Pineapple organic acid metabolism and accumulation during fruit development

Developmental changes in pineapple (Ananas Comosus (L.) Merrill) fruit acidity was determined for a ‘Smooth Cayenne’ high acid clone PRI#36-21 and a low acid clone PRI#63-555. The high acid clone gradually increased in fruit acidity from 1.4 meq/100 ml 6 weeks from flowering, and peaked a week before harvest at ca 10 meq/100 ml. In contrast, the low acid clone increased in acidity 6 to 8 weeks after flowering, peaked 15 weeks after flowering at ca. 9 meq per/100 ml and then sharply declined in 2 weeks to 6 meq/100 ml. The increased in total soluble solids (TSS) of the low acid clone began 6 weeks after flowering and for the high acid clone at 12 weeks after flowering. The increase in titratable fruit acidity (TA) paralleled the changes in the citric acid content of both clones. Citric acid content increased from less than 1 mg/g at 6 weeks after flowering to 6 to 7 mg/g, 9 weeks later. The malic acid concentration in both clones varied between 3 and 5 mg/g and showed no marked changes just before harvest. The developmental changes in fruit potassium were significantly correlated with fruit acidity and fruit total soluble solids in both the high and low acid clones. Developmental changes in acid-related enzymatic activities showed an increase in citrate synthase (EC 4.1.3.7) activity that occurred a week before harvest, coincided with the peak in citric acid in the high acid clone. An increase in aconitase (ACO, EC 4.2.1.3) activity was observed just before harvest as the decline in acidity occurred in the low acid clone. The activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC, EC 4.1.1.31), malate dehydrogenase (MDH, EC 1.1.1.37) and malic enzyme (ME, EC 1.1.1.40) did not parallel any changes in fruit acidity. The results indicated that the change in pineapple fruit acidity during development was due to changes in citric acid content. The major difference in acid accumulation occurred in the low acid clone just before harvest when acidity declined by one-third. The activities of citrate synthase and aconitase possibly played a major role in pineapple fruit acidity changes.     

Seasonal changes of mineral nutrients and phenolics in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit

Pomegranate fruit is an important source of potentially healthy bioactive compounds and mineral nutrients. Changes in total phenolic compound, concentrations, and levels of macronutrients (P, K, N, Mg, Ca and Na) and micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe and B) in arils and peel of pomegranate fruit were recorded from 10 days after full bloom until harvest. Total phenolics levels increased at early stage of growth both in peel and arils of fruit, but thereafter generally decreased during maturation and reached to 3.70 and 50.22 mg g⁻¹ of dry weight in arils and peel, respectively, at harvest. The amount of total phenolics in peel was markedly higher than arils of pomegranate fruit. The concentration of most elements in arils and peel decreased during fruit growth and development. At harvest the relative order of concentration of macronutrients both in arils and peel was K > N > Ca > P > Mg > Na. The concentration of most micronutrients was greater in the arils than in the peel especially in early season. The relative order of concentration of micronutrients in arils was B > Fe > Zn > Cu > Mn. The accumulation of all the macro- and microelement within the fruit also increased during fruit growth and development. These results provide important data on total phenolics and macro- and micronutrient changes during fruit growth and development, emphasizing that pomegranate fruit can be a good source of bioactive compounds and minerals.     

Total antioxidant activities,phenolics, anthocyanins,polyphenoloxidase activities of selected red grape cultivars and their correlations

Sixteen red grape cultivars (Md. Jean Matthias, Öküzgözü, Muscat Hamburg, Cabarnet Sauvignon, Tekirda? Çekirdeksizi, Gewürztraminer, 2B/56, Kalecik karas?, Carignan, Kokulu Siyah, Alfonse Lavallée, Bo?azkere, Adakaras?, Papazkaras?, Mourvedre and Cinsaut) which are grown in Tekirda? Viticulture Research Institute were analyzed for determination of antioxidant activities, total phenolics, anthocyanins, external colour, polyphenoloxidase activities, sugar and acidity. The lowest antioxidant activity (percentage of inhibition on peroxidation in linoleic acid system; AA) was determined in Tekirda? çekirdeksiz extracts as 87.58% and the highest AA was in Mourvedre (93.78%). Total phenolic content (TP) varied from 817 to 3062 μg/ml GAE in the same varieties, respectively. The total anthocyanin (TA) content ranged from 40.3 to 990.8 mg/l fresh weight. The lowest PPO activity was found in Bo?azkere and the highest was in Kalecik karas?. The total sugar content in the analyzed varieties varied between 13.29 and 24.46%. There was stronger correlation between AA and TP than AA and TA.     

Effects of immune-enhancing parenteral nutrition on nutritional status,immunity and inflammatory responses in postoperative patients with portal hypertension surgery

AIM:This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of postoperative immune-enhancing parenteral nutrition on the nutritional statue,immune function,and inflammatory responses in patients undergoing portal hypertension surgery. METHODS: This study was designed as a prospective,randomized and controlled clinical trial. Forty-two patients undergoing portal hypertension surgery were randomly assigned to receive either an immune-enhancing parenteral nutrition(adding glutamine and recombinant human growth hormone,n=22) or an isocaloric and isonitrogenous control standard parenteral nutrition(n=20) for seven days. Parenteral nutrition was initiated 3 days after surgery. Blood samples were obtained on day 0,3,and 10. Host nutritional statue was evaluated by measuring levels of prealbumin and transferrin,immunity was observed by measuring levels of CD4+ cells,CD8+ cells,CD4+/CD8+,IgG,IgM and IgA,and the inflammatory responses was determined by assessing IL-2,TNF-α and C-reactive protein(CRP) levels. RESULTS:On postoperative day 10,among patients receiving an immune-enhancing parenteral nutrition,prealbumin,transferrin,CD4+ cells,CD4+/CD8+,IgG and IL-2 levels were significantly higher than those in control group,and TNF-α and CRP concentrations were significantly decreased（P<0.05）. CONCLUSION:Postoperative administration of immune-enhancing parenteral nutrition in patients undergoing portal hypertension surgery can improve postoperative nutritional statue and immune function,and relieve inflammatory response.     

Contrastive Study on Content and Anti-oxidation Activity of Total Saponins from Cultivated and Wild Paris Plants in Southwest China

[Objectives]To study content of total saponins from cultivated and wild Paris herbs in Southwest China,evaluate its in vitro antioxidation activity,and explore ...     

Influence of the stage of ripeness on phenolic metabolism and antioxidant activity in table grapes exposed to different CO2 treatments

We have analyzed the influence of the stage of ripeness on L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) gene expression, accumulation of anthocyanins and total phenolics, and on antioxidant activity in the skin of table grapes treated with 20% CO₂ + 20% O₂ + 60 % N₂ for 3 or 6 d at low temperature (0 °C). The residual effect of high CO₂ treatment after transfer to air was also studied. In early harvested grapes, neither the anthocyanin content nor the accumulation of VcPAL mRNA was affected by any of the CO₂ treatments applied. However, in late harvested grapes, the duration of high CO₂ treatment determined its effect and a 6 d treatment with CO₂ sustained higher levels of total phenolics and anthocyanin accumulation, and VcPAL expression than observed in untreated late harvested grapes. The increased antioxidant capacity was correlated with the total amount of phenolics and anthocyanins. Conversely, in grapes treated for 3 d with CO₂ the phenylpropanoid pathway did not appear to be induced and a relationship between antioxidant activity and anthocyanins was not observed. Thus, further studies are needed to identify the most important antioxidants in these treated fruit.     

Preliminary evaluation of Community-Led Total Sanitation for the control of Taenia solium cysticercosis in Katete District of Zambia

Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis is a zoonotic disease endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. It is associated with poor sanitary practices, free-range pig husbandry and lack of disease awareness in endemic communities. A comparative research was conducted with pre and post-intervention assessments in nine villages to evaluate Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) as an intervention measure for the control of porcine cysticercosis in Katete District in the Eastern Province of Zambia. Blood samples were collected from pigs for circulating antigen detection and a questionnaire focused on the household was administered to a total of 153 respondents whose pigs were examined (64 pre-intervention, 89 post-intervention), in order to obtain information on general demographic characteristics, pig husbandry practices, sanitation practices and associated knowledge and awareness of T. solium infections. The first sampling was conducted prior to the implementation of the CLTS and second sampling eight months after triggering of CLTS in the selected villages. A total of 379 pig serum samples were examined using the B158/B60 Ag-ELISA to detect T. solium cysticercosis, 104 pre-intervention and 275 post-intervention, of which 14 (13.5%) and 45 (16.4%) were positive, respectively. Wald test p-values were computed to assess significant differences in the variables of interest mentioned above for the pre and post CLTS. The research revealed that CLTS as a control measure did not significantly improve T. solium infections in pigs. The research also revealed that the sanitation practices and awareness of cysticercosis did not change. It is recommended that a longer term evaluation be undertaken when the villages have been declared open defaecation free. In addition, the research recommends that health education, mass drug treatment and pig vaccination be incorporated, as an essential component of prevention and control programmes for T. solium infections.     

Diagnostic evaluation and short-term outcome as indicators of long-term prognosis in horses with findings suggestive of inflammatory bowel disease treated with corticosteroids and anthelmintics

Background

Recurrent colic and unexplained weight loss despite good appetite and adequate feeding and management practices are common conditions in the horse. However, little information has been published on the systematic diagnostic evaluation, response to treatment, prognostic factors or outcome of either presentation. The aims of this study were to 1) identify possible prognostic indicators and 2) report the short- and long-term response to treatment with corticosteroid therapy of a variety of horses with a presumptive diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Thirty-six horses with a history of recurrent colic and/or unexplained weight loss were screened with a detailed clinical, clinicopathological and diagnostic imaging examination. Twenty horses were subsequently selected that had findings consistent with inflammatory bowel disease based on the fulfilment of one or more of the following additional inclusion criteria: hypoproteinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, malabsorption, an increased intestinal wall thickness on ultrasonographic examination or histopathological changes in rectal biopsy. These 20 horses were treated with a standardized larvicidal anthelmintic regime and a minimum of three weeks of corticosteroid therapy.

Results

The initial response to treatment was good in 75% (15/20) of horses, with a 3-year survival rate of 65% (13/20). The overall 3-year survival in horses that responded to initial treatment (12/15) was significantly higher (P = 0.031) than in those that did not respond to initial treatment (1/5). The peak xylose concentration was significantly (P = 0.048) higher in survivors (1.36 ± 0.44 mmol/L) than non-survivors (0.94 ± 0.36 mmol/L).

Conclusions

The overall prognosis for long-term survival in horses with a presumptive diagnosis of IBD appears to be fair to moderate, and the initial response to anthelmintic and corticosteroid therapy could be a useful prognostic indicator. The findings of the present study suggest that a low peak xylose concentration in absorption testing is associated with a less favourable prognosis, supporting the use of this test.