Biological importance of γ-glutamyl-S-methylcysteine of kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The effects of S-methyl-L-cysteine (SMC) on growth and food intake by rats were investigated and in vivo absorption studies of gamma-glutamyl-S-methyl-L-cysteine and free SMC were performed. The results showed that the peptide is slowly absorbed and only free SMC could be detected in the blood. The diets (10% casein), containing SMC, depressed food intake and animals’ growth. Both effects were proportional to the SMC contents in the diets. The results obtained with pair-fed groups led to the conclusion that the depression in growth was caused by the refusal of the SMC diets. The addition of cystine to the SMC diet only partially restored normal growth. Histological examination of livers, kidneys and spleens of rats fed with SMC showed no tissue alterations, except for a significant increase in the kidney weights. The hematological features did not show any significant differences, but there was a slight increase in erythroid precursors and young forms in the bone marrow, which might indicate an increased erythrocyte turnover. These results suggest that the reduction in food intake could be associated with some defence mechanism against toxic substances.     

Bending performance of 3-layer beech (Fagus sylvativa L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) VTC composites bonded with phenol–formaldehyde adhesive and liquefied wood

Low quality beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) were densified with viscoelastic thermal compression (VTC) process to two different degrees of densification, and lamellas were used to manufacture different types of 3-layer VTC composites. Bending properties of 3-layer VTC composites bonded with phenol formaldehyde (PF) adhesive and liquefied wood (LW) were determined and compared to 3-layer composites produced with undensified beech or spruce wood lamellas. Morphology of VTC spruce wood of higher density was analysed with fluorescent microscopic technique. All composites produced with densified beech lamellas and bonded with PF adhesive had significantly higher values of modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) than composites produced with undensified lamellas. Densified spruce lamellas contributed to better bending performance of 3-layer VTC composites bonded with PF adhesive to some extent. Furthermore, composites bonded with LW had significantly lower MOR and MOE values compared to composites bonded with PF adhesive. Study of VTC spruce wood microstructure showed that densification caused non-uniform deformation of cell wall structure, in which cell wall fractures were observed.     

Effect of γ-irradiation on the antioxidant activity of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) extracts

Effect of γ-irradiation (10KGy) on the antioxidant property of turmeric extracts was investigated. γ-irradiated as well as non-irradiated turmeric samples were subjected to successive solvent extraction using hexane, benzene, and 80% aq. methanol. Benzene extract, containing mainly curcuminoids were subjected to column fractionation in order to isolate the individual curcuminoids. The curcuminoid analogues as well as the above fractions were then tested for their antioxidant activity by measuring thiobarbituric acid value (TBAV) and peroxide value (PV) based on the air oxidation of linoleic acid. γ-irradiation at a dose of 10KGy did not affect the antioxidant activity of turmeric extracts studied.     

Effects of γ-irradiation on the biological activity of burdock (Arctium lappa L.) extracts

Burdock (Arctium lappa L.) extracts were prepared with different extraction methods, ethanol (70%, RT) and hot water (85°C for 3 hr, HT), and their biological activities were investigated after γ-irradiation (10 and 20 kGy). Color of the burdock extracts became brighter after application of irradiation regardless of the extraction system. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of the burdock extracts with RT and HT were 54.56 and 59.21% at 500 ppm, respectively, and the lipid oxidation of oil emulsion was delayed by addition of the extracts. The HT29 cancer cell viability was inhibited by burdock extracts with RT up to 52.45 at a 250 ppm level. The anti-mutagenicitiy against 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole and 2-nitrofluorene were also found. Results indicate that burdock extract possesses biological activities and RT showed an increasing trend in antixodiative activity and inhibition of cancer cell viability. Brighter color of the burdock extract after irradiation may improve industrial applicability.     

The wettability and bonding performance of densified VTC beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) bonded with phenol–formaldehyde adhesive and liquefied wood

The influence of viscoelastic thermal compression (VTC) on surface wettability and bonding performance of wood was evaluated. Low quality beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) were densified with the VTC process to different degrees of densification. Control and densified strips were bonded with phenol–formaldehyde (PF) adhesive and liquefied wood (LW). Shear strength of bonded assemblies was determined after 1 week of conditioning at 20 °C and relative humidity of 65 %. Wettability was determined on the basis of the contact angle of water, PF adhesive, and LW using the Wilhelmy method. Results showed that densification of beech and spruce wood did not significantly affect the shear strength of specimens bonded with PF adhesive. In beech assemblies bonded with LW shear strength decreased significantly with increased density, whereas in bonded spruce specimens decrease of shear strength was not significant. It was found that degree of densification and bonding process used in the study were not appropriately chosen for spruce wood specimens, since major deformations after the bonding process occurred. Wettability changed significantly after densification. Contact angle of water and LW increased after densification, whereas contact angle of PF showed inverse trend and decreased after VTC process. Furthermore, the degree of densification had a minor effect on the wettability.     

HPLC–MS analyses and bioactivities of novel chemicals in Devil’s club (Oplopanax horridus (Sm.) Miq.)

Devil’s club (Oplopanax horridus (Sm.) Miq.) has traditionally been used as a folk medicine by native North Americans for the treatment of various chronic diseases. A methanolic extract and its sub-fractions by liquid–liquid re-extraction, i.e., chloroform (CHCl₃), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol (BuOH), and water fractions, were analysed by their anti-cancer activity with in vitro cell proliferative bioassays, and their antioxidant capacities in terms of the determination of total phenolic content (TPC), ORAC value, and DPPH free radical scavenging activity. The whole extract of the dried root contained high TPC and possessed strong ORAC and DPPH radical scavenging activities. In addition, the extract exhibited a strong anti-proliferative ability against HT-29 cancer cells, e.g., with an inhibitive rate of 56.5% with a 0.2-mg/mL extract. Further investigation by HPLC–UV–MS identified significant bioactive phenolic compounds in the chloroform fraction, including gallic acid, caffeic acid, 4-O-feruloylquinic acid, 5-O-feruloylquinic acid, ferulic acid, methyl feruloylquinate, methyl ferulate, and quercetin. These results suggested that the associated bioactivity of the plant might result from the contribution of phenolic compounds.     

Effect of γ-irradiation on antioxidant activity of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

Antioxidant activity and EPR investigations of irradiated ground black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) were evaluated. The black pepper was exposed to γ-irradiation at doses from 5 to 30 kGy. The effect of irradiation on antioxidant properties of black pepper extracts was investigated by radical-scavenging effect on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, by determination of reducing power and content of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. Some significant changes were observed in creation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). Difference between non-irradiated and irradiated samples at the legal European limit dose of 10 kGy reached, on average, 23% and, at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 30 kGy limit, 33%. Irradiation affected significantly the DPPH radical-scavenging activity and reducing power of ground black pepper extracts. The γ-radiation treatment of ground black pepper samples observed by EPR, resulted in the production of three paramagnetic species (GI–GIII) characterized by different origin, thermal behaviour and stability. The axially symmetric EPR resonances, GI and GII, were assigned to the carbohydrate radical structures. The spin Hamiltonian parameters of GIII possessed the characteristic features of “cellulosic” radical species. The EPR measurements, performed 20 weeks after the radiation process, confirmed that temperature increase from 298 to 353 K, caused significant decrease of integral EPR signal intensity for γ-irradiated samples (∼40%), compared to the reference (non-irradiated) ground black pepper, where only 13% drop was found. Significant correlation between EPR and thiobarbituric acid methods was assessed by study of antioxidant activity changes in relation to irradiation doses and also in the case of spice storage, between EPR and reducing power methods.     

The effectiveness of low temperature (5 °C) on Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Sitophilus zeamais (Motch.) and Sitophilus granarius (L.) in wheat grain: The impact of pre-acclimation

Laboratory trials were conducted in wheat grain to assess the effectiveness of low temperature (5 °C), applied at intervals of 5, 7, 9, 11, 20, 25, 30 and 35 days (d), as a control measure for stored product insect pests of the genus Sitophilus, and compared the results with the impacts of 7 d pre-acclimation at 15 °C and non-acclimation. Mortality was determined after 1, 2 and 7 d of recovery in the laboratory at 25 ± 1 °C and 60 ± 5% r. h., while progeny were assessed 7 weeks later. Acclimation had the strongest impact on S. oryzae after 5 d exposure to 5 °C and 7 d recovery, while the same effect on S. zeamais was shown after 20 and 25 d of exposure and 1 d recovery, and the same impact on S. granarius occurred after 30 and 20 d of exposure and 1 and 7 d recovery, respectively. Low temperature was found to be the most effective against S. oryzae, and the least effective against S. granarius. Mortality was high (≥96%) in both S. oryzae test groups after 11 d of exposure and 7 d recovery, S. zeamais mortality was high (>97%) after 35 and 30 d of exposure and 2 and 7 d of recovery, respectively, and S. granarius mortality was ≤87% in all test variants. Total reduction (100%) of non-acclimated S. oryzae, S. zeamais and S. granarius progeny required 8, 25 and 30 d of exposure to 5 °C, respectively, while acclimated weevils required 11, 30 and 30 d, respectively.     

葡萄粉虱(ALeurolobus sp.)

一、发生为害情况:葡萄粉虱属同翅目、粉虱科。该虫是葡萄园中的一种突发性害虫,常局部成灾。在我省济南、平度、泰安都曾引起过大发生,近几年在济南已不多见。此虫主要以若虫刺吸葡萄果实和叶片的汁液,并分泌白色粘性蜡质物,易诱致霉菌造成污染。另外在叶片上为害大多在叶的背面,被害处形成一个以若虫为中心的大黄斑,后期黄斑变红,斑块连片,也能造成早期落叶、削弱树势。     

Die Xylemleitquerschnitte von Fichten (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) unterschiedlicher Vitalitätsgrade and Altersklassen

In mountaineous regions of Germany Norway Spruce (Picea abies Karst.) the most common and the most important tree species is severely affected by forest decline. At Göttingen University an integrated research project is conducted to analyse qualitative and quantitative relations between site quality, pollution (immision) and physiology and vitality of the affected trees. Within that context it is of particular interest to know if the conductive structure of the tree’s xylem can become a limitation for transport of water between the roots (as uptaking parts) and the crown/needles (as evaporating parts) of the hydraulic system. A total of 108 trees out of 5 young stands (appr. 40 yrs.) and 2 old stands (appr. 120 yrs.) situated in the Harz mountains and nearby have been intensively analysed. Two of the stands are severely affected by forest decline, and showed heavy needle-loss in the crowns, the other trees were obviously in normal, vital conditions. On cross cuts of 4 different levels (heights) of the trees, the following variables had been measured Absolute sapwood-area, density (ovendry), relative moisture content, water content of the xylem and cross-sectional area of conductive tissue in the sapwood. The results show clearly, that

• - the sapwood-area in the affected trees is lower than in the vital trees. The relative sapwood area increased from the bottom to the top of all trees, independent from their vitality.
• - the density raised from the pit to the bark of the stem, subvital trees showed higher densities.
• - the moisture content of the sapwood of the vital trees was higher than that of the subvital trees.
• - there is a clear distinction in moisture content between heartwood, inner sapwood and outer sapwood. This supports the hypothesis, that the latter is primarily responsible for the water conduction.
• - there was an inverse correlation between the area of the lumina of tracheids (“pores”) and the density, the subvital trees showed a lower area of pores compared with the vital trees.
• - the sapwood area showed high correlation with the ovendry weight of the total needles of the tree, this correlation can be even improved if the proportion of pores within the sapwood area and its water content are calculated as additional variables.

     

Modeling of drying and ameliorative effects of relative humidity (RH) against β-carotene degradation and color of carrot (Daucus carota var.) slices

Food Science and Biotechnology - Drying and β-carotenes retention kinetics were predicted using models in relative humidity (RH) drying condition. This was achieved by drying carrot slices...     

Effect of enzyme treatment with β-glucosidase on antioxidant capacity of mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf extract

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of enzyme treatment with β-glucosidase on antioxidant capacity of the mulberry leaf extract (MLE) using oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and cellular antioxidant capacity (CAC) assay. The MLE was prepared by autoclaving at 121°C for 15 min and treated with β-glucosidase for 9 hr. High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that only qercetin-3-β-d-glucose (QT-G) among quercetin (QT) glycosides of MLE, including QT-G, quercetin-3-O-glucose-6″-acetate (QT-GA), and rutin (RT), was converted into QT by 3 hr treatment with β-glucosidase. The in vitro peroxyl radical- and hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity significantly increased after the enzyme treatment using β-glucosidase for 6 and 9 hr, respectively. The metal chelating activity increased after the enzyme treatment using β-glucosidase for 3 hr. The intracellular antioxidant capacity of MLE to protect AAPH- and Cu²⁺-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells significantly increased after the enzyme treatment using β-glucosidase for 3 and 6 hr, respectively, indicating that QT may be released from QT-G by β-glucosidase and penetrate into cell membrane so that it can contribute to the intracellular antioxidant capacity of MLE.     

Characteristics of Introduction of Fatty Acids into Gajutsu (Curcuma zedoaria Roscoe) and Teppǒ-yuri (Lilium longiflorum Thunb.) Starches

Starch granules, normally, contain naturally occurring lipids which are firmly embraced in starch granules and hardly extractable with Et₂O. In this paper, the characteristics of introduction of free fatty acids (FFAs) into Gajutsu (Curcuma zedoaria), Teppǒ-yuri (Lilium longiflorum) and potato starches, being very low in the above “embraced lipids” contents (9.2-25.6 mg%), were investigated. It was found that the saturated FFAs were more abundantly introduced into them (41.2-174.7 mg%) than the unsaturated ones (15.9-46.5 mg%), and the respective starches differed from one another in capacity of introducing each FFA. There was also found some characteristic changes in pasting feature after introduction of FFAs depending upon the respective starches. Furthermore, their Nägeli-amylodextrins were prepared as a model of their crystalline protion and were subjected to introduction of FFAs. On these results, a possible distributing diagram of the introduced FFAs in a granule of the respective starch was proposed.     

古粟(Setaria italica Beauv.)研究综述

粟于中国北方俗称"谷子",脱壳后称"小米",南方则通称"小米",在古代粮食作物中的地位举足轻重.近世学者对粟的史前考古发现、起源与传播、稷的粟黍之争、生产与文化等方面行了研究,并且已经取得了很多成果,但在某些方面的探索还非常不够,如史前人类生活中粟作的地位与演变;古粟的栽培、储藏、加工与利用技术;历史上粟的生产布局、价格与产量的变动;粟与古代经济、政治、文化的关系等.今后应加强在这些方面的投入,不断拓展粟研究的深度和广度.     

Effect of γ-irradiation on the physicochemical and sensory properties of cashew nuts (Anacardium occidentale L.)

The present study evaluated cashew nuts' quality as a function of γ-irradiation dose in order to determine dose levels causing minimal undesirable changes to the product. Physicochemical (colour, peroxide value, hexanal content, fatty acid composition, volatile compounds) and sensory (colour, texture, odor, taste) properties of cashew nuts were determined after irradiation at doses up to 7 kGy. Results showed a five-fold increase in peroxide value (PV) and a two-fold increase in hexanal content after irradiation at a dose of 7 kGy. Of the fatty acids determined, stearic acid concentration increased while oleic acid decreased with irradiation dose. PUFA were unaffected by irradiation. Volatile compounds such as aldehydes, ketones and alcohols increased after irradiation indicating enhanced lipid oxidation. Colour parameter a∗ increased (p < 0.05) at doses >3 kGy while colour parameters L∗ and b∗ remained unaffected by irradiation. Sensory analysis showed that cashew nuts remained organoleptically acceptable at doses <3 kGy.     

Quantity and chemical composition of essential oil of peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.) leaves under different drying methods

This work was aimed at quantitative and qualitative analyses of the essential oil of peppermint leaves under different drying methods. Thin layer drying experiments of the leaves were performed in shade, hot air dryer (at temperatures of 50°C, 60°C, and 70°C), and microwave oven (at power levels of 200, 400, and 800 W). Essential oils of the fresh and dried samples were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The highest (22.24 g/kg _{dry matter}) and the lowest (1.33 g/kg _{dry matter}) oil yields were obtained from the hot air-dried leaves at temperature of 50°C and microwave-dried leaves at power of 800 W, respectively. In general, increasing drying temperature decreased the essential oil content. The GC/MS analysis of essential oils showed that the chemical compounds belonged mostly to oxygenated monoterpenes class (72.34–86.41%). The chemical compounds group was significantly (p < 0.01) decreased by microwave drying at power levels of 200 and 400 W. The assessed drying methods caused significant (p < 0.05 and/or p < 0.01) variations in the main constituents of the peppermint leaves essential oil including menthol, menthone, menthofuran, 1,8-cineole, and menthyl acetate. The minimum (35.01%) and maximum (47.50%) concentrations of menthol, as the major compound of the oil, were found in hot air-dried leaves at temperature of 50°C and microwave-dried leaves at power of 400 W, respectively. The percentage of menthone, as the second constituent in the essential oil, was significantly lost (p < 0.01) under microwave drying.     

A review of the bioactivity and flavor properties of the exotic spice “andaliman” (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC.)

Andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC.) is a plant endemic to North Sumatera, Indonesia. It has been used as food ingredient because of its unique properties of its pericarp, such as its citrus-like aroma, warm peppery flavor, and its ability to induce a tingling sensation. However, the pericarp is easily degraded by environmental and processing conditions. Therefore, preservation techniques, such as encapsulation and drying, have been proposed to protect the flavor. Moreover, andaliman also has some potential biological activities related to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, this plant may have many health benefits and uses. This review discusses the flavor profiles and bioactive compounds of andaliman, in addition to its applications in the food industry as a flavoring ingredient.     

Feuchtigkeitsabhängigkeit des Elastizitätsmoduls thermisch modifizierter und nativer Fichte (Picea abies (L.) Karst.)

The modulus of elasticity of weakly thermally modified as well as native twin samples of spruce was determined at different air humidity levels. Within the range of 0 and 93% of relative humidity a higher modulus of elasticity could be proven for thermally modified samples than for native comparison samples. The functional interrelation between modulus of elasticity and wood moisture admitted for native woods could be confirmed for modified twin samples.