Phenol antioxidant quantity and quality in foods: beers and the effect of two types of beer on an animal model of atherosclerosis

The free phenols have been measured in 15 lagers, 6 porters and ales, and 11 light and nonalcoholic beers. Phenols were measured colorimetrically using an oxidation-reduction reaction with Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and catechin as the standard. The order of phenol concentration was ales > lagers > low calorie > nonalcoholic. The quality of antioxidants of the major phenols in beers and the quality of beer antioxidants were measured by (1) dose-response inhibition of lower density lipoprotein oxidation and (2) concentration of phenols in the beers at which 50% of the peroxide was destroyed in a luminescent assay for antioxidant activity. The beers' lipoprotein antioxidant quality was clearly superior to that of vitamin antioxidants and to that of the phenol ingredients, suggesting synergism among the antioxidants in the mixture. The average per capita consumption of beer in the United States in 2000 was 225 mL/day, equivalent to 42 mg/day of catechin equivalents. Beer provides more antioxidants per day than wine in the U.S. diet. A dark beer and a lager beer were given at two concentrations to cholesterol-fed hamsters, an animal model of atherosclerosis. At the high dose ((1)/(2)-diluted beer) both lager and dark beer significantly inhibited atherosclerosis compared to a control of 2% alcohol. At the high dose, lager significantly decreased cholesterol and triglycerides, and both beers acted as in vivo antioxidants by decreasing the oxidizability of lower density lipoproteins. At the low dose ((1)/(10)-diluted beer) only the lager beer significantly decreased atherosclerosis compared to the 0.4% alcohol control. The polyphenols in the beers appear to be responsible for the benefits of beer in this model. Lager beer inhibited atherosclerosis at a human equivalent dose in this hamster model of atherosclerosis.     

Multivariate analysis of NMR and FTIR data as a potential tool for the quality control of beer

In this work, principal component analysis (PCA) is applied to the FTIR-ATR and the (1)H NMR spectra of 50 beers differing in label and type (ale, lager, alcohol-free), to identify the spectral parameters that may provide rapid information about factors affecting beer production. PCA of FTIR data resulted in the separation of beers mainly according to their alcoholic content, providing little information on components other than ethanol contributing to the variability within the samples. PCA of (1)H NMR spectra, performed on the region where major beer components resonate (3.0-6.0 ppm), resulted in the separation of samples into four groups: two groups characterized by the predominance of dextrins, one group of alcohol-free beers characterized by the predominance of maltose, and one group where glucose was found to predominate. By performing PCA on aliphatic and aromatic regions, the contribution of minor components was highlighted. In particular, most ales, lagers, and alcohol-free samples could be distinguished based on their aromatic composition, thus reflecting the high sensitivity of the low-field NMR region toward different types of beer fermentation.     

High-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and multivariate analysis for the characterization of beer

Beer contains a very complex mixture of nutrients, which in this work are identified to some extent by high-field high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) one- and two-dimensional methods. The (1)H NMR spectrum of beer shows a predominance of strongly overlapped peaks arising from several carbohydrates. Minor components are clearly observed both in the aliphatic and in the aromatic regions of the spectrum. With the aid of two-dimensional methods, spectral assignment was carried out, enabling the identification of approximately 30 compounds and identifying about the same number of spin systems for further assignment. The variability of the spectral profile of beers differing in type and label was studied by principal component analysis (PCA), and it was found that, although some distinction is achieved on the basis of the aliphatic and sugar compositions, clearer separation between ales and lagers is obtained by PCA of the aromatic profiles alone. The potential of this technique as a rapid and informative quality control tool is discussed.     

耕作方式和秸秆还田对砂姜黑土碳库及玉米小麦产量的影响

长期秸秆还田免耕覆盖措施导致沿淮区域砂姜黑土耕层变浅、下表层(10～30 cm)容重增加、土壤养分不均衡等问题凸显,限制了小麦-玉米周年生产力的提高。耕作和秸秆还田措施合理的搭配组合是解决这一问题的有效方法。通过8年的小麦-玉米一年两熟田间试验,设置4个处理:1)玉米季免耕-小麦季免耕秸秆不还田(N);2)玉米季深耕-小麦季深耕秸秆不还田(D);3)玉米季秸秆免耕覆盖还田+小麦秸秆免耕覆盖还田(NS);4)玉米季秸秆免耕覆盖还田+小麦季秸秆深耕还田(DS)。通过分析作物收获后不同土壤深度(0～60 cm)总有机碳(TOC)、颗粒态碳(POC)、微生物生物量碳(MBC)、易氧化态碳(KMnO4-C)、可溶性有机碳(DOC)和土壤碳库管理指数(CPMI),并结合小麦-玉米的周年产量变化,以期获得培肥砂姜黑土的最佳模式。研究结果表明:1)相对于长期免耕措施(N),DS处理能够提高0～30 cm土层TOC、POC、MBC、KMnO4-C等组分含量和CPMI;而NS措施仅提高土壤表层(0～10 cm)TOC、活性有机碳组分含量和CPMI;2)DS处理显著提升了小麦-玉米的周年生产力,其麦玉的周年产量均值分别比N、D和NS处理高出14.7%、12.9%和8.5%;3)MBC和KMnO4-C对于耕作和秸秆还田措施都是较为敏感指示因子。总的来说,玉米季小麦秸秆覆盖还田+小麦季玉米秸秆深耕还田(DS)是改善沿淮地区砂姜黑土土壤碳库、提高小麦-玉米周年产量的一种有效农田管理模式。     

Origin and mechanistic pathways of formation of the parent furan--a food toxicant

Studies performed on model systems using pyrolysis-GC-MS analysis and (13)C-labeled sugars and amino acids in addition to ascorbic acid have indicated that certain amino acids such as serine and cysteine can degrade and produce acetaldehyde and glycolaldehyde that can undergo aldol condensation to produce furan after cyclization and dehydration steps. Other amino acids such as aspartic acid, threonine, and alpha-alanine can degrade and produce only acetaldehyde and thus need sugars as a source of glycolaldehyde to generate furan. On the other hand, monosaccharides are also known to undergo degradation to produce both acetaldehyde and glycolaldehyde; however, (13)C-labeling studies have revealed that hexoses in general will mainly degrade into the following aldotetrose derivatives to produce the parent furan-aldotetrose itself, incorporating the C3-C4-C5-C6 carbon chain of glucose (70%); 2-deoxy-3-ketoaldotetrose; incorporating the C1-C2-C3-C4 carbon chain of glucose (15%); and 2-deoxyaldotetrose, incorporating the C2-C3-C4-C5 carbon chain of glucose (15%). Furthermore, it was also proposed that under nonoxidative conditions of pyrolysis, ascorbic acid can generate the 2-deoxyaldotetrose moiety, a direct precursor of the parent furan. In addition, 4-hydroxy-2-butenal-a known decomposition product of lipid peroxidation-was proposed as a precursor of furan originating from polyunsaturated fatty acids. Among the model systems studied, ascorbic acid had the highest potential to produce furan, followed by glycolaldehyde/alanine > erythrose > ribose/serine > sucrose/serine > fructose/serine > glucose/cysteine.     

Honey protein as internal standard for stable carbon isotope ratio detection of adulteration of honey

Using the difference in stable carbon isotope ratio between a honey and its protein fraction permits objective evaluation of possible adulteration of honey with small amounts (7-20%) as well as larger amounts of corn or cane sugar. The present uncertainty in interpretation of results from pure honey with delta 13C values outside the generally accepted limits for pure honey of -27.5% to -23.5% is eliminated; likewise TLC testing to resolve questionable samples with delta 13C values between -23.5 and -21.5% is not needed. Fifty certified samples of pure honey were used to establish criteria for purity, and 38 other samples with delta 13C values in the "questionable" or "adulterated" range for the AOAC official method were tested. A difference of 1.0% or more between honey and protein fractions is proposed to indicate adulteration.     

Stable carbon isotopic composition of the wine and CO2 bubbles of sparkling wines: detecting C4 sugar additions

Sparkling wines have become a popular beverage in recent years, and the production of these wines is subject to adulteration during fermentation. This study investigated the stable carbon isotopic composition (expressed as delta(13)C) of the wine and of the CO(2) bubbles produced during the second fermentation for a number of sparkling wines produced in different countries around the world. Carbon isotope ratio analyses were used to estimate the addition of sugar obtained from C(4) plants (sugar cane or corn). The average delta(13)C values of the Brazilian brut, demi-sec, and doux sparkling wines were -20.5 +/- 1.2 per thousand (n = 18), -18.1 +/- 1.3 per thousand (n = 9), and -15.8 per thousand (n = 1), respectively. These values were statistically heavier (more positive carbon isotope ratio values) than the average delta(13)C of sparkling wines produced in other parts of South America (Argentina and Chile, -26.1 +/- 1.6 per thousand, n = 5) and Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, -25.5 +/- 1.2 per thousand, n = 12), but not statistically different from sparkling wines produced in the United States or Australia. The most likely explanation for differences in the carbon isotope ratios of wines from these different regions is the addition of C(4) sugar during the production of some sparkling wines from Australia, Brazil, and the United States. The isotopic composition of the CO(2) bubbles (delta(13)C-CO(2)) followed similar trends. The average delta(13)C-CO(2) of most of the Brazilian and Argentine sparkling wines was -10.8 +/- 1.2 per thousand (n = 23), indicating that the likely source of carbon for the second fermentation was sugar cane. Conversely, the average delta(13)C-CO(2) of most of the sparkling wines produced in Chile and Europe was -22.0 +/- 1.2 per thousand (n = 13), suggesting that a different sugar (most likely sugar beet) was most used in the second fermentation. It was concluded that in many cases, the carbon isotope ratios of sparkling wine and CO(2) bubbles can provide valuable information about the sugar sources.     

Stable isotope labeling pattern of resveratrol and related natural stilbenes

The stable isotope characterization of resveratrol 1 from Polygonum cuspidatum and of related natural stilbenes 11 and 12 obtained by hydrolysis of the corresponding glucosides 2 and 3 from Rheum is reported. The C(6)-C(2)-C(6) framework of suitably protected derivatives of 1, 2, and 3 has been degraded with ozone to the C(6)-C(1) aldehydes 4, 5, 9, and 10, retaining all hydrogen atoms of the precursors. The natural and synthetic derivatives are characterized and distinguished by natural abundance deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance studies. In the case of anisaldehyde 4 the two series show, as expected, the characteristic difference of the aromatic labeling. The formyl deuterium contents of 4 and 5 from resveratrol are remarkably different, seemingly reflecting the different enrichments existing between positions 3 and 2, respectively, of the phenylpropanoid precursor. The positional delta(18)O values of the extractive materials 1-3 were also determined. In this instance a selective deoxygenation procedure was adopted, leading from 1 to the products 6, 7, and 8. The delta(18)O values of the latter compounds reveal, respectively, those at position 4' and positions 3 and 5 of 1. Similarly, the phenolic products 11 and 12 were converted into 13 and 14. From the delta(18)O values of the single components it is possible to design a detailed map of the oxygen fractionations which characterizes the stilbenes 1-3. In particular, the oxygen present at position 4' of the phenylpropanoid moiety of 1-3 shows delta(18)O values of +11.5, +1.8, and +6.7 per thousand, respectively. Moreover, the phenolic oxygen atom at position 3' of rhapontin 3 shows a value of +11.7 per thousand. The data are compared with those previously obtained on structurally related compounds. These results show the utility of simple chemical degradations in the stable isotope characterization of structurally complex food components.     

Intramolecular carbon isotope distribution of acetic acid in vinegar

Compound-specific carbon isotope analysis of acetic acid is useful for origin discrimination and quality control of vinegar. Intramolecular carbon isotope distributions, which are each carbon isotope ratios of the methyl and carboxyl carbons in the acetic acid molecule, may be required to obtain more detailed information to discriminate such origin. In this study, improved gas chromatography-pyrolysis-gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-Py-GC-C-IRMS) combined with headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) was used to measure the intramolecular carbon isotope distributions of acetic acid in 14 Japanese vinegars. The results demonstrated that the methyl carbons of acetic acid molecules in vinegars produced from plants were mostly isotopically depleted in (13)C relative to the carboxyl carbon. Moreover, isotopic differences (δ(13)C(carboxyl) - δ(13)C(methyl)) had a wide range from -0.3 to 18.2‰, and these values differed among botanical origins, C3, C4, and CAM plants.     

Variation of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen stable isotope ratios in an American diet: fast food meals

The stable isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen provide insights into a heterotrophic organism's diet and geographic origin. Although the contribution of food delta (2)H and delta (18)O to the final tissue signal will not vary for constrained diets, it will for animals eating varied diets, that is, humans. This study surveyed the isotopic range in one portion of the American diet, fast food meals. Hamburger patties, buns, and French fries from national chain restaurants across the United States and from local restaurants (Salt Lake City, UT, and Charleston, SC) were analyzed for delta (2)H, delta (13)C, delta (15)N (patties only) and delta (18)O values. Patties and buns from local Utah restaurants were more depleted for delta (2)H, delta (13)C, and delta (18)O values than samples from other restaurants. There were no significant differences in delta values among French fries. All three components of the fast food meal displayed significant linear delta (2)H versus delta (18)O relationships (delta (2)H = 7.8delta (18)O - 237 per thousand, delta (2)H = 5.9delta (18)O - 258 per thousand, and delta (2)H = 3.3delta (18)O - 231 per thousand for patties, buns, and fries, respectively). The findings show that significant predictable variation exists in the stable isotopic composition of fast food meals. It is proposed that the variation in delta (13)C values of hamburger (beef) patties is indicative of differences in cattle-rearing practices, whereas delta (2)H and delta (18)O values are evidence of geographic variation in food sources. Although the patterns support the concept of a "continental" supermarket diet, there appears to be a strong regional component within the diet.     

Origin of carbohydrate degradation products in L-Alanine/D-[(13)C]glucose model systems

Maillard model systems consisting of labeled D-[(13)C]glucoses and L-[(13)C]alanines have been utilized to identify the origin of carbon atoms in glycolaldehyde, pyruvaldehyde, 1-hydroxy-2-propanone (acetol), 2,3-butanedione, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, 2,3-pentanedione, and compounds containing C(5) and C(6) intact glucose carbon chains. The origin of carbon atoms in glycolaldehyde and pyruvaldehyde was inferred from the analysis of label incorporation pattern of methyl and dimethylpyrazines. The origin of carbon atoms in the remaining compounds was determined by direct analysis. The data indicated that glycolaldehyde incorporated intact C5-C6 and C1-C2 carbon chains of glucose. Acetol and pyruvaldehyde incorporated intact C1-C2-C3 and C4-C5-C6 carbon chains of glucose. On the other hand, 2, 3-butanedione and 3-hydroxy-2-butanone incorporated intact C3-C4-C5-C6 carbon chain of glucose. In addition, analysis of compounds containing intact glucose C(5) carbon chains have indicated that glucose in the presence of L-alanine can lose either C-1 atom to produce a pentitol moiety responsible for the formation of furanmethanol or it can lose the C-6 atom to produce a pentose moiety responsible for the formation of furfural. Plausible mechanisms, consistent with the observed label incorporation, were proposed for the formation of sugar degradation products.     

Impact of alkyl esters of caffeic and ferulic acids on tumor cell proliferation, cyclooxygenase enzyme, and lipid peroxidation

The antioxidant ferulic and caffeic acid phenolics are ubiquitous in plants and abundant in fruits and vegetables. We have synthesized a series of ferulic and caffeic acid esters and tested for tumor cell proliferation, cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and -2) and lipid peroxidation inhibitory activities in vitro. In the tumor cell proliferation assay, some of these esters showed excellent growth inhibition of colon cancer cells. Among the phenolics esters assayed, compounds 10 (C12-caffeate), 11 (C16-caffeate), 21 (C8-ferulate), and 23 (C12-ferulate) showed strong growth inhibition with IC50 values of 16.55, 13.46, 18.67, and 7.57 microg/mL in a breast cancer cell line; 9.65, 7.45, 17.05, and 4.35 microg/ mL in a lung cancer cell line; 5.78, 3.5, 4.29, and 2.46 microg/mL in a colon cancer cell line; 12.04, 12.21, 14.63, and 8.09 microg/ mL in a central nervous system cancer cell line; and 8.62, 7.76, 11.0, and 5.37 in a gastric cancer cell line. In COX enzyme inhibitory assays, ferulic and caffeic acid esters significantly inhibited both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. Caffeates 5-10 (C4-C12), inhibited COX-1 enzyme between 50% and 90% and COX-2 enzyme by about 70%, whereas ferulates 15-21 (C3-C8) inhibited COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes by 85-95% 25 microg/mL. Long-chain caffeates 11-14 (C16-C22) and short-chain ferulates 15-20 (C3-C5) were the most active in lipid peroxidation inhibition and showed 60-70% activity at 5 microg/mL concentration.     

Origin of 2,3-pentanedione and 2,3-butanedione in D-glucose/L-alanine Maillard model systems.

Model studies using independently labeled D-[(13)C]glucoses and L-[(13)C]alanines have indicated that 2,3-butanedione is formed by a single pathway involving only glucose carbon atoms, whereas 2, 3-pentanedione is formed by two pathways, one involving glucose carbon atoms (10%) and the other (90%) through the participation of C2'-C3' atoms of L-alanine and a C(3) carbon unit from D-glucose. Analysis of label incorporation into selected mass spectral fragments of 2,3-pentanedione have indicated that the C(3) carbon unit originates either from C1-C2-C3 or from C4-C5-C6 fragments of D-glucose. In addition, model studies with pyruvaldehyde and glyceraldehyde have implicated these intermediates as plausible C(3) glucose carbon units capable of producing 2,3-pentanedione upon reaction with L-alanine. The labeling studies have also confirmed a previously identified chemical transformation of alpha-keto aldehydes affected by the amino acid that leads to the addition of the C-2 atom of the amino acid to the aldehydic carbon atom of alpha-keto aldehydes.     

Detection of adulteration in Australian orange juices by stable carbon isotope ratio analysis (SCIRA)

Stable carbon isotope ratio analysis (SCIRA) was used to determine the authenticity of commercial Australian orange juices. Thirty-five samples of Valencia (delta(13)C values from -23.8 to -24.7 ppt) and eight samples of Navel juices (delta(13)C values from -24.1 to -24.5 ppt) of known origin were used to establish a decision level before analysis. No significant seasonal variations in (13)C/(12)C ratio were observed. Variations in combustion temperature in the method were also found to be insignificant.     

GC-FID- and acyl carbon number-based determination of characteristic groupings of complex triglyceride (Benefat S and other) mixtures

Techniques for the gas and liquid chromatographic separation of complex mixtures of triglycerides have evolved over the past two decades, as reviewed in detail by Huang et al. (J. Agric. Food Chem. 1995, 43, 1834-1844; J. Agric. Food Chem. 1997, 45, 1770-1778). A novel method for the quantitative partitioning of complex mixtures of triglycerides into functionally related groups is developed and applied to a low-calorie triglyceride mixture [namely, Benefat S or Salatrim plus mid-chain (C(6,8,10,12)) fatty acids]. The method is based on a nonlinear calibration of retention times (RTs) of a suite of standard triglycerides on their acyl carbon numbers [(ACNs), the sum of all the acyl carbon atoms in a given triglyceride] to estimate all of the intermediate ACNs (from 6 to 66). With the calibrated ACN scale and identifications of some components of a complex mixture's composition, ACN-based partitions were established and a Benefat S-triglyceride chromatogram was partitioned into seven functionally related groups. This method is provisional in the sense that it would typically be employed when the identifications of many components of a complex, homologous series were unknown, yet functionally related groups needed to be quantified. This method has proven to be particularly useful in the intercalibration of research laboratories with production facility laboratories during complex ( approximately 50-90 compounds) and large-scale ( approximately 20 ton) syntheses because of the high reproducibility of the ACN-based partitioning of complex chromatograms. This carbon number and statistically based method can be generally applicable to other complex mixtures of organic compounds and is readily adaptable to laboratory intercalibration efforts.     

Negative priming of native soil organic carbon mineralization by oilseed biochars of contrasting quality

Oilseed‐derived biochar, a by‐product of pyrolysis for biodiesel production, is richer in aliphatic compounds than the commonly studied wood‐derived biochar, affecting both its mineralization in soil and its interaction with native soil organic carbon (nSOC). Here, we investigated the soil C sequestration potential of three different oilseed biochars derived from C₃ plant material: soyabean, castor bean and jatropha cake. The chemical composition of these biochars was determined by elemental analysis (CHN) and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The cumulative CO₂ efflux from 30‐day laboratory incubations of biochar mixed with a sandy soil containing nSOC from C₄ plants was measured as a proxy for mineralization rate. The relative contribution of each source to CO₂ production was calculated based on the ¹³C‐signatures of total CO₂ efflux and the source materials (soil and biochars). Our results showed that: (i) castor bean biochar contained relatively large amounts of aliphatic compounds, resulting in a greater mineralization rate than soyabean and jatropha biochars; (ii) CO₂ efflux from the soil‐biochar mixtures originated mostly from the biochars, suggesting that these biochars contain rapidly decomposable compounds; and (iii) all three oilseed biochars decelerated nSOC mineralization. This negative priming effect appeared to be caused by different factors. We conclude that oilseed biochars have the potential to increase soil C stocks directly and increase soil C sequestration indirectly in the short term through negative priming of nSOC mineralization.     

Carbon dynamics determined by natural C abundance in microcosm experiments with soils from long-term maize and rye monocultures

Understanding carbon dynamics in soil is the key to managing soil organic matter. Our objective was to quantify the carbon dynamics in microcosm experiments with soils from long-term rye and maize monocultures using natural ¹³C abundance. Microcosms with undisturbed soil columns from the surface soil (0-25 cm) and subsoil (25-50 cm) of plots cultivated with rye (C₃-plant) since 1878 and maize (C₄-plant) since 1961 with and without NPK fertilization from the long-term experiment ‘Ewiger Roggen’ in Halle, Germany, were incubated for 230 days at 8 °C and irrigated with 2 mm 10⁻² M CaCl₂ per day. Younger, C₄-derived and older, C₃-derived percentages of soil organic carbon (SOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), microbial biomass (C_mic) and CO₂ from heterothropic respiration were determined by natural ¹³C abundance. The percentage of maize-derived carbon was highest in CO₂ (42-79%), followed by C_mic (23-46%), DOC (5-30%) and SOC (5-14%) in the surface soils and subsoils of the maize plots. The percentage of maize-derived C was higher for the NPK plot than for the unfertilized plot and higher for the surface soils than for the subsoils. Specific production rates of DOC, CO₂-C and C_mic from the maize-derived SOC were 0.06-0.08% for DOC, 1.6-2.6% for CO₂-C and 1.9-2.7% for C_mic, respectively, and specific production rates from rye-derived SOC of the continuous maize plot were 0.03-0.05% for DOC, 0.1-0.2% for CO₂-C and 0.3-0.5% for C_mic. NPK fertilization did not affect the specific production rates. Strong correlations were found between C₄-derived C_mic and C₄-derived SOC, DOC and CO₂-C (r≥0.90), whereas the relationship between C₃-derived C_mic and C₃-derived SOC, DOC and CO₂-C was not as pronounced (r≤0.67). The results stress the different importance of former (older than 40 years) and recent (younger than 40 years) litter C inputs for the formation of different C pools in the soil.     

Temperature, water content and wet-dry cycle effects on DOC production and carbon mineralization in agricultural peat soils

Agricultural peat soils in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, California have been identified as an important source of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and trihalomethane precursors in waters exported for drinking. The objectives of this study were to examine the primary sources of DOC from soil profiles (surface vs. subsurface), factors (temperature, soil water content and wet-dry cycles) controlling DOC production, and the relationship between C mineralization and DOC concentration in cultivated peat soils. Surface and subsurface peat soils were incubated for 60 d under a range of temperature (10, 20, and 30 °C) and soil water contents (0.3-10.0 g-water g-soil⁻¹). Both CO₂-C and DOC were monitored during the incubation period. Results showed that significant amount of DOC was produced only in the surface soil under constantly flooded conditions or flooding/non-flooding cycles. The DOC production was independent of temperature and soil water content under non-flooded condition, although CO₂ evolution was highly correlated with these parameters. Aromatic carbon and hydrophobic acid contents in surface DOC were increased with wetter incubation treatments. In addition, positive linear correlations (r²=0.87) between CO₂-C mineralization rate and DOC concentration were observed in the surface soil, but negative linear correlations (r²=0.70) were observed in the subsurface soil. Results imply that mineralization of soil organic carbon by microbes prevailed in the subsurface soil. A conceptual model using a kinetic approach is proposed to describe the relationships between CO₂-C mineralization rate and DOC concentration in these soils.     

Investigation of the beta-damascenone level in fresh and aged commercial beers

This study investigated the increase of beta-damascenone content during aging in a variety of commercial Belgian beers. Quantities detected in fresh beers were generally low (from 6 ng/g to 25 ng/g). After 5 days at 40 degrees C, the level increased (to as much as 210 ng/g) in most of the beers studied, according to the type of beer. Further experiments showed that wort initially contains large quantities of beta-damascenone (450 ng/g), but that degradation of the compound during fermentation accounts for the low concentrations observed in fresh beers. Production during beer aging can be partially explained by acid hydrolysis of glycosides.     

土壤胡敏酸的温和水解及分组研究 Ⅱ.胡敏酸水解产物中的醇类化合物

采用温和水解及薄层层析等分组方法 ,并应用气—质联机技术对土壤胡敏酸 (HA)水解产物中的醇类化合物进行了初步研究。结果表明 :HA水解产物中醇类含量顺序是饱和醇 >甾醇 >非饱和线性醇。饱和醇中主要是C12～ 3 0 中的偶数碳和C15,非饱和线性醇主要是C2 0 -1π、C2 0 -2π和C19-4π。C3 和C4植物条件下形成的HA有一定的差异 ,C3 -HA含有较多的非饱和醇 ,而C4-HA含有更多的饱和醇特别是C12 和C2 6。