茶汤中铝的浓度、形态和生物可给性

茶树是典型的聚铝植物之一,茶是广泛使用的饮料,因而饮茶是人体摄入铝的主要途径。本文综合分析了关于茶叶中铝的浓度、化学形态和生物可给性的实验研究成果,发现一般情况下茶汤中铝浓度范围为 1~mg/L,其中大约有 90%以上的铝以有机形态存在。茶汤中铝的形态分布是不断变化的,没有固定的存在形式大量实验证明,茶水中可能存在的主要铝形态有铝的多元酚配合物、铝的草酸盐、铝的氟化物、Al3+和它的水解产物等。饮茶会适度的增加尿中铝的含量,但是茶叶中存在的铝似乎并不比其它饮食资源中所含铝具有更大的生物可给性,但也不能排除茶水中可能含有像铝麦芽酚这样一些具有一定生物可给性和毒害神经性的铝形态。     

英山云雾茶中活性铝的溶出及形态分布研究

茶树是一种典型的聚铝富铝植物,而摄入过量的铝对人体造成毒害,茶叶饮用安全问题引起人们高度关注.本研究利用KCl、NH4Ac、HCl和NaOH 4种浸提液,对英山云雾茶进行浸提,并采用铬天青S(CAS)分光光度法进行铝化学形态与含量测定.结果表明,英山云雾茶中有毒形态的Al+、Al (OH)2+、Al (OH)2+只占溶出总铝量的16％,含量较低;无毒的胶态Al (OH)30和有机腐殖酸铝Al-HA含量占到84％,对人体健康不存在潜在危害.     

氟选择电极法测定各茶树品种的氟含量

食品和饮用水的含氟量是近代食品卫生学关注的问题之一。人体从日常饮用水和食谱中适当地摄入氟化物,可以提高牙质粉的抗酸能力,有利于改善口腔卫生,增强骨骼强度,並对促进神经传导有一定作用。人体日需摄入氟1～1.5毫克,最高不超过4.5毫克;摄入过量的氟会导致牙斑釉病,骨质硬化变脆,以致产生慢性腰腿痛,肢体麻木等症状,严重的还可导致瘫痪以至死亡。     

茶叶中铝含量的检测技术研究

铝是人体非必需的无害元素,但茶叶中的铝含量高于一般食品,且随着茶叶成熟度的下降,铝含量不断增加。人们担心过量饮茶会导致铝在体内聚集,对脑神经造成障碍,因此越来越多的人开始质疑饮茶是否有益健康。茶叶中的铝主要来自土壤、水源和空气等,早在1989年世界卫生组织和联合国粮农组织（WHO／FAO）就已将铝作为食品污染物加以控制。近年来,国内外报道的铝测定方法很多,有荧光分光光度法、紫外可见分光光度法、原子吸收分光光度法、极谱法等。本文主要研究了茶叶中铝含量的检测方法及条件优化。     

英德茶叶和“茶浸出液”中氟含量的研究报告(初报)

氟是人体必需的微量元素,但摄入过多或不足都会影响人们的身体健康,摄入氟过多会引起氟斑牙症,严重的会出现氟骨症等中毒症状;摄入氟不足,则会引起龋齿症,影响儿童的生长发育。我国生活饮用水水质卫生标准中规定,氟含量不得超过1mg/1。适宜浓度为0.5—1.0mg/1。     

温州市蔬菜硝酸盐调查分析及控制对策

随着环境的不断恶化，人们对农产品的卫生安全越来越重视，除了农药残留、重金属外，蔬菜中硝酸盐含量已引起普遍关注。硝酸盐在微生物的作用下极易还原成亚硝酸盐，长期过量摄入亚硝酸盐会造成智力迟钝、降低血液的输氧能力及诱发人体胃癌、肝癌等疾病的发生。蔬菜易富集硝酸盐，人体摄入的硝酸盐81．2％以上来自蔬菜。尤其是目前农业生产中大量的使用化肥，使蔬菜的硝酸盐污染问题日益突出。为此，对温州市新桥蔬菜基地、丽岙蔬菜基地及平阳雪里蕻等蔬菜基地开展了蔬菜硝酸盐的调查与检测分析。本研究旨在对温州市蔬菜硝酸盐现状进行剖析，并提出控制对策，为今后控制蔬菜硝酸盐含量，发展无公害蔬菜提供技术支撑。     

铝对茶叶主要化学品质影响的研究进展

本文介绍了茶树中铝的含量和分布、茶树对铝的吸收和运输,重点综述了国内外学者在铝对茶叶中茶多酚、儿茶素类物质、咖啡碱、氨基酸、维生素C、黄酮类化合物、可溶性总糖、香气和叶绿素等主要化学品质成分影响的研究进展,并提出以下建议：应在茶树耐铝、抗铝机制方面开展深入研究;对铝在茶树体内的跟踪研究;对主要化学品质成分构成的微观再现研究;对不同茶类引起铝作用差异的研究;茶叶中铝对人体影响恰当的安全性评估研究。     

茶叶中氟的研究进展

茶叶是世界三大饮料之一,被誉为21世纪的健康饮品。茶树是富氟植物,叶片是茶树对氟的主要积累器官之一。氟是对人体有益的微量元素之一,适量的氟有益于人体骨骼和牙齿的发育,但是人体过量摄入氟也会引起氟中毒。有研究表明,我国部分少数民族地区流行的氟牙症及氟骨症与长期饮用高氟含量的砖茶有关。在低氟地区,可饮含氟丰富的茶叶来补充,但若每天摄入量超过4mg,又会导致氟中毒。饮茶型氟中毒及其防治措施已引起我国茶叶界、医疗界高度重视。本文就近些年来茶叶中氟研究进展作一归纳。     

云南茶叶中氟含量的调查研究初探

氟是自然界分布最广的元素之一，也是人体必需的微量元素之一，有其两面性，摄入过多或过少都会影响人体健康。本课题主要调查分析云南不同茶区主产茶类：绿茶、普洱茶和红茶等茶中氟含量的现状。旨在让人们重视饮茶中氟摄入对人体健康所产生的影响，指导云南的茶叶生产，引导人们科学的泡饮茶叶，降低茶叶中的氟对人体的伤害。     

茶树对铝的吸收、积累特性及饮茶安全性评价

茶树是典型的富铝植物,茶又是深受人们喜爱的饮品,而铝是一种对人体健康有害的金属元素,饮茶是否会导致人体铝中毒引起人们高度关注。本文详细阐述了茶树对铝的吸收和积累特性,分析了茶汤中铝的溶出量、溶出形态及生物可给性,阐明了科学饮茶是健康安全的,并提出了合理有效的茶叶降铝措施。     

Mineral composition of some traditional Mexican teas

Teas of plant origin traditionally consumed by the Mountain Pima of Chihuahua, Mexico, were analyzed for mineral nutritional content. Fe, Cu, Zn, Ca, and Mg composition was determined for native teas made from shoots ofTagetes lucida, T. filifolia, Elytraria imbricata, andHolodiscus dumosus, and from root xylem ofCeanothus depressus andPhaseolus ritensis. Native uses of these teas are also described.     

Studies on natural repellents against potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella Zeller) in country stores

Summary The effects of the leaves of five plant species, one from each of the generaAmbrosia, Anemone, Eupatorium, Eucalyptus andLantana, on potato tuber moth were investigated under indigenous storage conditions at the Central Potato Research Station, Shillong (1800 m above sea level). Their action was compared with that of a biological insecticide (spores ofBacillus thuringiensis), a chemical insecticide (carbaryl), and an untreated control. The data collected after six months storage on tuber damage, sprout damage and the rotting indicated that the leaves ofLantana aculeata provided most protection to the tubers, reducing damage from over 70% in the check to below 5%, and sprout damage from over 45% to below 3%. Next best wasEucalyptus globulus followed byB. thuringiensis. They may be used on tubers stored for table use or for seed as they had no adverse effect on germination or on the yield of a subsequent crop.     

Comparative Assessment of the Efficacy of Various Nitrogen Fertilizers

Summary

The efficiency of N fertilizers is usually poor; often less than 50% of the applied N is taken up by the crop. This review focuses on various N fertilizers with respect to the significance of different N loss pathways, namely (i) ammonia volatilization, (ii) dinitrogen and nitrogen oxide emissions, and (iii) nitrate leaching. Further, the significance of biological N immobilization, ammonium fixation and, finally, the impact of nitrate vs. ammonium uptake on crop yield are also discussed. The reviewed literature shows that N fertilizers may differ markedly in their susceptibility to losses. There is, however, considerable scope to improve N efficiency of each N source by proper N management practices.     

Redox Status and Neuro Inflammation Indexes in Cerebellum and Motor Cortex of Wistar Rats Supplemented with Natural Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Astaxanthin: Fish Oil,Krill Oil,and Algal Biomass

Health authorities worldwide have consistently recommended the regular consumption of marine fishes and seafood to preserve memory, sustain cognitive functions, and prevent neurodegenerative processes in humans. Shrimp, crabs, lobster, and salmon are of particular interest in the human diet due to their substantial provision of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3/PUFAs) and the antioxidant carotenoid astaxanthin (ASTA). However, the optimal ratio between these nutraceuticals in natural sources is apparently the key factor for maximum protection against most neuro-motor disorders. Therefore, we aimed here to investigate the effects of a long-term supplementation with (n-3)/PUFAs-rich fish oil, ASTA-rich algal biomass, the combination of them, or krill oil (a natural combination of both nutrients) on baseline redox balance and neuro-inflammation indexes in cerebellum and motor cortex of Wistar rats. Significant changes in redox metabolism were only observed upon ASTA supplementation, which reinforce its antioxidant properties with a putative mitochondrial-centered action in rat brain. Krill oil imposed mild astrocyte activation in motor cortex of Wistar rats, although no redox or inflammatory index was concomitantly altered. In summary, there is no experimental evidence that krill oil, fish oil, oralgal biomass (minor variation), drastically change the baseline oxidative conditions or the neuro-inflammatory scenario in neuromotor-associated rat brain regions.     

Potential of dry fractionation of wheat bran for the development of food ingredients,part II: Electrostatic separation of particles

Wheat bran is a composite material made of several layers, such as pericarp, testa and aleurone. It could be fractionated into purified fractions, which might either be used as food ingredients, or serve as a starting material for extraction of bioactive compounds. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of using electrostatic separation as a way to obtain purified fractions from wheat bran. Ultrafine-ground bran obtained either by cryogenic grinding or by grinding at ambient temperature was used as starting material. The ultrafine bran was then charged by tribo-electrification and introduced in a chamber containing two high voltage electrodes, where bran particles were separated depending on their acquired charge, allowing positively and negatively charged fractions to be collected separately. The particle size distribution, microstructure and biochemical composition of the obtained fractions were studied. The charge of the particles was influenced by their biochemical composition: particles rich in highly branched and cross-linked arabinoxylans (pericarp) were separated from particles rich in β-glucan, ferulic acid and para-coumaric acid (aleurone cell walls). The testa and the intracellular compounds from aleurone were not highly charged, neither positively nor negatively. The most positively charged fraction represented 34% of the initial bran, and contained 62% of the ferulic acid present in the initial bran. The yield of the separation process was good (5.4% loss), and could be further increased.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of different accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. from Uruguay

Summary The in vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts from accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. collected in the south of Uruguay was investigated against five microorganisms including the pathogenRalstonia solanacearum. A total of 30 extracts corresponding to organic and aqueous extracts were studied. Interestingly, most of the positive results for growth inhibition were againstR. solanacearum. The extracts were also analyzed for the presence of glycoalkaloids and lectins. Six of the ten aqueous extracts showed lectin presence and a wide variation in the type and amounts of glycoalkaloids, was found. Results indicate that there is no clear relationship between the antimicrobial activity against the five microorganisms screened and the presence or amounts of lectins and glycoalkaloids, traditionally regarded as possible antimicrobial metabolites in theSolanum genus, which indicates the presence of as yet unidentified antimicrobial compounds.     

Novel food and non-food uses for sorghum and millets

Sorghum and millets have considerable potential in foods and beverages. As they are gluten-free they are suitable for coeliacs. Sorghum is also a potentially important source of nutraceuticals such antioxidant phenolics and cholesterol-lowering waxes. Cakes, cookies, pasta, a parboiled rice-like product and snack foods have been successfully produced from sorghum and, in some cases, millets. Wheat-free sorghum or millet bread remains the main challenge. Additives such as native and pre-gelatinised starches, hydrocolloids, fat, egg and rye pentosans improve bread quality. However, specific volumes are lower than those for wheat bread or gluten-free breads based on pure starches, and in many cases, breads tend to stale faster. Lager and stout beers with sorghum are brewed commercially. Sorghum's high-starch gelatinisation temperature and low beta-amylase activity remain problems with regard to complete substitution of barley malt with sorghum malt . The role of the sorghum endosperm matrix protein and cell wall components in limiting extract is a research focus. Brewing with millets is still at an experimental stage. Sorghum could be important for bioethanol and other bio-industrial products. Bioethanol research has focused on improving the economics of the process through cultivar selection, method development for low-quality grain and pre-processing to recover valuable by-products. Potential by-products such as the kafirin prolamin proteins and the pericarp wax have potential as bioplastic films and coatings for foods, primarily due to their hydrophobicity.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pulque</Emphasis>, An Alcoholic Drink from Rural Mexico,Contains Phytase. Its <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> Effects on Corn Tortilla

Pulque is made by fermenting the agave sap or aguamiel of Agave atrovirens with a whole array of microorganisms present in the environment including several lactic acid bacteria and yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Ascorbic acid was determined in pulque and aguamiel, respectively. Phytase activity in lees, liquid and freeze-dried pulque was assayed by measuring the appearance of phosphate from phytate by a colorimetric method likewise phosphate from phytate present in fresh corn tortilla was measured after in vitro incubation with pulque. Iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium and selenium contents were measured in pulque and corn tortilla as well as in nixtamalized corn flour (NCF), the latter is used to make instant tortilla, since corn provides most of the energy as well as most of the phytate in the Mexican rural diet. Pulque showed phytase activity but much less ascorbic acid and iron than previously reported; additionally, phytase in pulque hydrolyzed most of phytate’s corn tortilla. Lees, which is mostly made of pulque’s microbiota, significantly accumulated iron and zinc but no selenium. NCF was fortified with iron by the manufacturers but poorly blended. There were significant differences on selenium content between tortillas samples, apparently some soils in central Mexico are selenium deficient. Moderate pulque intake appears to increase the bioavailability of iron and zinc bound by phytate in corn.