Archivio istituzionale della Ricerca - Università degli Studi di Parma
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The Second Life of Citrus: Phytochemical Characterization and Antifungal Activity Bioprospection of C. limon and C. sinensis Peel Extracts Against Potato Rot Disease
No full textPurpose: Citrus peel is known to contain a number of secondary metabolites effective against some phytopathogenic fungi affecting crop production both in the field and during storage. As fruit peels from the production of citrus juice are secondary waste that accounts up to the 40–50% of the total product biomass, the recycling of these by-products for the extraction of natural fungicides perfectly accomplishes the concept of circular economy in the food supply chain.
Methods: We obtained essential oils and aqueous extracts from dried peel of Citrus limon and C. sinensis, determined the residual phytochemical profile and assessed their biological activity against Fusarium solani and Pythium ultimum, etiological agents of potato rot disease. Aqueous extracts composition was characterized by GC–MS, while essential oils were characterized with HPLC–DAD.
Results: Five main compounds (quinic acid, protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, rutin and kaempferol) were found to differentiate the two citrus peels, while syringic acid detected as main compound in C. sinensis was not found in C. limon. The antifungal activity, evaluated in term of both spore germination inhibition and mycelial development impairment, showed a lower antifungal potential of C. sinensis extracts with respect to C. limon.
Conclusions: C. limon peels possibly obtained from recycled food waste could be therefore considered for sustainable agriculture and food conservation purposes against potato rots fungi
Editorial: The primate's sensorimotor system and its relationship with emotion, cognition, and decision-making
No full textHow does the flavan-3-ol structure condition the quali-quantitative production of phenolic metabolites? Insights from a 3-arm intervention
No full textThe structural properties of parent flavan-3-ols may affect their metabolism, with a putative impact on biological response. This study aims to evaluate the influence of the chemical structure on the metabolism and urinary excretion of flavan-3-ol metabolites. An acute intervention trial was performed in 11 subjects consuming flavan-3-ols from different sources: green tea extract (GT), grape seed extract with a high monomer content (GSM), and grape seed extract rich in procyanidins (GSP). Flavan-3-ols from GT had the highest bioavailability, while flavan-3-ols from GSP were the lowest. GT was characterized by trihydroxylated and 3',5'-dihydroxylated derivatives, GSM was characterized by (epi)catechins, phenyl-γ-valerolactones, phenylvaleric acids, phenylpropanoic acids, and 1,2-dihydroxybenzenes, while GSP urine contained predominantly low-molecular-weight metabolites. Moreover, the endogenous production of phenolic metabolites was evaluated, suggesting that small phenolics may determine biases in the bioavailability estimates. This work demonstrates how the flavan-3-ol structure influences the bioavailability of this (poly)phenol class, being key in investigating the health effects derived from the intake of flavan-3-ol-rich foods
Visual Management for digitizing the production scheduling: An Italian case study
No full textVisual Management is a lean practice that uses visual tools, such as graphs, diagrams, tables, horizontal and vertical signs, boards, labels or electronic-digital displays in order to communicate many kinds of information, data or alerts to the operators. Several benefits can be achieved by introducing visual systems, such as increased productivity, reduced wastes, better safety for operators and even a higher sustainability level. This paper proposes a case study carried out in a company based in the North of Italy producing food plants which demonstrates that, by shifting from a printed production scheduling whose frequent changes were verbally communicated (without any form of standard) to a digital visual system with real-time information sharing and updates, an improvement of productivity and saving in costs is achievable. More into detail, the productivity is here measured with two Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): (i) the direct hours worked by the foremen of the department under investigation and (ii) the on-time deliveries of produced components to the next pre-assembly department; both KPIs, after the implementation of this new digital visual system, improved thus demonstrating tangible benefits and savings. The present pilot project was implemented following the steps of the DMAIC approach (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and finally Control), and can constitute the basis for similar projects from the side of interested practitioners
Parallelization of a multi-flexible-body framework on distributed memory architectures using MPI
No full textComparing width parameters on graph classes
No full textWe study how the relationship between non-equivalent width parameters changes once we restrict to some special graph class. As width parameters we consider treewidth, clique-width, twin-width, mim-width, sim-width and tree-independence number, whereas as graph classes we consider Kt,t-subgraph-free graphs, line graphs and their common superclass, for t≥3, of Kt,t-free graphs. For Kt,t-subgraph-free graphs, we extend a known result of Gurski and Wanke (2000) and provide a complete comparison, showing in particular that treewidth, clique-width, mim-width, sim-width and tree-independence number are all equivalent. For line graphs, we extend a result of Gurski and Wanke (2007) and also provide a complete comparison, showing in particular that clique-width, mim-width, sim-width and tree-independence number are all equivalent, and bounded if and only if the class of root graphs has bounded treewidth. For Kt,t-free graphs, we provide an almost-complete comparison, leaving open only one missing case. We show in particular that Kt,t-free graphs of bounded mim-width have bounded tree-independence number, and obtain structural and algorithmic consequences of this result, such as a proof of a special case of a recent conjecture of Dallard, Milanič and Štorgel. Finally, we consider the question of whether boundedness of a certain width parameter is preserved under graph powers. We show that this question has a positive answer for sim-width precisely in the case of odd powers
Torque Harmonic Minimization Optimal Pulse Pattern Modulation Technique for Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motors
No full textPermanent-magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) inherently exhibit torque oscillations due to their magnetic properties, impacting performance and causing increased noise and vibrations. While pulsewidth modulation (PWM) techniques commonly minimize current harmonics, they often overlook torque fluctuations arising from the interaction between current and back EMF harmonics in PMSMs. Therefore, achieving both minimal torque harmonic content and reduced switching frequency is essential to obtain a smooth torque and low switching losses. This article introduces a novel low-frequency optimal pulse pattern-based torque harmonic minimization (OPP-THM) method, designed to directly minimize torque harmonics in PMSMs, rather than solely focusing on current harmonics. By considering back EMF harmonics in the optimization of switching angles, the proposed approach effectively suppresses low-order torque harmonics without compromising the contribution of back EMF harmonics to average torque, thereby enhancing the PMSM performance. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through validation on a 4-kW experimental PMSM drive employing field-oriented control (FOC) under steady-state and transient conditions
Preliminary data on the vector competence of Aedes caspius for Dirofililaria immitis in a traditionally endemic area of northern Italy
No full textBackground: Dirofilaria immitis, the agent of canine and feline heartworm disease, and Dirofilaria repens, the agent of subcutaneous dirofilariosis, are widespread mosquito-borne helminths. The present study is aimed at updating current knowledge of the composition of potential vector species in the northern region of Emilia-Romagna, a traditionally endemic area for D. immitis and D. repens. Methods: Mosquitoes were collected in 2022 and 2023 as part of the regional surveillance plan for West Nile Virus (WNV). The capture zones included peri-urban and rural areas and mosquitoes were captured with CDC-CO2 traps. DNA from approximately 30% of female mosquitoes of each captured species (Culex pipiens, Aedes caspius, Aedes vexans, Aedes albopictus) was extracted and analyzed for the presence of D. immitis and D. repens. Results: A total of 140 pools (~ 20 mosquitoes each) in 2022 and 133 in 2023 have been analyzed. DNA of D. immitis was identified in 14 pools in 2022 and in 15 pools in 2023. None of the pools was positive for D. repens. In 2022, about 85% of the positive pools belonged to Ae. caspius species (11/13) and the other three pools to Ae. vexans. In 2023, 73% of the positive pools belonged to Ae. caspius, followed by Ae. vexans and Ae. albopictus (both 13.3%). A significant overlap emerged from the same traps positioned in Ferrara and Bologna provinces, which tested positive for D. immitis in both 2022 and 2023. Conclusions: These data highlight how, despite the abundance of Cx. pipiens captured, the most receptive species for D. immitis appear to be Ae. caspius and Ae. vexans. Furthermore, the geographical data highlights how the areas of the province of Ferrara and Bologna are the main geographical reservoirs of the parasite
Radial Hemostasis Devices and Post-Procedural Arterial Occlusion: Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
No full textBackground/Objectives: Radial artery occlusion (RAO) following hemostasis after coronary procedures is the most common complication, with a highly variable incidence (1–33%). While it is well established that the patent hemostasis technique reduces RAO rates, it remains unclear which device should be preferred. The wide variety of available radial hemostasis devices makes it necessary to identify those associated with a lower incidence of complications. Methods: Literature from 2016 to 2021 was reviewed through a systematic search in PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Embase databases. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving adult patients undergoing percutaneous transradial coronary procedures were included. Devices considered included pneumatic compression devices, manual compression, elastic bandages, and hemostatic dressings. The review process followed PRISMA guidelines. Two random-effects frequentist network meta-analyses were conducted to compare the effects of 16 and 9 radial hemostasis devices on RAO incidence at 24 h and 30 days after the procedure. Results: A total of 17 RCTs were included. The network meta-analysis (NMA) showed a protective effect at the 24 h endpoint for both double-balloon devices and pneumatic compression devices adjusted to mean arterial pressure. At the 30-day endpoint, significant differences were observed among pneumatic compression, chitosan-based PADs, mechanical compression devices, and adjustable elastic bandages. Conclusions: Although some treatments with specific devices significantly differ from the reference treatment, the limited availability of data to assess RAO at 30 days and a certain heterogeneity between devices indicate the need for further investigation
Shelf-life extension of beverages by high-pressure processing
No full textThe growing desire for clean-label products has increased the demand for eco-friendly and efficient processes to compete the conventional technologies such as thermal and chemical treatments. Over the past 20 years, high-pressure processing (HPP) has emerged as a promising alternative nonthermal method employed in fruit and vegetable products industries to extend their shelf life. This chapter highlights the efficacy of HPP in preserving the quality and safety of different beverage types, comparing it with a pulsed electric field, ultrasonication, and conventional technologies such as thermal pasteurization. The chapter offers insights into microbial control, enzyme inactivation, antioxidant capacity, and overall stability achieved through HPP treatment. Moreover, it covers also the market study, packaging strategies, and regulatory aspects of food beverages treated by HPP