Metabolic syndrome, as manifested by visceral obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia, is reaching epidemic proportions in the Western World, specifically the United States. Epidemiologic studies suggest that the increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome directly correlates with an increase in the consumption of fructose, mainly in the form of high-fructose corn syrup. This...

In this work, the efficacy of fig syrup, a Mediterranean fig derivative, as a nutraceutical supplement, was demonstrated. Fig syrup is a fruit concentrate used as a common ingredient in the preparation of typical foods, and particularly in cakes. In vitro assays were performed to determine the amount of nutraceutical ingredients, such as phenolic compounds (3.92 mg equivalent of gallic acid per...

Xanthomonas campestris was used for producing xanthan gum using date syrup, prepared from low quality dates, as a substrate. Fermentation was carried out with date syrup and sucrose syrup at 28 ˚C and pH 6.8 in a rotary benmarin shaker (240 rpm). The effect of fermentation period (24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h) on xanthan gum production was studied. The results showed that EPS concentration increase...

Fernando Cebola Lidon*1, Maria da Graça Barreiro2 1Grupo de Disciplinas de Ecologia da Hidrosfera, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Quinta da Torre, 2825–114 Caparica, Portugal Phone: 351212948543; Fax: 351212948543; Email: [email protected] 2Departamento de Fisiologia Vegetal, Estação Agronómica Nacional, Avenida da Republica Nova Oeiras, 2784–505 Oeiras, Portugal. Phone: 351214403500; Fax: 35...

Diversified crop rotation may improve production efficiency, reduce fertilizer nitrogen (N) requirements for corn (Zea mays L.), and increase soil carbon (C) storage. Objectives were to determine effect of rotation and fertilizer N on soil C sequestration and N use. An experiment was started in 1990 on a Barnes clay loam (U.S. soil taxonomy: fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, frigid Calcic Hapludo...

Headwater streams draining agricultural landscapes receive maize leaves (Zea mays L.) via wind and surface runoff, yet the contribution of maize detritus to organic-matter processing in agricultural streams is largely unknown. We quantified decomposition and microbial respiration rates on conventional (non-Bt) and genetically engineered (Bt) maize in three low-order agricultural streams in nort...

Integrating the conservation of biodiversity by smallholder farmers with agricultural intensification is increasingly recognized as a leading priority of sustainability and food security amid global environmental and socioeconomic change. An international research project investigated the smallholder agrobiodiversity of maize (corn) in a global hotspot (Bolivia) undergoing significant intensifi...

Fructans are fructose-based oligo-and polysaccharides of natural origin. Fructan and fructose species are sometimes confused by the great public, although they clearly have different biochemical and physiological properties. This review discusses aspects of the use of fructose and fructans in foods in the context of human health, with possible differential effects on cellular autophagy in cells...