Investigación

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Investigación contiene los documentos generados por los docentes e investigadores de la Universidad en su labor de investigación. Este depósito tiene como objetivos el almacenamiento, la gestión, la preservación y la difusión de estos documentos, y pretende contribuir al aumento de la visibilidad del trabajo desarrollado por los miembros de la comunidad universitaria.

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Open Access
A volatilomic approach using ion mobility and mass spectrometry combined with multivariate chemometrics for the assessment of lemon juice quality
(Elsevier, 2024-11-09) Giménez Campillo, Claudia; Arroyo Manzanares, Natalia; Campillo Seva, Natalia; Díaz García, Miriam Cristina; Viñas López-Pelegrin, Pilar; Química Analítica
Lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Burm.) is a citrus fruit known for its high nutritional value and potent antioxidant activity. Lemon juice, obtained by squeezing the fruit, is widely used in the kitchen for its acidic taste to flavour dishes and drinks. It has also been attributed with various medicinal properties to treat conditions such as sore throat, fever, rheumatism and hypertension. Ensuring the quality and safety of lemon juice, as well as its geographical origin, is not easy due to the scarcity of analytical methods available for this purpose, which makes it difficult to detect adulterations. To meet this challenge of testing the authenticity and safety of lemon juice, multiple physicochemical parameters need to be evaluated, which is expensive and time-consuming, so it is of great interest to develop an alternative simple method. In this research, two alternative analytical methods were developed and optimized for the analysis of lemon juice samples based on headspace gas chromatography coupled to both mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS) or ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS). These new methods were compared with the method currently used in the food industry for quality control of juices, which is Fourier transform near infrared spectroscopy (FT-NIR). A total of 159 samples belonging to different lemon varieties were analysed by measuring the physicochemical parameters, FT-NIR spectra and fingerprinting of the juice samples based on the total volatile compounds profile by GC-MS and GC-IMS. Partial least squares (PLS) regression models were then constructed and all models were validated by paired tests with the values measured by the reference chemical methods. The models developed confirm that both HS-GC-MS and HS-GC-IMS methods are viable alternatives for predicting physicochemical parameters and ensuring lemon juice quality. Finally, the data were used to build chemometric models using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLSDA) to distinguish lemon juices according to the lemon variety used in their manufacture. Very promising models were obtained with the HS-GC-MS and HS-GC-IMS data, suggesting the potential use of the volatile profile for lemon variety confirmation. Consequently, fingerprinting represents an alternative proposal to the conventional method applied in the food industry based on the use of chemical reference parameters or the use of the NIR technique.
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Application of bifidobacterial phytases in infant cereals: effect on phytate contents and mineral dialyzability
(American Chemical Society, 2012-11-14) Sanz-Penella, Juan Mario ; Monedero, Vicente ; Haros, Monika ; Frontela Saseta, María del Carmen; Ros Berruezo, Gaspar; Martínez Gracia, Carmen; Tecnología de Alimentos, Nutrición y Bromatología
Phytase activity was recently described in probiotic bifidobacterial strains, opening the possibilities for their use in foods, due to the generally regarded as safe/qualified presumption of safety status of these bacteria. Two raw materials for infant cereals (multicereal and gluten-free) were examined by measuring the myo-inositol phosphates content and the in vitro Ca, Fe, and Zn availability after a dephytinization process with purified phytases from Bifidobacterium longum spp. infantis and Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum. Treatment with both enzymes reduced the contents of phytate as compared to control samples (untreated or treated with fungal phytase) and led to increased levels of myo-inositol triphosphate. Dephytinization followed by an in vitro model of intestinal digestion increased the solubility of Zn. However, phytase treatment did not increase significantly the mineral dialyzability as compared to untreated samples. This is the first example of the application of purified bifidobacterial phytases in food processing and shows the potential of these enzymes to be used in products for human consumption.
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Assessing the effects of autarchic policies on the biological well-being: Analysis of deviations in cohort male height in the Valencian Community (Spain) during Francoist regime
(Elsevier, 2021-02-12) Cámara, Antonio D.; Puche, Javier; Martínez Carrión, José Miguel; Economía Aplicada
This article aims to assess the impact of autarchic policies on the biological dimensions of human well-being during Francoist regime in Spain. This is done by examining the nutritional status of the population through the study of male adult heights. Our case study is the Valencian Community with the focus on the period 1940–59 which witnessed the implementation of such policies. The heights of 21-year old draftees born between 1900 and 1954 from nine municipalities (N = 87,510) were analyzed in the light of inter-cohort deviations from a secular trend established for cohorts that were not exposed to autarchy-related hardships. Height was regressed on infant mortality as a way to control for infection and therefore approach the net effect of nutrition on height outcomes. Contrarily to what was displayed by cohort height trends in themselves, the results reveal a significant worsening of the nutritional status of the male population at the time. Deviations from the expected height trend across municipalities ranged between −0.5 and −3.4 mm per year. The effects of malnutrition are found to be larger among cohorts born in the period 1920–34 in coherence with a longer exposure to autarchy hardships during adolescence. Pre-autarchy nutrition levels observed among the cohorts of 1900–14 were not regained until the cohorts 1945–49. The results also show that malnutrition had an unequal impact with the large industrial towns of our sample experiencing the poorest height outcomes. Overall, these results invite to revise conclusions obtained from the sole evidence of height trends and they question the efficiency of intervention policies implemented in Spain during the 1940s.
Open Access
Combining high-power ultrasound and enological enzymes during winemaking to improve the chromatic characteristics of red wine
(Elsevier, 2021-12-28) Pérez Porras, Paula; Bautista Ortín, Ana Belén; Jurado, Ricardo; Gómez Plaza, Encarna; Tecnología de Alimentos, Nutrición y Bromatología; Facultad de Veterinaria
Several techniques have been used by the winemaking industry to facilitate the extraction of grape phenolic compounds during the maceration process. Interest in innovative techniques such as high-power ultrasound (US) has increased in recent years, replacing more traditional techniques such as the addition of pectolytic enzymes (E). This study evaluates the combined effect of ultrasound and enological enzymes, used at semi-industrial scale at the time of crushing, on the chromatic characteristics of red wine. Variables such as the timing of enzyme addition and the ripening state of the grapes were considered. The results showed that ultrasound had a greater effect than enological enzymes when used alone, especially when the ripest grapes were used. The results also indicate that, when added after sonication, the enzymes favored the US effect, enabling the contact time necessary to achieve a wine with chromatic characteristics similar to those resulting from a traditional maceration process to be reduced by 4 days. Carried out on a semi-industrial scale, the study demonstrates that the adequate combination of these two techniques can optimize the maceration process both in terms of time and the wine organoleptic characteristics, making the technique of special interest for industrial application.
Open Access
Convolutional neural networks for estimating the ripening state of fuji apples using visible and near-infrared spectroscopy
(Springer , 2022-07-18) Benmouna, Brahim; García Mateos, Ginés; Sabzi, Sajad; Fernández Beltrán, Rubén; Parras Burgos, Dolores; Molina Martínez, José Miguel; Informática y Sistemas; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Informática
The quality of fresh apple fruits is a major concern for consumers and manufacturers. Classification of these fruits according to their ripening stage is one of the most decisive factors in determining their quality. In this regard, the aim of this work is to develop a new method for non-destructive classification of the ripening state of Fuji apples using hyperspectral information in the visible and near-infrared (Vis/NIR) regions. Spectra of 172 apple samples in the range from 450 to 1000 nm were studied, which were selected from four different ripening stages. A convolutional neural network (CNN) model was proposed to perform the classification of the samples. The proposed method was compared with three alternative methods based on artificial neural networks (ANN), support vector machines (SVM), and k-nearest neighbors (KNN). The results revealed that the CNN method outperformed the alternative methods, achieving a correct classification rate (CCR) of 96.5%, compared with an average of 89.5%, 95.93%, and 91.68% for ANN, SVM, and KNN, respectively. These results will help in the development of a new device for fast and accurate estimation of the quality of apples.
Open Access
Discrimination of the geographical origin of peaches by the monitoring of volatile organic compounds by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry and chemometric tools
(Elsevier, 2024-02-24) Giménez Campillo, Claudia; Arroyo Manzanares, Natalia; Pastor Belda, Marta; Campillo Seva, Natalia; Viñas López-Pelegrin, Pilar; Química Analítica
The peach is one of the most popular and widely consumed fruits in Europe. Spain is the largest peach-producing country in the world with several growing areas recognised by consumers. This work focuses on the development, optimisation and validation of a non-targeted metabolomics strategy for the determination of peach volatile organic compounds from different origins by headspace gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HS–GC–MS). The volatil profile found in each sample is used to classify peaches according to their origin. The results obtained were processed using MS-DIAL software and 279 features were detected, of which 102 volatile compounds were tentatively identified and 30 of them could also be quantified. In addition, the areas of all the features were used to build models based on orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) to differentiate peaches according to their geographical origin. A very promising model was obtained, with a validation rate of 90.32%, which means that it could be used to guarantee the Protected Designation of Origin of different peaches with a simple analysis.
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Effect of adding different thickening agents on the viscosity properties and in vitro mineral availability of infant formula
(Elsevier, 2014-03-12) González Bermúdez, Carlos Alberto; Frontela Saseta, María del Carmen; López Nicolás, Rubén; Ros Berruezo, Gaspar; Martínez Gracia, Carmen; Tecnología de Alimentos, Nutrición y Bromatología
The effect of adding different thickening agents (locust bean gum (LBG), modified corn and rice starches (MCS, MRS)) to an infant formula on both in vitro mineral availability (Ca, Fe and Zn), quantified by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), and formula viscosity, after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, was investigated. LBG was the most effective agent to increase formula thickness. However, it showed a negative effect on Ca, Fe and Zn in vitro solubility and dialysability. MCS and MRS only affected calcium solubility and dialysability when they were used at P50% of the maximum legal limit. No negative effect was observed for Fe and Zn when modified starches were added at the different concentrations assessed. The phytate content in the thickening ingredients was also analysed. Despite finding a considerable amount of phytic acid in the raw ingredients, its final concentration in the infant formula was insufficient to decrease in vitro mineral availability.
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Effect of Dephytinization and Follow-on Formula Addition on in Vitro Iron, Calcium, and Zinc Availability from Infant Cereals
(American Chemical Society, 2008-04-24) Frontela Saseta, María del Carmen; Ros Berruezo, Gaspar; Martínez Gracia, Carmen; Haro Vicente, Juan Francisco; Tecnología de Alimentos, Nutrición y Bromatología
Cereals are introduced to infants between the ages of 4 and 6 months to supplement breast milk and follow-on formula. Our objectives were to examine the content and in vitro availability of Fe, Ca, and Zn from five commercially available infant cereals mixed with water or follow-on formula before and after dephytinization. We estimated the bioaccessibility by measuring the soluble or dialyzable mineral fraction resulting from in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of the sample. For most infant cereals analyzed, dephytinization increased the in vitro availability of iron and zinc. This finding was especially dramatic among infant cereals mixed with follow-on formula rather than with water. However, the liquid used for reconstitution did not always show a significant (p < 0.05) interaction with phytase addition and in vitro mineral availability. The results of this study indicate that adding follow-on formula to infant cereals does not improve the bioaccessibility of iron, calcium, and zinc, despite the increase in mineral content it implies. Results obtained also showed that mineral solubility and dialyzability do not always follow parallel trends.
Open Access
Effect of pre-fermentative treatments on polysaccharide composition of white and rosé musts and wines
(American Chemical Society, 2023-02-25) Martínez-Lapuente, Leticia; Guadalupe, Zenaida; Higueras, Manuel; Ayestarán, Belén; Pérez Porras, Paula; Bautista Ortín, Ana Belén; Gómez Plaza, Encarna; Tecnología de Alimentos, Nutrición y Bromatología; Facultad de Veterinaria
This paper studied the effect of conventional pre-fermentative techniques (direct pressing “CP” and cold maceration “CM”) and an innovate technique (high power ultrasounds “S”), applied to Viogner and Monastrell grapes on the polysaccharide content of the musts, white and rosé wines, and after six months of bottle aging. The results showed that the longer pre-fermentation maceration time applied with the CM technique compared to the short ultrasonic maceration was key in the extraction of polysaccharides from the grape to the must. CP treatment produced wines with the lowest content of total soluble polysaccharide families since it was the least intense pretreatment for the disruption of the grape berry cell wall polysaccharides. Ultrasonic pretreatment could be used as a new tool to increase the solubilization of polysaccharides in wines, positively affecting the wine colloidal properties. During bottle aging, there wasn’t a clear effect of pretreatments on the evolution of polysaccharides.
Open Access
Effects of combining high power ultrasound and enological enzymes on the composition of polysaccharides in red wine
(Elsevier, 2022-10-04) Martínez-Lapuente, Leticia; Guadalupe, Zenaida; Ayestarán, Belén; Pérez Porras, Paula; Bautista Ortín, Ana Belén; Gómez Plaza, Encarna; Tecnología de Alimentos, Nutrición y Bromatología; Facultad de Veterinaria
In this work different oenological techniques, used at semi-industrial scale, were applied for their effect of deconstructing the polysaccharide network of the cells of the grape during the maceration: high-power ultrasound (US), a new technique recently introduced in the wine industry, and other conventional ones, such as the addition of pectolytic enzymes (E). The objective was to study if the combined effect of US and E, used at the moment of crushing, had a synergistic effect on the content of polysaccharides in red wines, compared to red wines made with the techniques applied separately. The timing of enzyme addition, maceration time and the ripening state of the grapes were the studied variables. Ultrasound treatment showed a greater effect than enological enzymes when used alone, especially when the ripest grapes were employed. The results also indicated that the combined treatment, regardless of the order of enzyme addition, did not improve the release of grape polysaccharides into the wine. Sonication maintained the same profile of polysaccharides than the control wine. The study demonstrated that sonication treatment increased the content of polysaccharides from the grapes into the wines, allowing a reduction of the maceration time.
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Encapsulation of piceatannol, a naturally occurring hydroxylated analogue of resveratrol, by natural and modified cyclodextrins
(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2016-04-22) López Nicolás, José Manuel; Matencio Durán, Adrián; García Carmona, Francisco; Bioquímica y Biología Molecular A; Facultad de Biología
In this work, an in-depth study of the interaction between piceatannol (a type of stilbene with high biological activity) and different natural and modified cyclodextrins (CDs) is made, using steady state fluorescence. This bioactive molecule forms a 1 : 1 complex with all the natural (α-CD, β-CD and γ-CD) and modified (HP-β-CD, HE-β-CD and M-β-CD) CDs tested. Among natural CDs, the interaction of piceatannol with β-CD was the most efficient. However, the modified CDs showed higher encapsulation constants (KF) than β-CD, except M-β-CD; the highest KF being found for HP-β-CD (14 048 ± 702 M−1). The encapsulation of piceatannol in the internal cavity of CDs showed a strong dependence on pH and temperature. The interaction between HP-β-CD and piceatannol was less effective in the pH region where the stilbene begins to suffer the deprotonation of its hydroxyl group. Moreover, the values of KF decreased as the system temperature increased. To obtain information on the mechanism involved in the piceatannol affinity for CD, the thermodynamic parameters of the complexation (ΔH°, ΔS° and ΔG°) were studied, the results showed a negative entropy (−3.7 ± 0.2 J mol−1 K−1), enthalpy (−24.6 ± 1.2 kJ mol−1) and Gibbs free energy change at 25 °C (−23.5 ± 1.2 J mol−1). Finally, molecular docking calculations provided further insights into how the different interactions influence the complexation constant. A high degree of correlation was observed between the computed scores and experimental values.
Open Access
Estimation of nitrogen content in cucumber plant (Cucumis sativus L.) leaves using hyperspectral imaging data with neural network and partial least squares regressions
(Elsevier, 2021-10-15) Sabzi, Sajad; Pourdarbani, Razieh; Rohban, Mohammad H.; García Mateos, Ginés; Arribas, J. I.; Informática y Sistemas; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Informática
In recent years, farmers have often mistakenly resorted to overuse of chemical fertilizers to increase crop yield. However, excessive consumption of fertilizers might lead to severe food poisoning. If nutritional deficiencies are detected early, it can help farmers to design better fertigation practices before the problem becomes unsolvable. The aim of this study is to predict the amount of nitrogen (N) content in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L., var. Super Arshiya-F1) plant leaves using hyperspectral imaging (HSI) techniques and three different regression methods: a hybrid artificial neural networks-particle swarm optimization (ANN-PSO); partial least squares regression (PLSR); and unidimensional deep learning convolutional neural networks (CNN). Cucumber plant seeds were planted in 20 different pots. After growing the plants, pots were categorized and three levels of nitrogen overdose were applied to each category: 30%, 60% and 90% excesses, called N30%, N60%, N90%, respectively. HSI images of plant leaves were captured before and after the application of nitrogen excess. A prediction regression model was developed for each individual category. Results showed that mean regression coefficients (R) for ANN-PSO were inside 0.937–0.965, PLSR 0.975–0.997, and CNN 0.965–0.985 ranges, test set. We conclude that regression models have a remarkable ability to accurately predict the amount of nitrogen content in cucumber plants from hyperspectral leaf images in a non-destructive way, being PLSR slightly ahead of CNN and ANN-PSO methods.
Open Access
Familia y presupuestos familiares de los trabajadores de una gran empresa minera a principios del siglo XX: Rio Tinto Co Ltd
(Universitat de Barcelona, 2023-03-31) Martínez Soto, Ángel Pascual; Trescastro-López, Eva María; Pérez de Perceval Verde, Miguel Ángel; Economía Aplicada; Facultad de Economía y Empresa
The first mining of the industrial revolution was characterised using a high volume of labour and the fact that a large part of the work was carried out underground. This made it necessary to have a considerable proportion of workers specialised in activities related to the mining work itself and who were accustomed to working deep underground. The dependence on this labour force and the need to maintain the mining settlements led to the development of employer strategies that were oriented towards industrial paternalism in the second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. This article analyses the case of Rio Tinto Co Ltd, which can serve as a model for the forms of mining organisation. For this purpose, we rely on exceptional company documentation and the study of local records.
Open Access
Fingerprinting of peach during the ripening process using an analytical platform with spectrometric and volatilome-based chromatographic techniques
(American Chemical Society , 2025-06-23) Giménez Campillo, Claudia; Arroyo Manzanares, Natalia; Pastor Belda, Marta; Campillo Seva, Natalia; Lukas Bodenbender; Weller, Philipp; Viñas López-Pelegrin, Pilar; Química Analítica
In recent years, the quality of peaches has been related to their early harvest, so this work has focused on the characterization of the spectral fingerprint using Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy, and headspace gas chromatography (HS-GC) coupled to ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) and mass spectrometry (MS) based on their volatilome or volatile organic compound content, with the aim of identifying the optimum ripening point of peaches. A total of 344 samples of two different varieties at all ripening stages were analyzed. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed a clear tendency for samples at the same stage of ripening to form visible clusters. The groups identified by PCA were used to construct partial least-squares discriminant analysis models that allowed differentiation according to ripening and variety. The overall results were very promising, especially for the volatilomes measured by HS-GC−IMS and HS-GC−MS.
Open Access
Fingerprinting of volatile organic compounds and discrimination of pear samples by gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry
(Elsevier, 2025-05-20) Giménez Campillo, Claudia; Pastor Belda, Marta; Campillo Seva, Natalia; Arroyo Manzanares, Natalia; Viñas López-Pelegrin, Pilar; Química Analítica
The pear contains many volatile organic compounds that are responsible for its distinctive aroma, flavour and texture. The aim of this work was to develop, optimise and validate an analytical method for the determination of volatile compounds in pears using headspace gas chromatography coupled to ion mobility spectrometry. A total of 254 samples from four cultivars were analysed, and a partial least squares discriminant analysis model using 93 markers allowed differentiation between cultivars with 100 % accuracy and a Q2 of 0.878. Additionally, a total of 227 Ercoline pears collected at different stages of ripening were analysed. For the first time, a predictive model based on 75 markers was used to determine pear ripeness, achieving 100 % accuracy and a Q2 of 0.856. A total of 22 compounds were identified and quantified in the samples and key compounds were determined for each cultivar and ripening stage.
Open Access
Folate fortification of white and whole-grain bread by adding Swiss chard and spinach. Acceptability by consumers
(Elsevier, 0016-05-14) López Nicolás, Rubén; Frontela Saseta, María del Carmen; González-Abellán, Raquel; Barado-Piqueras, Ana; Perez-Conesa, Darío; Ros Berruezo, Gaspar; Tecnología de Alimentos, Nutrición y Bromatología
The aim of this work was to study the effect of bread-making on the content of endogenous folate of white and whole-grain bread fortified with either Swiss chard or spinach at 20 g/100 g and 40 g/100 g measured by HPLC (H4-folate and 5-CH3-H4-folate); and to assess the sensory acceptability of folatefortified breads compared to non-fortified breads. The fortification of breads with 20 g/100 g and 40 g/100 g vegetables significantly (p < 0.001) increased the total folate content (from 19.9 to 57.9 mg/ 100 g in white bread and from 37.4 to 75.5 mg/100 g in whole-grain bread). Moreover, 40 g/100 g Swiss chard- and spinach-fortified breads obtained higher scores in overall acceptability than 20 g/100 g fortified or control bread for both white and whole-grain breads. The consumption of two servings (56 g each) per day of 40 g/100 g fortified bread would meet the daily folate requirements by 14.3e21.8% in adults and 9.6e14.5% in some special states like women of child-bearing age.
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High‑power ultrasounds as a tool for the formation of stable pigments during the aging of red wines
(Springer Nature Link, 2025-06-06) Gomez-Plaza, Encarna; Pérez Porras, Paula; Bautista Ortín, Ana Belén; Osete Alcaraz, Lucía; Carrasco‑Palazón, María José; Jurado, Ricardo; Gómez Plaza, Encarna; Tecnología de Alimentos, Nutrición y Bromatología; Facultad de Veterinaria
Los ultrasonidos de alta potencia (US) se han consolidado como una herramienta útil para obtener vinos con altos niveles de compuestos fenólicos y aromáticos. Sin embargo, la falta de estudios a escala semiindustrial sobre el envejecimiento de estos vinos pone de manifiesto la necesidad de estudiar los posibles efectos de la sonicación de la uva en los procesos de evolución del vino. Se realizaron análisis de la composición fenólica en distintas etapas (embotellado, y tras 6 y 12 meses de envejecimiento en botella) en vinos elaborados mediante la aplicación de US sobre uvas estrujadas y con diferentes tiempos de maceración (48 h, 72 h y 7 días). Los resultados no solo muestran una mayor concentración de compuestos fenólicos en el momento del embotellado debido a la aplicación de US, sino que también demuestran un mayor potencial de envejecimiento en dichos vinos, atribuido a la presencia de reacciones de polimerización y a la formación de pigmentos estables. Esto se observó incluso en vinos con tiempos cortos de maceración, que además presentaron una mayor estabilidad de su composición fenólica. Así, el incremento en la concentración de compuestos polimerizados observado tras 6 meses en vinos elaborados a partir de uvas sonicadas fue aproximadamente un 35 % superior al del vino control y alrededor de un 42 % tras 12 meses.
Open Access
Hotter days, smaller ranges: air temperature constrains livestock movement and space use in Mediterranean rangelands
(Elsevier, 2026-08-22) Naves-Alegre, Lara; Pascual-Rico, Roberto; Sánchez-Zapata, José Antonio; Contreras de Vera, Antonio; Rincón-Madroñero, Marina; Zamora Marín, José Manuel; Sanidad Animal
Livestock has become the dominant large herbivore guild in most rangelands worldwide. Current climate adaptation frameworks emphasize extreme climatic events, although the extent to which these episodic drivers capture the environmental conditions shaping animal behaviour remains unclear. Rising temperatures and more frequent extreme climatic events (ECEs) are expected to influence animal behaviour, but the relative importance of daily climatic conditions versus discrete extreme events remains poorly quantified in managed grazing systems. Movement responses are especially informative as early-warning indicators of behavioural adjustments to environmental stress. We analysed GPS data from 26 sheep herds monitored in southern Spain between 2021 and 2022 (∼12,000 animals; 6464 monitoring days). Daily distance travelled, core area (50% kernel), and home range (95% kernel) were modelled against daily maximum air temperature, precipitation, pasture productivity (NDVI), distance to water sources, and the heat-wave indicator. Herds travelled shorter daily distances and used smaller core areas and home ranges as daily maximum air temperature increased, particularly during mid-summer. Across the annual cycle, all three responses showed nonlinear relationships with temperature, peaking at intermediate values, and were negatively related to NDVI. In contrast, precipitation and the heat-wave indicator were not retained in the best-supported models. Overall, daily maximum air temperature was consistently associated with all three movement and space-use metrics, whereas the heat-wave indicator was not retained in the best-supported models. As warming progresses, these contractions may reduce livestock movement, with potential consequences for vegetation dynamics and biodiversity. Anticipating such behavioural responses may help inform monitoring and management of Mediterranean grazing systems.
Open Access
Impact of whole-herd vaccination on a caprine coxiellosis outbreak: a longitudinal study of Coxiella burnetii shedding, serology, and host microbiota
(Frontiers Media, 2026-06-03) Toledo-Perona, Raquel; Gomis, Jesús; Bailon-Larrañaga, Nerea; Contreras de Vera, Antonio; Quereda, Juan José; González-Torres, Pedro; Carrón, Nerea; Gómez Marín, Ángel; Sanidad Animal
This longitudinal study investigated C. burnetii dynamics and the associated microbiota after vaccination in aborted and normal-delivery goats and bucks following a Q fever outbreak. Fecal, milk, vaginal, preputial, nasopharyngeal, environmental (qPCR and 16S rRNA), and blood samples (16S rRNA and serology) were analyzed. Before vaccination, over 70% of animals were seropositive, with qPCR positivity in all females and half of the males. Seroconversion remained complete until the second kidding season and reached approximately 90% by the third kidding season. After primary vaccination, a significant 60% reduction in shedders was observed, with shedding remaining absent during the two consecutive kidding seasons. Nasopharyngeal samples showed the highest and most persistent positivity, highlighting their diagnostic and epidemiological relevance. The first detection of C. burnetii in the buck prepuce underscores the potential role of males in disease maintenance. Persistent environmental contamination further supports early, whole-herd vaccination as a long-term strategy. Metabarcoding revealed significant shifts in microbial diversity across all anatomical sites over time, including vaginal community structure, suggesting local dysbiosis after abortion. The DNA detection of C. burnetii in blood and its significantly higher vaginal abundance in aborted females may contribute to abortion. A reduction in vaginal pathogen load (p < 0.05) may suggest a reproductive microbiota modulation associated with increased Firmicutes, considering it as a potentially health biomarker.
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Iron and calcium availability from digestion of infant cereals by Caco-2 cells
(Springer Nature, 2009-01-09) Frontela Saseta, María del Carmen; Ros Berruezo, Gaspar; Martínez Gracia, Carmen; Tecnología de Alimentos, Nutrición y Bromatología
An adequate mineral intake during infancy is needed for normal growth and development. This study investigated the eVect of dephytinization of four infant cereals and the use of water and follow-on formula as the liquid of reconstitution on the intestinal cell uptake of iron and calcium from infant cereals using a model that combines a simulated gastrointestinal digestion adapted to the gastrointestinal conditions of infants younger than 6 months and the Caco-2 cell line. Iron and calcium uptake by Caco-2 cells from most infant cereals was signiWcantly (p < 0.05) improved when a phytase was added. When infant cereals were reconstituted with water, dephytinization increased iron (3.2–19.5 vs. 3–10%) and calcium (0.66–2.3 vs. 0.35–0.59%) availability compared to the same infant cereals reconstituted with a follow-on formula. We can conclude that dephytinization of infant cereals and water addition improved iron and calcium availability, depending on the infant cereal used.