Antiobese effects of novel saponins from edible seeds of Japanese horse chestnut (Aesculus turbinata BLUME) after treatment with wood ashes

Recently, we have identified novel saponins from edible seeds of Japanese horse chestnut ( Aesculus turbinata BLUME) after processing the natural seeds with wood ashes to remove bitterness. We attempted to determine anti-obesity effects of those saponins from edible seeds as well as natural seeds. The purified individual components of saponins from natural and edible seeds inhibited pancreatic lipase in vitro. The potency was in the order of escins > desacylescins > deacetylescins. Escins Ib and IIb as well as deacetylescins Ib and IIb with the angeloyl moiety were more potent than the corresponding Ia and IIa series with the tigloyl moiety. Moreover, in vivo anti-obesity effects of the saponin fractions were monitored for 8 weeks in mice fed high-fat diets. Saponin fractions from both seeds significantly attenuated the elevation in body weight, the mass of peritoneal adipose tissues, and plasma triacylglycerol, which was accompanied by higher contents of undigested fats in feces without changes in food intake, indicating the effective inhibition of fat digestion in vivo. Taken together, saponin fractions including desacylescins and deacetylescins from edible seeds are potentially useful for the development of nutraceutical foods with anti-obesity effects and more attenuated bitter taste.     

Effectiveness of tori-lines for further reduction of incidental catch of seabirds in pelagic longline fisheries

To improve the performance of tori-lines (bird-scaring lines) in reducing incidental catch of large seabirds (albatrosses and giant petrels) in the pelagic longline fishery, we analyzed factors affecting the performance of tori-lines based on data collected by Japanese scientific observers in the southern bluefin tuna Thunnus maccoyii fishery from 2002 to 2005. We classified the variety of tori-lines by the main tori-line length and the streamer type. Two types of streamers were identified: type A, several long streamers made of nylon cord attached to the main tori-line by metal swivels; type B, many short streamers made of polypropylene packing bands braided into the main tori-line. In a model analysis, we found that the main tori-line length was an important factor affecting tori-line performance, and the two types of streamers had similar effectiveness. Since the light type B streamer has the advantage of practical feasibility, this type can be another option for use in tori-lines if used with a main tori-line of sufficient length.     

Scleroderris Canker of Todo-Fir in Hokkaido,Northern Japan

Disease development and severity of Scleroderris canker of Todo-fir in Hokkaido vary according to forest type. Todo-fir under a canopy of deciduous species are almost free from canker, whereas in the open they are severely attacked. The situations are described with relation to environmental conditions associated with canker development.     

Effect of thin twine on gill net size-selectivity analyzed with the direct estimation method

ABSTRACT: To analyze the effect of thin twine on gill net size selectivity, a series of fishing experiments using gill nets of two twine thicknesses (no. 0.8 of 0.16 mm diameter and no. 3 of 0.28 mm diameter) and three nominal mesh sizes (41 mm, 46 mm and 51 mm) was conducted in outdoor water tanks containing a rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) population of known size frequency. For nets of the same nominal mesh size, mesh openings of the no. 0.8 twine nets were approximately 2 mm larger than those of the no. 3 twine nets. The effects of both mesh opening and twine thickness are combined in the conventional analysis with the selectivity curve against fish length. Selectivity against the ratio of fish girth to mesh perimeter was calculated to avoid the direct effect of changes in mesh openings due to twine diameter at the same nominal mesh size. Results demonstrated that the thinner twine gill net was more likely to capture rainbow trout of smaller girth than the mesh perimeter. Fish with girths smaller than the mesh perimeter were often retained by the net with its body tangled by the thinner twine, possibly due to the increased flexibility of the thinner twine.     

Plant foods and herbal sources of resveratrol

Stilbenes, in particular trans-resveratrol and its glucoside, are widely reported to be beneficial to health, having been shown to possess antioxidative, anticarcinogenic, and antitumor properties. Major dietary sources include grapes, wine, peanuts, and soy; however, they can also be introduced into the diet through Itadori tea, which has long been used in Japan and China as a traditional herbal remedy for heart disease and strokes. Analysis of grapes, peanuts, and Itadori tea shows that they contain mainly trans-resveratrol glucoside. In contrast, red wines are primarily a source of the aglycones cis- and trans-resveratrol. While peanuts and grapes contain low levels of the stilbenes, Itadori tea and red wine both supply relatively high concentrations of resveratrol. For people who do not consume alcohol, Itadori tea may be a suitable substitute for red wine. However, further study on the potential biological effects of other endogenous compounds in Itadori tea is required and there is also a need for more information on the absorption and in vivo biomedical actions of free and conjugated resveratrol.     

Relationship between distribution patterns of shoots and light conditions on population floor in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zostera marina</Emphasis> population

ABSTRACT:   This study was designed to identify a sustainable Zostera marina population based on the relationships between the distributional patterns of shoots and light conditions in the population. Population structures and light conditions on 22 April 2003 (season of reducing shoot density), 27 September 2003 (season of the annual minimum density and biomass) and 9 April 2004 (season of the annual maximum density and biomass) were examined. On 22 April 2003, the frequency distribution in shoot length was almost even. The spatial pattern is characterized by small clumps within 2–5 cm radius. On 27 September 2003, the lengths of all shoots were less than 40 cm, and the distributional patterns were similar to 22 April. On 9 April 2004, the spatial pattern is characterized by larger clumps within 25 cm radius. The reproductive shoots had a regular distribution. The relative light intensities on the population floor of the sea surface on 27 September and 9 April were 53.3 and 10.2%, respectively. The light intensity on 9 April 2004 was not sufficient for growth. The results suggest that the competition for harvesting solar radiation is caused by the shoot length and the spatial pattern among shoots in the population.     

Relationship between salt tolerance and proline accumulation in Australian acacia species

 The effects of salinity on the seedlings of five acacia species, Acacia ampliceps, A. salicina, A. ligulata, A. holosericea, and A. mangium were studied with respect to mortality, growth, and proline accumulation. There was marked variation among the species in their response to salinity. A. ampliceps showed the highest level of salt tolerance among the five acacia species. In contrast, A. holosericea and A. mangium were classified as the least tolerant. The concentration which caused 100% mortality in 2-week-old seedlings during 1 week of treatment was 2.5% (w/v) and 1.5% NaCl for A. ampliceps and A. holosericea, respectively. The dry weights of whole plant of two acacia species decreased markedly under the above salt stress conditions. Proline accumulation was found in leaves and roots after NaCl treatment. The maximum level of proline accumulation in A. holosericea was about twice as great as that in A. ampliceps throughout the stress period. Thus, the level of proline accumulation was not related to the degree of salt tolerance in these acacia species, although a positive correlation between the extent of salt stress and the accumulation of proline was found. Received: July 18, 2002 / Accepted: October 10, 2002 Acknowledgments The author thanks Dr. Kiyoshi Tazaki for his technical advice on the quantitative analysis of proline and Toshiro Sumizono for use of the phytotron. He is also grateful to Dr. Kenji Shinohara for reviewing the language. This work was supported by a grant from the Science and Technology Agency of Japan to the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (Encouragement of Basic Biology).