Reduction of tetrazolium salt XTT by aminoreductone formed during the Maillard reaction of lactose

Lactose, a reducing disaccharide abundant in milk, reacts extensively with the amino groups of protein through the Maillard reaction. The Maillard reaction products showed 3'-[1-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-3,4-tetrazolium]bis(4-methoxy-6-nitro)benzensulfonic acid hydrate (XTT) reducibility. The objective of this study was to clarify the Maillard reaction products responsible for the XTT reducibility. When lactose and butylamine were heated at 100 degrees C, the characteristic UV maximum at 320 nm was recognized and the relationship between the XTT reducibility and the compound with absorption maximum at 320 nm was investigated. The time course and the dependence on the heating temperature of the formation of the compound with absorption maximum at 320 nm were similar to those of the XTT reducibility. Their relationship showed a significant correlation (r = 0.967, n = 19). Furthermore, the spectrum change of the heated model solution by the addition of XTT suggested that the compound with absorption maximum at 320 nm would be involved in the reduction of XTT. Because the compound with absorption maximum at 320 nm was identified as an aminoreductone, 1-(butylamino)-1,2-dehydro-1,4-dideoxy-3-hexulose, by NMR analysis, it can be concluded that this was the main XTT-reducing substance.     

Pressure and temperature stability of 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid: a kinetic study

Detailed kinetic studies of [6S] and [6RS] 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid (5-CH3-H4folate) degradation during thermal (from 60 to 90 degrees C) and high pressure/thermal (from 30 to 45 degrees C; from 200 to 700 MPa) treatments were carried out. The results confirmed that the temperature and pressure induced degradation kinetics of [6S] 5-CH3-H4folate were identical (within 95% confidence interval) with those of [6RS] 5-CH3-H4folate. Under equal processing conditions, the estimated degradation rate constants (k), activation energy (E(a)), and activation volume (V(a)) values of [6S] and [6RS] 5-CH3-H4folate were the same (95% confidence interval). The modified thermodynamic model proposed by Nguyen and co-workers (J. Agric. Food Chem. 2003, 51, 3352-3357) to describe the pressure and temperature dependence of the rate constant for folate degradation was reevaluated.     

Distribution of total 14C residue in egg yolk, albumen, and tissues following oral [14C]sulfamethazine administration to hens

The distribution of total 14C residues was studied in egg yolk and albumen after administration of either single or multiple oral dosages of [14C]sulfamethazine (SMZ). One day after a single dose of [14C]SMZ (121 mg of sulfamethazine, 2.42 x 10(7) dpm), the 14C residue concentration peaked in egg albumen and egg yolk with the concentration in the former >4-fold greater than in the latter. Three days postdose, the 14C residue concentration in the yolk was approximately 7-fold higher than in the egg albumen. A multiple dose of [14C]SMZ containing sulfamethazine mass equivalent of an average therapeutic dose (282 mg, 2.9 x 10(7) dpm) for chickens was also administered orally for six consecutive days to hens. A significantly reduced level of egg production was observed during the medication, and most of the hens stopped laying eggs after the last dose. The 14C residue concentrations peaked on the last day (sixth) of medication in egg albumen and yolk. The 14C residue concentrations were also measured in liver, muscle, blood, and plasma of chickens sacrificed at 1, 24, 48, and 72 h after the last dose. Highest concentrations of 14C residue were accumulated in liver followed by, in decreasing order, blood, plasma, and muscle.     

矮壮素对马铃薯中薯3号光合特征和磷素营养的影响

为进一步研究矮壮素调节马铃薯生长发育及其增产的原因,对出苗后24.d和28.d的马铃薯品种"中薯3号"植株分别喷施矮壮素(CCC)0.g/L(A1,对照)、1.5.g/L(A2)2、.0.g/L(A3)、2.5.g/L(A4)各1次,研究CCC对马铃薯中薯3号出苗后不同天数的光合特征和磷素营养的影响。结果表明:A2、A3、A4处理在出苗后36.d(B1)的叶片净光合速率均低于对照,而A2和A3处理的SPAD值高于对照;A3处理在出苗后46.d(B2)、56.d(B3)和66.d(B4)的净光合速率和SPAD值都最高。应用32P示踪技术研究表明,在植株的不同部位[叶(C1)、地上茎(C2)、地下茎(C3)和根(C4)]中,处理组合A3B1C1、A3B1C2、A2B1C3和A3B1C4对32P放射性活度的影响分别与其他相同部位的处理组合有显著差异;在出苗后36.d时,处理A3的根对磷素的吸收量最大,磷素主要运输、分配到地上茎和叶,按各部位相对含量排序,依次为地上茎>叶>根>地下茎。各CCC处理的全株吸磷率随植株的生长而增加,在56.d时全株吸磷率都达到最大值,但在66.d时对磷素的吸收量减少;处理A4、A2和A3在出苗后36.d时的全株吸磷率都高于对照;处理A3的全株吸磷率在出苗后不同天数都高于其他处理。     

Determination of flavonol metabolites in plasma and tissues of rats by HPLC-radiocounting and tandem mass spectrometry following oral ingestion of [2-(14)C]quercetin-4'-glucoside

Epidemiological studies suggest that consumption of flavonol-rich diets decreases the risk of developing heart disease and certain cancers. Recent studies have detected flavonol conjugates in blood and urine following various dietary interventions. To assess to what extent flavonols also accumulate in tissues, where they might be expected to exert anti-carcinogenic and anti-atherogenic effects, [2-(14)C]quercetin-4'-glucoside was synthesized and fed to rats. After 60 min, 93.6% of the ingested radioactivity was recovered from the intestine, incorporated into 18 metabolites that had undergone deglycosylation followed by varying degrees of glucuronidation, methylation, and/or sulfation. [(14)C]Quercetin, the aglycon of the radiolabeled substrate, was present in the intestine and in trace amounts in the liver but was not detected in the plasma and kidneys. The original [2-(14)C]quercetin-4'-glucoside was detected exclusively in the intestine, where it accounted for only 26.2% of the radioactivity. The remainder of the recovered radioactivity was located mainly in the plasma, liver, and kidneys as (14)C-labeled metabolites. However, compared to the quantities in the gastrointestinal tract, the levels of metabolites in plasma and body tissues were very low, indicating only limited absorption into the blood stream. The data demonstrate that quercetin-4'-glucoside, which is a major flavonol in onions, undergoes rapid and extensive metabolism in the intestine, and this appears not to be associated to any extent with transport across the gut wall into the blood stream.     

CO2浓度升高和氮素供应对黄瓜叶片光合色素的影响

本文通过N供应浓度[2(低N),7(中N)和14(高N)mmol/L]和CO_2浓度[400(C1),625(C2),1 200(C4)μmol/mol]处理的水培试验一,以及硝铵比[14/0(N1),13/1(N2),11/3(N3)和8/6(N4)]和CO_2浓度[400(C1),800(C3),1 200(C4)μmol/mol]处理的水培试验二,共同研究黄瓜叶片光合色素对CO_2升高、N供应浓度和形态的响应。研究结果表明:苗期时,低、中和高N下,C4处理使得植物干物质都明显增加;而初果期干物质提高程度下降,植株生长速率降低。中等CO_2浓度(C3)显著增加植物在各硝铵比处理的干物质量,但最高CO_2浓度(C4)有提高N3处理的干物质量的趋势。苗期时,在低N和中N供应时C4处理显著降低叶片叶绿素a、叶绿素b和胡萝卜素含量;但高N时,C3处理提高总色素含量,C4处理提高叶绿素b含量;初果期时CO_2浓度处理对色素含量无显著影响;N2硝铵比处理,中等CO_2浓度(C3)下叶片的3种色素含量最高。因此当苗期N素供应浓度较低时,CO_2浓度升高会显著降低叶片3种色素的含量,这主要可能与苗期植物生长速率显著提高产生的稀释作用有关。当N浓度为14 mmol/L时,CO_2浓度适当提高显著促进色素合成,其合成速率大于植物生长速率,导致色素含量提高,提高光合能力;初果期时,CO_2浓度升高的促进作用降低缓和了色素浓度的下降。适当提高NH4+-N供应比例也能达到提高色素含量的效果,但CO_2浓度不宜过高。故而植物光合色素含量可能受到CO_2浓度升高导致的植物干物质增加速率和光合色素合成速率改变的双重调节。中N和高N供应时,叶绿素a/b在苗期随着CO_2浓度的升高而降低,在初果期仅在高N时有显著降低。而在硝铵比试验中,植株种植稀疏时,C4处理提高叶绿素a/b。因此,CO_2浓度升高下的植物捕光能力的提高,可通过适当降低叶片光照强度和提高N供应浓度来实现。从实际生产角度出发,使用中等浓度CO_2施肥,提高N肥供应浓度和NH4+-N比例,结合植株的适当密植更有利于光合色素含量提高,优化其组成,从而有利于黄瓜生物量的提高。     

Ultraviolet spectrophotometric determination of hydralazine hydrochloride in tablets following derivatization with nitrite

Routine use of the USP XXI spectrophotometric method for the content uniformity determination of hydralazine hydrochloride tablets has shown that tablet excipients can significantly alter the spectral characteristics of the drug and thus cause inaccurate assay values to be obtained. Because of this problem, a simple and reliable alternative spectrophotometric assay method, based on the conversion of hydralazine to tetrazolo [5,1-alpha]phthalazine with nitrite ions under acidic conditions, was developed. The derivative showed an absorption maximum at about 274 nm and obeyed Beer's law over the concentration range 4-40 micrograms/mL. Mean recoveries of hydralazine hydrochloride added to commercial coated and uncoated tablets were 101.0% (n = 10) and 100.8% (n = 8), respectively. The proposed method was found suitable for the assay not only of individual tablets but also of tablet composites.     

黄土高原多沙粗沙区泥沙集中度变化特征及驱动因素

[目的]揭示黄土高原多沙粗沙区的泥沙和泥沙集中度的变化规律,阐明泥沙集中度的影响因素,进而为流域水土流失治理和生态保护提供一定的科学依据。[方法]基于1956—2010年皇甫川、孤山川、秃尾河、窟野河和无定河流域的输沙量数据,利用Mann-Kendall趋势检验法、Pettitt突变点检验法、Morlet小波分析方法分析了黄土高原多沙粗沙区泥沙集中度的时空变化特征,通过Pearson相关系数探究了泥沙集中度与生态建设措施的相关性。[结果](1) 1956—2010年,黄土高原多沙粗沙区的输沙量呈现显著减少的趋势,但是皇甫川、孤山川、无定河流域的泥沙集中度呈现显著增加的趋势。(2)孤山川与无定河流域的泥沙集中度具有显著的(p<0.05)突变点,分别为1990年与1986年。(3)研究区泥沙集中度主周期介于15～55 a。(4)径流集中度对于研究区泥沙集中度有显著的影响。除此之外,生态建设措施面积与泥沙集中度有显著的正相关关系,其中梯田、造林和种草对于研究区的泥沙集中度的影响程度最大。[结论]黄土高原多沙粗沙区的输沙量逐渐减少且越来越集中,泥沙集中度受到降雨径流和生态建设措施等因素影...     

不同原料生物质炭复配对土壤镉的赋存形态及小白菜镉吸收的影响

通过生物质炭复配,降低治理成本,为提高秸秆生物质炭对镉污染土壤的治理效果,将秸秆生物质炭（大豆秸秆炭（SSB）、油菜秸秆炭（RSB））与动物屠宰废弃物炭（SWB）复配,设置2.22 g kg?1（B1）、4.44 g kg?1（B2）两个施用量,通过小白菜盆栽试验,研究生物质炭对原位污染土壤镉赋存形态及小白菜镉吸收的影响。研究表明,与对照（CK）相比,生物质炭显著降低小白菜根系和地上部的镉含量。在4.44 g kg?1施炭水平下,SSB2和RSB2处理的小白菜根系镉含量较SWB2处理显著降低、降幅分别达 33.40%和 20.49%。SSB2处理小白菜根系镉的富集系数较SWB2处理显著降低、降幅达31.68%。与 SSB2处理相比,SSB与SWB复配（SSWB2）处理根系和地上部镉含量分别降低22.57%和 36.14%。生物质炭显著降低土壤中镉的生物有效性,其中RSB2和SSB2处理的土壤交换态镉占比（F2）较SWB 2处理分别降低 9.31%和 3.63%,强有机结合态镉占比（F6）分别提高 16.11%和 9.74%。复配生物质炭SSWB2 处理的F2较SSB2 处理降低 11.05%,铁锰结合态镉占比（F5）提高13.50%。因此,秸秆生物质炭与屠宰废弃物炭复配可有效降低污染土壤镉的生物有效性及小白菜对镉的吸收和富集。     

Selectivity of Candida antarctica B lipase toward fatty acid and (Iso)propanol substrates in esterification reactions in organic media

Fatty acid (FA) selectivity of immobilized Candida antarctica B lipase was assessed as influenced by various cosubstrate systems for ester synthesis. Reaction mixtures contained a homologous series of even-chain n-acyl donor (C(4)(-)(16)) substrates (FA or their methyl esters, FAME) and a single alcohol cosubstrate (propanol, 2-propanol, or their acetate derivatives) in hexane. Multiple FA optima were often observed, with preferences for C(6) (or C(4)) followed by C(14) and sometimes C(10). The degree of selectivity among acyl donors was modest (up to 1.28-2.60, based on ratios of selectivity constants) and was dependent on the choice of cosubstrate system. Acyl group selectivity ranged up to 1.31-1.36 for [FA + alcohol], 1. 48-2.60 for [FAME + alcohol], 1.30-1.72 for [FA + alcohol acetate], and 1.28-1.88 [FAME + alcohol acetate] reaction systems. General shifts in selectivity were observed between short-chain (C(4)(-)(8)) and long-chain (C(10)(-)(16)) FA as groups with propanol cosubstrate, whereas shifts in reaction selectivity were observed toward specific FA(s) for 2-propanol cosubstrate. Selectivity among a series of alcohol cosubstrates ranged up to 13-fold in esterification reactions with C(6) FA.     

紫甘薯对硒的吸收和累积特征

以紫甘薯为试验材料,采用盆栽试验的方法研究了基施硒酸钠[Se(VI)]和亚硒酸钠[Se(IV)]条件下,紫甘薯对外源硒的吸收累积规律,并比较了施用两种不同价态硒的紫甘薯富硒效果。结果表明:两种硒源均可显著提高紫甘薯各器官含硒量,且紫甘薯含硒量均随施硒量的增加而增大。当土壤施硒量为Se 8 mg/kg时,施用硒酸钠、亚硒酸钠收获期薯块的硒含量(干基)分别达到6.69、0.88 mg/kg。紫甘薯生育期40 d时各器官硒含量叶茎薯块,130 d时硒含量叶薯块茎。当硒酸钠施用量为Se 4 mg/kg时,紫甘薯薯块中的硒累积量最高达923.81μg/株,硒在紫甘薯块根中的分配率可达67%~70%,硒酸钠处理下,紫甘薯对硒的吸收利用率远远高于亚硒酸钠处理。综合紫甘薯含硒量和施硒量对生长的影响结果分析,施用硒酸钠和亚硒酸钠均能增加紫甘薯薯块的硒含量,紫甘薯对硒酸钠敏感性高于亚硒酸钠,生产过程中应充分考虑施用硒酸钠对作物造成的毒害。     

Sorption and desorption of triadimefon by soils and model soil colloids

Sorption-desorption of the azole fungicide triadimefon [1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1-(1H-1,2, 4-triazol-1-yl)-2-butanone] on eight soils and a series of single, binary, and ternary model soil colloids was determined using the batch equilibration technique. Regression analysis between Freundlich sorption coefficients (K(f)) and soil properties suggested that both clay and organic C (OC) were important in triadimefon sorption by soils, with increasing importance of clay for soils with high clay and relatively low OC contents. Triadimefon sorption coefficients on soil were not significantly affected by the concentration of electrolyte or the presence of soluble soil material in solution, but they were highly dependent on the soil:solution ratio due to the nonlinearity of triadimefon sorption on soil. Freundlich sorption isotherms slopes were very similar for all soils (0.75 +/- 0.02). Desorption did not greatly depend on the concentration at which it was determined and showed higher hysteresis for more sorptive soils. Results of triadimefon sorption on model sorbents supported that both humic acid and montmorillonite-type clay constituents contribute to triadimefon retention by soil colloids.     

Development of singlet oxygen absorption capacity (SOAC) assay method. 2. Measurements of the SOAC values for carotenoids and food extracts

Recently a new assay method that can quantify the singlet oxygen absorption capacity (SOAC) of antioxidants was proposed. In the present work, kinetic study of the reaction of singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) with carotenoids and vegetable extracts has been performed in ethanol/chloroform/D(2)O (50:50:1, v/v/v) solution at 35 °C. Measurements of the second-order rate constants (k(Q)(S)) and the SOAC values were performed for eight kinds of carotenoids and three kinds of vegetable extracts (red paprika, carrot, and tomato). Furthermore, measurements of the concentrations of the carotenoids included in vegetable extracts were performed, using a HPLC technique. From the results, it has been clarified that the total (1)O(2)-quenching activity (that is, the SOAC value) for vegetable extracts may be explained as the sum of the product {Σ k(Q)(Car-i)(S) [Car-i](i)} of the rate constant (k(Q)(Car-i)(S)) and the concentration ([Car (i)]) of carotenoids included in vegetable extracts.     

Gastrointestinal uptake of nasunin, acylated anthocyanin in eggplant

We previously showed that nasunin, acylated anthocyanins in eggplant peel, comprises two isomers, cis-nasunin and trans-nasunin. In this study, gastrointestinal absorption of cis- and trans-nasunins was studied in rats. Orally administered nasunins were quickly absorbed in their original acylated forms and maximally appeared in blood plasma after 15 min. When the maximum plasma concentration and area under the plasma concentration curve were normalized by orally administered dose (micromoles per kilogram), there was no significant difference in the uptake efficiency between two isomers and both exhibited a plasma level almost identical to that of delphinidin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside. However, metabolites such as 4'-O-methyl analogues and extended glucuronides which were observed for delphinidin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and cyanidin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside metabolisms were not detected in urine or blood plasma. Moreover, deacylated and glycolytic products of nasunins such as delphinidin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside or delphinidin (aglycone) were also not detected in blood plasma even after oral administration for 8 h. These results indicated that nasunins were absorbed in their original acylated forms and exhibit a bioavailability almost identical to that of nonacylated anthocyanins.     

Reversible precipitation of casein micelles with a cationic hydroxyethylcellulose

The cationic hydroxyethylcellulose Polyquaternium 10 (PQ10) was found to produce a dose-dependent destabilization of casein micelles from whole or skim milk without affecting the stability of most of the whey proteins. The anionic phosphate residues on caseins were not determinant in the observed interaction since the destabilization was also observed with dephosphorylated caseins to the same extent. However, the precipitation process was completely inhibited by rising NaCl concentration, indicating an important role of electrostatic interactions. Furthermore, the addition of 150 mM NaCl solubilized preformed PQ10-casein complexes, rendering a stable casein suspension without a disruption of the internal micellar structure as determined by dynamic light scattering. This casein preparation was found to contain most of the Ca2+ and only 10% of the lactose originally present in milk and remained as a stable suspension for at least 4 months at 4 degrees C. The final concentration of PQ10 determined both the size of the casein-polymer aggregates and the amount of milkfat that coprecipitates. The presence of PQ10 in the aggregates did not inhibit the activity of rennet or gastrointestinal proteases and lipases, nor did it affect the growth of several fermentative bacteria. The cationic cellulose PQ10 may cause a reversible electrostatic precipitation of casein micelles without disrupting their internal structure. The reversibility of the interaction described opens the possibility of using this cationic polysaccharide to concentrate and resuspend casein micelles from whole or skim milk in the production of new fiber-enriched lactose-reduced calcium-caseinate dairy products.     

In vitro dissolution and in vivo absorption of calcium [1-(14)c]butyrate in free or protected forms

Butyrate is a byproduct of microbial carbohydrate fermentation that occurs primarily in the large intestine. When added to feed, butyrate quickly disappears in the upper digestive tract. Because butyrate is important for epithelial cell development, mucosal integrity, and animal growth, an encapsulation technique has been developed that allows for the slow release of butyrate into the small and large intestines. The purpose of this study was to describe the in vitro release of calcium [1-(14)C]butyrate, formulated into a slow-release (protected) bead, into water and simulated intestinal fluids and to compare the in vivo absorption and disposition of unprotected versus protected calcium [1-(14)C]butyrate in broiler chicks. Formulation of calcium [1-(14)C]butyrate into protected beads allowed release of 5.8 ± 0.2 and 3.4 ± 0.2% of the formulated radiocarbon into water and gastric fluid, respectively, after 2 h of incubation. Beads incubated in gastric fluid for 2 h and subsequently incubated in simulated intestinal fluid released a total of 17.4 ± 0.8% of the formulated radioactivity. Release of respiratory [(14)C]CO(2) after oral dosing of aqueous calcium [1-(14)C]butyrate in broiler chicks peaked at 15.2 ± 5.2% per hour 1.5 h after dosing; in contrast, maximal rates of release in chicks dosed with protected calcium [1-(14)C]butyrate occurred 4 h after dosing at 9.0 ± 3.1% per hour. The data suggested an improved efficacy of protected butyrate delivery to intestinal tissues over nonprotected butyrate. This study confirmed that encapsulation strategies designed to enhance delivery of ingredients to improve intestinal health are effective at prolonging intestinal exposure to butyrate. Encapsulation of such ingredients might benefit the food and feed industries.     

[A环-U-14C]丙酯草醚在土壤中的迁移和淋溶

在实验室模拟条件下,采用同位素成像及液体闪烁测量技术对[A环-U-14C]丙酯草醚在7种土壤中的迁移和淋溶特性进行了研究。结果显示:[A环-U1-4C]丙酯草醚在7种土壤(S1~S7)薄板层析中的Rf值分别为0.36、0.27、0.21、0.31、0.30、0.15和0.24,这表明丙酯草醚在S1中属于中等移动农药,而在其余6种土壤中均属于不易移动农药。结果还表明,[A环-U1-4C]丙酯草醚在7种土壤中随水(最大降雨量200mm/24h)的淋溶性较弱,在S1和S4中其主要分布在0~6cm土层,其余5种土壤中则主要分布在0~4cm土层。丙酯草醚在7种供试土壤中的最大淋溶量峰值均出现在0~2cm表层。因此,从迁移和淋溶特性看,田间使用丙酯草醚不易对地下水造成污染。     

Occurrence of orally administered mulberry 1-deoxynojirimycin in rat plasma

1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), a potent glucosidase inhibitor, is a characteristic constituent of the mulberry leaf. Dietary mulberry DNJ may be beneficial for the suppression of abnormally high blood glucose levels, thereby preventing diabetes mellitus. Although there is considerable interest in the effects of mulberry DNJ, the intestinal absorption and pharmacokinetic profile of orally administered mulberry DNJ have never been characterized. In this study, we developed a method for determining the level of plasma DNJ by hydrophilic interaction chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometric detector (HILIC-MS) to investigate the absorption and metabolism of orally administered mulberry DNJ in rats. DNJ was separated from plasma extract on a TSK gel Amide-80 column, a representative column for HILIC. At postcolumn, DNJ was concurrently detected and identified by MS. The plasma DNJ concentration in fasted rats was below the detection limit [<1 microg (6 nmol)/mL]; however, the concentration reached a maximum [15 microg (92 nmol)/mL] 30 min after the administration of mulberry DNJ (110 mg/kg of body weight), and the DNJ concentration decreased rapidly thereafter. When the rats received different amounts of mulberry DNJ (1.1, 11, and 110 mg/kg of body weight), dose-dependent incorporation of DNJ into the plasma was confirmed. We did not detect any DNJ metabolites in the plasma. These findings indicate that orally administered mulberry DNJ is absorbed as an intact form from the alimentary tract and then is quickly excreted from the body. The developed HILIC-MS method could be applied in determining levels of DNJ in urine and tissues, and therefore, the method would be a powerful tool for studying the metabolic fate of mulberry DNJ as well as its bioavailability.     

Bioaccumulation of mineral elements in grapevine varieties cultivated in “La Mancha”

The capacity of a plant to take up chemical elements is measured as the ratio of the element concentration in the plant and its concentration in the soil. This ratio is called the bioaccumulation index (BAC). The choice of rootstock and variety can differentially affect nutrient uptake of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.). Generally, only slight differences can be observed in the accumulation of N, P, and Zn. In contrast, wide variations are found in the absorption of K, Ca, Mg, and Cl. While studies on plant nutrients and major elements have been carried out in vineyards, very few references concern the trace‐element concentrations in leaves. In the study described here, five varieties (Airén, Cencibel, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay) grown on a Calcisol Petric or Typic Calcixerept (typical of La Mancha) were compared in terms of leaf trace‐element concentrations. A total of three samples (20 healthy and completely developed leaves from the middle part of the shoot) were collected from three different plants of the same variety. Leaves were dried, milled, and x‐ray fluorescence analysis was performed. It was found that the variety of grapevine influences the uptake of four of the major elements: Al (low in Garnacha, [0.4 ± 0.2] g kg^–1), Ca (high in Cencibel, [32.6 ± 8.1] g kg^–1), P (low in Airén, [0.9 ± 0.4] g kg^–1) and K, which showed significant differences in almost all of the varieties (from [4.7 ± 1.8] g kg^–1 in Cencibel to [8.0 ± 10.1] g kg^–1 in Chardonnay). No statistically significant varietal differences were found for trace elements. The only exception was La, which was present at higher levels in the variety Cencibel ([7.5 ± 0.3] mg kg^–1). This finding allows to assess the geochemical fingerprinting of calcareous soils regardless of the grapevine variety studied.     

Milk--blood transfer of (14)C-tagged polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in pigs

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are lipophilic organic pollutants occurring widely in the terrestrial environment. To study the transfer of PAHs in the food chain, pigs have been fed with milk spiked either with [(14)C]phenanthrene or with [(14)C]benzo[a]pyrene. The analysis of blood radioactivity showed that both PAHs were absorbed with a maximum concentration at 5--6 h after milk ingestion, similar to fat metabolism. The blood radioactivity then decreased to reach background levels 24 h after milk ingestion. Furthermore, the blood radioactivity was higher for phenanthrene (even if the injected load was the lowest) than for benzo[a]pyrene, in agreement with their solubility difference. These findings suggest that milk fat and PAHs were absorbed during the same time period.