Can Acid Volatile Sulfides (AVS) Influence Metal Concentrations in the Macrophyte Myriophyllum aquaticum?

The difference between the molar concentrations of simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) and acid volatile sulfides (AVS) is widely used to predict metal availability toward invertebrates in hypoxic sediments. However, this model is poorly investigated for macrophytes. The present study evaluates metal accumulation in roots and stems of the macrophyte Myriophyllum aquaticum during a 54 day lab experiment. The macrophytes, rooting in metal contaminated, hypoxic, and sulfide rich field sediments were exposed to surface water with 40% or 90% oxygen. High oxygen concentrations in the 90% treatment resulted in dissolution of the metal-sulfide complexes and a gradual increase in labile metal concentrations during the experiment. However, the general trend of increasing availability in the sediment with time was not translated in rising M. aquaticum metal concentrations. Processes at the root-sediment interface, e.g., radial oxygen loss (ROL) or the release of organic compounds by plant roots and their effect on metal availability in the rhizosphere may be of larger importance for metal accumulation than the bulk metal mobility predicted by the SEM-AVS model.     

Can plant‐derived phytochemicals provide symptom relief for hair loss? A critical review

It is known that hair growth disorders and hair loss can cause personal distress and affect well‐being. Whilst clinical conditions remain a target for medical research, current research on hair follicle biology and hair growth control mechanisms also provides opportunities for a range of non‐medical and cosmetic interventions that have a modulating effect on the scalp and follicle function. Furthermore, an improvement of the hair fibre characteristics (cuticle structure, cortex size and integrity) could add to the overall positive visual effect of the hair array. Since phytochemicals are a popular choice because of their traditional appeal, this review provides a critical evaluation of the available evidence of their activity for hair benefit, excluding data obtained from animal tests, and offers recommendations on improving study validity and the robustness of data collection in pre‐clinical and clinical studies.     

Can a structured emulsion (fat in water-fibre system) substitute saturated fat in cookies without hampering their quality?

Replacing fat and saturated fat in baked goods without affecting their quality characteristics is a challenging task. This study evaluated complete and partial substitution of saturated fats (butter and palm oil) by structured emulsions [SE, oil (sunflower) – in – water (fibre-water) emulsion] in cookies by investigating its impact on product quality. Nutritional labelling underlined a drastic reduction in saturated fatty acids [−35% (50% substitution) and −73% (100% substitution)] compared to their conventional counterparts (butter and palm oil). Partial substitution did not markedly affect physicochemical properties, while complete substitution resulted in thinner, harder and darker cookies compared to the controls. Particularly, cookies made with (50:50) structured emulsion – palm oil had the highest sensory scores, and they were perceived as soft, buttery and crunchy. Thus, the use of structured emulsion might be a valuable alternative to develop a potentially healthier product with acceptable sensory properties.     

Is there a link between greening and light-enhanced glycoalkaloid accumulation in potato (Solanum tuberosumL) tubers?

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L) tubers (cvs Pentland Dell and Record) were treated with the chlorophyll biosynthesis inhibitors 4-amino-5-fluoropentanoic acid (AFPA) and 3-amino-2,3-dihydrobenzoic acid (gabaculine), and subsequently exposed to daylight for up to 10 days prior to pigment and glyco-alkaloid analysis. AFPA inhibited the accumulation of total chlorophyll (Chl) by between 50 and 70% in both cultivars throughout the duration of light exposure. The synthesis of Chl b was inhibited by over 80% in both cultivars. Neither inhibitor had a significant effect on light-enhanced glycoalkaloid accumulation. It is concluded that there is no direct metabolic link between Chl and glycoalkaloid biosynthesis. © 1998 SCI.     

Can sesame consumption improve blood pressure? A systematic review and meta‐analysis of controlled trials

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction, stroke and renal failure. Sesame consumption may benefit blood pressure (BP ) owing to its high polyunsaturated fatty acid, fibre, phytosterol and lignan contents. To clarify this, a systematic review and meta‐analysis of controlled trials was conducted. The PubMed (MEDLINE ), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL ) and Cochrane Library (Central) databases were systematically searched until August 2016. Eight controlled trials with a total of 843 participants met the eligibility criteria. A random effect meta‐analysis showed that sesame consumption can reduce systolic BP (?7.83 mmHg , 95% CI : ?14.12, ?1.54; P < 0.05, I ² = 99%) and diastolic BP (?5.83 mmHg, 95% CI: ?9.58, ?2.08; P < 0.01, I ² = 98%). To reduce the heterogeneity, the meta‐analysis was limited to high methodology quality trials (n = 4), which resulted in a significant reduction in systolic BP (?3.23 mmHg, 95% CI: ?5.67, ?0.79; I ² = 33%) and a non‐significant reduction in diastolic BP (?2.08 mmHg, 95% CI: ?4.85, 0.69; I ² = 62%). This study concluded that sesame consumption can reduce systolic and diastolic BP. However, further investigations with larger sample sizes and better methodology quality are required to confirm the BP‐lowering effect of sesame consumption. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Is there a link between dietary phytoestrogens and reproductive health in men? A meta‐analysis of data from the USA and China

The human health implications of exposure to environmental pollutants and food components (e.g. phytoestrogens) that mimic the female hormone 17β‐estradiol (xenoestrogens) are a subject of significant debate. In this study, we use published data on human dietary phytoestrogen intake and sperm concentrations in the USA and China to assess effects on sperm concentration as a marker of male reproductive health. Comparison of the phytoestrogen intake and sperm concentration trends shows that in the USA phytoestrogen intake has increased from 0.8 mg day^?1 in 1993 to 13.7 mg day^?1 in 2005 and sperm concentration is trending down (not statistically significant), whereas in China phytoestrogen intake has decreased from 64.7 mg day^?1 in 1991 to 15.6 mg day^?1 in 2008, and the sperm concentration has increased from 55 × 10⁶ mL^?1 in 1999 to 74 × 10⁶ mL^?1 in 2008. We present this as evidence that phytoestrogen intake via food might, at least in part, be responsible for sperm concentration trends.     

Nicht-relevante Metabolite in natürlichem Mineralwasser (2010/53)

ALS – Stellungnahme

Nicht-relevante Metabolite in natürlichem Mineralwasser (2010/53)     

Selenium (Se) improves drought tolerance in crop plants – a myth or fact?

Climate change has emerged as one of the most complex challenges of the 21st century and has become an area of interest in the past few decades. Many countries of the world have become extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The scarcity of water is a serious concern for food security of these countries and climate change has aggravated the risks of extreme events like drought. Oxidative stress, caused by a variety of active oxygen species formed under drought stress, damages many cellular constituents, such as carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and proteins, which ultimately reduces plant growth, respiration and photosynthesis. Se has become an element of interest to many biologists owing to its physiological and toxicological importance. It plays a beneficial role in plants by enhancing growth, reducing damage caused by oxidative stress, enhancing chlorophyll content under light stress, stimulating senesce to produce antioxidants and improving plant tolerance to drought stress by regulating water status. Researchers have adopted different strategies to evaluate the role of selenium in plants under drought stress. Some of the relevant work available regarding the role of Se in alleviating adverse effect of drought stress is discussed in this paper. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry     

Sugars,acids, ethyl β-d-glucopyranose and a methyl inositol in sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) berries

Sea buckthorn berry is a rich source of nutrients and bioactive components beneficial for human health. Sugars and acids play an important role in determining the sensory properties of the berry. Sugars, acids, ethyl β-d-glucopyranose and a methyl inositol were analysed in berries of three subspecies (Hippophaë rhamnoides ssp. sinensis, rhamnoides and mongolica) collected from China, Finland and Russia over four consecutive years. Fructose and glucose were the major sugars, and the dominating acids were malic and quinic acids. Origin and harvesting date have significant impacts on sugars, acids and sugar/acid ratio in the berry. During the harvesting period, the sugar content followed different changing patterns in berries of different subspecies. Ethyl glucose dominated in the sugar fraction of ssp. rhamnoides but existed only in trace amounts in the other two subspecies. In ssp. rhamnoides, the level of ethyl glucose increased during the harvesting period; the increase was accompanied by a decrease in glucose content, indicating the presence of a biochemical pathway converting glucose into its derivatives. A methyl inositol was identified for the first time in sea buckthorn with higher levels found in ssp. sinensis than in the other two subspecies. The levels of ethyl glucose and methyl inositol may be important sensory and nutritional quality factors of sea buckthorn berry. The data presented by this study provide important chemotaxonomic information characterising different subspecies of sea buckthorn and useful guidance for breeding, harvesting, and industrial utilisation of sea buckthorn.     

Antioxidant synergism between fruit juice and <Emphasis Type=Italic>α</Emphasis>-tocopherol. A comparison between high phenolic black chokeberry (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Aronia melanocarpa</Emphasis>) and high ascorbic blackcurrant (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Ribes nigrum</Emphasis>)

Black chokeberry juice (Aronia melanocarpa, Elliot), blackcurrant juice (Ribes nigrum, Ben Lomond) and α-tocopherol were found to protect phosphatidyl choline against oxidation in a peroxidating liposome system as evidenced by lag phases for formation of conjugated dienes. When present together, black chokeberry juice and α-tocopherol showed a clear synergistic effect on the length of the lag phase, while effects of blackcurrant juice and α-tocopherol were additive. The concentration of total phenolics in black chokeberry juice was six times higher than in blackcurrant juice (gallic acid equivalents). Ascorbic acid corresponded to 1% of total phenolics in black chokeberry juice and 10% in blackcurrant juice. Based on the length of the lag phase, the phenolics present in black chokeberry were on an average, twice efficient as scavengers of lipid peroxyl radicals as phenolics in blackcurrant. Black chokeberry was by HPLC analysis of peroxidating liposomes, in contrast to blackcurrant, found to protect α-tocopherol efficiently against oxidation to the end of the lag phase. The phenolics present in black chokeberry juice were concluded to be more efficient in regenerating or protecting α-tocopherol than ascorbic acid or the phenolics in blackcurrant. As for the phenolics, this was further evidenced by ranking of their radical scavenging activity as studied by ESR-spectroscopy.     

Von Steinadler (Aquila chrysa?tos) in Tirol

Zusammenfassung Nachdem im Jahre 1958/59 in Tirol der Bestand an Steinadlern durch Abschuß von mindestens 20 Exemplaren stark reduziert worden war, wurde gefordert, daß weiteren Abschüssen genaue wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen über Bestand u. dgl. vorausgehen müssen. In den folgenden Jahren wurden 13 beflogene Horste kontrolliert und die Jungadler beringt. Stichprobenartige Untersuchungen gaben dabei auch über die Ernährung der Jungen Aufschluß. Schließlich wird über die Beringung, berichtet, erste Ergebnisse von Fernfunden (aus Südfrankreich) werden behandelt. Abschließend wird auf die Möglichkeit der Bejagung des Steinadlers eingegangen und eher eine fallweise Aushorstung für günstig angesehen.

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Summary After the population of golden eagles in Tyrol had been much reduced by shooting at least 20 head in the years 1958/59, it was demanded that further shooting must be subject to exact scientific investigation concerning density of population ecc. During the following years 13 eyries were controlled and the young eagles were ringed. Offhand tests in the course of these investigations informed us also of the young eagles' diet. Finally the act of putting the rings on is described and the first results of distant findings (South of France) are treated. The possibilities of shooting golden eagle are considered and it is recommended to prefer the clearing of eyries in certain cases.

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Résumé L'état en grand-aigles dans le pays Tyrol fut pendant les années 1958/1959 fortement réduit par l'abattement d'au moins 20 exemplaires. La demande fut alors posée que des recherches scientifiques exacte sur l'état etc. devraient précéder futures abattements. Pendant les années suivantes on tenait donc sous contrôle 13 aires d'aigles couverts de jeunes pousses et garnissait les aiglons d'un anneau. Recherches sur épreuves au hasard donnaient des éclaircissements sur la nourriture des jeunes. On parle enfin du garnissage avec anneau et des premiers resultats sur trouvailles éloignés (venant du Midi de la France). Pour conclure on se répand sur les possibilités d'une chasse aux grand-aigles mais croit plus efficase une vidange de l'aire.

     

Schnellverfahren zur Bestimmung von Arsen und Blei (Sch?dlingsbek?mpfungsmitteln) in Lebensmitteln

Ohne Zusammenfassung