Protection of originality of Tokaji Aszú: amines and organic acids in botrytized wines by high-performance liquid chromatography

Amine and organic acid composition of Aszú wines from the Tokaj region of Hungary, nonbotrytized Hungarian wines from different regions, and foreign botrytized wines were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Hungarian and foreign wines (36 Hungarian and seven foreign botrytized wines) were compared in different ways by calculation of ratios of given amine compounds, analyses of variance, principal component, and discriminant analysis. In wines, putrescine and in some samples 3-methyl-butylamine and/or phenyl ethylamine were found in remarkable concentrations, while in botrytized wines four other amines were verified in high concentration. Good separation between Aszú and foreign botrytized wines was found by calculation of the amine component's ratio. The first two principal components of the principal component analysis accounted for 77 and 84% of the total variance in the data of amines and acids, respectively. The component scores of samples grouped according to Aszú, foreign botrytized, and nonbotrytized wines. Linear discriminant analysis was used for differentiation of Aszú, foreign botrytized, and normal wines. Using nine amines and two acids as variables, the correct classification was 97.6%. On the basis of results, an objective evaluation method can be elaborated for quality control in order to protect the authenticity and origin of wine specialties made from botrytized grapes.     

Analysis of gene cassettes of streptomycin-spectinomycin resistance of Hungarian Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium strains

By PCR using the ant(3")-Ia primer pair the aadA gene was detected in 34 streptomycin- and spectinomycin-resistant Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium strains. Out of them 12 belonged to DT104 and 22 to non-DT104 phage type. Using different primer combinations it was demonstrated that this gene was integron-associated in all cases: in the DT104 strains it was generally contained by a 1 kb integron while in the majority of the non-DT104 strains by a 2.05 kb (less often by a 1.9 or 1 kb) integron. In the case of integrons carrying multiple cassettes the cassette containing the aadA gene was located closer to the 3' end of the integron. The aadA genes of DT104 and non-DT104 strains were different: in the former group the aadA2 gene, while in the latter group (constituted by strains of five different phages types as well as unclassifiable and untypable strains) the aadA1 gene could be identified. The RH50/RH51 primer pair described by Collis and Hall (1992) proved to be suitable for rapid discrimination between the aadA1 and aadA2 genes on the basis that the RH51 primer bound exclusively to the aadA2 gene.     

A new phenanthridine alkaloid from Hymenocallis x festalis

Investigation of the alkaloid fraction of the bulbs of Hymenocallis x festalis yielded a new natural product, 3-methoxy-8,9-methylenedioxy-3,4-dihydrophenanthridine (1). The structure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data.     

Banker plants and landscape composition influence colonisation precocity of tomato greenhouses by mirid predators

Journal of Pest Science - Conservation biological control involves manipulation of the environment to enhance the effectiveness of natural enemies in controlling crop pests. In this study, we...     

Integrated pest management of Tuta absoluta: practical implementations across different world regions

Journal of Pest Science - The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), has invaded most Afro-Eurasian countries and is threatening worldwide tomato...     

Semisynthesis and pharmacological investigation of lipo-alkaloids prepared from aconitine

Processed aconite drugs are widely used in Eastern medicine as painkillers and antirheumatic agents. It is known that the traditional processing of aconite drugs increases the amount of lipo-alkaloids. In order to obtain information about the pharmacological potential of these compounds, semisynthesis of 9 aconitine-derived lipo-alkaloids was carried out and their COX-1, COX-2 and LTB₄ formation inhibitory activities were investigated. It was found that compounds esterified with unsaturated fatty acids demonstrated significant COX-2 inhibitory effects, while in the COX-1 assay only 14-benzoylaconine-8-O-eicosapentaenoate exerted remarkable activity. The inhibition of LTB₄ formation was pronounced in cases of long chain fatty acid derivatives.     

Altered nociceptive neuronal circuits after neonatal peripheral inflammation

Nociceptive neuronal circuits are formed during embryonic and postnatal times when painful stimuli are normally absent or limited. Today, medical procedures for neonates with health risks can involve tissue injury and pain for which the long-term effects are unknown. To investigate the impact of neonatal tissue injury and pain on development of nociceptive neuronal circuitry, we used an animal model of persistent hind paw peripheral inflammation. We found that, as adults, these animals exhibited spinal neuronal circuits with increased input and segmental changes in nociceptive primary afferent axons and altered responses to sensory stimulation.