Encapsulation of lycopene extract from tomato pulp waste with gelatin and poly(gamma-glutamic acid) as carrier

Tomato pulp waste, a byproduct obtained during the processing of tomato juice, has been shown to be a rich source of lycopene. The objectives of this study were to use gelatin and poly(gamma-glutamic acid) (gamma-PGA) as coating materials for the encapsulation of lycopene extract from tomato pulp waste. Initially, lycopene was extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide, followed by microencapsulation using an emulsion system consisting of 4.5% gelatin, 10% gamma-PGA, and 4.8% lycopene extract. Analysis of differential scanning calorimetry revealed that the thermal stability of the coating material could be up to 120 degrees C, with a mean particle size of 38.7 microm based on Coulter counter analysis. The total weight of microencapsulated powder was 617 microg with the yield of lycopene being 76.5%, indicating a 23.5% loss during freeze drying. During storage of microencapsulated powder, the concentrations of cis-, trans-, and total lycopene decreased along with increasing time and temperature. A fast release of lycopene in the powder occurred at pH 5.5 and 7.0, while no lycopene was released at pH 2.0 and 3.5.     

HPLC analysis of naturally occurring methylated catechins, 3' '- and 4' '-methyl-epigallocatechin gallate, in various fresh tea leaves and commercial teas and their potent inhibitory effects on inducible nitric oxide synthase in macrophages

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major polyphenol of green tea, undergoes substantial biotransformation to species that includes the methylated compounds. Recent studies have demonstrated that the methylated EGCG has many biological activities. In this study, we have investigated the composition of the three O-methylated EGCG derivatives, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl)gallate (3' '-Me-EGCG), (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-(4-O-methyl)gallate (4' '-Me-EGCG) and (-)-4'-methyl epigallocatechin-3-O-(4-O-methyl)gallate (4',4' '-di-Me-EGCG) in tea leaves which were picked from various species and at various seasons, ages of leaves, locations, and fermentation levels. Higher levels of 3' '-Me-EGCG and 4' '-Me-EGCG were detected in Chinshin-Kanzai (a species of Camellia sinensis) cultivated in the mountain area of Sansia, Taipei County, Taiwan. Also, these O-methylated EGCG levels were found to be higher in autumn and winter than in spring and summer. The young leaves were found to be richer in the O-methylated compounds than old leaves and the amount of O-methylated EGCG was higher in unfermented longjin green tea than in semifermented oolong tea. However, the fermented black tea and puerh tea did not contain these compounds. 4',4' '-diMe-EGCG could not be detected in either fresh tea leaves or commercial tea leaves. We also found that 3' '-Me-EGCG has a higher inhibitory effect on the nitric oxide generation and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression as compared with EGCG, while 4' '-Me-EGCG and 4',4' '-di-Me-EGCG were less effective.     

Characterization of phosphorus in sub-alpine forest and adjacent grassland soils by chemical extraction and phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

We used chemical extraction methods and ³¹P-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to investigate the effects of vegetation on the amount and structural composition of phosphorous (P) in the sub-alpine soils of central Taiwan. Chemical extraction methods were used to measure inorganic P (Pi) and organic P (Po) in main soil horizons. The soil P composition was assessed by ³¹P-NMR spectroscopy on alkaline EDTA–NaOH extracts. According to the results of chemical extractions, the forest soil had a higher amount of Pi than the grassland soil, which might be a result of the mineralization of Po. ³¹P-NMR spectra showed inorganic orthophosphate (up to 67%) and orthophosphate monoesters (up to 75%) as the major forms of P extracted in forest and grassland soils, respectively. Smaller proportions of orthophosphate diesters and trace amounts of phosphonates and pyrophosphate were found. With possible hydrolysis of P compounds during chemical extraction and slight systemic error in the processes of extraction with NMR, the results from NMR analysis are, in general, consistent with those of chemical extraction.     

Isolation and composition of chromoplasts from tomatoes

The fruit of the tomato plant is composed of elongated tomato cells filled with organelles called chromoplasts (plastids). These plastids scattered throughout the cell are rich in nutrients, particularly protein (33%) and lipids (20%). They can be released from the cells by rupture of their cell membranes and then isolated. Plastids and their cell contents can be utilized by the food-processing industry for the preparation of special food products. This study was designed to examine the macronutrient content of isolated tomato plastids and, therefore, determine its potential nutritional value. Use of tomato plastids in pasta sauces and rice dishes, salsa, and extrusion products would increase the nutritional value of the product. Because glucose has been removed in the process of plastid isolation, tomato plastids are useful in the diets of diabetics and cardiovascular patients, as well as for patients in need of weight reduction. Composition comparison of tomato plastid is made with tomato paste, from which glucose has not been removed. Many people require low-sugar products for medical reasons (diabetics and those with cardiovascular disease) and others for weight loss. Therefore, tomato chromoplasts having high protein and lipid contents and low sugar content may be useful in meeting these particular human needs.     

几种中草药抽提物对黄瓜花叶病毒引起的辣椒花叶病治疗作用初步研究

 在完整植株上,利用喷叶法测定中草药抽提物,以及少量微生物代谢产物,对黄瓜花叶病毒引起的辣椒花叶病的治疗效果。以处理组病指与对照组病指减少百分率表示疗效,用ELISA检测植株体内病毒浓度。根据提纯病毒浓度(X)和吸光值(Y)之间的回归关系,得标准方程:Y=0.437lgx-0.28,相关系数r=0.97。从112个材料中发现,连翘(Forsythia suspensaVahl)大黄(Rheum officinalle Bail)和板兰根(Isatis tinctoria L.)具有比较稳定的疗效。在接种前72小时和接种后24小时喷施抽提物,三者疗效均在90%以上。接种24小时后喷施大黄板兰根疗效均在70%以上。在大黄板兰根治愈的植株内检测不出病毒,在显症植株内,病毒浓度分别下降60%和70%。大黄在接种72小时后喷施.或稀释100倍时仍具显著疗效,并引起植株体内过氧化物酶谱显著变化。大黄对植株生长具一定的促进作用,而板兰根引起植株黄化,侧芽提早萌发。     

几种植物质杀虫剂对杂拟谷盗的毒力试验

试验证实，印楝素，闹着花－Ⅲ，黄杜鹃花乙酸乙酯抽提物和藜芦植物粉均能有效地抑制杂拟谷盗种群的繁殖，有开发利用的价值。印楝素对幼虫的生长发育抑制作用较强，是防治杂拟谷盗的一种高效而安全的新型杀虫剂。