Microbial metabolism of the stereoisomers (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin was compared by two analytical techniques, GC/MS for quantitative targeted analysis and GC×GC-TOF for global ...characterization of the metabolome, using human faecal microbiota as an inoculum of converting microbiota. The ring-fission site changed when the inocula originated from two different groups of donors, but dehydroxylation progressed similarly regardless of the inoculum. Whereas GC/MS proved to be an appropriate tool for the study of specific expected metabolites of catechin stereoisomers, GC×GC-TOF-based metabolomics analysis also revealed new metabolites not included in the targeted analyses. Quantitation and verification of identification can also be performed in a metabolomics platform, if authentic standards are available.
Stereoisomers (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin were converted by human faecal microbiota to different ring-fission metabolites, depending on the inocula originated from two different groups of donors. Whereas GC/MS proved to be a tool for the study of expected hydroxyphenylpropionic acids, GC×GC-TOF-based metabolomics revealed new metabolites, hydroxyphenylvaleric acids. Dehydroxylation pattern was not changed by different inocula.
▪
Status differences are pervasive in social systems and in customer loyalty programs. We investigate how consumers with varying levels of status respond to individualized and standardized recovery ...following a service failure. The findings reveal the moderating role of status in firm-customer relationships and provide guidance for firms' service recovery practices.
Prior research suggests that perceived performance of a product or a service is directly linked to postpurchase satisfaction. We argue that this causal relationship might be a measurement artifact ...and/or insufficient modeling of the satisfaction process rather than an accurate assessment of how consumers form satisfaction judgments.
To test our hypotheses, a 2 x 2 x 2 (Performance x Expectations x Needs) factorial design was used with 2 types of perceived performance measures (value-laden and objective). The findings demonstrate that the observed direct link from perceived performance to overall satisfaction diminishes when more objective perceived performance indicators replace the commonly used value-laden measures. Furthermore, desire-congruency was found to contribute independently to satisfaction over and above a disconfirmation-of-expectations standard. In fact, desire-congruency was found to be a better predictor of satisfaction than disconfirmation-of-expectations. Finally, our results suggest that the direct performance–satisfaction link becomes insignificant when the modeling of the satisfaction process is improved. Taken together, these findings support the view that the frequently observed high correlations between perceived performance and satisfaction might be a reflection of the type of measures used and/or insufficient capturing of the evaluative process leading to satisfaction, rather than support for a direct causal link.
PDF
