Depigmenting effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cinnamomum cassia</Emphasis> Presl in B16F10 melanoma cells

To find efficient depigmenting agents, we examined several Chinese herbs for melanogenesis inhibition and toxicity. Cinnamomum cassia Presl exhibited low cytotoxicity at even high concentration (200 μg/ml). The effects on melanogenesis of cultured B16 melanoma cells, mushroom tyrosinase activity, and free radical scavenging activity were further assessed. The methanol extracts of this plant showed the suppression of melanin synthesis. Melanin content was dose-dependently decreased by this herb extract as compared with control cells. It also showed good anti-oxidative activity (IC₅₀=3.7 μg/ml) but no inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase activity. This result showed that Cinnamomum cassia Presl extract might be useful and safe as a new whitening agent in cosmetics.     

Modifying <Emphasis Type=Italic>CRI</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type=Italic>CSR</Emphasis> values of coke

The influence of the following factors on the reactivity CRI and hot strength CSR in industrial coking is studied: eliminating bituminous coal from the coal batch; considerably increasing the coking periods; and significantly reducing the ash content of the batch. Batch composition such that the coke quality meets the needs of export customers (including requirements regarding CRI and CSR) is identified. Sharp deterioration in CRI and CSR is seen when the batch includes coal with high ash basicity and coal concentrate that is heavily contaminated with intermediate products.     

Screening of <Emphasis Type=Italic>Candida utilis</Emphasis> and medium optimization for co-production of <Emphasis Type=Italic>S</Emphasis>-adenosylmethionine and glutathione

An effective S-adenosylmethionine and glutathione enriching yeast mutant of Candida utilis CCTCC M 209298 was first screened from plates containing 0.5 g/L of DL-ethionine by complex mutagenesis with UV and γ-ray in this study. Medium components optimization for enhanced co-production of S-adenosylmethionine and glutathione by C. utilis CCTCC M 209298 was further carried out using response surface methodology. The significant factors influencing S-adenosylmethionine and glutathione co-production were selected by Plackett-Burman design as sucrose, KH₂PO₄ and L-methionine, and Box-Behnken design was applied for further optimization studies. Based on these approaches, the optimized concentrations on medium components for higher co-production of S-adenosylmethionine and glutathione were sucrose 35.4 g/L, (NH₄)₂SO₄ 10 g/L, KH₂PO₄ 12.3 g/L, MgSO₄·7H₂O, 0.05 g/L, CaCl₂ 0.05 g/L and L-methionine 4.6 g/L. The medium optimization by response surface methodology led to a total production of 589.3 mg/L on S-adenosylmethionine and glutathione, which was 2.4-fold increased compared with the medium without optimization.     

Physico-Chemical Analysis,NMR Spectroscopy and Gas Chromatographic Studies of <Emphasis Type=Italic>Jatropha</Emphasis><Emphasis Type=Italic>curcas</Emphasis> L. Germplasm

A systematic collection of Jatropha curcas germplasm was carried out from five distinct ecogeographic zones of peninsular India in 2008. This involved recording passport data, documentation of important plant traits in situ, ecogeographic parameters and assessment of variability in 82 accessions. Extraction of oil was done by the Soxhlet method which gave an average yield of 38%. Oil content of collected accessions was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance and Soxhlet extraction. Oil variability ranged from 45.5% in JC-8 to 11.5% in JC-30. The level of unsaturated fatty acid ranged from 85% in JC-57 to 75.5% in JC-10. Saturated fatty acids ranged from 24% in JC-43 to 15% in JC-54, the oxidative stability index was highest at 2.1 in JC-30 and lowest at 0.68 in JC-17. The seed weight was greatest in JC-8 and the lowest in JC-30. This paper provides information that will facilitate the selection of promising accessions for genetic enhancement of Jatropha germplasm through conventional breeding.     

<Emphasis Type=Italic>Nosema</Emphasis> spp. Infection Alters Pheromone Production in Honey Bees (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Apis mellifera</Emphasis>)

Pheromones in social insects play a key role in the regulation of group homoeostasis. It is well-established that parasites can modify hormone signaling of their host, but less is known about the effect of parasites on pheromone signaling in insect societies. We, thus, tested in honey bees (Apis mellifera) the effect of the widespread parasite Nosema spp. on the production of ethyl oleate (EO), the only identified primer pheromone in honey bee workers. Since environmental stressors like pesticides also can weaken honey bees, we also analyzed the effect of imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid widely used in agriculture, on EO production. We show that, contrary to imidacloprid, Nosema spp. significantly altered EO production. In addition, the level of Nosema infection was correlated positively with the level of EO production. Since EO is involved in the regulation of division of labor among workers, our result suggests that the changes in EO signaling induced by parasitism have the potential to disturb the colony homoeostasis.     

<Emphasis Type=Italic>Jatropha</Emphasis> Diterpenes: a Review

Terpenes are the largest group of phytochemicals that exhibit diverse functions in mediating antagonistic and beneficial interactions in, and among, organisms. For many years the abundance and distribution of terpenoid compounds in plants have benefitted both nature and human civilization. Jatropha species, belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae, are a rich source of terpenoid compounds. Among the terpenes, diterpenoid compounds have dominated the research area in Jatropha species with respect to their novel chemical structures and medicinal values. The present review describes the chemistry and biological activities of an array of Jatropha diterpenes. The diterpenes isolated from Jatropha species belongs to rhamnofolane, daphnane, lathyrane, tigliane, dinorditerpene, deoxy preussomerin and pimarane skeletal structures. Among the 68 diterpenes collated in this review, the biological activity of compounds varied distinctly—the majority of the diterpenes exhibited cytotoxic, antitumor and antimicrobial activities in vitro. To name a few, jatrophone, spruceanol and jatrophatrione exhibited antitumor properties against P338 lymphocytic leukemia and japodagrol against KB carcinoma cells. Whereas, curcusone B exhibited anti-invasive effects against cholangiocarcinoma cells. The phorbol esters (Jatropha factor C1–C6) and Jatropherol exhibited insect deterrent/cytotoxic properties. Many diterpenes (jatrophalactam, faveline derivatives, multifolone, curcusone, jatrophone derivatives etc.) showed in-vitro cytotoxic activity, while japodagrin, jatrogrossidione derivatives and jatropholone derivatives exhibited antimicrobial activities. Jatropha diterpenoids having a wide spectrum of bioactivity could form lead compounds or could be used as templates for the synthesis of new compounds with better biological activity for utilization in the pharmaceutical industries.     

<Emphasis Type=Italic>t</Emphasis>10,<Emphasis Type=Italic>c</Emphasis>12-18:2-Induced Milk Fat Depression is Less Pronounced in Cows Fed High-Concentrate Diets

In intensively reared dairy cows, milk fat secretion is reduced in response to high-concentrate diets and it is often referred to as the “milk fat depression” (MFD) syndrome. Some trans fatty acid (FA) isomers produced in the rumen of the cows, including t10,c12-18:2, are known for their inhibitory effect on mammary lipogenesis. To study whether this effect depends on the basal diet, duodenal infusions of t10,c12-18:2 were performed on cows fed four different diets (a factorial arrangement of forage:concentrate ratio and linseed oil supplementation). The overall response obtained with t10,c12-18:2 infusion was consistent with previous studies: a decrease in milk fat content and yield without significant variations in milk yield. Mean transfer efficiency of infused t10,c12-18:2 was 19.6%. However, the decrease in milk fat and FA yields (both de novo synthesis and preformed long-chain FA) was less pronounced in cows fed high-concentrate diets (−27% of the initial level), compared with cows fed low-concentrate diets (−42% of initial level). This difference was independent of dietary oil supplementation and milk FA yield before infusion. Results pertaining to effects of dietary forage:concentrate ratio were confirmed by statistical meta-analysis of data from previously published t10,c12-18:2 infusion experiments. This study shows that in cows fed MFD diets the mammary gland becomes more resistant to or experiences a lower response potential to further inhibition of lipogenesis and/or delta-9 desaturation of FA.     

Evaluation of the reducing power effect on the enantioselective synthesis of methyl (<Emphasis Type=Italic>R</Emphasis>)-2-chloromandelate using <Emphasis Type=Italic>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis>

The effect of the reducing power on the reduction of methyl-2-chlorobenzoylformate was evaluated by using carbon substrates with different reducing powers. Glucose, sorbitol, and gluconate regenerated 2, 3, and 1 NAD(P)H during its conversion to pyruvate, respectively. When sorbitol was used as the carbon substrate, complete conversion was achieved in 8 h while it took 12 h and 19 h when glucose and gluconate were used, respectively. The enantiomeric excess (ee) value was 96.7% when sorbitol was used.     

Studies on growth kinetics of predominantly <Emphasis Type=Italic>Pseudomonas</Emphasis> sp. in internal loop airlift bioreactor using phenol and <Emphasis Type=Italic>m</Emphasis>-cresol

Growth profile of predominantly Pseudomonas species was studied using wastewater containing phenol and m-cresol, as single and multi component systems in an internal loop airlift bioreactor (ILALR). The species utilized for the study was isolated from a wastewater treatment plant. The reactor was operated at both lower and higher hydraulic retention time (HRTs), 4.1 h and 8.3 h, respectively. The inlet phenol and concentration was varied between 100 and 800 mg/L with 800 mg/L as shock loading concentration for an HRT of 8.3 h. For 4.1 h HRT, the concentration was varied 100 and 500 mg/L using 500 mg/L as a shock loading concentration. The study showed complete degradation of both phenol and m-cresol, when present individually at an HRT of 8.3 h with an enriched biomass output. The specific growth rate of the culture at various phenol and m-cresol concentrations was fitted to a Monod model. The biokinetics value showed good potential of Pseudomonas species employing the internal loop air lift bioreactor in utilizing high strength phenolics containing wastewater. Culture growth profile with both phenol and m-cresol as mixtures also showed decreased lag times with complete utilization of the phenolics.     

Fatty Acids Released by <Emphasis Type=Italic>Chlorella vulgaris</Emphasis> and Their Role in Interference with <Emphasis Type=Italic>Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata</Emphasis>: Experiments and Modelling

The role of extracellular fatty acids in the interference between two algae, Chlorella vulgaris Beijerink and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (Korshikov) Hindak, was assessed by the co-cultivation of the two selected strains, as well as by the chemical analysis of exudates from the culture media of single strain cultures. The effect of culture age and phosphate limitation was evaluated. The experiments showed that the composition and amount of fatty acids, released by C. vulgaris and by P. subcapitata, both in a batch and in a continuous monoculture, depend on the culture age and on the phosphate concentration in the culture medium. We also found that the amount of chlorellin generated in the two algae co-culture increased and was almost exclusively constituted by a mixture of C18 fatty acids. By using the evaluated concentrations of these fatty acids, an artificial chlorellin was prepared. The toxicity of this mixture to P. subcapitata appears to be similar to that of the natural chlorellin. For both algae, a stimulation of growth was observed at low concentrations of the natural chlorellin, whereas higher concentrations produced inhibitory effects on both species. However, P. subcapitata was much more sensitive than C. vulgaris. By using some of these new experimental results, two new mathematical models have been used to describe the toxicity of chlorellin to C. vulgaris and to the interference between C. vulgaris and P. subcapitata, respectively.     

Effect of <Emphasis Type=Italic>Origanum vulgare</Emphasis> L. Essential Oil on Growth and Lipid Profile of <Emphasis Type=Italic>Yarrowia lipolytica</Emphasis> Cultivated on Glycerol-Based Media

Aim of the present study was to identify the chemical composition of Origanum vulgare L. essential oil and to investigate its effect on the biochemical behavior of the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica. Twenty-three compounds were identified by GC–MS analysis, representing the 92.3% (w/w) of the total essential oil of the plant. Carvacrol (56.3%) and thymol (16.4%) were the major components. Additionally, shake-flask cultivations of Y. lipolytica were performed, with various essential oil additions (0.05–2 mL/L of medium) on glycerol-based media. Growth was affected even at low concentrations (0.05 mL/L), while in higher essential oil concentrations, strong inhibition phenomena were observed. A tolerance-threshold concentration for the strain was hence established at 0.15 mL/L of oil. Furthermore, the presence of the essential oil in the culture medium resulted in changes in the composition of the intra-cellular lipids of the yeast. Specifically, oil addition to nitrogen-limited cultures to a level >0.15 mL/L caused a substantial increase in the percentage of saturated fatty acids (C16:0 and C18:0) in the lipid composition of the yeast Y. lipolytica.     

Effect of Essential Oils from <Emphasis Type=Italic>Lippia geminata</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type=Italic>Cymbopogon jwarancusa</Emphasis> on In vitro Growth and Sporulation of Two Rice Pathogens

Sheath blight and brown spot disease of rice caused by Rhizoctonia solani and Bipolaris oryzae causes significant yield loss in rice production worldwide. The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of two essential oils (EOs) from Lippia geminata and Cymbopogon jwarancusa on in vitro growth and sporulation of these two pathogens. The fungal radial growth was inhibited at very low concentration (25 ppm) of the EOs. Similarly, fungal spore production was also inhibited up to ≥80% at 500 ppm of EOs. However, fungal sporulation was completely retarded at 1,000 ppm of L. geminata EO. Very low oil concentrations (10 ppm) accelerated the radial growth (0–5 mm) and spore germination (3.5–8.5%) of the pathogens. At higher oil concentrations, the mycelial growth and spore productions were completely inhibited. The IC₅₀ value of the EO of C. jwarancusa was 365.45 and 336.74 ppm and for L. geminata, it was 420.16 and 481.47 ppm against B. oryzae and R. solani, respectively. GC–MS analysis of the oils showed 54.36% piperitone and 30.86% α-phellandrene as major compounds in C. jwarancusa whereas 25.9% geranial and 14.6% neral in L. geminata oil. Essential oils from Lippia geminata and Cymbopogon jwarancusa appear to be good candidates for the in vitro control of these two rice pathogens and can be successfully utilized in management strategies of pathogens in appropriate formulation.     

Flavonoids Have Differential Effects on Glucose Absorption in Rats (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Rattus norvegicus</Emphasis>) and American Robins (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Turdis migratorius</Emphasis>)

Mounting evidence suggests that small birds rely largely on non-mediated intestinal absorption of glucose through the paracellular pathway, while non-flying mammals rely on mediated absorption across the enterocyte membranes by using glucose transporters SGLT-1 and GLUT-2. Relying on non-mediated transport of glucose may decrease its absorption rate at low glucose concentrations but may release small birds from the effects of glucose transport inhibitors. We evaluated transport by using flavonoids known to inhibit glucose transport in vitro. Quercetin, isoquercetrin, and phloridzin were tested in rats (Rattus norvegicus) and robins (Turdis migratirius), and naringenin, naringenin-7-glucoside, genistein, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and phloretin were used only in rats. By using a pharmacokinetic approach that involves serial blood collection and area under the curve calculations, we determined the bioavailability of 3-0-methyl D-glucose, the non-metabolized analogue of D-glucose. Six of the eight flavonoids tested in rats significantly decreased the absorption of 3-0-methyl D-glucose, while none of the flavonoids tested in robins significantly decreased the bioavailability of 3-0-methyl D-glucose. We conclude that flavonoids effectively decrease glucose absorption in rats, which rely on mediated absorption of glucose, but that flavonoids do not have an effect in robins, which rely on non-mediated absorption of glucose.     

Burning of the Ti + <Emphasis Type=Italic>x</Emphasis>C (1 &gt; <Emphasis Type=Italic>x</Emphasis> &gt; 0.5) powder and granulated mixtures

This paper describes the experiments on the burning of the Ti + 0.5C, Ti + 0.75C, and Ti + C powder and granulated mixtures. Despite the fact that there is no convective heat transfer and the contact area between the particles is small, the linear and mass burning rates of granulated compositions happened to be several times greater than in the case of powder mixtures of the same composition. The obtained experimental and computational values of the adiabatic combustion temperature were used to estimate the contribution of the radiant and conductive heat transfer in the combustion wave propagation along the granulated mixtures. The experiments with compacted samples showed that the high burning rate of the granulated mixtures is due to great velocity of the combustion wave propagation along the granule rather than the specific features of the original reagents.