Optimization of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for quantification of the plant lignans secoisolariciresinol, matairesinol, lariciresinol, and pinoresinol in foods

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed for the quantification of the four major enterolignan precursors [secoisolariciresinol, matairesinol, lariciresinol, and pinoresinol] in foods. The method consists of alkaline methanolic extraction, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis using Helix pomatia (H. pomatia) beta-glucuronidase/sulfatase. H. pomatia was selected from several enzymes based on its ability to hydrolyze isolated lignan glucosides. After ether extraction samples were analyzed and quantified against secoisolariciresinol-d8 and matairesinol-d6. The method was optimized using model products: broccoli, bread, flaxseed, and tea. The yield of methanolic extraction increased up to 81%, when it was combined with alkaline hydrolysis. Detection limits were 4-10 microg/(100 g dry weight) for solid foods and 0.2-0.4 microg/(100 mL) for beverages. Within- and between-run coefficients of variation were 6-21 and 6-33%, respectively. Recovery of lignans added to model products was satisfactory (73-123%), except for matairesinol added to bread (51-55%).     

In vitro metabolism of plant lignans: new precursors of mammalian lignans enterolactone and enterodiol.

The metabolism of the plant lignans matairesinol, secoisolariciresinol, pinoresinol, syringaresinol, arctigenin, 7-hydroxymatairesinol, isolariciresinol, and lariciresinol by human fecal microflora was investigated to study their properties as mammalian lignan precursors. The quantitative analyses of lignan precursors and the mammalian lignans enterolactone and enterodiol were performed by HPLC with coulometric electrode array detector. The metabolic products, including mammalian lignans, were characterized as trimethylsilyl derivatives by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Matairesinol, secoisolariciresinol, lariciresinol, and pinoresinol were converted to mammalian lignans only. Several metabolites were isolated and tentatively identified as for syringaresinol and arctigenin in addition to the mammalian lignans. Metabolites of 7-hydroxymatairesinol were characterized as enterolactone and 7-hydroxyenterolactone by comparison with authentic reference compounds. A metabolic scheme describing the conversion of the most abundant new mammalian lignan precursors, pinoresinol and lariciresinol, is presented.     

Studies on nitrogen metabolism of the rice plant in relationship to its growth

Introduction

Absorption of nitrogen by the rice plant in relationship to its growth, and its movement within the plant as a whole have recently been made quite clear¹⁾,². The recent advance in the analysis of the processes of rice plant growth, clarified that feature of nitrogen movement is quite different according to the portion of the rice plant. Togari³ and this writer⁴ reported that leaf blade is invariably higher in nitrogen concentration and quantity than leaf sheath or culm, and nitrogen moving to the ear at maturing stage is mainly derived from the leaf blade. Tanaka⁵ went still further, making it clear that individual leaves are different in their mode of nitrogen metabolism, which can be divided into three groups according to their position on the stem.     

Studies on the metabolism in roots of lowland rice

In the previous studies we investigated some characteristics of paddy root in comparison with shoot by analysis of inorganic elements¹⁾ and metabolizable forms of organic compounds²⁾ of shoot and root at successive growth stages, and found that the contents of the above-mentioned components in root were generally lower than those in shoot with few exceptions. From this it is concluded that in root the contents of the residual components, mainly cell wall substances, must be high. To ascertain this surmise, we carried out analysis of shoot, root and inflorescences of rice plant with respect to hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin which construct cell walls.     

Studies on the metabolism in roots of lowland rice

In the previous papers¹⁾ we investigated the seasonal changes in mineral and organic compositions of root, shoot and inflorescence of paddy rice, and pointed out some characteristics of root from the viewpoint of their composition.     

Oxidative metabolism of the mammalian lignans enterolactone and enterodiol by rat, pig, and human liver microsomes.

Hepatic microsomes from aroclor-treated male Wistar rats biotransform enterolactone to 12 metabolites, six of which carry an additional hydroxy group at the aromatic and six at the aliphatic moiety according to HPLC/MS and GC/MS analysis. The aromatic hydroxylation products were identified with the help of synthesized reference compounds as enterolactone monohydroxylated in the para position and in both ortho positions of the original phenolic hydroxy group of either aromatic ring. The synthesis of the reference compounds and their spectroscopic characterization is described. Enterodiol is metabolized by hepatic microsomes from aroclor-treated male rats to three aromatic and four aliphatic monohydroxylated metabolites. Aromatic hydroxylation occurs in the para position and the two ortho positions of the original phenolic hydroxy group. Most of the metabolites of enterolactone and enterodiol were also formed with microsomes from uninduced rat, pig, and human liver, suggesting that oxidative metabolism is a common feature in the disposition of these lignans in the mammalian organism.     

Response of primary plant metabolism to the N-source

Even when plant growth was not visibly affected, ammonium versus nitrate nutrition had distinct effects on some parts of plant metabolism. Barley seedlings growing on 3 mM ammonium rapidly accumulated ammonium up to 20 mM in the roots. In leaves, ammonium accumulation was observed only when the pH of the nutrient medium was very low (pH 4). Yet even under the most extreme conditions there was no indication that plants were suffering from uncoupling of ATP synthesis or from a lack of carbohydrates. Especially dramatic was the response of the organic acid content of pea and barley leaves: it decreased strongly within a few days upon transfer of plants from nitrate to ammonium-media, and this was apparently not due to an inhibition of PEPcarboxylase, which was rather activated under ammonium nutrition. As malate dispappeared from leaves even when pea plants were transferred to an N-free medium, malate degradation was not necessarily connected to increased amino acid synthesis, but eventually to a more rapid decarboxylation by malic enzyme. Also, malate degradation was not a response to ammonium, but rather to (the absence of) nitrate.     

植物铝毒害机理的研究

本文综述了植物铝毒害机理的研究概况，包括铝毒害症状、铝的吸收、转运和信号传递、铝毒害机理等方面，提出了植物铝毒害机理研究中存在的问题。     

植物次生代谢作用及其产物概述

1937年,德国科学家H.Molish提出植物相生相克的化感作用(Allelopathy)的概念之后,引起全球科学家的关注,其中植物生理学、植物生物化学、化学生态学、植物保护学等领域的科学家从不同角度对其进行研究,得出大致相似但又各有侧重的结论[1-15].     

Significance of nickel for plant growth and metabolism

Ni is the most recent candidate to be added to the list of 13 essential mineral elements for higher plants although failure to complete the life cycle in the absence of Ni has only been demonstrated in a few plant species. Ni is considered an essential element primarily because of its function as an irreplaceable component of urease which is responsible for the hydrolysis of urea N, and which seems to be the only proven nutritional function of Ni in higher plants. For production of full urease activity and growth on urea N a critical deficiency level of around 100 μg kg^—1 DW seems appropriate, while plants depending on mineral N may have a lower Ni requirement. Ni has also other effects on plant growth, of which the phytosanitary action is possibly most significant in the field. The incorporation of Ni into urease apoprotein requires the active participation of several accessory proteins, and mutations in genes coding the accessory proteins as well as the urease apoprotein have been exploited to characterise aspects of urease activation. The mobility of Ni within the plant, as compared to other heavy metals, is usually high, although little is known of the uptake mechanisms and the form of transported Ni under Ni-deprived conditions. This as well as other effects of Ni that cannot be related to its structural component of urease, remain to be elucidated.     

堆肥防治植物病害的研究

本文综述了经无害化处理的堆肥在植物病害防治中的应用、堆肥抑菌防病的主要机理及影响堆肥使用效果的主要因素 ,并提出了进一步研究的方向     

生长调节剂对玉米氮代谢的影响

采用田间小区试验,研究了植物生长调节剂不同配方对玉米光合特性、氮素代谢以及玉米子粒产量与蛋白质含量的影响。结果表明,调节剂不同配方处理能明显提高子粒灌浆期玉米功能叶叶绿素的含量和净光合速率,功能叶与茎秆中的全氮和蛋白氮的减少量,功能叶的硝酸还原酶、谷氨酰胺合成酶与转化酶活性及子粒谷氨酰胺合成酶与转化酶活性;灌浆中、后期玉米功能叶蛋白水解酶活性和玉米子粒产量、子粒蛋白质含量及蛋白质产量。在生长调节剂中,PGR4处理玉米子粒的蛋白氮含量比对照提高1.35.g/kg,子粒产量比对照增加9.5%,子粒蛋白质产量比对照增加19.6%;PGR3处理玉米子粒的蛋白氮含量比对照提高0.78.g/kg,子粒产量比对照增加11.4%,子粒蛋白质产量比对照增加17.4%,是较合理的配方。     

Studies of the internode elongation of the rice plant

The height of the rice plant influences its growth behavior and, in turn, its cultivation. Height is predominantly determined by the elongation of internoden. Studies of internode elongation are therefore important.     

Studies on the metabolism in roots of lowland rice (Part 1) interrelationship be1ween roots and shoots in mineral nutrition of rice plant

There is no doubt that the life cycle of crop plants depends on two fundamental metabolic processes: photosynthesis and nutrient absorption. When these two important functions are considered in connection with morphology of crops, we can easily find out the differentiation of functions, that is, photosynthesis by green leaves and nutrient absorption by roots. In the past, a number of investigations have been made on these two functions of rice plants, the physiology of their leaves as photosynthetic organ has also been studied in detail. On the physiology of roots, however, knowledge which we have today is not as detailed as is deemed necessary.     

Effect of plant roots on carbon metabolism of soil microbial biomass

The utilization of plant- and soil-C by the microbial biomass in the rhizosphere of maize plants was investigated as a function of root proximity. The plants were cultivated in pots with divided root chambers and their shoots supplied with ¹⁴CO₂ for 23 days. Subsequently the individual soil zones were analyzed for organic C, ¹⁴C, biomass C and biomass ¹⁴C. Plant roots induced a 197% increase in microbial biomass and a 5.4% decrease in soil organic C compared with an 1.2% decrease in the unplanted control soil. The contributions of plant- and soil-C to this increased microbial growth amounted to 68% and 32% respectively. Biomass-¹⁴C corresponded to 1.6% of the total photosynthetically fixed ¹⁴C, to about 15% of the organic ¹⁴C-input into the rhizosphere and to 58% of the plant carbon remaining in soil after the removal of roots. 20% of this biomass-¹⁴C was found outside the immediate root zone. These results demonstrate that growing roots are a significant C-source for the microbial biomass and render an additional fraction of soil-C available to microbial utilization. The efficiency of C-utilization by the rhizosphere biomass is lower than values obtained with liquid cultures in laboratory experiments. The supply of plant-C to the microbial biomass outside the immediate root vicinity indicates that the overall volume of the maize rhizosphere is greater than what has been supposed so far.     

甘薯抗疮痂病多胺与吲哚乙酸代谢的研究

研究不同抗性甘薯品种受疮痂病菌侵染前后多胺和吲哚乙酸代谢变化结果表明 ,感染疮痂病菌后抗病与感病品种甘薯叶片中吲哚乙酸含量和多胺氧化酶活性降低 ,多胺总量及腐胺含量增加 ,腐胺 / (精胺 亚精胺 )比值升高 ,感病品种变化幅度高于抗病品种。疮痂病菌侵入后感病品种甘薯叶片中绿原酸含量下降 ,吲哚乙酸氧化酶和过氧化物酶活性升高 ,而抗病品种则相反。     

New lignans from the perisperm of Sesamum indicum

A procedure, based on XAD-4 adsorption resin, which permits the obtainment of enriched polyphenolic extracts from Sesamum indicum perisperm (coat) has been developed. Chemical analysis of the obtained extracts led to the identification of 16 lignans. Among them, two new lignans, (+)-saminol and (+)-episesaminone-9-O-beta-D-sophoroside, have been isolated. Additionally, the relative stereochemistry of (-)-sesamolactol, previously reported as todolactol A epimer, has been unequivocally defined using X-ray crystallography. The structures of all new compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods, mainly by the concerted application of 1D and 2D NMR techniques (HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) and mass spectroscopy.     

Studies on the metabolism in roots of lowland rice (Part II)

In the previous paper¹⁾, we compared the in. organic composition of root with that of shoot of rice plant at successive growth stages, and revealed that the content of inorganic elements in root was generally lower than that in shoot, and that paddy root, sending most of absorbed salts to the top, does not possess a function to store inorganic nutrients.     

Methods of collection of plant root exudates in relation to plant metabolism and purpose: A review

The aim of this work is to review the current knowledge on the effects of plant metabolism (C₃, C₄, and CAM) on root exudation and on the methods of exudate collection as well as the use of such exudates for analyses, testing of microbial response, degradation of pollutants, enzymatic activities, and occurrence of allelochemicals. We examine the advantages and disadvantages of each method as related to the downstream use of the exudates. The use of continuous percolation of solid cultivation medium with adjustment of nutrient‐solution strength appears to be a promising methodology for the determination of root exudation rates and qualitative composition of exuded compounds. The method mimics rhizosphere conditions, minimizing the artificial accumulation of compounds, alteration of plasma‐membrane permeability, ATPase activity, and the impacts of inhibitors or stimulators of root enzymes. Of particular significance is the fact that the adjustment of strength of nutrient solution and percolation enables universal and also long‐term use of the method, allowing high exudation yield by minimizing influx and maximizing efflux rates of exuded compounds at high nutrient‐solution strength. Furthermore, it facilitates assessment of the effect on soil microbial populations and their ability to degrade pollutants. Enzymatic activities can be assessed when a low strength of nutrient solution is used, with percolation of the exudates directly into tested soils. Composition of root exudates, regulation of root enzymes, and plant response to nutrient deficiency can be assessed by measuring net efflux or influx rates. The impact of heavy metals and other type of mechanical, chemical, and biological stresses differs according to the type of plant metabolism. This has significant consequences on transformations in plant communities, both structurally and functionally, and impacts upon crop nutrition, with respect to global climate change, and the use of plants for phytoremediation purposes. Understanding the effects of different types of plant metabolism on root exudation with respect to genetic regulation of synthetic pathways through root enzymes and transport systems presents an important direction for future research.     

日光温室不同番茄品种生长发育动态规律的研究

在日光温室对3个不同类型的番茄品种中杂9号、中杂11号和大红1号研究了长季节栽培中不同品种番茄形态发育的规律,通过对叶片数、花穗数、叶面积、座果率及株高与生长天数的关系,经过回归分析,建立了器官生长和生理生长天数的模型关系。其中叶片数、花穗数、株高等器官生长发育与生长天数表现为很好的线形关系,而座果率变化则呈现较明显的波动性。