An evaluation of methyl 2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylate as an iron(III) trap: food perspectives

The 1,3‐ketoesters have great potential in the food industry, as they are suitable for trapping flavours because of their chelating effects. The results obtained for tautomerization rate constants, as a function of temperature, have allowed us to establish a fourth order enthalpic analytical equation of temperature, suggesting an overall entropic control of tautomerization. Iron, which is present as a trace element in foods and drinks, is of critical importance for the normal early growth and development of infants. The nutritional status of iron may affect the metabolism of other nutrients. In fact, iron chelates have significant beneficial effects in increasing iron bioavailability in human diets. As a result the abilities of methyl 2‐oxocyclopentanecarboxylate to chelate iron(III) in aqueous solutions was investigated. Thermodynamic and kinetic parameters associated with the double‐pathway mechanism of monochelate complexation have been determined and the advantages of kinetically and thermodynamically controlled processes are discussed.     

新型少铬高分子金属配合物鞣剂的研究(I) 聚氨酯-铬配合物鞣剂的合成与结构

本文设计并合成了一类带双羧基侧基的线性聚氨酯低聚物链.在水溶液中,聚氨酯低聚物链上的羧基被碱中和为羧酸根阴离子,加入三价铬盐后,-COO-与Cr3+以配位键结合形成聚氨酯-铬配合物,该配合物加入复配的乳化剂后放至均质器中搅拌,调节其pH值,制备得均匀、稳定的细乳液.每种聚氨酯配体与其含铬配合物粉末样品都经过FTIR,13C-NMR和DSC等手段表征,表征结果证明聚氨酯配体链上的-COO-与水中Cr3+之间存在羟基桥式配位.每个聚氨酯配体链的羧基含量及[-COO-/Cr3+]的摩尔比通过滴定分析法测得.根据以上分析结果推断,在室温下,pH=4.5的水溶液中,Cr3+足量的条件下,此聚氨酯配体与Cr3+以链内桥式配位为主,其它配位方式为辅.每个Cr3+离子除了与-COO-配位之外,还有两个以上的空位被水分子占据,在鞣皮时,充水皮胶原肽链上的-COO-将取代这些占据空位的水分子,使得聚氨酯分子链通过与铬的配位对生皮胶原起"缝合”作用,即具有鞣皮效果.经此鞣液鞣过的生皮收缩温度提高了20～25℃,成革增厚效果显著.尤其重要的是,该鞣剂中的铬以配位键的形式与高分子上具有配位功能的侧基紧密结合,从而使鞣液中的游离铬离子含量低于0.01g/l,实现了含铬废水的达标排放.此为含铬高分子配合物鞣剂的合成,提供了一条制备少铬鞣剂的新途径.     

聚天冬氨酸为结合相的薄膜梯度扩散技术富集测量自来水中痕量铬(Ⅲ)

建立了以0.05mol/L聚天冬氨酸(PASP)溶液为结合相的薄膜梯度扩散(DGT)装置(PASP DGT)富集测量自来水中痕量CrIII的分析方法。DGT法测得配制水中CrIII的回收率为94.4%~105.6%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为2.78%~5.03%;测得自来水中CrIII的浓度为2.99~3.47μg/L,加标回收率为93.2%~107.7%;DGT方法对水中CrIII的检出限为0.081μg/L(采样48h),可应用于自来水中痕量CrIII的定量检测与早期预警。      

Gold nanoparticle modified conducting polymer of 4-(2,5-di(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-pyrrole-1-l) benzenamine for potential use as a biosensing material

Gold nanoparticle (AuNP) modified conducting polymer of 4-(2,5-di(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)benzenamine (SNS-NH₂) was used as the biosensing platform for glucose analysis. Electrochemical measurements were carried out by following the consumed oxygen due to the enzymatic reaction of glucose oxidase (GOx) at −0.7 V vs Ag/AgCl. Optimisation of pH, enzyme loading, stability experiments were carried out. Effect of NP was investigated by monitoring the signal responses at different AuNP sizes and amounts. A linear relation of y = 1.597x + 0.264 (R² = 0.993) was found for glucose concentrations between 0.002 and 5.0 mM. The analytical characteristics of the system were also evaluated for glucose determination in flow injection analysis (FIA) mode. Finally, the system was checked for glucose detection on real samples.     

Cellular assessment of the extract of bambangan (Mangifera pajang) as a potential cytoprotective agent for the human hepatocellular HepG2 cell line

This study was conducted to investigate the potential of bambangan (Mangifera pajang) fruit extracts in the protection against oxidative damage caused by tert-butyl hydroperoxide in the human hepatocellular HepG2 cell line. Proteins which might be involved in the cytoprotective mechanism were investigated using western blotting technique. Quercetin was used as a positive control. The results showed that only the kernel extract of M. pajang and quercetin displayed cytoprotective activity in HepG2 cells, with EC₅₀ values of 1.2 and 5.3 μg/ml, respectively. Expression of quinone reductase, glutathione reductase and methionine sulfoxide reductase A proteins were significantly up-regulated by quercetin, suggesting their involvement in the cytoprotective activity of quercetin. However, expressions of only glutathione reductase and methionine sulfoxide reductase A proteins were significantly up-regulated by the kernel extract, again suggesting their involvement in the cytoprotective activity of bambangan kernel extract. Future study is needed to investigate the involvement of other cytoprotective proteins in the cytoprotection mechanism.     

群体感应抑制剂3,4-二溴-2（5H）-呋喃酮对荧光假单胞菌生物膜形成的抑制作用

为了研究3,4-二溴-2（5H）-呋喃酮（3,4-dibromo-2（5H）-furanone,DF）对荧光假单胞菌生物膜形成的抑制作用。通过在24孔板和硅胶片上构建生物膜模型,CFU计数法测定DF对荧光假单胞菌的最低抑制浓度（Minimum Inhibitory Concentration,MIC）和最低杀菌浓度（Minimum Bacterial Concentration,MBC）以及生物膜生长曲线,在1倍MIC和5倍MIC的DF作用下的荧光假单胞菌生物膜形成率和细菌群集运动能力,并探讨DF对荧光假单胞菌总蛋白合成及多糖含量的影响。结果表明,DF对荧光假单胞菌作用的MIC和MBC值分别为12.5μg/m L和800μg/m L;在DF浓度为1 MIC和5 MIC时,作用于荧光假单胞菌24 h生物膜形成抑制率分别为20.59%±2.91%和99.54%±1.83%,并能明显抑制荧光假单胞菌的群集运动能力,干扰荧光假单胞菌群体感应（Quorum sensing,QS）系统而影响其总蛋白合成及多糖的含量,24 h时5 MIC的DF对荧光假单胞菌总蛋白和菌多糖合成量的抑制率分别为8.04%±0.37%和51.08%±2.71%。本研究对DF影响荧光假单胞菌生物膜形成的原因,DF对荧光假单胞菌生物膜形成的抑制作用及其对QS通路的干扰具有良好的理论和实践参考。      

New chitosan microspheres supported [bis(2-methylallyl)(1,5-cyclooctadienne)ruthenium(II)] as efficient catalysts for colour degradation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide

This paper concerns the immobilisation of either [bis(2-methylallyl)(1,5-cyclooctadienne)ruthenium(II)] (I) or ruthenium chloride (RuCl₃) (II) on chitosan microspheres (catalyst I and catalyst II, respectively). These heterogenised catalysts were used for the oxidative degradation of two acid dyes, i.e. [Calmagite (Calma) and Acid Blue 25 (AB25)] in aqueous solution at pH 7.0 in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Prepared solid supports were characterised by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral study, thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermogravimetry (DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses. The efficiency of decolourisation was justified using UV–visible spectroscopic analysis. The factors affecting dye degradation were studied. Some tests for Calma decolourisation achieved up to 100% colour removal using catalyst I. The pseudo first-order equation was shown to fit degradation kinetics in most cases. However, for some cases, it was necessary to use a reversible equation. The energetic parameters were determined and the activation energy (E _a) was found to be low, between 11 and 36?kJ?mol^?1, confirming that these catalysts were very efficient for the degradation of anionic dyes using H₂O₂. The interpretation of the equilibrium sorption data complies well with the Freundlich adsorption model. The combination of adsorption process and catalytic oxidation made the new developed catalyst systems to achieve a simple and efficient water treatment.     

Short communication: The effect of increasing concentrations of different methionine forms and 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid on genes controlling methionine metabolism in primary bovine neonatal hepatocytes

The d-isomer of Met cannot be used directly by the mammary gland in dairy cows; instead, it is transformed into l-Met, the proteogenic isomer, in the liver and other extramammary tissues. It remains unclear whether different Met forms and a Met hydroxy analog, 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid (HMB), are metabolized and function similarly in the liver. The objective of the present study was to examine the regulation of key genes in Met regeneration, transulfuration, and transmethylation pathways in response to increasing doses of different Met forms. Hepatocytes isolated from 4 calves between 4 and 7 d old were maintained as monolayer cultures for 24 h before addition of treatments. Treatments of (0, 10, 20, 40 µM) d-Met, l-Met, dl-Met, dl-HMB, or a 1:1 mixture of dl-Met and dl-HMB were added to Met-free medium in triplicate. After 24 h, cell lysates were collected for quantification of gene expression by quantitative PCR, and mRNA abundance was normalized to the mean of 3 reference genes. Data were analyzed with PROC MIXED of SAS 9.3 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Analyses of covariance confirmed equivalent slopes of Met form, and the final model included form, dose, and random effect of calf within form. Data are reported as least squares means ± standard error. No main effect of Met form was observed for any genes examined. The enzymes encoded by betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase use betaine and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, respectively, to regenerate Met from homocysteine. Increasing concentration of Met did not alter 5-methyltetrahydrofolate expression, but decreased BHMT expression. Expression of glycine N-methyltransferase, the enzyme that controls transmethylation flux from S-adenosyl-methionine, was not affected by Met concentration. Methionine concentration had no effect on expression of cystathionine β-synthase, a key enzyme for the transulfuration pathway. The decrease in BHMT expression indicates a decreased need for cellular Met regeneration with increasing Met concentration, independent of Met form. The lack of differences among Met forms on regulating genes examined indicates that all Met forms similarly reduced genes controlling Met regeneration and metabolism in primary bovine hepatocytes.     

Identification of (furan-2-yl)methylated benzene diols and triols as a novel class of bitter compounds in roasted coffee

Preliminary studies demonstrated that the identification of unknown bitter taste compounds in roasted coffee, by means of an analytical fractionation approach, is hampered by their limited oxidative, as well as chemical stability. A synthetic-constructive strategy was followed in the present investigation by performing targeted reactions of putative coffee-related precursors to give candidate bitter taste molecules. Binary mixtures of a di and trihydroxybenzene, namely pyrogallol, hydroxyhydroquinone, catechol, or 3- and 4-methylcatechole, and a furan derivative, namely furfuryl alcohol, furan-2-aldehyde, or 5-(hydroxymethyl)furan-2-aldehyde, all of which are known to be present in roasted coffee, were thermally treated. The reaction products were identified as (furan-2-yl)methylated benzene diols and triols, by means of LC–MS and NMR experiments, and their bitter taste thresholds determined by means of sensory analysis. Finally, LC–MS/MS studies verified the natural occurence of 4-(furan-2-ylmethyl)benzene-1,2-diol, 4-(furan-2-ylmethyl)benzene-1,2,3-triol, 4-(furan-2-ylmethyl)-5-methylbenzene-1,2-diol, and 3-(furan-2-ylmethyl)-6-methylbenzene-1,2-diol as a novel class of bitter taste compounds in roasted coffee. Depending on their chemical structure, the bitter taste recognition threshold of these compounds ranged between 100 and 537 μmol/l.     

“Nata Puree,” a Novel Food Material for Upgrading Vegetable Powders,Made by Bacterial Cellulose Gel Disintegration in the Presence of (1,3)(1,4)-β-Glucan

Pulverization is a potentially powerful solution for the resource management of surplus- and non-standard agricultural products, maintaining their nutritional values for long and ensuring their homogeneity, whereas their original textures could disappear to narrow the application ranges. Therefore, new technologies should be developed for reconstructing the powders to provide them with new physical characteristics. Herein, we developed a novel food material, nata puree (NP), by nata de coco (bacterial cellulose gel) disintegration with a water-soluble polysaccharide using a household blender. The process worked well with (1,3)(1,4)-β-glucan (BGL) as the polysaccharide, which could be substituted with barley extract. Lichenase treatment of the NP dramatically modified its physical properties, suggesting the importance of the BGL polymeric forms. NP exhibited distinct potato powder and starch binding activities, which would be attributed to its interactions with the cell wall components and a physical capture of powders by the NP network, respectively. NP supplementation into the potato paste improved its firmness and enabled its printable range shift for 3D food printing to a lower powder-concentration. NP also promoted the dispersion of powders in its suspension, and designed gelation could also be successfully performed by the laser irradiation of an NP suspension containing dispersed curdlan and turmeric powders. Therefore, NP could be applied as a powder modifier to a wide range of products in both conventional cooking, food manufacturing, and next generation processes such as 3D food printing.     

Identification and quantification by LC–MS/MS of a new precursor of 3-mercaptohexan-1-ol (3MH) using stable isotope dilution assay: Elements for understanding the 3MH production in wine

The isotopically labelled S-3-(hexan-1-ol)-glutathione d₂/d₃ (G3MHd₂/d₃) was synthesized with a strategy based on acid-labile protecting groups. The natural analogue of this compound could be a precursor of 3-mercaptohexanol, a varietal thiol reminiscent of grape fruit, released during alcoholic fermentation. In a first time, deuterated glutathione conjugate was used to perform identification and quantification by stable isotope dilution assay of G3MH in musts from several varieties: Sauvignon, Riesling and Gewurztraminer.     

The chemistry and medicinal uses of the underutilized Indian fruit tree Garcinia indica Choisy (kokum): A review

Garcinia indica Choisy Syn Brindonia indica, commonly known as kokum and belonging to Guttiferae family, is a plant native to certain regions of India. The trees yield fruits annually in the summer season during the months of March to May. The fruits are green when raw and red to dark purple when fully ripe. They are used to prepare juice, pickles and as acidulant in curries. In the traditional Indian system of medicine the Ayurveda and in various folk systems of medicine, the fruit rinds and leaves are used to treat various inflammatory ailments, rheumatic pain and bowel complaints. The kokum butter prepared from the seed is of both commercial and medicinal use. Chemical studies have shown that the rind contains protein, tannin, pectin, sugars, fat, organic acids like (−)-hydroxycitric acid, hydroxycitric acid lactone and citric acid; the anthocyanins, cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-sambubioside; and the polyisoprenylated phenolics garcinol and isogarcinol. Preclinical studies have shown that kokum or and some of its phytochemicals possess antibacterial, antifungal, anti-ulcerogenic, cardioprotective, anticancer, chemopreventive, free radical scavenging, antioxidant and anti-obesity effects. The present paper reviews the nutritional value, the phytochemical compounds, traditional uses and validated pharmacological properties of kokum.     

Açaí (Euterpe oleraceae) ‘BRS Pará’: A tropical fruit source of antioxidant dietary fiber and high antioxidant capacity oil

This article reports a study of the concentrations of dietary fiber (DF) and antioxidant capacity in fruits (pulp and oil) of a new açaí (Euterpe oleraceae) cultivar—‘BRS-Pará’, with a view to determine the possibility of using it as a source of antioxidants in functional foods or dietary supplements. Results show that ‘BRS-Pará’ açaí fruits has a high content of DF (71% dry matter) and oil (20.82%) as well as a high antioxidant capacity in both defatted matter and oil. ‘BRS-Pará’ Açaí fruits can be considered as an excellent source of antioxidant dietary fiber. Antioxidant capacity of açaí ‘BRS-Pará’ oil by DPPH assay was higher (EC₅₀ = 646.3 g/g DPPH) than extra virgin olive oil (EC₅₀ = 2057.27 g/g DPPH). These features provide açaí ‘BRS-Pará’ fruits with considerable potential for nutritional and health applications.