Identification and quantification of caffeoylquinic acids and flavonoids from artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) heads, juice, and pomace by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS(n)

A method for the identification and quantification of phenolic compounds from artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) heads, juice, and pomace by HPLC with diode array and mass spectrometric detection was developed. Among the 22 major compounds, 11 caffeoylquinic acids and 8 flavonoids were detected. Quantification of individual compounds was carried out by external calibration. Apigenin 7-O-glucuronide was found to be the major flavonoid in all samples investigated. 1,5-Di-O-caffeoylquinic acid represented the major hydroxycinnamic acid, with 3890 mg/kg in artichoke heads and 3269 mg/kg in the pomace, whereas in the juice 1,3-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (cynarin) was predominant, due to the isomerization during processing. Total phenolic contents of approximately 12 g/kg on a dry matter basis revealed that artichoke pomace is a promising source of phenolic compounds that might be recovered and used as natural antioxidants or functional food ingredients.     

Seasonal variation of red clover (Trifolium pratense L., Fabaceae) isoflavones and estrogenic activity

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L., Fabaceae) dietary supplements are currently used to treat menopausal symptoms because of their high content of the mildly estrogenic isoflavones daidzein, genistein, formononetin, and biochanin A. These compounds are estrogenic in vitro and in vivo, but little information exists on the best time to harvest red clover fields to maximize content of the isoflavones and thus make an optimal product. Samples of cultivated red clover above-ground parts and flower heads were collected in parallel over one growing season in northeastern Illinois. Generally, autohydrolytic extracts of above-ground parts contained more isoflavones and had more estrogenic activity in Ishikawa endometrial cells as compared with extracts of flower heads. Daidzein and genistein contents peaked around June to July, while formononetin and biochanin A contents peaked in early September. Flower head and total above-ground parts extracts exhibited differential estrogenic activity in an Ishikawa (endometrial) cell-based alkaline phosphatase induction assay, whereas nondifferential activity was observed for most extracts tested in an MCF-7 (breast) cell proliferation assay when tested at the same final concentrations. Ishikawa assay results could be mapped onto the extracts' content of individual isoflavones, but MCF-7 results did not show such a pattern. These results suggest that significant metabolism of isoflavones may occur in MCF-7 cells but not in Ishikawa cells; therefore, caution is advised in the choice of bioassay used for the biological standardization of botanical dietary supplements.     

Fertilization strategies on cultivars of globe artichoke: Effects on yield and quality performance

This paper refers on the yields and productive aspects of mineral and foliar nutrition of globe artichoke plants (cv. ‘Opal’ and ‘Madrigal’). Marketable yields were investigated in response to different nitrogen rates and foliar applications of biostimulating products. Field experiments were conducted over two seasons on an alluvial salty-clay soil in sub-humid climate conditions. Analyzed traits differed between years because of the age of plants while the lowest nitrogen rate and foliar spraying of biostimulants influenced significantly head weight, dry matter, and Soil Plant Analysis Division (SPAD) index. Biostimulants induced longer cultural cycle and heads lighter in weight. Cultivar ‘Madrigal’ was most productive than ‘Opal’, both in number (26.28% higher) and in weight (28.51%) of total heads. The two-year investigation showed that the synergic action was effective in improving some of the investigated productive traits of globe artichoke.     

Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Analysis of African Mango (Irvingia gabonensis) Seeds, Extract, and Related Dietary Supplements

Dietary supplements based on an extract from Irvingia gabonensis (African mango, AM) seeds are one of the popular herbal weight loss dietary supplements in the U.S. market. The extract is believed to be a natural and healthy way to lose weight and improve overall health. However, the chemical composition of AM-based dietary supplements (AMDSs) has never been reported. In this study, the chemical constituents of AM seeds, AM seeds extract (AMSE), and different kinds of commercially available AMDSs have been investigated using an ultra high-performance liquid chromatography with high resolution mass spectrometry method. Ellagic acid, mono-, di-, and tri-O-methyl-ellagic acids, and their glycosides were found as major components in AM seeds. These compounds may be used for quality control of AM extract and related dietary supplements.     

Analysis of antioxidative phenolic compounds in artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.)

Artichoke leaf is an herbal medicine known for a long time. A systematic antioxidant activity-directed fractionation procedure was used to purify antioxidative components from the aqueous methanol extractions of artichoke heads and leaves in this study. Seven active polyphenolic compounds were purified from artichoke, and structural elucidation of each was achieved using MS and NMR. Two of these compounds, apigenin-7-rutinoside and narirutin, were found to be unique to artichoke heads, this represents the first report of these compounds in the edible portion of this plant. The contents of these antioxidants and total phenols in dried artichoke samples from leaves and immature and mature heads of three varieties, Imperial Star, Green Globe, and Violet, were then analyzed and compared by colorimetric and validated HPLC methods. Significant differences by variety and plant organ were observed.     

Commercial dietary antioxidant supplements assayed for their antioxidant activity by different methodologies

Seven commercial dietary antioxidant supplements were evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant capacity by different methodologies: antiradical activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH.), inhibition of methyl linoleate (MeLo) autoxidation, and resistance to ion-dependent oxidation of human low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Great variability in antioxidant activity was seen among the supplements, as well as different patterns of antioxidant capacity depending on the method used. The same orders of activity were found for the MeLo autoxidation and LDL-induced oxidation methods, but the differences recorded by the former were wider. "Food/compound intake equivalents" of the doses recommended by the manufacturers were calculated in terms of quercetin, strawberries, and red wine for each of the supplements studied. Food/compound intake equivalents varied between 7.9 and 190 mg of quercetin according to the DPPH. scavenging method, between 0.20 and 98 mg according to the MeLo autoxidation method, and between 3.4 and 83 mg according to LDL-induced oxidation. In equivalent terms of red wine, the food/compound intake equivalents varied between 7 and 159 mL, between 3 and 1354 mL, and between 4 and 89 mL for the same three methods. In terms of equivalents of strawberry, they varied between 14 and 343 mg according to the DPPH. scavenging method and between 57 g and 26 kg according to the MeLo autoxidation method. These results show the need to standardize dietary supplements in terms of their antioxidant capacity to match required doses to the oxidative status of consumers.     

Concentration of bisphenol A in highly consumed canned foods on the U.S. market

Metal food and drink cans are commonly coated with epoxy films made from phenolic polymers produced from bisphenol A (BPA). It is well established that residual BPA monomer migrates into can contents during processing and storage. While a number of studies have reported BPA concentrations in foods from foreign markets and specialty foods on the U.S. market, very few peer-reviewed data for the BPA concentrations in canned food from the U.S. market were available. This study quantified BPA concentrations in 78 canned and two frozen food products from the U.S. market using an adaptation of a previously reported liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. The tested products represented 16 different food types that are from the can food classifications that constitute approximately 65% of U.S. canned food sales and canned food consumption. BPA was detected in 71 of the 78 canned food samples but was not detected in either of the two frozen food samples. Detectable BPA concentrations across all foods ranged from 2.6 to 730 ng/g. Large variations in BPA concentrations were found between different products of the same food type and between different lots of the same product. Given the large concentration ranges, the only distinguishable trend was that fruits and tuna showed the lowest BPA concentrations. Experiments with fortified frozen vegetables and brine solutions, as well as higher BPA concentrations in canned food solids over liquid portions, clearly indicated that BPA partitions into the solid portion of foods.     

Flavanol content and antioxidant activity in winery byproducts

Proanthocyanidins, particularly those coming from wine and grape products, have became of interest to nutritionists. Particular attention is currently being paid to the exploitation of this kind of grape byproducts for obtaining bio-active phenolic compounds with potential application as food antioxidants and preventive agents against cancer and other diseases. In this work, the flavanol composition of various winery byproducts submitted to different degrees of industrial exploitation has been studied and their antioxidant activity determined using two different methods (TBARS and TEAC) to evaluate their interest as suitable sources for the preparation of flavanol-rich antioxidant extracts. All the byproducts studied were still good flavanol sources no matter their exploitation degree. An important conclusion was that dried grape seeds, obtained as an end byproduct after the color extraction and alcohol distillation of the wine pomace, still kept important flavanol concentrations and significant antioxidant activity, even if they were submitted to high temperatures. These byproducts can be considered a cheap source for the extraction of antioxidant flavanols, which can be used as dietary supplements or in the production of phytochemicals.     

Breeding system and inbreeding depression in the clonal plant species Knautia arvensis (Dipsacaceae): implications for survival in abandoned grassland

Larger clonal sizes observed in abandoned than in managed grassland could result in increased geitonogamy in Knautia arvensis. The species was investigated for self-compatibility, seed set without pollinators, and inbreeding depression in a greenhouse experiment. Seed set was equivalent in hand-selfed and hand-outcrossed plants (c. 53%), indicating full self-compatibility. Seed set was low (2.8%) in caged, unmanipulated flower heads. There was no significant difference in seed weight, germination, and survival between selfed and outcrossed progeny. Juvenile biomass was significantly lower in selfed than in outcrossed progeny (on average 45% lower). Cumulative fitness calculations for germination, survival, and juvenile biomass showed that the mean inbreeding depression was 58% in offspring produced by selfing. The results suggest that in K. arvensis, which is protected against self-pollination within flower heads through protandry, the likely mechanism for selfing is via geitonogamy among flower heads. Geitonogamy among ramets within the larger clones observed in abandoned grassland could reduce offspring viability in K. arvensis since the fitness of selfed offspring was low. Inbreeding depression could therefore add to the recruitment problems experienced by plants in abandoned grassland, both in K. arvensis and probably in other clonal grassland species, depending on their growth structure and breeding system.     

Chromatographic profiles and identification of new phenolic components of Ginkgo biloba leaves and selected products

Ginkgo biloba leaves and their extracts are one of the most widely used herbal products and/or dietary supplements in the world. A systematic study of the phenolic compounds is necessary to establish quality parameters. A modified LC-DAD-ESI/MS method was used to obtain chromatographic profiles for the flavonoids and terpene lactones of Ginkgo biloba leaves. The method was used to identify 45 glycosylated flavonols and flavones, 3 flavonol aglycones, catechin, 10 biflavones, a dihydroxybenzoic acid, and 4 terpene lactones in an aqueous methanol extract of the leaves. The extracted G. biloba leaf products contained the same flavonoids as the raw leaves except for the lack of biflavones. The detected glycosylated flavonol contents were equal to or more than 0.0008% of the dry plant material. This is the first report of the presence of more than 20 of these flavonoids in G. biloba.     

Quantitative pollen requirements of solitary bees: Implications for bee conservation and the evolution of bee–flower relationships

Knowledge about the quantitative pollen requirements of solitary bees is crucial for the preservation of endangered bee species and the understanding of the evolution of bee–flower relationships. We estimate the number of flowers required to rear a single larva for 41 European bee species (i) by comparing the pollen content of brood cells with the pollen quantity contained in the flowers of the bees’ host plants and (ii) by deducing the pollen requirements from a regression model describing the relationship between the average bee dry body mass and the average brood cell pollen content. The flower requirements of the bee species examined vary by three orders of magnitude. Depending on both bee species and host plant, from seven to 1100 flowers or from 0.9 to 4.5 flower heads are needed to rear a single larva. As only about 40% of the pollen contained in a flower was found to be available to a single female bee, these minimal figures have to be multiplied by a factor of approximately 2.5 to obtain a realistic estimate of bee flower requirements. The amount of pollen lost from flowers for bee nutrition is surprisingly high. We hypothesize that the recent decline of many bee species may have its main cause in a food shortage provoked by a decrease in flower diversity and quantity following habitat destruction and modern agricultural practices. The substantial pollen losses to bees as documented in this study support earlier findings on floral adaptations against excessive pollen harvesting by bees.     

What about the children? The experience of families involved in an adult-focused diabetes intervention

OBJECTIVE: Among adults with diabetes attempting to change their own diets, we explored how these adults approached providing food for their children and how their children reacted to dietary changes in the household. DESIGN: The research design used semi-structured parallel individual interviews of adults and a child (aged 10-17 years) in their home. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed, coded and analysed for themes. SUBJECTS: Subjects included families in which one inner-city African American or Latino adult with diabetes had completed a diabetes intervention promoting healthy dietary behaviours. RESULTS: We completed 29 interviews (14 adult-child pairs and one child). Adults approached making dietary changes for themselves and also providing food for their family in different ways, ranging from expecting everyone to eat the same thing to preparing two separate meals. Many children resisted dietary changes while fewer acquiesced. Among children who went along with changes, some reported resisting initially then adjusting, while others did not resist because the food still tasted good or they could obtain preferred foods outside the house. The intersection of adults' meal strategies and children's reactions to the changes can be used to categorise families into different patterns. These patterns highlight the tension between an adult who must make dietary changes to control diabetes and a child who is not necessarily motivated to change. CONCLUSION: From this framework we suggest hypotheses about how these patterns might influence dietary behaviour in adults and children. Understanding these patterns could guide interventions to assist parents in successfully including children in their dietary changes.     

Inulin determination for food labeling

Inulin and oligofructose exhibit valuable nutritional and functional attributes, so they are used as supplements as soluble fiber or as macronutrient substitutes. As classic analytical methods for dietary fiber measurement are not effective, several specific methods have been proposed. These methods measure total fructans and are based on one or more enzymatic sample treatments and determination of released sugars. To determine inulin for labeling purposes, we developed an easy and rapid anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method following water extraction of inulin. HPLC conditions included an Aminex HPX- 87C column (Bio-Rad), deionized water at 85 degrees C as the mobile phase and a refractive index detector. The tested foods included tailor-made food products containing known amounts of inulin and commercial products (cookies, milk, ice creams, cheese, and cereal bars). The average recovery was 97%, and the coefficient of variation ranged from 1.1 to 5% in the food matrixes. The obtained results showed that this method provides an easier, faster and cheaper alternative than previous techniques for determining inulin with enough accuracy and precision for routine labeling purposes by direct determination of inulin by HPLC with refractive index detection.     

Evaluation of citrinin occurrence and cytotoxicity in Monascus fermentation products

Monascus purpureus and its fermentation products have been used in food coloring and meat preservation in Asia for centuries and have also been recently used as dietary supplements because of their cholesterol-lowering ability. However, the presence of the mycotoxin citrinin (CTN), a secondary metabolite of Monascus species, in fermentation products is a potential threat to public health. In the present study, HPLC was used to analyze CTN levels in lipid and aqueous extracts of commercialized Monascus products. CTN was detected in lipid extracts of all examined samples at concentrations varying between 0.28 and 6.29 microg/g, but was not found in aqueous extracts. When human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) were incubated for 72 h with Monascus extracts, the concentrations causing 50% cell death by all lipid extracts were in the range of 1.8-4.7 mg/mL, whereas aqueous extracts showed a lower cytotoxicity. Incubation of HEK293 cells with 60 microM pure CTN for 72 h caused cell viability to fall to 50% of control levels. In addition, coadministration of pure CTN and lipid extracts from Monascus samples significantly enhanced CTN cytotoxicity for HEK293 cells using the MTT assay. These results provide the first information about the cytotoxic effects of various Monascus samples and CTN-Monascus mixtures on a human cell line.     

Vasomodulating potential of mediterranean wild plant extracts

The incidence of cardiovascular disease and endothelial dysfunction is low in the Mediterranean area, where the major proportion of daily calories comes from plant food, high in antioxidant polyphenols. It has been shown that a reduced production or enhanced inactivation of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the onset of endothelial dysfunction. We investigated the effects of Mediterranean wild plant, that is, wild artichoke and thyme, phenolic-rich extracts on NO release by porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAECs; by using indirect methods) and by cerebral cell membrane homogenates (by using direct NO detection). NO release by PAECs was significantly potentiated by 234% and 135% by wild artichoke and thyme extracts (10(-6) mol/L), respectively. Direct detection of NO release by brain membranes also showed significantly increased NO production after wild artichoke addition (+35.4%). Further, the release of another vasorelaxant factor by PAECs, that is, prostacyclin, was significantly increased by wild artichoke and thyme (10(-6) mol/L) (+269% and +190%, respectively). Investigation of the mechanism(s) of action of wild artichoke and thyme suggests maintenance of an intracellular reduced environment, as previously shown for ascorbate. Even though these data require in vivo confirmation, they suggest that regular intake of bioactive compounds from Mediterranean wild plants contributes to maintenance of proper vasomotion and to the low incidence of atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction recorded in the Mediterranean area.     

以菊芋粉为原料同步糖化发酵生产燃料乙醇

利用粟酒裂殖酵母（Schizosaccharomyces pombe）能发酵菊芋未水解糖液高产乙醇的特点提出了以菊芋粉为原料,同步糖化发酵生产燃料乙醇的新工艺。在摇瓶中考察了原料预处理方法、原料浓度和初始pH值对乙醇发酵的影响,进而在5 L发酵罐中考察了未调控pH值和恒定pH值与通气情况对乙醇发酵的影响。结果表明：该菌株最适pH值为4.0;100目筛分的菊芋粉发酵效果良好,115℃灭菌处理优于121℃,在此条件下,菊芋粉浓度200 g/L时,乙醇产量达到66.58 g/L,理论转化率为85.88%;发酵液pH值下降对乙醇发酵没有影响,通入适量氧气会导致乙醇产量的下降,这表明粟酒裂殖酵母进行乙醇发酵时不需要供氧;通入氮气保持厌氧环境不能显著提高乙醇产量,不通气进行乙醇发酵也达到高的转化率,因此在工业生产中,不必保持厌氧发酵环境。在此基础上,对菊芋粉补料发酵进行了试验,补料至菊芋粉终浓度为300 g/L,发酵终点乙醇浓度为94.81 g/L,理论转化率为81.54%。这些研究工作,为以菊芋为原料的燃料乙醇工业化生产提供技术依据。     

Time trend investigation of PCBs, PBDEs, and organochlorine pesticides in selected n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid rich dietary fish oil and vegetable oil supplements; nutritional relevance for human essential n-3 fatty acid requirements

In addition to being used in the food and animal feed industry, fish oils have also been used traditionally as dietary supplements. Due to the presence of long-chain n-3 fatty acids, fish oils have therapeutic benefits in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular, immunological, and arthritic diseases, as well as childhood deficiency diseases such as rickets, because of a high content of vitamin D. However, fish oils are also susceptible to contamination with lipophilic organic chemicals that are now ubiquitous contaminants of marine ecosystems. Many vegetable oils are sources of the shorter chain precursor forms of n-3 fatty acids, and in recent years the specialist dietary supplement market has expanded to include these oils in a variety of different formulations. This paper reports analytical results of selected contaminants, including polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers, for a range of commercially available n-3 fatty acid rich fish and vegetable oil dietary supplements. Using principal component analysis, the values are compared with historic samples to elucidate time trends in contamination profiles. Levels of contaminants are discussed in relation to the nutritional benefits to the consumer of long- and short-chain forms of n-3 fatty acids.     

Determination of lignans in edible and nonedible parts of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) and products derived therefrom, particularly focusing on the quantitation of isolariciresinol using HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn

A method for the characterization and quantitation of phyto-estrogenic lignans from pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruits and fruit-derived products by HPLC-DAD-MS(n) was developed. For this purpose, edible and nonedible parts of pomegranate (aril, peel, mesocarp, seed, and twigs), commercial juices, juices produced on pilot-plant scale, and encapsulated dietary supplements were analyzed. In addition to the peel, mesocarp, and twigs, lignans were detected in two juices obtained from entire fruits, four commercial juices, and three encapsulated pomegranate extracts. Isolariciresinol was the predominant lignan with contents of 5.0, 10.5, and 45.8 mg/kg dry matter in processed pomegranate mesocarp, peel, and twigs, respectively. In contrast, due to their low amounts, quantitation of lignans in pomegranate products was impossible. Therefore, contrary to previous assumptions, lignans were found to be less relevant in pomegranate-derived products. However, the byproduct from pomegranate processing may be used for lignan extraction. The method presented allows one to differentiate between pomegranate-derived products obtained from fruits without peels or by dejuicing applying low pressures, which were devoid of lignans, and those obtained from entire fruits applying high pressures, thus containing lignans. Consequently, this study helps to optimize process technology aiming at the recovery of preparations with well-desired compositions, which may reduce the risk of a wide range of diseases, such as certain types of cancer.     

Iron supplement use among Danish pregnant women

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate compliance with the national recommendation on supplemental iron to all pregnant women in Denmark and to explore differences between compliers and non-compliers with respect to dietary habits and other lifestyle factors. DESIGN: Intake of supplemental iron from pure iron supplements and from multivitamin and mineral preparations was estimated in mid-pregnancy. SETTING: Nationwide cohort study, the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC), comprising more than 100,000 women recruited in early pregnancy. SUBJECTS: Information on diet and dietary supplements was available for 54,371 women. Of these, information on lifestyle factors was available for 50,902 women. RESULTS: A high compliance with the recommendation was found, as approximately 77% of the women reported use of iron supplements during pregnancy. However, many of the compliers did not obtain the recommended doses of iron, which can partly be explained by the lack of iron preparations of appropriate doses available on the Danish market. Compliance with the recommendation was associated with age above 20 years, primiparity, body mass index<30 kg m- 2, non-smoking and long education. No major differences were seen in dietary intake between compliers and non-compliers.ConclusionOverall, a high compliance rate was found among participants of the DNBC but a clarification on daily dose is needed, and more concern should be paid to vulnerable groups such as young, smoking women and women with no or short education.