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The main focus for this study was to compare and evaluate the quality changes and to determine the shelf life of frozen Scomberomorus commerson fillet using quick and slow freezing methods. Scomberomorus commerson fillets were frozen by slow and quick freezing methods and kept in the freezer at -18°C for 180 days. Then proximate analysis, chemical test (Total volatile base nitrogen; TVN, Thiobarbituric acid; TBA), drip loss, fatty acids profile and sensory analysis were assessed. Generally, Ash content, TBA, and TVN, drip loss, SFA values were significantly increased during storage time where as the moisture, protein, fat, PUFA and MUFA were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The ratio of TVN, TBA and drip loss was found to be higher in slowly as against quickly frozen fish. The PUFA (19.71), MUFA (23.40) and ω3 (14.69) of the quick samples was higher than that of the slow samples (16.99, 22.64, 12.34%, respectively). Regarding sensory analysis, both samples were in acceptable condition but the quality of quick samples was better than slow frozen samples. The quick freezing method was generally much more influent on quality parameters than slow freezing method.

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Abstract: Some of the structures founded on clay soils in the desert area of the country, especially in Yazd, have suffered damages, most probably due to swelling of the soil. The ambiguity in the interpretation of the mechanisms and causes of these damages has necessitated studying swelling characteristics of these soils. Thirty soil samples, taken from 1.5m to 3.0m below the ground surface, were tested.  Tests included: (a) physical tests including determination of Atterberg Limits, hydrometer method gradation, natural dry density, water content, and swelling pressure/percentage; (b) chemical tests for determining chemical substances and cations of the samples and (c) XRD tests to determine the soil mineralogy. According to the indirect methods of swelling assessment, most of the samples lie in the medium to low swelling potential catgories. The direct oedometer test support this notion. The prevailing minerals present in the soil samples are illite and calcium montmorillonite. The paper also presents the relationships between the swelling potential and the Atterberg Limits, clay fraction, sodium and calcium contents of the soil.

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Kimchi is a general term for fermented vegetables.The aim of this study was to isolate and identify the Lactic Acid Bacteria involved in spontaneous fermentation of this product used biochemical and molecular methods. In this study, after successive culture on specific media, in order to classify of 85 selected isolates that according to preliminary experiments seemed Lactic Acid Bacteria, physiological and biochemical tests were done and then fermentation of 10 different carbohydrates were performed. Based on these tests, 85 isolates were divided into 10 groups. Some isolates were selected from each group and 16S rRNA was amplified using universal primers. Diversity of lactic acid bacteria in Kimichi was as followings: Lactobacillus plantarum (41.17%), Lactobacillus fermentum (9.41%), Enterococcus faecalis (3.52%), Enterococcus faecium (7.06%), Leuconostoc citreum (2.35%), Leuconostoc mesenteroides (3.52%), Pediococcus pentosaceus (8.23%), Wisella cibaria (24.70%). This fermented product has a wide microbial diversity which originates from natural microbiota presented in the raw vegetable. Lactic acid bacteria can produce a variety of acids and enzymes which play an important role in development of unique flavor and tasteTherefore, this strains that isolated from Kimchi can be used in the food industry.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the performances of methods such as sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 26S (D1/D2) regions of ribosomal DNA, RFLP analysis of the ITS region and commercial biochemical test kit for the identification of the yeasts isolated during spontaneous fermentation of fresh crushed pineapple juice. The experiments were conducted in Thailand and Australia. The yeast isolates in Thailand were identified by sequencing the ITS and 26S (D1/D2) regions of ribosomal DNA and RFLP analysis of the ITS region. The yeast isolates in Australia were identified by sequencing analysis of the two DNA regions and commercial biochemical test kit. The identification results conducted in both countries were relatively similar. Mainly, the yeast isolates could be identified by the use of 26S rDNA in combination with ITS sequencing analysis. In Thailand, approximately 80% of the yeast isolates identified by sequencing analysis of the two regions gave similar identities and included Rhodotolula mucilaginosa, Issatchenkia orientalis, Hanseniaspora uvarum, Hanseniaspora opuntiae, Pichia guilliermondii, Aureobasidium pullulans, Saccharomycodes ludwigii, Candida tropicalis, Pichia fermentans, Zygosaccharomyces bailii, Candida stellata and Erythrobasidium hasegawianum.In Australia, 86% of the yeast isolates gave similar identifications by the sequencing analysis of the two regions and included P. guilliermondii, Pichia membranifaciens, P. fermentans, H. uvarum, H. opuntiae, I. orientalis, Candida sp., Yarrowia lipolytica, Tremella globispora, R. mucilaginosa and A. pullulans.