Enzymatic production of galactooligosaccharides by beta-galactosidase from Bifidobacterium longum BCRC 15708

The production of galactooligosaccharides (GOSs) by transgalactosylation using beta-galactosidase from Bifidobacterium longum BCRC 15708 was studied. Other than lactose, galactose, and glucose, two types of GOSs, tri- and tetrasaccharides, were formed after beta-galactosidase action on 40% lactose. Trisaccharides were the major type of GOS formed. Generally, an increase of the initial lactose concentration in the reaction mixture resulted in a higher GOS production. A maximum yield of 32.5% (w/w) GOSs could be achieved from 40% lactose solution at 45 degrees C, pH 6.8, when the lactose conversion was 59.4%. The corresponding productivity of GOSs was 13.0 g/(L.h). Transgalactosylation activity of beta-galactosidase from a test organism showed a relatively lower sensitivity toward glucose and galactose than that from other organisms. The addition of 5% or 10% glucose or galactose to the reaction mixture did not significantly (p>0.05) reduce the transgalactosylation reaction of beta-galactosidase.     

Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Zinc Gluconate Associated with Dimethyl Sulphoxide for Sexually Mature Canine Males Chemical Neutering

The aim of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of zinc gluconate associated with dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) for chemical neutering in canine males. Fifteen sexually mature male dogs were divided in two groups, named control and treated. An injection was administered to both testicles, at a concentration of 26.2 mg zinc gluconate per ml and 0.5% DMSO in the treated group (11 dogs). The control group was given injections of saline solution (four dogs). Clinical examination and blood collection for a haemogram were done both before and after drug injection. There were 12 spermograms performed to analyse sperm motility, sperm vigour, ejaculate volume, testicle size, pathology and sperm concentrations. Libido was also measured. An ultrasound examination and histopathology were performed at the end of the experiment. Dogs’ libido after chemical injection was reduced by over 50%. The spermogram analysis showed final mean results of 14.54% for sperm motility, 0.72 of sperm vigour and 37 150 per million spermatozoa per millilitre, values considered below the necessary levels at which fertilization can occur. Ultrasound and histopathology analyses of testicles for the treated group revealed more intense injuries when compared with the control group, with compromised testicular parenchyma and a decrease of germ cell number leading to total atrophy, indicating that the treatment reduced the fertilizing potential of male dogs, promoting a possible subfertile status.     

Changes in the contents of sugars and organic acids during the ripening and storage of sufu, a traditional Oriental fermented product of soybean cubes

In the present study, sufu, an oriental fermented product of soybeans, was prepared by ripening the tofu cubes in Aspergillus oryzae fermented rice-soybean koji mash for 16 days at 37 °C. The sufu product was further kept at room temperature for another 30 days. Examining the changes in the sugar content revealed that stachyose, raffinose, and sucrose contents of tofu and rice-soybean koji granules decreased while levels of glucose and fructose increased during the ripening period and after storage. Glucose was the most abundant sugar detected. Four organic acids, including oxalic, lactic, acetic, and citric acid, were detected in the sufu product and koji granules after ripening. Generally, the contents of these organic acid increased as the ripening period was extended. Among them, acetic acid was the most highly detected.     

C-phycocyanin, a very potent and novel platelet aggregation inhibitor from Spirulina platensis

The aim of this study was to systematically examine the inhibitory mechanisms of C-phycocyanin (C-PC), one of the major phycobiliproteins of Spirulina platensis (a blue-green alga), in platelet activation. In this study, C-PC concentration-dependently (0.5-10 nM) inhibited platelet aggregation stimulated by agonists. C-PC (4 and 8 nM) inhibited intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and thromboxane A2 formation but not phosphoinositide breakdown stimulated by collagen (1 microg/mL) in human platelets. In addition, C-PC (4 and 8 nM) markedly increased levels of cyclic GMP and cyclic GMP-induced vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) Ser(157) phosphorylation. Rapid phosphorylation of a platelet protein of Mw 47,000 (P47), a marker of protein kinase C activation, was triggered by phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (150 nM). This phosphorylation was markedly inhibited by C-PC (4 and 8 nM). In addition, C-PC (4 and 8 nM) markedly reduced the electron spin resonance (ESR) signal intensity of hydroxyl radicals in collagen (1 microg/mL)-activated platelets. The present study reports on a novel and very potent (in nanomolar concentrations) antiplatelet agent, C-PC, which is involved in the following inhibitory pathways: (1) C-phycocyanin increases cyclic GMP/VASP Ser157 phosphorylation and subsequently inhibits protein kinase C activity, resulting in inhibition of both P47 phosphorylation and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, and (2) C-PC may inhibit free radicals (such as hydroxyl radicals) released from activated platelets, which ultimately inhibits platelet aggregation. These results strongly indicate that C-PC appears to represent a novel and potential antiplatelet agent for treatment of arterial thromboembolism.     

Monte Carlo simulation of animal-product violations incurred by air passengers at an international airport in Taiwan

Our aim was to evaluate the inspection of arriving passengers for the illegal transport of animal products through the international airport into Taiwan. Passenger-violation data were retrieved from the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ) in Taiwan. Monte Carlo simulations with 5000 iterations were applied to estimate the predicted violation numbers considering factors such as passenger's nationality/ethnicity, sex, and monthly statistics of violations. The results showed that Chinese-related passengers and passengers from South East Asian countries have a relatively higher potential risk for incurring violations during the period from Christmas to Chinese Lunar New Year. Most monthly estimated violation risks are significantly higher than observed violation risks in 2001 and 2002, except April, July, and August. Due to the low sensitivity of the current detection system (reflected by the higher estimated violation risks and a two-fold detection increase after the implementation of an inspection service using detector dogs), we recommend additional preventive measures be taken.     

Acceleration of post‐mortem changes in Tsaiya duck (Anas platyrhynchos) breast muscle by lactic acid marination

1. The effect of lactic acid marination at 5°C on post mortem changes in breast muscle pectoralis major of spent layer Tsaiya duck was studied.

2. Myofibrils were prepared from 0.1 M and 0.2 M lactic acid marinated muscle and control (non‐marinated samples) sampled at 0, 1, 3, 7 and 14 d post mortem.

3. Changes in myofibril fragmentation index (MFI), myofibrillar proteins and Z‐line structure were examined.

4. Marination of duck breast muscle in lactic acid at 5°C enhanced fragmentation of myofibrils and degradation of myofibrillar proteins and Z‐line structure as compared to control samples.

5. In summary, lactic acid marination at 5°C can accelerate the post mortem degradation of myofibrils in Tsaiya duck breast muscle.     

人工草地土壤水分周年变化规律的研究

本文利用人工牧草地土壤水分试验测定资料,分析研究了草地土壤水分的周年变化规律,得出草地土壤水分周年变化可划分为春季失墒期、夏季增失墒交替期、伏秋增墒期;土壤水分动态曲线波动主要受降水补给量和牧草耗水量的影响而变化,雨季降水对旱作草地土壤水分的补给起着重要作用。     

Purification, cloning, and identification of two thaumatin-like protein isoforms in jelly fig (Ficus awkeotsang) Achenes

Jelly curd used for a popular summer drink in Taiwan is prepared by extracting the pericarpial portion of jelly fig (Ficus awkeotsang Makino) achenes. The two most abundant proteins found in jelly curd have been identified as a pectin methylesterase and a chitinase. A method was developed to purify the next abundant protein by 40% ammonium sulfate precipitation and flowing through Mono Q chromatography. In sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analyses, the purified protein migrated as a polypeptide of 20 kDa in the absence of beta-mercaptoethanol but split into a minor polypeptide of 20 kDa and a major polypeptide of 27 kDa in the presence of this reducing agent. Two cDNA fragments encoding precursor polypeptides of two putative thaumatin-like protein isoforms were obtained by polymerase chain reaction cloning and subsequently overexpressed in Escherichia coli to generate recombinant proteins for antibody preparations. Immunological detection and mass spectrometric analyses indicated that the two split polypeptides were thaumatin-like protein isoforms encoded by the two cloned cDNA fragments.     

甘肃黑猪血浆蛋白多态性与初生重、早期日增重关系的研究

采用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳 (PAGE)对 37头甘肃黑猪合成系猪的转铁蛋白 (Tf)、前白蛋白 (Pa)、脂酶 (Es)、淀粉酶 1 (Am1 )、淀粉酶 2(Am2 ) 5个蛋白质基因座的多态性进行了检测。并运用通用线性模型分析了这 5个蛋白质基因座的共 1 7种基因型对初生重、 45日龄内平均日增重的相关效应。结果表明Am1AA型具有显著提高初生重的效应 ,PaAA型具有显著提高 45日龄内平均日增重的效应。因此这 2个位点可望用于标记辅助选择。