October 2010 - OurFood-news

24.10.2010: Genome-wide association scans to study complex diseases, such as obesity[1]
Hebebrand, Bammann and Hinney 2010 suggest the introduction of genome-wide association scans as a tool for the study of complex diseases. The receptor variant with the amino acid isoleucin (wildtype: valine) at position 103 of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) also the polymorphisms located 188 kb at the 3' end of the MC4R are cited by the authors as examples of such polygenic variants with an effect on body weight. A strong polygenic obesity effect was also coupled with variants in the first intron of the "fat mass and obesity associated" gene, also 17 polygenes for body weight regulation were described in December 2009.

The identification of the satiety hormone leptin was the first molecular genetic finding used in obesity treatment. Further studies found that a polygenic variant by itself has a small effect and only the combination of various factors lead to obesity.

Variants in the first intron of the ‘fat mass and obesity associated’ gene result in an elevated body mass index (BMI) were detected in a genome wide association study pertaining to type 2 diabetes mellitus [2].

Polygenic obesity [3]
According to Hinney and Hebebrand 2008 only few genes are coupled with obesity. Mutations are infrequent and are therefore of minor importance. Genetic predisposition to obesity is not linked to a single gene, but is polygenic. Such genes are also found in normal weight persons, a polygene must therefore be determined by statistical analyses, such as found of Val103 allele which is more frequent in obese individuals. The INSIG2 polymorphism in body weight regulation, SNP alleles in intron 1 of the fat mass and obesity associated gene (FTO) are also being suggested to exert polygenic effect on obesity and variation in FTO strongly contributes to early onset obesity.

Clement, Boutin and Froguel 2002 stress that obesity is a multifactorial disease with interaction of environmental and genetic factors. Only rare cases of severe obesity determined by a single gene are known. Exceptional mutations of the leptin gene and mutations in the melanocortin receptor 4 were described. Obesity genes encode proteins connected with the regulation of food intake. The most common forms of obesity are polygenic. Genome-wide scans identify chromosomal regions showing linkage with obesity [4].

Findings of the Metabolism Initiative and Program in Medical and Population Genetics [5]
Speliotes and colleagues 2010 confirmed 14 known obesity susceptibility loci and identified 18 new loci associated with obesity which are located near key hypothalamic regulators of energy balance, and near GIPR, an incretin receptor.

Two new obesity loci TNKS and MSRA [6]
Scherag at al 2010 analysing two Genome-wide associations (GWAS) of extremely obese children and adolescents found two new obesity loci which join the previously identified FTO, MC4R, and TMEM18 loci. One was SDCCAG8 (serologically defined colon cancer antigen 8 gene); and one between TNKS (tankyrase, TRF1-interacting ankyrin-related ADP-ribose polymerase gene) and the second new loci was MSRA (methionine sulfoxide reductase A gene) were found by the authors. All these loci are associated with early-onset obesity.

[1] Hebebrand J, Bammann K, Hinney A: Genetic determinants of obesity. Current issues: Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz. 2010 Jul;53(7):674-80.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20631977

[2] Hinney A, Vogel CI, Hebebrand J: From monogenic to polygenic obesity: recent advances.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2010 Mar;19(3):297-310. Epub 2010 Feb 3.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2839509/?tool=pubmed

[3] Hinney A, Hebebrand J: Polygenic obesity in humans. Obes Facts. 2008;1(1):35-42. Epub 2008 Feb 8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20054160

[4] Clement K, Boutin P, Froguel P: Genetics of obesity. Am J Pharmacogenomics. 2002;2(3):177-87.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12383024

[5] Speliotes 2010 and colleagues of Metabolism Initiative and Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA and the Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: Association analyses of 249,796 individuals reveal 18 new loci associated with body mass index. Nat Genet. 2010 Oct 10.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20935630

[6] Scherag at al 2010: Two New Loci for Body-Weight Regulation Identified in a Joint Analysis of Genome-Wide Association Studies for Early-Onset Extreme Obesity in French and German Study Groups. PLoS Genet. 2010 Apr 22;6(4):e1000916. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1000916
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2858696/?tool=pubmed


21.10.2010: Effects of edible coatings to extended shelf life of ready to eat foods [1]
Edible films and coatings are being developed to extend shelf life of ready to eat foods, improve colour, flavour, texture, and the nutritional value of fresh-cut fruit and vegetable Maftoonazad and Badii 2009 define edible films as usually made of naturally occurring polymers and functional ingredients formed on the surface of food products, have acceptable sensory characteristics, appropriate barrier properties (CO2, O2, water, oil), microbial, biochemical and physicochemical stability, be safe, and be produced by simple technology in low cost, and may carry antioxidant, flavour, colour, nutritional or anti-microbial additives.

Edible coatings for cheese [2]
A cheese coating enhances the quality of the natural ripening by offering protection against fungi and yeasts and control of moisture loss without affecting the ripening process. Varied coatings for cheese are known, such as water soluble ones using polyvinylacetate copolymers, or waxes. Natamicine is often added.

Cerqueira and colleagues 2009 studied the effect of chitosan, a galactomannan from Gleditsia triacanthos, and agar from Glacilaria birdiae, with the addition of plasticizer and corn oil as nontraditional coatings for cheese.The solutions of 1.5% of galactomannan, 2.0% of glycerol, and 0.5% of oil presented the best properties for wettability, water vapour permeability, oxygen and carbon dioxide permeabilities and opacity values. Mould growth was pronounced on the uncoated cheese compared with the coated cheese. The authors concluded that the tested coatings may become an alternative to synthetic coatings.

Edible coatings for pre-washed ready-to-eat berries [3]
Duan and colleagues 2010 tested various edible coatings to preserve quality of pre-washed fresh blueberries under storage conditions. Chlorinated water at a concentration of 2 ml/litre was used. Semperfresh, a commercial coating, decreased weight loss of berries. Calcium caseinate coating delayed ripening during storage. Coatings of acid-soluble chitosan, water-soluble chitosan and water-soluble chitosan + Semperfresh reduced the decay rate of blueberries during room temperature storage without affecting antioxidant capacity and total phenolics content of blueberries. Non-vented containers presented better results compared with vented containers.

Food grade coating extend shelf life of eggs [4]
To increase shelf life of fresh chicken eggs for export Biladeau and Keener 2009 tested food-grade coatings of paraffin wax, mineral oil, soy protein isolate, and whey protein isolate. Coated eggs presented overall better quality than uncoated eggs. The authors stress that oil-, wax-, and whey protein isolate-coating extend shelf live of fresh eggs beyond 6 weeks.

Shelf life of minimally processed apple slices [5]
Lee and colleagues 2003 report that the shelf life of minimally processed apple slices may be extended to 2 weeks when stored in packed trays at 3 degrees C using a preservation treatment composed of whey protein concentrate (5 g/100 mL) containing ascorbic acid (1 g/100 mL) plus CaCl2 (1 g/100 mL). Ascorbic acid acts as antibrowning and calcium chloride inhibits the loss of firmness.

Antimicrobial edible coating for turkey and salmon products [6]
Juck, Neetoo and Chen 2010 developed an antimicrobial edible coating formulations to control the growth of Listeria monocitogenes on turkey products. The authors found the most effective poached and processed turkey treatments to be sodium lactate (2.4%)/sodium diacetate (0.25%) and Nisin (500IU/g)/sodium lactate (2.4%). The samples, inoculated with Listeria monocitogenes, were stored for 7 Days at 22 degrees C. Alginate coatings supplemented with sodium lactate (2.4%)/potassium sorbate (0.3%) delayed the growth of L. monocytogenes on turkey products stored 8weeks at 4 degrees C

The authors concluded that alginate-based antimicrobial coatings enhance the microbiological safety and quality of ready-to-eat poultry products during chilled storage.

Neetoo, Ye and Chen 2010 highlight the high incidence of Listeria monocytogenes in cold smoked salmon in ready-to-eat product. They studied the antimicrobial effect of edible coating of sodium lactate and sodium diacetate incorporated into alginate coatings. The authors found that alginate-based coating containing lactate and diacetate to control the growth of L. monocytogenes may increase food safety of filleted and sliced smoked salmon [7].

Protetive coatings for fresh-cut mangoes [8]
Combination of citric acid dipping (5 g/L) and cassava starch coating (10 g/L), with and without glycerol (10 g/L) were found by Chiumarelli 2010 best suited for edible coatings on fresh-cut mangoes stored at 5 degrees C during 15 days. Mango samples treated with citric acid and cassava starch coating presented significant improvement of quality, however, glycerol in the coating formulation was of no gain and even favoured microbial growth.

Plotto and colleagues 2010 found an antibrowning dip consisting of calcium ascorbate, citric acid and N-acetyl-L-cysteine effective in keeping colour and reduced firmness loss of fresh-cut mango slices stored at stored at 5 °C for up to 20 days. Carrageenan or chitosan coating was of no quality gain of the mango slices [9].

Whey protein/lipid emulsion films [10]
Kokoszka and colleagues 2010 tested edible films cast from heated (80 degrees C for 30 min) aqueous solutions of whey protein isolate (100 g kg(-1) of water) containing glycerol (50 g kg(-1)) as a plasticiser and rapeseed oil.
The authors report that small amounts of rapeseed oil increases the surface hydrophobicity of films and decreases water vapour permeability, and welling of whey protein isolate films is reduced

Antimicrobial activities edible coatings coatings containing green tea extracts [11]
Chiu and Lai 2010 examined the antimicrobial activities of edible coatings based on a 1.35% tapioca starch/ 0.15% decolorized hsian-tsao leaf gum and 0.225% glycerol matrix with various green tea extracts applied by spraying on fruit-based salads, romaine hearts and pork slices. Pronounced reduction of bacterial count and increased shelf life were noticed.
The authors stress the high migration of antimicrobial agents of the green tea extract from the described coating to different types of foods.

Edible coatings for Ricotta cheese [12]
Martins and colleagues 2010 found an considerable shelf life extension of Ricotta cheese at 4 degrees C during 28 days using edible coatings made of galactomannans from Gleditsia triacanthos and nisin. Listeria monocytogenes contamination was significantly reduced.

The authors concluded that galactomannan-based edible coatings with incorporated nisin, may increase safety of cheese products reducing Listeria monocytogenes postcontamination during storage.

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC),beeswax and shellac edible coatings for citrus fruits [13]
Edible composite coatings based on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), lipid components (beeswax and shellac), and food preservatives with antifungal properties were evaluated by Valencia-Chamorro 2009 on mandarins and oranges to protect against citrus postharvest green moulds (Penicillium digitatum) and blue molds (Penicillium italicum) during 7 days at 20 degrees C.

The authors tested various preservatives and found that the activity of HPMC-lipid edible composite coatings containing sodium benzoate was twice that of potassium sorbate based coating, and the antifungal action of the coatings was fungistatic rather than fungicidal.

Comparing fatty acids types in edible coatings of mandarins [14]
Navarro-Tarazaga and colleagues 2008 investigated the effect of different fatty acids on edible coatings based on hydroxypropyl methycellulose (HPMC)-beeswax. Among the tested fatty acids the oleic acid coatings in concentrations of 1:0.5 and 1:0.2 presented the best results in reduction of weight and firmness loss of mandarins compared to uncoated mandarins. However, the high beeswax/oleic acid ratio of 1:0.5 coatings increased fruit internal CO2, ethanol, and acetaldehyde contents of mandarins, indicating reduced flavour compared to other coatings. The authors stress that testing of the effect of coatings should measure permeance on the coated fruit.

Whey protein isolate coating for roasted peanuts [15]
Han and colleagues 2008 report that whey protein isolate coating of roasted peanuts reduced the oxidation of peanut lipids. Antioxidants, such as ascorbic palmitate and alpha-tocopherol, added to the coating layer, showed no further protective effects of the fruits.

[1] Maftoonazad N, Badii F: Use of edible films and coatings to extend the shelf life of food products. Recent Pat Food Nutr Agric. 2009 Jun;1(2):162-70.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20653537

[2] Cerqueira MA, Lima AM, Souza BW, Teixeira JA, Moreira RA, Vicente AA: Functional polysaccharides as edible coatings for cheese. J Agric Food Chem. 2009 Feb 25;57(4):1456-62.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19170503

[3] Jingyun Duan J, Wu R, Strik BC, Zhao Y: Effect of edible coatings on the quality of fresh blueberries (Duke and Elliott) under commercial storage conditions. Postharvest Biology and Technology Volume 59, Issue 1, January 2011, Pages 71-79. Doi 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2010.08.006
http://dex.doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2010.08.006

[4] Biladeau AM, Keener KM: The effects of edible coatings on chicken egg quality under refrigerated storage. Poult Sci. 2009 Jun;88(6):1266-74.
http://ps.fass.org/cgi/content/full/88/6/1266

[5] Lee JY, Park HJ, Lee CY, Choi WY: Extending shelf-life of minimally processed apples with edible coatings and antibrowning agents. Lebensmittel-Wissenschaft und-Technologie
Volume 36, Issue 3, May 2003, Pages 323-329. doi:10.1016/S0023-6438(03)00014-8
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0023-6438(03)00014-8

[6] Juck G, Neetoo H, Chen H: Application of an active alginate coating to control the growth of Listeria monocytogenes on poached and deli turkey products. Int J Food Microbiol. 2010 Sep 1;142(3):302-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20678824

[7] Neetoo H, Ye M, Chen H: Bioactive alginate coatings to control Listeria monocytogenes on cold-smoked salmon slices and fillets. Int J Food Microbiol. 2010 Jan 1;136(3):326-31.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19861230

[8] Chiumarelli M, Pereira LM, Ferrari CC, Sarantópoulos CI, Hubinger MD: Cassava starch coating and citric acid to preserve quality parameters of fresh-cut "Tommy Atkins" mango. J Food Sci. 2010 Jun;75(5):E297-304
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20629876

[9] Plotto A, Narciso JA, Rattanapanone N, Baldwin EA: Surface treatments and coatings to maintain fresh-cut mango quality in storage. J Sci Food Agric. 2010 Oct;90(13):2333-41.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20672334

[10] Kokoszka S, Debeaufort F, Lenart A, Voilley A: Liquid and vapour water transfer through whey protein/lipid emulsion films. J Sci Food Agric. 2010 Aug 15;90(10):1673-80.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20564446

[11] Chiu PE, Lai LS: Antimicrobial activities of tapioca starch/decolorized hsian-tsao leaf gum coatings containing green tea extracts in fruit-based salads, romaine hearts and pork slices. Int J Food Microbiol. 2010 Apr 30;139(1-2):23-30. Epub 2010 Jan 20.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20138382

[12] Martins JT, Cerqueira MA, Souza BW, Carmo Avides M, Vicente AA: Shelf life extension of ricotta cheese using coatings of galactomannans from nonconventional sources incorporating nisin against Listeria monocytogenes. J Agric Food Chem. 2010 Feb 10;58(3):1884-91.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20085273

[13] Valencia-Chamorro SA, Pérez-Gago MB, Del Río MA, Palou L: Curative and preventive activity of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-lipid edible composite coatings containing antifungal food additives to control citrus postharvest green and blue molds. J Agric Food Chem. 2009 Apr 8;57(7):2770-7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19256514

[14] Navarro-Tarazaga ML, Del Río MA, Krochta JM, Pérez-Gago MB: Fatty acid effect on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-beeswax edible film properties and postharvest quality of coated 'Ortanique' mandarins. J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Nov 26;56(22):10689-96.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18950188

[15] Han JH, Hwang HM, Min S, Krochta JM: Coating of peanuts with edible whey protein film containing alpha-tocopherol and ascorbyl palmitate. J Food Sci. 2008 Oct;73(8):E349-55.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19019105

17.10.2010: Functional cheese with increased polyphenols [1]
Han and colleagues 2010 developed a functional cheese with 0.5 mg/ml single phenolic compounds, including catechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), tannic acid, homovanillic acid, hesperetin and flavones, and natural crude compounds, such as grape extract, green tea extract, and dehydrated cranberry powder in the cheese curd..

The authors report good retention of the added polyphenols. The gel-formation depended on the molecular properties and the hydrophobicity of the added phenolic compounds. Homovanillic and tannic acids reduced the pH of the cheese curd more that the natural crude compounds. The free radical-scavenging activity of the cheese was better than the effect of control cheese without added polyphenols.

Addition of polyphenols to different types of cheese, yoghurt, milk shakes or other dairy products may improve their quality and functionality, say the authors.

Development of functional ingredients and foods [2]
The market for functional ingredients and foods experiences a steadily growth resulting of healthier eating and lifestyle habits of the consumers. Day andd colleagues 2 009 stress the importance of functional ingredients not getting lost during the food processing, that they remain active and their bioavailability is guaranteed during storage. This should be tested before placing new bioactives and functional food ingredients on market. The authors present an approach of the development of functional ingredients and foods, using dermatan sulphate and black carrot concentrate as examples.

Nonmedical and medical literature often unreliable, says author [3]
Glisson and colleagues 2010 write that dietary supplements are not regulated by FDA and are often used as “alternative” or “complementary” therapy, leaded by subjective claims such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular protection. Safety and possible effect have often never been assessed. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic data of dietary supplements are limited and of meager quality. Nonmedical literature related to dietary supplements are often of poor quality.
The authors advise physicians to take great care evaluating literature and advising patients, as even medical literature may present unreliable informations.

GMP for dietary supplements [4]
Melethil S 2006 stresses that the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of October 1994 [5] ensures easier access to safe dietary supplements, which can be marketed without prior FDA approval; the burden is on this agency to show that a marketed dietary supplement is unsafe. However, FDA may issue regulations that require the manufacture to follow good manufacturing practice (GMP) standards to ensure their quality. The FDA in 2003 and 21007 proposed rules for GMP for the manufacture, packaging and storage of dietary supplements. [6]

[1] Han J, Britten M, Daniel St-Gelais D, Champagne CP, Fustier P, Salmieri S, Lacroix M: Polyphenolic compounds as functional ingredients in cheese. Food Chemistry
Volume 124, Issue 4, 15 February 2011, Pages 1589-1594. Doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2010.08.021
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2010.08.021

[2] Day L, Seymour RB, Pitts KF, Izabela Konczak I, Lundin L: Incorporation of functional ingredients into foods. Trends in Food Science & Technology. Volume 20, Issue 9, September 2009, Pages 388-395. Natural and Safe Foods, IUFoST/Food Ingredients Asia-China Conference. doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2008.05.002
http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2008.05.002

[3] Glisson JK, Walker LA: How Physicians Should Evaluate Dietary Supplement.
doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2009.10.017 The American Journal of Medicine. Volume 123, Issue 7, July 2010, Pages 577-582
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2009.10.017

[4] Proposed rule: Current good manufacturing practice in manufacturing, packing, or holding dietary ingredients and dietary supplement. Life Sciences. Volume 78, Issue 18, 27 March 2006, Pages 2049-2053. Doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2005.12.020
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2005.12.020

[5] The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA)
http://www.health.gov/dietsupp/ch1.htm

[6] Dietary Supplement Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs) and Interim Final Rule (IFR) Facts
http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/RegulationsLaws/ucm110858.htm

13.10.2010: Resveratrol, the “anti-aging drug” [1]
The “anti-ageing” drugs are being developed by a Glaxo subsidiary called Sirtris Pharmaceutical in the US, and are thought to mimic the effects of the red wine component resveratrol as well as activate a key anti-ageing protein called SIRT1. However, a controversy arose over whether resveratrol directly activates SIRT1 as well as the anti-ageing effects of certain dietary restrictions.

Minghan Wang and colleagues 2009 reports that findings related to SIRT1 activation might be an experimental artifact. Resveratrol activates SIRT1 only when a fluorescent molecule used to gauge its activity was present. [2]

Dai and clloegues 2010, most of them former employees of Sirtris Phamaceuticals, claim that drugs designed to combat age-related diseases work as advertised. [3]

Sirtris Pharmaceuticals [4] [5]
Christoph Westphal co-founded Sirtris Pharmaceuticals in 2004 with David Sinclair and served as Chief Executive Officer until April 2010. Dr. Westphal also founded the Longwood Founders Fund, and is currently the President of SR One, the corporate venture capital arm of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) that invests globally in emerging life science companies.

Michelle Dipp, senior vice president of Glaxo’s Center of Excellence for External Drug Discovery. and Christoph Westphal started online sales of resveratrol charging $540 for a one-year supply, alleging that revenues from sales are to cover the costs of a 10 years project regarding life extending properties of resveratrol. The project planed to control 10.000 subjects. Half of them receiving resveratrol as supplement, the other half a placebo.Selling resveratrol as supplement no clinical trials are needed such as those demanded by FDA for drugs to get permission to begin sales.
Resveratrol supplements is being sold online for years using the most sometimes strange and unfounded claims.

Sirtuins extending human life span [5]
Scientists found that yeast, maggots, flies and mice lived longer and healthier when some special proteins, the sirtuins, were induced. Less cases of diabetes occurred and individuals were slimmer than the control group. The sirtuine- proteins were found to curb specific genes engaged in ageing processes, and resveratrol and a couple of other substances regulating sirtuins were identified. The Sirtris company activated the promotion of reservatrol.
The farmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) bought Sirtris for $ 729 million in June 2008. Westphal founded then the Healthy Lifespan Institute initiating the resveratrol study.

According to Spiegel Online, Dr. Westphal started the selling of reservatrol disregarding the traditional procedure of pharmacological studies which call for laboratory testing the active agent in 10 to 15 years, followed by trials on animals and finally on humans. This makes sure that only safe chemicals or botanicals are sold to consumers, the activity must be proved and side effects known. Healthy Lifespan Institute did not follow such scientific rules to market the resveratrol product.
There are doubts on any effect of resveratrol on sirtuins. There are no evidences that resveratrol extends the life span of humans, says Ulrich Mahlknecht. The Healthy Lifespan Institute stopped selling resveratrol in August 2010.

Classification of sirtuins [6]
Sirtuins are classed according to their sequence of amino acids. They were initially found in yeasts and named sir2. In mammals, seven genes were detected and named SIRT1 to SIRT7 their expression of enzymes act as on cellular regulation.

                                                                 Classification on Sirtuins

From Wikipedia based on North/Verdin diagram.

Sirtuin activity is inhibited by nicotinamide, which binds to a specific receptor site, so it is thought that drugs that interfere with this binding should increase sirtuin activity. Development of new agents that would specifically block the nicotinamide-binding site could provide an avenue for development of newer agents to treat degenerative diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and gout.

Alzheimer's: SIRT1 deacetylates and coactivates the retinoic acid receptor beta that upregulates the expression of alpha-secretase (ADAM10). Alpha-secretase in turn suppresses beta-amyloid production. Furthermore, ADAM10 activation by SIRT1 also induces the Notch signaling pathway, which is known to repair neuronal damage in the brain.
Diabetes: Sirtuins have been proposed as a chemotherpeutic target for type II diabetes mellitus.
Aging: Cell culture research into the behaviour of the human sirtuin SIRT1 shows that it behaves like the yeast sirtuin Sir2: SIRT2 assists in the repair of DNA and regulates genes that undergo altered expression with age. Adding resveratrol to the diet of mice inhibit gene expression profiles associated with muscle aging and age-related cardiac dysfunction.

Preliminary studies with resveratrol, a possible SIRT1 activator, have led some scientists to speculate that resveratrol may extend lifespan. However, this hypothesis has not yet been borne out in experiments with mammals.

No increase of life span of mice starting supplementation with resveratrol when started mid-life [7]
Rafael de Cabo and colleagues 2008 report that in elderly mice Resveratrol reduced signs of aging including reduced albuminuria, decreased inflammation and apoptosis in the vascular endothelium, increased aortic elasticity, greater motor coordination, reduced cataract formation, and preserved bone mineral density. However, when supplementation started at mid-life the mice did not live longer as control mice. The authors concluded that resveratrol caused beneficial effects in mice but did not increase life span when started mid-life.

Sirtuin Sir2/Sirt1 is connected to metabolism and inflammation [8]
Tang and Chua 2010 describe the activities of Sir2/Sirt1, related to longevity in several animal models, regulating energy metabolism, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma), and its transcriptional coactivator, PPARgammacoactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha). This may explain the activity of Sirt1within the metabolic changes of a caloric restriction (CR) diet. Sirt1 is also associated with other metabolic regulators like AMP-activated kinase (AMPK).

The authors stress that interfering in the activity of Sirt1 in animal, ageing-associated disorders, such as neurodegenerative diseases could be improved.

Sirtuins and metabolic homeostasis [9]
Yu and Auwerx 2009 stress that all sirtuins are linked to cellular energy levels. They require nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) for their deacetylase or ADP-ribosyl transferase activity. Specifically SIRT1 modulates many aspects of glucose and lipid homeostasis, SIRT2, SIRT3, and SIRT4 are also implicated in other metabolic pathways.

Sirtuins, metabolic and degenerative diseases [10]
Dransfeld and colleagues 2010 write that sirtuins are associated with stress response, apoptosis and energy metabolism, degenerative diseases, the pathogenesis of cancer, and regulation of cellular life span.

Specifically SIRT3 shows strong effects on stress response, apoptosis, cell cycle and energy metabolism, mimicking effects of caloric restriction. SIRT3 was found by the authors to increase cellular respiration by 80% when compared to 30% by SIRT1.

The sirtuin activator SRT1 720 does not extend lifespan in nematodes [11]
Zarze and colleagues 2010 report that resveratrol and SRT1720 have been shown to act as sirtuin activators improving type 2 diabetes in mice. Studies using nematodes found that resveratrol extends lifespan in nematode models by more than 3%, but SRT1 720 did not have any effect on lifespan extension. The authors suggest that relevant effects of resveratrol are not found in STR 720.

Mitochondrial sirtuin are metabolic sensors controling enzymes [12]
According to Huang and colleagues 2010 sirtuins are important proteins in aging, stress resistance and metabolic regulation. The authors describe biochemical properties of three sirtuins SIRT3, 4 and 5, which are located within the mitochondrial matrix. Large fraction of mitochondrial proteins are acetylated which is modulated by nutritional status. The authors concluded that mitochondrial sirtuins, such as SIRT3, 4 and 5, are metabolic sensors modulating the activity of enzymes via protein deacetylation or mono-ADP-ribosylation.

In a review of 2010 Aljada Dong and Mousa write that sirtuins are NAD+-dependent histone/protein deacetylases regulating various normal and abnormal cellular and metabolic processes, including tumorigenesis, neurodegeneration, and processes associated with type 2 diabetes and obesity, Alzheimer's disease, and longevity. The authors describes the mechanisms regulating sirtuin activity, and how to interfere in the mechanism of related diseases. [13]

[1] GlaxoSmithKline strikes back over anti-ageing pills. Drugs do work as thought, says pharmaceutical giant. Ewen Callaway. Nature. 16.08.2010. Doi:10.1038/news.2010.412
http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100816/full/news.2010.412.html

[2] Beher D, Wu J, Cumine S, Kim KW, Lu SC, Atangan L, Wang M: Resveratrol is not a direct activator of SIRT1 enzyme activity. Chem Biol Drug Des. 2009 Dec;74(6):619-24.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-0285.2009.00901.x/full

[3] Dai H, Kustigian L, Carney D, Case A, Considine T, Hubbard BP, Perni RB, Riera TV, Szczepankiewicz B, Vlasuk GP, Stein RL. SIRT1 activation by small molecules - kinetic and biophysical evidence for direct interaction of enzyme and activator. J Biol Chem. 2010 Aug 11.
http://www.jbc.org/content/early/2010/08/11/jbc.M110.133892.long

[4] Wikipedia: Christoph Westphahl
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christoph_Westphal

[5] Vermeintliche Jungbrunnen-Pillen. Geschäft mit dem Leben
http://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/medizin/0,1518,722026,00.html

[6] Wikipedia: Sirtuin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirtuin

[7] Pearson KJ, Baur JA, Lewis KN, Peshkin L, Price NL, Labinskyy N, Swindell WR, Kamara D, Minor RK, Perez E, Jamieson HA, Zhang Y, Dunn SR, Sharma K, Pleshko N, Woollett LA, Csiszar A, Ikeno Y, Le Couteur D, Elliott PJ, Becker KG, Navas P, Ingram DK, Wolf NS, Ungvari Z, Sinclair DA, de Cabo R: Resveratrol delays age-related deterioration and mimics transcriptional aspects of dietary restriction without extending life span. Cell Metab. 2008 Aug;8(2):157-68. Epub 2008 Jul 3.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2538685/?tool=pubmed

[8] Tang BL, Chua CE: Is systemic activation of Sirt1 beneficial for ageing-associated metabolic disorders? Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2010 Jan 1;391(1):6-10. Epub 2009 Nov 11.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19912989

[9].Yu J, Auwerx J: The role of sirtuins in the control of metabolic homeostasis. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2009 Sep;1173 Suppl 1:E10-9
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19751409

[10] Dransfeld CL, Alborzinia H, Wölfl S, Mahlknecht U: SIRT3 SNPs validation in 640 individuals, functional analyses and new insights into SIRT3 stability. Int J Oncol. 2010 Apr;36(4):955-60.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20198340

[11] Zarse K, Schmeisser S, Birringer M, Falk E, Schmoll D, Ristow M: Differential Effects of Resveratrol and SRT1720 on Lifespan of Adult Caenorhabditis elegans. Horm Metab Res. 2010
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20925017

[12] Huang JY, Hirschey MD, Shimazu T, Ho L, Verdin E: Mitochondrial sirtuins. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2010 Aug;1804(8):1645-51. Epub 2010 Jan 7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20060508

[13] Aljada A, Dong L, Mousa SA: Sirtuin-targeting drugs: Mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic applications. Curr Opin Investig Drugs. 2010 Oct;11(10):1158-68.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20872319

08.10.2010: Large-scale crop failures due to climate change demand global adaptation strategies [1]
Challinor and colleagues in a study of 2010 stress that large crop failures caused by drought or water stress will become more frequent due to the climate change. A combination of drought and heat tolerant and water stress resistant crops should be used to respond to extreme weather conditions. To make this feasible, the authors call for socio-economic measures such as greater investment on a global basis, as great crop failures affect the whole international trade.

The study only assessed spring wheat crops in North East China. up to the year 2099. However, the methodology may also be applied to other major crop-growing regions. Developed countries with a high GDP may react better to extreme events compared to poor regions such as Africa which depend on external aid for these adaptations, say the authors.

[1] Challinor AJ, Simelton ES, Fraser EDG, Hemming D, Collins M: Increased crop failure due to climate change: assessing adaptation options using models and socio-economic data for wheat in China. Environmental Research Letters, 2010; 5 (3): 034012 DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/5/3/034012
http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/5/3/034012/

07.10.2010: Mercury and selenium contamination of fish caused by coal-fired power plants [1]
Sackett and colleagues 2010 report that fish in lakes located at least 30 kilometres from a coal-fired power plant had mercury levels more than three times higher than fish in lakes that are within 10 km of a plant.. An inverse picture was found for selenium. The species used for this study were predators at the top of the food chain and are also consumed by humans.

Coal-fired power plants are the leading source of mercury and selenium air emissions. A significant amount of both contaminants settles out of the air within 10 km of a smokestack of a power plant.

In this study fish within 10 km of a coal-fired power plant showed selenium levels three times higher than samples taken from fish located further away. Selenium is known to have an antagonistic relationship to mercury. Despite the reduction of mercury uptake caused by selenium, high concentrations of this contamination presents a serious hazard to the environment, say the authors.

Filters of coal-fired power plants should be improved to reduce the emission of mercury and other important global contaminants.

[1] Sackett DK, Aday DD, Rice JA, Cope WG, Buchwalter D. Does proximity to coal-fired power plants influence fish tissue mercury? Ecotoxicology. 2010 Sep 17.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20848188

07.10.2010: Amflora, the GM potato for adhesives and paper industries [1]
The first EU authorised harvest of the BASF potato “Amflora” cause a new discussion concerning the need of genetic modification in modern agrarian technology.

BASF's Chairman Dr. Jürgen Hambrecht announced that BASF has also applied for approval of its second starch potato named Amadea. The high-performing starch potato which produces pure amylopectin starch is expected to be launched in 2013/14.

Amflora and Amadea are two genetically modified potato varieties that produce pure amylopectin starch, being superior to conventional potatoes which produce a mixture of amylopectin and amylose, but only amylopectin is needed in the production of adhesives or paper. Separating amylose from the starch of conventional potatoes is an additional costly process.

Amylopectine improves adhesives. As a coating of paper mylopectine improves the paper gloss.
Karl-Heinz Niehoff is a German farmer which plants potatoes for the food industry for French-fries, but also starch enriced potatoes for the starch industry. Nienhoff platen 15 hectares of Amflora contracted by BASF Plant Science. One hectare Amflora crop was destroyed at night by environmental activists.

Nienhoff says that the GM potato of BASF might improve its marketability in competition with corn starch. The price of potatoes is guaranteed by the EU until 2012. Alternatives are needed, because without this support the cultivating potatoes will be more difficult.

Safety of GM potatoes
The GM potato is less prone to migrate between non-GM fields because it reproduces itself only by tubers and not by seeds or by pollen as seen with rape and by corn.

However, a mix-up of Amadea and Amflora occurred at the facilities of BASF and a potato crop of 15 hectares had to be destroyed in Sweden in August 2010, demonstrating that migration of GM plants to nature is unavoidable. [2]

Three years of Amflora trial plantations seem to go to an end. Conventional breeders succeeded, meanwhile, to create an amylopectin-rich potato using conventional crossing methods which will take the place of the GM potato. The farmer Nienhoff says he will not plant the GM potato any more.

German conventional potato receives Geographical Indications protection by the EU [3]
Potato-growing has a long tradition in the Lüneburger Heide. Since the second half of the 19th century the Lüneburger Heide has been one of the best-known and largest potato-growing areas in Germany.

The European Commission has added “Lüneburger Heidekartoffeln” to the Register of Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indications (PGI):
The EU Commission “Lüneburger Heidekartoffeln” have acquired considerable renown and a good reputation in the region and beyond. The varieties grown in the Lüneburger Heide ((Germany) are known as “mainly firm boiling” and “firm boiling” potatoes, and are healthy, whole, firm and practically clean.

[1] German Minister Brüderle kicks off Amflora harvest. BASF Press release 31.08.2010.
http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-10-389

[2] BASF identifies cause of Amadea and Amflora starch potato mingling. PotatoPro 24.09.2010.
http://www.potatopro.com/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=4239#ixzz11gJw5Iz0

[3] Council Regulation [EC No 510/2006]COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006 “Lüneburger Heidekartoffeln” EC No: DE-PGI-0005-0614-03.07.2007 PGI 16.12.2009.
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2009:305:0024:0026:EN:PDF

05.10.2010: EU labelling proposal for shechita (religious slaughter) will impact on the kosher meat industry [1]
In some religious practices such as Jewish (Shechita) and Muslim (Halal) slaughter, animals must be killed without stunning. New regulations voted by the European Parliament could mean that animal slaughtered in compliance with either Islamic or Jewish regulations would receive distinct labelling from animals not killed through religious slaughter.

Shechita UK says that the European Parliament recently voted on an amendment to an EU Regulation which will require meat products derived from animals that have been slaughtered by shechita, to be labelled as "meat from slaughter without stunning". This would significantly impact on the kosher meat industry in the UK and across Europe, imperilling its economic viability.

Requiring Kosher meat to be labelled but not meat from animals which have been gassed, shot at, electrocuted or worse is quite simply, discrimination. Shechita UK has in place a professionally managed A lobbying campaign of the European Governments by Shechita UK Website and promotes a mailing campaign to UK MEPs to avoid such labelling

The amendment, proposed by German Christian Democratic Union MEP, Renate Sommer, passed 326-270 with 68 abstentions. Whilst Shechitah - animal killed according to Jewish law - is not pre-stunned, there is variation within the Islamic community, with several abattoirs pre-stunning animals, albeit using a significantly lower voltage to that of non religious slaughter.

The muslim reaction to the labelling proposal to religious slaughter [2]
Muslim MEPs see the new regulation to be discriminatory since only animals which are killed for meat using the Halal or Shechita method would require a special label when sold to consumers or sold onto the processed meat industry, while animals which are shot, gassed or stunned would not be labelled as such.

The Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC), also condemns the labelling of non-stunned slaughtered foods as “discriminatory”.

However, the Halal Food Authority, who pre-stun animals before slaughter, supported the amendment, favouring the labelling of meat, poultry and other food stuffs not only to verify a halal status but also for the use of human consumption: to ensure the quality of food, hygiene and origin of country, and welcomes a distinction to be made when labelling halal meat which may or may not be pre-stunned.

The proposed measures can only be implemented if supported by all 27 EU Agricultural Ministers, later this year. All forms of religious slaughter are banned in Switzerland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland. [3]

The Directive 93/119/EC lays down certain requirements for the protection of animals at the time of slaughter and killing.  Ritual slaughter must comply with this Directive and other Community public health, animal health and welfare requirements. [4]

A report of the EFSA states that there is a high risk that animals feel extreme pain during the cutting of the throat. The Report adds (p. 22) that during the period when the animal, whose throat has been cut, is still conscious, serious welfare problems are highly likely to occur since the animal can feel anxiety, pain, distress and other suffering.
Without stunning, the time between cutting through the major blood vessels and insensibility, as deduced from
behavioural and brain response, is up to 20 seconds in sheep, up to 25 seconds in pigs, up to 2 minutes in cattle, up to 150 seconds or more  in poultry, and sometimes 15 minutes or more in fish. [5]

Religious slaughter controversy [6]
The issue was raised by animal protection organisations such as Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) who requested that slaughter without prior stunning should be stopped. The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) also considered it an unacceptable practice.

The European Livestock and Meat Trading Union (UECBV) supported the actual status quo and considered that a good decision on religious practices should be taken only at a political level as, if it is carried out in an abattoir, performed by trained personal and mechanical restraining always applied (cattle and sheep), it does not pose any particular problem from an animal welfare point of view. UECBV underlined its wish to avoid any discrimination between Halal and/or Kosher meat because any interdiction might be translated in possibilities to fuel illegal slaughter already existing in some Countries. Animal Attitude (AA) also mentioned the problem of meat from animals slaughtered without stunning entering in the normal channel of distribution (i.e. non-labelled as religiously slaughtered meat) and considered that such practice did not allow consumers to be properly informed.

The National Secular Society submitted a paper to Defra on the 20. April 2009 regarding the Consultation on the proposal for a Council regulation on the protection of animals at the time of killing. The paper stresses that “in kosher meat production, the meat from the hindquarters and any deemed unfit is rejected. As a result, to get sufficient meat to satisfy the demand, a larger numbers of animals are slaughtered without pre-stunning than would be necessary if all carcases, and the entire carcase were acceptable. The consumption of certain parts of the animals’ hindquarters such as veins, lymphatic and sciatic nerve and its branches, is forbidden under Jewish law. To remove them is a specialised task and one which has not been practised in the UK since the 1930’s. Consequently, all hindquarters are rejected as not Kosher, as are any carcasses which cannot be consumed as Kosher meat for other reasons (for example, damage to the carcass). A high proportion of the meat which is declared non-Kosher is therefore sold on the open market but is not labelled as meat from animals that have been slaughtered without pre-stunning.” [7]

[1] Shechita - the Jewish religious humane method of animal slaughter for food. Shechita UK. 04.10.2010.
http://www.shechitauk.org/act-now-to-protect-shechita.html

[2] European Parliament vote to label meat slaughtered without pre-stunning. The Muslim News. Issue 255. 30.07.2010.
http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/paper/index.php?article=4741

[3] European Parliament vote to label meat slaughtered without pre-stunning. Halal Focus 30.07.2010.
http://halalfocus.net/2010/07/30/european-parliament-vote-to-label-meat-slaughtered-without-pre-stunning/

[4] Council Directive 93/119/EC of 22 December 1993 on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing.
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31993L0119:EN:HTML

[5] Review of Council Directive 93/119/EC on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing. Submission by Compassion in World Farming. September 2006
http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/welfare/slaughter/compassion_world_farming_en.pdf

[6] Commission Staff Working Document accompanying the Proposal for a
Council Regulation on the protection of animals at the time of killing. Impact Assessment Report. {COM(2008) 553} {SEC(2008) 2425}Brussels, 22 September 2008
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/261684/0078279.pdf

[7] Submission to Defra Animal Welfare Core Team animal welfare consultations. Consultation on the proposal for a Council regulation on the protection of animals at the time of killing. 20 April 2009. The National Secular Society
http://www.secularism.org.uk/uploads/submission-to-defra-on-ritual-slaughter.pdf

03.10.2010: Biological diversity [1]
Federal Environment Minister Norbert Röttgen called for increased efforts to combat the worldwide loss of biological diversity. At a special session of the 65th UN General Assembly on biological diversity he mentioned in particular the destruction and overexploitation of habitats and species, environmental pollution and climate change as the main reasons for this biodiversity loss.

The Federal Environment Minister pointed out that the target set by heads of state and government in 2002 to significantly reduce the global loss of biodiversity has not been reached. "But biological diversity is the basis for our own survival. Every day we make use of the services provided by nature without even thinking about it: clean air and water, fertile soils, construction materials and fuels, medical substances, CO2 storage in forests, bogs, soils and oceans, are just some examples. Therefore preserving biological diversity is not a luxury but a necessary investment in our own future", Minister Röttgen stressed.

[1] Environment Minister Röttgen calls for firm commitment to combat the worldwide loss of biodiversity. Address to the special session of the UN General Assembly on biodiversity. Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. No. 142/10 Berlin, 22.09.2010

http://www.bmu.de/english/current_press_releases/pm/46483.php

03.10.2010: Human Biomonitoring rises concerns about exposure to certain plasticisers [1]
Human biomonitoring surveys investigate public exposure to chemicals and other harmful environmental impacts detrimental to public health, provides data on which substances are absorbed by the human body and at what levels, whether there are certain population groups which are particularly affected and whether chemical policy regulations have led to the desired decrease in exposure.
Federal Environment Minister Norbert Röttgen noted at the Conference at Berlin 26-28.09.2010: "Human biomonitoring is an excellent early warning system to detect pollutants harmful to the public at an early stage. It gives us the opportunity to monitor the successes of our chemicals policy and to determine those areas where action is most needed.
The need of strengthening of international cooperation in the field of biomonitoring to prevent an exposure of public health to numerous environmental chemicals which are used on a global scale by refusing to approve the use of problematic substances in products.

The Ministry says that exposure to chemicals such as lead cadmium, DDT and dioxins has considerably dropped in Germany. However, concerns remain about the elevated exposure of children to certain plasticisers extensively used in plastic manufacturing. Some of the detected chemicals include:

[1] Federal Environment Minister Röttgen and Environment Agency President Flasbarth: Data on human exposure to pollutants urgently needed. Human Biomonitoring is an important instrument of health related environmental protection. Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. No. 145/10 Berlin, 27.09.2010
http://www.umweltministerium.de/english/current_press_releases/pm/46511.php

02.10.2010: Report of food outbreaks 2009 in Germany [1]

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) published the report of food-borne outbreaks in Germany in 2009. A total of 78 food-borne outbreaks were reported, mainly caused by salmonella, together with other pathogens, toxins and amines. Meat, meat products and sausages dominated. Contaminated foods were primarily consumed in restaurants and private households.

Sources of contamination
The transmission of microorganisms from one (usually raw) food to another, referred to as cross-contamination, played an essential role in outbreaks. Other sources of contamination were the handling of foods by infected individuals, an insufficient sanitation plan as well as the processing of shell eggs or other contaminated ingredients.

Cooling or heating of food
Insufficient cooling or cooling-down of foods contributed to the increase of pathogens in contaminated food. Insufficient heating of foods was also reported often, which can lead to the survival of pathogens in foods.

Insufficient HAACCP concepts
Insufficient HACCP concepts (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) of food companies were also a factor. The HACCP concepts are an essential aspect of self-monitoring plans in food companies.

The BfR concluded that many of the food-borne out-breaks were caused by hygiene deficiencies and mistakes in temperature management, which occurred both in private households and the commercial sec-tor. Suitable consumer information and regular trainings of kitchen personnel in restaurants and other community catering facilities can help prevent future outbreaks.

[1] Food involved in disease outbreaks in Germany in 2009. Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) Information No. 033/2010, 27 July 2010
http://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/245/food_involved_in_disease_outbreaks_in_germany_in_2009.pdf


02.10.2010: Hygienic carcass dressing at abattoir is necessary to reduce blown pack spoilage of meat products [1]
Broda and colleagues 2009 assessed preslaughter and processing sources of psychrophilic and psychrotolerant clostridia causing spoilage of vacuum-packed chilled meats, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of specific 16S rDNA fragments. Clostridium gasigenes, Clostridium estertheticum, Clostridium algidicarnis and Clostridium putrefaciens were detected in farm, faeces, fleece, slaughter floor operations prior to fleece removal.
Clemens, Adam and Brightwell 2010 report that storage at -1.5 degrees C significantly delays the onset of blown pack spoilage of meat in comparison with storage at 2 degrees C. The authors stress that one Clostridium estertheticum spore may initiate spoilage. They point out to the importance of hygienic carcass dressing to keep contamination to a minimum to improve shelf life of vacuum-packed chilled meat products. [2]

Description of Clostridium estertheticum subspp. laramiense and Clostridium estertheticum subsp. estertheticum growing in meat juice medium [3]
Recently two subtypes of C. estertheticum were defined. Yang, Gill and Balamurugan 2010 presented further description of these subtypes: The fermentation products of both strains of Clostridium estertheticum subsp. laramiense and Clostridium estertheticum subsp. estertheticum were butyrate, acetate, and formate from gucose and 1-butanol, ethanol, butyrate, and formate from the fermentation of lactate. Both organisms did not produce H2S. The optimum and maximum temperatures for growth of both were 10 degrees C, and 20 to 22 degrees C, respectively in a pH range for growth of 5.5 to 7.5. The authors expect blown pack spoilage of meat to be identical for both subtypes.

[1] Broda, D.M., Boerema, J.A., Brightwell, G. (2009). Sources of psychrophilic and psychrotol-erant clostridia causing spoilage of vacuum-packed chilled meats, as determined by PCR amplification procedure. J. Appl. Microbiol. July 2009, 107, 178-186.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19302329

[2] Clemens RM, Adam KH, Brightwell G: Contamination levels of Clostridium estertheticum spores that result in gaseous spoilage of vacuum-packaged chilled beef and lamb meat. Lett Appl Microbiol. 2010 Jun 1;50(6):591-6. Epub 2010 Mar 17.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20406381

[3] Yang X, Gill CO, Balamurugan S: Products of glucose and lactate fermentation, and utilization of amino acids by Clostridium estertheticum subspp. laramiense and estertheticum growing in meat juice medium. J Food Prot. 2010 Jul;73(7):1348-52
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20615352