Efficient one pot extraction and depolymerization of grape (Vitis vinifera) pomace procyanidins for the preparation of antioxidant thio-conjugates

Antioxidant thio-conjugates were obtained from white grape pomace by a clean and efficient one pot extraction and depolymerization method using water and cysteamine hydrochloride. To evaluate the potential of grape pomaces of different origins as sources of proanthocyanidins and conjugates, we conducted varietal comparative studies of polyphenol content, antioxidant power, and procyanidin composition. Xarel.lo proved to be the richest source of polyphenols. The total conversion into the conjugates was as high as 8 g/kg of Xarel.lo grape pomace, with a 50-fold excess of cysteamine, and 3 g/kg, with a 5-fold excess of cysteamine. After purification by preparative cation exchange and reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography, 17 g of 63% pure 4beta-(2-aminoethylthio)epicatechin (acetate salt) was obtained from 35 kg of moist pomace. The procedure described here will make the antioxidant thio-derivatives efficiently available directly from raw plant byproducts such as grape pomace.     

Immunomodulatory activity of a new family of antioxidants obtained from grape polyphenols

We examined the potential antioxidant activity and the immunopharmacological activity of new epicatechin conjugates obtained by depolymerization of grape polymeric flavanols in the presence of cysteamine or cysteine and with or without gallate. The compounds studied were (-)-epicatechin (1), cysteinyl-epicatechin (2), cysteamine-epicatechin (3), (-)-epicatechin gallate (4), cysteinyl-epicatechin gallate (5), and cysteamine-epicatechin gallate (6) When incubated with an erythrocyte suspension, flavanols protected the erythrocyte membrane from hemolysis induced by 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride, an azo free-radical initiator. All the epicatechin derivatives tested were more efficient as antioxidant than epicatechin. The most potent antioxidant was compound 6. The compounds were tested for their capacity to modulate IL-1beta and IL-6, which are the main cytokine factors influencing the acute phase of the inflammatory response. (-)-Epicatechin and its related compounds inhibited the production of IL-1beta and IL-6 in whole blood incubated in the presence of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide. The most efficient inhibitor of cytokine formation was compound 3.     

Improved method for the determination of hydroxymethylfurfural in baby foods using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

An improved analytical method for the rapid, reliable, and sensitive determination of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in baby foods is described. It entailed aqueous extraction from food matrix with simultaneous clarification using Carrez I and II reagents, solid-phase extraction cleanup using Oasis HLB, and analysis by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. A narrow-bore column allowed fast chromatographic separation with good resolution of HMF and matrix coextractives. In positive atmospheric pressure chemical ionization conditions, precursor and compound-specific ions were sensitively detected in selected ion monitoring mode. Sample preparation with efficient cleanup followed by fast chromatographic analysis allowed the analysis to be completed in <20 min. Recovery ranged between 91.8 and 94.7% for spiking levels of 0.25, 1.0, and 5.0 mg/kg HMF in cereal-based baby foods. The method was shown to be successful when using liquid chromatography coupled to ultraviolet detection at 285 nm.     

Comparative study of the cytotoxicity induced by antioxidant epicatechin conjugates obtained from grape

We studied the cytotoxicity of epicatechin conjugates obtained by depolymerization of grape polymeric flavanols in the presence of cysteamine or cysteine and the resulting conjugates purified by ion exchange and/or reversed-phase high-resolution chromatography and compared it to their antioxidant capacity. The studies were carried out on fibroblast and keratinocyte cell lines. The cytotoxic effects of these products were observed at concentrations 3-7-fold higher than the antioxidant concentration after exposure for 24, 48, and 72 h. The compounds with a gallate group were more toxic than the corresponding products without one. It is interesting to note that the esther ethyl derivative exhibited low cytotoxicity but had the most potent antioxidant activity. The results indicated that effective antioxidant activity can be obtained from these products in a concentration range that is safe for the normal cell. This finding suggests new pharmaceutical applications and may also help us to identify the potential therapeutic dose.     

LC-MS/MS analysis of neonicotinoid insecticides in honey: methodology and residue findings in Austrian honeys

An analytical method for the simultaneous determination of residues of eight neonicotinoid insecticides and two metabolites in honey using LC-MS/MS was developed and validated. Two approaches of sample preparation were investigated, with the final method involving acetonitrile extraction and subsequent cleanup by dispersive solid-phase extraction (QuEChERS type). Validation was based on quintuplicate analysis at three fortification levels and showed satisfactory recoveries (60-114%) and high precision (RSDs between 2.7 and 12.8%). Low limits of detection and quantification could be achieved for all analytes ranging from 0.6 to 5 μg/kg and from 2 to 10 μg/kg, respectively. Investigations of Austrian honey samples revealed the presence of acetamiprid, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam residues in honey; however, no sample exceeded the maximum residue limits. On average, flower honey samples contained neonicotinoid residues in higher quantities compared to forest honey samples.     

Oligomeric proanthocyanidins from mangosteen pericarps

Oligomeric proanthocyanidins were extracted from mangosteen pericarps and fractionated by a Sephadex LH-20 column to give 0.66% yield (dry matter). (13)C and (1)H NMR signals showed the presence of predominantly procyanidins together with a few prodelphinidin units along with small amounts of stereoisomers of afzelechin/epiafzelechin, catechin/epicatechin, and gallocatechin/epigallocatechin. Depolymerization with benzylmercaptan resulted in epicatechin thioether as the major product, and the mean degree of polymerization was determined to be 6.6. The electron spray ionization-mass spectrometry and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectra revealed the dominant B type oligomers with mainly epicatechin units and with a small amount of A type oligomers. The isolated proanthocyanidins are potent peroxyl radical scavengers as evidenced by the high oxygen radical scavenging capacity at 1.7 x 10 (4) micromol TE/g, much higher than that of pine bark and grape seed extracts.     

The Effects of Goat Manure,Sewage Sludge And Effective Microorganisms on the Composting of Pine Bark

This study investigated the cocomposting of pine bark with goat manure or sewage sludge, with or without inoculated effective microorganisms (EM). Composting was done for 90 days and parameters monitored over this period included temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), C/N ratio, inorganic N, as well as tannin content. Changes in temperature, pH and EC during composting were consistent with those generally observed with other composting systems. The parameters were influenced by the feedstock materials used but were not affected by inoculation with effective microorganisms. The highest temperature measured from pine bark-goat manure composts was 60°C but much lower maximum temperatures of 40°C and 30°C were observed for pine bark sewage sludge and pine bark alone composts, respectively. The C/N ratios of the composts decreased with composting time. Ammonium levels decreased while nitrate levels increased with composting time. Tannin levels generally decreased with composting time but the extent of decrease depended on the contents of the composting mixtures. The trends observed showed that temperature, pH, EC, C/N ratio, tannin levels, and inorganic NH₄-N and NO₃-N were reliable parameters for monitoring the co-composting of pine bark with goat manure or sewage sludge. The pine bark-goat manure compost had more desirable nutritional properties than the pine bark and pine bark-sewage sludge composts. It had high CEC, near neutral pH, low C/N ratio, and high amounts of inorganic N and bases (K, Ca, and Mg) while pine bark compost had the least amounts of nutrients, was acidic, and had high C/N ratio and low CEC. The final tannin content of the pine bark-goat manure compost was below the 20 g/kg upper threshold level for horticultural potting media, implying that its use as a growing medium would not cause toxicity to plants.     

Simultaneous determination and differentiation of glycidyl esters and 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (MCPD) esters in different foodstuffs by GC-MS

The aim of this study was the development of a method for the simultaneous determination and differentiation of fatty acid esters of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD esters) and glycidol (glycidyl esters) in different foodstuffs. The esters were isolated from fat-rich food samples using a single extraction step and separated from interfering substances. For differentiation of 3-MCPD esters and glycidyl esters the glycidol moiety was converted into 3-methoxypropane-1,2-diol (3-MPD) by acidic alcoholysis. Subsequent determination was achieved by isotope dilution GC-MS after transesterification using an isotope-labeled 3-MCPD ester as internal standard. During optimization of the procedure, critical parameters affecting simultaneous determination and differentiation of these analytes were investigated. Rapid ester cleavage and derivatization at ambient temperature proved to be essential for the simultaneous determination of these analytes. The method was validated for various fat-rich foodstuffs such as bakery products, sweets, gravy, and soup powders as well as edible fats and oils. LODs of 8 and 15 μg/kg (fat-rich foodstuffs) as well as 50 and 65 μg/kg (edible oils and fats) were obtained for 3-MCPD esters and glycidyl esters, respectively. Recoveries for 3-MCPD esters and glycidyl esters ranged within 98 ± 4 and 88 ± 2% in all tested foodstuffs (0.05-2.5 mg/kg) and within 99 ± 16 and 93 ± 13% for edible oils and fats (0.15-3 mg/kg) over a wide concentration range. These results proved an accurate and differentiated determination of 3-MCPD esters and glycidyl esters with successful application to the fast screening of samples, avoiding tedious and laborious sample preparation.     

Gas chromatographic determination of N-nitrosamines, aromatic amines, and melamine in milk and dairy products using an automatic solid-phase extraction system

A reliable analytical method was presented for the simultaneous determination of six N-nitrosamines, nine aromatic amines, and melamine in milk and dairy products using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The sample treatment includes the precipitation of proteins with acetonitrile, centrifugation, solvent changeover by evaporation, and continuous solid-phase extraction for cleanup and preconcentration purposes. Samples (5 g) containing 0.15-500 ng of each amine were analyzed, and low detection limits (15-130 ng/kg) were achieved. Recoveries for milk and dairy products samples spiked with 1, 10, and 50 μg/kg ranged from 92% to 101%, with intraday and interday relative standard deviation values below 7.5%. The method was successfully applied to determine amine residues in several milk types (human breast, cow, and goat) and dairy products.     

Simultaneous determination of 20 pharmacologically active substances in cow's milk, goat's milk, and human breast milk by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

This paper reports a systematic approach to the development of a method that combines continuous solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the simultaneous determination of 20 pharmacologically active substances including antibacterials (chloramphenicol, florfenicol, pyrimethamine, thiamphenicol), nonsteroideal anti-inflammatories (diclofenac, flunixin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, mefenamic acid, niflumic acid, phenylbutazone), antiseptic (triclosan), antiepileptic (carbamazepine), lipid regulator (clofibric acid), β-blockers (metoprolol, propranolol), and hormones (17α-ethinylestradiol, estrone, 17β-estradiol) in milk samples. The sample preparation procedure involves deproteination of the milk, followed by sample enrichment and cleanup by continuous solid-phase extraction. The proposed method provides a linear response over the range of 0.6-5000 ng/kg and features limits of detection from 0.2 to 1.2 ng/kg depending on the particular analyte. The method was successfully applied to the determination of pharmacologically active substance residues in food samples including whole, raw, half-skim, skim, and powdered milk from different sources (cow, goat, and human breast).     

Determination of aflatoxins, ochratoxin a, and zearalenone in mixed feeds, with detection by thin layer chromatography or high performance liquid chromatography

A sensitive, reliable, and economical method for the determination of 6 mycotoxins in mixed feeds is described. The feed is extracted with chloroform-water and the extract is cleaned up by using a disposable Sep-Pak silica cartridge. The procedure requires less time (15 min from sample extraction to extract preparation) and less solvent (approximately one-tenth) compared with conventional methods and is suitable for a fast, economical screen. Additional cleanup procedures, involving dialysis or extraction into base, are described for samples containing high levels of interfering compounds. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection are described for identification and estimation of mycotoxins. The method has been applied to a wide range of mixed feeds, including laboratory animal diets, and raw materials. The limit of detection is 1 microgram/kg for all mycotoxins measured by HPLC.     

Procyanidin fractions from pine (Pinus pinaster) bark: radical scavenging power in solution, antioxidant activity in emulsion, and antiproliferative effect in melanoma cells

Pine (Pinus pinaster) bark is a rich source of procyanidin oligomers. From a total polyphenolic extract, we have generated fractions of different procyanidin composition. The mixtures, devoid of gallate esters, were active as free radical scavengers against ABTS(*+), DPPH, and HNTTM. Pine bark fractions were tested for antioxidant activity in solution (hydrogen donation and electron transfer) and emulsion (inhibition of lipid peroxidation) and compared with their galloylated counterparts from grape origin. While galloylation clearly influenced the free radical scavenging efficiency in solution, it did not seem to play a determinant role in protection against lipid peroxidation in emulsion. The fractions were very mild inhibitors of cell proliferation. Because gallate esters appear to interfere with crucial cell functions, gallate free pine procyanidins may be the innocuous chemopreventative agents of choice for many applications in food and skin protection.     

Dispersive cleanup of acetonitrile extracts of tea samples by mixed multiwalled carbon nanotubes, primary secondary amine, and graphitized carbon black sorbents

A method for analysis of 37 pesticide residues in tea samples was developed and validated and was based on reversed-dispersive solid-phase extraction (r-DSPE) cleanup in acetonitrile solution, followed by liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry determination. Green tea, oolong tea, and puer tea were selected as matrixes and represent the majority of tea types. Acetonitrile was used as the extraction solvent, with sodium chloride and magnesium sulfate enhancing partitioning of analytes into the organic phase. The extract was then cleaned up by r-DSPE using a mixture of multiwalled carbon nanotubes, primary secondary amine, and graphitized carbon black as sorbents to absorb interferences. Further optimization of sample preparation and determination allowed recoveries of between 70% and 111% for all 37 pesticides with relative standard deviations lower than 14% at two concentration levels of 10 and 100 μg kg(-1). Limits of quantification ranged from 5 to 20 μg kg(-1) for all pesticides. The developed method was successfully applied to the determination of pesticide residues in market tea samples.     

Lime applications to aged pine media increase early‐season sweet potato transplant production in heated beds

Aged pine sawdust and bark are likely to be the most widely used media for sweet potato transplant production in heated beds in north Alabama. Transplant production in these media, however, may be limited by acid conditions. This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of the application of lime (0.0, 2.2, and 4.4 kg/m³) on early‐season production of ‘Georgia Jet’ sweet potato transplants. Differences in transplant yield and quality due to media were not obtained at the first harvest, but heavier total early‐season transplants were obtained with aged pine bark than with aged pine sawdust. At the first harvest, the highest transplant number (936 transplants/m²) and weight (1.685 kg/m²), and the greatest mean transplant length (23.4 cm) were obtained with 2.2 kg/m³ of lime, but the total early‐season transplant numbers increased linearly from 1025 to 1154 transplants/m² with the addition of lime. Total early‐season transplant quality parameters, however, did not respond to the addition of lime in the same manner. Mean transplant weight decreased from 2.31 to 2.17 g with the addition of lime, and greatest mean transplant length was obtained with 2.2 kg/m³ of lime. High media pH and petiole Ca and Mg concentrations were also obtained as a result of the lime applications.     

Development of a solid-phase cleanup and portable rapid flow-through enzyme immunoassay for the detection of ochratoxin a in roasted coffee

A membrane-based flow-through enzyme immunoassay (patent application pending) for the detection of ochratoxin A (OA) in roasted coffee was developed. First, an extraction and solid-phase cleanup method was developed. A high partition coefficient for OA in the mobile phase was achieved by using methanol/5% aqueous NaHCO(3) as the sample extraction and cleanup solvent. The solid-phase (aminopropyl) cleanup was developed to chromatographically elute OA but retain cross-reacting compounds. Without using aminopropyl cleanup, cross-reacting compounds resulted in 100% false positives for both flow-through enzyme immunoassay and HPLC methods. However, after cleanup with aminopropyl, no false positives were observed. The flow-through results were visually evaluated. The sensitivity achieved for the flow-through was 4 microg kg(-1) in spiked roasted coffee. The assay was used to screen roasted coffee samples. Results were confirmed with HPLC with a detection limit of 1 microg kg(-1).     

Simultaneous thin layer chromatographic determination of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A in black olives

A screening method has been developed for simultaneous determination of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A in black olives. The technique includes extraction of both mycotoxins with aqueous methanol, cleanup using lead acetate, defatting with hexane, partitioning in chloroform, and thin layer chromatography. Detection limits are 5-7 micrograms aflatoxin B1 and 20 micrograms ochratoxin A/kg.     

Comparison of proanthocyanidins in commercial antioxidants: grape seed and pine bark extracts

The major constituents in grape seed and pine bark extracts are proanthocyanidins. To evaluate material available to consumers, select lots were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) LC/MS was used to identify monomers, dimers, and trimers present. GC/MS analyses led to the identification of ethyl esters of hexadecanoic acid, linoleic acid, and oleic acid, as well as smaller phenolic and terpene components. The GPC molecular weight (MW) distribution indicated components ranging from approximately 162 to approximately 5500 MW (pine bark less than 1180 MW and grape seed approximately 1180 to approximately 5000 MW). MALDI-TOF MS analyses showed that pine bark did not contain oligomers with odd numbers of gallate units and grape seed contained oligomers with both odd and even numbers of gallate. Reflectron MALDI-TOF MS identified oligomers up to a pentamer and heptamer, and linear MALDI-TOF MS showed a mass range nearly double that of reflectron analyses.     

A novel green chemistry method for nonaqueous extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography detection of first-, second-, and third-generation tetracyclines, 4-epitetracycline, and tylosin in animal feeds

Although tetracyclines and macrolides are common additives for animal nutrition, methods for their simultaneous determination in animal feeds are nonexistent. By coupling an organic extraction and solid-phase extraction cleanup to a high-performance liquid chromatography separation and a nonaqueous postcolumn derivatization, we succeeded in detecting from 0.2 to 24.0 μg kg(-1) of tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, doxycycline, tigecycline, and 4-epitetracycline in this complex and heterogeneous matrix. Minocycline and tylosin could also be detected with our procedure, but using UV spectrophotometry (1.5 ≤ LOD ≤ 1.9 mg kg(-1)). Linear responses with correlation coefficients between 0.996 and 0.999 were obtained for all analytes in the 0.5-10 mg kg(-1) concentration range. Average recoveries between 59 and 97% and between 98 and 102% were obtained for the tetracyclines and tylosin, respectively. Replicate standard deviations were typically below 5%. When this method was applied to 20 feeds marketed in Costa Rica, we detected labeling inconsistencies, banned mixtures of tetracyclines, and tetracycline concentrations that contravene international regulation.     

Determination of nitrate in a pine bark substrate

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate extraction methods for the determination of nitrate in a synthesized pine bark substrate. It was found that prior to nitrate determination, oven dryino of the pine bark sample was necessary followed by rewetting and extraction in a vacuum for 72 hours. Using this technique, about 65% of applied nitrate was recovered.     

Analytical study of azadirachtin and 3-tigloylazadirachtol residues in foliage and phloem of hardwood tree species by liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry

A rapid and sensitive LC-ESI-MS method has been developed and validated for the quantitation of azadirachtin and 3-tigloylazadirachtol in deciduous tree matrices. The method involves automated extraction and simultaneous cleanup using an accelerated solvent technique with the matrix dispersed in solid phase over a layer of primary-secondary amine silica. The limits of quantification were 0.02 mg/kg for all matrices with the exception of Norway maple foliage (0.05 mg/kg). Validation at three levels (0.02, 0.1, and 1 mg/kg), demonstrated satisfactory recoveries (71-103%) with relative standard deviation <20%. Two in-source fragment ions were used for confirmation at levels above 0.1 mg/kg. Over a period of several months, quality control analyses showed the technique to be robust and effective in tracking the fate of these natural botanical insecticides following systemic injection into various tree species for control of invasive insect pest species such as the emerald ash borer and Asian longhorned beetle.