Broccoli processing wastes as a source of peroxidase

A peroxidase isozyme (BP) was purified to homogeneity from broccoli stems ( Brassica oleraceae var. maraton) discarded from industrial processing wastes. BP specific activity was 1216 ABTS [2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] units/mg, representing 466-fold that of crude extract. BP is a monomeric glycoprotein containing 16% carbohydrates, with a molecular mass of 49 kDa and an isoelectric point close to 4.2. From kinetic data it showed a two-substrate ping-pong mechanism, and the catalytic efficiency measured as the rate-limiting step of free BP regeneration was 3.4 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1). The ABTS K m value was 0.2 mM, which was about 20 times lower than that reported for acidic commercial horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Assessment of BP secondary structure showed 30% helical character, similar to HRP and cytochrome c peroxidase. BP lost only 25% activity after 10 min of heating at 55 degrees C and pH 6; it was stable in the pH range from 4 to 9 and showed an optimum pH of 4.6 using ABTS as substrate. BP was active on substrates normally involved in lignin biosynthesis, such as caffeic and ferulic acids, and also displayed good catechol oxidation activity in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Reverse micellar extraction was successfully used as potential large-scale prepurification of broccoli peroxidase, achieving a purification factor of 7, with 60% activity yield. Stems from the broccoli processing industry have a high potential as an alternative for peroxidase purification.     

Multivariate analysis for the evaluation of fiber, sugars, and organic acids in commercial presentations of table olives

Table olives constitute an important part of the Mediterranean diet and the diet of many non-olive-producing countries. The aim of this work was to determine the fiber, sugar, and organic acid contents in Spanish commercial presentations of table olives and characterize them by means of a multivariate analysis. The selection of variables was carried out on the basis of a canonical analysis and their classification, according to processing styles and cultivars, through a linear discriminant analysis. Values of dietary fiber in table olives ranged from 2 to 5 g/100 g edible portion (e.p.). Some stuffing materials (almond, hot red pepper, and hazelnut) or the addition of capers produced a significant increase in the total dietary fiber in green olives. Glucose, fructose, and mannitol were usually found in the ranges of 0-55, 0-70, and 0-107 mg/100 g e.p., respectively. Succinic acid was detected only in green and directly brined olives (0-40 mg/100 g e.p.), while lactic and acetic acids were used within the ranges of 0-681 and 5-492.8 mg/100 g e.p., respectively. A multivariate analysis showed that fiber, mannitol, and succinic, lactic, and acetic acids can be used to discriminate between processing styles (95.5% correct assignations) and cultivars (61.20%). Current data can also be used in the evaluation of the dietary value of table olives.     

Total chemically available (free and intrachain) lysine and furosine in pea, bean, and lentil sprouts

The effect of the germination of peas, beans, and lentils under differing conditions of illumination for different times on parameters linked to the Maillard reaction (chemically available free and intrachain lysine, lysine availability, and furosine) was evaluated. The chemically available free lysine content in the raw seeds of the three legumes was quite small compared to the chemically available intrachain lysine content, and furosine was detectable only in the beans and the lentils. The effect of germination was to increase lysine availability compared with levels in the raw seeds in all of the germinated samples, the smallest increase taking place in the lentils. In addition, furosine became detectable in all of the germinated samples. Quantities varied depending on the germination conditions but in all cases were higher than the quantities observed in the raw seeds. Linear correlations were observed to exist between some of the parameters considered in the three legumes tested.     

Effect of a Bowman-Birk proteinase inhibitor from Phaseolus coccineus on Hypothenemus hampei gut proteinases in vitro

The coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari), is an important devastating coffee pest worldwide. Both trypsin and chymotrypsin enzyme activities from H. hampei larval midgut can be inactivated by proteinaceous enzyme-inhibitors. A serine proteinase inhibitor belonging to the Bowman-Birk class was purified from a wild accession of Phaseolus coccineus L. seeds. The inhibitor (PcBBI1) is a cysteine-rich protein that is heat-stable at alkaline pH. MALDI-TOF/MS analysis showed that PcBBI1 occurs in seeds as a monomer (8689 Da) or dimer (17,378 Da). Using in vitro inhibition assays, it was found that PcBBI1 has a high inhibitory activity against H. hampei trypsin-like enzymes, bovine pancreatic chymotrypsin, and trypsin. According to this, PcBBI1 could be a promising tool to make genetically modified coffee with resistance to coffee berry borer.     

Content of Nutrient and Antinutrient in Edible Flowers of Wild Plants in Mexico

Nutrient and antinutritional/toxic factors present in some edible flowers consumed in Mexico were determined. The edible flowers were: Agave salmiana, Aloe vera, Arbutus xalapensis, Cucurbita pepo (cultivated), Erythrina americana, Erythrina caribaea, Euphorbia radians benth and Yucca filifera. The nutrient content in the flowers studied is similar to that of the edible leaves and flowers studied mainly in Africa. The moisture content of the flowers varied from 860 to 932 g kg⁻¹. Crude protein (CP) was between 113 to 275 g kg⁻¹ DM, crude fiber, 104 to 177 g kg⁻¹ DM and the nitrogen free extract, between 425 to 667 g kg⁻¹ DM. The highest chemical score (CS) was found in E. americana and A. salmiana; in five samples the limiting amino acid was lysine, and in three of them it was tryptophan. Trypsin inhibitors and hemaglutinnins had a very low concentration. Alkaloids were present in both the Erythrina species and the saponins in A. salmiana and Y. filifera. Cyanogenic glucosides were not found in the studied flowers. The traditional process of preparing these specific flowers before consumption is by cooking them and discarding the broth; in this way the toxic substances are diminished or eliminated. These edible flowers from wild plants consumed in local areas of the country play an important role in the diet of the people at least during the short time of the season where they are blooming.     

肉牛自动化无应激动态称重系统的设计与试验

【目的】牛只体重数据是衡量牛体健康生长发育的重要指标,定期对牛只称重对实施精细化养殖有重要意义。【方法】采用带围栏的地磅称重、月龄推算、体尺估算测量以及采用保定架等方法对肉牛进行静态称重。【结果】可以实现肉牛全程无障碍通过,在肉牛自然行走状态下监测出肉牛体重信息,有效避免了肉牛产生应激反应;称重效率高,系统锁定肉牛有效体重数据在2~4 s。平均每头牛从进入通道排队到称重结束,时间在10 s之内。肉牛速度较快通过称重平台时,误差在0.5%以下;肉牛在行走—停顿运动状态和平稳行走运动状态下,误差在0.2%以下。【结论】肉牛无应激自动化动态称重系统,主要由主体机械结构框架、RFID无线射频识别系统、供电系统、称重系统、数据传输5部分组成。     

不同化肥减施模式对稻茬小麦茎秆抗倒性能与产量的影响

以湖北省钟祥市主栽小麦品种郑麦9023为供试材料,设置常规施肥（CK）、减施20%化肥+有机肥+增效剂（M1）、减施20%化肥（M2）3个处理,研究不同化肥减施模式对稻茬小麦抗倒性能与产量的影响。结果表明,与CK相比,M1、M2处理的小麦每穗粒数、理论产量、千粒重、基部第2、3节茎秆厚度均显著增加;M1、M2处理的小麦基部第2、3节机械强度随着茎秆厚度的增加而加强;M1、M2处理的实际产量增幅分别为51.24%、66.62%,理论产量增幅分别为42.70%、43.30%。结果表明,M1、M2处理均可作为湖北江汉平原小麦的抗倒、丰产与稳产的施肥模式。为江汉平原稻茬小麦化肥减施增效技术的应用推广提供理论依据。     

影响右旋糖酐比旋度因素的研究

比旋度是右旋糖酐产品的一个重要指标,右旋糖酐生产过程中的蔗糖、果糖、葡萄糖等糖类小分子物质的存在直接影响右旋糖酐产品的比旋度。通过不同分离纯化,不同水解方法等工艺过程来探究影响右旋糖酐产品比旋度的各种因素。同一右旋糖酐水解溶液应用乙醇沉淀法分离纯化时,随着乙醇浓度的增加,比旋度下降;多级乙醇沉淀分离纯化右旋糖酐时,高乙醇浓度高分离得到的右旋糖酐比旋度大于低乙醇浓度的右旋糖酐;粗酐和膜处理右旋糖酐发酵液水解制备的产品品质优于发酵直接水解制备的产品,粗酐和膜处理右旋糖酐发酵液水解液乙醇分级沉淀分离纯化产品比旋度分别为+192.4和+191.9,均达到国家标准,水解液膜分离和乙醇一次性沉淀组合分离纯化产品平均比旋度+194.7,有望达到国际最高标准(+195.0),发酵液直接水解液乙醇分级纯化和乙醇再次沉淀组合分离纯化产品比旋度达到国家标准+190;右旋糖酐的酶解产品品质优于盐酸水解产品品质,产品比旋度+196.6,达到国际最高标准;75%的乙醇洗涤沉淀可以提高产品比旋度,多次洗涤效果更好。