September 2010 - OurFood-news

30.09.2010: Suspended cyclist says clenbuterol must have come from meat he eat [1]
Alberto Contador was suspended after a World Anti-Doping Agency lab in Germany found low levels of clenbuterol in probe A and B in his urine sample on July 21 at the Tour of France. Contador denied doping and insists that contaminated meat was to blame for the positive result.

Clenbuterol, a beta-2-symphatomimetic, is used by athletes to strip fat and enhance muscle size , increase aerobic capacity and is a short-term stimulant. People with chronic breathing disorders such as asthma use this as a bronchodilator to make breathing easier. Clenbuterol is sometimes given illegally to cows, pigs and other animals to increase their growth rate.

Should it come true that the hormone came from ingested meat concerns about food safety would rise, as consumed for a long time negative effects on human are expected, and food control system would be ineffective.

[1] Contador suspended as doping charges rock cycling. News Daily 30.09.2010.
http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre68t1yf-us-cycling-contador/

30.09.2010: Beer protein research may improve brewing technology [1]
Righetti and colleagues 2010 looked at the protein composition of beer which are important for the formation, texture, and stability of the of the beer foam, including 20 barley proteins, 40 proteins from yeast genes, and two proteins from corn. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces bayanus and Saccharomyces pastorianus used in the malting process for lager beer were analysed and a widespread proteome of beer was established. Proteome is the entire set of proteins expressed by a genome, cell, tissue or organism.

The authors say that brewers may now use these findings to reduce off-flavour proteins or to increase flavour and texture improving proteins during the brewing process.

[1] Fasoli E, Aldini G, Regazzoni L, Kravchuk AV, Citterio A, Righetti PG: Les Maîtres de l’Orge: The Proteome Content of Your Beer Mug. Journal of Proteome Research, 2010; 100909154150098 DOI: 10.1021/pr100551n
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/pr100551n

29.09.2010: Meat Packaged in a controlled atmosphere [1]
The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) assessed packaged meat on supermarket shelves carrying the wording "Packaged in a controlled atmosphere". This means that a gas mixture with, in some cases, a high oxygen level has been added to the packaging. The meat retains its red colour for far longer but matures more quickly and the fat oxidises and becomes rancid faster than in the case of other fresh meat.

Cholesterol is present in numerous foods of animal origin. When exposed to oxygen it oxidises and cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) "Oxysteroles" are formed. It was observed that the storing of previously heated meat leads to a major increase in certain COPs. Studies indicate that cholesterol oxidation is accelerated in the presence of an elevated oxygen concentration, as is the case in the described controlled atmosphere packaging.

More cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) seemingly form in the oxygen-enriched atmosphere. Consumers ingest these COPs from all cholesterol-containing foods. Their impact on the human organism has not been fully elucidated. The additional amount of COPs ingested by consumers from oxygen-enriched packaging is very low and the BfR does not expect any health risk from the additional amounts of cholesterol oxidation products.

The BfR concluded that the COP intake by consumers from fresh meat packaged in a controlled atmosphere is only marginally higher. New findings on oxysterols, however, puts the conclusion of the German BrF under new discussion.

The BfR stresses that the term “Packaged in a controlled atmosphere” does not say anything about the microbiological quality of the meat, i.e. the germs it may be contaminated with. When preparing fresh meat from this kind of packaging, consumers should observe the same kitchen hygiene rules as they do for other meat.

Oxysteroles new findings
Macrophages play important role in immunity, but may also increase the risk of atherosclerosis are active in inflammations.. Oxysterols were found to influence the activities of these macrophages. Shibata and Glass 2010 explain that oxysterols also regulate lipid metabolism, immune function, and cytotoxicity mediated by specific oxysterol sensors, including liver X receptors, Insigs, and members of the oxysterol binding protein and related proteins. [2]

Several studies found cholesterol metabolism may cause Alzheimer's disease and age-related macular degeneration. Dasari and colleagues 2010 report that the cholesterol oxidation metabolite 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC) caused several negative effects such as beta-amyloid peptide accumulation and oxidative cell damage. The authors suggest that this oxysterol is a common pathogenic factor for both Alzheimer's disease and age-related macular degeneration. [3]

Oxysterols are known to be active in age-related macular degeneration, a major cause of blindness. Dugas and colleagues 2010 found that oxysterols (7beta-hydroxycholesterol (7beta-OH), 7-ketocholesterol (7KC), 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-OH)) have cytotoxic, oxidative, inflammatory, and/or angiogenic activities in human retinal cells. Reservatrol from red wine may be used to treat age-related macular degeneration because of its protective effects against oxysterol-induced cell death and the segregation of a protein molecule called vascular endothelial growth factor. [4]

Antioxidants supplementation of feed to reduce oxysterols in meat [5]
Perez and colleagues 20120 report that feed supplemented with vitamin E and sodium selenite/ selenomethionine reduced lipid oxidation in frozen-raw and cooked omega-3 enriched dark chicken meat. Linseed product was used to enhance the alpha-linolenic acid source in feed.

Oxysterols remained stable in frozen-raw meat stored for 6 month with both antioxidants. During cooking vitamin E reduced oxysterol formation, but selenium compounds did not. During roasting selenium compounds increased oxysterols. After 12 month at -30°C no protection was found.

Meat packaged in a controlled atmosphere should not allowed to be marketed
Following recent studies all efforts should be undertaken to avoid additional formation of oxidised Cholesterol, known as oxysterols in meat. Meat packaged in a controlled atmosphere should not allowed to be marketed. High levels of oxygen are used to keep the red colour of the meat for a log time and simulate fresh product. Rising number of bacteria and other spoiling of minced meat or other products are not avoided and cannot be noted by the consumer looking at the colour of the meat. Harmful oxysterols are created with the sole purpose to extend the optical shelf life of the meat.

[1] Fresh meat packaged under a protective atmosphere with high oxygen content does not constitute a health hazard for the consumer (BfR Opinion Nr. 038/2010 of 2010-08-06
http://www.bfr.bund.de/cd/51929

[2] Shibata N, Glass CK: Macrophages, Oxysterols and Atherosclerosis. Circ J. 2010 Sep 11.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20838002

[3] Dasari B, Prasanthi JR, Marwarha G, Singh BB, Ghribi O: The oxysterol 27-hydroxycholesterol increases beta-amyloid and oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelial cells. BMC Ophthalmol. 2010 Sep 13;10(1):22.
http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1471-2415-10-22.pdf

[4] Dugas B, Charbonnier S, Baarine M, Ragot K, Delmas D, Ménétrier F, Lherminier J, Malvitte L, Khalfaoui T, Bron A, Creuzot-Garcher C, Latruffe N, Lizard G: Effects of oxysterols on cell viability, inflammatory cytokines, VEGF, and reactive oxygen species production on human retinal cells: cytoprotective effects and prevention of VEGF secretion by resveratrol. Eur J Nutr. 2010 Oct;49(7):435-46. Epub 2010 Mar 27.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20339855

[5].Perez TI, Zuidhof MJ, Renema RA, Curtis JM, Ren Y, Betti M: Effects of vitamin E and organic selenium on oxidative stability of omega-3 enriched dark chicken meat during cooking. J Food Sci. 2010 Mar;75(2):T25-34
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20492263

27.09.2010: Annual report of EU food safety reporting body [1]
The RASFF (Rapid Alert System for Food) provides a system for reporting food and feed safety issues within the EU.
Cases reported in 2009 were:
Salmonellosis outbreaks in various regions of the UK could be linked to eggs from a particular flock in Spain. Outbreak in the US linked to the consumption of peanut butter and US products containing peanuts was of concern.

Norovirus which causes heavy dysentery and vomiting, was reported in oysters, frozen raspberries from Poland and from Serbia. An outbreak in Norway was caused by sugar peas from Kenya (also called snow peas) contaminated with Shigella sonnei. These bacteria can cause serious dysentery but are killed if food is thoroughly cooked. Faecal contamination due to bad hygienic practice usually lies at the basis of the problem.

The FDA published on 1 May 2009 a warning on their website, urging consumers to discontinue the use of Hydroxycut food supplement products immediately due to serious liver injuries in Finland.
A food supplement was found to contain nimesulide, an anti-inflammatory drug which causes serious liver damage.

Denmark and Italy reported cases of histamine poisoning (scombroid fish poisoning) after consuming tuna. High levels of histamine (>200 ppm) will be formed in the fish if not properly chilled and stored for too long at an unsuitable temperature. Thorough cooking of the fish will not solve the problem as histamine is heat-resistant. Histamine can also occur in other types of fish.
Consumers reported experiencing a bitter taste or loss of taste after having consumed pine nuts imported from China and Pakistan. The substances that are responsible for the effect have however not yet been identified.

High levels of vitamin D due to miscalculation in the production process of a food supplement has lead to hypercalcaemia and kidney failure.

Undeclared allergenic ingredients
The RASFF’s 2009 report says that the number of notifications on allergens increased in 2009 mainly due to undeclared milk ingredients in products containing dark chocolate, cereals, bakery products, cocoa, coffee and tea, dietetic foods, food supplements, prepared dishes and snacks.
Undeclared sulphites were recorded in crustaceans, in fruit and vegetables, prepared dishes and snacks and in soups, broths and sauces.
The Directive 2003/89/EC specifies rules on the labelling, presentation and advertising of allergenic ingredients.

[1] European Commission:The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) Annual Report 2009.
http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/rapidalert/docs/report2009_en.pdf

25.09.2010 A cell signaling pathway controls growth and development of certain types of cancers[1]

Some parts of gene play a regulatory role, switching the expression of the gene on or off. The gene's DNA is packaged in a substance called chromatin on which such informations may be written.

Chromatin is the combination of DNA and proteins that makes up chromosomes. The functions of chromatin are to package DNA into a smaller volume to fit in the cell, to strengthen the DNA to allow mitosis and meiosis, and to serve as a mechanism to control expression and DNA replication. Chromatin contains genetic material-instructions to direct cell functions. Changes in chromatin structure are affected by chemical modifications of histone proteins such as methylation (of DNA and proteins) and acetylation (of proteins), and by non-histone, DNA-binding proteins. [2]

The instructions laid down on the chromatin may be "bookmarks," substances placed on the chromatin by so-called epigenetic "writer" proteins. Another group of epigenetic proteins, known as "erasers," are able to remove the bookmarks. Both types of proteins have successfully been disabled by scientists, using molecules made in the lab or taken from nature.
A third variety of epigenetic proteins switch genes on or off by "reading" the bookmarks.

Teitell and colleagues 2010 describe a new signaling pathway which is part of a global DNA damage response controlling 136 genes which cause cancers, such as lymphoma and leukemia.

The 136 genes of the signaling pathway are turned off when less mature cells develop to mature cells. Defects in this pathway, however, don't allow cells to mature the signaling genes are not silenced. The immature cells begin to divide rapidly resulting in lymphoma or leukemia.

B-cells produce antibodies to fighting an infection or react to other disorders. This results in DNA damage of the B-cells activates the gene TCL1 of the signaling pathway and causes cancer, if the pathway is not turned off. Activation of the signaling pathway silences the TCL1 gene and cancerous cell are not formed.

During an immune response, B cells undergo rapid proliferation and remodeling of genes producing immunoglobulin (IG) genes within germinal centers (GCs) to generate memory B and plasma cells. Unfortunately, the genotoxic stress associated with the reaction of the germinal centres may promotes cancerous B cells.

The authors explain that the body naturally turns off the signaling pathway after about two to three weeks after a DNA stress, however, if the pathway gets defect the natural stop signal is interrupted and cancerous cells develop. Targeting this pathway cancer therapies could be enhanced, say the authors.


[1] Sherman MH, Kuraishy AI, Deshpande C, Hong JS, Cacalano NA, Gatti RA, Manis JP, Damore MA, Pellegrini M, Teitell MA: AID-Induced Genotoxic Stress Promotes B Cell Differentiation in the Germinal Center via ATM and LKB1 Signaling. Mol Cell. 2010 Sep 24;39(6):873-85.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20864035

[2] Wikipedia: Chomatin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromatin

24.09.2010: Commission proposes to ban the addition of sugar to fruit juices [1]
According to the Fruit Juice Directive 2001/112/EC the addition of sugars is authorised up to 150g/Litre of juice and 200g/litre of nectars. [2]

The Commission prepares to amend the Directive banning added sugar from fruit juices. The addition of sugar would be allowed only for nectars and some very specific products covered by the Directive, but the product labelling must make such addition clear. Another proposed adjustment is to include tomatoes in the list of fruits used for fruit juice production. Banning sugar and others, such as High Fructose Corn Syrup, may improve the nutritional value of juices.

Most of the proposed changes are aimed at achieving further alignment with international rules by incorporating several additional elements of Codex Alimentarius standards into EU legislation, whilst also taking account of the Code of Practice of the European Fruit Juice Association.
The consumer should also be aware of the difference between Juice and Nectar. While juice is obtained from fruits without added water, nectar contains only 25 to 50% of juice. Water, sugars or artificial sweeteners and other ingredients fill up the product.

[1] European Commission: Agriculture and Rural development: Commission proposes to ban the addition of sugar to fruit juices. 22.09.2010.
http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/newsroom/en/411.htm

[2] Council Directive 2001/112/EC of 20 December 2001 relating to fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2002:010:0058:0066:EN:PDF

23.09.2010: FSA will look after food safety after tenfold increase of high-intensity sweetener use [1]
Bulk sweeteners (polyols): The bulk sweeteners such as sugar, isomalt, lacitol and erythritol contribute to the bulk, the texture and the viscosity of foods.
High-intensity sweeteners: Saccharin, acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) and aspartame are the most used high-intensity sweeteners. They do not contribute to the physical properties of a product and must be supplemented by bulking agents

The world use of high intensity sweeteners rose tenfold in two years years up to over 700 thousand tonnes/y of saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame K, sucralose and cyclamate being consumed today.

Looking for a method to simultaneously extract and determine the currently permitted intense sweeteners
The UK Food Standards agency called for research proposals for a fully validated method to detect and measure the presence of sweeteners in food, including saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame K, NHDC, sucralose, cyclamic acid, neotame and stevia extracts. Validation should follow the guidelines for single laboratory validation of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC).

The Agency plans to test food products for their sweetener content, to ensure that the levels used are safe.

[1] Ad hoc: Programme A01 – food additives – research. FSA 18.08.2010.
http://www.food.gov.uk/aboutus/how_we_work/procurement/resreq/proga01

23.09.2010: RGS14 gene limits learning and memory in Mice [1]
According to Hepler and colleagues 2010 learning and memory are linked to strengthening of synaptic connections between neurons of the brain. The authors found that the RGS14 protein can regulate several molecules involved in processing different types of signals in the brain that are known to be important for learning and memory. This protein may control these signals. Deleting the RGS14 gene makes mice smarter with better learning and memory by unlocking the CA2 part of the hippothalamus, a region of the brain whose function is only sparely known.

After new memory formation a long-term potentiation, a strengthening of connections between neurons that can be seen in some parts of the brain, but not in the CA2 region which is resistant to long-term potentiation. Mice with a disabled RGS14 gene, the CA2 region present a strong long-term potentiation.

The authors stress that silencing the RGS14 gene did not cause adverse effects, however, it is possible that hidden brain function changes may not be found yet. Hepler and his colleagues hope to find a compound that inhibits RGS14 or shuts it down to enhance cognition

Compound to increase the capacity of learning [2]
Interfering in the function of the brain to improve learning and memory has a long histrory of trials an errors. None of chemicals used proved to be without side effect.
Greely and colleagues 2008 point to the fact that on university campuses around the world, prescription drugs such as Adderall and Ritalin are dealt between the students to get higher grades. The authors stress that such transactions are not legal and are punished in U.S.A. by prison.

Thaler 2009 comments the article of Greely et al 2008 Nature 456: 702-705. The author analyses the possibility of humane societal appreciation of mind-altering drugs, such as cognitive enhancing drugs. The author hypotheses the use of ever-smaller amounts of psychoactive drugs reducing the harm and profiting from benign effects. The authors ignites again the discussion of cognitive enhancing drugs for healthy individuals, and turns the attention to gene-environment interaction regarding the cognitive ability. [3]

Notropics and cognitive enhancers [4]
Nootropics, also referred to as smart drugs, memory enhancers, and cognitive enhancers, are drugs, supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional foods that are purported to improve mental functions such as cognition, memory, intelligence, motivation, attention, and concentration. Nootropics are thought to work by altering the availability of the brain's supply of neurochemicals (neurotransmitters, enzymes, and hormones), by improving the brain's oxygen supply, or by stimulating nerve growth. However the efficacy of nootropic substances, in most cases, has not been conclusively determined.

Differenciating between nootropic and cognitive enhancer
A nootropic is a cognitive enhancer that is neuroprotective or extremely nontoxic.
A cognitive enhancer is a substance that enhances concentration and memory, such as the amphetamines. These drug may have serious side-effects.

The nutrients in food can influence our memory, learning, concentration, and decision-making, therefore the lack of them has a negative effect on the brain. So far, the studies have been able to link brain function to vitamin B1 and B12, omega-3, caffeine, antioxidants, protein, and iron. A varied diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables is thus the best way to enhance learning and memory.

Dietary supplements are not subjected to US premarketing regulatory clearance
Goldman 2001 points to the fact that many herbal products are of uncertain composition which may be unsafe. Herbal medicines are regulated as dietary supplements, which do not need a premarketing regulatory clearance required for drugs. The burden of proof is on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to show a dietary supplement is unsafe, unlike for drugs. [5]

Polyphenolics in fruits and vegetables enhance cognitive function [6]
Shukitt-Hale, Cheng and Joseph 2009 found that dietary intake of a 2% blackberry-supplemented diet reversed age-related deficits in behavioural and neuronal function in rats. This study suports previous investigations of the authors demonstrating improved motor and cognitive performance in aged rats after supplementation with other berry fruits.
The authors write that the positive effects of the polyphenols may result from an antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory activity, or by directly interfering on signal transmission in the brain.

[1] Lee SE, Simons SB, Heldt SA, Zhao M, Schroeder JP, Vellano CP, Cowan DP, Ramineni S, Yates CK, Feng Y, Smith Y, Sweatt JD, Weinshenker D, Ressler KJ, Dudek SM, Hepler JR.RGS14 is a natural suppressor of both synaptic plasticity in CA2 neurons and hippocampal-based learning and memory. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Sep 13.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20837545

[2] Greely H, Sahakian B, Harris J, Kessler RC, Gazzaniga M, Campbell P, Farah MJ.: Towards responsible use of cognitive-enhancing drugs by the healthy.Nature. 2008 Dec 11;456(7223):702-5.
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v456/n7223/full/456702a.html

[3] Thaler DS: Improving introspection to inform free will regarding the choice by healthy individuals to use or not use cognitive enhancing drugs. Harm Reduct J. 2009 Jun 16;6:10.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2702330/?tool=pubmed

[4] Wikipedia: Nootropics.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nootropic

[5] Goldman P: Herbal medicines today and the roots of modern pharmacology. Ann Intern Med. 2001 Oct 16;135(8 Pt 1):594-600.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11601931

[6] Shukitt-Hale B, Cheng V, Joseph J (2009): "Effects of blackberries on motor and cognitive function in aged rats". Nutritional Neuroscience 12 (3): 135–140. doi:10.1179/147683009X423292. PMID 19356316.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19356316

21.09.2010: Genetic modified salmon may become the first GM animal at grocery stores [1]
Hearings concerning the approval of the sale of GM salmon are held in Washington, D.C. The genetic code was modified by the U.S. biotechnology company AquaBounty at Prince Edward Island. It grows twice as fast as conventional salmon. AquaBounty modified the Atlantic salmon by adding a growth hormone from a Chinook salmon and added another gene from an eel-like fish called ocean pout this allows the fish to produce their growth hormone all year long. The GM salmon needs only 16 to 18 month, while conventional Atlantic salmon needs 30 month to become full grown. The rapid growth is of high commercial interest.

According to David Senior, head of the FDA committee, there are no safety concerns regarding the GM salmon, however, present studies were performed only with a very limited number of animals.

Environmentalists argue that the GM salmon approval would also open the door for a variety of other genetically modified animals, such as the pig which is being developed in Canada or the mad cow disease resistant cattle.

[1] Genetically modified salmon hearings begin. AquaBounty, FDA and critics of GM salmon at advisory committee. CBC 21.09.2010.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2010/09/20/con-gm-salmon-hearing.html#ixzz10BeILlxU

21.09.2010: Recent anthrax cases in Bangladesh [1]
The government of Bangladesh reported that 585 people contracted anthrax infection since late August. Infection occurs while touching infected animals or animal products, such as blood, meat or skin of an infected animal. Cattle can be infected ingesting or inhaling the bacterium during grazing. The victims fell sick after eating beef from anthrax-affected cattle, however, it does not spread from human to human. Cutaneous infections cause fever, severe pain and swollen tissues, often with lesions.

The disease may be fatal, however, none of the actual cases in Bangladesh were seriously ill, but its rapid spreading is of concern. The government of Bangladesh coordinates all measures of anthrax prevention, treatment and control. Livestocks are controlled for sick cows which are culled immediately, Cattle is being vaccinated to avoid further spread of the disease. Anthrax is a bacterium which lives in the soil. It may be brought up to the surface by the water of heavy rain like the monsoon.

[1] Anthrax outbreak hits Bangladesh. BBC News. 03.09.2010
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11183617

06.09.2010: Climate change, evolutionary response and ecological threshold
New genetic mapping technique shows an evolutionary response to rapid climate change on mosquito [1]
Scheiner, Bradshaw and colleagues 2010, analysed the genome of the pitcher plant mosquito, Wyeomyia smithii. using Restriction-site Associated DNA (RAD) sequencing technique. This mosquito lives within the water-filled leaves of the purple pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea, also known as the side-saddle flower, growing at the eastern seaboard of the U.S., the Great Lakes and southeastern Canada.

Using the RAD-Tag approach, the scientists have demonstrated that post-glacial populations of Wyeomyia smithii originated from a southern Appalachian Mountain refugium after recession of the Laurentide Ice Sheet some 22,000 to 19,000 years ago. The results of this study increases understanding of the genetic mechanism underlying photoperiod response to rapid climate change, responsible for the correct timing of dormancy, migration, development and reproduction in temperate organisms such as blood-feeding in mosquito vectors of dengue, encephalitis and malaria.

According to the authors the RAD-Tag protocol has increased the resolution of genetic relatedness among populations and may be used in fields from ecology and evolution to human behaviour and medicine, and may predict patterns of invasion of species during rapid climate change, and to correlate gene-based illnesses with susceptible human populations on a local or worldwide scale.

Evolution or surrounding ecosystems may protect some species from the effects of climate change [2]
Harmon and colleagues 2010 assessed how ecological and evolutionary factors drive population shifts in the face of a changing environment. The authors focus on the ecological interactions within a food web and a rapid evolutionary adaptation of the legume-loving pea aphid fare during increasing bouts of hot weather. The authors stress that predictions of the consequences of environmental change on populations must take into account both ecological and evolutionary complexities, and that it is not possible to study a single species in isolation to understand environmental change and their effect on species, the other species around it must also be taken into account as a whole.
The authors cite the effect of increasing temperature which decrease pea aphid reproduction, however, bacteria living symbiotically within the aphids bestow them with a possible evolutionary defence, influencing the heat tolerance of this symbiotic system.
The negative effect of increased temperature depended on which of two different predatory ladybeetle species was present which highlights the importance of the local food web. The authors stress the importance to see the whole ecological and evolutionary aspect when studying the effects of environmental change, and rapid evolution must be considered as an response of a population to environmental change.

Ecological threshold as a “point of no return” [3]
Susan Haseltine and colleagues define ecological threshold as the point at which there is an abrupt change in an ecosystem that produces large, persistent and potentially irreversible changes.
Once an ecological threshold is crossed, the ecosystem in question will most likely not return to its previous state,The existence of thresholds should be a key concern of scientists and natural resource managers, say the researchers.
In this report the researchers stress that human actions, such as additional use of water increase the possibility of an ecosystem to cross its ecological thresholds, and effects on aquatic biota will not return to normal. Tools to predict such effects must be developed to cope with different thresholds of each ecosystem.

[1] Genetic Structure of First Animal to Show Evolutionary Response to Climate Change Determined. National Science Foundation. August 24. 2010.
http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=117577&org=NSF&from=news

[2] Evolution, Ecosystems May Buffer Some Species Against Climate Change
University of Wisconsin-Madison (2009, March 8). Evolution, Ecosystems May Buffer Some Species Against Climate Change. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 5, 2010, from

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090305141620.htm

[3] Slight changes in climate may trigger abrupt ecosystem responses. Eurekalert. 16 January 2009
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-01/usgs-sci011609.php

05.09.2010: Heat resistant corn-based plastic material for hot filling of food [1]
Corn-based biodegradable plastics could be used as an alternative to petroleum-based plastics. Catsup or fruit juice and other products are filled in the container while still hot from pasteurisation. Current corn based plastic containers cannot withstand hot filling at about 72°C. According to chemist William J. Orts of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and a team of Lapol, of Santa Barbara, Calif., develop a corn-derived plastics which is more heat-tolerant than current ones.

Orts and colleagues explain that corn-based plastics are made by fermenting corn sugar to produce lactic acid. The lactic acid is used to form polylactic acid, or PLA. A heat-deflection temperature modifier that is blend with PLA will turn it more heat-tolerant. The modifier is more than 90 percent corn-based and is fully biodegradable.

Biofoams made of starch may replace polysterene foams used for shipping protection [2]
Gregory M. Glenn and Simon K. Hodson in 2009 developed at the ARS Western Regional Research Center in Albany, Calif., a biofoam made from starch from potatoes, wheat or corn, instead of from petroleum. Rigid, custom-fit foam pieces protect products inside cardboard boxes during shipping. Large amount of polysterene from petroleum are used as packaging material and is discarded as waste. Biofoams may become an alternative to oil.

Developing bio plastics which are degradable and present similar proprieties as oil derived packagings may reduce the dependence on crude oil. Food packagings are an important part of communal waste and pollute the ocean.

[1] Helping Corn-Based Plastics Take More Heat. 01.September. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Agricultural Research Service. chemist William J. Orts. 2010.

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100901.htm

[2] Inventors Offer Ecofriendly Substitutes for Polystyrene. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Agricultural Research Service. September 17, 2009
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2009/090917.htm