Liquid chromatographic determination of natural and synthetic colorants in lyophilized foods using an automatic solid-phase extraction system

Five synthetic and five natural colorants were determined in lyophilized dairy products and fatty foods using an automatic method based on lixiviation and a solid-phase extraction process that includes cotton and RP-C(18) columns for the sequential retention of synthetic colorants and natural colorants, respectively. The lyophilization of the sample coupled with the separation procedure provides clean extracts despite the complexity of the matrices studied. In addition, the lyophilization process preserves the sample for at least 2 months without changes in the concentrations of the colorants. Identification and determination of synthetic and natural colorants were carried out using a liquid chromatograph equipped with a diode array detector. The detection limits achieved for all of the colorants (0.03-75 microg/g of lyophilized sample) allowed their determination within the limits established by the European Union, with good precision (approximately 4.5%). In addition, colorants spiked to different foods provided average recoveries (spiked at three concentration levels in four types of dairy samples and in three types of fatty foods) near 94 +/- 4%.     

Fermentative metabolism is induced by inhibiting different enzymes of the branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis pathway in pea plants

The inhibition of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) biosynthesis was evaluated in pea plants in relation to the ability for induction of fermentative metabolism under aerobic conditions. Chlorsulfuron and imazethapyr (inhibitors of acetolactate synthase, ALS, EC 4.1.3.18) produced a strong induction of pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC, EC 4.1.1.1) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH, EC 1.1.1.1) activities and a lesser induction of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, EC 1.1.1.27) and alanine aminotransferase (AlaAT, EC 2.6.1.2) activities in roots. Inhibition of the second enzyme of the BCAA biosynthesis (ketol-acid reductoisomerase, KARI, EC 1.1.1.86) by Hoe 704 (2-dimethylphosphinoyl-2-hydroxyacetic acid) and CPCA (1,1-cyclopropanedicarboxylic acid) enhanced fermentative enzyme activities including PDC, ADH, and AlaAT. Fermentative metabolism induction occurring with ALS- and KARI-inhibitors was related to a higher expression of PDC. In the case of KARI inhibition, it is proposed that fermentation induction is due to an inhibition of ALS activity resulted from an increase in acetolactate concentration. Fermentative metabolism induction in roots, or at least ethanolic fermentation, appeared to be a general physiological response to the BCAA biosynthesis inhibition.     

Field-incurred fenitrothion residues in kakis: comparison of individual fruits, composite samples, and peeled and cooked fruits

Field trials have been carried out to determine the variability of residue levels of fenitrothion and its main metabolites fenitrothion-oxon and 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol in individual kaki fruits versus composite samples, in peel versus flesh, and in whole uncooked versus whole cooked fruits. Residue levels have been determined by gas chromatography with thermionic specific detection after extraction with ethyl acetate and without further cleanup. At harvest, residue levels of fenitrothion were below maximum residue levels (MRLs) and the two metabolites 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol and fenitrothion-oxon could be quantified with average amounts of 0.080 and 0.012 mg/kg, respectively. Levels of fenitrothion decreased 88% after peeling, whereas temperature did not result in a high variation. The ratios of the highest residue level in the individual fruits to the corresponding mean of residue levels in the composite samples for fenitrothion were <3. This value is lower than that recommended by the World Health Organization as default value for consumer risk assessment.     

Raman spectroscopic study of structural changes in Hake (Merluccius merluccius L.) muscle proteins during frozen storage

This paper examines changes in the structure and functionality of fish muscle proteins at frozen storage temperatures known to render very different practical storage lives (-10 and -30 degrees C). Apparent viscosity and dimethylamine (DMA) content showed drastic temperature-related differences during storage. Raman spectroscopy revealed the occurrence of some structural changes involving secondary and tertiary protein structures. The changes in secondary structure were quantified, showing an increase of beta-sheet at the expense of alpha-helix structure. The nuC-H stretching band near 2935 cm(-)(1) increased in intensity, indicating denaturation of the muscle proteins through the exposure of aliphatic hydrophobic groups to the solvent. These structural changes were more pronounced at -10 degrees C but occurred at both storage temperatures, whereas changes in apparent viscosity and DMA only occurred in storage at -10 degrees C. The possible utility of these structural changes for quality assessment is discussed.     

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity in commercial fermented products. Formation of peptides under simulated gastrointestinal digestion

The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory activity of several commercial fermented milks was evaluated. Most of these products showed moderate inhibitory activity, but a few exceptions were detected. The high ACE-inhibitory activity found in some cases could be related to the origin of the milk. Two of these products were subjected to an enzymatic hydrolysis process, which simulates physiological digestion, to study the influence of digestion on ACE-inhibitory activity. The activity did not significantly change or increase during simulated gastrointestinal digestion. The peptides generated from one selected product during simulated digestion were sequenced by tandem spectrometry. Most peptides found at the end of the simulated digestion were released after 30 min of incubation with the pancreatic extract. This suggests that physiological digestion promotes the formation of active peptides from the proteins present in these fermented products. The potential ACE-inhibitory activity of the identified peptides is discussed with regard to their amino acid sequences.     

Allozyme markers suitable for population genetic analysis of Fasciola hepatica

Protein electrophoresis was used to study allozyme variation in Fasciola hepatica collected from three locations in Galicia (NW Spain), an area where fascioliasis is endemic. Eleven of 16 loci showed variation in at least one population and 7 loci were polymorphic in all populations studied. Five of these markers showed expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.137 to 0.569. The Nei's unbiased genetic diversity within populations ranged from 0.146 to 0.168. Genotypic frequencies were consistent with panmixia in 25 of 28 cases. Only 2 loci showed a significant deficit of heterozygotes. Genetic distances between populations were small (D(a)=0.003-0.010). These results suggest high levels of genetic variability and low population structure. This study shows that several of the markers developed are useful for study the population genetic structure of the parasite, which is essential to investigate the evolution of drug resistance that has recently emerged in populations of the study area.     

Cuban and Brazilian red propolis: botanical origin and comparative analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Chemical composition of propolis depends on the specificity of the local flora at the site of collection and thus on the geographic and climatic characteristics of this place. This paper describes a comparative analysis of Cuban red propolis (CRP), Brazilian red propolis (BRP), and Dalbergia ecastophyllum exudates (DEE) by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection and tandem mass spectrometry. The aim of this study was to investigate the overall chemical profile and the botanical origin of red propolis and to suggest similarities and differences between samples collected in different tropical regions. Isoliquiritigenin (1), liquiritigenin and naringenin (2 and 17), isoflavones (3-4 and 16), isoflavans (5-7 and 18), and pterocarpans (8-13) were detected in CRP, BRP, and DEE, whereas polyisoprenylated benzophenones (PPBs) guttiferone E/xanthochymol (14a,b) and oblongifolin A (15) were detected only in BRP. Pigments responsible for the red color of DEE and red propolis were also identified as two C30 isoflavans, the new retusapurpurin B (19) and retusapurpurin A (20). PPBs and pigments were isolated and unambiguously characterized by 1D and 2D NMR analysis. These results show that red propolis samples from different tropical zones have a similar chemical composition. DEE is the main red propolis source, but the presence of PPBs in BRP suggests the contribution of different botanical sources for Brazilian samples. This chemical information is important for quality control of red propolis and its commercial products and for biological study.     

Contact herbicidal activity optimization of methyl capped polyethylene glycol ester of pelargonic acid

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The loss of important contact herbicides like paraquat opens opportunities for more potentially sustainable solutions demanded by consumers and...     

Thiopeptide Antibiotics: Retrospective and Recent Advances

Thiopeptides, or thiazolyl peptides, are a relatively new family of antibiotics that already counts with more than one hundred different entities. Although they are mainly isolated from soil bacteria, during the last decade, new members have been isolated from marine samples. Far from being limited to their innate antibacterial activity, thiopeptides have been found to possess a wide range of biological properties, including anticancer, antiplasmodial, immunosuppressive, etc. In spite of their ribosomal origin, these highly posttranslationally processed peptides have posed a fascinating synthetic challenge, prompting the development of various methodologies and strategies. Regardless of their limited solubility, intensive investigations are bringing thiopeptide derivatives closer to the clinic, where they are likely to show their veritable therapeutic potential.     

A general model for food web structure

A central problem in ecology is determining the processes that shape the complex networks known as food webs formed by species and their feeding relationships. The topology of these networks is a major determinant of ecosystems' dynamics and is ultimately responsible for their responses to human impacts. Several simple models have been proposed for the intricate food webs observed in nature. We show that the three main models proposed so far fail to fully replicate the empirical data, and we develop a likelihood-based approach for the direct comparison of alternative models based on the full structure of the network. Results drive a new model that is able to generate all the empirical data sets and to do so with the highest likelihood.