Analysis of volatile compounds and triglycerides of seed oils extracted from different poppy varieties (Papaver somniferum L.)

Poppy seed oil (Oleum Papaveris Seminis) is used for culinary and pharmaceutical purposes, as well as for making soaps, paints, and varnishes. Astonishingly, hardly anything was yet known about the volatile compounds of this promising comestible. Likewise, there are no current published data about the triglyceride (TAG) composition of poppy seed oils available. In this investigation solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with DVB/Carboxen/PDMS Stable-Flex fiber was applied to the study of volatile compounds of several seed oil samples from Papaver somniferum L. (Papaveraceae). 1-Pentanol (3.3-4.9%), 1-hexanal (10.9-30.9%), 1-hexanol (5.3-33.7%), 2-pentylfuran (7.2-10.0%), and caproic acid (2.9-11.5%) could be identified as the main volatile compounds in all examined poppy seed oil samples. Furthermore, the TAG composition of these oils was analyzed by MALDI-ReTOF- and ESI-IT-MS/MS. The predominant TAG components were found to be composed of linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acid, comprising approximately 70% of the oils. TAG patterns of the different poppy varieties were found to be very homogeneous, showing also no significant differences in terms of the applied pressing method of the plant seeds.     

The Impact of Wood Ash and Green Liquor Dregs Application on Ca, Cu, Zn and Cd Contents in Bark and Wood of Norway Spruce

To counteract nutrient depletion and acidification of forest soils, recycling of waste products from the forest industry has been suggested. Spreading of these waste products will probably change the concentration and availability of Ca and heavy metals in forest soils and thereby the contents of these metals in trees. This field study aimed at examining the influence of pellets of wood ash (ash) or a mixture of wood ash and green liquor dregs (ash+GLD) on the contents of Ca, Cd, Cu and Zn in wood and bark of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.]. The waste products were spread in an amount of 3000 kg ha^?1 in 1996 at a felling site in Sweden and in 1999 and 2002 young spruce trees, planted in 1995, were collected and wood and bark were analysed for Ca, Cd, Cu and Zn with AAS. Changes in the metal content of wood and bark of young spruce trees were found 3 and 6 years after spreading pellets of ash or ash+GLD compared with the control. The effect of the treatments on the metal contents of bark and wood differed and was larger after 3 years than after 6 years. Treatment with ash+GLD tended to have less effect on the metal contents of bark and wood than treatment with only ash. An increase in the contents of Cu and Zn in bark or wood, compared with the control, was only found for the ash treatment and only 3 years after application. Both the ash and ash+GLD treatment decreased the Cd content of the wood and/or bark after 3 years, and after 6 years it still was, or tended to be, lower than the control.     

Einfluß der N-Düngung auf den 14C-Einbau in die Komponenten der äthanollöslichen Fraktion von Sommerweizen verschiedener Entwicklungsstadien

Influence of N-fertilization on the ¹⁴C-labelling of the ethanol soluble fraction and its components in spring wheat at different stages of development In spring wheat plants from pot experiments the effect of different N-fertilization on the ¹⁴C-labelling of the soluble fractions of amino acids, organic acids, and carbohydrates was studied. The fraction of ¹⁴C-labelled compounds, soluble in ethanol, was 50% at the start of the experiment, about 100% during flowering stage and 45% at the end of the experiment. At the end of the 24h ¹⁴CO₂-assimilation period 90% of the activity in the plants were water soluble, carbohydrates containing 10 to 20 times higher ¹⁴C-activity than amino or organic acids. In plant labelled with ¹⁴CO₂ during emergence of the ears, the solubility of ₁₄C-labelled assimilates decreased till the ripening stage to 15% of the total ¹⁴C-activity, whereas the total activity itself decreased only to 50–80% during the same time. The higher N-supply results in an enhanced decrease of soluble carbohydrates and in an increase of the soluble amino acid fraction. This leads also to an increased protein synthesis and ¹⁴C-assimilation into the protein of the kernels. The most important plant parts in respect to photosynthesis during the experiment period were upper leaves, upper stems and ears. The ¹⁴C-distribution throughout the plant is mainly determined by the time after ¹⁴CO₂-treatment and less by the N-fertilization. This points to similar pathways of ¹⁴CO₂-assimilation in all trials. It is concluded, that the positive effect of the high N-fertilization on the yield is due to the quick transformation of soluble assimilates into insoluble compounds, e.g. proteins and protein precursors. Increase of yield by high N-fertilization is also due to a prolonged period of photosynthesis and therefore delayed ripening of the photosynthetic active plant parts.     

Wirkung von Ancymidol auf Längenwachstum und Chlorophyllgehalt von Helianthus annuus L. in Wasserkultur

Effect of Ancymidol on growth and chlorophyll content of Helianthus annuus L. in water culture experiments Height of young sunflower plants in water culture was shortened up to 30 % by 0,75 ppm ancymidol in the nutrient solution. The chlorophyll concentration of the aerial plant parts increased from 15 to 30 %under the influence of 0,75 ppm ancymidol, the amount of chlorphyll per plant however was not changed compared with the control. The reduced height of the ancymidol plants was accompanied by a reduced fresh weight, in some cases also by a lowered dry weight of plants. Dry weight of the roots of ancymidol plants was not changed.     

Die Ontogenese von Zea mays L. und ihre Beeinflußbarkeit durch Wachstumsregulatoren

The ontogenesis of Zea mays L. and their modification by plant growth regulators
During a period of 2 years with the maize variety Santos , the effects of the plant growth regulators CCC and RSW 0411 upon vegetative and generative development were tested by pot experiments. The experiments were carried out to optimize the PGR application to maize and to interpret possible PGR effects. The application shah improve the resistance to lodging by a reduction of ear–and plant height as well as by an increase of stalk diameter. At the same time, the sink-capacity of the ear shah increase because this is lucrative to all specializations of corn production.
The PGR RSW strongly reduced the stem elongation during the growing season after an application in ES 21. The basal stem diameter increased highly significant. The PGR CCC did not obviously effect the vegetative development of maize.
RSW suppressed the branching of the tassel after an application in ES 21. Later applications did not disturb the tassel development, because the tassel were completely differentiated at the application time in ES 31/32 and ES 34/35. High application rates of CCC, applied in ES 31/32 and ES 34/35, increased significantly the grain yield by a higher number of kernels per ear. The 1000 kernels weight remained unchanged. The results of the ear ontogenesis indicated, that the PGR CCC lessened the reduction of female spikelets in the ear during the post-silking period.     

Concentrations of Oestrone and Oestradiol-l 7β in the Peripheral Plasma of the Nanny Goat during the Oestrous Cycle, Gestation and Puerperium

The changes in the plasma levels of oestrone sulphate and oestradiol-17β during the oestrous cycle, gestation and puerperium in the goat are described. The oestrone sulphate concentrations remained fairly constant (250–350 pg/ml) throughout the oestrous cycle until day 20 when a sharp increase of the oestrone sulphate plasma levels occurred in pregnant goats which became significantly different at day 38 of gestation from nonpregnant values. Oestradiol-17β plasma levels were significantly lower at days 17–20 in pregnant than in nonpregnant does. Oestrone sulphate and oestradiol-17β concentrations rose until the 12th week of gestation and then declined to about 50% of the former ranges of concentrations before rising again to high values at weeks 17–20 of gestation. Increasing plasma levels of oestrone sulphate and oestradiol-17β were determined during the last ten days preceding parturition. The concentrations of oestrone sulphate returned to basal levels by the 2nd—4th day post partum whereas oestradiol-17β values reached base values 24 hours after parturition. Both oestrogen concentrations remained constant during the puerperium until day 51 post partum .