Determination of benzoxazinone derivatives in plants by combining pressurized liquid extraction-solid-phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry

A new analytical method based on the use of pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) followed by solid-phase extraction with LiChrolut RP C18 cartridges was evaluated for the sample preparation, extraction, and cleanup of eight naturally occurring benzoxazinone derivatives, 2-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-4-hydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one, 2-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-4-hydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one, 2,4-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIBOA), 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one, 2-hydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one, 2-hydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one, benzoxazolin-2-one, and 6-methoxybenzoxazolin-2-one in plant samples. Afterward, liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry, using the selected ion monitoring mode and internal standard (2-MeO-DIBOA, indoxyl-beta-D-glucoside, and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside) quantification method was performed. This paper demonstrates the effectiveness of the PLE method, in conjunction with sensitive and specific mass spectrometric detection, for the quantitative recovery of compounds of the benzoxazinone class from plants. The recoveries of the analytes ranged from 66 to 110% with coefficients of variation ranging from 1 to 14%. This method gave detection limits between 1 and 27 microg/g. The method was applied to foliage and roots of three different wheat cultivars, and the analytes were detected in the range of 11-3261 microg/g of dry weight.     

Biodegradable,flame retardant wood-plastic combination via in situ ring-opening polymerization of lactide monomers

A wood-plastic combination (WPC) was created via in situ polymerization of the l-lactide monomer (3S)-cis-3,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione. Commercial poplar boards (Liriodendron tulipifera) were impregnated with the flame retardant chemical resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate)(RDP). These samples were then soaked in a solution of the monomer and deionized water with sulfuric acid 5% wt/wood as a catalyst for polymerization. The wood and solution were placed in a vacuum oven for impregnation and polymerization of the monomers. The wood RDP combination was not flame retardant and had an Izod impact strength that was slightly smaller than neat wood sample. Addition of lactide monomer tripled the Izod impact strength relative to wood, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images indicated that a polymerized coating had formed which reinforced the porous wood structure. Addition of all three components produced a synergy. The Izod impact strength of the material was nearly 14 times greater and the WPC was flame retardant surpassing the stringent UL-94-V0 requirement.     

Epidermolysis bullosa in German black headed mutton sheep

In three flocks, 13 pure- and 1 crossbred German black headed mutton lambs were ascertained which had clinical signs of epidermolysis bullosa (EB). The three farmers reported of further 20 affected lambs with similar signs in their flocks in the past lambing seasons. The affected lambs were progeny of six rams and 17 ewes. Two rams and six ewes with affected offspring from two farms were used for a breeding trial. In the course of these experimental matings, 21 lambs were born, six of which were affected by EB. All lambs born in this trial underwent clinical and haematological examination and all the affected lambs had to be euthanised due to severe and progressing clinical symptoms. Clinical examinations in 20 affected lambs revealed shedding of claw horn, erosions and ulcers of skin and mucous membranes. Histopathology showed subepidermal splitting and blistering with intact basal keratinocytes. These findings together with the premature death of affected lambs within the first two months of life made a Herlitz type of junctional EB most likely. The results of the test matings demonstrated the genetic transmission and indicated an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance for this lethal condition.     

Effects of potassium supply on growth and yield of safflower as compared to sunflower§

Safflower may have a certain production potential under German conditions, particularly in organic farming where the putatively low nutrient requirement is highly welcomed. However, current knowledge regarding the nutrient requirements of safflower as compared to similar oil crops is limited. It was thus the aim of this study to determine the growth and yield response of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) as compared to sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) with respect to potassium (K) supply. Three safflower and two sunflower plants were cultivated in 5 L Mitscherlich pots. Both species responded strongly to increasing K supply with respect to plant growth and yield. Growth and yield of safflower increased up to 1 g K per pot, while the optimum for sunflower was 3.0 g K per pot. Safflower out‐yielded sunflower at low K supply, while at high K level, the opposite was observed. Supply of K affected virtually all yield components in both species, though to different degree. The number of capitula in safflower was only slightly affected, and the number of achenes per capitulum was only reduced under severe K deficiency, while single‐achene mass increased with increasing K supply. In sunflower, the number of achenes per capitulum strongly responded to the K supply, as did the single‐achene mass. Oil yield in safflower was affected by K deficiency mainly due to reduced achene yield, not oil concentration. However, oil yield in sunflower was severely affected by low K supply due to both reduced achene yield and lowered oil concentration. Multiple‐regression analyses indicate that in sunflower, the stem dry matter (DM) and the total amount of K accumulated in the aboveground biomass were most important, while in safflower the total amount of K and N accumulated had the highest impact. It is concluded that sunflower is more sensitive to inadequate K supply than safflower.     

Ammonia autointoxication of common carp: case studies

Three case studies of ammonia autointoxication of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) are described. In the first case, carp yearlings with a full digestive tract were transferred during the growing period from pond water (22°C) to tap water (17°C). In the second case, marketable carp were transferred from the fishing ground of a pond (18°C) to a storage pond (10–12°C). Harvest was performed in late September when the fish were still ingesting natural feed. In the third case, marketable carp after storage for 1 month were transferred to storage ponds with markedly lower water temperature. Stress because of harvest and handling also occurred in this case. In all cases, highly increased concentrations of ammonia were found in the blood plasma of the fish (mean ± SD 1760 ± 350 μmol L⁻¹ in the first case, 870 ± 540 μmol L⁻¹ in the second case, and 880 ± 150 μmol L⁻¹ in the third case). Highly congested, dark-red coloured, oedematous gills were observed for all specimens. We can avoid similar cases of ammonia autointoxication by protection of fish from sudden changes of temperature during rearing, harvesting, and handling.     

Some characteristics of an avocado strain of Tobacco mosaic Virus

An isolate of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV-A) was obtained from healthy and sunblotch-infected avocado (Persea americana) seedlings. TMV-A resembled common TMV in particle morphology, RNA size and coat protein molecular weight. TMV-A coat protein differed from common TMV coat by a minimum of 22 amino acid exchanges including the presence of one methionine, and by the absence of cysteine. Spur formation between the precipitation lines of TMV, TMV-A and a TMV antiserum indicates certain differences among the antigenic determinants of these two strains.