NMR characterization of saccharides in Italian honeys of different floral sources

The saccharide profiles of 5 different botanical species in 86 Italian honey samples were investigated by 1H and 1H-13C NMR spectroscopy. Nineteen saccharides were identified in the aqueous extracts, namely, fructose, glucose, gentiobiose, isomaltose, kojibiose, maltose, maltulose, melibiose, nigerose, palatinose, sucrose, turanose, erlose, isomaltotriose, kestose, maltotriose, melezitose, raffinose, and maltotetraose. PCA performed on NMR spectral regions, in particular between 4.400 and 5.700 ppm and the fructose signal at 4.050 ppm, revealed a partial sample grouping. The score contribution plots derived from PCA performed using the mean values for the buckets of the anomeric region for each floral source allowed the identification of saccharides characterizing different honeys. OPLS-DA models were further evaluated to confirm the previous findings. OPLS-DA models were also built to highlight differences between polyfloral and high mountain polyfloral honeys and between high mountain polyfloral and rhododendron honeys, both collected at high altitude; S-plots highlighted the characteristic saccharides.     

Antioxidant activity, polyphenol content, and related compounds in different fruit juices and homogenates prepared from 29 different pomegranate accessions

Pomegranate juice is well known for its health beneficial compounds, which can be attributed to its high level of antioxidant activity and total polyphenol content. Our objective was to study the relationships between antioxidant activity, total polyphenol content, total anthocyanins content, and the levels of four major hydrolyzable tannins in four different juices/homogenates prepared from different sections of the fruit. To this end, 29 different accessions were tested. The results showed that the antioxidant activity in aril juice correlated significantly to the total polyphenol and anthocyanin contents. However, the homogenates prepared from the whole fruit exhibited an approximately 20-fold higher antioxidant activity than the level found in the aril juice. Unlike the arils, the antioxidant level in the homogenates correlated significantly to the content of the four hydrolyzable tannins in which punicalagin is predominant, while no correlation was found to the level of anthocyanins.     

Use of natural and modified cyclodextrins as inhibiting agents of peach juice enzymatic browning

Although cyclodextrins (CDs) have been successfully used as antibrowning agents in different fruit juices, no research has studied the effect of these compounds on enzymatic browning in peach juice. In this paper, the color of fresh peach juice was evaluated in the presence of two types of natural (alpha-CD and beta-CD) and a modified (maltosyl-beta-CD) CD, and the effectiveness of these compounds as browning inhibitors was determined using the color space CIELAB system. Moreover, to clarify the mechanism by which CDs inhibit peach juice enzymatic browning, the process was kinetically modeled in the absence and presence of CDs using a colorimetric method; the apparent complexation constants between the mixtures of diphenols present in peach juice and some types of CD were calculated. The results show that the highest affinity constant was presented by alpha-CD (Kc = 18.31 mM-1) followed by maltosyl-beta-CD (Kc = 11.17 mM-1), whereas beta-CD was incapable of inhibiting peach juice enzymatic browning. Keywords: Cyclodextrin; browning; peach; juice; color; polyphenol oxidase.     

Identification and quantification of antioxidant components of honeys from various floral sources

Little is known about the individual components of honey that are responsible for its antioxidant activity. The present study was carried out to characterize the phenolics and other antioxidants present in honeys from seven floral sources. Chromatograms of the phenolic nonpolar fraction of the honeys indicated that most honeys have similar but quantitatively different phenolic profiles. Many of the flavonoids and phenolic acids identified have been previously described as potent antioxidants. A linear correlation between phenolic content and ORAC activity was demonstrated (R(2) = 0.963, p < 0.0001). Honeys were separated by solid-phase extraction into four fractions for sugar removal and separation based on solubility to identify the relative contribution of each fraction to the antioxidant activity of honey. Antioxidant analysis of the different honey fractions suggested that the water-soluble fraction contained most of the antioxidant components. Specific water-soluble antioxidant components were quantified, including protein; gluconic acid; ascorbic acid; hydroxymethylfuraldehyde; and the combined activities of the enzymes glucose oxidase, catalase and peroxidase. Of these components, a significant correlation could be established only between protein content and ORAC activity (R(2) = 0.674, p = 0.024). In general, the antioxidant capacity of honey appeared to be a result of the combined activity of a wide range of compounds including phenolics, peptides, organic acids, enzymes, Maillard reaction products, and possibly other minor components. The phenolic compounds contributed significantly to the antioxidant capacity of honey but were not solely responsible for it.     

Effect of cobalt,cadmium, and nickel as inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis on floral malformation,yield, and fruit quality of mango

Among the treatments of exogenous foliar spray application of sulphates of cobalt (Co) and cadmium (Cd) at 0, 250, 500, 1000, and 1500 ppm, and nickel (Ni) at 0, 100, 200, and 400 ppm prior to flower bud differentiation in the first week of October, cobalt sulphate (1000 ppm) or cadmium sulphate (1500 ppm) significantly (P=0.05) reduced floral malformation of mango (Mangifera indica L) cv. Langra by 65 to 71% and increased the fruit yield by 35 to 37%. The physical characteristics of the fruit were not affected significantly at the lower concentrations but higher concentrations of Co and Cd caused reduction. Total and non‐reducing sugars in the fruit were adversely affected by the higher rates of Co and Ni applied, but exhibited no effect on total soluble solids percentage (TSS%) or reducing sugars. The foliar spray application of the sulphates of Co, Ni, and Cd increased their respective concentrations in the leaf tissue without any phytotoxic symptoms. Most of the desirable effects were achieved with the 1000 ppm cobalt sulphate treatment applied in the first week of October prior to flower bud differentiation.     

NMR characterization of lignins isolated from fruit and vegetable insoluble dietary fiber

Compositional information for lignins in food is rare and concentrated on cereal grains and brans. As lignins are suspected to have important health roles in the dietary fiber complex, the confusing current information derived from nonspecific lignin determination methods needs to be augmented by diagnostic structural studies. For this study, lignin fractions were isolated from kiwi, pear, rhubarb, and, for comparison, wheat bran insoluble dietary fiber. Clean pear and kiwi lignin isolates allowed for substantive structural profiling, but it is suggested that the significance of lignin in wheat has been overestimated by reliance on nonspecific analytical methods. Volume integration of NMR contours in two-dimensional (13)C-(1)H correlation spectra shows that pear and wheat lignins have comparable guaiacyl and syringyl contributions and that kiwi lignins are particularly guaiacyl-rich (approximately 94% guaiacyl) and suggest that rhubarb lignins, which could not be isolated from contaminating materials, are as syringyl-rich (approximately 96% syringyl) as lignins from any known natural or transgenic fiber source. Typical lignin structures, including those newly NMR-validated (glycerols, spirodienones, and dibenzodioxocins), and resinols implicated as possible mammalian lignan precursors in the gut are demonstrated via their NMR correlation spectra in the fruit and vegetable samples. A novel putative benzodioxane structure appears to be associated with the kiwi lignin. It is concluded that the fruits and vegetables examined contain authentic lignins and that the detailed structural analysis exposes limitations of currently accepted analytical methods.     

Growth and mineral composition of radish under different nitrification inhibitors and nitrogen sources

Abstract

Captan [N‐(trichloromethylthio)‐4‐cyclo‐hexene‐l, 2‐dicarboximide] and benomy¹[methyl 1‐(butylcarbamoyl)‐2‐benzimidazolecarbamate] were evaluated as nitrification inhibitors and compared with nitrapyrin [2‐chloro‐6‐(trichloromethyl)pyridine]. Nitrapyrin, captan, and benorayl were applied at 0, 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg with three nitrogen sources, KNO₃, (NH₄)₂SO₄, and urea, at 300 mg N/kg to ‘Cherry Belle’ radish (Raphanus sativusL). Nitrapyrin and captan inhibited nitrification effectively, but benomyl was not an effective inhibitor. Growth of radish roots and shoots was restricted with application of nitrapyrin and captan combined with (NH₄)₂SO₄or urea relative to the comparable KNO₃treatments. The concentrations of Ca, Mg, and NO₃‐N in plants, especially in shoots, fell, and the percentage of ? was increased with the addition of nitrapyrin and captan. Benomyl did not affect plant growth or composition     

光对采后果蔬叶绿素降解动力学研究

叶绿素对光不稳定,易降解,为探讨引起该类色素降解的主要因素,并在生产、加工及贮藏中予以克服和避免,更好地保证产品在货架期内的感官品质,提高经济效益。该试验利用紫外分光光度计、全自动色差计(CIE-L*a*b*)和高效液相色光谱法定量分析叶绿素光降解的变化情况,并对叶绿素光降解动力学过程进行了分析。结果表明:叶绿素光降解反应符合一级动力学模型;紫外线对叶绿素有很强的破坏作用,可见光中蓝光、红光对该色素降解作用次之,而红外线对叶绿素破坏作用较小;光照强度为500、1000、1500、2000、2500、3000、3500、4000、4500、5000 lux,温度为25℃的条件下,叶绿素降解半衰期分别为16.9、14.1、11.5、9.8、8.8、8.2、7.1、6.0、5.2、4.0 h;相同条件下叶绿素a的降解速率约为叶绿素b降解速率的3～4倍;叶绿素在温度60℃以下降解不明显;氧气在叶绿素光降解过程中有着非常重要的作用。本试验结果对绿色果蔬包装材料的选择和产品感官品质控制有一定的参考价值。     

不同LED光源对番茄果实转色期品质的影响

采用新型半导体光源发光二极管（LED）精量调制光质（红光、蓝光和红蓝组合光）,以普通日光灯（白光）为对照,研究不同光质对番茄果实转色期品质的影响。结果表明,红光处理下番茄果实番茄红素含量最高,显著高于对照和其他处理,但Vc含量最低。蓝光处理下番茄果实维生素C（Vc）含量、可溶性蛋白含量均显著提高。红蓝组合光处理番茄果实Vc含量与对照差异不明显,但可溶性蛋白的含量显著提高。红光和红蓝组合光处理能够显著提高番茄果实糖、酸含量;各处理糖酸比均显著高于对照,且红蓝组合光处理番茄果实的糖/酸值最高。红光和蓝光是影响番茄果实转色期品质变化的主要光质。     

Control of enzymatic browning in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) by sense and antisense RNA from tomato polyphenol oxidase

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity of Russet Burbank potato was inhibited by sense and antisense PPO RNAs expressed from a tomato PPO cDNA under the control of the 35S promoter from the cauliflower mosaic virus. Transgenic Russet Burbank potato plants from 37 different lines were grown in the field. PPO activity and the level of enzymatic browning were measured in the tubers harvested from the field. Of the tubers from 28 transgenic lines that were sampled, tubers from 5 lines exhibited reduced browning. The level of PPO activity correlated with the reduction in enzymatic browning in these lines. These results indicate that expression of tomato PPO RNA in sense or antisense orientation inhibits PPO activity and enzymatic browning in the major commercial potato cultivar. Expression of tomato PPO RNA in sense orientation led to the greatest decrease in PPO activity and enzymatic browning, possibly due to cosuppression. These results suggest that expression of closely related heterologous genes can be used to prevent enzymatic browning in a wide variety of food crops without the application of various food additives.     

果蔬采后处理与贮藏保鲜技术研究进展

该文论述了国内外果实品质的无损伤检测技术,果实分级的机械化与自动化技术;介绍了果蔬贮藏库的现代设备;综述了国内外有关果蔬贮藏保鲜的新技术及研究进展,包括：天然果蔬保鲜剂的应用、利用调压技术贮藏、臭氧及负氧离子保鲜、利用生物技术保鲜、静电场处理贮藏、低剂量辐射处理保鲜,以及细胞水结构化气调保鲜等国内外近几年发展起来的现代果蔬贮藏保鲜技术。最后提出了中国果蔬贮藏保鲜产业持续、稳定、健康的发展要倚重于科技创新。     

Saffron as a source of novel acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: molecular docking and in vitro enzymatic studies

Inhibitors of acetylcholine breakdown by acetylcholinesterase (AChE) constitute the main therapeutic modality for Alzheimer's disease. In the search for natural products with inhibitory action on AChE, this study investigated the activity of saffron extract and its constituents by in vitro enzymatic and molecular docking studies. Saffron has been used in traditional medicine against Alzheimer's disease. Saffron extract showed moderate AChE inhibitory activity (up to 30%), but IC(50) values of crocetin, dimethylcrocetin, and safranal were 96.33, 107.1, and 21.09 μM, respectively. Kinetic analysis showed mixed-type inhibition, which was verified by in silico docking studies. Safranal interacts only with the binding site of the AChE, but crocetin and dimethylcrocetin bind simultaneously to the catalytic and peripheral anionic sites. These results reinforce previous findings about the beneficial action of saffron against Alzheimer's disease and may be of value for the development of novel therapeutic agents based on carotenoid-based dual binding inhibitors.     

果蔬垃圾与餐厨垃圾混合厌氧消化产气性能

研究了果蔬与餐厨垃圾不同混合比例和不同进料负荷下的厌氧消化产气性能。以果蔬与餐厨垃圾为原料,比例分别为0∶8、2∶8、5∶8、8∶8和8∶0,不同比例的混合原料分别按2%、4%、6%（TS）的进料负荷进行厌氧消化。结果表明：果蔬与餐厨的比例为5∶8、进料负荷2%时产气性能最佳,其单位TS甲烷总产量为600 mL/g,比同比例进料负荷4%和6%分别高5.4%和10%,比2%～6%的单一餐厨和单一果蔬原料分别高4.5%～18%和7.1%～510%,消化周期小于50 d,第20天即达到产气高峰,且峰值单位TS日产气量可达95 mL/g。低负荷运行可有效地避免VFA中丙酸及氨氮的积累,提高负荷、增加果蔬的比例则会导致丙酸和氨氮的积累和抑制,影响厌氧消化体系的稳定性,导致单位TS甲烷总产量降低。研究结果可为城市生活垃圾有机废物厌氧消化处理提供设计和运行依据。     

果蔬垃圾重复批次发酵协同制备乳酸和短链脂肪酸

利用果蔬垃圾厌氧合成中链脂肪酸（medium-chain fatty acids,MCFAs）等化学品是厌氧技术高值化的重要方向。中链脂肪酸合成通常需要以乳酸/乙醇（电子供体）和短链脂肪酸（电子受体）为碳源进行碳链延长反应。因此,利用有机废弃物连续、稳定地协同制备乳酸和短链脂肪酸是中链脂肪酸合成的关键步骤。该研究考察了果蔬垃圾重复批次发酵协同制备乳酸和短链脂肪酸（short-chain fatty acids,SCFAs）的可行性,研究了不同置换率和进料浓度对果蔬垃圾重复批次发酵产酸特性的影响。结果表明,调控重复批次发酵的置换率和进料浓度是提高生产率、改善乳酸/SCFAs比例的有效方法。综合考虑酸化产物的生产率、乳酸/SCFAs比例和碳源浓度,在70%置换率和8%进料TS(total solid)浓度条件下获得的酸化产物相对更有利于MCFAs的合成。此时,酸化产物生产率达到（5.25±0.25）g/(L·d),乳酸/SCFAs的碳摩尔比例达到5±0.3,碳源浓度达到（985±29）mmol C/L。微生物群落分析显示,乳酸菌,如Lactobacillus和Enterococcus作为优势菌通过异型乳酸发酵协同制备乳酸和SCFAs。研究结果可为果蔬垃圾的高值化利用提供参考。     

Preparation of indigestible pyrodextrins from different starch sources

Starch-modifying processes, such as pyrodextrinization, are potential ways to alter the nutritional features of this polysaccharide. A widely used method for pyrodextrinizing maize starch was also applied to lentil, sorghum, cocoyam, sagu, and cassava starches, and the in vitro digestibility of the products was evaluated. Pyrodextrins were produced by heating starch at 140 degrees C for 3 h, with catalytic amounts of HCl. The enzymatically available starch content of all preparations decreased by 55-65% after modification. Thus, pyrodextrinization seems to be an effective way to produce indigestible glucans from different starches. Pyrodextrins obtained were complex mixtures of starch derivatives with a wide range of molecular weight as estimated by gel filtration chromatography. Both their molecular weight profiles and contents of indigestible fractions varied with starch source. Experiments with lentil and cassava starches showed that changing dextrinization conditions also affects the susceptibility to enzymatic hydrolysis of the product.     

果蔬三维切丁机设计与试验

为了提高国产切丁机的切削质量和切削效率,设计了一种新型果蔬切丁机.该机采用旋转推进器送料,离心切削法切片,圆盘格栅刀切丝,最后由切丁条刀切丁的三维切丁技术.论文阐述了切丁机结构组成及工作原理,并以马铃薯为切削对象,进行了物料在离心切削滚筒内的受力分析计算,确定出切削滚筒最小工作转速为133.3 r/min;对所切物料丁断面曲线方程分析,得出切丁断面具有3种不同形状,通过比较不同离心切削滚筒与切丁条刀转速比条件下的切丁断面形状及偏差,得出其最佳速比为0.17.样机切削性能试验表明:切出的15 mm× 15 mm×15 mm和20 mm×20 mm×20 mm马铃薯立方块形状规整,其相对偏差分别为11.7％、12.7％,均小于15％,达到了预期目标,为新型果蔬三维切丁机的研制提供了参考.