Cold plasma processing effect on cashew nuts composition and allergenicity.
The study investigated the influence of atmospheric plasma processing on cashew nut composition as well as on its allergenicity. The cashew nuts were processed by low-pressure plasma, using glow discharge plasma (80 W and 50 kHz power supply). Anacardic acids and allergens were quantified by HPLC and immunoassay, respectively. Additionally, the overall composition was evaluated by 1H qNMR. Increases in amounts of anacardic acids (15:1, 15:2, and 15:3) and fatty acids (oleic, linoleic, palmitic and stearic) were detected after all process conditions, with 70.92% of total variance captured using 2 LVs. The total amount of anacardic acids increased from 0.7 to 1.2 μg·mg-1 of nut. The major change was observed for anacardic acid (C15:3) with an increase from 0.2 to 0.55 μg/mg of nut for the samples treated with a flow of 10 mL·min-1 and 30 min of processing. On the other hand, the amount of sucrose decreased, from 33 to 18 mg·g-1 of nut, after all processing conditions. Plasma processing of cashew nuts did not affect binding of either the rabbit anti-cashew or human cashew allergic IgE binding. Among the treatments, 10 min of plasma processing at flow rate of 30 mL·min-1 of synthetic air followed by 20 min at flow rate 5.8 mL·min-1 had the least effect on nut composition as a whole.
Transposons played a major role in the diversification between the closely related almond and peach genomes: Results from the almond genome sequence.
We sequenced the genome of the highly heterozygous almond Prunus dulcis cv. Texas combining short and long-read sequencing. We obtained a genome assembly totaling 227.6 Mb of the estimated 238 Mb almond genome size, of which 91% is anchored to eight pseudomolecules corresponding to its haploid chromosome complement, and annotated 27,969 protein-coding genes and 6,747 non-coding transcripts. By phylogenomic comparison with the genomes of 16 additional close and distant species we estimated that almond and peach (P. persica) diverged around 5.88 Mya. These two genomes are highly syntenic and show a high degree of sequence conservation (20 nucleotide substitutions/kb). However, they also exhibit a high number of presence/absence variants, many attributable to the movement of transposable elements (TEs). TEs have generated an important number of presence/absence variants between almond and peach, and we show that the recent history of TE movement seems markedly different between them. TEs may also be at the origin of important phenotypic differences between both species, and in particular, for the sweet kernel phenotype, a key agronomic and domestication character for almond. Here we show that in sweet almond cultivars, highly methylated TE insertions surround a gene involved in the biosynthesis of amygdalin, whose reduced expression has been correlated with the sweet almond phenotype. Altogether, our results suggest a key role of TEs in the recent history and diversification of almond and its close relative peach.
Interaction of Gaseous Chlorine Dioxide and Mild Heat on the Inactivation of Salmonella on Almonds.
The interactive effects of mild heat and gaseous chlorine dioxide (ClO2) on populations of Salmonella on almonds were studied. Almonds, dip inoculated with a two-strain cocktail of attenuated Salmonella Typhimurium, were treated with three concentrations of ClO2 at ambient temperature (ca. 22°C), and at 45, 50, 55, and 60°C for 4 h and with more than 90% relative humidity. Concentrations of ClO2 during treatments were measured, and populations of Salmonella were determined following treatments. Results demonstrated that ClO2 at concentrations of more than 4 mg/L and ambient temperature only reduced populations of Salmonella by 1.46 log CFU/g. With increasing treatment temperature, the efficacy of gaseous ClO2 increased. At 55 and 60°C, >1 mg/L ClO2, and a 4-h treatment time, >4 log CFU/g Salmonella was inactivated. Reductions greater than 4 log of the bacterium by gaseous ClO2 at 55°C were confirmed using a three-strain cocktail of pathogenic Salmonella. Overall, results demonstrated that mild heating is necessary for gaseous ClO2 to achieve more than 4 log CFU/g inactivation of Salmonella on almonds.
Recent developments and highlights in food allergy.
The achievement of long lasting, safe treatments for food allergy is dependent on the understanding of the immunological basis of food allergy. Accurate diagnosis is essential for management. In recent years, data from oral food challenges have revealed that routine allergy testing is poor at predicting clinical allergy for tree nuts, almonds in particular. More advanced antigen-based tests including component resolved diagnostics and epitope reactivity may lead to more accurate diagnosis and selection of therapeutic intervention. Additional diagnostic accuracy may come from cellular tests like the basophil activation test or mast cell approaches. In the context of clinical trials, cellular tests have revealed specific T-cell and B-cell populations that are more abundant in food allergic individuals with distinct mechanistic features. Awareness of clinical markers, such as the ability to eat baked forms of milk and egg, continue to inform the understanding of natural tolerance development. Mouse models have allowed for investigation into multiple mechanisms of food allergy including modification of epithelial metabolism, the induction of regulatory cell subsets and the microbiome. Increasing numbers of children who underwent food immunotherapy enlarged the body of evidence on mechanisms and predictors of treatment success. Experimental immunological markers in conjunction with clinical determinants such as lower age and lower initial specific IgE appear to be of benefit. More research on the optimal dose, preparation, and route of application integrating a high-level safety and efficacy is demanded. Alternatively, biologics blocking TSLP, IL-33, IL4 and IL13, or IgE may help to achieve that.
Phenotypical characterization of tree nuts and peanut allergies in east Mediterranean children.
INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: The characteristics of tree nuts (TNs) and peanut (PN) allergies vary in different regions of the world. We aim to identify the characteristics of TNs/PN allergies in Turkish children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 227 children [4.8 (3.2-6.8) years] with TN and/or PN allergies were included. The phenotypical features of TNs/PN allergic children and the risk factors for multiple TNs/PN allergies were evaluated. RESULTS: Allergy to TNs/PN developed at a median age of 12.0 (10.0-18.0) months. The most common TNs/PN responsible for food allergies were the hazelnut (63.9%) and the pistachio (54.6%). Of TNs/PN allergic children, 54.2% experienced reactions with at least two types of . Current ages 6-10 years [OR:2.455, 95% CI:1.255-4.852, p=0.009] and family history of atopy [OR:2.156, 95% CI:1.182-3.932, p=0.012] were the risk factors for multiple TNs/PN allergies. Most of the patients with cashew nut and pistachio allergies exhibited co-sensitization and co-allergy to both of these TNs/PN. Although the rarest TNs/PN allergy was seen with almond, the possibility of allergy to other TNs or PN was highly increased in the patients with almond allergy compared to other TNs/PN. CONCLUSIONS: Children with TNs/PN allergy living in an East Mediterranean region differ from the counterparts living in Western countries by an earlier age of onset of the TNs/PN allergy symptoms, increasing possibility to have multiple TNs/PN allergy at older ages, and different spectrum of TN/PN allergies (hazelnut followed by pistachio/cashew) that all indicate the consumption habits which are important determinants of TN/PN allergy development.
Moving Past “Avoid All Nuts”: Individualizing Management of Children with Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies.
It has been common practice to tell patients with allergy to peanut or tree nuts to avoid all nuts. Evidence that unnecessary avoidance of peanuts and eggs is associated with increased risk for developing anaphylaxis to those foods has changed how allergists view previous recommendations to avoid foods that have not caused a reaction. In the absence of evidence, collaborative decision making between clinicians and families should be used to decide whether to avoid tree nuts and how to safely introduce tree nuts into the diet. This article discusses the options for introducing tree nuts to children with peanut allergy.
38th International Symposium on Diabetes and Nutrition
The symposium represents the annual meeting of the Diabetes and Nutrition Study Group (DNSG) of the European Association for the study of Diabetes (EASD), which annually hold this Congress to present the latest advances in translational research in food, nutrition and diabetes and stimulate scientific debate in this area of knowledge.
For the first time, we assume the challenge of organizing and adapt the most important Symposium on Diabetes and Nutrition on an international level, to the online mode, due to this pandemic. We hope very much to attend the next year Symposium in person.
The slogan of the 2021 scientific program is: “Novel approaches on nutrition and diabetes: 2021 and beyond”. Highlighted international speakers will do a vibrant and rewarding virtual event, in which only is necessary your online attendance in order to get successful the event.
All sessions of the Symposium will be displayed on a very intuitive virtual platform.
More information: https://dnsg2021.com/
Changes in nut consumption influence long-term weight change in US men and women.
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