Detection of key factors in the extraction and quantification of lycopene from tomato and tomato products

The analytical process of lycopene extraction and photometrical determination was critically examined for raw tomato and processed tomato products by means of a 2 IV (15-10) Plackett-Burman experimental design in order to identify the key factors (KFs) involved. Fifteen apparent key factors (AKFs) reported in the literature were selected: sample weight (X1); volume of extraction solution (X2); antioxidant concentration (BHT, X3); neutralizing agent concentration (MgCO 3, X4); light presence during lycopene extraction (X5), homogenization velocity (X6) and time (X7), agitation time (X8), and temperature (X9) during the extraction process; water volume for separation of polar/nonpolar phases (X11); presence of inert atmosphere throughout the process (X12); time (X13), temperature (X14), and light presence (X10) during separation of phases and time delay for reading (X15). In general, higher lycopene concentrations in samples led to a higher number of key factors (KF). Thus, for raw tomato (lycopene range 1.22-2.29 mg/100 g) no KF were found, whereas for tomato sauce (lycopene range from 5.80 to 8.60 mg/100 g) one KF (X4) and for tomato paste (lycopene range from 35.80 to 51.27 mg/100 g) five KFs (X1, X2, X4, X11, and X12) were detected. For lycopene paste, X1 and X2 were identified as the KFs with the greatest impact on results, although in fact the X1/X2 ratio was the real cause. The results suggest that, with increased processing, the physical and chemical structure of lycopene becomes less important since the identified KFs explain almost 90% of variability in tomato paste but only 32% in raw tomato.     

Analysis of piperazine drug formulations for N-nitrosamines

A quantitative method is described for the measurement of N-mononitrosopiperazine (NPIP) and N,N'-dinitrosopiperazine (DNPIP) in drug formulations containing piperazine, using a gas chromatograph interfaced to a thermal energy analyzer (GC/TEA). The method has detection limits of 20 ppb for NPIP and 12 ppb for DNPIP. In a survey of 6 products available on the Canadian market, all contained NPIP at levels of 0.38-15.3 micrograms NPIP/g piperazine and none contained any detectable amount of DNPIP.     

New FDA migration cell used to study migration of styrene from polystyrene into various solvents

A new cell was evaluated for studying the migration of components of plastic food packaging materials into various food simulating solvents. Data obtained using this cell to study the migration of styrene from polystyrene at 40 and 70 degrees C are presented. Food simulating solvents tested were: water; 3% acetic acid; 8, 20, 50, and 100% ethanol; corn oil; HB-307; heptane; hexadecane; and decanol. An iterative Basic computer program is described that fits the migration vs time data obtained to mathematical models, based on Ficks' law, yielding migrant/polymer diffusion coefficients (Dp). Dp values determined for styrene migration from polystyrene at 40 and 70 degrees C were 3 X 10(-13) and 4 X 10(-12) sq. cm/s, respectively.     

Irrigation effects of cooling tower effluent on soil chemistry and alfalfa in the Rio Grande river basin

Development of alternative sources through wastewater reuse is important to meet water demands in arid regions. However, effects of wastewater irrigation on soil properties and crop performance must be evaluated before advocating its widespread use. Objectives of this study were to evaluate: (i) effects of prior evaporative disposal of saline‐sodic blowdown water (BW) on soil (fine‐loamy, mixed, and thermic Typic Calciorthods) properties in the disposal area, and (ii) effects of flood irrigation with three water qualities (control, BW 1X, and BW 2X) on soil salinity and alfalfa performance using a greenhouse soil column study (soil collected from same study area as objective (i)). Results indicated that although prior land disposal of BW had increased salinity and sodicity of soil, they were within the tolerance limits of the intended crop, alfalfa. Mass balance calculations indicated measured (15·6 Mg ha⁻¹) and calculated (13·2 Mg ha⁻¹) salt accumulation at the test site used for evaporative disposal were similar. Alfalfa grown using BW under greenhouse conditions produced prime quality hay and biomass yield similar to the control treatment (8·3 g column⁻¹ vs. 10·5 g column⁻¹ in control). Although 3·6 years equivalent of flood irrigation with BW 1X did not result in saline soil (BW 1X irrigated soils EC ranged from 2·2 to 3·5 dS m⁻¹), BW 2X irrigation resulted in saline soils. Sodicities of irrigated soils were greater in fine textured deep soils than coarse textured surface soils (e.g., SAR of 6·1 at 0–5 cm vs. 19·5 mmol^1/2 L^−1/2 at 30–60 cm in BW 1X), indicating the need for high solubility Ca amendments for long‐term irrigation with BW on fine texture soils within the soil profile. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Organophosphorus derivatives containing piperazine dithiosemicarbazones as chemotherapeutants against fungal pathogens of sugarcane

Five novel organophosphorus derivatives have been synthesized by the reactions of O,O-diethylchlorophosphate with piperazine dithiosemicarbazones. The derivatives have been characterized on the basis of analyses and spectral (IR, 1H NMR) data. Fungicidal activities of these derivatives against Colletotrichum falcatum, Fusarium oxysporum, and Curvularia pallescence have been evaluated. The screening results have been correlated with the structural features of the tested compounds. Organophosphorus derivatives containing 1,4-bis(4-chlorobenzaldehyde)piperazine dithiosemicarbazone and 1,4-bis(4-methoxybenzaldehyde)piperazine dithiosemicarbazone proved to be more active than some prevalent commercial synthetic fungicides.     

基于线性回归的农业氮磷流失比定量模型研究

收集整理了32篇已公开发表的学术论文的N、P流失数据63组,对我国农业N、P流失比进行了分析。结果表明,自20世纪90年代以来,我国农业N、P流失比存在显著下降趋势(p0.05,n=63)。我国农业N素流失和P素流失在化学计量上的变化趋势可能与我国目前频发的水体富营养化存在密切联系。通过线性回归分析,我们发现农业N、P流失比与其影响因子存在良好的线性关系,回归方程为Y=-12.507+0.063X1+0.143X2-1.257X3+4.796X4-11.060X5(X1:降水量;X2:总N输入量;X3:总P输入量;X4:坡度;X5:TN/TP;Y:N/P),但该定量模型仍存在一定缺陷。农业N、P流失比定量模型的研究,对加强水体环境保护具有重要的现实意义。     

Role of anthranilic acid in background levels of sulfonamide in porcine livers when determined by the Tishler method

Anthranilic acid occurs in excised swine livers as a result of temperature abuse before and/or after freezing. The tryptophan metabolite is the major source of the variable non-sulfonamide background level frequently encountered in the Tishler method for determining sulfonamide residues in swine livers. Diazotized anthranilic acid reacts slowly with N-1-(naphthyl)ethylenediamine [k(s-1) = 5.79 (+/- 0.07) X 10(-5)] and the final background level depends on the time elapsed between addition of the coupling agent and spectrophotometric determination. Kynurenine was tentatively identified as a minor source of the non-sulfonamide background level.     

陕西建立陡坡蚕桑水保经济的前景与效益分析

丝织品销售量在国内外市场呈上升趋势，我国近年蚕丝出口创汇３０亿美元，占世界贸易的４０％。陕西丘陵山区以陡坡灌桑聋槽栽培新法在２５°以上退耕坡地植桑，每ｈｍ＾２产桑叶９００－１８０００ｋｇ；每ｈｍ＾２养蚕１５－３０张，产茧４５０－９００ｋｇ，每ｈｍ＾２桑年获得利３０００－６０００元以上；水土保持效益６０００－１２０００。陕西省有我国《水土保持法》规定２５°以上陡坡应退耕坡耕地９．２２×１０＾５ｈｍ＾     

Enzymatic production of xylooligosaccharides from cotton stalks

Xylooligosaccharide (XO) production was performed from xylan, which was obtained by alkali extraction from cotton stalk, a major agricultural waste in Turkey. Enzymatic hydrolysis was selected to prevent byproduct formation such as xylose and furfural. Xylan was hydrolyzed using a commercial xylanase preparation, and the effects of pH, temperature, hydrolysis period, and substrate and enzyme concentrations on the XO yield and degree of polymerization (DP) were investigated. Cotton stalk contains about 21% xylan, the composition of which was determined as 84% xylose, 7% glucose, and 9% uronic acid after complete acid hydrolysis. XOs in the DP range of 2-7 (X6 approximately X5>X2>X3) were obtained with minor quantities of xylose in all of the hydrolysis conditions used. Although after 24 h of hydrolysis at 40 degrees C, the yield was about 53%, the XO production rate leveled off after 8-24 h of hydrolysis. XO yield was affected by all of the parameters investigated; however, none of them affected the DP of the end product significantly, except the hydrolysis period. Enzyme hydrolysis was maintained by the addition of fresh substrate after 72 h of hydrolysis, indicating the persistence of enzyme activity. The optimal hydrolysis conditions were determined as 40 degrees C, pH 5.4, and 2% xylan. The obtained product was fractionated via ultrafiltration by using 10, 3, and 1 kDa membranes. Complete removal of xylanase and unhydrolyzed xylan was achieved without losing any oligosaccharides having DP 5 or smaller by 10 kDa membrane. After a two-step membrane processing, a permeate containing mostly oligosaccharides was obtained.     

Accurate determination of oosporein in fungal culture broth by differential pulse polarography

A simple and accurate differential pulse polarographic method has been developed for the determination of oosporein in the culture broth of the fungus Beauveria brongniartii. This hydroxybenzoquinone derivative is the only major secondary metabolite secreted by this entomopathogenic fungus, which is used as biological pest control agent (BCA) against Melolontha melolontha larvae. It can be found in the host organism as well as in the formulated product. The polarographic behavior of oosporein was examined in various buffer systems over the pH range 3-10. In Britton-Robinson buffer/methanol solution (3:7 v/v, pH 5.5) the differential pulse polarograms exhibited reproducible peaks at E(p) = -0.18 V vs silver/silver chloride/potassium chloride (3 M). Under these conditions, a plot of peak height vs concentration of oosporein was found to be linear over the range 5.9 x 10(-)(7) to 2.5 x 10(-)(5) M (0.18-7.74 microg mL(-)(1); r = 0.9998). The detection limit was calculated to be 54 ng mL(-)(1). To evaluate the concentration of oosporein, the standard addition method was applied. The analysis of oosporein in the culture broth led to a mean value of 524.9 microg mL(-)(1) broth with a relative standard deviation (S(rel)) of +/-2.6%. The proposed polarographic method is accurate, not time-consuming, and it is of low cost because no separation steps are necessary.     

Improved procedure for determination of acrylonitrile in foods and its application to meat

The previously described headspace-gas chromatographic procedure for the determination of acrylonitrile (AN) in several foods, with N/P selective detection, has been modified to include packaged luncheon meats. The loss of AN during equilibration at 100 degrees C in meat samples as well as the previously described loss in cold pack cheese and peanut butter has been studied. The loss of AN could be prevented by the addition of 10% phosphoric acid, which increases the acidity of the food-acid-salt slurry to pH 1.2-1.5. This acidification permits detection of AN at 2 ppb (5% FSD at 16 X 10(-2) amp/mV) in all foods studied. AN was not detected in 10 samples of luncheon meat packaged in AN-based plastic which contained up to 2.6 ppm AN.     

牛卵泡液对牛卵母细胞体外成熟的影响

本研究系统探讨了牛卵泡液（ＢＦＦ）对牛卵母细胞体外成熟的影响。在成熟培养液中添加１０％的ＢＦＦ，明显提高牛卵母细胞体外成熟后的囊胚发育率（４５．１％比２８．２％，Ｐ＜０．０５），虽然该处理对牛卵母细胞体外成熟后的受精分裂率无明显影响（８７．５％比８７．５％）。然而，当ＢＦＦ在成熟培养液中的浓度提高到４０％时，卵母细胞体外成熟后的受精分裂率（６８．６％）和囊胚发育率（１６．６％）均明显下降（Ｐ＜０．０５）。来自不同大小卵泡（２～５ｍｍ，５．１～８ｍｍ和大于８ｍｍ）ＢＦＦ的卵母细胞体外成熟培养效果无明显差异，只是来自大于８ｍｍ卵泡的ＢＦＦ将卵母细胞粘在一起，明显地降低成熟培养后的可用卵母细胞数。在成熟培养液中加入激素（２．５×１０３ｉｕ／Ｌ促性腺激素（ＨＣＧ），５０ｉｕ／Ｌ促乳素，０．０５ｍｇ／Ｌ胰岛素、睾酮和雌二醇）对ＢＦＦ的卵母细胞成熟培养效果无影响。这些结果表明，在成熟培养液中添加一定浓度的ＢＦＦ可促进牛卵母细胞获得胚胎发育能力，ＢＦＦ的这一作用与其来源的卵泡大小和激素的存在与否无关。     

Determination of phenolic constituents of biological interest in red wine by capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection

A simultaneous determination of trans-resveratrol, (-)-epicatechin, and (+)-catechin in red wine by capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection (CE-ED) is reported. The effects of the potential of the working electrode, pH and concentration of running buffer, separation voltage, and injection time on CE-ED were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, the analytes could be separated in a 100 mmol/L borate buffer (pH 9.2) within 20 min. A 300 microm diameter carbon disk electrode has a good response at +0.85 V (vs SCE) for all analytes. The response was linear over 3 orders of magnitude with detection limit (S/N = 3) ranging from 2 x 10(-7) to 5 x 10(-7) g/mL for all analytes. This method has been used for the determination of these analytes in red wine without enrichment, and the assay result was satisfactory.     

Standardization of bacterial numbers of penicylinders used in disinfectant testing: interlaboratory study

An interlaboratory study was conducted to evaluate a method of standardizing bacterial numbers on penicylinders used in the AOAC use-dilution method (4.007-4.015) of disinfectant testing. Eight participating laboratories followed a broth adjustment method using their media and stock cultures of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Salmonella choleraesuis ATCC 10708, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442. The culture broths that were used to inoculate the penicylinders were incubated for 48 h at 37 degrees C after several (4-6) 24 h passages. McFarland turbidity standards of 1.0 and 0.5 were used to adjust visually the cultures of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, respectively. S. choleraesuis was used undiluted. The results showed significant variability in numbers of test bacteria which adhered to the penicylinders, with mean values of 1.6 X 10(6) for S. choleraesuis, 3.5 X 10(6) for S. aureus, and 8.2 X 10(6) for P. aeruginosa. The results from collaborating laboratories attempting standardization of bacterial numbers on penicylinders demonstrated significant interlaboratory and cylinder variation for all 3 test organisms.     

Broccoli ( Brassica oleracea var. italica) sprouts and extracts rich in glucosinolates and isothiocyanates affect cholesterol metabolism and genes involved in lipid homeostasis in hamsters

This study investigated the effects of broccoli sprouts (BS) on sterol and lipid homeostasis in Syrian hamsters with dietary-induced hypercholesterolemia. Treatments included freeze-dried BS containing 2 or 20 μmol of glucoraphanine (BSX, BS10X), glucoraphanine-rich BS extract (GRE), sulforaphane-rich BS extract (SFE), and simvastatin. Each experimental diet was offered to eight animals (male and female) for 7 weeks. Hepatic cholesterol was reduced by BS10X and SFE treatments in all animals. This correlated with a down-regulation of gene expression of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP-1 and -2) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) caused by GRE and SFE diets. BS10X caused changes in gene expression in a gender-specific manner; additionally, it increased coprostanol excretion in females. With the same concentration of glucoraphanin, consumption of broccoli sprouts (BS10X) had more marked effects on cholesterol homeostasis than GRE; this finding reinforces the importance of the matrix effects on the bioactivity of functional ingredients.     

基于近红外光谱的室温贮藏下鲜枣霉菌污染动力学模型

为了预测鲜枣常温贮藏的保鲜期,确保鲜枣的品质要求及食用安全,应用近红外光谱建立了室温贮藏下鲜枣内部霉菌菌落总数变化的动力学模型。通过对几种数据预处理方法的比较及特征波数的选择,实现了鲜枣霉菌菌落总数变化的近红外模型的优选。结果表明:经过多元散射校正处理的鲜枣近红外光谱,应用多元线性回归方法建立的霉菌菌落总数模型预测能力较好,校正集相关系数为0.920,均方根误差为1.503,预测集相关系数为0.889,均方根误差为1.514。同时,将近红外光谱模型应用于霉菌菌落总数随贮藏时间变化的零级反应动力学模型中,得到模型的相关系数为0.981。根据近红外光谱吸光度值与贮藏时间的线性关系,当霉菌菌落总数初始值小于等于10cfu/g时,预测出鲜枣在室温下的保鲜期一般为8d。研究表明,结合动力学模型的近红外光谱技术可以作为一种无损、快速检测方法来检测鲜枣霉菌菌落总数变化。     

Health-promoting effects of a dietary fiber concentrate from the soybean byproduct okara in rats

Okara (a byproduct of the soy milk industry) is rich in proteins (24.5-37.5 g/100 g of dry matter (dm)), lipids (9.3-22.3 g/100 g of dm), and dietary fiber (DF) (14.5-55.4 g/100 g of dm). It also contains isoflavones (0.14 g/100 g of dm). In the present study we fed female healthy Wistar rats either a standard rat diet or a supplemented 10% DF-rich okara (DFRO) diet for 4 weeks, and then we assessed several health parameters in the serum and the cecum compartments. In comparison to the control group, rats fed DFRO showed a significant decrease in weight gain (5.00 +/- 1.22 g vs 2.00 +/- 1.46 g, P < 0.03, during week 4) and in total cholesterol (65 +/- 8 mg/dL vs 51 +/- 5 mg/dL, P < 0.05) and a significantly increased antioxidant status (36.71 +/- 15.31 micromol of Trolox equivalents (TEs)/g vs 69.75 +/- 16.11 micromol of TEs/g, P < 0.0003) and butyrogenic effect (39.37%, P < 0.003) in the cecum. In addition, a significant enhancement in the apparent absorption (41.89 +/- 1.64% vs 47.02 +/- 2.51%, P < 0.004) and in the true retention (41.62 +/- 1.60% vs 46.68 +/- 2.55%, P < 0.005) of calcium was appreciated. In summary, these findings show for the first time that a concentrate DF from a soybean byproduct protects the gut environment in terms of antioxidant status and prebiotic effect. These results may highlight the development of an innovative soybean byproduct rich in DF which could be useful as a functional ingredient with health-promoting attributes.     

Evaluation of penicylinders used in disinfectant testing: bacterial attachment and surface texture

Two possible deficiencies in the AOAC use-dilution method for registration of chemical disinfectants by the Environmental Protection Agency are examined: (1) the physical disparities among brands of penicylinders and (2) the variability of bacterial numbers on penicylinders depending upon test strain and penicylinder surface texture. Textural differences of 2 brands of stainless steel penicylinders, one brand of porcelain, and one brand of glass were assessed by scanning electron microscopy. A considerable variation in smoothness of both inner and outer surfaces of stainless steel and porcelain penicylinders was observed. Glass penicylinders were very smooth. Numbers of bacteria attached to a penicylinder were assessed by vortexing the penicylinders 30 s at No. 4 after using the AOAC method of bacterial inoculation and drying 40 min at 37 degrees C. With this methodology, stainless steel carriers retained the 3 AOAC-recommended bacterial test strains differentially: ca 10(7) for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 5 X 10(6) for Staphylococcus aureus, and 10(6) for Salmonella choleraesuis; glass retained 10(6)-10(7) organisms of all 3 test strains; porcelain retained about that amount of S. aureus but 10(5)-10(6) P. aeruginosa and 10(3)-10(4) S. choleraesuis. These data suggest that disinfectants are not similarly challenged with the AOAC-recommended test bacteria and that an alternative method should be considered to ensure comparable numbers of bacteria on penicylinders.     

高寒阴湿区陇薯6号脱毒原种肥密配套模式研究

为探讨高寒阴湿区栽培陇薯6号脱毒原种的最佳氮磷肥用量及密度,为推广和应用该品种提供理论依据。利用二次通用旋转组合试验设计,构建了氮肥(X1)、磷肥(X2)和栽培密度(X3)三因素与陇薯6号脱毒原种产量(Y)之间的回归模型:Y=38.139+2.519X1-3.662X12-1.719X22-1.719X32。对模型解析寻优的结果表明,高寒阴湿区陇薯6号脱毒原种块茎产量大于33 t/hm2的最优栽培方案为:施N 168.22～204.87 kg/hm2、P2O5 104.98～165.02 kg/hm2,密度为47 497～57 503株/hm2。