Novel application of square-wave adsorptive-stripping voltammetry for the determination of xanthohumol in spent hops

This paper reports the development of a novel electrochemical assay for xanthohumol (XN) by square-wave adsorptive-stripping voltammetry (SWAdSV) with a hanging mercury drop electrode. The method showed good repeatability (CV < 2%) and linearity (between 10 and 250 μg L(-1)), as well as suitable limits of detection (2.6 μg L(-1)) and quantification (8.8 μg L(-1)). The method was applied for the quantification of this compound in spent hops, and the results obtained were compared with the HPLC-UV method. XN contents determined by the SWAdSV method were 16 ± 1 and 100 ± 4 μg L(-1) for aqueous and methanolic extracts, respectively. The developed new methodology considerably reduces the analysis time, approximately from 25 min (HPLC-UV method) to 7 min, enabling a high sample throughput. In addition, the detection and quantification limits were approximately 5-fold lower than those obtained with the chromatographic method.     

Chemical characterization of lignin and lipid fractions in kenaf bast fibers used for manufacturing high-quality papers

The chemical composition of lignin and lipids of bast fibers from kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) used for high-quality paper pulp production was studied. Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) of fibers showed a lignin with a high syringyl/guaiacyl ratio (5.4) and minor amounts of p-hydroxyphenyl units. Simultaneously, sinapyl and coniferyl acetates were also identified, indicating that this lignin is partially acetylated. p-Hydroxycinnamic acids were found in only trace amounts. The main lipids identified by GC/MS of extracts from kenaf fibers were series of long-chain n-fatty acids, waxes, n-alkanes, and n-fatty alcohols. Free and esterified sterols and triterpenols, steroid hydrocarbons, and steroid and triterpenoid ketones, as well as steryl glycosides, were also found. Finally, the fate of the main constituents of kenaf fibers in alkaline pulping was also investigated.     

Amino acid variation in the 10 kDa Oryza prolamin seed storage protein

The deduced amino acid variability for the 10 kDa prolamin was determined for 16 Oryza species, both cultivated (rice) and wild. Prolamin, a seed storage protein and site of nitrogen and sulfur accumulation, is sequestered in the subaleurone layer of the starchy endosperm for use during seedling germination. The 10 kDa prolamin amino acid distribution for the cultivated species (O. sativa and O. glaberrima) was determined and compared to those of wild and, hitherto unknown, noncultivated Oryza species. Four wild species (O. granulata, O. australiensis, O. brachyantha, and O. meyeriana) exhibited the greatest residue heterogeneity in both the signal and mature peptide regions. A breakdown of the essential amino acid variance among three Central/South American and one African endemic wild species is also presented and compared with those of rice.     

苯巴比妥治疗马3—甲基吲哚中毒的疗效观察

为了研究马3—甲基吲哚(3MI)中毒时赖以双功能氧化酶反应的细胞色素P—450的作用,试验马每公斤体重投服100毫克3MI,诱导细胞色素P-450,而后在24、36、48、60、72小时投服20毫克苯巴比妥,对照组不投服该药。血浆中3MI最大浓度降低,投服苯巴比妥的清除速度较快。试验组和对照组在12、36小时后,血浆中3MI浓度仍可测得。苯巴比妥处理诱导了它在血管外模型从Ⅰ区间向Ⅱ区间转移的分布相。投服3MI 72小时后,所有马都发生了细支气管炎,但是用苯巴比妥治疗的马更为严重,这显现出一种分布相,增加了整体的清除。     

林地覆盖物对干旱地区造林树种的影响

前言巴基斯坦有生产效能的林仅占总土地面积的1.3％,因此,木材的供求之间有很大的差距,薪炭柴更是极缺。天然气、燃油和煤只能解决所需能源的13％,牲畜粪和农作物秸秆也用作燃料,解决需能源的87％。大约有90％的农村人口和50％的城市人口依靠这些非商业性的燃料。家庭做饭和取暖所需木柴的总消耗量为16000000立方米,而国家森林只能提供250000立方米。昔日是薪炭柴源的荒地渐渐地变成光秃秃的裸地,在这些地区进行人工造林是建立预备林的唯一希望所在。世界各地都在试验研究干旱地区造林的各种技术,其中之一     

Cross-sectional survey in pig breeding farms in Hesse, Germany: seroprevalence and risk factors of infections with Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis spp. and Neospora caninum in sows

A cross-sectional survey was performed to estimate the prevalences of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii (ELISA, IFAT), Sarcocystis spp. (ELISA, using S. miescheriana as antigen) and Neospora caninum (ELISA, immunoblotting) in sows from breeding farms in southern Hesse, Germany. A total of 2041 plasma samples of sows from 94 randomly selected farms was examined. Data on farm profiles, husbandry management and sows were collected by a questionnaire and exploratively analysed. For T. gondii the ELISA results agreed well with the results obtained by IFAT (kappa=0.71). Antibodies to T. gondii were detected by ELISA in 19% of the sows. Sixty-nine percent of the farms had at least one seropositive sow, and a within-farm seroprevalence of >or=50% was observed in 14% of all farms. The prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies was positively correlated with the age of sows. The within-herd seroprevalence was significantly higher in farms with reproductive disorders than in those without such problems. On the farm level, the farm type 'piglet production' (versus 'pedigree breeding' or 'farrow-to-finish') was the only risk factor associated with the presence of T. gondii-seropositive sows. Antibodies to Sarcocystis spp. were found in 29% of the sows. Seventy-two percent of the farms harboured at least one seropositive sow, and a within-farm seroprevalence of >or=50% was detected in 23% of all farms. The seroprevalence increased significantly with the age of sows. On the farm level, only the farm type 'piglet production' (versus 'pedigree breeding') and the replacement of sows by purchasing (versus raising on the own farm) were identified as risk factors for seropositivity. Antibodies to N. caninum were detected in one sow using both the screening ELISA and the confirmatory immunoblotting technique. This may indicate the first natural N. caninum infection in pigs.