 123 ± 14 vs. beetroot juice; 123 ± 14 mmHg; P=0.91; diastolic: placebo; 77 ± 9 vs. beetroot juice; 79 ± 9 mmHg; P=0.27). No differences were seen between placebo and beetroot juice for ADC (young adults: F(3, 45) = 0.25, P = 0.74; older adults; F(3, 42) = 1.3, P = 0.28), portal vein flux (young adults: F(3, 45) = 0.339, P = 0.79; older adults; F(3, 42) = 1.65, P = 0.19) however, there was an interaction effect in the young adults: (F(3, 45) = 2.9, P = 0.04) but not in the older adults; F(3, 42) = 1.8, P = 0.16) between visits for portal vein velocity. Nitrate supplementation did not reduce plasma glucose concentrations (young adults: F(3, 45) = 0.96, P = 0.42; older adults; F(3, 42) = 0.04, P = 0.99). Nitrate supplementation did not reduce systolic blood pressure (young adults: F(3, 45) = 0.20, P = 0.89; older adults; F(3, 42) = 1.7, P = 0.18) or diastolic blood pressure (young adults: F(3, 45) = 0.25, P = 0.86; older adults; F(3, 42) = 0.45, P = 0.72). Conclusion Dietary nitrate supplementation does not alter the O2 cost of exercise, improve walking performance or reduce BP in individuals with T2DM or COPD. Nitrate supplementation does not alter hepatic diffusion, glucose homeostasis or BP.

No description available.

Syfte. Syftet med studien var att utreda om rödbetsjuice ger en akut blodtryckssänkning 150 minuter efter intag samt om denna eventuella effekt skiljer sig mellan kvinnor och män. Metod och material. I studien inkluderades 27 deltagare som intog rödbetsjuice med 830 mg nitrater alternativt placebodryck. Samtliga deltagare var självrapporterat fria från kända kardiovaskulära sjukdomar, diabetes samt hypertoni. Blodtrycket togs innan samt 150 minuter efter intag av dryck. Resultat. Intag av rödbetsjuice gav en signifikant sänkning av det systoliska blodtrycket. Ingen sänkning kunde påvisas varken av det diastoliska blodtrycket för hela populationen eller separat i grupperna kvinnor respektive män som intog rödbetsjuice. Diskussion. Studien visade att rödbetsjuice kan sänka det systoliska blodtrycket, vilket föreslås bero på nitrater i rödbetsjuice som leder till bildning av kväveoxid. Studien hade flera begränsningar som kan ha påverkat resultaten såsom deltagarnas måltider och farmakologiska behandlingar. Jämfört med tidigare forskning visade denna studie både liknande och avvikande resultat. Slutsats. Arbetet visade att rödbetsjuice kan ge en akut sänkning av det systoliska blodtrycket men det krävs vidare forskning för att utreda om denna blodtryckssänkande effekt skiljer sig mellan kvinnor och män. / Aim. This study aimed to examine if beetroot juice induces an acute blood pressure reduction 150 minutes after consumption and if this potential effect differs between genders. Methods. Twenty-seven participants consumed beetroot juice with 830 mg nitrates or a placebo. All participants were self-reported free of known cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and hypertension. Blood pressure was measured before and 150 minutes after ingestion. Results. Systolic blood pressure decreased significantly after consuming beetroot juice. There was no decrease observed in diastolic blood pressure for the total population nor in groups of women or men who ingested beetroot juice. Discussion. The study demonstrated that beetroot juice can lower systolic blood pressure, which is suggested to be due to the nitrates in beetroot juice leading to the formation of nitric oxide. The aim was achieved, but the study had several limitations that could have affected the results, such as participants' meals and pharmacological treatments. Compared to previous research, this study showed both similar and divergent results. Conclusion. The study showed that beetroot juice may acutely lower systolic blood pressure, but further research is needed to ascertain gender-specific effects.

<p>U okviru disertacije kreirani su novi, nutritivno obogaćeni, fini pekarski proizvodi na bazi bra&scaron;na od cerealija i pseudocerealija, kroz čiju se proizvodnju valorizuju sporedni proizvodi prehrambene industrije &ndash; trop cvekle. Rezultati istraživanja pružaju nova saznanja o stepenu redukcije bioaktivnih jedinjenja (polifenola i betalaina) tokom postupka proizvodnje i skladi&scaron;tenja finih pekarskih proizvoda obogaćenih ekstraktom tropa cvekle, kao i njihov uticaj na reakcije neenzimskog tamnjenja.<br />Uspe&scaron;no realizovana istraživanja ukazala su na stepen stabilinosti bioaktivnih jedinjenja iz tropa cvekle inkapsulacijom na protein soje i na opravdanost primene ove metode (tehnike) u proizvodnji funkcionalne hrane. Na ovaj način se obezbeđuju funkcionalni proizvodi koji sadrže dovoljnu količinu visokovrednih jedinjenja koja imaju veću bioraspoloživost i finalan zdravstveni efekat. Zbog niza prednosti inkapsulirane forme ekstrakta imaju veliki potencijal primene u industriji u vidu boja i aditiva, tj. funkcionalnih dodatakau prehrembenim ali i kozmetičkim proizvodima. Istraživanja u okviru disertacije omogućavaju dobijanje inovativnih proizvoda koji pro&scaron;iruju asortiman nutritivno vrednih proizvoda i doprinose kvalitetnijoj ishrani potro&scaron;ača.<br />Upotrebom nusproizvoda prerade voća i povrća smanjuje se količina otpada i doprinosi za&scaron;titi životne sredine, povećava dobit proizvođača kroz pobolj&scaron;anje iskori&scaron;ćenja sirovine i konkurentnosti na trži&scaron;tu.</p> / <p>Within the thesis a new, nutrient-rich, fine bakery products based on flour of cereals and pseudocereals were created, through the production of which valorizing by-products of the food industry are produced- pomace beetroot. Results of the research provide new knowledge about degree of reduction bioactive compounds (polyphenols and betalains) during process of production and storage of fine bakery products enriched with beetroot pomace extracts, as well as their influence on non-enzymatic tanning reactions.<br />Successfully realized researches have indicated degree of stability bioactive compounds from beetroot pomace by encapsulation on soy protein and justification of application this method (technique) in the production of functional food. In this way, functional products witch contain a sufficient amount of high-value compounds which have higher bioavailability and final health effect are provided. Due to a number of advantages, encapsulated form of the extract have a great potential for application in industry like food color and additives, ie. functional supplements for food and cosmetic products. Research in the framework of the thesis allow obtaining innovative products which expand the range of nutritionally valuable products and contribute to the quality consumers diet.<br />Using by-products of processing fruits and vegetables reduces the amount of waste and contributes to the protection of environment, increases the profit of producers by improving the efficiency of raw materials and market competitiveness.</p>

<p>För att undersöka skillnad i prestationsförmåga mellan celler sensiterade med växtextraktsbaserad färg, och celler sensiterademed ruteniumkomplex-baserad färg, samt huruvida presskraften påverkar en cells prestationsförmåga, tillverkades icke-slutna fotoelektrokemiska färg-sensiterade solceller med tunnfilmsfotoelektroder av pressad, nanoporös titandioxid.</p><p>Cellerna pressades med tre olika presskrafter och sensiterades med växtextraktsfärg från rödkål, rödbeta, viol och henna, samt en ruteniumkomplex-baserad färg som fick utgöra kontrollbetingelse. För varje cell uppmättes IPCE- och iV-värde och motsvarande fyllnadsgrad (fill factor) och dessa jämfördes.</p><p>Ingen signifikant skillnad kunde fastställas mellan celler pressade med olika presstryck. Bland cellerna sensiterade med växtextraktbaserad färg presterade rödbeta bäst. Cellen med högst effektivitet hade fyllnadsgraden 70%. Emellertid uppvisade de växtfärgade cellerna genomgående sämre effektivitet än de rutenium-sensiterade och fotoströmmarna var mycket låga. IPCE-värdena var allmännt låga: den bäst presterande cellen hade ett IPCE-värde på något över 0,06 i våglängdsintervallet 440-470 nm. En förklaring till detta är de övriga ämnen som förutom pigment återfinns i de växtbaserade färgerna. Dessa hindrar pigmentmättnad och förhindrar att växtfärgen når ruteniumfärgens intensitet. En annan anledning består i svårigheten att passa ihop energinivåerna i cellens elektrolyt-halvledarsystem med energinivåerna hos pigmentet i växtfärgen.</p> / <p>Non-sealed photoelectrochemical dye sensitised solar cells (DSSC) with pressed nanoporous TiO2 thin film photoelectrodes were manufactured for the purposes of finding out whether plant extractbased dye sensitised cells can perform as well as ruthenium complex-based dye sensitised cells and whether the pressing force affects the cell performance.</p><p>The cells were pressed with three different pressing forces and sensitised with plant extracts from red cabbage, beetroot, violet and henna, as well as with a ruthenium complex-based dye for comparison. The IPCE and iV values and the corresponding fill factors of the cells were evaluated and compared.</p><p>No significant difference between the cells pressed with different pressing forces could be established. Among the plant extract-based dye sensitised cells the ones sensitised with beetroot extract performed best. The cell that achieved the highest efficiency had a fill factor of 70%. Compared to the ruthenium-sensitised cells the overall performance of the plant dye sensitised cells were very poor and the produced photocurrents very low. The IPCE values were generally low: one of the best-performing cells had an IPCE value of slightly over 0.06 in the 440-470 nm wavelength ranges. One reason for this is that it is difficult to obtain a plant extract dye as intense and deep in colour as ruthenium complex-based dyes, since pigment saturation is obstructed by the presence of other chemical compounds in the plant extracts. Another is that it is a delicate and difficult matter to match the energy levels in the electrolyte-semiconductor system with the energy levels of the pigments in the plant extract dye.</p>

För att undersöka skillnad i prestationsförmåga mellan celler sensiterade med växtextraktsbaserad färg, och celler sensiterademed ruteniumkomplex-baserad färg, samt huruvida presskraften påverkar en cells prestationsförmåga, tillverkades icke-slutna fotoelektrokemiska färg-sensiterade solceller med tunnfilmsfotoelektroder av pressad, nanoporös titandioxid. Cellerna pressades med tre olika presskrafter och sensiterades med växtextraktsfärg från rödkål, rödbeta, viol och henna, samt en ruteniumkomplex-baserad färg som fick utgöra kontrollbetingelse. För varje cell uppmättes IPCE- och iV-värde och motsvarande fyllnadsgrad (fill factor) och dessa jämfördes. Ingen signifikant skillnad kunde fastställas mellan celler pressade med olika presstryck. Bland cellerna sensiterade med växtextraktbaserad färg presterade rödbeta bäst. Cellen med högst effektivitet hade fyllnadsgraden 70%. Emellertid uppvisade de växtfärgade cellerna genomgående sämre effektivitet än de rutenium-sensiterade och fotoströmmarna var mycket låga. IPCE-värdena var allmännt låga: den bäst presterande cellen hade ett IPCE-värde på något över 0,06 i våglängdsintervallet 440-470 nm. En förklaring till detta är de övriga ämnen som förutom pigment återfinns i de växtbaserade färgerna. Dessa hindrar pigmentmättnad och förhindrar att växtfärgen når ruteniumfärgens intensitet. En annan anledning består i svårigheten att passa ihop energinivåerna i cellens elektrolyt-halvledarsystem med energinivåerna hos pigmentet i växtfärgen. / Non-sealed photoelectrochemical dye sensitised solar cells (DSSC) with pressed nanoporous TiO2 thin film photoelectrodes were manufactured for the purposes of finding out whether plant extractbased dye sensitised cells can perform as well as ruthenium complex-based dye sensitised cells and whether the pressing force affects the cell performance. The cells were pressed with three different pressing forces and sensitised with plant extracts from red cabbage, beetroot, violet and henna, as well as with a ruthenium complex-based dye for comparison. The IPCE and iV values and the corresponding fill factors of the cells were evaluated and compared. No significant difference between the cells pressed with different pressing forces could be established. Among the plant extract-based dye sensitised cells the ones sensitised with beetroot extract performed best. The cell that achieved the highest efficiency had a fill factor of 70%. Compared to the ruthenium-sensitised cells the overall performance of the plant dye sensitised cells were very poor and the produced photocurrents very low. The IPCE values were generally low: one of the best-performing cells had an IPCE value of slightly over 0.06 in the 440-470 nm wavelength ranges. One reason for this is that it is difficult to obtain a plant extract dye as intense and deep in colour as ruthenium complex-based dyes, since pigment saturation is obstructed by the presence of other chemical compounds in the plant extracts. Another is that it is a delicate and difficult matter to match the energy levels in the electrolyte-semiconductor system with the energy levels of the pigments in the plant extract dye.