Demographic trends in Switzerland show that, owing to an increased life expectancy, the over-65 population group will continue to grow in the 21st century. A balanced, healthy diet is of vital importance for health and well-being in old age, in order to reduce the risk of various chronic diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis and cardiovascular ailments. A survey of 632 individuals aged between 50 and 81 years was conducted to determine both the eating habits and behaviours and the nutritional knowledge of this demographic, as well as the frequency with which they consumed various foods, particularly those of animal origin. More on this topic can be found at the link below:
Dairy products: requirements concerning
added fruit
The addition of fruit to dairy products can lead to food-safety risks. As part of a Bachelor’s thesis, an assessment was created for the evaluation and management of potential risks in order to reduce the likelihood of contamination to a minimum. The findings of the thesis are very important for smaller and medium-sized milk-processing establishments in particular, and are to be published as part of the InterLab sampling guidelines.
Etude des composés volatils du Vacherin fribourgeois et du Vacherin Mont-d`Or. (Study of the volatile compounds of Vacherin Fribourgeois and Vacherin Mont-d`Or cheeses).
Travaux Chimiques en Alimentation et Hygiène, 88, 1997, 233-258.
After a brief review of the literature dealing with Vacherin Fribourgeois and Vacherin Mont-d`Or (Swiss) cheese varieties, the results of a study of their neutral and alkaline volatile compounds are presented. These compounds were extracted using a dynamic headspace (purge & trap) method and separated by capillary gas chromatography. Qualitative and semi-quantitative determination (relative measurements) was carried out using mass selective detection and retention index. Eight Vacherin Fribourgeois and 9 Vacherin Mont-d`Or cheeses produced by well-known factories were analysed in duplicate. In total, 66 components were identified. The results are presented using descriptive statistics. Vacherin Mont-d`Or cheeses contained some terpenoids, probably due to packaging of the individual cheeses (approximately 500-1000 g) in wood (spruce). Four compounds (ethanol, alpha -pinene, ethyl caproate and alpha - terpineol) were sufficient for distinguishing between the 2 Vacherin cheese types with a coefficient of determination of r2 = 0.937. With the exception of terpenoids, most compounds identified were present in both cheese types, but frequently in different concentrations. All the compounds isolated had already been found in other Swiss and foreign cheese varieties
Leafy-green vegetables are a significant source of the carotenoids lutein and beta-carotene, both of which are important for sight. The findings of a recently concluded intervention study point towards lower baseline serum levels and poorer absorption of these carotenoids in short-bowel patients than in healthy individuals. Potential long-term effects on vision owing to malabsorption of these food constituents have yet to be elucidated.
The number of infectious diseases caused by the consumption of vegetables contaminated with human-pathogenic bacteria is on the rise worldwide. The location and potential absorption of such bacteria in vegetable plants as well as the role of input sources such as irrigation water are currently only partially clarified. In a current research project, Agroscope is investigating the colonisation of salad plants with enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) in cooperation with the University of Hohenheim, Germany.