Discovery of the human homolog of sex-determining region (SRY) gene in dioecious plants

Sex determination in the early developmental stages of dioecious crops is economically-beneficial. During this study, a human homology of SRY gene was successfully identified in dioecious crops. SRY gene sequences of date palm and jojoba were submitted to GenBank under the accession numbers KC577225 and MK991776, respectively. This is the first report regarding the novel sex-determination methodology of four dioecious plants (jojoba, date palm, papaya, and pistachios). SRY sex gene was found in all the tested dioecious plant and human samples. This novel approach is simple and of significant importance for breeders. It facilitates the unambiguous selection of jojoba and date palm female plants at an early age and reduces the plantation cost of cultivating non-productive male plants. This is a rapid sex-determination technique for dioecious plants and mammals at an early stage. This technique specifically targets the SRY sequence that has been comprehensively investigated in humans. The kit development for the SRY-based sex determination of various crops is in progress.

Effects of pistachios on anthropometric indices, inflammatory markers, endothelial function and blood pressure in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Evidence suggests that eating nuts may reduce the risk of CVD. This study was intended to pool the data of all randomised controlled trials (RCT) available to determine if pistachios confer a beneficial effect on anthropometric indices, inflammatory markers, endothelial dysfunction and blood pressure. Without language restriction, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched for articles published from the earliest records to June 2019 investigating the effect of pistachio consumption on inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and hypertension. Mean difference (MD) was pooled using a random effects model. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. The meta-analysis of thirteen RCT with 563 participants indicated that pistachio consumption significantly decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP) (MD: -2·12 mmHg, 95 % CI -3·65, -0·59, P = 0·007), whereas changes in flow-mediated dilation (MD: 0·94 %, 95 % CI -0·99, 2·86, P = 0·813), diastolic blood pressure (MD: 0·32 mmHg, 95 % CI -1·37, 2·02, P = 0·707), C-reactive protein (MD: 0·00 mg/l, 95 % CI -0·21, 0·23, P = 0·942), TNF-α (MD: -0·09 pg/ml, 95 % CI -0·38, 0·20, P = 0·541), body weight (MD: 0·09 kg, 95 % CI -0·38, 0·69, P = 0·697), BMI (MD: 0·07 kg/m2, 95 % CI -0·16, 0·31, P = 0·553) and waist circumference (MD: 0·77 cm, 95 % CI -0·09, 1·64, P = 0·140) were not statistically significant. This systematic review and meta-analysis suggested the efficacy of pistachio consumption to reduce SBP levels. However, further large-scale studies are needed to confirm these results.

Does a MediDiet with additional extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and pistachios reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes?

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to evaluate gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) incidence in pregnant women following the Mediterranean diet with additional extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and pistachios.

METHODS

560 pregnant patients were enrolled in the present study. The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) was introduced in both the interventional group (IG) and control group (CG). The females received 40 ml of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) every day along with 25 - 30 gm of roasted pistachios in the interventional group. The incidence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) was recorded along with specific maternal and neonatal outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The nutritional and MEDAS scores were not statistically different among the groups at baseline, but the difference was statistically significant and higher in IG at 24-28 weeks (p = 0.001) and 36-38 weeks (p = 0.001). GDM was diagnosed in 51(20.4%) females in the Control group and 34 (13.6%) females in the Interventional group. The MedDiet significantly reduced the GDM incidence (p=0.02) after adjusting the confounding factors.

CONCLUSION

The present study depicts that dietary intervention in pregnant women, including MedDiet and increased consumption of EVOO and pistachios, decreased the incidence of GDM.

Rapid screening on aflatoxins' presence in Pistachia vera nuts using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy and chemometrics

Aflatoxin contamination in pistachios has been analyzed in this work, using Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) with chemometrics. Forty-nine Greek pistachio samples of different aflatoxin concentrations were classified into aflatoxin and non-aflatoxin groups using the 3035-2821, 1770-1721, 1570-1481 and 1260-1061 cm^-1 spectral regions in Kubelka-Munk conversion and first derivative form. A chemometric model was developed using twenty-eight samples as calibration, 11 as validation and 10 as test set. The discrimination analysis separated correctly the 100% of the calibration and the validation set and the 80% of the test set. The proposed chemometric model is simple, rapid, economical and environmentally friendly since it does not require chemical pre-treatment of the samples. It is expected that the present method may be proved useful in food industry and the inspection authorities as a rapid decision-making tool to detect batches that must be rejected and enhance consumers' protection from aflatoxin contaminated pistachios.

Survival and Virulence of Listeria monocytogenes during Storage on Chocolate Liquor, Corn Flakes, and Dry-Roasted Shelled Pistachios at 4 and 23°C

ABSTRACT

The survival and virulence of Listeria monocytogenes was assessed during storage on three low-moisture foods (LMFs): chocolate liquor, corn flakes, and shelled, dry-roasted pistachios (water activity [aw] of 0.18, 0.27, and 0.20, respectively). The LMFs were inoculated with a four-strain cocktail of L. monocytogenes at 8 log CFU/g, dried, held until the aw stabilized, and then stored at 4°C and 25 to 81% relative humidity (RH) and at 23°C and 30 to 35% RH for at least 336 days. At 4°C, L. monocytogenes remained stable on the LMFs for at least 336 days. At 23°C, L. monocytogenes levels declined on the chocolate liquor, corn flakes, and pistachios at initial rates of 0.84, 0.88, and 0.32 log CFU/g/month, respectively. After 8 months at 23°C, L. monocytogenes levels on the chocolate liquor and corn flakes decreased to below the limit of detection (i.e., 0.48 log CFU/g). Relative populations of each strain were assessed before storage (i.e., day 0) and after 6 and 12 months of storage at 23 and 4°C, respectively. Generally, a decline in the relative level of the serotype 1/2a strain was observed during storage, coupled with the relative increase in other strains, depending on the LMF and storage temperature. The total viable populations of L. monocytogenes determined by the PMAxx quantitative PCR method after >12 months of storage at 4°C were significantly (1.8- to 3.7-log) higher than those obtained by plating on tryptic soy agar with yeast extract. Decreases in the culturable population of L. monocytogenes during storage on the LMFs were the result of both cellular inactivation and transition to a viable-but-nonculturable state. The surviving cells, specifically after long-term storage at 4°C on the chocolate liquor and pistachios, remained infectious and capable of intracellular replication in Caco-2 enterocytes. These results are relevant for predictive modeling used in microbial health risk assessments and support the addition of LMFs to food safety questionnaires conducted during listeriosis outbreaks.

HIGHLIGHTS

Pistachios and cardiometabolic risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Previous experimental studies have reported that pistachios can elicit positive effects on lipid profile, blood pressure, and inflammation; however, a meta-analysis of the available evidence has yet to be performed.

OBJECTIVE

the aim of this study was to conduct systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of pistachio enriched diets on cardiometabolic risk factors, such as weight, BMI, blood pressure, serum lipids, blood glucose, and inflammatory biomarkers.

DESIGN

A literature search was carried out for RCTs in medical databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane databases, with no time limitation up to August 2019, and conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines.

RESULTS

11 RCTs, with 506 participants, that reported the effect of pistachios consumption on cardiometabolic risk factors were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Our findings indicated that pistachios consumption significantly reduced FBS (WMD: -3.73, 95 % CI: -6.99, -0.46, I² = 99 %), TC/HDL (WMD: -0.46, 95 % CI: -0.76, -0.15, I² = 95 %), LDL/HDL (WMD: -0.24, 95 % CI: -0.38, -0.11, I² = 96 %), HbA1C (WMD: -0.14, 95 % CI: -0.26, -0.02, I² = 60 %), Insulin (WMD: -2.43, 95 % CI: -4.85, -0.001, I² = 58 %), SBP (WMD: -3.10, 95 % CI: -5.35, -0.85, I² = 63 %), and MDA (WMD: -0.36, 95 % CI: -0.49, -0.23, I² = 0%). Importantly, we did not observe adverse effects of pistachios consumption on BMI or blood pressure.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates that pistachios consumption can elicit a beneficial effect on some cardiometabolic risk factors. All previous clinical studies are well designed but some points have still remained unclear including the effects of different pistachios dosages on cardio metabolic risk factors and efficacy of pistachios consumption in preventing endothelial dysfunction. Further examination is required to determine the effect of pistachios consumption on further endothelial function risk factors.

Aflatoxin contamination in nuts marketed in Italy: preliminary results

BACKGROUND

Aflatoxins (AFs) are one of the main groups of mycotoxins produced by molds. Nuts, although recognized as a food with health benefits, are frequently contaminated by AFs.

STUDY DESIGN

In this preliminary study we evaluated the contamination by total AFs and AFB1 in different types of nuts from different countries marketed in Apulia.

METHODS

Overall, 124 samples (almonds, apricot kernels, chestnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, pistachios, walnuts and Brazil nut) were analyzed using an High-Performance Liquid Chromatography system.

RESULTS

Twenty samples (16.1%) were contaminated with AFs of which 55% were non-compliant, according to Reg. 165/2010. The median values (µg/kg) of total AFs and AFB1 were 16.6 and 15.1, respectively. Pistachios appeared more susceptible to AF contamination than the other nuts, with levels of total AFs ranging from 8.8 to 387.3 µg/kg and of AFB1 from 8.2 to 354.5 µg/kg. The majority of contaminated samples came from Asia and AF contamination was different in the various Asiatic sub-regions: regardless of the type of nuts, samples from Western Asia were the least contaminated.

CONCLUSIONS

As geographical origin may influence the risk of contamination, in order to protect human health, customer countries should increase AF monitoring in nuts coming from those countries with favorable environments for the growth of aflatoxigenic molds or with less strict regulations.

Climate change threatens central Tunisian nut orchards

Temperate deciduous trees can only be productive where winters are cold enough to meet their chilling needs. In the Mediterranean region, chill has traditionally been sufficient for many species, but this may change as temperatures increase. We explored the region's present and future suitability for temperate trees by quantifying chill for the Sfax region in central Tunisia, one of the warmest regions where temperate nuts are commercially grown. We assessed climatic risk by calculating historic chill (since 1973) and using a weather generator calibrated with local weather data (1973-2015) to produce 101 years of chill estimates (computed with the Dynamic Model) and 3 past and 72 future scenarios (for 2041-2070 and 2071-2100, using two representative concentration pathways: RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). For almonds and pistachios, we compared available chill during the chilling period with the species' estimated chilling requirements, and we computed the date by which sufficient chill was expected to have accumulated. Our findings indicated severe chill losses for all future scenarios. For all species, the current chill period is no longer expected to be sufficient for meeting chilling requirements in the future. Chill needs may still be fulfilled later in the year, especially for low-chill almonds, but this would result in delayed phenology, with possible adverse effects on productivity. Temperate nut production is thus unlikely to remain viable at this site, highlighting an urgent need to identify locally appropriate adaptation options. This challenge is likely shared by other warm production regions of temperate fruits and nuts around the world.

Impact of Process Temperature, Humidity, and Initial Product Moisture on Thermal Inactivation of Salmonella Enteritidis PT 30 on Pistachios during Hot-Air Heating

Some thermal processes, such as pistachio roasting, are not yet well characterized with respect to the impact of product and process variables on Salmonella lethality. This study aimed to quantify the effects of process temperature, humidity, and initial product water activity (a_w), on Salmonella lethality for in-shell pistachios. In-shell pistachios were inoculated with Salmonella Enteritidis PT 30 (∼8.5 log CFU/g), equilibrated (0.45 or 0.65 a_w), and heated without soaking ("dry") or after a pure-water or 27% NaCl brining pretreatment ("presoaked"). Inoculated pistachio samples (15 g) were heated in a laboratory-scale, moist-air convection oven at 104.4 or 118.3°C, humidities of ∼3, 15, or 30%, v/v (∼24.4, 54.4, or 69.4°C dew point), and air speed of 1.3 m/s. Salmonella survivors were quantified at six times during each treatment, targeting total reductions of ∼3 to 5 log. Survivor data were analyzed using analysis of variance to identify main effects (time, temperature, humidity, and initial a_w) and two-term interactions with time. As expected, lethality increased ( P < 0.05) with temperature and humidity. For example, the time to achieve a 4-log reduction decreased 50 to 80% when humidity increased from ∼3 to 30%. When the dry and presoaked treatments were analyzed separately, initial product a_w (0.45 versus 0.65 a_w or 0.75 versus 0.95 a_w) did not affect lethality ( P > 0.05). However, when comparing dry against presoaked treatments, the time to achieve a 4-log reduction decreased 55 to 85% ( P < 0.05) for presoaked pistachios subjected to the same temperature-humidity treatment. Salt had no effect ( P > 0.05) on lethality outcomes. These results, relative to initial a_w, process humidity, brining, and salt effects on process lethality, are critically important and must be considered in the design and validation of thermal processes for Salmonella reduction in pistachio processing.

A Quantitative Risk Assessment of Human Salmonellosis from Consumption of Pistachios in the United States

We developed a quantitative risk assessment model to assess the risk of human nontyphoidal salmonellosis from consumption of pistachios in the United States and to evaluate the impact of Salmonella treatments (1- to 5-log reductions). The exposure model estimating prevalence and contamination levels of Salmonella at consumption included steps in pistachio processing such as transport from grower to huller, removal of the hull through wet abrasion, separation of pistachio floaters (immature, smaller nuts) and sinkers (mature, larger nuts) in a flotation tank, drying, storage, and partitioning. The risks of illness per serving and per year were evaluated by including a Salmonella dose-response model and U.S. consumption data. The spread of Salmonella through float tank water, delay in drying resulting in growth, increased Salmonella levels through pest infestation during storage (pre- and posttreatment), and a simulation of the 2016 U.S. salmonellosis outbreak linked to consumption of pistachios were the modeled atypical situations. The baseline model predicted one case of salmonellosis per 2 million servings (95% CI: one case per 5 million to 800,000 servings) for sinker pistachios and one case per 200,000 servings (95% CI: one case per 400,000 to 40,000 servings) for floater pistachios when no Salmonella treatment was applied and pistachios were consumed as a core product (>80% pistachio) uncooked at home. Assuming 90% of the pistachio supply is sinkers and 10% is floaters, the model estimated 419 salmonellosis cases per year (95% CI: 200 to 1,083 cases) when no Salmonella treatment was applied. A mean risk of illness of less than one case per year was estimated when a minimum 4-log reduction treatment was applied to the U.S. pistachio supply, similar to the results of the Salmonella risk assessment for almonds. This analysis revealed that the predicted risk of illness per serving is higher for all atypical situations modeled compared with the baseline, and delay in drying had the greatest impact on consumer risk.

Life cycle analysis of pistachio production in Greece

In the present paper, a life cycle assessment (LCA) study regarding pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) cultivation in Aegina island, Greece, was performed to evaluate the energy use footprint and the associated environmental impacts. In this context, a detailed life cycle inventory was created based on site-survey data and used for a holistic cradle-to-farm gate LCA analysis using the GaBi 6.5 software. The main impact categories assessed were acidification potential (AP), eutrophication potential (EP), global warming potential (GWP), ozone depletion potential (ODP), photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP) and cumulative energy demand (CED). In order to reveal the main environmental concerns pertinent to pistachio production and in turn propose measures for the reduction of environmental and energetic impacts, three scenarios were compared, namely the Baseline scenario (BS) that involves current cultivation practices, the Green Energy (GE) scenario that involves the use of biological fertilizers i.e. compost, and the Waste Utilization (WU) scenario that involves the production of biochar from pistachio and other agricultural wastes and its subsequent soil application to promote carbon sequestration and improve soil quality. Based on the results of this study, the use of compost for fertilization (GE scenario), which results in approximately 9% savings in terms of energy consumption and the five environmental impact categories studied compared to BS scenario, is considered a promising alternative cultivation strategy. Slightly higher savings (10% on average) in terms of the five calculated environmental impact categories, compared to the BS scenario, were indicated when the WU scenario was considered. Regarding energy consumption, the WU scenario results in minor increase, 3%, compared to the BS scenario. Results of uncertainty analysis performed using the Monte Carlo technique and contribution analysis showed that GE and WU scenarios offer reliable and significant eco-profile improvements for pistachio production in the study area compared to the current situation.

Effect of pistachio consumption on the modulation of urinary gut microbiota-related metabolites in prediabetic subjects

The specific nutritional composition of nuts could affect different metabolic pathways involved in a broad range of metabolic diseases. We therefore investigated whether chronic consumption of pistachio nuts modifies the urine metabolome in prediabetic subjects. We designed a randomized crossover clinical trial in 39 prediabetic subjects. They consumed a pistachio-supplemented diet (PD, 50% carbohydrates, 33% fat, including 57 g/d of pistachios daily) and a control diet (CD, 55% carbohydrates, 30% fat) for 4 months each, separated by a 2-week wash-out. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NRM) was performed to determine changes in 24-h urine metabolites. Significant changes in urine metabolites according to the different intervention periods were found in uni- and multivariate analysis. Score plot of the first two components of the multilevel partial least squares discriminant analysis (ML-PLS-DA) showed a clear separation of the intervention periods. Three metabolites related with gut microbiota metabolism (i.e., hippurate, p-cresol sulfate and dimethylamine) were found decreased in PD compared with CD (P<.05). Moreover, cis-aconitate [intermediate of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA)] was also found decreased following PD compared with CD. Intragroup analysis showed that creatinine levels were significantly increased in PD (P=.023), whereas trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) was found significantly reduced following PD (P=.034). Our results suggest that chronic pistachio consumption may modulate some urinary metabolites related to gut microbiota metabolism and the TCA cycle; all associated with metabolic derangements associated with insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes.

Effects of pistachios on the lipid/lipoprotein profile, glycemic control, inflammation, and endothelial function in type 2 diabetes: A randomized trial

OBJECTIVE

The health benefits of regular nut consumption have been well-documented; however, effects on cardiovascular risk in diabetes are emerging. This study examined the effects of daily pistachio consumption on the lipid/lipoprotein profile, glycemic control, markers of inflammation, and endothelial function in adults with type 2 diabetes.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We enrolled 30 adults (40-74 years) with well-controlled type 2 diabetes (mean glycated hemoglobin 6.2%) in a randomized, crossover, controlled feeding study. After a 2-week run-in period, participants consumed nutritionally-adequate diets with pistachios (contributing 20% of total energy) or without pistachios for 4 weeks each, separated by a 2-week washout. We assessed fasting lipids/lipoproteins, glycemic measures (while fasted and during a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test), inflammatory markers, and endothelial function after each diet period.

RESULTS

Total cholesterol and the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol were significantly lower (p<0.05) following the pistachio diet (4.00 mmol/L and 4.06 mmol/L, respectively) compared to the control diet (4.15 mmol/L and 4.37 mmol/L, respectively). Triglycerides were significantly lower (p=0.003) following the pistachio diet (1.56 mmol/L) compared to the control diet (1.84 mmol/L). There were no treatment differences in fasting glucose and insulin, but fructosamine was significantly lower (p=0.03) following the pistachio diet (228.5 μmol/l) compared to the control diet (233.5 μmol/l). Inflammatory markers and endothelial function were unchanged.

CONCLUSION

Daily pistachio consumption can improve some cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with well-controlled type 2 diabetes. Our findings support recommendations that individuals with diabetes follow healthy dietary patterns that include nuts.

Effect of pistachio consumption on plasma lipoprotein subclasses in pre-diabetic subjects

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Nuts have been demonstrated to improve several cardiovascular risk factors and the lipid profile in diabetic and pre-diabetic subjects. However, analysis of conventional serum lipid profiles does not completely explain the atherogenic risk associated with pre-diabetes. We therefore investigated whether chronic consumption of pistachio modifies the lipoprotein subclasses to a healthier profile in pre-diabetic subjects.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Randomized cross-over clinical trial in 54 subjects with pre-diabetes. Subjects consumed a pistachio-supplemented diet (PD, 50% carbohydrates, 33% fat, including 57 g/d of pistachios daily) and a control diet (CD, 55% carbohydrates, 30% fat) for 4 months each, separated by a 2-week wash-out. Diets were isocaloric and matched for protein, fiber and saturated fatty acids. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was performed to determine changes in plasma lipoprotein subclasses. Small low-density lipoprotein particles (sLDL-P) significantly decreased after pistachio consumption compared to the nut-free diet (P = 0.023). The non-high-density lipoprotein particles (non-HDL-P i.e. VLDL-P plus LDL-P) significantly decreased under the PD compared to CD (P = 0.041). The percentage of sHDL-P increased by 2.23% after the PD compared with a reduction of 0.08% after the CD (P = 0.014). Consequently, the overall size of HDL-P significantly decreased in the PD (P = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

Chronic pistachio consumption could modify the lipoprotein particle size and subclass concentrations independently of changes in total plasma lipid profile, which may help to explain the decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality associated with those individuals who frequently consumed nuts.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01441921.

Effect of different types of plastic packaging films on the moisture and aflatoxin contents of pistachio nuts during storage

Pistachio nut (Pistacia vera L.) is one of the popular tree nuts in the world. Proper selection of packaging materials is necessary to prevent absorption of moisture and aflatoxin formation which will influence the overall product quality and safety. This research is undertaken to study the effect of different type of flexible packaging films on the moisture and aflatoxin contents of whole pistachio nuts during storage at ambient temperature (22-28 °C) and relative humidity of 85-100%. Five types of plastic films tested were low density polyethylene (LDPE) which serves as the control, food-grade polyvinyl chloride (PVC), nylon (LDPE/PA), polyamide/polypropylene (PA/PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The moisture content and aflatoxin content of pistachio nuts were measured using oven drying method and HPLC, respectively. Sample were analysed at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 months during the storage period. Results showed that there was an increase in moisture content with the increase in storage time of pistachio nuts. The increase in moisture content was associated with the aflatoxin level of pistachio nuts during storage time. All the packaging materials except LDPE delayed the moisture absorption and aflatoxin formation of the product. The most suitable packaging materials for maintaining the quality and safety of pistachio nuts is PET films followed by nylon, PA/PP and PVC. The shelf-life of pistachio can be extended from 2 months (Control) to 5 months when PET is used as the packaging material.