Species identification and phylogenetic relationships among five species of psocids from Chinese herbal medicines

The main objectives of the study were to establish an accurate multiplex PCR identification technique for five species of psocids from Chinese herbal medicines and to discuss the phylogenetic relationships among those species. Five species of booklice (Liposcelis bostrychophila, L. entomophila, L. tricolor, L. pearmani and L. rufa) were collected from Chinese herbal medicines. Genomic DNA of individual booklice was obtained via a nondestructive DNA extraction method. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1-5.8S-ITS2 gene sequences were obtained by PCR amplifying and sequencing. The primers were designed, and the phylogenetic trees were constructed using the NCBI website and MEGA software. In this research, a Multiplex PCR identification technique was established based on the ITS2 gene for the five species of booklice. The phylogenetic relationships among the five booklice species were analyzed and discussed based on the ITS gene sequences.     

Research on a natural sunscreen from Chinese herbs

To compare the difference in SPF values between a synthetic sunscreen and a sunscreen derived from Chinese herbs, by using optical and biological methods, we observed the effects of these sunscreens by photochemical reaction, sun protection factor (SPF) values, and UV absorption. The results showed that the synthetic sunscreen was more effective in UV absorption than the sunscreen derived from natural Chinese herbs. When they were tested biologically, it was found that the sunscreen derived from Chinese herbs was able to improve skin tonicity, as well as reduce the itching, photoerythema, squamation, burning, and reddening caused by the excessive UV radiation, while the synthetic sunscreen could not improve these conditions of the skin, and even induced some side-effects in the skin with photoerythema. By comparing the in vivo SPF values of the two types of sunscreen, they were found to be mainly similar. The results indicate that the SPF value was related to both a photo-reaction and a biological reaction. The sunscreen derived from natural Chinese herbs, although having low UV absorption, was able to exhibit the same SPF value as the synthetic sunscreen because of its biological effects.     

Occurrence of enniatins and beauvericin in 60 Chinese medicinal herbs

A total of 60 Chinese medicinal herbs were examined for contamination of the emerging Fusarium mycotoxins enniatins (ENNs) A, A1, B, B1 and beauvericin (BEA). The herbs under study are commonly used in China as both medicines and food. The dried samples of herbs were randomly collected from traditional Chinese medicine stores in Zhejiang province, China. Sample preparation was achieved by methanol extraction, followed by a simple membrane filtration step; no tedious clean-ups were involved. ENNs A, A1, B, B1 and BEA were analysed by the recently developed stable isotope dilution assays, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). With limits of detection ranging between 0.8 and 1.2 µg kg^–1 for the analytes under study, 25% of all analysed samples were contaminated with at least one of the ENNs and BEA. BEA was the most frequently detected toxin with a 20% incidence in all samples. The percentages of ENN-positive samples were lower: each single ENN was detected in 6.7–11.7% of all samples. Considering the total amounts of the five mycotoxins in single samples, values between 2.5 and 751 µg kg^–1 were found. The mean total amount in positive samples was 126 µg kg^–1. Regarding ginger, the frequent occurrence of ENNs and BEA in dried ginger could be confirmed in samples from Germany. However, in fresh ginger root the toxins were not detectable. This is the first report on the presence of ENNs and BEA in Chinese medicinal herbs.     

Efficacy of ethylenesulphonyl fluoride against stored grain psocids,Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel and Liposcelis entomophila (Enderlein)

Phase-out, impending ban, and developing insect resistance to the commonly used insecticides for stored grains pose serious challenges to the scientific community and it is imperative to develop effective pest management strategies. Identification and testing of new compounds are potential options to deal with the growing threat. Ethylenesulphonyl fluoride (ESF), a new synthetic compound, is one of the most promising alternative fumigant insecticides that can be used to control the insect pests in stored-grains. However, limited evidence is available to support its efficacy to control the stored-product psocids. This study evaluates the ESF as a prospective control reagent to exterminate different life stages of the psocids Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel and L. entomophila (Enderlein). We conducted a 4 h toxicity trials and 12 h simulated efficacy trials with adults of the two species in wheat. Adults and nymphs were highly susceptible to ESF. Complete adult and nymph mortality (LD₉₉) was also recorded at dosages ranged from 1.97 μL/L to 3.80 μL/L. Moreover, complete (LD₉₉) egg mortality was recorded at dosages between 3.59 μL/L and 7.60 μL/L. Remarkably, the mortality of adults decreased with increasing depth of the grain bulk. Our study establishes ESF as a potential reagent that can be used effectively to control a variety of commonly known stored grain psocids.     

苹果醋、中草药复合解忧饮料的设计原理及工艺

研究了以苹果醋和酸枣仁、金银花、菊花、葛花、桑叶5种中草药提取物及L-肉碱为主要原料加工制成一种解忧饮料的设计原理及其工艺,并对酸枣仁、金银花、菊花、葛花、桑叶5种中草药的浸提和产品配方的工艺条件进行了探讨。确定最佳配方为苹果醋10%、中草药提取液20%、木糖醇6%、蜂蜜1%。     

凝胶渗透色谱-固相萃取-气相色谱法同时测定药食两用中药材中17种有机氯类农药残留量

目的建立基于凝胶渗透色谱(gel permeation chromatography,GPC)和固相萃取(solid phase extraction,SPE)净化技术的药食两用植物性中药材(鸡蛋花、干枣、人参、丹参、高丽红参、鱼腥草、黄芪、枸杞、菊花、玉竹、凉粉草、西洋参、百合)中六六六,滴滴涕,硫丹,七氯,氯丹,艾氏剂,狄氏剂及异狄氏剂17种有机氯农药残留的气相色谱检测方法。方法中药材粉末经去离子水浸泡,乙酸乙酯和丙酮(1:1,v:v)提取,凝胶渗透色谱初步净化,石墨化碳黑和氨基固相萃取柱进一步净化,气相色谱仪(带μECD检测器)进行检测。结果该方法中17种化合物在10~100μg/kg范围内线性良好,相关系数R0.999,在三个水平添加回收试验中,17种化合物的回收率在84.6%~115.5%之间,相对标准偏差(RSD,n=6)为3.1%~14.5%。该方法的定量限(LOQ)介于0.31~4.15μg/kg。结论该方法具有准确、灵敏、高效、环保的特点,适用于中药材中17种有机氯类农药的同时快速检测。     

Evaluation of mineral content of Chinese medicinal herbs used to improve kidney function with chemometrics

Mineral elemental concentrations of 50 Chinese medicinal herbs in acid digests were determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The data were subjected to chemometric assessment to understand the association between the elements and to classify the herbal samples. Chemometric techniques, such as principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were used as classification techniques. PCA generated two principal components that explained 62% of the total variance in the data. HCA disclosed two significant groups of samples based on their elemental concentrations.     

Heavy metals in spices and herbs from wholesale markets in Malaysia

As, Cd, Pb and Hg were analysed in commonly consumed spices and herbs in Malaysia. The range of As, Cd, Pb and Hg content was 0.24–2.54, 0.23–8.07, 1.54–8.94 and 0.06–0.52?µg?g^–1, respectively. The highest concentration of Cd, Pb and Hg in spices and herbs exceeded the maximum permitted proportion, which are 1, 2 and 0.05?µg?g^?1, respectively. This study suggests further monitoring of Cd, Pb and Hg on daily consumption of spices and herbs and its toxicological implication for consumers since only the amount of As was lower than the permitted concentration.     

基于药食两用食物研制功能性主食馒头的可行性分析

从功能性主食馒头的开发思路、技术攻关必要性、技术要点等,结合功能性主食馒头开发的市场需求、相关领域国内外技术现状、发展趋势等多个方面,探讨开发添加药食两用原料制作功能性主食馒头的可行性与研究价值。     

六种中药水提物体外抗氧化活性研究

从羟自由基清除率、还原力、抑制脂质过氧化能力和清除DPPH自由基等四个方面研究了旱莲草、积雪草、莱菔子、马齿苋、女贞子、枇杷核等六味中药水提物的体外抗氧化作用。结果显示,在羟自由基清除率方面,从强到弱清除能力依次是马齿苋、积雪草、旱莲草、枇杷核、女贞子和莱菔子。在还原力方面,六味中药从强至弱顺序依次是积雪草、马齿苋、旱莲草、枇杷核、女贞子和莱菔子。在抑制脂质过氧化方面,抗氧化能力从强到弱依次是马齿苋、女贞子、莱菔子、枇杷核、积雪草和旱莲草。在DPPH自由基方面,其清除能力从大到小依次是积雪草、马齿苋、枇杷核、旱莲草、女贞子和莱菔子。结论表明,六味中药的水提物均具有一定的体外抗氧化活性。     

Application and characterization of microcapsules from solvent extracts of medicinal herbs

In this work, a novel attempts focus on the development of microcapsules using methanolic extract of medicinal herbs such as Aerva lanata, Aloe barbadensis Mill, Cumminum cyminum Linn, Tagetes erecta and Mentha piperita extract as core material and gum acacia as wall material. The microcapsules productivity, morphology, average practical size, cytotoxicity and stability against various temperatures were characterized by various techniques. The microcapsules were applied on single jersey knitted fabric and evaluate their surface characteristics of presence, binding and availability of microcapsules by scanning electron microscopy, the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of antimicrobial activity and wash durability by standard methods (SN 195920 &AATCC 100) of the microcapsule-treated fabrics.     

抗果蔬致腐真菌中草药的筛选及有效成分的分析

研究了陈皮、肉桂、丁香、五倍子、艾叶、辛夷、姜黄、川芎、虎仗和蜂胶10种中草药提取物对果蔬致腐真菌扩展青霉和黑曲霉的抑制作用。结果表明：中草药丁香提取物具有较强的抗菌活性，对扩展青霉和黑曲霉的MIC分别为25％和50％；通过GC-MS从丁香挥发油中分离分析出14种化合物，其中丁香酚的相对含量最高，达68％；抑菌试验表明，丁香挥发油MIC中丁香酚的浓度高于丁香酚的MIC。     

绿色木霉Sn-9106固态发酵中药残渣产纤维素酶研究

对绿色木霉Sn-9106固态发酵中药残渣产纤维素酶的可行性进行了研究.以滤纸酶为纤维素酶活性指标,麸皮、蛋白胨、KH2PO4添加量为影响因子,先采取单因素实验确定3种影响因子的最佳浓度,然后通过相应面法(RSM)优化产酶最佳条件.结果表明,当最大酶活力为12.3 IU/g时所需固体发酵基质中麸皮、蛋白胨及KH2PO4的浓度分别为19.80g/L、2.06g/L、2.90g/L,与优化前培养基相比,纤维素酶产量提高了近3倍.     

Accurate determination of lead in Chinese herbs using isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID-ICP-MS)

A method for the determination of Pb in Chinese herbs based on “approximate matching” isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was developed. The method was validated using NIST SRM 1547 (Peach Leaves). Satisfactory analytical figures of merit were achieved, including good sample recovery (∼99%) and low relative expanded uncertainty (less than ±2%). The validated method was applied to the analysis of a herbal sample for the international comparison CCQM-P97. Measurement uncertainty was evaluated according to three approaches, namely Kragten’s spreadsheet approach, GUM Workbench and Monte Carlo method (MCM). A practical way was established for the evaluation of measurement uncertainty based on the propagation of distributions using MCM. The validated method was also employed for the provision of SI-traceable mass fraction of Pb in an in-house herbal reference material and the assignment of a reference value to a proficiency testing programme.     

生物碱生理功能及其提取分离研究进展

生物碱是一类具有生理活性物质,是许多药用植物有效成分之一。该文综述生物碱的分类、提取、分离与鉴别方法及其应用,旨在对生物碱应用提供参考。     

中草药添加剂在乌骨鸡生产中的应用

选择1日龄乌骨鸡243只,随机分成3组,每组设3个重复,每个重复27只。将中草药添加剂I、II按1%的比例添加于日粮中饲喂乌骨鸡,研究中草药添加剂对乌骨鸡生产性能和物质代谢的影响。试验结果表明:与对照组相比,中草药添加剂I、II日增重、料重比差异不显著(P>0.05),成活率分别提高8.7%、5.4%;干物质消化率、有机物消化率和表观氮存留率(ANR),中草药添加剂I与抗生素相近,但中草药添加剂II与抗生素相比,干物质消化率、表现氮存留率分别降低3.57%、9.24%,差异极显著(P<0.01);有机物消化率降低2.68%,差异显著(P<0.05)。     

Isotope dilution-GC-MS/MS analysis of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in selected medicinal herbs used as health food additives

Medicinal herbs have a very important role in health protection and disease control, and have been used in health foods. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have carcinogenic, biological and mutagenic effects. In this paper, the content of 16?PAHs as representative contaminants in nine Chinese medicinal herbs, as additives for health foods, was investigated in order to ensure food safety from this source. A highly sensitive isotope dilution-gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (ID-GC-MS/MS) method combined with gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and solid-phase extraction (SPE) was developed. Calibration curves showed good linearity for all PAHs (R ^2?>?0.999), and the limit of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.42 to 2.7?µg?kg^?1. Average recoveries for these compounds were in the range of 52.5–117%, 52.6–119% and 81.4–108% at the concentrations of 10, 50 and 250?µg?kg^?1 with RSD of 1.8–15%, 0.9–15% and 1.0–15%, respectively. The proposed method was used for the analysis of nine Chinese medicinal herbs. Total levels of PAHs varied from 98.2?µg?kg^?1 (cassia seed) to 2245?µg?kg^?1 (eucommia bark). The highest level was found for phenanthrene (Phe) in liquorice root (631.3?µg?kg^?1), indigowoad leaf (551.0?µg?kg^?1), rose flower (435.2?µg?kg^?1) and eucommia bark (432.3?µg?kg^?1). The proposed method could provide a useful basis for safety monitoring of herbs and risk management for PAHs in the health food industry.     

Screening of mycotoxin multicontamination in medicinal and aromatic herbs sampled in Spain

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to screen the multicontamination by mycotoxins in a wide variety of aromatic and/or medicinal herb samples collected in Spain. Mycotoxins studied were aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEA), deoxynivalenol (DON), T‐2 toxin (T‐2), citrinin and fumonisins (FBs). Mycotoxins were analysed by ELISA after a clean‐up step with multifunctional columns (AFs, ZEA, DON, FBs and T‐2) or polyamide column (citrinin). RESULTS: Of the 84 samples analysed 99% were contaminated with T‐2, 98% with ZEA, 96% with AFs, 63% with OTA, 62% with DON, 61% with citrinin and 13% with FBs. Nearly 87% of samples contained four or more mycotoxins simultaneously, being AFs, T‐2 and ZEA the mycotoxins co‐existing in almost every sample. 100% of the samples in our study were multicontaminated. CONCLUSION: This study shows that this kind of commodity could be an important source of mycotoxin contamination and, in general, this contamination is not limited to only one group of mycotoxins. Mycotoxin contamination on artichoke immature florets, boldus leaves, burdock leaves, dandelion plant, frangula bark, ginkgo leaves, lemon verbena leaves, olive leaves, red tea leaves, ribgrass leaves, St Mary's thistle seeds, spearmint leaves, star anise fruit, vervain and white tea leaves has been described for the first time. Finally, this is the first report on DON and T‐2 presence in herbs. No study of this kind has been previously developed in Spain. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry