Anna Chiara Manetta

Biogenic amines content as a measure of the quality of wines of Abruzzo (Italy)

Aim of this research was to study the effect of some agronomic and oenological factors on the content of biogenic amines as quality index of sixty-five Abruzzo wines. Sum of amines was found to be decreasing in the order: red (19.3±12.8mgL(-1)), rosé (9.20±6.34mgL(-1)), white (7.67±3.84mgL(-1)) wine. Significant differences in relationship among amines levels and chemical and chemico-physical characteristics of red, white and rosé wine are due to their different biotechnological process and winemaking. Besides the aging treatment, influential seems to be the effect of the winery, regardless of the area in which it is situated. The single amines significantly correlated with their sum were putrescine, histamine and tyramine, even if reached levels were below toxicity threshold, demonstrating a good quality of the wines of Abruzzo whose consumption is no risk to the health of the consumer following the rules of proper nutrition.

Influence of organic viticulture on non-Saccharomyces wine yeast populations

This study evaluated the population dynamics of non-Saccharomyces biota during spontaneous fermentation of organic musts. Non-Saccharomyces yeasts were found to be present at high levels during all fermentations. A total of 543 yeast colonies were isolated, 190 from Lysine-Medium (LM) agar, 254 from Wallerstein Laboratory Nutrient (WLN) agar and 99 from YPD agar. To estimate yeast population dynamics during spontaneous fermentation a genotypic approach was applied. PCR-RFLP of the ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2 region and sequence determination of the D1/D2 region of the 26S rRNA gene enabled identification of the yeast isolates at the species level. Hanseniaspora uvarum, Metschnikowia fructicola and Candida zemplinina predominated, while Issatchenkia terricola, Issatchenkia orientalis and Pichia sp. were identified with a lower frequency. Hanseniaspora uvarum, M. fructicola and C. zemplinina represented 43%, 31% and 11% of the total non-Saccharomyces population isolated, respectively. Some yeast isolates were shown to be closely related to Hanseniaspora spp. and Candida spp. on the basis of the D1/D2 sequences. Based on those results, the coexistence of different Hanseniaspora and Pichia species in grape musts was supposed, and their complete identification was achieved using additional molecular markers. Moreover, strain typing and differentiation was carried out by RAPD-PCR. High strain polymorphisms were observed in the different species. For some strains, appreciable properties were demonstrated both in vitro by the API-ZYM test and in must. In must microvinification some strains showed good fermentation performances, low production of acetic acid and a partial capability to degrade malic acid.

Phenolic compounds in grains, sprouts and wheatgrass of hulled and non-hulled wheat species.

BACKGROUND The use of sprouts and young plantlets in human nutrition is increasing because they often contain phytochemicals and other high value nutrients. This is also the case for wheat, although there is no literature for hulled wheat species. Thus we determined total polyphenols, phenolic acids (PAs), fibre and minerals in grains, 5-day-old sprouts and 12-day-old wheatgrass of einkorn (cv. Monlis), emmer (cvs Augeo, Rosso Rubino, Zefiro), spelt (cvs Pietro, Giuseppe), durum wheat (cv. Creso) and soft wheat (cv. Orso). RESULTS Grains of einkorn and emmer contained twice bound PAs as compared to soft and durum wheat and spelt, with p-coumaric acid accounting for about 50% of total bound PAs. In wheatgrass, differences between species for bound PAs decreased due to a decrease in einkorn and emmer and an increase in soft and durum wheat. In all species, total phenols and free PAs increased passing from grains to sprouts and wheatgrass. Neutral and acid detergent fibre content increased with sprouting only in einkorn and emmer. CONCLUSION Our evidence suggests that the grains of einkorn and emmer and the sprouts and wheatgrass of all Triticum species might potentially be valuable for the development of functional foods.

Effects of loading methods on rabbit welfare and meat quality

The effects of different loading methods on the welfare, carcass characteristics and meat quality traits of hybrid commercial rabbits were investigated. 384 male rabbits, 82 days old, were transported from the farm to the slaughterhouse. At the farm, 192 rabbits were loaded onto the truck smoothly (S) and 192 rabbits were loaded roughly (R). The S loading method consisted of carefully placing each rabbit into the transport crates. In the R method, the loading was hurriedly and carelessly executed by the transport operator, throwing each animal into the crates fixed on the truck. Live weight before and after transport as well as slaughter data were recorded for each rabbit, and a subset of 80 carcasses were evaluated for meat quality. Blood samples from 80 rabbits were analysed for haematological and biochemical parameters. A significant neutrophilia (P<0.001), lymphocytopaenia (P<0.001) and an increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P<0.01), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P<0.001) and creatine kinase (CK) activities (P<0.001) were recorded in all rabbits after transport, independent of the loading method. A twofold increase in serum corticosterone concentration (6.23 vs. 14.88 ng/mL; P=0.001) was observed in all rabbits following transport. Results suggest that the stress parameters analysed were more influenced by transport and handling itself rather than by the different loading methods. The results showed that there was no adverse effect of loading method on carcass traits. Furthermore, the stress condition evidenced by haematological and biochemical parameters prior to slaughter did not affect meat quality.

Influence of Iodine Feeding on Microbiological and Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Biogenic Amines Content in a Raw Ewes’ Milk Cheese

Iodine is an essential trace element involved in the regulation of thyroid metabolism and antioxidant status in humans and animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ewes’ dietary iodine supplementation on biogenic amines content as well as microbiological and physico-chemical characteristics in a raw milk cheese at different ripening times (milk, curd, and 2, 7, 15, 30, 60, and 90 days). Two cheese-making trials were carried out using milk from ewes fed with unifeed (Cheese A) or with the same concentrate enriched with iodine (Cheese B). The results indicated that the counts of principal microbial groups and physico-chemical characteristics were quite similar in both cheeses at day 90. Cheese B was characterized by a higher content of biogenic amines and propionic acid. Propionic bacteria were found in both cheeses mainly in Trial B in agreement with the higher content of propionic acid detected.

Effects of a single injection of Flunixin meglumine or Carprofen postpartum on haematological parameters, productive performance and fertility of dairy cattle

The objective of the present research was to evaluate the effects of a single injection of Flunixin meglumine (FM) or Carprofen postpartum on haematological indicators, productive performance and fertility of Italian Friesian dairy cattle. In total, 60 cows, including 42 multiparous and 18 primiparous, were assigned to one of the following three treatments: (1) FM (2.2 mg i.m./kg of bodyweight (BW); Meflosyl 50 mg/mL), (2) Carprofen (CA; 1.4 mg s.c./kg of BW; Rymadil 50 mg/mL) or (3) saline (control) at 2.0 mL s.c./45.5 kg of BW. All treatments were administrated by a single injection within 12 h after calving. Individual milk yield was daily recorded during the trial and composition was determined at 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 60 days in milk (DIM). BWs were recorded at –21 ± 5 days before calving, and 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 60 days after calving before the morning milking. Individual blood samples were collected from each animal for haemato-biochemical evaluation 3 weeks before calving (T0) and then repeated at the following times: within 12 h after calving, immediately before the administration of the anti-inflammatory drug (FM or CA; T1), ~36 h after calving (T2), 4 days after calving (T3) and 11 days after calving (T4). At each sampling time, the rectal temperature and the heart rate were monitored. Body condition score was determined after each sampling time and at 35 and 60 DIM. FM and CA treatments did not influence rectal temperature and heart rate during the first 11 DIM; no differences in overall milk yield, milk composition and dry matter intake were found. BW and body condition score were not affected by treatments throughout the study. Treatments did not affect serum metabolite concentrations of glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, serum urea nitrogen, total protein and albumin. Control cows showed a higher culling rate (P < 0.05) than did the FM- and CA-treated cows (25% vs 15% vs 5% respectively). FM-treated multiparous cows had a significantly (P < 0.05) lower incidence of retained placenta than did control and CA-treated cows (2.3% vs 9.3% vs 14% respectively). Furthermore, a greater percentage of cows pregnant (35% vs 10%) at the first insemination (P < 0.001) in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug groups than in control was found. Our findings evidenced that a single injection of FM or CA to non-febrile cows immediately after parturition could positively affect the metabolic adaptation of the cows at the onset of lactation and this aspect can positively influence reproductive performances and the culling rate.