Blazeispirol A from Agaricus blazei fermentation product induces cell death in human hepatoma Hep 3B cells through caspase-dependent and caspase-independent pathways

Currently, liver cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of liver cancer. Previously, it was reported that blazeispirol A (BA) is the most active antihepatoma compound in an ethanolic extract of Agaricus blazei fermentation product. The aim of this study was to understand the antihepatoma mechanism of BA in human liver cancer Hep 3B cells. The results showed that BA inhibited the growth of Hep 3B cells and increased the percentage of cells in sub-G1 phase in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. In addition, BA treatment resulted in DNA fragmentation, caspase-9 and caspase-3 activations, poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) degradation, down-regulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expressions, up-regulation of Bax expression, and disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in Hep 3B cells. Furthermore, z-VAD-fmk, a caspase inhibitor, did not enhance the viability of BA-treated Hep 3B cells, and BA induced the release of HtrA2/Omi and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) from mitochondria into the cytosol. These findings suggested that BA with novel chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic potentials causes both caspase-dependent and caspase-independent cell death in Hep 3B cells.     

Functional components in soybean cake and their effects on antioxidant activity

The antioxidant activities of four fractions of isoflavones from soybean cake were evaluated and compared with those of ISO-1 and ISO-2 fractions, five isoflavone standards, and mixtures of two or four isoflavone standards, as well as four commercial antioxidants, using DPPH, TEAC, reducing power, metal ion chelating, conjugated diene, and TBARS assays. Both malonylglucoside and glucoside fractions were isolated using preparative chromatography with Diaion HP-20 as adsorbent, whereas acetylglucoside and aglycone fractions were separated with silica gel as adsorbent. The other two fractions, ISO-1 and ISO-2, were soybean cake extracts containing 12 isoflavones for the former and a combination of 4 fractions for the latter. Both acetylglucoside and ISO-1 fractions exhibited the highest efficiency in scavenging DPPH free radicals, whereas all six fractions were effective in inhibiting conjugated diene formation. However, a low reducing power was observed for all six fractions and isoflavone standards. The aglycone fraction and genistein standard showed a pronounced increase of TEAC value and a moderate decrease of TBARs value. For chelating metal ions, both ISO-1 and ISO-2 fractions were the most efficient. Overall, the isoflavone fractions showed a better antioxidant activity than the isoflavone standards, probably caused by the presence of some other functional components such as saponin, flavonoid, and phenolic compounds in soybean cake.     

Agaricus blazei (class Basidiomycotina) aqueous extract enhances the expression of c-Jun protein in MCF7 cells

The edible mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill is considered a health food in many countries after it was reported to be a source of antitumor and immunoactive compounds. An aqueous extract (AE) from this basidiomycete significantly enhanced the expression of the c-Jun/activator protein-1 (AP1) in the human breast cancer cell line MCF7. Incubating the cells with 17-beta-estradiol (E2), p-nonylphenol (NP), and the AE combined, or NP plus the AE, resulted in increased cell proliferation compared to the untreated control by 93 and 67%, respectively. However, incubating the cells with the extract alone did not enhance cell division. It is suggested that the enhanced proliferation of MCF7 cells in the presence of NP and the AE may be due to the involvement of an AP1 gene regulatory complex. This is the first report showing enhanced c-Jun/AP1 expression in MCF7 cells incubated with an aqueous fungal extract.     

不同镉污染改良剂对姬松茸床栽和袋栽的影响

本试验采用袋栽和床栽姬松茸的方式研究不同改良剂的改良效果及其不同浓度对菌丝的生长速率、生物转化率和菇镉含量的影响。结果表明：（１）改良剂可以使袋栽姬松茸的镉含量降低１６．６％～４２．４％,其中三种改良剂可以使袋栽姬松茸的镉含量降低３１．０％～４２．４％,使床栽姬松茸的镉含量降低１４．５％～３５．６％。（２）随着改良剂浓度的升高,袋栽菌丝的生长速率、生物转化率受到抑制的程度就越大,而菇中的镉含量随着     

豆乳酒发酵条件优化

该文对豆乳酶解液发酵制酒的酿造工艺进行了初步的探讨,通过单因素试验、正交试验,确定出该产品的最佳生产工艺。结果表明,大豆与水1∶10制成的豆乳中加入12000 U/L的木瓜蛋白酶,pH 7.0,60℃水解6 h,水解液中接种0.15‰葡萄酵母菌,加入18%的蔗糖,用柠檬酸调发酵液pH值3.4,在25～27℃下发酵7～9 d,经陈酿后研制出的豆乳酒风味纯正,酒体丰满,口感、稳定性均较好,不仅含有大豆的营养物质,还有发酵酒的芳香,为充分利用大豆资源开辟了一条新途径。     

Yield components of soybean plants infected with soybean cyst nematode and sprayed with foliar applications of boron and magnesium 1

Investigations into the effect of soybean cyst nematode (SCN, Heterodera glycines, Ichinoe) on the yield components of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] have shown that pod numbers are reduced with increasing SCN initial populations (Pi) present in the soil at planting. The main method by which SCN alters pod numbers is through reductions in the number of branches per plant. Foliar applications of boron (B) and B in combination with magnesium (Mg) (B+Mg) increase yield of soybean not infected with SCN by increasing pod number per plant, especially the number of pods on branches. The objective of this research was to determine if foliar applications of B and B+Mg ameliorates the effect of SCN by increasing yield on branches. Field experiments were conducted in 1993 and 1994 in 1 m² microplots to compare foliar applied B and B+Mg to a control treatment. Foliar applications were made at four intervals spaced throughout soybean reproductive development of Pioneer brand 9391, an SCN susceptible cultivar. There were 12 levels of SCN Pi in 1993 and 11 levels in 1994. For each treatment, including control, grain yield was regressed on SCN Pi. Yield was reduced with increasing SCN Pi in both years, but the rate of decrease did not differ among treatments. In addition, ANOVA of yield components revealed no treatment effects on the number of branches per plant, the number of branch pods per plant, or the total number of pods per plant. Thus, foliar applications of B or B+Mg did not ameliorate the effects of SCN on soybean.     

Determination of tea components with antioxidant activity

Levels of essential elements with antioxidant activity, as well as catechins, gallic acid, and caffeine levels, in a total of 45 samples of different teas commercialized in Spain have been evaluated. Chromium, manganese, selenium, and zinc were determined in the samples mineralized with HNO(3) and V(2)O(5), using ETAAS as the analytical technique. The reliability of the procedure was checked by analysis of a certified reference material. Large variations in the trace element composition of teas were observed. The levels ranged from 50.6 to 371.4 ng/g for Cr, from 76.1 to 987.6 microg/g for Mn, from 48.5 to 114.6 ng/g for Se, and from 56.3 to 78.6 ng/g for Zn. The four major catechins [(-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), and (-)-epicatechin (EC)], gallic acid (GA), and caffeine were simultaneously determined by a simple and fast HPLC method using a photodiode array detector. In all analyzed samples, EGCG ranged from 1.4 to 103.5 mg/g, EGC from 3.9 to 45.3 mg/g, ECG from 0.2 to 45.6 mg/g, and EC ranged from 0.6 to 21.2 mg/g. These results indicated that green tea has a higher content of catechins than both oolong and fermented teas (red and black teas); the fermentation process during tea manufacturing reduces the levels of catechins significantly. Gallic acid content ranged from 0.039 to 6.7 mg/g; the fermentation process also elevated remarkably gallic acid levels in black teas (mean level of 3.9 +/- 1.5 mg/g). The amount of caffeine in the analyzed samples ranged from 7.5 to 86.6 mg/g, and the lower values were detected in green and oolong teas. This study will be useful for the appraisal of trace elements and antioxidant components in various teas, and it will also be of interest for people who like drinking this beverage.     

Antioxidative activity and active components of longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) flower extracts

Three different solvent extracts (methanol, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane) of longan ( Dimocarpus longan Lour.) flowers were assayed with three different antioxidant capacity methods, namely, the DPPH free radical scavenging effect, the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, and the inhibition of Cu(2+)-induced oxidation of human low-density lipoprotein (LDL). It was revealed that the methanol extract has the best antioxidative activity, followed by ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts. The methanol extract was separated by liquid-liquid partition into n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water fractions. The ethyl acetate fraction was found to have the highest activity of delaying LDL oxidation. After silica gel column chromatography, the fraction having a superior activity was identified as containing two major compounds, (-)-epicatechin and proanthocyanidin A2.     

Yield components and their relationship with total and extractable foliar phosphorus in soybean

Abstract

Six soybean cultivars (maturity group V) were sown in a Typic Argiudoll. Experimental plots were arranged in a randomized block design with three replications. Sampling dates were at different stages: R2, R4, and R5. Two foliar phosphorus (P) forms were determined: total P (TP) and dilute acetic acid‐extractable P (DAEP) which correlated with each other and with some yield components. At the R2 stage, there was a good correlation with node number in the R5 stage and TP, DAEP, and petioles‐DAEP. Weight of 1000 grains was asssociated with foliar P measured later in the R4 and R5 stages.     

糖蜜酒精废液蔗渣吸附发酵产物用作猪饲料的营养价值评定

选取三元杂交去势公猪4头,在体重25～35kg和45～60kg两个阶段采用全收粪(尿)法各测一次糖蜜酒精废液蔗渣吸附发酵产物(MABFP)中养分的表观消化率、消化能和蛋白质生物学价值。结果表明,25～35kg阶段,MABFP的粗蛋白(CP)、粗纤维(CF)、粗脂肪(EE)和无氮浸出物(NFE)的表观消化率分别为48.5%,22.35%,92.61%和66.06%,表观消化能(DE)为9.44MJ/kg;45～60kg阶段,MABFP的CP、CF、EE、NFE的表观消化率分别为60.27%,46.43%,88.39%和77.24%,DE为10.88MJ/kg。两阶段CP、CF和NFE的表观消化率差异显著(P<0.05);45～60kg阶段,组氨酸、赖氨酸和丙氨酸的表观消化率显著高于25～35kg阶段的(P<0.05)。其它氨基酸的消化率两阶段之间无明显差异。前后两阶段MABFP的氮沉积率依次为14.32%和28.71%;蛋白质表观生物学价值依次为54.56%和57.06%。     

Role of active aluminum in the formation of water-stable macroaggregates

Soil structure is determined by the arrangement of particles in soil and the particles of sand, silt, and clay bind together into aggregates of various sizes by organic and inorganic materials. Structural stability which is the ability of the aggregates and pores to remain intact when subjected to stress, markedly affects crop production and soil erosion (Tisdall 1996). Since water, either directly as rainfall or as surface runoff is the main agent of aggregate breakdown, in the analyzes of stable soil aggregation, the term water-stable aggregation is generally used (Lynch and Bragg 1985). Water-stable aggregates have been divided into micro aggregates < 0.25 mm dia.) and macro aggregates (> 0.25 mm dia.) (Edwards and Bremner 1967; Tisdall and Oades 1982). Microaggregates show a relatively high stability against physical disruption (Edwards and Bremner 1967). On the other hand, macro aggregates are sensitive to soil management (Tisdall and Oades 1982).

There are many reports on the relationships between the aggregate stability and the soil physicochemical properties. For example, significant correlations were found between the aggregate stability and the amounts of organic C (Tisdall and Oades 1982), total N, and carbohydrates or the CEC (Chaney and Swift 1984). However, most of these studies were conducted in non-volcanic ash soils. Volcanic ash soils are widely distributed in Japan and are very important soils for crop production. The objective of this study was, therefore, to obtain more information on the relationship between the degree of macro aggregation and the soil physicochemical properties in non-volcanic and volcanic ash soils.     

黑土农田大豆产量形成过程的模拟验证

以中国科学院海伦农业生态站长期定位水肥耦合试验数据为依据,模拟大豆产量形成过程。首先建立大豆品种遗传属性数据库和相应的模型参数,利用DSSAT模型系列中的CropGro-Soybean模型,对大豆品种遗传属性、作物产量和生长过程中土壤水分进行了模拟验证。模拟结果表明,CropGro-Soybean模型能够准确地模拟大豆生育期,相对误差在-2％～3％之间,均方根误差RMSE为2．3。对不同年际不同田间处理的大豆产量模拟结果分析的相对误差在-7％～9％之间,均方根误差RMSE为75．9,模型性能指数EF为0．8。模型对不同层次土壤水分变化的模拟效果也较好。     

Allocation of photosynthetic products in soybean during the early stages of nodule formation

Abstract

A time-course study examining the current photosynthate allocation of soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) cv. Williams was conducted in relation to nodule initiation. Whole shoots were exposed to ¹⁴CO₂ for 120 min and the distribution of radioactivity in each organ was determined. During the early stages of nodule formation (i.e. 4, 6 and 8 days after inoculation) the ¹⁴C distribution to the inoculated roots did not increase when compared with uninoculated control roots. In addition, the ¹⁴C respired by underground parts was similar in both the inoculated and the control roots. Eight days after inoculation, the accumulation of starch and sugar was similar in both inoculated and uninoculated plants. These results indicate that photosynthate allocation for nodule initiation does not increase markedly during the early stages of nodule formation. After the emergence of the nodules, photosynthate allocation to the inoculated roots gradually increased. In addition, the consumption of current photosynthate by the respiration of underground parts increased at day 12 after inoculation, but did not increase at day 8 after inoculation.     

Antioxidant activity of glyceollins derived from soybean elicited with Aspergillus sojae

The extract of soybean exposed to biotic elicitors such as food-grade fungus is known to have antioxidant activity. Glyceollins were major bioactive compounds present in soybean elicited by fungi and shown to have antifungal and anticancer activities. The purpose of present study was to evaluate the antioxidant activities of glyceollins by measuring ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, singlet oxygen quenching, 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and lipid peroxidation inhibition. In addition, the antioxidant potential of glyceollins were measured by a fluorescent probe, 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFDA), and dihydroethidium (DHE) in mouse hepatoma hepa1c1c7 cells in which they were insulted with H2O2 to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). Glyceollins showed a strong reducing power and inhibited lipid peroxidation, with significant scavenging activities of radicals including singlet oxygen, superoxide anion, ABTS, and DPPH. We also found that glyceollins significantly suppressed H2O2-induced ROS production in hepa1c1c7 cells. Therefore, glyceollins deserve further study as natural antioxidants and nutraceuticals.     

Importance of oil degradation components in the formation of acrylamide in fried foodstuffs

This study investigates the importance of selected oil degradation components and some analogues in the formation of acrylamide. For this, a model system containing silica gel, PBS buffer, and oil was heated in a closed tubular reactor, under practically relevant heating conditions. Several probable acrylamide precursors were mixed together with free asparagine in the model system, such as partial glycerides, glycerol, acrolein, acrylic acid, and several aldehydes. Only the heated model system containing acrolein and asparagine showed a significantly higher acrylamide content compared to the control to which only asparagine was added. It was postulated that a nucleophilic 1,2-addition of the alpha-amino group of free asparagine to the carbonyl function of acrolein would lead to the formation of acrylamide. This hypothesis could partially be confirmed, replacing acrolein with other alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes. However, the contribution of acrolein to the overall formation of acrylamide appeared to be negligible in the presence of a reducing sugar, indicating that in foodstuffs the importance of acrolein and other oil degradation products is probably small.     

双孢蘑菇培养料理化指标及酶活与其产量相关的多重分析

为探究双孢蘑菇二次发酵培养料各项理化参数和酶活与产量的关系以及各参数对产量形成所起的作用,为制作和评价高产的二次发酵培养料提供科学依据,该研究以10批不同原料做堆肥,采用二次发酵技术进行隧道式发酵,按照工厂化栽培工艺进行出菇管理。取每批二次发酵结束后的培养料,测定含水率、pH值、EC值、碳质量分数、氮质量分数、碳氮比等理化性质和纤维素、半纤维素质量分数以及木聚糖酶、羧甲基纤维素酶(CMC)、α-纤维二糖水解酶、木糖苷酶、α-阿拉伯呋喃糖苷酶酶活等13个指标并进行主成分分析、聚类分析。统计每批双孢蘑菇产量并利用多元回归分析各指标与产量的关系。结果表明半纤维素酶、纤维素酶、pH值、EC值、氮质量分数、碳水化合物相关指标是二次发酵培养料指标的主成分因子。主成分分析在二次发酵培养料的13个指标中提取出4个主成分,分为碳水化合物因子,主要的纤维素降解酶类,EC值和氮质量分数,主要的半纤维素降解酶类,贡献率分别为31.176%、18.45%、18.34%、16.08%,前4个主成分累积贡献率达84.04%,代表原始因子的大部分信息,结果客观可信。聚类分析将13个指标聚为4类,分别为碳水化合物变化因子,EC值和氮质量分数,半纤维素降解酶类,pH值。多元回归分析建立的CMC酶活、木聚糖酶酶活和纤维素质量分数与单位面积产量的关系公式拟合度较好,显著性较高。木聚糖酶、CMC酶活与双孢蘑菇产量存在正线性关系,纤维素含量与双孢蘑菇产量存在负线性关系,此方程可以预测发酵培养料种植双孢蘑菇可能的产量。3种方法综合分析表明,双孢蘑菇产量受培养物料中各理化指标及酶活共同影响,其中木聚糖酶、CMC酶活性与双孢蘑菇产量关系更为密切,呈正相关。     

糖蜜酒精废液蔗渣吸附发酵产物饲喂生长肥育猪的效果研究

选择平均体重约3 0 kg的杜长大三元杂交断奶仔猪70头,随机分成对照组和试验 、 、 、 组,进行为期86d (生长期3 3 d,肥育期5 3 d)的饲养试验。试验处理为:对照组全期饲粮不用糖蜜酒精废液蔗渣吸附发酵产物( MABFP) ,试验 、 、 、 组生长期饲粮分别使用2 %、4%、6%和8%的MABFP;肥育期饲粮分别使用4%、8%、1 2 %和1 6%的MABFP。每期的试验组和对照组均为等能等蛋白质饲粮。饲养试验结果表明:生长期,试验各组的日增重和饲料效率与对照组无显著差异( P>0 .0 5 ) ;肥育期,试验 、组日增重与对照组无显著差异( P>0 .0 5 ) , 、 组日增重低于对照组( P<0 .0 5 ) ;肥育期以及试验全期各试验组饲料效率有所降低。血清生化指标及胴体品质的分析结果表明:生长肥育猪饲粮使用MABFP,对猪血清生化指标、组织器官生理功能、肉猪胴体指标和猪肉品质等无不良影响。综上所述,MABFP可做生长肥育猪配合饲料的原料,建议其用量以6%～8%为宜,同时注意适当补充必需氨基酸     

Ferulic acid release and 4-vinylguaiacol formation during brewing and fermentation: indications for feruloyl esterase activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The release of ferulic acid and the subsequent thermal or enzymatic decarboxylation to 4-vinylguaiacol are inherent to the beer production process. Phenolic, medicinal, or clove-like flavors originating from 4-vinylguaiacol frequently occur in beer made with wheat or wheat malt. To evaluate the release of ferulic acid and the transformation to 4-vinylguaiacol, beer was brewed with different proportions of barley malt, wheat, and wheat malt. Ferulic acid as well as 4-vinylguaiacol levels were determined by HPLC at several stages of the beer production process. During brewing, ferulic acid was released at the initial mashing phase, whereas moderate levels of 4-vinylguaiacol were formed by wort boiling. Higher levels of the phenolic flavor compound were produced during fermentations with brewery yeast strains of the Pof(+) phenotype. In beer made with barley malt, ferulic acid was mainly released during the brewing process. Conversely, 60-90% of ferulic acid in wheat or wheat malt beer was hydrolyzed during fermentation, causing higher 4-vinylguaiacol levels in these beers. As cereal enzymes are most likely inactivated during wort boiling, the additional release of ferulic acid during fermentation suggests the activity of feruloyl esterases produced by brewer's yeast.