EFFECTIVENESS OF CATEGORY AND LINE SCALES TO CHARACTERIZE CONSUMER PERCEPTION OF FRUITY FERMENTED FLAVOR IN PEANUTS

Fruity fermented (FF) flavor is a common off‐flavor in peanuts resulting from high‐temperature curing. The 9‐point hedonic scale is the most widely used scale to determine consumer acceptance; however, research has indicated that line scales may provide equal reliability and greater sensitivity. The objectives of this study were to characterize consumer perception of FF flavor in peanuts and to compare the effectiveness of the two scale types. Consumers (n = 208) evaluated control (no FF), low‐intensity (1.0) FF and high‐intensity (3.0) FF peanut pastes for the strength/intensity of roasted peanut flavor (RPF), sweet taste (ST), fresh peanut flavor (FPF) and overall liking (OV) using randomly assigned ballots. Sensitivity in defining consumer perception of off‐flavor in peanuts was greater with use of line scales than with the hedonic scale. The line scale indicated that FF flavor in peanuts, even at low intensity, negatively impacted OV and further identified significantly lower RPF and FPF perception by consumers. The hedonic scale identified only a difference in FPF and was not sensitive enough to show a difference in OV.     

FLAVOR PROPERTIES OF PLAIN SOYMILK*

A trained sensory panel was used to (1) establish terminology for describing flavor attributes of a wide range of “fresh” and processed soymilks (SMs); and (2) test the lexicon and describe the flavor properties of a wide range (n = 32) of plain SM samples. Twenty‐eight attributes were identified in the SMs studied. However, findings indicate that the main differences are a consequence largely of the presence of certain attributes that are either infrequently present or unique to a specific product. Thus, sensory evaluation of SM needs to include a review of samples to ensure that all attributes are documented prior to evaluation, or use a method that allows the addition of attributes during testing.     

SENSORY PROFILES OF THE MOST COMMON SALMON PRODUCTS ON THE DANISH MARKET

The sensory profiles of the most common chilled and frozen salmon products available to consumers on the Danish market were studied. A sensory profiling was made on 12 salmon products varying in salmon species, origin, storage method and time. Samples stored in ice between 7 and 16 days, frozen for 1 month or stored in modified atmosphere for 5 days all had sensory profiles dominated by sea/seaweed odor, juicy and oily texture, fresh fish oil, and sweet and mushroom flavor. Marked differences in the sensory profiles of the frozen samples were found to correlate to differences in storage time. Frozen storage for 6 months resulted in firm texture, discolored appearance and rancid flavor. The samples stored in modified atmosphere for 7 days had a sensory profile with marked rancid and sour odor.     

Effect of dietary fish oil replacement with palm oil on growth performance,hematology and liver anti‐oxidative enzymes of juvenile Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus (Temminck & Schlegel, 1846)

A 60‐day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary palm oil supplements on growth performances, hematology, liver anti‐oxidative enzymes and air exposure resistance of Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus (initial weights 2.56 ± 0.01 g). Five diets were tested wherein the dietary fish oil was replaced by palm oil at: 0% (Control), 20% (20%), 40% (40%), 50% (50%) and 60% (60%). After the feeding trial, the 20% dietary palm oil was shown to provide similar growth rates and feed efficiency with no negative effects compared to the control group (P > 0.05). Significantly lower growth rates and feed utilization were found in fish fed higher than 40% palm oil in the diet (P < 0.05). Except for total serum protein, the blood parameters, liver anti‐oxidative enzymes, stress resistance and proximate compositions of Japanese flounder were not altered, even with dietary palm oil up to 60% of the lipid source (P > 0.05). According to the present results, palm oil is a valuable lipid source substitute in Japanese flounder diets; around 20–40% fish oil can be replaced with palm oil with no negative effects.     

Processing yield of wild‐caught and indoor‐reared Brazilian flounder Paralichthys orbignyanus

The aims of this work were to evaluate the fillet yield and the skin area production of wild‐caught (male × female) and indoor‐reared male Brazilian flounder Paralichthys orbignyanus. Fillet yield of wild‐caught Brazilian flounder is high, averaging 53.4 ± 0.7 and 51.2 ± 0.6% to female and male, respectively. However, indoor‐reared male flounder show even higher (P < 0.05) fillet yields of 59.4 ± 0.1%. Flounder weighing around 500 g should yield a skin area of ca. 450 cm², representing an important sub‐product that can be used in the fashion industry. The results of the present study emphasize the potential for culture and use of sub‐products of the Brazilian flounder.     

Hypothermic storage of sheep embryos with antifreeze proteins: development in vitro and in vivo

Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) non-colligatively lower the freezing point of aqueous solutions, block membrane ion channels and thereby confer a degree of protection during cooling. Ovine embryos following prolonged hypothermic storage were used to determine 1) the type and concentration of a group of AFPs that can confer hypothermic tolerance, 2) the storage temperature, 3) the cooling rate, and 4) the in vitro and in vivo viability. In Experiment 1, Grade 1 and 2 embryos produced following superovulation were either cultured fresh (control) or stored at 4 degrees C for 4 d in media containing protein from 1 of 3 sources: Winter Flounder (WF; AFP Type 1); Ocean Pout (OP; AFP Type 3) at a concentration of 1 or 10 mg/ml; or bovine serum albumen (BSA) at 4 mg/ml in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Following 72 h of culture, the viability rates were not different between controls (18 21 ); BSA (9 15 ); WF at 1 mg/ml (14 15 ); WF at 10 mg/ml (13 15 ) or OP at I mg/n-d (15 21 ), but were decreased (P < 0.05) in embryos stored in OP at 1 0 mg/ml (I 1 20 ). Pooled data showed higher (P < 0.05) viability rates for WF (27 30 ) than for OP (26 41 ) or BSA (9 15 ). There was no effect of protein source on hatching rates, but mean hatched diameters of embryos were lower (P < 0.05) following storage in BSA. In Experiment 2, Grade I to 3 embryos were either cultured fresh or stored for 4 d at 0 degrees or 4 degrees C in 4 mg/n-d BSA or 1 mg/ml WF. Embryos stored in WF at 4 degrees C (WF/4 degrees C) had comparable hatching rates (8 12 ) to that of controls (10 10 ), but embryos in the other treatments (WF 0 degrees C, 5 11 , BSA 4 degrees C, 6 11 and BSA 0 degrees C, 3 10 ) had significantly lower hatching rates (P < 0.01) compared with controls. Hatched diameters were comparable between controls and embryos stored in WF 4 degrees C, but embryos stored in WF 0 degrees C and BSA at both temperatures had smaller diameters (P < 0.05). In Experiment 3, Grade 1 to 3 embryos were either transferred fresh or were stored for 4 d at 4 degrees C in 4 mg/ml BSA or 1 mg/ml WF at different cooling rates (T1, BSA > 2 degrees C/min; T2, WF > 2 degrees C/min and T3, WF < 1 degrees C/min) prior to transfer. There were no differences in the number of ewes pregnant (T1, 10 1 1; T2, 6 10 and T3, 8 10 ) or in the number of viable fetuses recovered per treatment (T1, 14 25 ; T2, 10 1 4 and T3, 15 2 1) to indicate a negative effect of cooling rate or protein on embryo survival. In conclusion, ovine embryos can be stored in WF or BSA at 4 degrees C for 4 d, yielding similar pregnancy and embryo survival rates as fresh embryos following transfer to recipient ewes.     

Chemicals released by predation increase the growth rate of yellow perch,Perca flavescens

Water‐soluble factors associated with walleye Sander vitreus predation on either yellow perch Perca flavescens or fathead minnows Pimephales promelas markedly increased the growth rate of P. flavescens. The findings suggest that P. flavescens possess an inducible growth‐promoting mechanism regulated by water‐born chemicals. It may be possible to increase the growth rate of farm‐raised P. flavescens by manipulating this system.     

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT FACTORS ON SENSORY ATTRIBUTES, OVERALL ACCEPTANCE AND PREFERENCE OF ROOIBOS (ASPALATHUS LINEARIS) TEA

Effects of serving size, gender, age, tea type, tea‐making technique and water quality on the sensory attributes (appearance, aroma and taste), overall acceptability and preference of Rooibos tea were investigated. In general, there were significant effects of age and main factor interactions on the attributes and product acceptability (P ≤ 0.05). The interaction of serving size, gender and age affected the acceptability of Rooibos (P ≤ 0.05). Although there was significant difference between natural and vanilla‐flavored tea in terms of color, clarity, odor and taste (P ≤ 0.05), no difference was observed in the product acceptability (P > 0.05). The tea‐making technique only affected the odor, with traditionally brewed tea having lower intensity scores than the infused tea. The tea prepared using natural spring water was found to be clearer and had higher acceptability scores than the tea prepared using tap water (P ≤ 0.05). There was no existing significant preference for the natural Rooibos over the vanilla‐flavored one, and the traditionally brewed tea over the infused one; however, the tea prepared using the spring water was preferred over the one prepared using tap water.     

The effects of predation on the survival and size-distribution of estuarine fishes: an experimental approach

Synopsis The effect of southern flounder,Paralichthys lethostigma, predation on the survival and size-distribution of spot,Leiostomus xanthurus, was investigated using feeding experiments in outdoor tanks and estuarine ponds. In the outdoor tank experiments, southern flounder, 143 mm average standard length (SL), fed for 48 h on spot (25–30 mm SL), over a range of densities (4–20 m^–2). In these trials, flounder showed a Type II functional response to spot density. In the estuarine pond experiment, flounder density (2 or 4 flounders 70 m^–2) contributed significantly to spot mortality relative to predator-free controls. The effect of flounder density on spot mortality was non-linear; in the 4-flounder treatment the daily instantaneous mortality due to flounder (0.0177) was 3.5 times that in the 2-flounder treatment (0.0051). The total spot mortality rate in the 4-flounder treatment (0.028) was similar to that observed from published field observations. Flounder also altered the size distribution of spot relative to predator-free controls. Predation by flounder resulted in fewer intermediate-sized spot at the end of the experiment when compared to predator-free controls. Flounder also significantly reduced survival and mean length of two killifishes,Cyprinodon variegatus andFundulus heteroclitus, that invaded the pond. Flounder predation was a significant size-structuring force on the prey fish assemblage in the pond. Results from both the outdoor tank experiment and the pond experiment indicate that flounder may represent a significant source of mortality for juvenile estuarine fishes.     

Green‐shifting of SWS2A opsin sensitivity and loss of function of RH2‐A opsin in flounders,genus Verasper

We identified visual opsin genes for three flounder species, including the spotted halibut (Verasper variegatus), slime flounder (Microstomus achne), and Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). Structure and function of opsins for the three species were characterized together with those of the barfin flounder (V. moseri) that we previously reported. All four flounder species possessed five basic opsin genes, including lws, sws1, sws2, rh1, and rh2. Specific features were observed in rh2 and sws2. The rh2‐a, one of the three subtypes of rh2, was absent in the genome of V. variegatus and pseudogenized in V. moseri. Moreover, rh2‐a mRNA was not detected in M. achne and P. olivaceus, despite the presence of a functional reading frame. Analyses of the maximum absorption spectra (λ_max) estimated by in vitro reconstitution indicated that SWS2A of M. achne (451.9 nm) and P. olivaceus (465.6 nm) were blue‐sensitive, whereas in V. variegatus (485.4 nm), it was green‐sensitive and comparable to V. moseri (482.3 nm). Our results indicate that although the four flounder species possess a similar opsin gene repertoire, the SWS2A opsin of the genus Verasper is functionally green‐sensitive, while its overall structure remains conserved as a blue‐sensitive opsin. Further, the rh2‐a function seems to have been reduced during the evolution of flounders. λ_max values of predicted ancestral SWS2A of Pleuronectiformes and Pleuronectidae was 465.4 and 462.4 nm, respectively, indicating that these were blue‐sensitive. Thus, the green‐sensitive SWS2A is estimated to be arisen in ancestral Verasper genus. It is suggested that the sensitivity shift of SWS2A from blue to green may have compensated functional reduction in RH2‐A.     

江苏省水产品中溶藻弧菌分布情况

随机采集江苏省各地区的超市和农贸市场鲜活水产样品252份,参考国家标准中副溶血性弧菌的检验方法,采用形态特征观察、生化特性测定并结合特异性基因测定的方法对溶藻弧菌进行分离鉴定。结果显示,252份样品中共有198份分离鉴定出溶藻弧菌,其分离率为79%。其中,淡水产品的检出率为76%,海水产品的检出率为81%。淡水鱼中的溶藻弧菌检出率低于淡水虾贝类产品和海水产品;沿江地区的又高于沿海地区和内陆地区,农贸市场的高于超市。结果表明,海水产品与淡水产品中溶藻弧菌的携带情况非常普遍。     

Cold effect analysis and screening of SNPs associated with cold‐tolerance in the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

Olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus is an important mariculture fish and cold stress limits to its growth and survival during winter. In the present study, the cold‐tolerant (CT) and cold‐sensitive (CS) flounder were defined after cold treatment (0.7 ± 0.05°C). Cold effects on histological and physiological and gene expression levels were analyzed. The correlation analyses between single nucleotide polymorphism locus (SNP) in hsp70, yb‐1 and hmgb1 and the trait of cold tolerance were performed. The results showed that flounder gill was obviously damaged after treatment and more serious lesions in some of the epithelial cell layers were observed in the CS group. ATP concentration and pyruvate kinase activity in the CT group were significantly higher than those in the CS group (p < 0.05). Expression levels of hsp70 and yb‐1 were both up‐regulated markedly after cold treatment (p < 0.05). Nine, twenty‐one and ten SNPs were screened from hsp70, yb‐1 and hmgb1 partial sequences, respectively. Among them, 3 SNPs in hsp70 and 2 SNPs in hmgb1 showed significant difference in the two groups. Allele G of the SNP 8 (locus 1797) in hsp70 was only observed in the CT group. In the SNP 7 (locus 725) of hmgb1, genotype TT and allele T, and genotype CC and allele C were associated with cold tolerance and cold sensitive, respectively. Furthermore, one haplotype (TTG) generated from SNPs of hsp70 gene among CT and CS individuals showed significant relationship with cold tolerance (p = 0.031). Two haplotypes (ATG) and (TCT) generated from SNPs of hmgb1 were significantly associated with resistance (p = 0.001) and sensitive (p = 0.002) in cold treatment, respectively. These SNPs, genotype, alleles and haplotypes of hsp70 and hmgb1 may be related to the cold resistance of flounder, and could be candidate markers potentially for further selective breeding.     

Chemical Composition and Aroma Evaluation of Essential Oils from Evolvulus alsinoides L.

The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition and the odor‐active compounds of the essential oils from Evolvulus alsinoides, which is a well‐known edible and medicinal plant. The volatile compounds in the oils were identified by hydrodistillation (HD) and solvent‐assisted flavor evaporation (SAFE) in combination with GC, GC/MS, GC/O (=olfactometry), aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA), and relative flavor activities (RFA values). The most abundant compound in the HD oil was cis‐α‐necrodol (12.62%), an irregular monoterpene with a cyclopentane skeleton, which is very unusual in the plant kingdom. In the SAFE oil, the main components included 2‐butoxyethanol (9.01%), benzyl alcohol (8.01%), and γ‐butyrolactone (7.37%). Through sensory analysis, 21 aroma‐active compounds were identified by GC/O. The most intense aroma‐active compounds in the HD oil were hexan‐1‐ol and γ‐nonalactone, both of which showed high RFA values. α‐Methyl‐γ‐butyrolactone and dimethyl sulfone contributed more strongly to the aroma of the SAFE oil. These results imply that the essential oils of E. alsinoides deserve further investigation in the food industry.     

Female German cockroaches join conspecific groups based on the incidence of auditory cues

Insects deciding whether to approach and join a group of conspecifics may utilize olfactory and auditory signals, or cues, from that group as indicators of its size or the suitability of its shelter. Here we show (1) that German cockroaches, Blattella germanica L. (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae), in groups wing‐fan; (2) that the incidence of wing‐fanning (WF) increases proportionately to group size; and (3) that gravid females utilize auditory cues associated with WF behaviour when they decide whether or not to enter a shelter. In binary choice arena bioassays, proportionately more gravid females avoided shelters associated with play‐back of high‐incidence male‐ or female‐produced WF sound, indicating a high‐density group of conspecifics, but sought shelters associated with play‐back of low‐incidence WF sound, indicating a low‐density group of conspecifics. These auditory cues seem to convey information on group size or density, avoid sensory fatigue in enclosed environments, and allow sonotactic orientation to the group's location.