Comparison of Quality Characteristics and Breadmaking Functionality of Hard Red Winter and Hard Red Spring Wheat

Various whole‐kernel, milling, flour, dough, and breadmaking quality parameters were compared between hard red winter (HRW) and hard red spring (HRS) wheat. From the 50 quality parameters evaluated, values of only nine quality characteristics were found to be similar for both classes. These were test weight, grain moisture content, kernel size, polyphenol oxidase content, average gluten index, insoluble polymeric protein (%), free nonpolar lipids, loaf volume potential, and mixograph tolerance. Some of the quality characteristics that had significantly higher levels in HRS than in HRW wheat samples included grain protein content, grain hardness, most milling and flour quality measurements, most dough physicochemical properties, and most baking characteristics. When HRW and HRS wheat samples were grouped to be within the same wheat protein content range (11.4–15.8%), the average value of many grain and breadmaking quality characteristics were similar for both wheat classes but significant differences still existed. Values that were higher for HRW wheat flour were color b*, free polar lipids content, falling number, and farinograph tolerance. Values that were higher for HRS wheat flour were geometric mean diameter, quantity of insoluble polymeric proteins and gliadins, mixograph mix time, alveograph configuration ratio, dough weight, crumb grain score, and SDS sedimentation volume. This research showed that the grain and flour quality of HRS wheat generally exceeds that of HRW wheat whether or not samples are grouped to include a similar protein content range.     

Novel flavonol glycoside, 7-O-methyl mearnsitrin, from Sageretia theezans and its antioxidant effect

A novel flavonol glycoside, 7-O-methylmearnsitrin (7,4'-O-dimethylmyricetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside), and myricetrin, kaempferol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, europetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside, and 7-O-methyl quercetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside were isolated from the leaves of Sageretia theezans, and their chemical structures were identified by spectroscopic analyses including two-dimensional NMR (HSQC, HMBC). Whereas myricetrin, europetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside, and 7-O-methylquercetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside showed stronger activities than ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol, 7-O-methylmearnsitrin showed very weak antioxidant activities by ESR and LDL oxidation inhibition tests.     

Inhibition of tumorigenesis in ApcMin/+ mice by a combination of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate and fish oil

The effect of a combination of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) with fish oil on intestinal tumorigenesis in Apc (Min/+) mice fed a high-fat diet was investigated in the present study. The combined treatment of EGCG and fish oil for 9 weeks reduced the tumor number by 53% as compared to controls while neither agent alone had a significant effect. Apoptosis was significantly increased in all treatment groups. beta-Catenin nuclear positivity in adenomas from the combination group was lower than control mice, implicating the modulation of Wnt signaling by the combination. Fish oil and the combination significantly reduced prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2) levels in small intestinal tumors as compared to controls, suggesting modulation of aberrant arachidonic acid metabolism by fish oil. Akt phosphorylation in adenomas was significantly reduced in all treatment groups, which may have contributed to the observed increase in apoptosis. The results indicate that a combination of low doses of EGCG and fish oil can inhibit tumor multiplicity in Apc (Min/+) mice.     

On Surface O3 Associated with Long-Range Transport in the Yellow Sea Region

Measurements of surface ozone (O₃) and nitrogen oxides (NO _x ) were conducted at Tae-ahn (TAP) and Chongwon (CHN) on the Korean Peninsula, during the Aerosol Characterization Experiment—Asian Pacific region (ACE-Asia) campaign, March–May 2001. The measurements provide ground-based data at a western remote site of south Korea and characterize the long-range transport of O₃ over the Yellow Sea region during spring. The mean values of O₃ and NO₂ concentration at TAP were 42 ppb and 12 ppb, respectively. The average O₃ diurnal variation of 17 ppb at TAP indicates that the loss of O₃ was not pronounced during the night. The highest NO₂ concentrations, with an average diurnal variation of 8 ppb, occurred in the afternoon at 13–15 LST. The day-to-day variation of daily O₃ concentrations at TAP is strongly influenced by the movement of synoptic scale weather patterns. In general, the O₃ concentration in a southwesterly airflow tended to increase when a moving anticyclone crossed the site, ahead of a cold front. By contrast, north-northwesterly airflows associated with the passage of a cold front bring fresh continental outflow and decrease O₃ concentrations. Surface O₃ data at TAP were classified utilizing backward trajectory analysis based on the residence time, as well as the path of the airflows, in the boundary layer (1500 m asl) over the Yellow Sea region. The results show that north-northwest continental airflows, that were transported around Lake Baikal and eastern Mongolia at an altitude of approximately 3 km at relatively high speed and came straight down at TAP, represent continental background O₃ concentrations with a mean value of 29 ppb for this period. These airflows have a short period of residence of less than one day in the boundary layer over the Yellow Sea region. In contrast, the mean O₃ value of 45 ppb was observed in regionally polluted airflows mainly passing through the east-southeast part of China and remaining for 3 days, on average, in the Yellow Sea region. These three days residence time of the regionally polluted airflows over the Yellow Sea region allowed sufficient time for photochemical O₃ formation.     

Effects of Cumin and Ginger as Antioxidants on Dough Mixing Properties and Cookie Quality

The effects of cumin and ginger as antioxidants on dough mixing properties and cookie quality were evaluated. Antioxidant activities in cookies were estimated by total phenolic compounds (TPC) contents and free radical scavenging activities. The cookie dough development was evaluated using Mixolab equipment which showed that addition of cumin did not change dough stability and C2, but decreased C3 and C4. While the addition of 5% ginger decreased dough stability (from 8.4 in the control sample to 6.7 min with 5% ginger addition), C2 (from 0.49 in the control sample to 0.31 N·m with 5% ginger addition), C3, and C4. Cookies formulated with addition of cumin and ginger had increased spread ratios, were softer, and had lower L* and b* values (were darker) than the control. Sensory analysis showed that cookies with cumin and ginger additions had overall acceptability similar to that of the the control with a slightly darker appearance, as confirmed by color determination. Using cumin and ginger significantly increased TPC contents from 78.5 in the control to 93.0 and 109.8 mg of gallic acid equivalent/100 g, respectively. Similar results were observed in the antioxidant activity measured by 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), which increased from 41.0% in the control to 51.5% and 64.6%, respectively, for cookies with 5% addition of cumin and ginger.     

Proteome analysis of greenhouse-cultured lettuce with the natural soil mineral conditioner illite

The natural soil mineral conditioner illite effectively improved the germination and growth of lettuce when applied in particulate or powdered form. When illite was given in particulate and powdered forms, the germination rate of lettuce seeds improved remarkably up to 93% and 133%, respectively. Contrary to the developmental effects, the growth rate of lettuce treated with particulate illite improved slightly by 23%; powdered illite had no significant effects on lettuce growth rate. Thus, illite primarily affects seed germination rather than the growth of lettuce. To examine illite-induced proteins related to lettuce growth, differentially expressed proteins in lettuce leaves were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight/time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS) followed by Mascot search. From the proteomic analysis, five down-regulated proteins were identified related to storage protein, carbon metabolism and energy conversion. Three up-regulated proteins were related to energy production/conversion and carbon fixation. These results demonstrate that illite treatment as a soil conditioner helps lettuce seed germination and lettuce growth by regulating carbon metabolic flux.     

IMMUNOGLOBULIN CLASSES IN SERUM ANTIBODY REACTIONS IN CATTLE FOLLOWING VACCINATION WITH BRUCELLA ABORTUS STRAIN 19 AND KILLED 45/20 VACCINES

SUMMARY A group of 4 cows was vaccinated with Brucella abortus strain 19, followed 8 weeks later by a single dose of B. abortus 45/20 vaccine. A similar group received 2 doses of B. abortus 45/20 vaccine 8 weeks apart. The antibody responses of the groups were compared by testing whole serums and separated IgM and IgG fractions by the Rose Bengal Plate (RBP) agglutination and the complement fixation tests (CFT) using rough and smooth B. abortus antigens. Animals that had received B. abortus strain 19 responded to the 45/20 vaccine with increased titres to the smooth antigen. These relevant antibodies were predominantly of the IgG class. Standard CFT and RBP test antibodies could be detected in IgM and IgG fractions after the primary inoculation with B. abortus strain 19 vaccine.     

Antiproliferative lactams and spiroenone from adlay bran in human breast cancer cell lines

Two new lactams, coixspirolactam D (1) and coixspirolactam E (2), and a new spiroenone, coixspiroenone (3), together with seven known compounds, coixspirolactam A (4), coixspirolactam B (5), coixspirolactam C (6), coixlactam (7), coixol (8), ethyl dioxindole-3-acetate (9), and isoindol-1-one (10), and two neolignans, zhepiresionol (11) and ficusal (12), were isolated from the bioactive subfraction of adlay bran ethanolic extract (ABE). Compounds 9 and 10 are the first isolates from natural resources. The structures of new compounds were identified by spectroscopic methods, including infrared (IR) spectrum, 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and mass spectrum (MS). All of the isolated compounds were tested for antiproliferative effects on MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and T-47D cells. Results showed that compounds 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7 at 50 μM significantly inhibited MCF-7 cell proliferation by 30.2, 19.2, 21.0, 13.5, and 32.4%, respectively; compounds 2, 4, and 7 significantly inhibited T-47D cells at 50 μM by 20.7, 24.8, and 28.9%; and compounds 1, 2, and 12 significantly inhibited MDA-MB-231 cells at 50 μM by 47.4, 25.3, and 69.3%, respectively. In conclusion, ABE has antiproliferative activities, and this effect is partially related to the presence of lactams and spiroenone.     

Influence of organic matter and inorganic fertilizer on the growth and nitrogen accumulation of corn plants

Effects of different nitrogen (N) sources on the growth and N accumulation of corn plants were studied on plots treated with a compost, a leguminous green manure, and a peat, respectively, associated with a chemical N fertilizer. The experiment included seven treatments with a no‐fertilization check and a conventional chemical fertilizer treatment. Whole corn plants were sampled, and total N was analyzed at 22, 33, 56, 77, and 120 days after seeding (DAS). The results showed that compost with an adequate amount of chemical N fertilizer could reach a high dry matter yield and a high N accumulation, even higher than those of the conventional chemical N fertilizer treatment. With green manure, a considerable amount of N was mineralized and utilized by the corn plants for growth and resulted in a good yield. Neither the peat nor the compost alone could supply enough N for the growth of corn plants. There were no significant effect of treatments on the distribution of dry matter yield and N accumulated in various organs. The crop growth rate of the corn plants of different treatments were significantly different at the vegetative growth stage, however, there were no significant difference during the grain filling period. The apparent N recovery of various treatments were between 0.22 to 0.51 kg N for each kg N applied.