Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of malic acid and a mixture of sodium and calcium malate when used as technological additives for all animal species

Spray drying and storage of probiotic-enriched almond milk: probiotic survival and physicochemical properties

BACKGROUND

The combination of the nutritional profile of almond milk with the benefits of probiotic bacteria is an interesting development to meet the demand for sustainable and health-promoting food. Almond milk inoculated with probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum (ATCC8014) was spray dried and the almond, its milk, and powders were characterized physicochemically. Samples were characterized in terms of bacterial survival before and after atomization. Bacterial viability and total fatty acid changes were studied during 8 months' storage at 4 and 22 °C.

RESULTS

Results showed adequate physicochemical properties and an optimal bacterial survival rate, maintaining almost the same values before and after the spray-drying operation. A decrease was observed in the cell viability for samples stored at 4 °C. However, the cell count was maintained above the minimum level suggested (10⁷ living cells) to allow potential probiotic functionality for 8 months. On the other hand, the count cell of powders stored at 22 °C was below the minimum level required after 6 months. The fatty acids profile was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by storage time and temperature.

CONCLUSION

A new almond-based-product with probiotics was developed to meet consumer demands. Almond nutrients were recovered from almond milk powder and were found to be a good source of K and high in Mg and in monounsaturated fat. The viability of bacteria was assured during 8 months of storage at 4 °C and up to 6 months for samples stored at 22 °C. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Laser Desorption/Ionisation Mass Spectrometry Imaging of European Yew (Taxus baccata) on Gold Nanoparticle-enhanced Target

INTRODUCTION

European yew (Taxus baccata) is a plant known to man for centuries as it produces many interesting and important metabolites. These chemical compounds were repeatedly analysed by various analytical techniques, but none of the methods used so far allowed the localisation of the chemical compounds within the tissue and also correlation between plant morphology and its biochemistry.

OBJECTIVE

Visualisation of the spatial distribution of yew metabolites with nanoparticle-based mass spectrometry imaging.

METHODOLOGY

Compounds occurring on cross-section of a one-year yew sprig has been transferred to gold nanoparticle-enhanced target (AuNPET) by imprinting. The imprint was then subjected to mass spectrometry imaging analysis.

RESULTS

Nanoparticle-enhanced mass spectrometry imaging made it possible to study the distribution of selected compounds in the European yew tissue, including taxanes - terpene alkaloids characteristic for the Taxus genus. Results prove that aspartate, taxinine M, baccatin IV and taxine B are located mainly in the cortex. Taxuspine W was located in the vascular tissue. Maleate was found to be located mainly in the phloem tissue. In contrast, the proton adduct of chlorophyll b was found in the external layer of twigs.

CONCLUSION

The results presented a high correlation between the location of compounds and the morphology of the plant, thus giving the opportunity to see the selected details of chemical structure of the analysed tissue for the first time. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Creatine and creatine forms intended for sports nutrition

Creatine is a popular ergogenic supplement in sports nutrition. Yet, supplementation of creatine occasionally caused adverse effects such as gastrointestinal complaints, muscle cramps and an increase in body weight. Creatine monohydrate has already been evaluated by different competent authorities and several have come to the conclusion that a daily intake of 3 g creatine per person is unlikely to pose safety concerns, focusing on healthy adults with exclusion of pregnant and breastfeeding women. Possible vulnerable subgroups were also discussed in relation to the safety of creatine. The present review provides an up-to-date overview of the relevant information with special focus on human studies regarding the safety of creatine monohydrate and other marketed creatine forms, in particular creatine pyruvate, creatine citrate, creatine malate, creatine taurinate, creatine phosphate, creatine orotate, creatine ethyl ester, creatine pyroglutamate, creatine gluconate, and magnesium creatine chelate. Limited data are available with regard to the safety of the latter creatine forms. Considering an acceptable creatine intake of 3 g per day, most of the evaluated creatine forms are unlikely to pose safety concerns, however some safety concerns regarding a supplementary intake of creatine orotate, creatine phosphate, and magnesium creatine chelate are discussed here.