Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities of the Korean lotus leaf (Nelumbo nucifera) condiment: volatile and nonvolatile metabolite profiling during fermentation

Recent studies have shown that lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) leaf has various pharmacological effects. However, there have been no scientific investigations into these leaves as a fermented crude liquid. This study compared the in vitro antioxidant capacity of lotus leaf‐fermented broth (LLFB) with that of 57° Brix sugar broth (SB) as a control over a period of 6 months based on 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, ferric ion reducing power, superoxide dismutase‐like activity, tyrosinase inhibition and nitrite scavenging activity. The dominant species during fermentation process were Leuconostoc lactis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae for LLFB. A total of thirty‐six metabolites such as alkaloids, fatty acids, organic acids, phenolics, sugar and sugar derivatives, ethyl esters and monoterpenoids differed between SB and LLFB using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Meanwhile, nine volatile compounds in LLFB contributed pleasant, slightly sweetish and fruity odour of condiment and sensory evaluation score of 4.06 ± 1.52 in the proportion of 1:9 LLFB/water.     

Bamboo biochar-catalytic degradation of lignin under microwave heating

Abstract

Lignin biochar-catalytic depolymerization using biochar Fe-600, Fe-800, Ni-600, Ni-800 catalysts under microwave-heating (180?°C for 30?min) was explored in an ethanol/formic acid (1:1) media. Non-catalyst depolymerization was also studied and compared with the biochar-catalysts results. Characteristics of the bio-char catalysts were analyze by BET, XRD, and FT-IR. GPC, FT-IR, and MALDI-TOF MS spectrometry were also used to characterize the depolymerization products. The experimental results showed that the S_BET, V_t, and V_mec and average pore diameter of the biochars are considerably dependent on the preparation temperature and type of cation (Ni²⁺ or Fe³⁺). The maximum yield of bio-oil product was obtained as 85?wt% with the addition of biochar Ni-600 and the total amount of oligomers or monomers with a molecular weight of 164 to 446 reaches 80.4%.     

Development of Core-Shell Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Systems Based on Biomimetic Mineralization

Among various drug-delivery systems, core-shell nanoparticles have many advantages. Inspired by nature, biomimetic synthesis has emerged as a new strategy for making core-shell nanoparticles in recent years. Biomimetic mineralization is the process by which living organisms produce minerals based on biomolecule templating that leads to the formation of hierarchically structured organic–inorganic materials. In this minireview, we mainly focus on the synthesis of core-shell nanoparticle drug-delivery systems by biomimetic mineralization. We review various biomimetic mineralization methods for fabricating core-shell nanoparticles including silica-based, calcium-based and other nanoparticles, and their applications in drug delivery. We also summarize strategies for drug loading in the biomolecule-mineralized core-shell NPs. Current challenges and future directions are also discussed.     

Comparison of two Analytical Methods (ELISA and LC-MS/MS) for Determination of Aflatoxin B1 in Corn and Aflatoxin M1 in Milk

The aim of this paper is to assess the closeness of agreement between results of ELISA and LC-MS/MS methods for determination of aflatoxin B₁ in corn and aflatoxin M₁ in milk. Samples of corn (n=100) and milk (n=250) were simultaneously analyzed using ELISA and LC-MS/MS methods, after the severe drought that affected Serbia in summer 2012 resulting in occurrence of aflatoxin B1 in corn and aflatoxin M₁ in milk. Regression analysis showed higher level of agreement between aflatoxin B₁ samples (R²=0.994), compared to aflatoxin M₁ samples (R²=0.920). However, both techniques were satisfactory in meeting the requirements for official control purposes.     

A Simple and Effective Mass Spectrometric Approach to Identify the Adulteration of the Mediterranean Diet Component Extra-Virgin Olive Oil with Corn Oil

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) with its nutraceutical characteristics substantially contributes as a major nutrient to the health benefit of the Mediterranean diet. Unfortunately, the adulteration of EVOO with less expensive oils (e.g., peanut and corn oils), has become one of the biggest source of agricultural fraud in the European Union, with important health implications for consumers, mainly due to the introduction of seed oil-derived allergens causing, especially in children, severe food allergy phenomena. In this regard, revealing adulterations of EVOO is of fundamental importance for health care and prevention reasons, especially in children. To this aim, effective analytical methods to assess EVOO purity are necessary. Here, we propose a simple, rapid, robust and very sensitive method for non-specialized mass spectrometric laboratory, based on the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) coupled to unsupervised hierarchical clustering (UHC), principal component (PCA) and Pearson’s correlation analyses, to reveal corn oil (CO) adulterations in EVOO at very low levels (down to 0.5%).     

Profile of Triacylglycerols,Phenols, and Vitamin E of Manjari Medika Grape Seed Oil and Cake: Introducing a Novel Indian Variety

The aim of the study is to investigate the biochemical composition of grapeseed oil and cake from an unexplored Indian grape‐juice cultivar, Manjari Medika (MM). The composition of oil and residual seed cake is evaluated using various chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. The findings demonstrate that the vitamin E content of MM‐seed oil (1.15–1.35 g kg^?1) is distinctively higher than the Codex standard, suggesting its superior quality as an edible oil. The predominant triacylglycerols include trilinolein (LLL, 43%), dilinoleoyl‐stearylglycerol (LSL, 19%), and dilinoleoyl‐palmitoylglycerol (LLP, 11%), which are earlier recognized as natural antioxidants. The seed‐cake is rich in polyphenols including acylated anthocyanins (e.g., pelargonidin‐3‐O‐coumaroyl glucoside) and certain other flavonoids (e.g., catechin). The profile of phytonutrients in MM seed‐oil and cake is significantly superior to its seeded female parent and two other widely cultivated wine‐grape varieties. In brief, the studied by‐products of this new grape‐juice cultivar can be an important source of high‐value ingredients for use in food supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional foods. Practical applications: This study reports the phytochemical profile of the seed‐oil and seed cake derived from a newly developed grape variety, Manjari Medika. High contents of selective antioxidants: lipids, vitamin E, and phenols in the seed‐oil and cake with health benefits suggest their potential for use in nutraceutical and functional foods. These byproducts can be utilised as ingredients of functional foods and nutraceuticals (e.g., grape seed oil capsule) and also as raw materials in food supply chains (e.g., for production of grape cookies or cake). MM can also be utilized as a colorant in the food industry.     

Antimicrobial residues survey by LC-MS in food-producing animals in Lebanon

ABSTRACT

The treatment of animals with antimicrobial products may lead to the contamination of edible tissues by their residues, which may represent a risk to human health. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the level of antimicrobial residues in food-producing animals (chicken, beef, and milk) in Lebanon. A total of 310 samples were collected and analysed using an LC-MS/MS for the determination of 48 compounds belonging to different families in order to map their compliance according to the European Commission decision 2002/657/EC. Results show that 60% of the analysed samples were not contaminated by any residue, while 12% presented a concentration higher than the MRLs for tetracyclines, sulphonamides, quinolones, and macrolides. Results revealed that chicken were the most contaminated by antimicrobial residues, when compared to beef and milk. The obtained results demonstrate the uncontrolled use of antimicrobials in some Lebanese farms and claim for better management of livestock.     

便携式飞行时间质谱仪的研制及其在石化污水系统挥发性有机物监测中的应用

近年来，国内的大气污染问题越来越严重，挥发性有机物（VOCs）的排放是其中一个重要原因。VOCs是臭氧和气溶胶的前驱物之一，在大气化学反应过程中扮演着极其重要的角色。本实验自行研制了一台基于真空紫外（VUV）灯的高分辨光电离飞行时间质谱仪（TOF MS），建立了一种新的VOCs稀释采样方法，并将其应用于石化行业污水处理系统VOCs的采样与分析。结果表明：隔油系统的3个池子基本没有测到高浓度的挥发性有机物，其中溶气气浮甲苯物质的质量浓度最高，为50.41 mg/L，其余组分的质量浓度大多数在0.1~1.0 mg/L之间；1#加氢和2#加氢隔油池有着类似的组分浓度，以1#加氢隔油池为例，二甲苯物质的质量浓度为10.60 mg/L，乙苯为52.33 mg/L，苯为59.80 mg/L；由于罐区隔油池没有加盖，处于露天状态，挥发性有机物气体容易向大气中扩散，并没有检测出较高浓度组分。可以看出，新式采样方法可有效地稀释定量样品，操作简便，减少了样品因闪蒸过程造成的VOCs损失，检出物质更丰富；同时，使用自行研制的TOF MS仪器能够快速检测不同装置污水处理系统的VOCs种类，将该仪器用于实际样品检测，发现化工企业大多数密闭的池子都含有苯系物、醚类等，但不同工艺的污水处理系统VOCs存在明显差异。该质谱仪适用于石化企业污水系统VOCs监测。