Comparative analysis of tobacco-specific nitrosamines and total N-nitroso compounds in moldovan cigarette tobacco

While previous studies have evaluated levels of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA) and total N-nitroso compounds (NOC) in tobacco, there are no reports in the literature on TSNA and total NOC in the same tobacco products. We compared levels of TSNA, total NOC, and NOC precursors (NOCP) in tobacco of cigarettes purchased in Moldova and in some tobacco types commonly used for the manufacturing of Moldovan cigarettes. Cigarette tobaccos included those from non-Moldovan, traditional Moldovan, and blended Moldovan cigarettes. The results demonstrate that tobacco of non-Moldovan cigarettes contains higher TSNA and NOC levels (mean, 16 and 63 nmol/g tobacco, n = 6) than that of Moldovan cigarettes (mean, 5 and 23 nmol/g tobacco, n = 25). TSNA and NOC levels were also generally higher in tobacco of blended than in traditional Moldovan cigarettes. NOCP levels in Moldovan and non-Moldovan cigarette tobacco were similar as follows: 29000 +/- 30000 and 33000 +/- 28000 nmol/g tobacco (mean +/- SD). Total NOC were strongly correlated with total TSNA levels (r = 0.66; P < 0.0001). These findings demonstrate that current technologies involved in the manufacture of some blended cigarettes create conditions that favor N-nitrosation of alkaloids and other tobacco constituents.     

Features of accumulation,migration, and transformation of benzo[a]pyrene in soil-plant system in a model condition of soil contamination

Journal of Soils and Sediments - The investigation of accumulation, migration, and transformation features of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in a soil-plant system by using new ecologically friendly...     

Characterization of flavonols in cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) powder

Flavonoids were extracted from cranberry powder with acetone and ethyl acetate and subsequently fractionated with Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. The fraction eluted with a 60% methanol solution was composed primarily of phenolic constituents with maximum absorbance at 340 nm. A high-performance liquid chromatography procedure was developed, which resolved 22 distinct peaks with UV/vis and mass spectra corresponding to flavonol glycoside conjugates. Six new constituents not previously reported in cranberry or in cranberry products were determined through NMR spectroscopy to be myricetin-3-beta-xylopyranoside, quercetin-3-beta-glucoside, quercetin-3-alpha-arabinopyranoside, 3'-methoxyquercetin-3-alpha-xylopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-(6' '-p-coumaroyl)-beta-galactoside, and quercetin-3-O-(6' '-benzoyl)-beta-galactoside. Quercetin-3-O-(6' '-p-coumaroyl)-beta-galactoside and quercetin-3-O-(6' '-benzoyl)-beta-galactoside represent a new class of cranberry flavonol compounds with three conjugated components consisting of a flavonol, sugar, and carboxylic acid (benzoic or hydroxycinnamic acids). This is also the first report identifying quercetin-3-arabinoside in both furanose and pyranose forms in cranberry. Elucidation of specific flavonol glycosides in cranberry is significant since the specificity of the sugar moiety may play a role in the bioavailability of the flavonol glycosides in vivo.     

Chemical analysis of Teucrium species (Lamiaceae) growing on serpentine soils in Bulgaria

Trace elemental concentrations (Fe, Ni, Mn, Cr, Co, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, and As) in aerial biomass (stems, leaves, and flowers) of the medicinal plants Teucrium chamaedrys, T. montanum, and T. polium growing on serpentine soils in Bulgaria were examined in relation to the total element contents in their respective rhizospheric soils. The objectives of the study were to evaluate: (1) elemental concentrations in plant tissues and associated soil samples together with the plants ability to tolerate/accumulate metal concentrations; (2) correlations between total metal concentrations in plants and their rhizospheric soils. Metal concentrations varied across species and sites. Their levels in plant tissues from nonserpentine sites were always lower compared to those from serpentine ones. The highest concentrations for Fe, Ni, Mn, Cr, As, Cu, and Pb were found in T. polium. Positive correlation coefficients were established between Ni, Cr, Fe, Co, and Cu in plants and Ca in the soil. None of the species tested hyperaccumulated metals although the metal concentration in some of them exceeded the range naturally found in plants. The Teucrium species can be considered as “excluders”, containing relatively low metal concentrations in their aerial parts (stems, leaves, and flowers) even in cases of high elemental concentrations in the rhizospheric soil. In all three medicinal plants, metal concentrations for toxic elements were above the permissible limits for pharmaceutical purposes. Therefore, plants found on serpentine bedrock are not recommended to be collected for pharmaceutical purposes.     

Slow nitrogen release from humic substances modified with aminoorganosilanes

Purpose

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate slow-release nitrogen capabilities of soil amendments obtained by modification of humic materials from peat and lignite with alkoxyorganosilanes carrying different amine substituents.

Materials and methods

The humates from lignite and peat were modified using (3-aminopropyltriethoxy)-silane (APTES) and (1-aminohexamethylenene, 6-aminomethylene)-triethoxysilane (AHATES). The obtained derivatives were characterized using elemental analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Nitrogen release in the form of ammonia or nitrate was evaluated using dissolution tests under sterile aqueous conditions as well as long-term soil experiments. Ammonium and nitrate were determined using ion-selective electrodes. Activity index (AI) was calculated from the dissolution tests. For soil trials, arable Retisol was sampled from 0- to 5-cm layer in Yaroslavl region (Russia). The soil experiments were conducted over 78 days using (NH₄)₂SO₄ as an activator of nitrification and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole as an inhibitor of autotrophic nitrifying bacteria.

Results and discussion

Modification of lignite and peat humates leads to an increase in nitrogen content up to 2 and 4.3 %, respectively, in case of APTES, and up to 3 and 6 %, respectively, in case of AHATES. All humic derivatives gradually released N upon dissolution in water over 6 days up to 51 % of the total N. The AI values ranged from 4 to 13 %. Amendment of soil with the modified humic materials induced an increase in nitrate content resulting from nitrification of released ammonia by soil microflora. This was confirmed by aminotriasole experiments. The nitrogen release occurred slowly: over the first week of incubation, it did not exceed 36–69 % of the total N content. The higher release rate of ammonium nitrogen was observed for CHS-AHATES versus CHS-APTES derivative, whereas no difference was seen between the two peat derivatives, which showed release rate on the level of CHS-AHATES derivative. Positive effect of all modified humic materials lasted over 78 days.

Conclusions

Modification of lignite and peat humates with two aminoorganosilanes carrying one and two nitrogen atoms in the amine substituent brought about twofold to threefold enrichment of the parent humic materials with nitrogen, which was capable of slow release upon incubation in soils. It was released in the form of ammonia and transformed to nitrates by autotrophic nitrifying soil microflora. There was no clear relationship established between structure of amine substituent of organosilane and slow-release properties of the corresponding humic derivatives. The conclusion was met that principal application of aminoorganosilane derivatives of humic substances (HS) is soil structuring, whereas nitrogen-fertilizing capabilities might be considered as beneficial added-value feature of these humic products.

     

Variation in sugar levels and invertase activity in mature fruit representing a broad spectrum of Cucumis melo genotypes

Sugar accumulation is a very important physiological process that determines dessert-melon fruit quality. Considerable variation in the sugar content and composition in the mature flesh of Cucumis melo L. fruits was observed among 56 genotypes which represent the wide range of morphological and horticultural types found in this species. Sucrose accumulation was observed not only among 'dessert melons' of the inodorus and cantalupensis types, but also in representatives of other subgroups of C. melo, including some of the accessions from agrestis and conomon groups. Among the genotypes that accumulate sucrose, the levels of this sugar, and not of the hexoses, were correlated with the total sugar concentration. Hexose levels were correlated with total sugar levels only among low-sugar genotypes that did not accumulate sucrose. Activities of the sucrose hydrolyzing enzymes acid invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) and alkaline invertase (EC 3.2.1.27) were measured in the mature fruit flesh and the results of this survey support the hypothesis that low acid invertase activity is a prerequisite for sucrose accumulation. The sucrose accumulating, high sugar genotypes had less-acidic flesh pH values (pH> 6) than the low-sugar genotypes. The latter were characterized by a broader range of pH values, including acidic (pH< 5.5) fruit flesh.     

Analysis of tobacco-specific nitrosamines in Moldovan cigarette tobacco

Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA) are among the most important and abundant strongly carcinogenic agents in unburned tobacco. It has been established that 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) induces lung tumors in rodents independent of the route of administration. N'-Nitrosonornicotine (NNN) causes tumors of the esophagus and nasal cavity in rats, lung in mice, and respiratory tract in hamsters. Although the manufacturing of cigarettes is an important domain of Moldovan industry, there are no reports in the literature on TSNA analysis in Moldovan tobacco. The main purpose of the present study was an initial evaluation of TSNA levels in Moldovan cigarette tobacco. Eighteen brands of Moldovan cigarettes, representing 78% of all brands produced in Moldova, were analyzed. Four TSNA-NNN, NNK, N'-nitrosoanatabine (NAT), and N'-nitrosoanabasine (NAB)-were analyzed by gas chromatography with nitrosamine selective detection (GC-TEA). Levels of TSNA in most Moldovan cigarettes were substantially lower than in American brands. Mean levels of NNN in three commercial American brands were 3.32 +/- 0.88 (SD) microg/g as compared to 0.579 +/- 0.548 microg/g, range 0.093-2.09 microg/g (N = 18), in the cigarettes produced in Moldova. For NNK and NAT, mean levels in the American brands were 1.57 +/- 0.178 and 1.99 +/- 0.579 microg/g, respectively, while the corresponding values for Moldovan cigarettes were 0.193 +/- 0.089, range 0.104-0.484 microg/g, and 0.160 +/- 0.114 microg/g, range 0.055-0.481 microg/g. The highest levels of NNN-1.10-2.09 microg/g-were observed in "American type" cigarettes manufactured from high-quality tobacco. The results of this study should be useful in heightening the awareness of the dangers of smoking in Moldova and can be envisioned as the initial step in the control of tobacco-related cancer in this republic.     

Report of a collecting mission to the Georgian SSR 1983 for the study of indigenous material of cultivated plants

Summary In the summer 1983 the joint activities for the collection of autochthonous material of cultivated plants have been continued in the outermost western regions of Georgia (Abkhazia, Megrelia). Altogether 434 accessions could be obtained, more than one third of them being grain legumes, and one fourth vegetables and spice plants, resp. The remaining part includes mainly maize. Gene-erosion is very advanced especially for cereals and some grain legumes besidesPhaseolus vulgaris for which an astonishing genetic variability could be confirmed within the local material. Some details of the accessions regarding botanical interest and breeding value have been outlined. The collecting work should be continued.

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Bericht über eine Reise in die Georgische SSR 1983 zur Sammlung indigenen Materials von Kulturpflanzen

Zusammenfassung Im Sommer 1983 wurde eine weitere gemeinsame Reise zur Sammlung autochthonen Kulturpflanzenmaterials unternommen, die in die westlichen Teile von West-Georgien (Abchasien, Megrelien) führte. Es konnten insgesamt 434 Proben gesammelt werden, von denen mehr als ein Drittel Körnerleguminosen und je etwa ein Viertel Gemüse- und Gewürzpflanzen waren. Getreide war fast ausschließlich durch Mais vertreten. Die Gen-Erosion ist bei Getreide und einigen Körnerleguminosen bereits sehr weit fortgeschritten, während beiPhaseolus vulgaris wiederum eine erstaunliche Vielfalt an Formen festgestellt werden konnte. Besonders interessantes Material von Knoblauch, Blattkohlformen und einigen Spinatgemüsen wird kurz vorgestellt. Die Sammeltätigkeit sollte fortgesetzt werden.

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1983 .

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