Mammillarinin: a new malonylated betacyanin from fruits of Mammillaria

A new betacyanin endogenously occurring in fruits of nine Mammillaria species, i.e., M. roseo-alba (Boedecker), M. donatii (Berge), M. coronata (Scheidweiler), M. karwinskiana (Martius), M. gummifera (Engelmann), M. infernillensis (Craig), M. centricirrha (Lemaire), M. krameri (Muehlenpfordt), and M. magnimamma (Haworth), was studied by means of spectroscopic techniques. The betacyanin was identified as betanidin 5-O-(6'-O-malonyl)-beta-sophoroside for which the trivial name mammillarinin is proposed. In some Mammillaria species this compound was reported as a dominating pig-ment. Except for its epimer, two other isomers of mammillarinin were tentatively identified as betanidin/isobetanidin 5-O-(4'-O-malonyl)-beta-sophoroside present in the fruits as acyl migration products.     

New pathways of betanidin and betanin enzymatic oxidation

Betanidin is a basic betacyanin with a 5,6-dihydroxyl moiety which causes its high antioxidant activity. For the purpose of structural study, the enzymatic oxidation of betanidin and betanin (5-O-glucosylated betanidin), followed by chromatographic separation of the oxidation products with spectrophotometric and mass spectrometric detection (LC-DAD-MS/MS) was performed. Within the pH 4-8 range, two main oxidation peaks of betanidin were observed, betanidin quinonoid (possibly betanidin o-quinone) and 2-decarboxy-2,3-dehydrobetanidin, whereas at pH 3 only dehydrogenated and decarboxylated derivatives were detected, suggesting different stabilities of the products at different pH values. The presence of two prominent oxidation products, 2-decarboxy-2,3-dehydrobetanidin and 2,17-bidecarboxy-2,3-dehydrobetanidin, at pH 3 indicates their generation via two possible reaction routes with two different quinonoid intermediates: dopachrome derivative and quinone methide. Both reaction paths lead to the decarboxylative dehydrogenation of betanidin. Subsequent oxidation and rearrangement of the conjugated chromophoric system results in the formation of 14,15-dehydrogenated derivatives. Betanin is oxidized with generation of a quinone methide intermediate, which rearranges to 2,3-dehydro- or neoderivatives. The products of enzymatic oxidation of betacyanins thus formed are derivatives of 5,6-dihydroxyindole and related structures known as the key intermediates in melanogenesis.     

Controlled-release systems for the delivery of cyromazine into water surface

Controlled-release systems (CRSs) for the insect growth regulator cyromazine (Neporex), as a larvicide against Culex pipiens (Culicidae) mosquitoes, are under development. Despite promising results obtained previously for both in vitro (dissolution tests) and in vivo systems (mosquito larvae floating on water surfaces), it was evident that the CRSs did not remain afloat for sufficiently long times. The present study was thus conducted to determine the relationship between the process parameters and the potential contact time of the active ingredient with the mosquito larvae. A series of CRSs were prepared by an extrusion process, alone or in combination with a supplementary coating. The active ingredient was incorporated into the matrix or the coating. The matrix comprised low-density polyethylene 600 and perlite, and the coating, a polyurea with or without the addition of paraffin wax. The study showed that the cumulative release of the active ingredient into water could be controlled by manipulating the preparation techniques, the types and concentrations of inert materials, and the concentration of the active ingredient.     

Formation of decarboxylated betacyanins in heated purified betacyanin fractions from red beet root (Beta vulgaris L.) monitored by LC-MS/MS

Mixtures of mono-, bi-, and tridecarboxylated betacyanins together with their corresponding neobetacyanins obtained from Beta vulgaris L. root juice as heating degradation products of betacyanins were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and diode-array (LC-DAD) detection. Two monodecarboxy-betacyanin pairs of diastereomers were detected after the decarboxylation in ethanolic and aqueous solutions. Generation of 17-decarboxy-betacyanins and 2-decarboxy-betacyanins was suggested, the latter so far never having been attributed to betacyanin thermal degradation products. Other main products of decarboxylation were 2,17-bidecarboxybetanin, its isoform, and 14,15-dehydrogenated (neobetacyanin) derivatives of all the decarboxylated betacyanins. The results of this research are crucial in determining betacyanin degradation mechanisms in juices or extracts of B. vulgaris L. roots and other products containing these pigments.     

Generation of decarboxylated and dehydrogenated betacyanins in thermally treated purified fruit extract from purple pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) monitored by LC-MS/MS

Pigments of purple pitaya [Hylocereus polyrhizus (F.A.C. Weber) Britton and Rose] fruits were submitted to extraction and were decarboxylated during heating experiments in acidified ethanolic and aqueous solutions. Groups of betacyanins with different decarboxylation levels were identified in the heating products by LC-DAD and LC-MS/MS. The main decarboxylation products were 2-decarboxy-betacyanins, 17-decarboxy-betacyanins, and 2,17-bidecarboxy-betacyanins. The structures of other compounds were assigned to 2,15,17-tridecarboxy-betacyanins and 14,15-dehydrogenated derivatives (neo-derivatives) of all decarboxylated betacyanins found.     

Controlled-release systems for the insect growth regulator pyriproxyfen

A simple technique was developed for the production of controlled-release systems (CRSs) for pyriproxyfen, an insect growth regulator active against the larvae of Culex pipiens, the most common species of mosquito found in developed countries. The CRSs consisted of a spongy core material encapsulated in a coating of a polyurethane or polyurea hydrogel, into which the active ingredient had been incorporated. The coating also included a surfactant to improve the low solubility in water of pyriproxyfen. The light core material enabled the CRS to float on the water surface, where the mosquitoe larvae are found. The type and amount of the polymeric coating and the amount of surfactant influenced the release profiles into water of the active ingredient. The release profiles of the CRSs were adjusted to the life cycle of the C. pipiens mosquito in order to obtain their optimal activity on the eighth day, which corresponds to the time of larval maturity.     

Isolation and identification of Mycobacterium avium subspecies silvaticum from a horse

Routine cultivation methods are able to distinguish between isolates of the Mycobacterium avium and the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. However, molecular tools are needed to further identify the several subspecies in the M. avium complex, especially for the subspecies avium and silvaticum. A rapid technique using HhaI restriction digestion of a 349 bp amplification product of the 85B antigen (α-antigen) gene was used for the identification of M. avium subsp. silvaticum in a three-year-old gelding presenting with caseous, necrotizing, granulomatous lesions. The result was confirmed by sequencing of the 85B antigen gene.     

Passive Aeration Allows Stabilization of Waste without Regulation of Moisture

ABSTRACT

In this study, the process of aerobic stabilization of the organic fraction of waste with the size of <40 mm in a passively aerated reactor was analyzed. Analysis of effectiveness of waste stabilization was studied at various levels of waste hydration. In the first case, waste was fully saturated with water (experimental series I), in the second case the moisture content was adjusted to 40%, following which it was not regulated in any way (series II). In both experimental series, a rapid increase in temperature was achieved. The results indicated that the quantity of water produced by biodegrading organic matter in a passively aerated system is sufficient to maintain constant moisture levels. Despite the fact that the rate of convective air flow was below 0.0009 L min^?1 kg^?1 of waste, the aerobic stabilization of waste was not inhibited.     

Total antioxidant capacity and protein peroxidation intensity in seminal plasma of infertile and fertile dogs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the total antioxidant capacity and protein peroxidation intensity in seminal plasma of infertile and fertile dogs. The study was conducted on 10 infertile and 10 fertile dogs of various breeds. Infertility was defined as conception failure at least three matings with different bitches. Semen was collected by manual manipulation. The sperm concentration and motility parameters were evaluated using CASA Hamilton Thorne, Vers. IVOS 12.3. The morphology of spermatozoa and the percentage of live and dead sperm cells were assessed microscopically, total antioxidant capacity and the content of SH‐groups in seminal plasma were determined spectrophotometrically, the contents of protein peroxidation markers in seminal plasma, bityrosine and formylokinurenine, were determined using spectrofluorimetric methods. Sperm concentration and total sperm count were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in infertile dogs than in fertile dogs (99.92 ± 3 0.05 × 10⁶/ml vs. 282.07 ± 48.27 × 10⁶/ml; 214.19 ± 114.74 × 10⁶ vs. 747.57 ± 210.94 × 10⁶, respectively). The percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology and the most determined motility parameters differed significantly (p < 0.05) between both groups. The mean values of total antioxidant capacity in the seminal plasma were significantly (p < 0.05) lower (19.95 ± 20.94 vs. 25.66 ± 23.18 µmol/g protein), whereas the mean contents of bityrosine and formylokinurenine in seminal plasma were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in infertile dogs than in fertile dogs (3.71 ± 4.83 µg/mg protein vs. 1.55 ± 2.00 µg/mg protein and 0.37 ± 0.45 µg/mg protein vs. 0.14 ± 0.08 µg/mg protein, respectively). In conclusion, the obtained results suggest that the poor semen quality and infertility in dogs could be associated with lowered total antioxidant capacity and increased protein peroxidation in seminal plasma as a consequence of oxidative stress.     

Imidazenil,a new drug for the management of convulsions in organophosphate intoxication in rodents

The summary deals with the anti-convulsant and antilethal effects of a new benzodiazepine receptor partial agonist, imidazenil, in DFP intoxication. It has been demonstrated that imidazenil (2–5 mg kg⁻¹) significantly decreases convulsion intensity, rapidly inhibits seizure patterns in brain bioelectrical activity and significantly increases the anti-lethal efficacy of atropine plus obidoxime therapy. These effects are comparable to diazepam at 5 mg kg⁻¹. However, diazepam exhibits myorelaxant activity at therapeutic doses, which are only observed at 5–10 times the therapeutic doses of imidazenil.