Angiotensin I-converting enzyme-inhibitory peptides obtained from chicken collagen hydrolysate

In this study, collagen extracted from chicken legs (which are the yellow keratin parts containing a nail) was hydrolyzed with various enzymes, and the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory activity of each hydrolysate was determined. The hydrolysate by treatment with an Aspergillus species-derived enzyme had the highest activity (IC 50 = 260 microg/mL). The fraction of this hydrolysate obtained by ultrafiltration with a molecular-weight cutoff of 3000 Da (low fraction) had a stronger activity (IC 50 = 130 microg/mL) than the fractionated one. This fraction was further fractionated by HPLC, and the peptides in the fraction with high ACE-inhibitory activity were identified. The amino acid sequences of the four peptides were identified using a protein sequencer. These peptides were synthesized to confirm their ACE-inhibitory activities; this showed that peptides with a Gly-Ala-Hyp-Gly-Leu-Hyp-Gly-Pro sequence had the highest activity (IC 50 = 29 microM). When the low fraction was administered to spontaneous hypertensive rats, a decrease in their blood pressure was observed after 2 h of administration, and a significant decrease in blood pressure (-50 mmHg) was observed after 6 h. Moreover, long-term administration studies indicated that the low fraction showed a significant suppression of increased blood pressure.     

Isolation and characterization of some antioxidative compounds from the rhizomes of smaller galanga (Alpinia officinarum Hance)

Antioxidative compounds were isolated from the methanol extract of fresh rhizome of smaller galanga (Alpinia officinarum Hance). Seven phenylpropanoids (1-7) were finally obtained by reversed-phase HPLC, and their structures were elucidated by MS and NMR analyses. They comprised the two known compounds, (E)-p-coumaryl alcohol gamma-O-methyl ether (1) and (E)-p-coumaryl alcohol (6), and the five novel compounds, stereoisomers of (4E)-1,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methoxy-2-(methoxymethyl)-4-pentene (2a and 2b), stereoisomers of (4E)-1,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-ethoxy-2-(methoxymethyl)-4-pentene (3a and 3b), (4E)-1,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-[(2E)-3-(4-acetoxyphenyl)-2-propenoxy]-2-(methoxymethyl)-4-pentene (4), (4E)-1,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(methoxymethyl)-4-penten-1-ol (5), and (4E)-1,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4-penten-1-ol (7). Compounds 1-7 were detected for the first time as constituents of galanga rhizomes and exhibited antioxidative activities against the autoxidation of methyl linoleate in bulk phase.     

Abstracts of Nipon Dojo-Hiryogaku Zasshi

We investigated changes in radiocesium concentrations in a Japanese chestnut (Castanea crenata Sieold &; Zucc.) orchard in Ibaraki prefecture for 3 years after the Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident in March 2011. The radiocesium concentrations in the aboveground organs of Japanese chestnut trees were almost the same, while the concentration in the roots was the lowest among all the organs investigated. The concentration of radiocesium decreased exponentially for 3 years in nuts, leaves and current shoots. The radiocesium concentrations in soils were higher in the surface layer, and the trend of an annual decrease in radiocesium in the soils was similar to that of the natural decay of radiocesium. The transfer factor of radiocesium from soils to nuts of Japanese chestnut decreased annually. These results suggest that radiocesium adhered directly to the aboveground organs of Japanese chestnut trees in March 2011, and that the accumulation of radiocesium in nuts is mainly due to radiocesium transfer from the branches and trunk to nuts several years after the nuclear power plant accident.     

Identification of food-derived collagen peptides in human blood after oral ingestion of gelatin hydrolysates

In the present study, we identified several food-derived collagen peptides in human blood after oral ingestion of some gelatin hydrolysates. Healthy human volunteers ingested the gelatin hydrolysates (9.4-23 g) from porcine skin, chicken feet, and cartilage after 12 h of fasting. Negligible amounts of the peptide form of hydroxyproline (Hyp) were observed in human blood before the ingestion. After the oral ingestion, the peptide form of Hyp significantly increased and reached a maximum level (20-60 nmol/mL of plasma) after 1-2 h and then decreased to half of the maximum level at 4 h after the ingestion. Major constituents of food-derived collagen peptides in human serum and plasma were identified as Pro-Hyp. In addition, small but significant amounts of Ala-Hyp, Ala-Hyp-Gly, Pro-Hyp-Gly, Leu-Hyp, Ile-Hyp, and Phe-Hyp were contained.     

Stem canker and wilt of delphinium caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. delphinii in Japan

Stem canker and severe wilt were observed on delphinium plants (Delphinium elatum) in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, in 2008. The fungus isolated from the diseased crown was identified as Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. delphinii on the basis of morphological characteristics, nucleotide sequences, and host range. The isolate induced similar stem canker and wilt symptoms in inoculated delphinium plants. We propose the name “stem canker and wilt” for the disease.     

Species composition of Modellidae and Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) in a coppice woodland

A continuous sampling of canopy beetles was carried out to determine variations in the abundance, species diversity, richness, and composition of the Mordellidae and Cerambycidae in a coppice woodland. Changes in the abundance and the species richness were monitored at three heights in the forest throughout the season in 1999, using yellow and blue water pan traps. The results showed significant variations in the abundance of Mordellidae among the canopy layers, while little variation was found for Cerambycidae. The abundance, species diversity, and richness were generally greater in summer. The results showed distinct species compositions in both families among layers.     

Magmatic dike resonances inferred from very-long-period seismic signals

Very-long-period (VLP) signals showing simple decaying harmonic oscillations with periods near 10 seconds and lasting for about 300 seconds were observed in association with an earthquake swarm that occurred beneath Hachijo Island, Japan. Results from the source-mechanism analysis and waveform simulation based on a fluid-filled crack model consistently point to the resonance of a dike filled with a basaltic magma as the source of the VLP signals. Thus, VLP signals can be used to probe the state of the fluid and dynamic processes within a volcanic system.     

A newly devised electric field screen for avoidance and capture of cigarette beetles and vinegar flies

A bifunctional electric field screen was proposed to physically exclude insect pests from warehouses. The screen consists of insulated iron wires (ICW) arranged in parallel and two earthed conductor nets placed on both sides of the ICW. A negative charge (0.1-8.0 kV) was applied to the insulated wires with a voltage generator to polarize an insulator sleeve used to cover the wire, negatively on the outer surface and positively on the inner conductor wire surface of the sleeve. The negative surface charge of the ICW caused an electrostatic induction in the earthed nets and an opposite charge on the net surfaces facing the ICW. An electric field formed in a space between the ICW and the earthed net, and the field strength increased in direct proportion to increasing voltages applied to the ICW. Adults of the test insects (cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne) and vinegar fly (Drosophila melanogaster)) reaching the outer surface of the earthed net were deterred from entering the inside of the charged screen, whereas all insects immediately passed through the screen when the ICW was not charged. This avoidance was directly proportional to the increase in the voltage. In addition, the capability of the screen to capture insects that enter inside the screen was proven by introducing insects into the space between the ICW and the earthed net. Strong capture was observed when the ICW was negatively charged with more than 4.1 kV, under which conditions a short-term electric current (peaking at 0.3-0.6 μA, for 3 min) occurred transiently. This electric current was due to the release of electricity from the insects, giving a net overall positive charge to the insects, which therefore were attracted more strongly to the negatively charged ICW. A test using an attractant-set chamber showed that the insects were completely prevented from passing through the charged screen, in contrast to a rapid transfer of all insects when the screen was not charged. Thus, the present results show that the described screen is a promising physical tool for controlling insect pests in warehouses.