Isolation and characterization of the lignans, isolariciresinol and pinoresinol, in flaxseed meal.

The isolation and characterization of the lignans, isolariciresinol, pinoresinol, secoisolariciresinol, and matairesinol, potent phytoestrogens, from flaxseed meal are described. This is the first report of isolariciresinol and pinoresinol being detected in a food. The extraction method selected combined the removal of the lignan glycosides from the plant matrix with an alcoholic solvent system, followed by acid hydrolysis to release the aglycons. A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection system was used for initial separation and detection of the lignans at 280 nm in the acid-hydrolyzed methanolic extract. Lignan trimethylsilyl ether derivatives were characterized by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Secoisolariciresinol is the major lignan in flaxseed; isolariciresinol, pinoresinol, and matairesinol were identified as minor lignan components.     

Identification and quantification of cyclolinopeptides in five flaxseed cultivars

Cyclolinopeptides are a group of naturally occurring hydrophobic cyclic peptides found in flaxseed and flax oil that have immunosuppressive activity. This study describes the measurement of flaxseed cyclolinopeptide concentrations using an internal standard HPLC method. In addition, the concentration of cyclolinopeptides in the seed of Canadian flax cultivars grown at two locations over two years is reported. The data are consistent with the formation of flaxseed cyclolinopeptides from two ribosome-derived precursors. Each precursor protein includes the sequences corresponding to three cyclolinopeptides from which those cyclolinopeptides are presumably derived by precursor processing. The concentrations of cyclolinopeptides C and E, which are encoded by the same gene sequence, are highly correlated, and the concentrations of cyclolinopeptides D, F, and G, which are encoded by a second gene sequence, are also highly correlated. The strong correlation between the cyclolinopeptides arising from the same gene may prove to be important in understanding how peptide concentration is controlled. Additional research may lead to approaches to improve flax either as a platform for peptide production or as a source of oil with improved drying properties and flavor.     

南瓜籽多糖热水提取工艺优化及其抗氧化活性

为开发利用南瓜籽中多糖资源,基于前期水提醇沉制得南瓜籽多糖的研究基础上,该文进一步探讨了热水浸提法提取南瓜籽多糖工艺参数并对其结构进行了初步分析。结果表明:南瓜籽多糖的最佳提取条件为提取温度60℃、提取时间2.5 h、液料比40:1 m L/g,此条件下多糖得率的预测值为2.25%,实际验证值为2.18%。初步分析南瓜籽多糖由鼠李糖、阿拉伯糖、木糖、甘露糖、葡萄糖和半乳糖6种单糖组成,摩尔比为0.52∶0.88∶0.73∶0.14∶1.00∶1.12,不含糖醛酸,为中性杂多糖。体外抗氧化活性试验表明,南瓜籽多糖对DPPH·、·OH和O2-·3种自由基均具有一定的清除效果,多糖质量浓度为1.0 mg/m L时,清除率分别达到21.3%±0.14%、57.14%±0.28%和40.50%±0.64%。研究结果为后续南瓜籽多糖纯品制备、结构表征提供了基础,为提高南瓜籽相关保健品附加值提供了一定理论依据。     

亚麻籽分离蛋白结构表征及其性能分析

为实现亚麻籽饼粕中分离蛋白的综合加工利用,该文以冷榨亚麻籽饼粕为原料,对其进行脱胶脱脂处理,采用超声辅助水提法分别提取亚麻籽分离蛋白和脱胶脱脂亚麻籽分离蛋白,并对理化性质、结构及功能特性进行分析比较。结果表明,冷榨亚麻籽饼粕和脱胶脱脂亚麻籽饼粕中蛋白质质量分数分别为37.52%±0.04%、37.47%±0.02%。采用十二烷基硫酸钠-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳测定亚麻籽分离蛋白和脱胶脱脂亚麻籽分离蛋白的分子质量,显示10～55 kDa之间有明显谱带,其中水溶性低分子质量的白蛋白（10、14、15及17 kDa）和盐溶性高分子质量的球蛋白（30、33、35、40、45及55 kDa）谱带最为明显。氨基酸的种类各检测到17种,含有丰富的必需氨基酸和非必需氨基酸。傅里叶变换红外光谱测定的2种蛋白质的二级结构稳定性一般;由扫描电镜和X-射线衍射可知亚麻籽分离蛋白比脱胶脱脂亚麻籽分离蛋白的微观孔隙率低,结构中都较缺乏结晶度或有序排列。2种蛋白的两亲性与大豆分离蛋白相比,亲水/油特性突出,亲油性是大豆分离蛋白的2倍多。通过对不同pH（2～11）和盐离子浓度（0～1.25 mol/L）下溶解度、起泡性、泡沫稳定性、乳化活性及乳化稳定性的测定,显示两者具有良好的碱溶性,脱胶脱脂亚麻籽分离蛋白的起泡性、乳化活性及乳化稳定性均优于亚麻籽分离蛋白,而泡沫稳定性恰好相反,该研究结果有利于拓宽2种分离蛋白在健康食品领域中的应用前景,为食品中的应用提供有益参考和数据支撑。     

Sesamolinol glucoside, disaminyl ether, and other lignans from sesame seeds

The application of a procedure based on XAD-4 adsorption resin permitted the obtainment of an enriched polyphenolic extract from Sesamum indicum seeds. Chemical analysis of the obtained extract led to the identification of 12 lignans. Among them, 2 lignans, (+)-sesamolinol-4'-O-β-D-glucoside and disaminyl ether, are reported for the first time as natural compounds. Their structure has been determined by spectroscopic methods, mainly by the application of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques [heteronuclear multiple-quantum coherence (HMQC), heteronuclear multiple-bond correlation (HMBC), and nuclear Overhauser effect spectrometry (NOESY)] and mass spectroscopy. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their antimutagenic activity. Among the tested lignans, the most active lignan was found to be sesamolin, followed by sesamolinol and samin, against H(2)O(2). Additionally, some of the tested lignans showed desmutagenic activity against benzo[a]pyrene (BaP).     

Nondestructive determination of lignans and lignan glycosides in sesame seeds by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) contains abundant lignans including lipid-soluble lignans (sesamin and sesamolin) and water-soluble lignan glycosides (sesaminol triglucoside and sesaminol diglucoside) related to antioxidative activity. In this study, near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to develop a rapid and nondestructive method for the determination of lignan contents on intact sesame seeds. Ninety-three intact seeds were scanned in the reflectance mode of a scanning monochromator. This scanning procedure did not require the pulverization of samples, allowing each analysis to be completed within minutes. Reference values for lignan contents were obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Calibration equations for lignans (sesamin and sesamolin) and lignan glycosides (sesaminol triglucoside and sesaminol diglucoside) contents were developed using modified partial least squares regression with internal cross-validation (n = 63). The equations obtained had low standard errors of cross-validation and moderate R2 (coefficient of determination in calibration). The prediction of an external validation set (n = 30) showed significant correlation between reference values and NIRS predicted values based on the SEP (standard error of prediction), bias, and r2 (coefficient of determination in prediction). The models developed in this study had relatively higher values (more than 2.0) of SD/SEP(C) for all lignans and lignan glycosides except for sesaminol diglucoside, which had a minor amount, indicating good correlation between the reference and the NIRS estimate. The results showed that NIRS, a nondestructive screening method, could be used to rapidly determine lignan and lignan glycoside contents in the breeding programs for high quality sesame.     

Identification of methanol-soluble compounds in sesame and evaluation of antioxidant potential of its lignans

The methanol extract of sesame (Sesamum indicum) seeds was fractionated and purified with the assistance of conventional column chromatography to afford 29 compounds including seven furofuran lignans. Among these isolates, (+)-samin (1) was obtained from the natural source for the first time. In addition, (-)-asarinin (30) and sesamol (31) were generated by oxidative derivation from (+)-sesamolin (2) and (+)-sesamin (3), two abundant lignans found in sesame seeds. To evaluate their in vitro antioxidant potential, the seven isolated lignans (1-7) and the two derivatives (30 and 31) were examined for the scavenging activities on DPPH free radicals and superoxide anions. Moreover, the capability of chelating ferrous ions and reducing power of these sesame lignans were also measured. The results suggest that, besides the well-known sesamolin and sesamin, the minor sesame lignans (+)-(7S,8'R,8R)-acuminatolide (5), (-)-piperitol (6), and (+)-pinoresinol (7) are also adequate active ingredients and may be potential sources for nutritional and pharmacological utilization.     

The use of machine learning methods in classification of pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo L.)

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Pumpkin seeds are frequently consumed as confection worldwide because of their adequate amount of protein, fat, carbohydrate, and mineral contents. This study...     

Analysis of gamma-irradiated melon, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Seeds of melon (Citrullus lanatus var. sp.), pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata), and sunflower (Heliantus annus) were gamma-irradiated at 1, 3, 5, and 10 kGy and analyzed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) according to EN1787:2000 and EN1785:2003, respectively. Distinguishable triplet signals due to the presence of induced cellulose radicals were found at 2.0010-2.0047 g in the EPR spectra. The gamma-irradiated radiolytic markers of 2-dodecylcyclobutanone (2-DCB) and 2-tetradecylcyclobutanone (2-TCB) were identified in all irradiated seed samples. Both the free radicals and the alkylcyclobutanones were found to increase with irradiation dose. In general, linear relationships between the amount of radicals and irradiation dosage could be established. Studies at an ambient temperature (20-25 degrees C) in a humidity-controlled environment showed a complete disappearance of the cellulosic peaks for irradiated samples upon 60 days of storage. Such instability behavior was considered to render the usefulness of using EPR alone in the determination of irradiated seed samples. On the other hand, 2-DCB and 2-TCB were also found to decompose rapidly (>85% loss after 120 days of storage), but the radiolytic markers remained quantifiable after 120 days of postirradiation storage. These results suggest that GC-MS is a versatile and complimentary technique for the confirmation of irradiation treatment to seeds.     

Isolation and characterization of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxing compounds from grape seeds

Previous work has shown that red wines, grape juices, and other grape products cause endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) of blood vessels in vitro by increasing nitric oxide production. In this paper we describe the isolation and characterization of some of the compounds responsible for EDR activity. Concord grape seeds were extracted with methanol and the compounds were separated by Toyopearl TSK HW-40S chromatography. Resulting fractions (primarily phenolic acids, catechins, and proanthocyanidins) were further separated semipreparatively by reversed-phase HPLC, and peaks were collected and bioassayed for EDR activity using the rat aorta preparation. EDR-active compounds were subsequently characterized by HPLC retention times and electrospray-ion-trap mass spectrometry. The compounds exhibiting the most EDR activity were proanthocyanidin trimers, tetramers, pentamers, and polymers and their gallates, as well as a dimer gallate (EC50 values in the range of 0.6-2.5 microg catechin equivalents/mL). These compounds should be useful for in vitro and in vivo studies, particularly as they relate to improvement of cardiovascular function.     

Isolation and characterization of enzymes involved in lysine catabolism from sorghum seeds

Lysine is an essential amino acid synthesized in plants via the aspartic acid pathway. The catabolism of lysine is performed by the action of two consecutive enzymes, lysine 2-oxoglutarate reductase (LOR, EC 1.5.1.8) and saccharopine dehydrogenase (SDH, EC 1.5.1.9). The final soluble lysine concentration in cereal seeds is controlled by both synthesis and catabolism rates. The production and characterization of high-lysine plants species depends on knowledge of the regulatory aspects of lysine metabolism and manipulation of the key enzymes. We have for the first time isolated, partially purified, and characterized LOR and SDH from developing sorghum seeds, which exhibited low levels of activity. LOR and SDH were only located in the endosperm and were very unstable during the isolation and purification procedures. LOR and SDH exhibited some distinct properties when compared to the enzymes isolated from other plant species, including a low salt concentration required to elute the enzymes during anion-exchange chromatography and the presence of multimeric forms with distinct molecular masses.     

水杉种子挥发物质的鉴定及其抗菌活性测定

采用气质联用仪(GC-MS)测定水杉种子挥发油的化学组成,并采用生长速率法测定水杉种子挥发油对梨黑斑病菌(Alternaria kikuchiana)、苹果霉心病菌(A.alternata)、大蒜叶枯病菌(Stemphylium botryosum)、莴苣灰霉病菌(Botrytis cinerea)、小麦赤霉病菌(Fusarium graminearum)、茶轮斑病菌(Pestalotiopsis theae)、构骨炭疽病菌(Colletotrichum sp.)和大葱紫斑病菌(A.porri)8种植物病原真菌生长的影响。结果表明:水杉种子挥发油的主要成分为1R-α-蒎烯(46.355%)、柠檬烯(13.663%)、(1S-内型)-1,7,7-三甲基-二环[2.2.1]庚-2-醇乙酸酯(6.941%)、石竹烯氧化物(6.924%)、β-蒎烯(4.902%)、(1S)-6,6-二甲基-2-亚甲基-二环[3.1.1]庚烷(4.807%)等。水杉种子挥发油对8种植物病原真菌均有一定的抑制作用,其中100μL·培养皿-1剂量对大蒜叶枯病菌、小麦赤霉病菌、茶轮斑病菌的抑菌率在60%以上。本研究表明,水杉种子挥发物质中含有多种活性成分,在医药化工等方面有着广阔的应用前景,在农业上有一定的开发价值。     

Comparative analysis of caffeoylquinic acids and lignans in roots and seeds among various burdock (Arctium lappa) genotypes with high antioxidant activity

Caffeoylquinic acids and lignans in the crude extracts of both roots and seeds from different burdock ( Arctium lappa L.) genotypes were simultaneously characterized and systematically compared by LC-MS and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization quadrupole ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-QIT-TOF MS), and their antioxidant activities were also investigated. A total of 14 lignans were identified in burdock seeds and 12 caffeoylquinic acids in burdock roots. High levels of caffeoylquinic acids were also detected in burdock seeds, but only trace amounts of lignans were found in burdock roots. Burdock seeds contained higher concentrations of lignans and caffeoylquinic acids than burdock roots. Quantitative analysis of caffeoylquinic acids and lignans in roots and seeds of various burdock genotypes was reported for the first time. Great variations in contents of both individual and total phenolic compounds as well as antioxidant activities were found among different genotypes. Burdock as a root vegetable or medicinal plants possessed considerably stronger antioxidant activity than common vegetables and fruits.     

Distribution of cyclolinopeptides in flaxseed fractions and products

Hydrophobic cyclic peptides, termed cyclolinopeptides, found in flaxseed are known for their immunosuppressive activity. This study is the first report of the occurrence of cyclolinopeptides in flaxseed fractions and products produced by aqueous processing and cold pressing. The distribution of cyclolinopeptides in flaxseed was determined after processing of flaxseed by various industrial and laboratory processes. Extracts of the water-soluble mucilage did not contain cyclolinopeptides. The cotyledon had the highest concentration of cyclolinopeptides, whereas seed coat had lower levels. An oil body fraction separated from seed after homogenization in water, followed by centrifugation, had the highest concentration of cyclolinopeptides of the fractions produced by this method. Further washing of the oil body fraction led to a loss of cyclolinopeptides. When oilseed was extruded using an expeller press, cyclolinopeptides were found in greater concentrations in crude oil and the solid sediment present in the oil fraction than in meal or the unprocessed seed. The concentration of cyclolinopeptides in crude flaxseed oil immediately after pressing was much higher than that observed in flaxseed oils purchased from a retail outlet. The effect of oil refining treatments on the removal of cyclolinopeptides was also tested. Acid degumming using aqueous H(3)PO(4) removed cyclolinopeptides from crude flaxseed oil. Alkali refining was less effective as this treatment failed to remove all peptides equally. This work illustrates ways that cyclolinopeptides may be extracted from flaxseed oil that could be developed for large-scale industrial extraction. The ability to extract cyclolinopeptides on a larger scale would allow faster exploitation of commercial applications of these molecules and provide the flaxseed industry with value-added coproducts.     

Purification and characterization of a trypsin inhibitor from Plathymenia foliolosa seeds

A novel trypsin inhibitor (PFTI) was isolated from Plathymenia foliolosa (Benth.) seeds by gel filtration chromatography on a Sephadex G-100, DEAE-Sepharose, and trypsin-Sepharose columns. By SDSPAGE, PFTI yielded a single band with a M(r) of 19 kDa. PFTI inhibited bovine trypsin and bovine chymotrypsin with equilibrium dissociation constants (K(i)) of 4 x 10(-8) and 1.4 x 10(-6) M, respectively. PFTI retained more than 50% of activity at up to 50 degrees C for 30 min, but there were 80 and 100% losses of activity at 60 and 70 degrees C, respectively. DTT affected the activity or stability of PFTI. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of PFTI showed a high degree of homology with various members of the Kunitz family of inhibitors. Anagasta kuehniella is found worldwide; this insect attacks stored grains and products of rice, oat, rye, corn, and wheat. The velvet bean caterpillar (Anticarsia gemmatalis) is considered the main defoliator pest of soybean in Brazil. Diatraea saccharalis, the sugar cane borer, is the major pest of sugar cane crops, and its caterpillar-feeding behavior, inside the stems, hampers control. PFTI showed significant inhibitory activity against trypsin-like proteases present in the larval midguts on A. kuehniella and D. saccharalis and could suppress the growth of larvae.     

黏质物脱除工艺优化及其提高亚麻籽提油率的效果

为了提高水酶法提取亚麻籽油的提油率,该文探究了亚麻籽表面黏质物的存在对水酶法提取亚麻籽油提油率的影响,并对热水浸提法脱除亚麻籽黏质物的工艺进行优化。结果表明,水酶法提取亚麻籽油的提油率随亚麻籽表面黏质物的减少而升高,未脱黏亚麻籽的提油率为69.20%±1.51%,渣相含油量为26.00%±1.24%。经100 ℃浸提脱黏后,黏质物的脱除率为94.69%±1.94%,此时亚麻籽的提油率可达84.26%±0.63%,渣相含油量降低至10.45%±0.89%。对热水浸提脱除黏质物的工艺（浸提温度、浸提时间、体系pH值、料水比以及浸提次数）进行了单因素优化,发现在浸提温度85 ℃、pH值3、料水比1:7 g/mL、浸提2次,每次浸提60 min的条件下,黏质物的脱除效果最好,脱除率为97.88%±0.69%,脱黏后亚麻籽的提油率可达84.47%±0.53%,亚麻籽油和蛋白质的损失率分别为0.70%±0.16%和10.78%±0.41%,且浸提脱黏过程对水酶法提取亚麻籽油的品质（酸值和过氧化值）无显著影响。此外,浸提脱黏过程还可有效去除亚麻籽中的抗营养因子生氰糖苷,使生氰糖苷的含量由浸提前的（242.6±0.8）mg/kg显著降低到浸提后的（7.1±0.6）mg/kg。该研究提供了一种简单高效的热水浸提脱黏工艺,显著提高了后续水酶法提取亚麻籽油的提油率,同时也有利于亚麻籽多糖的回收和亚麻籽粕的进一步利用,为亚麻籽资源的综合利用提供有益参考。     

Identification and quantification of short oligomeric proanthocyanidins and other polyphenols in boysenberry seeds and juice

Proanthocyanidins and other polyphenols in the seeds and juice of boysenberry were quantitatively analyzed. Polyphenolic extracts were prepared from the waste seeds and commercial juice by chromatographic fractionation. Compositional analysis revealed that both extracts contained six polyphenolic classes: flavanol monomers, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, ellagic acid, ellagitannins, and flavonol glycosides. Ellagitannins were the most abundant polyphenols in both extracts. Proanthocyanidins were present as short oligomers consisting of dimeric and trimeric procyanidins and propelargonidins, with the most abundant component being procyanidin B4 in both extracts. Quantification by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) revealed that the seeds contained a 72-fold higher amount of proanthocyanidins than the juice. These results indicate that boysenberry fruits contain short oligomeric proanthocyanidins along with flavanol monomers and the seeds represent a good source of short oligomeric proanthocyanidins.     

Isolation and biochemical characterization of an antifungal peptide from Amaranthus hypochondriacus seeds

An antifungal peptide, Ay-AMP, was isolated from Amaranthus hypochondriacus seeds by acidic extraction and then purified by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. The molecular mass of this peptide, as determined by mass spectrometry, is 3184 Da. The peptide belongs to the superfamily of chitin-binding proteins, containing a single cysteine/glycine-rich chitin-binding domain, and it was found that Ay-AMP degrades chitin. Ay-AMP inhibits the growth, at very low doses, of different pathogenic fungi, such as Candida albicans, Trichoderma sp., Fusarium solani, Penicillium chrysogenum, Geotrichum candidum, Aspergillus candidus, Aspergillus schraceus, and Alternaria alternata. Ay-AMP is very resistant to the effect of proteases and heating; however, it showed an antagonistic effect with CaCl2 and KCl.     

In vitro metabolism of plant lignans: new precursors of mammalian lignans enterolactone and enterodiol.

The metabolism of the plant lignans matairesinol, secoisolariciresinol, pinoresinol, syringaresinol, arctigenin, 7-hydroxymatairesinol, isolariciresinol, and lariciresinol by human fecal microflora was investigated to study their properties as mammalian lignan precursors. The quantitative analyses of lignan precursors and the mammalian lignans enterolactone and enterodiol were performed by HPLC with coulometric electrode array detector. The metabolic products, including mammalian lignans, were characterized as trimethylsilyl derivatives by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Matairesinol, secoisolariciresinol, lariciresinol, and pinoresinol were converted to mammalian lignans only. Several metabolites were isolated and tentatively identified as for syringaresinol and arctigenin in addition to the mammalian lignans. Metabolites of 7-hydroxymatairesinol were characterized as enterolactone and 7-hydroxyenterolactone by comparison with authentic reference compounds. A metabolic scheme describing the conversion of the most abundant new mammalian lignan precursors, pinoresinol and lariciresinol, is presented.