Compound inflorescence cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton) in India

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton) is an important spice crop of India and valued for its dried capsules. Regular surveys are being undertaken by Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Appangala, Karnataka, India for collecting the variable germplasm of cardamom. At present 436 cardamom accessions collected from cardamom growing tracts of South India are conserved in field gene bank. Among the collections, 23 accessions with varied branching pattern were assembled during explorations and characterized for 16 plant, panicle and capsule characters during 2003–2005. The coefficient of variation was greatest for yield per plant (77.94%) followed by branches per panicle (49.40%) and minimum for dry recovery per cent (7.73%). Two accessions, IC 547214 and IC 349544 were identified as promising with desirable yield contributing characters. The accessions, IC 349553 with extensive branching at the proximal end of the panicle and IC 547180 with dark green capsules even after drying were found to be unique. All the characterized accessions are maintained under ex situ cardamom gene bank of IISR.     

Chemical composition of the essential oil and supercritical CO2 extract of Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl. and of Acorus calamus L

Volatile concentrates from the oleo-gum resin of Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl. and from the rhizomes of Acorus calamus were isolated by supercritical extraction with carbon dioxide. The volatile oil of myrrh was obtained at 9.0 MPa and 50 degrees C and at a CO2 flow of 1.5 kg/h. Acorus calamus was extracted at 9.0 MPa and 45 degrees C and at a CO2 flow of 1.6 kg/h. In both cases, an oil devoid of cuticular waxes was obtained with a single depressurization stage. The SFE myrrh oil had a yield, Y, of 3.2%. Its main components, identified and quantified by GC/MS, were furanoeudesma-1,3-diene, 34.9%; lindestrene, 12.9%; curzerene, 8.5%; and germacrone, 5.8%. The essential oils from the same starting material by hydrodistillation, HD, (Y = 2.8%) and by steam distillation, SD, (Y = 0.4%) were quite similar to the SFE extract. The main components of the SFE oil of A. calamus (Y = 3.5%) were acorenone, 13.4%; iso-acorone, 11.6%; (Z)-sesquilavandulol, 11.0%; dehydroxy isocalamendiol, 7.7%; and beta-asarone, 5.5%. The comparison with hydrodistilled (Y = 1.8%) and steam distilled (Y = 1.0%) oils revealed large differences in the content of iso-acorone and crypto-acorone.     

超临界CO2流体萃取杏仁油工艺研究

该研究以单因素试验和正交试验相结合的方法对苦杏仁脂肪油的超临界CO2萃取工艺进行了研究.确定了超临界CO2萃取杏仁油的最佳工艺为:萃取压力35 MPa、萃取温度50 ℃、CO2流量24 L/h、粒径60目、萃取时间2 h.各因素影响杏仁的得率的顺序为:粒径＞时间＞萃取压力＞CO2流量＞萃取温度.最佳工艺验证试验的杏仁油的得率为52.98%.本研究的结果为下一步综合、无毒、高效地开发利用苦杏仁奠定了基础.     

Combination of supercritical CO2 and vacuum distillation for the fractionation of bergamot oil

Supercritical CO2 can be used to separate oxygenated compounds from essential oils. This technique still cannot replace vacuum distillation as an industrial process because of low recoveries and inconsistent results. In the present work, a comparison between the two methods was made in terms of composition, recovery, and color. Vacuum distillation and supercritical CO2 are complementary processes for producing high quality oxygenated compounds with high recovery rates. The former is more suitable for removing monoterpenes at low fraction temperatures (< or =308 K), and the latter is more suitable for separating oxygenated compounds from pigments and waxes. Consequently, the two methods were combined. For supercritical CO2 fractionation, the parameters of pressure, temperature gradient, and the ratio of solvent to feed were investigated for the fractionation of oxygenated compounds with high recoveries (> or =85%) and without other macromolecules, such as pigments and waxes.     

超临界CO2连续浓缩鱼油EPA和DHA的研究

为了克服鱼油有效组分超临界CO2间歇萃取方法的缺点,设计建造了超临界CO2在内径14 mm、填料高1.8 m的填料塔中连续萃取浓缩鱼油有效组分的流程.根据单因素试验的结果,对工艺参数进行优化.设计了4因素3水平并考虑部分交互作用的正交试验方案,以综合指标进行评价,得到了优化工艺参数为:填料塔压为12.5 MPa;CO2流量为5 L/min;鱼油进料流量为0.8 mL/min;塔的温度分布为40～85℃.经方差分析得知,温度分布的影响对综合指标高度显著,鱼油进料流量对综合指标的影响显著,试验范围内的压力、CO2流量、压力和温度分布交互作用、温度分布和CO2流量交互作用以及压力和CO2流量交互作用对综合指标没有显著影响.     

超临界CO2萃取毛竹笋油的工艺及产品成分

为优化超临界CO2萃取毛竹笋油的工艺参数,该研究通过单因素试验和正交试验考察了萃取压力、萃取温度、萃取时间和CO2流量等因素对毛竹笋油得率的影响,并利用气质联用（GC-MS）对毛竹笋油进行成分分析。研究确定超临界CO2萃取毛竹笋油的较佳工艺为：萃取压力25 MPa、萃取温度55℃、萃取时间2.5 h和CO2流量15 L/h,较佳工艺条件下笋油得率为5.74%;GC-MS分析毛竹笋油,共鉴定出17种组分,其中β-谷甾醇、9,12-十八碳二烯酸和9,12,15-十八碳三烯酸的相对含量分别为26.00%、10.50%和9.83%。     

超临界CO_2萃取脱皮菜籽饼粕油脂的可行性

为提高脱皮双低菜籽低温压榨饼的附加值,采用Box-Behnken响应面设计优化超临界CO2萃取脱皮双低菜籽低温压榨饼中油脂的工艺,研究萃取压力、温度和时间对油脂提取率的影响,并对萃取得到的油和粕的品质进行检测。结果表明:萃取温度对油脂提取率的影响显著(P0.05);萃取压力和时间对油脂提取率的影响极显著(P0.001),且交互作用非常显著(P0.01);最佳工艺参数为萃取温度40℃、压力28 MPa和时间120 min,此条件下菜籽油的提取率为95.08%。超临界萃取的油色泽较浅,酸价与过氧化值都优于正已烷工艺,磷脂质量分数为0.051 mg/g约是正已烷工艺的1/32,维生素E和总酚含量较高;超临界萃取的脱脂粕蛋白溶解度高,颜色较浅,硫甙含量较少,品质明显优于正已烷脱脂粕。研究结果可为脱皮双低菜籽低温压榨饼的高值化利用提供数据参考。     

Chemical composition and extraction yield of the extract of Origanum vulgare obtained from sub- and supercritical CO2

In this work sub- and supercritical CO(2) were used to obtain extracts from two origanum samples, one commercial, and another cultivated under agronomic control. The experiments were performed in the temperature range of 293-313 K and from 100 to 200 bar in pressure, employing around 26 g of origanum samples. Results show that the commercial sample provides a higher yield of extract if compared to the other sample. It is also achieved that a raise in temperature at constant pressure leads to an increase in the extraction yield despite solvent density changes. Chemical analyses were carried out in a GC-MSD, allowing the identification of around 24 compounds by use of the library of spectra of the equipment and injection of some standard compounds for both commercial and cultivated origanum samples. It was also found that the distribution of chemical components as a function of extraction time differs appreciably between the origanum species. The chromatographic analysis permitted the identification of thymol and cis-sabinene hydrate as the most prominent compounds present in commercial oregano sample and carvacrol and cis-sabinene hydrate in the cultivated Origanum vulgare.     

Volatile components and key odorants of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) oil extracts obtained by simultaneous distillation-extraction and supercritical fluid extraction

Volatile oil extracts of fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) and thyme leaves (Thymus vulgaris L.) were obtained by simultaneous distillation-extraction (SDE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In general, fennel oil extracted by SDE and SFE showed similar compositions, with trans-anethole, estragole, and fenchone as the main components. In contrast, thymol and p-cymene, the most abundant compounds in thyme leaves, showed big differences, with generally higher amounts of monoterpenes obtained by SDE. However, in this case, the differences between the extracts were higher. Key odorants of fennel seeds determined by gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) showed similar patterns when applying SDE and SFE. trans-Anethole (anise, licorice), estragole (anise, licorice, sweet), fenchone (mint, camphor, warm), and 1-octen-3-ol (mushroom) were the most intense odor compounds detected in fennel extracts. Thymol and carvacrol, with oregano, thyme, and spicy notes, were identified as key compounds contributing to the aroma of thyme leaves.     

CO2-Enrichment effects on eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) and bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana (mert.) P & R.)

I investigated the effect of CO₂-enrichment on productivity of two aquatic plant species [Zostera marina L., Nereocystis luetkeana (Mert.) P. & R.] that form significant components of coastal ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest. Short-term (i.e., 2-hr) experiments showed that doubling CO₂ resulted in up to a 2.5-fold increase in Zostera net apparent productivity (NAP). Nereocystis NAP was increased 2.2 – 2.8 fold. In experiments involving seven enrichment treatments, NAP increased with increasing CO₂ between ambient (1.0×) and 2.5× CO₂ in both Zostera and Nereocystis. Nereocystis and Zostera NAP was lowest at highest (i.e., 5×) CO₂ concentrations. In growth experiments, mean growth rate of Zostera increased with increasing CO₂ during one of the two trials. I conclude that increasing CO₂ in the surface waters of the coastal ocean would predictably result in increased NAP of these two species. These results supplement limited published data showing that shallow estuarine and marine systems are vulnerable to increased carbon dioxide.     

超临界CO2流体萃取海滨锦葵籽油的工艺条件优化

为了提高海滨锦葵籽的利用价值,开发生物柴油新原料,该文以海滨锦葵籽为原料,利用超临界CO2流体萃取技术提取海滨锦葵籽油。通过单因素试验及正交试验研究了萃取压力、萃取温度、CO2流量和萃取时间等因素对油脂得率的影响,确定了超临界CO2流体萃取技术提取海滨锦葵籽油的最佳工艺条件。结果表明,在试验范围内各影响因素对海滨锦葵籽油得率作用的大小依次为：萃取压力＞萃取温度＞CO2流量＞萃取时间。超临界CO2流体萃取技术提取海滨锦葵籽油的最佳工艺参数为：萃取压力25 MPa,萃取温度45℃,CO2流量21 kg/h,萃取时间为100 min,在该工艺条件下萃取3次,海滨锦葵籽油得率达到19.35%。     

Regiospecific analysis of diricinoleoylacylglycerols in castor (Ricinus communis L.) oil by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry

HPLC fractions of diricinoleoylacylglycerols containing one non-ricinoleoyl chain from castor oil were used to identify the regiospecific location of this non-ricinoleoyl chain on the glycerol backbone using electrospray ionization-MS3 of lithium adducts. The regiospecific ions used were from the loss of alpha,beta-unsaturated fatty acid specific at the sn-2 position. The content of 1,3-diricinoleoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerols (ROR) among the three stereospecific isomers, RRO, ROR and ORR, was about 91%. The contents of other 1,3-diricinoleoyl-2-acyl-glycerols among the three stereospecific isomers were as follows: 1,3-diricinoleoyl-2-linoleoyl-sn-glycerol, 95%; 1,3-diricinoleoyl-2-linolenoyl-sn-glycerol, 96%; 1,3-diricinoleoyl-2-stearoyl-sn-glycerol, 96%; 1,3-diricinoleoyl-2-palmitoyl-sn-glycerol, 78%; and 1,3-diricinoleoyl-2-lesqueroloyl-sn-glycerol, 31%. These non-hydroxyl fatty acids were mostly at the sn-2 position of triacylglycerols in castor oil. These results suggest that phospholipase A2 hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine (PC) containing non-hydroxyl fatty acid at the sn-2 position is either blocked or partially blocked in vivo. Phospholipase A2 hydrolysis of 2-lesqueroloyl-PC is not blocked and is similar to that of 2-ricinoleoyl-PC. Transgenic inhibition of phospholipase C hydrolysis of PC might be used to block the incorporation of non-hydroxyl fatty acids into triacylglycerols, thus increasing the content of ricinoleate in seed oil.     

Comparative investigation on the susceptibility of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) to iron chlorosis

Comparative physiological studies on iron (Fe) chlorosis of Vicia faba L. and Helianthus annuus L. were carried out. High internal Fe contents in Vicia cotyledons (16–37 μg) were completely used for plant growth and Fe chlorosis was not inducible by the application of nitrate (with or without bicarbonate). In Helianthus, low quantities of Fe in the seeds (4 μg) were insufficient for normal growth and without Fe in the nutrient solution, Fe chlorosis was obtained in all treatments. This chlorosis was an absolute Fe deficiency. Also, the treatment with 1 μM Fe in the nutrient solution and nitrate (with or without bicarbonate) led to severe chlorotic symptoms associated with low leaf Fe concentrations and high Fe concentrations in the roots. In contrast, Helianthus grown with NH₄NO₃ and 1 μM Fe had green leaves and high leaf Fe concentrations. However, with NO₃ supply (with or without bicarbonate), Fe translocation from the roots to the upper plant parts was restricted and leaves were chlorotic. Chlorotic and green sunflower leaves may have the same Fe concentrations, leaf Fe concentration being dependent on Fe translocation into the leaf at the various pH levels in the nutrient solution. At low external pH levels (controlled conditions) more Fe was translocated into the leaf leading to similar leaf Fe concentrations with higher chlorophyll concentrations (NH₄NO₃) and with lower chlorophyll concentrations (NO₃). This indicates a lower utilization of leaf Fe of NO₃ grown sunflower plants. Utilization of Fe in faba bean leaves is presumably higher than in sunflower leaves. In Vicia xylem sap pH was not affected by nitrate. In contrast, the xylem sap pH in Helianthus was permanently increased by about 0.4 pH units when fed with nitrate (with or without bicarbonate) compared with NH₄NO₃ nutrition. The xylem sap pH is indicative of leaf apoplast pH. From our earlier work (Mengel et al., 1994; Kosegarten und Englisch, 1994) we therefore suppose that in Helianthus, Fe immobilization occurs in the leaf apoplast due to high pH levels when grown with nitrate (with or without bicarbonate).     

Chemical characterization of Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) oil

A chemical characterization of the major components, namely, triacylglycerols (TAGs), polyphenols, and tocopherols in a Sacha inchi oil derived from cold pressing of the seed, is hereby reported. To tackle such a task, high-performance liquid chromatography in combination with photodiode array (PDA), fluorescence (RF), and mass spectrometry (MS) detection was employed. The latter was interfaced with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and with electrospray ionization for the analysis of TAGs and polyphenols, respectively, whereas RF detection was tested for the determination of tocopherol content. Furthermore, fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were evaluated by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. A 93% amount of total fatty acids was represented by unsaturated FAMEs with the greatest percentage represented by linoleic (L) and linolenic (Ln) accounting for approximately 50 and 36%, respectively. The main TAGs (>10%) were represented by LLnL, LnLnLn, and LnLLn; the latter was present in the oil sample at the highest percentage (22.2%). Among tocopherols, γ-tocopherol was detected to be the most abundant component (over 50%). The polyphenolic composition was also investigated, and a total of 15 compounds were positively identified, through the complementary analytical information coming from PDA and MS data. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report providing a thorough chemical characterization of a Plukenetia volubilis L. oil.     

超临界CO_2法制备褪黑素脂质体的工艺优化

为了优化褪黑素脂质体的生产工艺、提高包封率以及褪黑素的生物利用度,采用响应面法优化超临界CO2制备褪黑素脂质体的工艺参数。在单因素试验基础上以共溶剂浓度、超临界时间、超临界压力为影响因素,脂质体的包埋率为响应值,运用分析法建立了二次多项式数学模型,并分析模型的有效性及各因素间的交互作用。最终响应面法优化的工艺参数为:乙醇浓度为7.5%,超临界温度为50℃,超临界时间为35 min,此时包埋率可高达83.2%。采用超临界二氧化碳法制备褪黑素脂质体具有工艺简单、重现性好,且脂质体包封率高、颗粒粒径小、稳定性较高等优点,为今后的实际生产提供了理论基础和科学依据。     

Composition and some biological activities of the essential oil of Callicarpa americana (L.)

The essential oil profile of Callicarpa americana was examined. Samples were collected from Lafayette county in north central Mississippi, and GC-MS data and retention indices were used to identify 67 oil components. Humulene epoxide II (13.9%), alpha-humulene (10.0%), 7-epi-alpha-eudesmol (9.4%), beta-pinene (8.8%), and 1-octen-3-ol (8.5%) were the major components of the steam-distilled oil. The oil was selectively toxic toward the cyanobacterium Oscillatoria perornata compared to Oscillatoria agardhii and the green alga Selenastrum capricornutum, with complete growth inhibition at 28.5 microgram/mL. The oil was only mildly phytotoxic and antifungal.     

增施CO2降低小白菜硝酸盐积累的机理研究

以低硝酸盐积累基因型（东妃）和高硝酸盐积累基因型（高雄甜脆）两种小白菜为材料,采用溶液培养法研究了增施CO2降低蔬菜硝酸盐积累的生理机制。结果表明,CO2浓度升高能显著提高2种基因型小白菜的生物量和硝酸还原酶活性,并降低根、茎叶各部位的硝酸盐含量。CO2浓度升高不仅促进了植株对硝态氮的吸收,而且植株吸收硝酸盐的累积量增幅均高于鲜重的增幅。由此可见,除了鲜重增加的稀释作用,处理后生理机制的变化也可能是CO2浓度升高引起硝酸盐含量降低的重要原因。研究还表明,增施CO2后“东妃”的硝酸盐含量降低百分率与硝酸还原酶活性的增加百分率呈极显著相关,而“高雄甜脆”的硝酸盐含量降低百分率则与鲜重的增加百分率的相关性达极显著水平。说明增施CO2后植株各部位硝酸还原酶活性提高及鲜重的增加均为引起硝酸盐含量降低的重要原因,但贡献率具有明显的基因型差异。     

Characterization of the aroma-active compounds in pink guava (Psidium guajava, L.) by application of the aroma extract dilution analysis

The volatiles present in fresh, pink-fleshed Colombian guavas ( Psidium guajava, L.), variety regional rojo, were carefully isolated by solvent extraction followed by solvent-assisted flavor evaporation, and the aroma-active areas in the gas chromatogram were screened by application of the aroma extract dilution analysis. The results of the identification experiments in combination with the FD factors revealed 4-methoxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2 H)-furanone, 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2 H)-furanone, 3-sulfanylhexyl acetate, and 3-sulfanyl-1-hexanol followed by 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2(5 H)-furanone, ( Z)-3-hexenal, trans-4,5-epoxy-( E)-2-decenal, cinnamyl alcohol, ethyl butanoate, hexanal, methional, and cinnamyl acetate as important aroma contributors. Enantioselective gas chromatography revealed an enantiomeric distribution close to the racemate in 3-sulfanylhexyl acetate as well as in 3-sulfanyl-1-hexanol. In addition, two fruity smelling diastereomeric methyl 2-hydroxy-3-methylpentanoates were identified as the ( R,S)- and the ( S,S)-isomers, whereas the ( S,R)- and ( R,R)-isomers were absent. Seven odorants were identified for the first time in guavas, among them 3-sulfanylhexyl acetate, 3-sulfanyl-1-hexanol, 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2(5 H)-furanone, trans-4,5-epoxy-( E)-2-decenal, and methional were the most odor-active.