Fresh israeli jaffa sweetie juice consumption improves lipid metabolism and increases antioxidant capacity in hypercholesterolemic patients suffering from coronary artery disease: studies in vitro and in humans and positive changes in albumin and fibrinogen fractions

The contents of the bioactive compounds in the pummelo-grapefruit hybrid juice named Israeli Jaffa Sweetie and their influence on humans suffering from hypercholesterolemia were studied. It was found that Sweetie juice has a high content of bioactive compounds and a high antioxidant potential. Then 72 hypercholesterolemic patients, ages 43-71 years, after coronary bypass surgery recruited from the Institute pool of volunteers, were randomly divided into two experimental (EG1 and EG2) groups and one control (CG) group, each comprising 24 patients. The diets of EG1 and EG2 patients were daily supplemented with 100 or 200 mL of fresh Sweetie juice, respectively. Before and after diet consumption serum lipid levels, albumin and fibrinogen fractions, and their antioxidant capacities were determined. After 30 consecutive days of Sweetie juice supplemented diets, improvements in serum lipids levels were found in EG1 and EG2 versus CG: (a) total cholesterol, 7.34 versus 8.02 mmol/L, -9.5%, and 6.73 versus 8.02 mmol/L, -16.1%, respectively; (b) low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 5.63 versus 6.37 mmol/L, -11.6%, and 5.03 versus 6.37 mmol/L, -21.0%, respectively; (c) total glycerides, 2.01 versus 2.27 mmol/L, -11.5%, and 1.71 versus 2.27 mmol/L, -24.7%, respectively. Serum albumin concentration was increased but not significantly in EG1 and EG2 versus CG: 47.5 versus 44.5 g/L, +6.7%, and 47.9 versus 44.5 g/L, +7.6%, respectively. A significant increase in the serum, albumin, and fibrinogen antioxidant capacities in EG2 and to a lesser degree in EG1 was observed. No changes in the CG were found. In conclusion, fresh Sweetie juice contains high quantities of bioactive compounds and has a high antioxidant potential. Diet supplemented with this juice positively influences serum lipid, albumin, and fibrinogen levels and their antioxidant capacities. Addition of fresh Sweetie juice to generally accepted diets may be beneficial for hypercholesterolemic patients.     

Fresh Israeli Jaffa blond (Shamouti) orange and Israeli Jaffa red Star Ruby (Sunrise) grapefruit juices affect plasma lipid metabolism and antioxidant capacity in rats fed added cholesterol

The bioactivity of Israeli Jaffa blond (Shamouti) fresh orange and Israeli Jaffa red Star Ruby (Sunrise) grapefruit juices was investigated in vitro and in vivo. The contents of bioactive compounds of these juices were determined. The influence of bioactive compounds on plasma lipids and plasma antioxidant activity in rats fed cholesterol-containing and cholesterol-free diets was assessed. Significant differences in the contents of dietary fibers were not found. The contents of total polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins in fresh orange and grapefruit juices were 962.1 +/- 27.2 and 906.9 +/- 27.1; 50.1 +/- 3.3 and 44.8 +/- 3.2; and 69.9 +/- 5.6 and 68.7 +/- 5.5 microg/mL, respectively. The antioxidant potential measured by the scavenging activity against nitric oxide, the beta-carotene-linoleate model system (beta-carotene), and the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diamonium salt assays was higher in orange juice but not significantly. A high level of correlation between contents of total polyphenols and flavonoids and antioxidant potential values of both juices was found. Diets supplemented with orange and to a lesser degree with grapefruit juices improved plasma lipid metabolism only in rats fed added cholesterol. However, an increase in the plasma antioxidant activity was observed in both groups. In conclusion, fresh orange and grapefruit juices contain high quantities of bioactive compounds, which guarantee their high antioxidant potential, and the positive influence on plasma lipid metabolism and plasma antioxidant activity could make fresh orange and grapefruit juices a valuable supplement for disease-preventing diets.     

Changes in plasma lipid and antioxidant activity in rats as a result of naringin and red grapefruit supplementation

The aim of this investigation was to compare the influence of naringin versus red grapefruit juice on plasma lipid levels and plasma antioxidant activity in rats fed cholesterol-containing and cholesterol-free diets. The antioxidant activity of a correlated quantity of red grapefruit juice was higher than that of naringin. Forty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups of 7 named control, naringin, grapefruit, Chol, Chol/naringin, and Chol/grapefruit. The rats of the control group were fed basal diet (BD) and 1-2 mL of distilled water. To the BD of the other five groups were added 0.46-0.92 mg of naringin dissolved in 1-2 mL of distilled water (naringin), 1-2 mL of red grapefruit juice (grapefruit), 1% of nonoxidized cholesterol (NOC) and 1-2 mL of distilled water (Chol), 1% of NOC and 0.46-0.92 mg of naringin in 1-2 mL of water (Chol/naringin), and 1% of NOC and 1-2 mL of red grapefruit juice (Chol/grapefruit). After 30 days of different feeding, it was found that diets supplemented with red grapefruit juice and to a lesser degree with naringin improved the plasma lipid levels mainly in rats fed cholesterol and increased the plasma antioxidant activity. In conclusion, naringin is a powerful plasma lipid lowering and plasma antioxidant activity increasing flavonone. However, fresh red grapefruit is preferable than naringin: it more effectively influences plasma lipid levels and plasma antioxidant activity and, therefore, could be used as a valuable supplement for disease-preventing diets.     

A mixed green vegetable and fruit beverage decreased the serum level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic patients

The effects of a canned mixed green vegetable and fruit beverage, containing broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis L.) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata L.) as main materials, on serum lipid levels in hypercholesterolemic patients were investigated. Thirty-one adult subjects were administered two cans of the beverage (160 g/can) per day for 3 weeks. Their serum total cholesterol (TC) levels significantly decreased from 6.7 +/- 0.8 to 6.1 +/- 0.6 mmol/L, and, more strikingly, the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) significantly decreased from 4.4 +/- 0.8 to 3.8 +/- 0.7 mmol/L. At 9 weeks after the cessation of the administration, these levels had returned to the preadministration levels. Furthermore, 14 other subjects who were administered one can of the sample for 12 weeks also showed a significant reduction in the levels of serum TC and LDL-C. Thus, daily consumption of this mixed green vegetable and fruit beverage may be useful in lowering serum TC and LDL-C levels in hypercholesterolemic patients.     

Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of common fruits

Consumption of fruits and vegetables has been associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Phytochemicals, especially phenolics, in fruits and vegetables are suggested to be the major bioactive compounds for the health benefits. However, the phenolic contents and their antioxidant activities in fruits and vegetables were underestimated in the literature, because bound phenolics were not included. This study was designed to investigate the profiles of total phenolics, including both soluble free and bound forms in common fruits, by applying solvent extraction, base digestion, and solid-phase extraction methods. Cranberry had the highest total phenolic content, followed by apple, red grape, strawberry, pineapple, banana, peach, lemon, orange, pear, and grapefruit. Total antioxidant activity was measured using the TOSC assay. Cranberry had the highest total antioxidant activity (177.0 +/- 4.3 micromol of vitamin C equiv/g of fruit), followed by apple, red grape, strawberry, peach, lemon, pear, banana, orange, grapefruit, and pineapple. Antiproliferation activities were also studied in vitro using HepG(2) human liver-cancer cells, and cranberry showed the highest inhibitory effect with an EC(50) of 14.5 +/- 0.5 mg/mL, followed by lemon, apple, strawberry, red grape, banana, grapefruit, and peach. A bioactivity index (BI) for dietary cancer prevention is proposed to provide a new alternative biomarker for future epidemiological studies in dietary cancer prevention and health promotion.     

Red mold dioscorea has greater hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerotic effect than traditional red mold rice and unfermented dioscorea in hamsters

Monascus-fermented red mold dioscorea (RMD) was proven to produce higher monacolin K levels than red mold rice (RMR) in our previous study. The goal of this study is to investigate whether the novel RMD had more hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerotic effect than traditional red mold rice. The daily dose of RMR for adults was recommended as 1 g, which corresponded to 96 mg/kg/day for hamsters. Therefore, high cholesterol diet-induced hyperlipidemic hamsters were daily administrated with a 0.5-fold (48 mg/kg/day), a 1-fold (96 mg/kg/day), or a 5-fold dose (480 mg/kg/day) of RMD for 8 weeks. Furthermore, a 1-fold dose of RMR (96 mg/kg/day) and unfermented dioscorea (96 mg/kg/day) were also respectively used to evaluate the effect of hypolipidemic and antiarteriosclerosis. The results indicated that only needing a 0.5-fold dose of RMD was able to significantly lower total cholesterol (by 13.78%, p<0.001), triglyceride (by 38.74%, p<0.01), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (by 43.11%, p<0.05) as well as maintain a high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, as compared to the hyperlipidemic group. RMD including a higher monacolin K level and a dioscorea substrate was able to exhibit a more significant difference in the hypolipidemic effect than RMR or unfermented dioscorea. Both RMR and dioscorea exhibited potent in vitro antioxidative ability and in vivo protection against hypolipidemia-induced oxidative stress. Therefore, the antioxidative ability of RMD provided by Monascus metabolites (dimerumic acid, tannin, phenol, etc.) as well as dioscorea was able to perform more antiatherosclerotic effects on increasing total antioxidant status, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activity and repressing lipid peroxidation and atherosclerotic plaque than RMR and dioscorea.     

Antioxidant capacities and phenolics levels of French wines from different varieties and vintages.

Phenolics from grapes and wines can play a role against oxidation and development of atherosclerosis. Levels of phenolics, major catechins [(+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, procyanidin dimers B1, B2, B3, and B4], phenolic acids (gallic acid and caffeic acid), caftaric acid, malvidin-3-glucoside, peonidin-3-glucoside, and cyanidin-3-glucoside were quantified by HPLC with UV detection for 54 French varietal commercial wines taken from southern France to study the antioxidant capacity and the daily dietary intake of these compounds for the French population. The highest antioxidant capacity was obtained with red wines and ranged from 12.8 mmol/L (Grenache) to 25.2 mmol/L (Pinot Noir). For white wines, Chardonnay enriched in phenolics by special wine-making was found to have an antioxidant capacity of 13.8 mmol/L, comparable to red wine values. For red wines classified by vintages (1996-1999) antioxidant capacities were approximately 20 mmol/L and then decreased to 13.4 mmol/L for vintages 1995-1991. Sweet white wines have 1.7 times more antioxidant capacity (3.2 mmol/L) than dry white wines (1.91 mmol/L). On the basis of a still significant French wine consumption of 180 mL/day/person, the current daily intake of catechins (monomers and dimers B1, B2, B3, and B4) averaged 5 (dry white wine), 4.36 (sweet white wines), 7.70 (rosé wines), 31.98 (red wines), and 66.94 (dry white wine enriched in phenolic) mg/day/resident for the French population. Red wine, and particularly Pinot Noir, Egiodola, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot varieties, or Chardonnay enriched in phenolics during wine-making for white varieties contribute to a very significant catechin dietary intake.     

Enzymatic O-methylation of flavanols changes lag time, propagation rate, and total oxidation during in vitro model triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein oxidation

3'-O-Methyl derivatives of flavan-3-ols, (+)-catechin (C), (-)-epicatechin (EC), and (-)-catechin gallate (CG) were prepared enzymatically. Hexanal (EC and CG family, 5 mmol/L) and conjugated diene (C and EC family, 0.25-10 mmol/L) formation following CuSO4-mediated triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein oxidation was measured. All EC and CG compounds significantly reduced hexanal formation (p < 0.02). O-Methylation improved the ability of CG (more polar) while reducing the ability of EC (less polar) to limit hexanal formation. 3'-O-methyl EC was 18% (p < 0.001) and 4'-O-methyl 65% (p < 0.001) less able than EC to suppress hexanal formation. At >1 micromol/L all EC and C compounds significantly increased lag time. Parent compounds were more effective (> 4-fold increase) than metabolites (1.5-fold increase). Parent compounds did not influence propagation rate (DeltaOD/min). At >1 mmol/L O-methylated EC and C reduced propagation by 20-40% (p < 0.01). Notably, at 0.25 mmol/L O-methylated EC and C increased propagation rates 22% (p < 0.01) despite prolonging lag time.     

Polyphenol content and total antioxidant activity of vini novelli (young red wines)

Eight commercial Italian vini novelli (red wines prepared by carbonic maceration and supposed to be consumed within three months from their wine-making) were evaluated for their total antioxidant activity. The wines had an average total phenol content (1605.4 +/- 337.4 mg/L gallic acid equivalents) lower than that of wines prepared by traditional maceration and consumable after aging (2057. 3 +/- 524.0 mg/L gallic acid equivalents). The average flavanol content (424.7 +/- 121.3 mg/L catechin equivalents) and the total antioxidant activity (16.8 +/- 3.8 mmol/L Trolox equivalents) of vini novelli were higher than the corresponding values (382.7 +/- 174.5 mg/L catechin equivalents and 12.3 +/- 3.3 mmol/L Trolox equivalents) found for aged wines. Three couples of experimental wines were prepared from the same grapes by traditional or carbonic maceration. These wines showed a different phenolic pattern, anthocyanins being more abundant in vini novelli. However, the average total antioxidant activities of the wines were similar, suggesting that aging (and not the wine-making technique) is the main factor influencing the antioxidant activity of red wines.     

Aroma composition changes in early season grapefruit juice produced from thermal concentration

Differences in aroma components and total volatiles between a single unpasteurized Marsh grapefruit juice and its 65 Brix concentrate reconstituted to 10 Brix were examined using GC-olfactometry (GC-O) and GC-FID. Total volatiles (FID) in the reconstituted concentrate were reduced to less than 5% of initial values, but 57% of total aroma (GC-O) remained. Forty-one aroma-active compounds were observed in unpasteurized single strength juice, whereas 27 components were found in the unflavored reconstituted concentrate. Aroma-active compounds were classified into grapefruit/sulfury, sweet/fruity, fresh/citrusy, green/fatty/metallic, and cooked/meaty groups. Five of six components in the sweet/fruity and 14 of 18 green/fatty/metallic components survived thermal concentration. However, only 4-mercapto-4-methyl-2-pentanone in the grapefruit/sulfury group, and linalool and nootkatone from the fresh/citrusy group, were found in the reconstituted concentrate. Methional was the only aroma compound in the cooked/meaty category found in both juice types. beta-Damascenone and 1-p-menthen-8-thiol were found only in the reconstituted concentrate. 4-Mercapto-4-methyl-2-pentanol was found for the first time in grapefruit juice.     

Different tocopherols and the relationship between two methods for determination of primary oxidation products in fish oil

The effectiveness of 2.32 mmol/kg (approximately 1000 ppm) of alpha-, gamma-, or delta-tocopherol (TOH), as well as different levels of alpha TOH, on the formation of hydroperoxides in fish oil was studied by monitoring the peroxide value (POV) and the formation of conjugated dienes (CD) during storage at 30 degrees C. The same order of antioxidant activity was observed by both methods. Linear regression of POV on CD showed that these data were strongly correlated (r(2) > or = 0.98). The value of the slope of the regression lines, however, differed substantially and decreased with increasing hydrogen-donating ability of the different tocopherols and with increasing alpha TOH concentration. It is suggested that this is due, at least in part, to the contribution from hydroxy compounds to the CD measurements and a greater contribution from hydroperoxy epidioxides (two peroxide groups per conjugated diene unit) to the POV than to the CD value. The degrees of formation of both these groups of oxidation products are expected to be influenced by the rate of scavenging of lipid peroxyl and alkoxyl radicals by tocopherol (alpha TOH > gamma TOH > delta TOH).     

氮营养对青花菜花球酚类物质及抗氧化能力的影响

采用无机基质盆栽,研究不同氮营养水平（5、10、15和20 mmol/L）对两品种青花菜花球生长、总酚、类黄酮含量及抗氧化能力的影响。结果表明,提高氮浓度水平,有利于青花菜株高、花球直径、花球鲜重和干重的增加;两品种花球的总酚含量随着氮浓度的增加呈降低的变化趋势,当供氮浓度高于10 mmol/L,总酚含量显著降低。花球中主要含有槲皮素和山萘黄素两种黄酮醇物质,而且山萘黄素含量是槲皮素的1.48倍;在低氮 （5 mmol/L）处理下,两品种花球的槲皮素含量和绿优2号的山萘黄素含量显著高于其他处理。增加供氮浓度,花球的二苯代苦味酰基（DPPH, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl）自由基清除率和铁还原抗氧化能力(FRAP, Ferric reducing /antioxidant power assay) 值呈下降趋势,限制了其抗氧化能力。相关性分析表明,两品种花球的FRAP值与酚类物质的正相关性显著高于DPPH自由基清除率。两品种相比较,中晚熟品种马拉松的花球直径、鲜重和干重显著高于中早熟品种绿优2号,而其总酚含量和抗氧化能力明显低于绿优2号。以上结果说明,通过氮营养水平能够调控青花菜酚类物质合成和抗氧化能力,从而为生产高营养品质的青花菜产品提供了可能的途径。     

天然花青素提取物与壳聚糖明胶复合膜的制备和表征

为了开发天然的抗氧化活性包装材料,以紫甘蓝、黑米、玫瑰、蓝莓为原料制备天然花青素提取物与壳聚糖明胶的复合膜,比较分析了不同天然花青素提取物对复合膜的物理、机械、抗氧化活性及形貌结构的影响。结果表明：天然花青素提取物的加入,增加了膜的厚度,显著（P<0.05）影响膜的含水率、水溶性及外观形貌。壳聚糖明胶复合膜的水蒸汽透过率（water vapor permeability,WVP）为10.69×10-11 g/(m·s·Pa)。玫瑰花青素提取物的加入使得WVP值降低,而其他花青素提取物的加入使得WVP值增大。玫瑰复合膜的拉伸强度最大,达到27.03 MPa,断裂伸长率最小,黑米花青素提取物可增加复合膜的延展性,断裂伸长率最大为57.67%。傅里叶红外光谱表明天然花青素提取物的羟基基团与壳聚糖的氨基基团产生相互作用。扫描电镜结果表明花青素提取物影响微观结构,而且生物相容性较好。加入天然花青素提取物后,复合膜抗氧化活性均显著（P<0.05）提高,且玫瑰复合膜有着较高的抗氧化活性,1,1-二苯基-2-苦基肼（DPPH）自由基清除能力达到95.47%。结果表明：玫瑰花青素提取物更有利于开发阻湿性能好,水溶性低,抗拉伸和抗氧化活性高的包装材料,具有良好的应用前景。     

White wine with red wine-like properties: increased extraction of grape skin polyphenols improves the antioxidant capacity of the derived white wine.

Lower antioxidant activity in white wines in comparison to red wines lies in the low grape-skin-derived polyphenol content. This paper reports the analysis of the antioxidant capacities of white wine samples obtained along two different processing procedures directed to enrich the wine with polyphenols. White wine samples derived from whole squeezed grapes stored for increasing periods of time (up to 18 h) contained increasing concentrations of polyphenols (from 0.35 to 0.55 mmol/L) and, in parallel, exhibited increased capacity to scavenge free radicals and to inhibit copper ion-induced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. However, addition of increasing concentrations of alcohol (up to 18%) to the whole squeezed grapes remarkably augmented the extraction of grape skin polyphenols into the wine up to 1.25 mmol/L, resulting in an increased capacity of the wine to scavenge free radicals and to inhibit LDL oxidation, to an extent similar to that of red wine. The extent of LDL oxidation inhibition was directly related to the wine polyphenolic content (r = 0.986). It is concluded that processing white wine by imposing a short period of grape skin contact in the presence of alcohol leads to extraction of grape skin polyphenols and produces polyphenol-rich white wine with antioxidant characteristics similar to those of red wine.     

Na+与Cl–浓度平衡供应促进小白菜干物质积累及营养品质提升

  【目的】  适宜的Na+与Cl–浓度均有利于植物的生长,但Na+和Cl–哪个起主导作用,以及二者之间的平衡关系对其有益作用的影响尚不清楚。因此,拟通过本研究为低浓度氯化钠在生产中的应用提供理论依据。  【方法】  采用盆栽试验培养小白菜(Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis var. communis Tsen et Lee),在小白菜长到3叶1心时进行叶面喷施处理。以NaCl为基础,设置了[Na+]<[Cl–] (A)、[Na+]＝[Cl–] (B)和[Na+]>[Cl–] (C) 3组处理。B组平衡态的3个处理的[Na+]∶[Cl–]的浓度(mmol/L)比为6∶6 (B₁)、12∶12 (B₂)、18∶18 (B₃);A组非平衡态的3个处理为0∶6 (A₁)、6∶12 (A₂)、12∶18 (A₃);C组非平衡态的3个处理的比值是6∶0 (C₁)、12∶6 (C₂)、18∶12 (C₃),以无离子水为对照CK,每日喷施一次,连续处理21天。停止喷施后,取样观测叶片组织结构,测定植株干鲜物质量、叶片光合活性以及游离氨基酸含量。  【结果】  无论[Na+]和[Cl–]是平衡还是非平衡状态,喷施处理均显著提高了小白菜的干鲜物质积累量和叶片光合活性。与CK相比,3个[Na+]、[Cl–]等浓度供给处理均显著增加了小白菜植株干、鲜生物量,显著增加了植株游离氨基酸含量,增加了叶面积尤其是中上位叶面积,促生效果均以B₂ 处理最佳,植株干、鲜生物量分别比CK增加了35.1%和43.7%,叶面积增加了33.4%。在非平衡状态中,有Cl–无Na+时有利于含水量增加,有Na+无Cl–时有利于干物质累积,且表现出Na+和Cl–均有利于含水量增加,Na+比Cl–更有利于游离氨基酸累积([Na+]>[Cl–]时,增加52.6%),Cl–比Na+更有利于干物质累积和光合速率([Na+]<[Cl–]时,增加17.3%)以及气孔导度([Na+]<[Cl–]时,增加145.3%)增加的现象。2因素主体间效应检验显示,小白菜的植株干鲜物质和营养物质累积、叶面积和比叶重、叶片光合气体交换活性,既受Na+、Cl–单独离子效应的影响,又受Na+与Cl–交互效应的影响。  【结论】  叶面喷施[Na+]与[Cl–]平衡与否都对小白菜的生长、干物质累积、含水量增加和叶片光合活性具有促进效应。但以12 mmol/L NaCl的生长促进效应更优,其主要表现为叶面积的扩展促使植株干物质累积。     

Comparison of the bioactive compounds and antioxidant potentials of fresh and cooked Polish, Ukrainian, and Israeli garlic

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is an essential part of Polish, Ukrainian, and Israeli cuisine. The aim of this investigation was to compare the changes in bioactive compounds, proteins, and antioxidant potentials in fresh Polish, Ukrainian, and Israeli garlic samples after subjection to cooking temperature. Dietary fiber and essential trace elements were comparable. The antioxidant potentials were determined by four scavenging methods using beta-carotene, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO), and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS(*)(+)) radical cation with K(2)S(2)O(8) or MnO(2) assays. Polyphenols, tocopherols, proteins, and antioxidant potentials were higher in Polish garlic, but not significantly (P > 0.05). The SDS- and native-PAGE electrophoretic patterns of all three fresh garlic samples were without significant differences. Most of the proteins were in the molecular mass range of 24-97 kDa, and the more intensive major bands were concentrated at 50 and 12 kDa. The 50 kDa protein nearly disappears and the intensity of the 12 kDa lectin bands slightly decreases during cooking. It was observed that the bioactive compounds, antioxidant potential, and proteins in garlic decrease significantly after 20 min of cooking at 100 degrees C (P < 0.05). In conclusion, (a) the bioactive compounds, electrophoretic patterns, and antioxidant potential of fresh Polish, Ukrainian, and Israeli garlic samples are comparable; (b) garlic samples subjected to 100 degrees C during 20 min preserve their bioactive compounds, antioxidant potential, and protein profile and are comparable with fresh garlic; and (c) fresh garlic should be added to dishes cooked at 100 degrees C in the last 20 min of the cooking process.     

Hypocholesterolemic effects of a flavonoid-rich extract of Hypericum perforatum L. in rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet

In a previous study, a flavonoid-rich extract of Hypericum perforatum L. (FEHP) was prepared and its antioxidant activity was determined by a series of models in vitro. In this study, the hypocholesterolemic effects of FEHP in rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet were tested. Forty Wistar rats fed a standard laboratory diet or a cholesterol-rich diet for 16 weeks were used. The serum lipid levels, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in serum and liver, were examined. Cholesterol-rich diet induced hypercholesterolemia was manifested in the elevation of serum lipid levels such as total cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TG), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Administration of middle-dose (75 mg/kg of BW/day) and high-dose (150 mg/kg of BW/day) FEHP significantly lowered the serum levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C, while increasing the serum level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Also, the content of MDA in serum and liver decreased significantly after oral administration of FEHP compared with those of rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet. In addition, FEHP increased the activity of SOD in serum and liver, but the activity of CAT was significantly elevated only in liver. These results suggested that the hypocholesterolemic effects of FEHP might be due to its abilities to lower serum TC, TG, and LDL-C levels as well as to slow the lipid peroxidation process and to enhance the antioxidant enzyme activity.     

供氮水平对芦荟幼苗生长、硝酸盐和次生代谢产物含量的影响

采用温室砂培试验研究了不同氮素水平(5.0、7.5、10.01、5.01、7.5.mmol/L)对二年生库拉索芦荟生长和蒽醌、芦荟甙等次生代谢产物及硝酸盐含量的影响。结果表明,供氮水平由5.0.mmol/L增加到10.0.mmol/L,库拉索芦荟地上部产量和总生物量显著增加,继续提高氮水平芦荟地上部产量和总生物量没有显著增加;芦荟根干重及其根冠比则随着氮水平的增加而下降;叶片和根系的硝酸盐含量则随施氮浓度的提高呈增加趋势。供氮浓度从5.0mmol/L增加到10.0.mmol/L时,叶片的维生素C(Vc)含量显著增加,继续提高供氮水平,叶片Vc含量则明显下降;蒽醌含量则随施氮水平的上升而不断增大,但施氮10.0、15.0、17.5.mmol/L的处理间没有显著性差异。芦荟甙含量变化趋势和Vc含量相似,以施氮10.0.mmol/L为最高,其含量分别是其它处理的1.4、1.2、1.4、1.3倍。由此可见,芦荟在供氮10.0.mmol/L时能够获得较高的产量和蒽醌含量,较低的硝酸盐含量和高的Vc和芦荟甙含量,表明适宜的供氮水平是芦荟高产优质的保证。     

水稻CAT与逆境应答关系及酶活性分析

通过氧化氢酶（catalase,CAT）是一种四聚体血红素酶,主要存在于过氧化物酶体与乙醛酸循环体及相关细胞区域内。水稻中含有CAT1、CAT2和CAT3三种主要同工酶。它们在各组织不同的发育阶段,发挥着重要作用。在本研究解析了水稻过氧化氢酶同工酶基因在NaCl、NaHCO3、Na2CO3、PEG6000、H2O2、低温等逆境处理下mRNA表达特性。结果表明在不同的逆境下过氧化氢酶同工酶在表达上存在差异性。同时利用蛋白表达系统,对水稻过氧化氢酶CAT1和CAT3蛋白进行了纯化实验,对纯化的蛋白的酶活性分析的结果表明,CAT1和CAT3的酶活性没有十分显著的差别。     

低氮胁迫对蛋白核小球藻生化组分和絮凝性能的影响

【目的】蛋白核小球藻 (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) 蛋白含量高,富含各种必需氨基酸和多种营养保健因子,2012年被我国增列为新资源食品。本文以蛋白核小球藻 (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) 为材料,研究低氮胁迫对自养和兼养来源的藻细胞生化组分和絮凝性能的影响,为开发应用提供技术支撑。【方法】分别以BG11基本培养基和BG11添加10 g/L葡萄糖接种培养蛋白核小球藻,获得自养和兼养来源的种子藻细胞。以BG11基本培养基中18 mmol/L硝酸钠为正常供氮对照,设置硝酸钠水平为3、6、9 mmol/L的低氮胁迫培养基。种子藻细胞培养14天后,分别采用干重法、脂染色法测定藻细胞干重生物量和总脂含量;蛋白和淀粉含量的测定采用紫外分光光度法;用三维荧光光谱分析藻细胞胞外聚合物 (extracellular polymeric substances,EPS) 组分和含量。【结果】1) 自养与兼养来源的蛋白核小球藻在低氮胁迫处理下均能生长,自养来源藻细胞更能迅速感应低氮胁迫的条件变化,转接后第1天即开始快速生长。四个胁迫处理中,以硝酸钠6 mmol/L组藻细胞干重和油脂含量最高。该低氮胁迫培养4天后,所有藻细胞样品生长到达稳定期,此时自养与兼养来源的藻细胞干重分别为2.56 g/L和4.62 g/L,藻细胞油脂含量分别为15.5%和39.3%,与正常对照组 (硝酸钠 18 mmol/L) 相比均显著增加。2) 低氮胁迫处理能提高蛋白核小球藻的油脂产率。其中6 mmol/L胁迫处理4天后,兼养藻细胞油脂产率最高,达到129.56 mg/(L·d),同比是自养来源藻细胞的7.95倍。3) 兼养组藻细胞胞内外蛋白、淀粉 (多糖) 初始含量显著高于自养组。藻细胞油脂、蛋白、淀粉含量在低氮胁迫处理培养2天或3天内均显著下降,之后低氮胁迫组藻细胞胞内外蛋白含量持续下降,细胞油脂与胞内淀粉含量开始回升,在第4天出现明显的拐点。4) 6 mmol/L低氮胁迫处理4天后,自养来源藻细胞中,对藻细胞絮凝有促进作用的蛋白类色氨酸物质含量比对照组增加40.3%,兼养来源藻细胞蛋白类色氨酸物质和对藻细胞絮凝有抑制作用的胡敏酸和富里酸类腐殖酸物质的含量分别为对照组的83.6%、74.8%和54.8%。兼养和自养组藻细胞自絮凝率分别为78.5%和80.3%,均比对照组显著提高。【结论】自养与兼养来源的蛋白核小球藻对低氮胁迫处理的响应存在差异,藻细胞生化组分含量变化受培养基供氮水平和培养时间的影响。低氮胁迫通过影响藻细胞促进和抑制藻细胞自絮凝的生化组分的比例,显著提高其收获期的自絮凝率。针对供试藻种,以硝酸钠6 mmol/L低氮胁迫处理4天对蛋白核小球藻的油脂产率和絮凝性能的提升效果最佳。