Time-resolved spectral studies of blue-green fluorescence of artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. Var. Scolymus) leaves: identification of chlorogenic acid as one of the major fluorophores and age-mediated changes

Synchrotron radiation and the time-correlated single-photon counting technique were used to investigate the spectral and time-resolved characteristics of blue-green fluorescence (BGF) of artichoke leaves. Leaves emitted BGF under ultraviolet (UV) excitation; the abaxial side was much more fluorescent than the adaxial side, and in both cases, the youngest leaves were much more fluorescent than the oldest ones. The BGF of artichoke leaves was dominated by the presence of hydroxycinnamic acids. A decrease in the percentage of BGF attributable to the very short kinetic component (from 42 to 20%), in the shape of the BGF excitation spectra, and chlorogenic acid concentrations indicate that there is a loss of hydroxycinnamic acid with leaf age. Studies on excitation, emission, and synchronized fluorescence spectra of leaves and trichomes and chlorogenic acid contents indicate that chlorogenic acid is one of the main blue-green fluorophores in artichoke leaves. Results of the present study indicate that 20-42% (i.e., the very short kinetic component) of the overall BGF is emitted by chlorogenic acid. Time-resolved BGF measurements could be a means to extract information on chlorogenic acid fluorescence from the overall leaf BGF.     

Effect of fruiting body maturity stage on chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Lactarius sp. mushrooms

The effects of fruiting body maturity on chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the wild mushrooms, Lactarius deliciosus and Lactarius piperatus, were evaluated. Immature and mature samples were analyzed for proximate constituents (moisture, fat, crude protein, ash, carbohydrates), nutritional value, and individual composition in fatty acids and sugars. Protein content, MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acids), and PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) percentages increased with the fruiting body maturity stage, while carbohydrate and SFA (saturated fatty acids) content decreased. The maturity stage did not significantly affect the individual sugar profile. The antimicrobial activity of the mushrooms was screened against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and fungi, and correlated to the amounts of phenols, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, and lycopene present in the immature and mature fruiting bodies. Mature fruiting bodies with mature spores presented lower antimicrobial activity, which was in agreement with the bioactive compound content found in those samples.     

不同水稻品种干物质积累与产量性状的相关研究

为了探讨黑龙江省南部稻区不同水稻品种干物质积累与产量性状的相互关系,选用了该稻区不同时期主栽的6个品种为试验材料,通过田间小区对比试验进行研究,结果表明：不同水稻品种干物质积累总的趋势是前期低、后期高、中期次之;不同水稻品种抽穗前、抽穗后干物质积累量比例不同,抽穗后干物质积累量明显高于抽穗前干物质积累量;干物质积累量由高到低的品种为‘松粳9号’、‘松粳3号’、‘松粳2号’、‘松粳6号’、‘五优稻1号’、‘藤系138’;产量由高到低的品种为‘松粳9号’、‘松粳3号’、‘松粳6号’、‘松粳2号’、‘五优稻1号’、‘藤系138’;拔节至齐穗期和齐穗至成熟期干物质积累量与产量呈显著正相关;抽穗前干物质积累量与每穗粒数、千粒重呈极显著正相关;抽穗后干物质积累量与产量呈显著正相关;总干物质积累量与产量呈极显著正相关;成穗率与产量呈极显著正相关,结实率与产量呈显著正相关。合理提高拔节至成熟期干物质积累量有利于提高本稻区水稻产量。     

新型绿色农药5-氨基乙酰丙酸的应用及合成方法

5-氨基乙酰丙酸是一种新型农药,由于其在环境中易降解,无残留,对人蓄无毒性,所以是一种无公害的绿色农药而倍受关注,在农业领域应用非常广泛,主要应用于植物生长调节剂、绿色除草剂、杀虫剂等方面,还可以应用到医学、有机合成等方面。本文还对其国内、外的生物方法、化学方法合成研究现状做了分析总结,为δ-ALA在农业、医学等各个领域的应用推广提供了理论依据,为以后δ-ALA的合成方法研究提供了研究方向。     

Defining the validity of a biochemical index of soil quality

 The native soils of Galicia (NW Spain) exhibit a biochemical equilibrium such that total soil N is a function of five biochemical and microbiological parameters: microbial biomass C, mineralized N, phosphomonoesterase, β-glucosidase and urease activities. To investigate whether the ratio of the total N calculated from biochemical soil properties (Nc) and the total N as measured by the Kjeldahl method (Nk; Nc/Nk) can be used as an index of soil quality, we determined these variables and consequently the ratio in three kinds of disturbed soils: an artificially Cu-contaminated soil, two lignite mine soils, and a number of arable soils. In none of the studied soils did the individual biochemical parameters respond consistently to the factors influencing soil quality, but in all cases soil degradation was reflected by the Nc/Nk value, which differed more or less markedly from 100%. Nc/Nk can therefore be used for the rapid evaluation of soil degradation, since it distinguishes among biochemically balanced soils, soils in a transient state of high microbiological and biochemical activity and degraded soils. It can also serve as a reliable basis for the rapid calculation of the "ecological dose" (ED₅₀) of soil pollutants. The use of Nc/Nk as an objective index of the biochemical quality of soils is recommended. Received: 20 December 1998     

1-methylcyclopropene increases storability and shelf life in climacteric and nonclimacteric plums

The effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) at three different doses (0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 microL L(-1)) on the ripening processes of a climacteric, cv. Santa Rosa, and a suppressed climacteric type, cv. Golden Japan, plum was studied. For both cultivars, positive effects were observed in terms of inhibition of ethylene production and delays of the physical, chemical, and biochemical changes associated with ripening. 1-MCP-treated plums were firmer with lower weight loss, reduced degrees Brix/titratable acidity ratios, and lower color changes during cold storage and subsequent shelf life at 20 degrees C than controls. For most factors, the effectiveness of 1-MCP was dose-dependent in Santa Rosa but dose-independent for Golden Japan.     

Analysis of virgin olive oil volatiles by a novel electronic nose based on a miniaturized SAW sensor array coupled with SPME enhanced headspace enrichment

A novel electronic nose based on solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor array has been used to analyze different quality virgin olive oils. A mathematical model was designed with 37 samples to distinguish lampante from the other virgin olive oils categories (extra-virgin and virgin), because lampante-virgin olive oils cannot be consumed without a previous refining process. The model, successfully validated with a test set of 16 samples, was able to classify 90% of the samples correctly. Misclassifications were explained by SPME-HRGC analyses and a second sensory evaluation.     

Subcellular localization and isoenzyme pattern of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase in beet root (Beta vulgaris L.)

The two enzymes involved in enzymatic browning reactions, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (PO), have been partially purified and extracted from different fractions of beet root. PPO is mainly located in the membrane fraction, and it was also found in the soluble fraction. In both cases PPO was in its latent state. However, PO activity was higher in the soluble fraction than in the membrane fraction. Nevertheless, the highest values of specific activity for PO were obtained from the solubilized enzyme from acetone powders. Under native isoelectric focusing (IEF), several PPO isoenzymes were present in the pH range of 4.8-5.8. All of these isoenzymes shared a single band with a similar apparent mass under sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. PO was also analyzed by IEF, showing a complex isoenzyme pattern in all fractions. The characteristic basic PO isoenzyme of high pI found in both the soluble fraction and the solubilized enzyme from acetone powders was not detected in the membrane fraction. The kinetic characterization of PPO and PO from all fractions was carried out.     

外环流活塞泵转子型线对汽蚀性能影响的研究

针对外环流活塞泵运转状况,通过对转子型线与流速变化、汽蚀性能的内在关系的分析,阐述了转子型线对汽蚀性能的影响,建立了转子与定轴之间闭死区域面积的数学模型,并在原型线公式基础上,根据伯努利方程推导出了优化后的转子型线数学公式,通过该泵传统型线与优化型线两种转子的对比,验证了转子型线优化计算式的准确性,为提高该泵的汽蚀性能提供了理论依据.