ULS-CEAZA
Application of high hydrostatic pressure to aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) gel: Microbial inactivation and evaluation of quality parameters
Vega-Gálvez, A., Giovagnoli, C., Pérez-Won, M., Reyes, J., Vergara, J., & Miranda, M. et al.
High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) is an innovative technology which minimizes loss of physicochemical and nutritional quality matching consumer demands for fresh-like foods. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high hydrostatic pressure (300, 400 and 500 MPa/1, 3 and 5 min) on microbial inactivation and quality parameters of A. vera gel after 60 days of storage. Shelf life was determined successfully by fitting experimental microbial data to the modified Gompertz equation for samples treated at 300 MPa/1 min. The samples treated at 400 and 500 MPa during 1, 3 and 5 min presented undetectable levels of microorganisms' counts. Based on microbiological results, the analysis of quality attributes was focused on the effects of HHP (300, 400 and 500 MPa) during 5 min of processing. Antioxidant activity, which was analyzed by means of total polyphenols content and DPPH-radical scavenging activity, showed a maximum value at 500 MPa. At 400 MPa, vitamin C showed the maximum retention (93%) and vitamin E increased the initial value of the gel. An increase of polysaccharides at 500 MPa also affected the gel firmness. Differences in surface color were also observed. Based on results, application of 500 MPa during 5 min may be successfully used to preserve main quality attributes of A. vera gel.
Año: 2012
Palabras claves: High hydrostatic pressure; Quality indices; Microbial growth; Shelf life; A. vera gel
Referencia APA: Vega-Gálvez, A., Giovagnoli, C., Pérez-Won, M., Reyes, J., Vergara, J., & Miranda, M. et al. (2012). Application of high hydrostatic pressure to aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) gel: Microbial inactivation and evaluation of quality parameters. Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies, 13, 57-63
Effect of high pressure on the interactions of myofibrillar proteins from abalone (Haliotis rufencens) containing several food additives.
Barrios-Peralta, P., Pérez-Won, M., Tabilo-Munizaga, G., & Briones-Labarca, V.
Changes induced by high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) processing on the chemical and functional properties of seafood proteins and their interactions with selected food additives, such as potato starch (PS), dried egg whites (EW) and agar, were studied at pressures ranging from 200 to 550 MPa for 3, 5 and 10 min. Phosphate buffers were used to extract abalone muscle myofibrillar proteins. Protein changes was studied by UV–visible spectroscopy and functionality by their emulsifying capacity. The results show changes in peak heights and the appearance of new peaks at 327 nm in pressurised samples with additives; however, interactions between myofibrillar proteins and food additives did not take place, the same was observed by SDS-PAGE, regardless of the pressure treatment applied. In contrast, the emulsifying capacity increased in samples with agar and PS treated at 350–550 MPa. The highest emulsifying capacity was obtained in samples with 4 g PS/100 mL of protein dilution at 450 MPa for 5 min, while the emulsifying capacity decreased at 200 MPa using 10 g EW/100 mL of protein. No changes in protein bands were observed for all samples, suggesting that high pressure did not influence changes in the molecular weights of the proteins.
Año: 2012
Palabras claves: Myofibrillar protein; High hydrostatic pressure; Starch; Agar; Abalone.
Referencia APA: Barrios-Peralta, P., Pérez-Won, M., Tabilo-Munizaga, G., & Briones-Labarca, V. (2012). Effect of high pressure on the interactions of myofibrillar proteins from abalone (Haliotis rufencens) containing several food additives. LWT - Food Science And Technology, 49(1), 28-33.
Effects of high hydrostatic pressure on microstructure, texture, colour and biochemical changes of red abalone (Haliotis rufecens) during cold storage time.
Briones-Labarca, V., Perez-Won, M., Zamarca, M., Aguilera-Radic, J., & Tabilo-Munizaga, G.
This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of high hydrostatic pressure on quality changes (microstructure, colour, texture and biochemical) of red abalone (Haliotis rufecens) during storage time at 4 °C. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatments were applied at 500 MPa for 8 min and 550 MPa for 3 and 5 min. Biochemical indices covering pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) and trimethylamine (TMA), as well as instrumental texture, microstructure and colour of abalone samples were determined immediately after treatment and throughout subsequent storage at 4 °C. Results have shown that HHP-treated abalones have significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher pH, moisture and ash content than untreated abalones. Protein and fat contents of treated abalones were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower compared to untreated sample (control). TVB-N and TMA levels for HHP-treated abalones rose over the storage period but did not exceed 28 mg TVB-N/100 g and 3 mg TMA/100 g, respectively at the end of 60 days. Instead, the untreated sample exceeded the allowed limit in a 30 day period for the TVB-N and TMA. However, all HHP treatments had less negative effects on tissue colour of abalone than untreated samples in the cold storage time; moreover, whiteness index was reduced to 8% at the end of day 60. A more compact structure was identified as high hydrostatic pressure was higher. Thus, it was concluded that holes in muscle fibres were often due to protein gelation, whenever pressure and protein concentration are high enough, confirming that the structure of abalone muscle treated with high hydrostatic pressure differed significantly from that of raw abalone meat.
Año: 2012
Palabras claves: High hydrostatic pressure; Abalone; Colour; pH; TVB-N; TMA; Microstructure
Referencia APA: Briones-Labarca, V., Perez-Won, M., Zamarca, M., Aguilera-Radic, J., & Tabilo-Munizaga, G. (2012). Effects of high hydrostatic pressure on microstructure, texture, colour and biochemical changes of red abalone (Haliotis rufecens) during cold storage time. Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies, 13, 42-50.
Hydro-meteorological trends in semi-arid north-central Chile (29–32°S): water resources implications for a fragile Andean region
Souvignet, M., Oyarzún, R., Verbist, K., Gaese, H., & Heinrich, J.
Changes in hydro-meteorological historical records are of considerable importance for future planning. This study analyses trends of hydro-climatological indices of annual and seasonal precipitation, temperature and discharge in the “Norte Chico” region of Chile (29–32°S), located in the Central Andes. It addresses how these trends possibly impacted on the water resources in a nival regime, typical for arid mountainous regions. Homogenous records were tested against monotonic trends using the non-parametric rank-based Mann-Kendall test. The results suggested, at a very high confidence level, a strong warming signal trend over recent decades, consistent at the annual and seasonal levels. Furthermore, warmer days are observed in summer, especially at higher elevations. The region also experienced a shift in the rainy season over the last 42 years. However, an increase in precipitation was observed over recent decades, whereas an annual decrease was the general tendency when the whole century was considered. Changes in discharge were not unequivocal and glacier retreat has been compensated for possibly by an increase in snowmelt in recent years. Hence, in an under-studied area, from the hydrological perspective, this work provides some insights for a better understanding of changing hydrological processes in the mid-latitude Andes Cordillera.
Año: 2012
Palabras claves: trend detection, variability, climate change, hydro-climatological indices, arid region, Chile.
Referencia APA: Souvignet, M., Oyarzún, R., Verbist, K., Gaese, H., & Heinrich, J. (2012). Hydro-meteorological trends in semi-arid north-central Chile (29–32°S): water resources implications for a fragile Andean region. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 57(3), 479-495.
Shrub facilitation increases plant diversity along an arid scrubland-temperate rain forest boundary in South America
van Zonneveld, M., Gutiérrez, J., & Holmgren, M.
Theoretical models predict nurse plant facilitation enhances species richness by ameliorating stressful environmental conditions and expanding distributional ranges of stress-intolerant species into harsh environments. We studied the role of nurse facilitation on the recruitment of perennial plants along an arid scrubland–temperate rain forest boundary to test the following predictions: (1) nurse shrub canopy increases seedling abundance and species richness along the rain forest–scrubland boundary; (2) scrubland species are less dependent on facilitative interactions than temperate rain forest species, especially at the moister, upper end of the gradient.
Año: 2012
Palabras claves:
Referencia APA: van Zonneveld, M., Gutiérrez, J., & Holmgren, M. (2012). Shrub facilitation increases plant diversity along an arid scrubland-temperate rain forest boundary in South America. J Veg Sci, 23(3), 541-551.
Seasonal and Multiannual Patterns in Avian Assemblage Structure and Composition in Northern Chilean Thorn-Scrub
Douglas A. Kelt, Andrew Engilis Jr., Juan Monárdez, Robert Walsh, Peter L. Meserve, And Julio R. Gutiérrez.
The species composition of the Chilean avifauna is well-defined taxonomically but is not well known ecologically. We sampled avian communities at a biosphere reserve in coastal north-central Chile in three seasons over six years (18 surveys total) and characterized them in terms of community structure and composition. The avifauna (S = 56 species) was dominated by insectivores (S = 20), carnivores (S = 14), and granivores (S = 13), with lesser contributions by omnivores (S = 5), nectarivores (S = 2), folivores (S = 1), and one vagrant piscivore. The fauna varied greatly between summer and winter, and in most years the breeding season also was distinct. Eighteen species constituted a core group of residents observed in nearly all surveys, but at least 15 species were nomadic or migratory. Our site supported more insectivorous species in winter but more granivores and omnivores in the breeding season, although this observation may be confounded by species' detectability. The structure of the set of species was nested temporally, but this was not clearly caused by seasonal influx supplementing a core fauna of residents. Ordination clearly segregated all three seasons, except for one survey that was explained by very dry conditions in that year. Further research will quantify productivity and demographic responses to long-term climatic variation to compare avian and mammalian patterns with respect to extrinsically generated pulses in resources (e.g., El Niño/Southern Oscillation).
Año: 2012
Palabras claves: avian community structure, avian diversity, biosphere reserve, Chile, migration, seasonality, semiarid thorn scrub
Referencia APA: Douglas A. Kelt, Andrew Engilis Jr., Juan Monárdez, Robert Walsh, Peter L. Meserve, And Julio R. Gutiérrez. (2012). Seasonal and Multiannual Patterns in Avian Assemblage Structure and Composition in Northern Chilean Thorn-Scrub. The Condor, 114(1), 30-43.
Integrating Ecology and Environmental Ethics: Earth Stewardship in the Southern End of the Americas
Rozzi, R., Armesto, J.J., Gutiérrez, J.R., Massardo, F., Likens, G.E., Anderson, C.B., Poole, A., Moses, K.P., Hargrove, E., Mansilla, A.O., Kennedy, J.H., Willson, M., Jax, K., Jones, C.G., Callicott,J.B., and Arroyo, M.T.K.
The South American temperate and sub-Antarctic forests cover the longest latitudinal range in the Southern Hemisphere and include the world's southernmost forests. However, until now, this unique biome has been absent from global ecosystem research and monitoring networks. Moreover, the latitudinal range of between 40 degrees (°) south (S) and 60° S constitutes a conspicuous gap in the International Long-Term Ecological Research (ILTER) and other international networks. We first identify 10 globally salient attributes of biological and cultural diversity in southwestern South America. We then present the nascent Chilean Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research (LTSER) network, which will incorporate a new biome into ILTER. Finally, we introduce the field environmental philosophy methodology, developed by the Chilean LTSER network to integrate ecological sciences and environmental ethics into graduate education and biocultural conservation. This approach broadens the prevailing economic spectrum of social dimensions considered by LTSER programs and helps foster bioculturally diverse forms of Earth stewardship.
Año: 2012
Palabras claves: conservation, temperate forests, sub-Antarctic ecoregion, long-term ecological research, field stations
Referencia APA: Rozzi, R., Armesto, J.J., Gutiérrez, J.R., Massardo, F., Likens, G.E., Anderson, C.B., Poole, A., Moses, K.P., Hargrove, E., Mansilla, A.O., Kennedy, J.H., Willson, M., Jax, K., Jones, C.G., Callicott,J.B., and Arroyo, M.T.K. (2012). Integrating Ecology and Environmental Ethics: Earth Stewardship in the Southern End of the Americas. Bioscience, 62(3), 226-236.
The ecology, distribution and conservation status of Myrcianthes coquimbensis : a globally endangered endemic shrub of the Chilean Coastal Desert
García-Guzman, P., Loayza, A., Carvajal, D., Letelier, L., & Squeo, F.
The current distribution of M. coquimbensis extends along 82.8 km of the Chilean coast, where the species is mainly threatened by habitat loss. Only 13% of the individuals flowered during 2010, and 66% of these plants lost their entire flower crop due to desiccation. Few seeds (7.5%) were lost to post-dispersal seed predation. The populations are composed mainly of adult plants (70% of the individuals), and little to no recruitment was observed.
Año: 2012
Palabras claves: Atacama Desert, Chile, conservation biology, habitat loss, Myrtaceae, restricted-range species,
Referencia APA: García-Guzman, P., Loayza, A., Carvajal, D., Letelier, L., & Squeo, F. (2012). The ecology, distribution and conservation status of Myrcianthes coquimbensis: a globally endangered endemic shrub of the Chilean Coastal Desert. Plant Ecology & Diversity, 5(2), 197-204.