Inhibition of extrahepatic human cytochromes P450 1A1 and 1B1 by metabolism of isoflavones found in Trifolium pratense (red clover)

Biochanin A and formononetin are the predominant isoflavones in red clover. In a previous study (J. Agric. Food Chem. 2002, 50, 4783-4790), it was demonstrated that human liver microsomes converted biochanin A and formononetin to genistein and daidzein. This paper now shows CYP1B1-catalyzed O-demethylation of biochanin A and formononetin to produce genistein and daidzein, respectively, which inhibit CYP1B1. Recombinant human CYP1A1 or CYP1B1 was incubated with biochanin A or formononetin. CYP1A1 catalyzed isoflavone 4'-O-demethylation and hydroxylations with similar efficiency, whereas CYP1B1 favored 4'-O-demethylation over hydroxylations. Three of the biochanin A metabolites (5,7,3'-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone, 5,7,8-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone, and 5,6,7-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone) were characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Daidzein (Ki = 3.7 microM) exhibited competitive inhibition of CYP1B1 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity, and genistein (Ki = 1.9 microM) exhibited mixed inhibition. Biochanin A and/or formononetin may exert anticarcinogenic effects directly by acting as competitive substrates for CYP1B1 or indirectly through their metabolites daidzein and genistein, which inhibit CYP1B1.     

Butyltin compounds in Portuguese wines

Butyltin compounds are widespread contaminants that have also been found in some wines. The purpose of the present work was to make a survey of butyltin compounds in Portuguese wines. Forty-three table wines and 14 Port wines were analyzed for butyltin contents by using solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS). In 14% of the analyzed wine samples, measurable dibutyltin (DBT) was found at concentrations ranging between 0.05 and 0.15 microg/L as Sn. Monobutyltin (MBT) was also observed (0.05 microg/L as Sn) in just a single wine. A search for the possible sources of DBT residues found in the wines was carried out. Therefore, some plastics and oak wood used in the process of wine-making, which have been directly in contact with the musts or the wines, were studied to check their possible release of butyltins. The eventual presence of DBT was also tested directly along the vinification process, from the must to the finished product. The results suggest that high-density polyethylene containers used in the transfer of wine in an early stage of the vinification process may be the main sources of these contaminants. Therefore, it is recommendable that plastic materials to be used in wineries be previously tested for the release of butyltin compounds.     

The effect of raw full-fat soybean and its lectin on the nutrition and pigmentation of broilers

This study was aimed at determining the effect of raw full-fat soybean in the digestion/absorption of broilers and to evaluate the role of soybean agglutinin (SBA) in the pathogenesis of the runting and stunting syndrome of broilers. Six broiler groups were fed with six experimental diets for 42 days in which the defatted soybean meal of the basal diet was substituted with increasing raw full-fat soybean percentages ranging from 0 to 100%. The results suggested that SBA included in the raw full-fat soybean can play a role in the pathogenesis of the runting and stunting syndrome in broilers since binding and incorporation of SBA to enterocytes were associated with hyperplasia and dysplasia of the intestinal epithelium, as suggested by the progressive increases (P < 0.001) of mitosis/crypt in the duodenum and in the midintestine, as well as by intestinal villi atrophy (P < 0.001) in the duodenum and the midintestine. Indigestion and malabsorption of proteins induced progressive low weight gain (P < 0.001) up to 50% with 100% of raw full-fat soybean in the diet at 42 days. Xanthophylls in serum and skin yellowness were enhanced linearly in the broilers fed 42 days with increasing percentages of raw full-fat soybean in the diet. Increased xanthophylls absorption and decreased protein absorption can be caused by pathological changes in the epithelial intestine triggered by SBA binding and internalization.     

Bericht über eine Sammelreise in die Mongolische Volksrepublik 1987 (Allium L. in der östlichen Mongolei)

Zusammenfassung Eine Sammelreise von Mitarbeitern des Instituts für Botanik Ulan-Bator und des Zentralinstituts für Genetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung Gatersleben in den Osten der MVR vom Juli/August 1987 galt der weiteren Inventarisierung der Gefäßpflanzen dieses Gebiets und den indigenen Wildsippen der GattungAllium L. im besonderen. Über Verlauf und erste Ergebnisse der Expedition wird kurz berichtet. DieAllium-Pflanzgutproben werden aufgelistet. Für verschiedene Arten(Allium macrostemon, A. neriniflorum, A. condensatum, A. polyrrhizum, A. mongolicum, A. ramosum) folgen Bemerkungen zur systematischen Stellung, Verbreitung und Standortscharakteristik in der Ostmongolei. Auf Nutzung und Kultur mongolischerAllium-Arten wird abschließend kurz eingegangen.

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Report of a collecting mission to the mongolian people's republic 1987 (Allium L. in Eastern Mongolia)

Summary A collecting mission was carried out in the Eastern part of the MPR by staff members of the Institute of Botany, Ulan-Bator, and the Zentralinstitut für Genetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung, Gatersleben, in July/August 1987 for a further inventory of vascular plants in this area and for the indigenous wild species of the GenusAllium, particularly. The route and first results of the expedition have been described shortly. A list of theAllium plant-material is given. Some remarks are made in regard to systematic position, distribution and ecology, of some species(Allium macrostemon, A. neriniflorum, A. condensalum, A. polyrrhizum, A. mongolicum, A. ramosum) in Eastern Mongolia. Utilization and cultivation of MongolianAllium species have been discussed shortly.

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1987 (Allium L. )

— 1987 (-) () , , , Allium L. . Allium. —Alium macrostemon, A. neriniflorum, A. condensatum, A. polyrrhizum, A. mongolicum, A. ramosum — , . Allium.

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Ergebnisse der Mongolisch-Deutschen Biologischen Expeditionen seit 1962, Nr. 194

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Frau Dr.R. K. Beridze, Tbilissi, aus Anlaß der 70. Wiederkehr ihres Geburtstages gewidmet     

Oxalate and phytate concentrations in seeds of soybean cultivars [Glycine max (L.) Merr.

This study analyzed soybean seeds from 116 cultivars for total, insoluble, and soluble oxalate (Ox), phytate (InsP6), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) because of their potential beneficial or harmful effects on human nutrition. These cultivars were divided into four groups (A-D) on the basis of the year and geographic location where they were grown. Oxalate concentration ranged from about 82 to 285 mg/100 g of dry seed. The InsP6 concentration ranged from 0.22 to 2.22 g/100 g of dry seed. There was no correlation between Ox and InsP6 within or among the four groups of cultivars. There was a significant correlation between total Ox and Ca, but not Mg, in group D cultivars (r = 0.3705; p < 0.0005). No significant relationship was found in the group A-C cultivars. Eleven group D cultivars had InsP6 less than 500 mg/100 g, but all had total Ox of 130 mg/100 g or greater. Five cultivars from groups A-C had relatively low InsP6 (group B; < or =1.01 g/100 g) and low Ox (<140 mg/100 g). These cultivars could be useful for producing soy foods beneficial to populations at risk for kidney stones and for improved mineral bioavailability. The Ox and InsP6 concentrations of the cultivars indicate that choosing specific parents could generate seeds in succeeding generations with desirable Ox and InsP6 concentrations.     

Monitoring benthic microflora in river bed sediments: a case study in the Anllóns River (Spain)

Purpose

The objectives of this study were to investigate the abundance and composition of the superficial biofilm on the bed sediments of the Anllóns River (NW Spain), to evaluate the relationships between biochemical parameters and biological methods based on identification and counting, and to explore the relationships between biofilm growth and the properties of the sedimentary habitat, mainly the trophic state.

Materials and methods

Bed sediment samples (0–5 cm) were collected in two different seasons (winter and summer) at four sampling sites along the river course. Physicochemical properties of pore waters and sediments were determined. Biological properties included the determination of dehydrogenase activity (DHA) and phytopigment (Chl a Chl b and total carotenoids) concentrations, as well as taxonomic identification. For taxonomic identification, two sampling methods were compared: the Pasteur pipette method and a mini-corer method. Total and relative algal abundances (TA and RA, respectively) and genus richness were calculated. The relationships between the different variables were examined using Pearson correlations and principal component analysis.

Results and discussion

The main taxa belonged to Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta, Euglenophyta, and Heterokontophyta. The most abundant class was Bacillariophyceae, which represents >86 % of the total abundances in the superficial sediments. The highest total algal abundance and genus richness were observed in summer at the river mouth, where DHA and phytopigment concentrations were also the highest. The statistical analysis revealed positive correlations between TA and the biochemical parameters (DHA and phytopigments) as well as positive relationships of these three parameters with the physicochemical properties of the sediments, such as electrical conductivity, and the concentrations of fine particles, C, N, S, and total P.

Conclusions

The results of this study reveal the positive relationships between the biochemical properties (phytopigments and respiratory activity) and total algal abundances determined by taxonomic identification and counting. All of these properties presented evidence of a clear influence of the nutrients and organic matter contents of the sediments, pointing to the importance of the site conditions, particularly the trophic state, in the development of benthic microflora.

     

Purification and isotopic signatures (<Emphasis Type="Italic">δ</Emphasis><Superscript>13</Superscript>C, <Emphasis Type="Italic">δ</Emphasis><Superscript>15</Superscript>N, Δ<Superscript>14</Superscript>C) of soil extracellular DNA

The aim of this work was to obtain pure extracellular DNA molecules so as to estimate their longevity in soil by an isotope-based approach. Extracellular DNA molecules were extracted from all horizons of a forest soil and purified by the procedure of Davis (Purification and precipitation of genomic DNA with phenol–chloroform and ethanol. In: Davis LG, Dibner MD, Battey JF (eds) Basic methods in molecular biology. Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, 16–22, 1986) without (DNA1) or with (DNA2) a successive treatment with binding resins followed by elution. The two differently purified DNA samples were compared for their A₂₆₀/A₂₈₀ ratio, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and natural abundance of stable (¹³C and ¹⁵N) and radioactive (¹⁴C) isotopes. The purity index and the PCR amplification did not differentiate the efficiency of the two purification procedures. The isotopic signature of DNA was more sensitive and was strongly affected by the purification procedures. The isotopic measurements showed that the major contaminant of extracellular DNA1 was the soil organic matter (SOM), even if it is not possible to exclude that the similar δ ¹³C, δ ¹⁵N and Δ¹⁴C values of DNA and SOM could be due to the use of SOM-deriving C and N atoms for the microbial synthesis of DNA. For extracellular DNA2, extremely low values of Δ¹⁴C were obtained, and this was ascribed to the presence of fossil fuel-derived substances used during the purification, although in amounts not revealed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. The fact that it is not possible to obtain contaminant-free DNA molecules and the potential use of soil native organic compounds during the microbial synthesis of DNA make it not achievable to estimate the age of soil extracellular DNA by radiocarbon dating.     

Microbiological degradation index of soils in a semiarid climate

Soil degradation and desertification affect many areas of the planet. One such area is the Mediterranean region of SE Spain, where the climatological and lithological conditions, together with the relief of the landscape and anthropological activity, including agricultural abandonment, are responsible for increasing desertification. It is therefore considered to be of extreme importance to be able to measure soil degradation quantitatively. The aim of this study was to make a microbiological and biochemical characterisation of different soil catenas in SE Spain, including in a wide range of plant cover densities in an attempt to assess the suitability of the parameters measured to reflect the state of soil degradation and the possibility of using the parameters to elaborate a microbiological degradation index (MDI) valid for use in semiarid climates. For this, several indices related with the organic matter content (total organic carbon, TOC, water-soluble carbon, WSC, and water-soluble carbohydrates, WSCh), with the size of microbial populations (microbial biomass carbon, MBC) and related activity (respiration and enzymatic activities) were determined in the soils of three different catenas in different seasons of the year. The values of these parameters were seen to be closely related with the degree of vegetal cover, forest soils with a high cover value showing the highest indices. There was a highly significant positive correlation (p<0.01) between the TOC and WSC content, and other parameters such as MBC, ATP, dehydrogenase activity and the activity of different hydrolases (urease, protease, phosphatase and β-glucosidase). The results show that the parameters analysed are a good reflection of a soil's microbiological quality since the soils with the worst characteristics (saline and with low organic matter and nutrient content) showed the lowest values. The study provides a soil degradation index based on its microbiological properties: MDI. This index is a function of the following five parameters, which showed the greatest weight in the factorial analysis made with all the parameters analysed: dehydrogenase activity, WSCh, urease activity, WSC and respiration.     

Analysis of some Italian lemon liquors (limoncello)

The chemical composition of several commercial Italian Limoncellos, lemon-peel-based alcoholic beverages, was studied by chromatographic techniques. These methods allowed a rapid monitoring of Limoncello, giving information on quality markers and possible adulteration of the product. Quantitative data for more than 60 compounds are reported. Limoncellos were characterized by the presence of selected volatile (terpenes, aldehydes, alcohols) and nonvolatile compounds (psoralens, coumarins, phenolics, carbohydrates and acids). On the basis of their composition, the samples were grouped by PCA analysis in two sets; the first group showed a composition similar to lemon essential oils, with a high content of b-pinene, myrcene, trans-a-bergamottene, and b-bisabolene, and a low content in neral and geranial. The composition of the second group suggested the occurrence of oxidative phenomena and/or the addition of flavors. The presence of ethyl acetate, acetaldehyde, 2-methyl-1-propanol and glycerol showed that a fermentation probably occurred in the sugar syrup used to dilute the Limoncello after the extraction process.     

Identification and quantification of cholesterol and cholesterol oxidation products in different types of Iberian hams

Cholesterol and cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) were determined in four different groups of dry-cured Iberian hams, based on the feeding received by pigs and their degree of crossbreeding. After lipid extraction, GC-FID for cholesterol determination and GC-MS to analyze COPs were used. Cholesterol content ranged from 30 to 34 mg/100 g of muscle. Some of the COPs analyzed, such as 7alpha-hydroxycholesterol, 7beta-hydroxycholesterol, and 7-ketocholesterol, were detected in all of the samples. The major cholesterol oxide was 7-ketocholesterol; its concentration ranged from 57 to 71 microg/100 g of muscle. The content of cholesterol and cholesterol oxides in intramuscular lipids of hams was not affected by diet or crossbreeding of Iberian pigs.