Quince (Cydonia oblonga Miller) fruit (pulp, peel, and seed) and Jam: antioxidant activity

To study the antioxidant activity of quince fruit (pulp, peel, and seed) and jam, methanolic extracts were prepared. Each extract was fractionated into a phenolic fraction and an organic acid fraction and was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/diode array detection and HPLC/UV, respectively. Antiradical activities of the extracts and fractions were evaluated by a microassay using 1,1'-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. The phenolic fraction always exhibited a stronger antioxidant activity than the whole methanolic extract. Organic acid extracts were always the weakest in terms of antiradical activity, which seems to indicate that the phenolic fraction gives a higher contribution for the antioxidant potential of quince fruit and jam. The evaluation of the antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts showed that peel extract was the one presenting the highest antioxidant capacity. The IC50 values of quince pulp, peel, and jam extracts were correlated with the caffeoylquinic acids total content. Among the phenolic fractions, the seed extract was the one that exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity. The IC50 values of quince pulp, peel, and jam phenolic extracts were strongly correlated with caffeoylquinic acids and phenolics total contents. For organic acid fractions, the peel extract was the one that had the strongest antiradical activity. The IC50 values of quince pulp, peel, and jam organic acid fractions were correlated with the ascorbic acid and citric acid contents.     

Partial purification and kinetic characterization of a carotenoid cleavage enzyme from quince fruit (Cydonia oblonga)

For the first time, a cytosolic carotenoid cleavage enzyme isolated from quince (Cydonia oblonga) fruit is described. The enzyme was partially purified by using centrifugation, acetone precipitation, ultrafiltration (300 kD, 50 kD), isoelectric focusing (pH 3-10), and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (7.5%). In this way, an enzymatically active protein fraction was obtained that contained three similar proteins, all exhibiting molecular weights in the range of 20 kD. Using beta-carotene as substrate, the enzyme activity was detected spectrophotometrically at a wavelength of 505 nm. The time constant of the reaction was 8.2 min, the Michaelis constant (K(m)) was 11.0 micromol x L(-1), and the maximum velocity (v(max)) was 0.083 micromol x L(-1) x min(-1) x mg(protein)(-1). The optimum temperature was above 50 degrees C.     

Phenolic profile of quince fruit (Cydonia oblonga Miller) (pulp and peel)

Qualitative and quantitative analyses of phenolic compounds were carried out on quince fruit samples from seven different geographical origins in Portugal. For each origin, both pulp and peel were analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC-DAD and HPLC-DAD/MS.The results revealed differences between the phenolic profiles of pulps and peels in all studied cases. The pulps contained mainly caffeoylquinic acids (3-, 4-, and 5-O-caffeoylquinic acids and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid) and one quercetin glycoside, rutin (in low amount). The peels presented the same caffeoylquinic acids and several flavonol glycosides: quercetin 3-galactoside, kaempferol 3-glucoside, kaempferol 3-rutinoside, and several unidentified compounds (probably kaempferol glycoside and quercetin and kaempferol glycosides acylated with p-coumaric acid). The highest content of phenolics was found in peels.     

Study of the organic acids composition of quince (Cydonia oblonga Miller) fruit and jam

The organic acids present in several samples of quince fruit (pulp and peel) and quince jam (homemade and industrially manufactured) were analyzed by HPLC. The sample preparation was simple, involving only extraction with methanol (40 degrees C) and filtration through a Sep-pack C18 cartridge. The chromatographic separation was achieved using an ion exclusion column, Nucleogel Ion 300 OA (300 x 7.7 mm), in conjunction with a column heating device at 30 degrees C. An isocratic elution with H(2)SO(4) 0.01 N as the mobile phase, with a flow rate of 0.1 mL/min, and UV detection at 214 nm were used. These analyses showed that all samples presented a similar profile composed of at least six identified organic acids: citric, ascorbic, malic, quinic, shikimic, and fumaric acids. Several samples also contained oxalic acid. This study suggests that the organic acids levels and ratios may be useful for the determination of percent fruit content of quince jams. The citric acid value can also be used in the differentiation of the type of manufacture of the commercial quince jams (homemade or industrially manufactured).     

Free amino acid composition of quince (Cydonia oblonga Miller) fruit (pulp and peel) and jam

Twenty-one free amino acids present in several samples of quince fruit (pulp and peel) and quince jam (homemade and industrially manufactured) were analyzed by GC/FID. The analyses showed some differences between quince pulps and peels. Generally, the highest content in total free amino acids and in glycine was found in peels. As a general rule, the three major free amino acids detected in pulps were aspartic acid, asparagine, and hydroxyproline. For quince peels, usually, the three most abundant amino acids were glycine, aspartic acid, and asparagine. Similarly, for quince jams the most important free amino acids were aspartic acid, asparagine, and glycine or hydroxyproline. This study suggests that the free amino acid analysis can be useful for the evaluation of quince jam authenticity. It seems that glycine percentage can be used for the detection of quince peel addition while high alanine content can be related to pear addition.     

Antimicrobial activity of Tunisian quince (Cydonia oblonga Miller) pulp and peel polyphenolic extracts

Quince (Cydonia oblonga Miller) fruit aqueous acetone extracts were evaluated. High-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry were used for the identification and quantification of the phenolic compounds. The total phenolic content of the pulp and peel parts ranged from 37 to 47 and 105 to 157 mg/100 g of fresh weight, respectively. Chlorogenic acid (5-O-caffeoylquinic acid) was the most abundant phenolic compound in the pulp (37%), whereas rutin (quercetin 3-O-rutinoside) was the main one in the peel (36%). The radical scavenging potential of the extracts was determined and compared with that of synthetic antioxidants. The stronger properties corresponded to those obtained from peel material with a 70-80% inhibitory effect on DPPH radicals. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts against different microorganism strains was also investigated. Quince peel extract was the most active for inhibiting bacteria growth with minimum inhibitory and bactericide concentrations in the range of 102-5 x 103 microg polyphenol/mL. It seems that chlorogenic acid acts in synergism with other components of the extracts to exhibit their total antimicrobial activities.     

Forest soil acidification assessment using principal component analysis and geostatistics

Soil acidification and consequent Al release is a problem particularly under forests in mountainous areas of the Czech Republic. It is controlled by a number of factors, like acid deposition, forest type, parent rock, altitude, etc. The Jizera Mountains region presents an area heavily influenced by acidification and forest decline. This paper focused on the effect of stand factors on spatial distribution of soil characteristics of the surface organic (O) and sub-surface (B) horizons from 98 sites using a combination of principal component analysis (PCA) and geostatistics. In the PCA, five principal components (PC) describing more than 70% of total variation were selected. The properties of the O and B horizons (pH, C, N, and S content, potentially dangerous Al forms) were in most cases separated, suggesting different processes and effects in each horizon. Spatial variation of PC scores was analysed using variograms, maps of their distribution were created using kriging. Spatial correlation with stand factors (altitude, slope aspect, forest type and age, soil unit, liming, and grass cover) was analysed using cross-variograms. The surface horizons are more sensitive to external influence (acid deposition, liming, grass expansion) and their spatial variation is stronger. The B horizons are more influenced by forest type (beech vs. spruce) and age, and by soil units (cambic vs. spodic horizons). The effect of stand factors is complex and often indirect. Nevertheless, used combination of pedometrical methods provided concise information about spatial variation and relationships between soil characteristics and the effect of stand factors.     

用K-means图像法和主成分分析法监测生菜生长势

温室植物生长状况的实时监测可为生产管理提供科学的决策支持.为开发实时监测中的机器视觉技术,该文选定生菜为研究对象,从单株和群体两个角度构建生菜生长势图像检测法.采集自然光条件下生菜整个生命周期俯视及侧视两类序列图像样本,并同步人工实测生菜生长势的动态数据样本,探讨生长势的图像检测指标与人工实测综合指标之间的相关性.对于单株生菜,通过CCD相机获取其投影图像及水平面两垂直方向侧视图像.就投影图像分割,为提高算法运行效率,将图像由RGB模型转换到HSI模型并提取H分量图像,再运用自动阈值法进行图像二值化处理,可测得单株生菜的投影面积.由于侧视图像背景较复杂,故联合使用K-means彩色图像分割法及伪彩色图像处理方法,获得生菜株高值.同时手工测量表达单株生菜生长势的叶片数、株高、x轴和y轴方向生菜植株的最大宽度、生菜植株某选定叶片的长和宽等6个指标,用主成分分析法从中提取出总生长势信息.将该值作为因变量,图像测得的投影面积和株高值作为自变量并进行回归分析.结果表明,模型的显著性检验概率均小于0.0001,除第4株生菜外,其余模型的决定系数均大于0.80,说明模型极显著且具有较高的拟合精度.对于群体生菜,预试验发现其侧视图像难以准确表达群体生菜生长势信息,故只考虑投影图像,其分割方法与单株生菜侧视图像相同.从中可计算得到群体生菜覆盖指数,再手工测量并算得群体生菜体积指数,以体积指数为因变量,以覆盖指数为自变量建模并进行回归分析.结果表明,模型显著性检验概率均小于0.0001,且决定系数均大于0.89,覆盖指数较好地表达了群体生菜生长势信息.故用图像检测获得的生菜投影面积、株高、群体覆盖指数等三项指标表征生菜生长势一方面具有科学性和可行性,在植物生长状况实时监测领域具有潜在的应用价值,另一方面,其图像分割方法和数据统计方法也可为植物生长状况实时监测等提供一定的借鉴和参考.     

基于主成分变换的ASAR数据水稻种植面积提取

合成孔径雷达(SAR)数据是多云多雨地区水稻监测的重要数据源,多极化的SAR数据有利于识别精度的提高。通过对水稻生长期ENVISAT ASAR双极化数据后向散射系数分析得知,水稻VV极化的后向散射系数比VH极化大,两者总体上都随着水稻的生长而增大。在水稻生长后期,VV极化保持稳定,略有下降,VH极化持续增大。对6个通道的ASAR进行主成分变换,发现水稻种植区在第二主分量(PC2)上值较大,色调很亮,而在第五主分量(PC5)上值较低,色调很暗,分别反映了VV极化和VH极化在水稻生长茂盛期与生长初期的差异,两者差值(PC2-PC5)突出了水稻与其它地类的差异。利用主成分分量的差值(PC2-PC5),基于面向对象分类方法,建立了水稻种植区快速提取方法。利用该方法对福州地区2004年早稻面积进行提取,获得了满意的结果。     

主成分分析法优选枸杞乳酸菌发酵饮品发酵剂

乳酸菌发酵作为果蔬汁的一种绿色加工技术,不仅可以赋予产品独特的风味,还可以转化其中的活性物质,提高产品的营养价值和保健功效.该研究以湖北杂交枸杞为原料,使用6种乳酸菌(植物乳杆菌、嗜热链球菌、嗜酸乳杆菌、鼠李糖乳杆菌、干酪乳杆菌及发酵乳杆菌)进行发酵,研究发酵前后枸杞果汁理化特性、主要活性成分及体外抗氧化变化,并利用主...     

Applications of hierarchical cluster analysis (CLA) and principal component analysis (PCA) in feed structure and feed molecular chemistry research, using synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy

Synchrotron technology based Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (S-FTIR) is a recently emerging bioanalytical microprobe capable of exploring the molecular chemistry within microstructures of feed tissues at a cellular or subcellular level. To date there has been very little application of hierarchical cluster analysis (CLA) and principal component analysis (PCA) to the study of feed inherent microstructures and feed molecular chemistry between feeds and/or between different structures within a feed, in relation to feed quality and nutrient availability using S-FTIR. In this paper, multivariate statistical methods--CLA and PCA--were used to analyze synchrotron-based FTIR individual spectra obtained from feed inherent microstructures within intact tissues by using the S-FTIR as a novel approach. The S-FTIR spectral data of three feed inherent structures (strucutre 1, feed pericarp; structure 2, feed aleurone; structure 3, feed endosperm) and different varieties of feeds within cellular dimensions were collected at the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), U.S. Department of Energy (NSLS-BNL, New York). Both PCA and CLA methods gave satisfactory analytical results and are conclusive in showing that they can discriminate and classify inherent structures and molecular chemistry between and among the feed tissues. They also can be used to identify whether differences exist between the varieties. These statistical analyses place synchrotron-based FTIR microspectroscopy at the forefront of those new potential techniques that could be used in rapid, nondestructive, and noninvasive screening of feed intrinsic microstructures and feed molecular chemistry in relation to the quality and nutritive value of feeds.     

Rapid differentiation of three Chamaecyparis species (Cupressaceae) grown in Taiwan using solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, cluster analysis, and principal component analysis

Three Chamaecyparis species (C. formosensis, C. obtusa, and C. obtusa var. formosana) are difficult to distinguish by the naked eye. Therefore, from the chemotaxonomic point of view, it would be valuable to find a simple and rapid method to differentiate these three Chamaecyparis species. In this study, the chemical compositions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) from mature leaves were analyzed using solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS). Then cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were conducted for the BVOC constituents to reveal the differences among these three species. Results from SPME-GC/MS showed that the compositions of BVOCs from the three species were distinctly different. Moreover, these species were clearly differentiated according to the results of CA and PCA. In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that SPME-GC/MS coupled with CA and PCA is a feasible and rapid technique to differentiate Chamaecyparis species with similar morphological characteristics.     

Discrimination of management effects on soil parameters by using principal component analysis: a multivariate analysis case study

One of the major interests in soil analysis is the integrated evaluation of soil properties, which might be indicators of soil quality. Unsupervised methods of multivariate statistics are powerful tools for this integrated assessment and can help soil researchers to extract much more information from their data. A multivariate study was carried out in three farms from Guaíra, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Conventionally managed plots that intensively utilized pesticides and chemical fertilizers were compared with both non-disturbed forest areas and alternatively managed plots. The latter were under ecological farming employing effective microorganisms (EM) integrated with crop residues. Eight soil parameters were determined for each plot. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was used to verify the similarity among the plots. The multivariate approach of principal component analysis (PCA) allowed us to distinguish the areas as a function of the soil management and determine which are the most important parameters to characterize them. The forest areas presented higher microbial biomass with lower cellulolytics population than at cultivated sites. The alternative plots were characterized by higher microbial biomass and polysaccharide content with lower phosphate solubilizers and cellulolytics microorganisms colony counts than at the conventional areas. The higher observed levels of microbial biomass and polysaccharide content in the alternative areas can be attributed to the effects of the alternative soil amendment. All these effects can be clearer globally visualized with the aid of PCA, through the biplots.     

Classification and structural analysis of live and dead Salmonella cells using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and principal component analysis

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to detect Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Enteritidis food-borne bacteria and to distinguish between live and dead cells of both serotypes. Bacteria cells were prepared in 10(8) cfu/mL concentration, and 1 mL of each bacterium was loaded individually on the ZnSe attenuated total reflection (ATR) crystal surface (45° ZnSe, 10 bounces, and 48 mm × 5 mm effective area of analysis on the crystal) and scanned for spectral data collection from 4000 to 650 cm(-1) wavenumber. Analysis of spectral signatures of Salmonella isolates was conducted using principal component analysis (PCA). Spectral data were divided into three regions such as 900-1300, 1300-1800, and 3000-2200 cm(-1) based on their spectral signatures. PCA models were developed to differentiate the serotypes and live and dead cells of each serotype. Maximum classification accuracy of 100% was obtained for serotype differentiation as well as for live and dead cells differentiation. Soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) analysis was carried out on the PCA model and applied to validation sample sets. It gave a predicted classification accuracy of 100% for both the serotypes and its live and dead cells differentiation. The Mahalanobis distance calculated in three different spectral regions showed maximum distance for the 1800-1300 cm(-1) region, followed by the 3000-2200 cm(-1) region, and then by the 1300-900 cm(-1) region. It showed that both of the serotypes have maximum differences in their nucleic acids, DNA/RNA backbone structures, protein, and amide I and amide II bands.     

Identification of most susceptible soil parameters for Latosol under simulated acid rain stress using principal component analysis

Purpose  

Acid rain is a problem of increasing agricultural, environmental, and ecological concerns worldwide. In recent years, coupled studies have been conducted to evaluate impacts of simulated acid rain (SAR) on Latosol in China. However, no efforts have been devoted to investigating which soil parameters are most sensitive to the influences of SAR. In this study, we addressed the issue using the principal component analysis (PCA) and principal factor analysis (PFA) techniques.     

Unsupervised principal component analysis of NMR metabolic profiles for the assessment of substantial equivalence of transgenic grapes (Vitis vinifera)

Substantial equivalence is a key concept in the evaluation of unintended and potentially harmful metabolic impact consequent to a genetic modification of food. The application of unsupervised multivariate data analysis to the metabolic profiles is expected to improve the effectiveness of such evaluation. The present study uses NMR spectra of hydroalcoholic extracts, as holistic representations of the metabolic profiles of grapes, to evaluate the effect of the insertion of one or three copies of the DefH9-iaaM construct in plants of Silcora and Thompson Seedless cultivars. The comparison of the metabolic profiles of transgenic derivatives with respect to their corresponding natural lines pointed out that the overall metabolic changes occur in the same direction, independent of the host genotype, although the two cultivars are modified to different extents. A higher number of copies not only produces a larger effect but also modifies the whole pattern of perturbed metabolites.     

基于改进主成分分析和AdaBoost算法的运动虾苗识别方法

针对虾行为量化过程中运动虾苗较难检测与识别的问题,该文以南美白对虾虾苗为例,提出了一种基于改进主成分分析(principal component analysis,PCA)+AdaBoost算法的运动虾苗自动识别方法。在室内自然光条件下,利用工业相机采集承装容器中虾苗的灰度图像。提取图像中大小为100×100像素的不同运动状态的虾苗图像,首先使用改进PCA算法进行主成分分析,并进行特征提取。根据特征参数的分布情况,对其进行归一化处理,利用归一化的特征构建多个弱分类器,利用Adaboost方法将弱分类器构建成强分类器。最后,利用强分类器对运动虾苗进行识别。试验结果表明,在150幅不同运动状态虾苗测试样本中,基于改进PCA+Adaboost方法的识别正确率98%,平均每个样本识别时间为0.027 898 s,满足行为量化中的自动识别要求。     

基于主成分分析法的苹果酒香气质量评价模型的构建

利用顶空法固相微萃取与气相色谱质谱联用(HS-SPME-GC-MS)测定了12种苹果酒中的部分重要香气成分,利用主成分分析法建立了苹果酒香气质量评价模型,并用该模型对12种苹果酒香气质量进行了评价,结果表明苹果酒S12的香气质量最好;进一步通过感官评价法对模型评价结果进行了检验,结果表明2种方法具有很好的一致性,表明该文提出的方法是可行的,为果酒香气质量的评价探索了一种新的途径。