Changes in esculeoside A content in different regions of the tomato fruit during maturation and heat processing

We previously demonstrated that esculeogenin A, a new aglycone of the tomato sapogenol esculeoside A, inhibits both acyl coenzyme A:cholesterol acyl-transferase (ACAT)-1 and -2 and ameliorates the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in apoE deficient mice. Although we believe that daily intake of esculeoside A from tomato products can play a beneficial role in preventing the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, the compound is not being used for preventive medicine due to the lack of information on methods for quantitative analysis and the content and stability of the compound in tomato products. In the present study, we report the development of a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method using an instrument equipped with a refractive index (RI) detector for esculeoside A quantification. We used this method to measure the changes in esculeoside A content during maturation, its distribution in the fruit body, and its stability during the heating process. The contents of esculeoside A in cherry tomatoes and Momotaro tomatoes were 21- and 9-fold, respectively, higher than that of lycopene, which is the most well-known compound in tomatoes. Furthermore, the esculeoside A content in pericarp wall was higher than in the whole tomato fruit and increased in a time-dependent manner during maturation. Although the melting point of purified esculeoside A was 225 °C, the esculeoside A in crude tomato extract decreased in a temperature-dependent manner. Degradation due to the heating process was inhibited under a pH of 9. These results demonstrated that the esculeoside A content differs in the various types of tomatoes, during maturation, and during the heating process used for preservation.     

Dehydrotomatine and alpha-tomatine content in tomato fruits and vegetative plant tissues

Tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum) synthesize the glycoalkaloids dehydrotomatine and alpha-tomatine, possibly as a defense against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and insects. We used a high-performance liquid chromatography method with UV detection at 208 nm for the analysis of these compounds in various tissues. An Inertsil ODS-2 column with a mobile phase of acetonitrile/20 mM KH2PO4 (24/76, v/v) afforded good separation of the two glycoalkaloids in mini-tomato extracts, fruit harvested at different stages of maturity, and calyxes, flowers, leaves, roots, and stems. The two peaks appeared at approximately 17 and approximately 21 min. Recoveries from tomato fruit extracts spiked with dehydrotomatine and alpha-tomatine were 87.7 +/- 6.8 and 89.8 +/- 3.4% (n = 5), respectively. The detection limit is estimated to be 0.39 microg for dehydrotomatine and 0.94 microg for alpha-tomatine. The dehydrotomatine and alpha-tomatine content of tomatoes varied from 42 to 1498 and 521 to 16 285 microg/g of fresh weight, respectively. The ratio of alpha-tomatine to dehydrotomatine ranged from 10.9 to 12.5 in tomatoes and from 2.3 to 7.8 in the other plant tissues. These results suggest that the biosynthesis of the glycoalkaloids is under separate genetic control in each plant part. Degradation of both glycoalkaloids occurred at approximately the same rate during maturation of the tomatoes on the vine. An Inertsil NH2 column, with acetonitrile/1 mM KH2PO4 (96/4, v/v) as the eluent, enabled the fractionation of commercial tomatidine into tomatidenol and tomatidine, the aglycons of dehydrotomatine and alpha-tomatine, respectively. The information should be useful for evaluating tomatoes and vegetative tissues for dehydrotomatine/alpha-tomatine content during fruit development and their respective roles in host-plant resistance and the diet.     

Tomatidine, a tomato sapogenol, ameliorates hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in apoE-deficient mice by inhibiting acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyl-transferase (ACAT)

It was previously revealed that esculeoside A, a new glycoalkaloid, and esculeogenin A, a new aglycon of esculeoside A, contained in ripe tomato ameliorate atherosclerosis in apoE-deficent mice. This study examined whether tomatidine, the aglycone of tomatine, which is a major tomato glycoalkaloid, also shows similar inhibitory effects on cholesterol ester (CE) accumulation in human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDM) and atherogenesis in apoE-deficient mice. Tomatidine significantly inhibited the CE accumulation induced by acetylated LDL in HMDM in a dose-dependent manner. Tomatidine also inhibited CE formation in Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyl-transferase (ACAT)-1 or ACAT-2, suggesting that tomatidine suppresses both ACAT-1 and ACAT-2 activities. Furthermore, the oral administration of tomatidine to apoE-deficient mice significantly reduced levels of serum cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and areas of atherosclerotic lesions. The study provides the first evidence that tomatidine significantly suppresses the activity of ACAT and leads to reduction of atherogenesis.     

Determination of acetamiprid,imidacloprid, and nitenpyram residues in vegetables and fruits by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection

Determination of 3 neonicotinoid insecticides, nitenpyram, imidacloprid, and acetamiprid, was studied. Vegetables and fruits were extracted with acetonitrile. The crude extract was passed through a weak anion-exchange cartridge (PSA). The effluent was subjected to silica gel cartridge. Imidacloprid and acetamiprid were eluted with 10 mL of 4:6 (v/v) acetone/hexane, followed by nitenpyram with acetone (20 mL). Pesticides were determined by HPLC with a C-18 column and diode-array detection system. Imidacloprid and acetamiprid were recovered at about 90% at the spike levels with 0.2 and 2 mg/kg in cucumber, potato, tomato, eggplant, Japanese radish, and grape. Nitenpyram was recovered at 64-80%. Relative standard deviations were less than 10% throughout all the recovery tests. In the residue analysis, agriculturally incurred pesticides at 0.08-0.14 mg/kg were designated with UV spectra compared with respective reference standards.     

Flavonoid (myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, and apigenin) content of edible tropical plants.

Studies were conducted on the flavonoids (myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, and apigenin) contents of 62 edible tropical plants. The highest total flavonoids content was in onion leaves (1497.5 mg/kg quercetin, 391.0 mg/kg luteolin, and 832.0 mg/kg kaempferol), followed by Semambu leaves (2041.0 mg/kg), bird chili (1663.0 mg/kg), black tea (1491.0 mg/kg), papaya shoots (1264.0 mg/kg), and guava (1128.5 mg/kg). The major flavonoid in these plant extracts is quercetin, followed by myricetin and kaempferol. Luteolin could be detected only in broccoli (74.5 mg/kg dry weight), green chili (33.0 mg/kg), bird chili (1035.0 mg/kg), onion leaves (391.0 mg/kg), belimbi fruit (202.0 mg/kg), belimbi leaves (464.5 mg/kg), French bean (11.0 mg/kg), carrot (37.5 mg/kg), white radish (9.0 mg/kg), local celery (80.5 mg/kg), limau purut leaves (30.5 mg/kg), and dried asam gelugur (107.5 mg/kg). Apigenin was found only in Chinese cabbage (187.0 mg/kg), bell pepper (272.0 mg/kg), garlic (217.0 mg/kg), belimbi fruit (458.0 mg/kg), French peas (176.0 mg/kg), snake gourd (42.4 mg/kg), guava (579.0 mg/kg), wolfberry leaves (547.0 mg/kg), local celery (338.5 mg/kg), daun turi (39.5 mg/kg), and kadok (34.5 mg/kg). In vegetables, quercetin glycosides predominate, but glycosides of kaempferol, luteolin, and apigenin are also present. Fruits contain almost exclusively quercetin glycosides, whereas kaempferol and myricetin glycosides are found only in trace quantities.     

Glycoalkaloids and metabolites inhibit the growth of human colon (HT29) and liver (HepG2) cancer cells

As part of an effort to improve plant-derived foods such as potatoes, eggplants, and tomatoes, the antiproliferative activities against human colon (HT29) and liver (HepG2) cancer cells of a series of structurally related individual compounds were examined using a microculture tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The objective was to assess the roles of the carbohydrate side chain and aglycon part of Solanum glycosides in influencing inhibitory activities of these compounds. Evaluations were carried out with four concentrations each (0.1, 1, 10, and 100 microg/mL) of the the potato trisaccharide glycoalkaloids alpha-chaconine and alpha-solanine; the disaccharides beta(1)-chaconine, beta(2)-chaconine, and beta(2)-solanine; the monosaccharide gamma-chaconine and their common aglycon solanidine; the tetrasaccharide potato glycoalkaloid dehydrocommersonine; the potato aglycon demissidine; the tetrasaccharide tomato glycoalkaloid alpha-tomatine, the trisaccharide beta(1)-tomatine, the disaccharide gamma-tomatine, the monosaccharide delta-tomatine, and their common aglycon tomatidine; the eggplant glycoalkaloids solamargine and solasonine and their common aglycon solasodine; and the nonsteroidal alkaloid jervine. All compounds were active in the assay, with the glycoalkaloids being the most active and the hydrolysis products less so. The effectiveness against the liver cells was greater than against the colon cells. Potencies of alpha-tomatine and alpha-chaconine at a concentration of 1 microg/mL against the liver carcinoma cells were higher than those observed with the anticancer drugs doxorubicin and camptothecin. Because alpha-chaconine, alpha-solanine, and alpha-tomatine also inhibited normal human liver HeLa (Chang) cells, safety considerations should guide the use of these compounds as preventative or therapeutic treatments against carcinomas.     

Flavonols and anthocyanins of bush butter, Dacryodes edulis (G. Don) H.J. Lam, fruit. changes in their composition during ripening

Dacryodes edulis is a multipurpose tree presently undergoing domestication in central Africa and the countries bordering the Gulf of Guinea, the fruits of which are a good source of essential fatty acids. Polyphenols were characterized in the skin zone and in the pulp of bush butter [Dacryodes edulis (G. Don) H.J. Lam] fruits at different stages of ripeness, from unripe to soft fruits. Total polyphenols, assayed according to the Folin-Ciocalteu method, accounted for 3.0-4.2 mg/g of fresh skin, corresponding to 18.6-21.6 mg/g of defatted dry skin, higher concentrations than in the pulp, with 1.1-1.4 mg/g of fresh weight, corresponding to 5.4-12.3 mg/g of defatted dry weight. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography revealed the presence of flavonols and anthocyanins. Flavonols appeared to be the main class, with quercitrin as the main individual compound, and the highest concentrations occurred in the skin zone. Hyperin, isoquercitrin, isorhamnetin rhamnoside, and isorhamnetin hexoside were also present in relatively high amounts. Petunidin, cyanidin, and peonidin hexosides were identified by mass spectrometry. In the course of ripening, the total polyphenols as well as the major flavonols increased slightly between unripe and preripe stages and then declined gradually as ripening progressed. Anthocyanin profiles also showed a substantial change during ripening, concomitant with the color change from pink to purple.     

Analysis by hplc of ryanodine and dehydroryanodine residues on fruits and in ryania powdery wood.

A simple and rapid HPLC method to evaluate residues of the major ryanoids (ryanodine and dehydroryanodine) on three fruits (olives, apples, and pears) has been developed. The pesticides were extracted from the fruits with hexane and acetone solution (1:1, v/v). Cleanup was carried out with aminopropyl-bonded silica cartridges. This method is characterized by recovery >75%, precision <11% RSD, and sensitivity of 0.020 mg/kg. The method can also be used to determine the level of active ingredients in ryania powdery wood.     

AE—Automation and Emerging Technologies: Multi-spectral Prediction of Unripe Tomatoes

The consumer at the retail outlet rejects tomatoes harvested before reaching physiological ripeness, as the produce does not ripen properly. Although many packing houses have inserted vision systems for tomato sorting and sizing, it is impossible to distinguish between fruits that will ripen and fruits that will not at the harvest day, as all the fruits are green. A tomato maturity predictive sensor was developed to be used at packing houses for detecting unripe tomatoes that will never turn red. Spectral and colour measurements were taken from green-mature tomatoes just after harvest. Colour was measured daily and used as an index for classifying first-day spectral data into ripe or unripe. The groups were analysed by discriminant analysis in order to obtain the best discriminant wavelengths. Those spectral bands were used by a multi-spectral imager for predicting those tomatoes that will never ripen with an accuracy of over 85%.     

减施磷肥提高设施番茄氮磷钾生理效率并减少土壤速效磷累积

【目的】设施蔬菜生产中过量施肥现象普遍存在,本研究针对设施番茄磷肥过量施用问题,定位研究减施磷肥对番茄产量、干物质量、养分吸收、分配及土壤速效磷状况的影响,旨在为设施栽培磷肥减量提供科学依据。【方法】以习惯施肥为对照 (CK),2015年设磷肥减量50% (P1)、磷肥减量70% (P2) 2个减磷处理,2016年增设不施磷 (P0) 处理,共3个减磷处理。2016年在膨果期、盛果期采集植株样品,测定根、茎、叶、果干重,及各器官氮、磷、钾养分含量;在定植前、盛果期和拉秧期采集0—60 cm土层土壤样品,测定土壤速效磷含量。【结果】在基础速效磷含量较高 (约220 mg/kg) 的土壤,连续两年减磷70%或一年不施磷肥不影响番茄产量,2015年和2016年番茄产量分别为53.9～55.1 t/hm2和50.2～52.7 t/hm2。各减磷施肥处理与CK相比,均显著提高盛果期果实干物质量和N、P、K养分分配率,降低叶片干物质量、干物质分配率和N、P、K养分分配率。膨果期番茄植株62.8%～65.7%干物质分配于叶片,植株氮、磷、钾携出量分别为83.2～89.9 kg/hm2、10.3～11.1 kg/hm2、75.0～85.9 kg/hm2,此时番茄叶片和茎杆是养分的主要累积部位,茎叶氮、磷、钾分配率之和分别为84.4%～86.4%、79.4%～83.4%、76.9%～82.3%,番茄氮、磷、钾吸收比例为1∶0.12∶0.84～0.96。盛果期43.0%～44.6%和37.0%～44.6%的干物质分配于果实和叶片,此时番茄果实和叶片为养分主要累积部位,果实和叶片氮、磷、钾分配率之和分别为84.6%～86.7%、78.5%～82.7%、81.4%～83.9%,植株氮、磷、钾携出量分别为197～226 kg/hm2、33～37 kg/hm2、200～247 kg/hm2。CK处理番茄叶片、果实全钾含量及钾吸收量显著高于减磷处理,可见减施磷肥可降低番茄对钾素的奢侈吸收。经过两年的减磷处理,表层土壤速效磷累积量显著降低,但各处理土壤剖面出现磷素向下迁移,膨果期0—20 cm土层土壤速效磷含量较种植前减少27.0～60.9 mg/kg,20—60 cm土壤速效磷增量在11.8～50.1 mg/kg,减磷处理显著降低20—60 cm土壤速效磷增加量。【结论】在基础磷素含量较高的土壤上,较农民习惯施磷连续两年减少70%的磷肥用量没有影响番茄产量,降低番茄对钾素的奢侈吸收,减缓土壤速效磷累积。两年连续减施磷肥的土壤速效磷含量仍处于较高水平,可见该研究区域设施蔬菜生产减磷潜力仍较大。     

Norsesquiterpene glycosides in bracken ferns (Pteridium esculentum and Pteridium aquilinum subsp. wightianum) from Eastern Australia: reassessed poisoning risk to animals

Austral bracken Pteridium esculentum contains three unstable norsesquiterpene glycosides: ptaquiloside, ptesculentoside, and caudatoside, in variable proportions. The concentration of each of the glycosides was determined in this study as their respective degradation products, pterosin B, pterosin G and pterosin A, by HPLC-UV analysis. Samples of P. esculentum collected from six sites in eastern Australia contained up to 17 mg of total glycoside/g DW, with both ptaquiloside and ptesculentoside present as major components accompanied by smaller amounts of caudatoside. Ratios of ptaquiloside to ptesculentoside varied from 1:3 to 4:3, but in all Australian samples ptesculentoside was a significant component. This profile differed substantially from that of P. esculentum from New Zealand, which contained only small amounts of both ptesculentoside and caudatoside, with ptaquiloside as the dominant component. A similar profile with ptaquiloside as the dominant glycoside was obtained for Pteridium aquilinum subsp. wightianum (previously P. revolutum ) from northern Queensland and also P. aquilinum from European sources. Ptesculentoside has chemical reactivity similar to that of ptaquiloside and presumably biological activity similar to that of this potent carcinogen. The presence of this additional reactive glycoside in Australian P. esculentum implies greater toxicity for consuming animals than previously estimated from ptaquiloside content alone.     

Isolation and identification of steroidal saponins in Taiwanese yam cultivar (Dioscorea pseudojaponica Yamamoto)

A new furostanol pentaoligoside and spirostanol tetraoligoside were isolated for the first time from yam tubers (Dioscorea pseudojaponica Yamamoto) from Taiwan, together with four known yam saponins, methyl protodioscin, methyl protogracillin, dioscin, and gracillin. Their structures were characterized as 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-22alpha-methoxyl-(25R)-furost-5-en-3beta,26-diol, 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-([alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)])-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and (25R)-spirost-5-en-3beta-ol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-([alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)])-beta-D-glucopyranoside. The structural identification was performed using LC-MS and 1H and 13C NMR. The methanol extract of yam tubers was fractionated by XAD-2 column chromatography using a methanol/water gradient elution system to yield furostanol and spirostanol glycoside fractions. Preparative high-performance liquid chromatography, employing a C18 column and a mobile phase of methanol/water (69:31, v/v), was used to separate each furostanol glycoside, whereas a mobile phase of methanol/water (79:21, v/v) was used to resolve the individual spirostanol glycosides. The conversions from steroid saponins to diosgenin after acid hydrolysis were around 68 and 90% for furostanol and spirostanol glycosides, respectively.     

番茄果实采后贮藏过程中的颜色动力学模型及其应用

研究了番茄采后成熟过程中果皮颜色的变化规律，发现色泽角（H°）、色泽比（a/b）和明度等主要颜色参数的变化均符合一级动力学模型，并由实验确定了各颜色模型的动力学参数：参考变化速率常数（K_ref）和反应活化能（E_α）。在此基础上，设计了一个色泽角-时温预测器，能够预测和监控果实采后贮藏的品质变化。     

番茄对酸性黄壤中铅的吸收特性与富集效果

通过盆栽试验,研究番茄对酸性黄壤中铅(Pb)的吸收和积累效应。试验结果表明,当土壤中加入不同比例的铅时(0～200mg/kg),基本没有观察到铅对番茄的毒害病症,铅对作物的生长发育没有明显的影响;但番茄具有强烈吸收土壤中铅的特性,并在番茄体内积累。随土壤中铅添加量的提高,番茄铅吸收量增加,其中根系的吸收最强,明显高于叶、茎和果实,特别是当土壤中铅添加量较高时,差异更为显著。在土壤铅浓度较低时,番茄对土壤铅的富集率较高(4.38%),当酸性黄壤中铅的浓度大于50mg/kg时,可引起番茄中铅含量超标。     

超表达亚硫酸氧化酶基因对促进番茄果实亚硫酸盐氧化的研究

本研究以亚硫酸氧化酶基因（SO）超表达系（OE）、干扰系（Ri）及野生型（WT）的绿熟番茄果实为材料,经SO2熏蒸后,12℃低温贮藏,研究亚硫酸氧化酶基因的超表达,对番茄贮藏期间相对电导率、亚硫酸盐含量、番茄红素含量及成熟度的变化。结果表明,经SO2熏蒸后,Ri果实较WT果实表现为相对电导率增加,亚硫酸盐残留较多,番茄...     

Effects of Sodium and Potassium Application on Water Content and Yield of Tomato in Southwestern Nigeria

The effects of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) application on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum (L.) Mill) were studied in soil culture. The study was a 4 × 4 factorial, arranged into a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated four times. Sodium was applied at 0, 5, 10, and 20 mg Na/kg soil as NaCl and K as KCl at 0, 20, 40, and 80 mg K/kg soil. Records of dry matter yields, water content, mineral nutrient, and number of fruits were taken. The application of 10 to 20 mg Na/kg soil and 80 mg K/kg soil depressed the water contents and the fruit yield. The application of 5 mg Na/kg soil and 40 mg K/kg soil produced the highest number of fruits, indicating a Na and K ratio of 1:8. A Na: K ratio of 0.45 up to 0.60 and 1.44 up to 1.80 for shoot and root, respectively, maintained good shoot water balance, resulted in lower floral abortion, and markedly enhanced the fruit yield. A complimentary relationship between Na and K was observed at Na: K ratios between 1:4 and 1:8.     

京郊保护地番茄氮磷钾肥料效应及其吸收分配规律研究

在保护地条件下 ,研究了不同肥力条件下番茄施用氮磷钾肥料的增产效果及其养分吸收分配规律。结果表明 ,在施农家肥 36t/hm2基础上 ,施N 187.5kg ,可获得最高产量 ,但随施氮量增加 ,产量下降 ;土壤有效P含量超过 100mg/kg ,磷肥基本无效 ,且随施磷量增加 ,产量有降低趋势 ;土壤有效K含量达 216mg/kg时 ,施钾肥仍可增产 8.2%。保护地番茄干物质累积主要在盛果期 ,根、叶、茎、果的平均干重 ,分别占总干物重的 2.11%、23.6%、28.24%、45.98%。番茄植株中N、P、K养分含量特点是 ,茎和果实中K的含量超过了N、P含量 ,也超过了根和叶中K含量 ;而叶中N含量高于根、茎和果实。保护地番茄采用露地栽培技术 ,留 3穗果后打顶 ,产量水平在 67388～ 80960kg/hm2 时 ,N的吸收量为 177～ 238kg/hm2、P2O5的吸收量为 79～97kg/hm2、K2O吸收量为 212～ 309kg/hm2,氮磷钾的比例为 :1∶0.41～0.45∶1.21～1.30 ,与露地番茄的养分吸收量相近     

Determination of acequinocyl and hydroxyacequinocyl on fruits and vegetables by HPLC-DAD

A method for determining residues of the new reduced-risk pesticide acequinocyl and its deacetylated derivative hydroxyacequinocyl on fruits and vegetables (grapes, lemons, pears, and tomatoes) by HPLC is described. The pesticides were extracted from the fruits and vegetables with hexane and ethyl acetate solution (1:1, v/v), determined by HPLC-DAD at 250 nm and confirmed by LC/MS. No cleanup was necessary. This method is characterized by recoveries (0.01-4 mg/kg) > 77%, while the coefficient of variation was determined to be less than 11%. The limit of quantitation for both acequinocyl and hydroxyacequinocyl was 0.01 mg/kg for all matrixes.     

Characterization of antioxidants and change of antioxidant levels during storage of Manilkara zapota L

Antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables play an important role via their protective effects against the onset of aging-related chronic diseases. Our previous research has indicated that unripe ciku fruits (Manilkara zapota L.) are an excellent source of antioxidants, with over 3000 mg of L-ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity (AEAC) per 100 g of fresh sample. In this study, 24 antioxidants in an extract of ciku king were characterized through a free radical spiking test. Their chemical structures were proposed using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) and tandem MS (HPLC/MSn). The antioxidant capacity of ciku king fruits was mainly attributed to polyphenolics with basic blocks of gallocatechin or catechin or both. The changes of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total phenolics content (TPC) of ciku king fruits with storage time were also investigated. It was found that the TAC and TPC decreased significantly as the fruits gradually changed from the unripe to the overripe stage. The best time for one to consume ciku king fruits at a flavorful stage with high amounts of antioxidants with AEAC values ranging from 600 to 1200 mg per 100 g fresh sample is suggested. The change of the content of major antioxidant peaks was also consistent with changes of antioxidant levels during storage.