A simple and sensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry confirmatory method for analyzing sulfonamide antibacterials in milk and egg

A simple and specific method able to identify and quantify traces of 14 sulfonamide antibacterials (SAs) in milk and eggs is presented. This method uses a single solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge for simultaneous extraction and purification of SAs in the above matrices. Milk and egg samples are passed through a Carbograph 4 sorption cartridge. After analyte desorption, an aliquot of the final extract is injected into a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) instrument equipped with an electrospray ion source (ESI) and a single quadrupole. MS data acquisition is performed in the positive-ion mode and by a time-scheduled multiple-ion selected ion monitoring program. Compared to two published methods, the present protocol extracted larger amounts of SAs from both milk and egg and decreased the analysis time by a factor of 3 with milk samples and by a factor of 2 with egg samples. Recovery of SAs in milk at the 5 ppb level ranged between 76 and 112% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 相似文献   

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Momordica charantia seed essential oil

The essential oil obtained from the seeds of Momordica charantia was analyzed by GC/MS. Twenty-five components, representing 90.9% of the oil, were identified. The main constituents were trans-nerolidol, apiole, cis-dihydrocarveol and germacrene D. Furthermore, the oil was tested for its antibacterial and antifungal activities. Staphylococcus aureus was found to be the most sensitive microorganism with MIC values <500 microg/ml.     

Biodegradability of Disinfectants in Surface Waters from Buenos Aires: Isolation of an Indigenous Strain Able to Degrade and Detoxify Benzalkonium Chloride

Biodegradability of chlorhexidine (CH), triclosan (TC), and benzalkonium chloride (CBA) has been tested in 18 surface water sampling points in the urban area of Buenos Aires. Sampling points were located in both the Reconquista and the Matanza-Riachuelo basins as well as in the La Plata River. High tolerance to the three disinfectants was found and indigenous strains capable of degrading CBA and TC were isolated. Neither tolerance nor biodegradation were correlated with sewage pollution. A strain that degrades CBA was identified as belonging to the genus Pseudomonas using the API20NE system and 16SRNA sequencing. In batch assays, the strain was capable of degrading 100, 200, and up to 500 mg L^?1 of CBA in 10, 25, and 46 h respectively with specific growth rates (μ) of 0.56, 0.30, and 0.14 h^?1. The efficiency of the process was between 99.5–98.0% in terms of compound removal and between 93.8–89.1% in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD). The detoxification of the compound as a result of the biodegradation was assessed using Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, Vibrio fischeri, and Lactuca sativa as test organisms.     

Characterization of Sardinian cork oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus suber</Emphasis> L.) genetic resources for economically important traits

Considering the very high socio economic value of cork oak (Quercus suber L.) in Mediterranean areas, a better knowledge of local genetic resources is necessary in order to reach a good balance between the conservation issues and the need of an efficient cork production network. In such frame, local germplasm of Q. suber from the main cork production areas of Sardinia was analysed for DNA and isozyme polymorphisms and for cork quality in relation to some environmental parameters. A total number of 24 sample stands of cork oak were selected, representing typical vegetation, sylvicultural and cork quality features within the eight identified cork growing areas in Sardinia. Considerable variation was found between cork oak stands of the different areas. Results of the principal component analysis performed on the cork quality data and environmental characters of the eight areas, showed that the first three components explain 72.2% of the variation. The major characters involved in this differentiation were cork quality characters such as dimensional recover, moisture and Mg content of the cork and also elevation of stands m a.s.l. for the first component. The second component appears to be determined by some climatic parameters (average annual temperature and average of the minimum temperatures of coldest month) and by the Fe and Zn in the cork. For the third component, major characters involved in differentiation are average annual rainfall, bark thickness and Ca content in the cork.     

Effect of soil pH on the chemical composition of organic matter in physically separated soil fractions in two broadleaf woodland sites at Rothamsted,UK

Although acid soils are common in forest ecosystems, and there is documented evidence of pH influencing transformations of organic matter in soil, there are surprisingly few studies on the influence of soil pH on the chemical structure of physically fractionated soil organic matter (SOM). The aim of this study was to characterize the influence of pH on the chemical and physical processes involved in SOM stabilization. Forest soils of different pH (4.4 and 7.8) sampled from two long‐term experiments at Rothamsted Research (UK) were physically fractionated. The free light fraction (FLF), the intra‐aggregate light fraction and the fine silt and clay (S + C, <25 µm) were characterized using elemental, isotopic (δ¹³C), thermogravimetric, differential thermal, diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy and high‐resolution magic angle spinning ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. The quantitative distribution of carbon (C) between SOM fractions differed between the two soils. Carbon contents in the light fractions from the acid soil were significantly greater than in those of the alkaline soil. In contrast, in S + C fractions, C content was greater in the alkaline soil. FLF from the acid soil was characterized by a greater C:N ratio, smaller δ¹³C and greater content of thermo‐labile compounds compared with FLF from the alkaline soil. In contrast, there was only a weak effect of soil pH on the chemical composition of the organic matter in S + C fractions. Irrespective of soil pH, these latter fractions contained mainly aliphatic compounds such as carbohydrates, carboxylic acid, amide and peptide derivates. This suggested that physical mechanisms, involving the interactions between SOM and mineral surfaces, are of greater importance than the presence of chemically recalcitrant species in protecting SOM associated with the finest soil fractions.     

Carotenoid, chlorophyll, and chlorophyll-derived compounds in grapes and port wines

Carotenoids and chlorophyll-derived compounds in grapes and Port wines were investigated by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-DAD-MS (ESP+) analysis. A total of 13 carotenoid and chlorophyll-derived compounds are formally reported in grapes, 3 are identified for the first time, pheophytins a and b and (13Z)-beta-carotene, and 3 others remain unknown. In Port wines 19 compounds with carotenoid or chlorophyll-like structures are present, 8 still unidentified. The young wines showed higher total carotenoid content and chlorophyll-like compounds compared to aged Ports, with lutein and beta-carotene as major carotenoids. Among samples analyzed of monovarietal Vitis vinifera L. cultivar wines produced with the five most important Douro varieties, Tinta Roriz contained the highest levels of carotenoids and Touriga Franca the lowest. The forced-aging study indicated that lutein was more sensitive to temperature than beta-carotene. Additionally, aged wines showed higher ratios of beta-carotene/lutein concentrations compared to new Ports. Rates of degradation of chlorophyll derivative compounds were higher than those for carotene and lutein.     

Determination of cocoa butter equivalents in milk chocolate by triacylglycerol profiling

An analytical approach for the detection and quantification of cocoa butter equivalents (CBEs) in milk chocolate is presented. It is based on (i) a comprehensive standardized database covering the triacylglycerol composition of a wide range of authentic milk fat (n=310), cocoa butter (n=75), and CBE (n=74) samples and 947 gravimetrically prepared mixtures thereof, (ii) the availability of a certified cocoa butter reference material (IRMM-801) for calibration, (iii) an evaluation algorithm, which allows a reliable quantification of the milk fat content in chocolate fats using a simple linear regression model, (iv) a subsequent correction of triacylglycerols deriving from milk fat, (v) mathematical expressions to detect the presence of CBEs in milk chocolate, and (vi) a multivariate statistical formula to quantify the amount of CBEs in milk chocolate. The detection limit was 1% CBE in chocolate fat (0.3% CBE in milk chocolate, having a fat content of 30%). For quantification, the average error for prediction was 1.2% CBE in chocolate fat, corresponding to 0.4% in milk chocolate (fat content, 30%).     

A new dihydroxysterol from the marine phytoplankton Diacronema sp

Diacronema sp. was cultured and its sterols were separated by column chromatography on silica gel. The new sterol 24-ethyl-4alpha-methyl-cholestane-3,20-diol (1) was characterised by NMR and MS spectrometry, as well as (22E)-24-ethyl-4alpha-methyl-5alpha-cholest-22-en-3beta-ol (2) and beta-sitosterol, the major components of the sterol fractions. Neither the biosynthetic origin of the new dihydroxysterol nor its role in the biochemistry of Diacronema is known.