Seven new aminoacyl sugars in Ipomoea batatas

An analysis of the polar extracts from sweet potato Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae) led to the isolation of seven unknown aminoacyl sugars. On the basis of 1D, 2D NMR, and mass spectrometry data, the structures of the compounds were elucidated as: beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 --> 1)-alpha-D-[2-O-valyl]-glucopyranoside (1), beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 --> 1)-alpha-D-[2-O-tyrosyl]-glucopyranoside (2), beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 --> 1)-alpha-D-[2-O-threonyl]-glucopyranoside (3), beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 --> 1)-alpha-D-[2-O-hystidyl]-glucopyranoside (4), 2-beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 --> 1)-alpha-D-[2-O-alanyl]-glucopyranoside (5), beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 --> 1)-alpha-D-[2-O-tryptophanyl]-glucopyranoside (6), and beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 --> 1)-alpha-D-[2-O-glycyl]-glucopyranoside (7).     

Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Protein Recovered from Fish Waste

ABSTRACT

This work aimed to evaluate the physicochemical and functional properties of proteins recovered from whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) and Argentine anchovy (Engraulis anchoita) residues obtained by the process of acid solubilization using HCl at pH = 2 and alkaline solubilization using NaOH at pH = 12 and isoelectric precipitation (pH = 5.5). The proximate composition and functional properties were determined. The solubilization and water holding capacity (WHC) of the recovered protein were studied in the pH range of 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. The high protein content and lowest lipid reduction presented by the protein recovered from the whitemouth croaker residue and obtained by the acid solubilizing process was 97.1 and 98.4%, respectively. The maximum solubilized protein was at pH 3 and 11, and the minimum solubilized protein was at pH 5 for both species. The greater ability to retain oil was observed for the alkaline solubilization process (8.3 and 7.3). The lower WHC was at pH 5. The acid and alkali residue concentrates of the whitemouth croaker presented higher WHC at pH 3 and 11. These proteins can be used in preparing edible films and have been used to produce bioactive compounds for supplements or functional ingredients.     

Effect of intrafragmentary bupivacaine (haematoma block) on analgesic requirements in dogs undergoing fracture repair

Objective

To test the efficacy of intraoperative intrafragmentary administration of bupivacaine (haematoma block) in controlling postoperative pain in dogs undergoing osteosynthesis of long-bone isolated diaphyseal fractures.

Presence of arsenic resistance in Salmonella enterica serovar Kentucky and other serovars isolated from poultry

A collection of 125 Salmonella enterica poultry isolates (71 serovar Kentucky isolates, and the remainder belonging to serovars Alachua, Enteritidis, Hadar, Heidelberg, Montevideo, Mbandaka, Senftenberg, Typhimurium, and Worthington) were tested for the ability to grow on tryptic soy agar containing sodium arsenite [As(III)] or arsenate [As(V)]. All serovar Kentucky isolates and 18 of the non-Kentucky isolates were able to grow in the presence of 0.1 mM As(III), and 69 grew in the presence of 1 mM As(V). Thirty of the non-Kentucky isolates did not grow at these As(III) and As(V) concentrations, but seven grew at 1 mM As(III) and 10 mM As(V). PCR-based analysis demonstrated the presence of arsB and arsD sequences in all Kentucky isolates, whereas one or both of these sequences were present in only 30 of the other isolates. It remains to be determined if these arsenic-resistance determinants benefit Salmonella exposed to man-made arsenic-containing compounds in poultry environments.     

Determination of furaltadone and nifursol residues in poultry eggs by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

The use of nitrofurans as veterinary drugs has been banned from intensive animal production in the European Union (EU) since 1993. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the accumulation and depletion of furaltadone and nifursol and their side-chain metabolites 5-methylmorpholino-3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AMOZ) and 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid hydrazide (DNSAH) in eggs after administration of therapeutic and subtherapeutic doses of the drugs to laying hens during three consecutive weeks. LC-MS/MS, with positive and negative electrospray ionization methods, was used for the determination of parent compounds and metabolites in yolk and egg white and was validated according to criteria established by Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The decision limit (CCα) and the detection capability (CCβ) of the analytical methodology for metabolites were 0.1 and 0.5 μg/kg for AMOZ and 0.3 and 0.9 μg/kg for DNSAH, respectively. For the parent compounds, CCα and CCβ were 0.9 and 2.0 μg/kg for furaltadone and 1.3 and 3.1 μg/kg for nifursol, respectively. The data obtained show that the parent compounds are much less persistent than their side-chain metabolites in either yolk or egg white. Between the studied metabolites, AMOZ is the most persistent and could be detected in either yolk or egg white three weeks following withdrawal from treatment.     

Comparative Study of the Adsorption Selectivity of Cr(VI) onto Cationic Hydrogels with Different Functional Groups

Two types of hydrogels with different functional groups, trimethylamine on quaternary ammonium and dimethylethoxyamine on quaternary ammonium, were synthesized. Type 1 and type 2 hydrogels were characterized with Fourier transform infrared, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and zeta potential analysis. The anion selectivity of these two hydrogels was investigated. The surface charges of the type 2 hydrogel were lower than those of type 1, probably because of the presence of the hydroxyl group in the ethoxy group. The Cr(VI) removal capacity of type 2 hydrogel was, therefore, less than that of type 1 hydrogel, although their adsorption rates were similar. The anion selectivity of the hydrogels was found to have a similar order: Cr(VI) > sulphate > bromide > As(V). Under the co-presence of Cr(VI) and sulphate conditions, type 2 hydrogel shows a higher selectivity towards Cr(VI). The higher hydrophobicity was caused by the presence of the ethoxy group on the quaternary ammonium in type 2 hydrogel and thus increased in selectivity towards monovalent ions (i.e. HCrO₄⁻). In addition, the hydrogels have a high reusability. Compared with type 1 hydrogel, type 2 hydrogel has an advantage for applications in Cr(VI) removal and recovery processes.     

Role of wild ruminants in the epidemiology of bluetongue virus serotypes 1, 4 and 8 in Spain

ABSTRACT: Although the importance of wild ruminants as potential reservoirs of bluetongue virus (BTV) has been suggested, the role played by these species in the epidemiology of BT in Europe is still unclear. We carried out a serologic and virologic survey to assess the role of wild ruminants in the transmission and maintenance of BTV in Andalusia (southern Spain) between 2006 and 2010.A total of 473 out of 1339 (35.3%) wild ruminants analyzed showed antibodies against BTV by both ELISA and serum neutralization test (SNT). The presence of neutralizing antibodies to BTV-1 and BTV-4 were detected in the four species analyzed (red deer, roe deer, fallow deer and mouflon), while seropositivity against BTV-8 was found in red deer, fallow deer and mouflon but not in roe deer. Statistically significant differences were found among species, ages and sampling regions. BTV RNA was detected in twenty-one out of 1013 wild ruminants (2.1%) tested. BTV-1 and BTV-4 RNA were confirmed in red deer and mouflon by specific rRT-PCR.BTV-1 and BTV-4 seropositive and RNA positive wild ruminants, including juveniles and sub-adults, were detected years after the last outbreak was reported in livestock. In addition, between the 2008/2009 and the 2010/2011 hunting seasons, the seroprevalence against BTV-1, BTV-4 and BTV-8 increased in the majority of provinces, and these serotypes were detected in many areas where BTV outbreaks were not reported in domestic ruminants. The results indicate that wild ruminants seem to be implicated in the dissemination and persistence of BTV in Spain.     

Collaborative validation of the QuEChERS procedure for the determination of pesticides in food by LC-MS/MS

Seven FDA pesticide laboratories collaborated to develop and validate an LC-MS/MS method to determine 173 pesticides in <20 min. The average determination coefficient (r2) was >0.99 for all but two compounds tested. The limits of detection were <20 ng/mL for all compounds and <10 ng/mL for 363 of the 368 transitions reported. The method was used to determine pesticides in two AOAC sponsored proficiency samples. The LC-MS/MS determination was used for the analysis of oranges, carrots and spinach using the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, Safe) method. Each matrix was fortified at 20, 100, 400, and 1000 ng/g. No false positive responses were detected in controls of the three matrices. 165 pesticides had recoveries between 70 and 130%, and 161 had minimum detection levels less than 10 ng/g. Recoveries of 169 compounds for the 1000 ng/g spikes were within 50-150%. A matrix effect study indicated all three matrices caused a small net suppressing effect, the most pronounced attributable to the citrus matrix. The procedure proved to be accurate, precise, linear, sensitive and rugged, and adds 100 pesticides to the scope of the FDA pesticide program.     

In situ analysis and structural elucidation of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) tannins for high-throughput germplasm screening

A rapid thiolytic degradation and cleanup procedure was developed for analyzing tannins directly in chlorophyll-containing sainfoin ( Onobrychis viciifolia ) plants. The technique proved suitable for complex tannin mixtures containing catechin, epicatechin, gallocatechin, and epigallocatechin flavan-3-ol units. The reaction time was standardized at 60 min to minimize the loss of structural information as a result of epimerization and degradation of terminal flavan-3-ol units. The results were evaluated by separate analysis of extractable and unextractable tannins, which accounted for 63.6-113.7% of the in situ plant tannins. It is of note that 70% aqueous acetone extracted tannins with a lower mean degree of polymerization (mDP) than was found for tannins analyzed in situ. Extractable tannins had between 4 and 29 lower mDP values. The method was validated by comparing results from individual and mixed sample sets. The tannin composition of different sainfoin accessions covered a range of mDP values from 16 to 83, procyanidin/prodelphinidin (PC/PD) ratios from 19.2/80.8 to 45.6/54.4, and cis/trans ratios from 74.1/25.9 to 88.0/12.0. This is the first high-throughput screening method that is suitable for analyzing condensed tannin contents and structural composition directly in green plant tissue.