Stable isotope labeling pattern of resveratrol and related natural stilbenes

The stable isotope characterization of resveratrol 1 from Polygonum cuspidatum and of related natural stilbenes 11 and 12 obtained by hydrolysis of the corresponding glucosides 2 and 3 from Rheum is reported. The C(6)-C(2)-C(6) framework of suitably protected derivatives of 1, 2, and 3 has been degraded with ozone to the C(6)-C(1) aldehydes 4, 5, 9, and 10, retaining all hydrogen atoms of the precursors. The natural and synthetic derivatives are characterized and distinguished by natural abundance deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance studies. In the case of anisaldehyde 4 the two series show, as expected, the characteristic difference of the aromatic labeling. The formyl deuterium contents of 4 and 5 from resveratrol are remarkably different, seemingly reflecting the different enrichments existing between positions 3 and 2, respectively, of the phenylpropanoid precursor. The positional delta(18)O values of the extractive materials 1-3 were also determined. In this instance a selective deoxygenation procedure was adopted, leading from 1 to the products 6, 7, and 8. The delta(18)O values of the latter compounds reveal, respectively, those at position 4' and positions 3 and 5 of 1. Similarly, the phenolic products 11 and 12 were converted into 13 and 14. From the delta(18)O values of the single components it is possible to design a detailed map of the oxygen fractionations which characterizes the stilbenes 1-3. In particular, the oxygen present at position 4' of the phenylpropanoid moiety of 1-3 shows delta(18)O values of +11.5, +1.8, and +6.7 per thousand, respectively. Moreover, the phenolic oxygen atom at position 3' of rhapontin 3 shows a value of +11.7 per thousand. The data are compared with those previously obtained on structurally related compounds. These results show the utility of simple chemical degradations in the stable isotope characterization of structurally complex food components.     

An innovative stabilization/solidification treatment For contaminated soil remediation: demonstration project results

Background, aim, and scope

An innovative stabilization/solidification (S/S) process using high-performance additivated concrete technology was developed for remediating soil contaminated by metals from abandoned industrial sites. In order to verify the effectiveness of this new ex situ S/S procedure, an area highly contaminated by metallic pollutants (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb), due to the uncontrolled discharge of waste generated from artistic glass production on the island of Murano (Venice, Italy), was selected as a case study. The technique transforms the contaminated soil into an aggregate material suitable for reuse as on-site backfill. This paper reports the main results of the demonstration project performed in collaboration with the local environmental protection agency (ARPAV).

Materials and methods

An ex situ treatment for brownfield remediation, based on the transformation of contaminated soil into very dense, low porous, and mechanically resistant granular material, was set up and tested. Specific additives (water reducers and superplasticizers) to improve the stabilized material properties were developed and patented. A demonstration plant assembled on the study area to treat 6 m³ h^–1was then tested. After excavation, the contaminated soil was screened to remove coarse material. The fraction Ø?>?4 mm (coarse fraction), mainly composed of glass, brick, concrete, and stone debris, was directly reused on site after passing through a washing treatment section. The highly polluted fraction Ø?≤?4 mm (fine fraction) was treated in the S/S treatment division of the plant (European patent WO/2006/097272). The fine fraction was mixed with Portland cement and additives defined on the basis of the high performance concrete technique. the mixture was then granulated in a rolling-plate system. After 28 days curing in an onsite storage area to allow for cement hydration, the stabilized material was monitored before its in situ relocation. The chemical, mechanical, and ecotoxicological reliability and performance of the treatment was checked. Metal leachability was verified according to four leaching test methods: Italian Environmental Ministry Decree (1998), EN 12457 (2002) tout court, amended only with MgSO₄ and, lastly, with artificial sea water. The mechanical properties were measured according to BS (1990) and AASHTO (1999) to obtain the Aggregate Crushing Value and California Bearing Ratio, in that order. Moreover, leachate samples prepared with artificial seawater were assessed via the Crassostrea gigas embryotoxicity test and Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition test to discriminate the presence of potential ecotoxicological effects for the brackish and saltwater biota.

Results

Outcomes from all leachate samples highlighted the effectiveness of the remediation treatment, fully complying with the Italian legislation for non-hazardous material reuse under a physicochemical viewpoint. The stabilized granular material demonstrated high mechanical strength, low porosity, and leachability. Moreover, ecotoxicological surveys indicated the presence of low toxicity levels in leachate samples according to both toxicity tests.

Discussion

Remediated soil samples revealed a significant decrease in leachability of heavy metals as a consequence of the application of additivated cement that enhanced granular material properties, resulting in improved compactness due to the reduction in water content. The toxicity data confirmed this state-of-the-art technique, indicating that leachates could be deemed as minor acutely toxic.

Conclusions

The proposed S/S treatment proved to be able to remediate soil contaminated by heavy metals through trapping pollutants in pellet materials presenting adequate physicochemical, mechanical, and ecotoxicological properties in order to prevent leachability phenomena, their reclamation, and reuse being made easier by its granular form.

Recommendation and perspectives

This project foresees long-term monitoring activity over several years (until 2014) to consider treatment durability.     

Novel approach to study oxidative stability of extra virgin olive oils: importance of alpha-tocopherol concentration

The stability of extra virgin olive oils is mainly due to their relatively low fatty acids unsaturation and to the antioxidant activity of some of the unsaponifiable components. We studied the activity of alpha-tocopherol in extra virgin olive oil in its natural state, using new and simple oxidizing conditions in "thin layer" and "bulk phase". Oxidation time course was monitored at 37 degrees C or 75 degrees C. A storage test was also performed. Two parameters were evaluated: depletion of alpha-tocopherol and formation of PUFA hydroperoxides, measured as conjugated dienes (CD) and peroxide value. The value of complex polyphenols was also measured. alpha-Tocopherol concentration decreased in function of time and temperature and showed a strong inverse correlation with the increase of CD. When alpha-tocopherol reached a "threshold value" of 60-70 mg/kg, a significant increase of CD formation was observed, together with a good correlation between CD and peroxide value. The initial amount of alpha-tocopherol is one of the components that influences oil oxidative susceptibility.     

Immunity, inflammation, and allergy in the gut

The gut immune system has the challenge of responding to pathogens while remaining relatively unresponsive to food antigens and the commensal microflora. In the developed world, this ability appears to be breaking down, with chronic inflammatory diseases of the gut commonplace in the apparent absence of overt infections. In both mouse and man, mutations in genes that control innate immune recognition, adaptive immunity, and epithelial permeability are all associated with gut inflammation. This suggests that perturbing homeostasis between gut antigens and host immunity represents a critical determinant in the development of gut inflammation and allergy.     

Nano-delivery of trace minerals for marine fish larvae: influence on skeletal ossification,and the expression of genes involved in intestinal transport of minerals,osteoblast differentiation,and oxidative stress response

Currently, the larviculture of many marine fish species with small-sized larvae depends for a short time after hatching, on the supply of high-quality live zooplankton to ensure high survival and growth rates. During the last few decades, the research community has made great efforts to develop artificial diets, which can completely substitute live prey. However, studies aimed at determining optimal levels of minerals in marine larvae compound feeds and the potential of novel delivery vectors for mineral acquisition has only very recently begun. Recently, the agro-food industry has developed several nano-delivery systems, which could be used for animal feed, too. Delivery through nano-encapsulation of minerals and feed additives would protect the bioactive molecules during feed manufacturing and fish feeding and allow an efficient acquisition of active substances into biological system. The idea is that dietary minerals in the form of nanoparticles may enter cells more easily than their larger counterparts enter and thus speed up their assimilation in fish. Accordingly, we evaluated the efficacy of early weaning diets fortified with organic, inorganic, or nanoparticle forms of trace minerals (Se, Zn, and Mn) in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) larvae. We tested four experimental diets: a trace mineral-deficient control diet, and three diets supplemented with different forms of trace minerals. At the end of the feeding trial, larvae growth performance and ossification, and the level of expression of six target genes (SLC11A2β, dmt1, BMP2, OC, SOD, GPX), were evaluated. Our data demonstrated that weaning diets supplemented with Mn, Se, and Zn in amino acid-chelated (organic) or nanoparticle form were more effective than diets supplemented with inorganic form of minerals to promote bone mineralization, and prevent skeletal anomalies in seabream larvae. Furthermore, nanometals markedly improved larval stress resistance in comparison to inorganic minerals and upregulated mRNA copy number of OC gene. The expression of this gene was strongly correlated with mineralization degree, thus confirming its potency as a good marker of bone mineralization in gilthead seabream larvae.     

Characterizing leaf gas exchange responses of cotton to full and limited irrigation conditions

Plant responses to water deficit need to be monitored for producing a profitable crop as water deficit is a major constraint on crop yield. The objective of this study was to evaluate physiological responses of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) to various environmental conditions under limited water availability using commercially available varieties grown in South Texas. Soil moisture and variables of leaf gas exchange were measured to monitor water deficit for various varieties under different irrigation treatments. Lint yield and growth variables were also measured and correlations among growth parameters of interest were investigated. Significant differences were found in soil moisture, leaf net assimilation (A_n), stomatal conductance (g), transpiration rate (T_r), and instantaneous water use efficiency (WUE_i) among irrigation treatments in 2006 while no significant differences were found in these parameters in 2007. Some leaf gas exchange parameters, e.g., T_r, and leaf temperature (T_L) have strong correlations with A_n and g. A_n and WUE were increased by 30–35% and 30–40%, respectively, at 600 μmol (CO₂) m⁻² s⁻¹ in comparison with 400 μmol (CO₂) m⁻² s⁻¹. Lint yield was strongly correlated with g, T_r, WUE, and soil moisture at 60 cm depth. Relative A_n, T_r, and T_L started to decrease from FTSW 0.3 at 60 cm and FTSW 0.2 at 40 cm. The results demonstrate that plant water status under limited irrigation management can be qualitatively monitored using the measures of soil moisture as well as leaf gas exchange, which in turn can be useful for describing yield reduction due to water deficit. We found that using normalized A_n, T_r, and T_L is feasible to quantify plant water deficit.     

A Comparison of Daily Rhythm of Creatinine and Creatine Kinase in the Sedentary and Athlete Horse

The goal of this study was to investigate the existence of a daily rhythm of creatinine or creatine kinase (CK) and the influence of physical exercise on these rhythms. Blood samples from 20 Sella Italiana horses were collected every 4 hours for 48 consecutive hours via an intravenous cannula inserted into the jugular vein. The horses were divided into two equal groups (Sedentary [S] and Athlete [A]). After 2 weeks of rest, athletes (AR) were subjected again to sample collection every 4 hours for 48 consecutive hours, and sera creatinine and CK were assessed. Statistical analysis of the data was performed by one-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA), paired Student's t-test, unpaired Student's t-test, and analysis of single cosinor method. Cosinor analysis identified the periodic parameters and their acrophases (expressed in hours) during the 2 days of monitoring. In all horses, we found a highly significant effect of time of the day on the studied parameters (P < .01). Statistically significant differences were observed for mean serum CK values between sedentary and athlete horses. The application of the periodic model showed a daily rhythm of the parameters studied in all experimental conditions. The results obtained during the experimental period indicated a daily rhythm of creatinine and CK in sedentary and athlete horses and also indicated that physical exercise was able to influence amplitude, acrophase, and robustness of the creatinine and CK circadian rhythm.     

Comparative transcriptional analyzes of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri reveal mechanisms of adaptation and bacterial virulence in the early stage of citrus canker disease

European Journal of Plant Pathology - The Allium cepa L. (onion) crop is affected by leaf blight disease caused by Stemphylium vesicarium; the shifts that S. vesicarium infection causes in the...