The use of a non‐equilibrated solid phase microextraction method to quantitatively determine the off‐notes in mint and other essential oils

The undesirable top notes or off‐notes found in mint, clary sage, and cedarwood oils could be quantitatively determined using a non‐equilibrated solid phase microextraction/gas chromatography/selected ion monitoring/mass spectrometry (SPME/GC/SIM‐MS) technique. Using the low threshold components, dimethyl sulfide, 2‐methylpropanal, 2‐methylbutanal, and 3‐methylbutanal, which are associated with the off‐notes of these oils, their levels could be reproducibly quantitatively determined. The highest level of off‐notes was found in a sample of Scotch spearmint oil where the levels of the four constituents were, dimethyl sulfide (238 µg g^?1), 2‐methylpropanal (286 µg g^?1), 2‐methylbutanal (1048 µg g^?1) and 3‐methylbutanal (1489 µg g^?1). These quantitative results in combination with sensory evaluations could provide for a powerful overall assessment of essential oil quality. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Characterization and prediction by near-infrared reflectance of mineral composition of rocket (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa and Eruca vesicaria subsp. vesicaria)

BACKGROUND: Minerals are essential for human nutrition and must be obtained from our diet. Crucifer vegetables are a good source of these nutrients. Our objectives were to determine the genetic variability for mineral content and to evaluate the use of near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) for prediction of ashes and minerals among and within the rocket species Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa and vesicaria. The minerals studied were iron (Fe), copper (Cu), sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn). RESULTS: The maximum mean values obtained for all the accessions (mean ± SE) were 235.5 ± 1.5 mg ashes kg^?1, 273.3 ± 4.2 mg Fe kg^?1, 18.1 ± 0.4 mg Cu kg^?1, 2.8 ± 0.1 g Na kg^?1, 71.6 ± 1.0 g K kg^?1, 64.6 ± 1.2 g Ca kg^?1, 6.8 ± 0.1 g mg kg^?1, 101.6 ± 1.2 mg Mn kg^?1, and 67.1 ± 0.4 mg Zn kg^?1 of dry weight. CONCLUSION: The statistical analysis showed significant differences for all the minerals, except Ca, for each accession studied individually and for accessions grouped within countries. The results indicate that NIRS can be used as a rapid screening method for determining total mineral, Fe, Na, K, and Zn in rocket. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Potential for increasing the amounts of bioavailable zinc in dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L) through plant breeding

A whole‐body radioassay procedure was used to assess the bioavailability to rats of zinc (Zn) in seeds of 18 genotypes of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L) that were grown hydroponically. Dry beans that were labelled intrinsically with ⁶⁵Zn were added to test meals fed to rats that were marginally Zn‐deficient. The amount of Zn in the seeds varied between genotypes and ranged from 26.7 to 62.4 µg g^?1 (from 0.41 to 0.95 µmol g^?1) dry weight (DW). Similarly, the amount of iron (Fe) in the beans varied nearly twofold (from 52.3 to 96.3 µg g^?1 DW), and Zn and Fe concentrations were positively correlated. Concentrations of myo‐inositolhexaphosphate (IP6) plus myo‐inositolpentaphosphate (IP5) varied from 18.1 to 27.3 µmol g^?1 DW. Cultivars with white‐coloured seeds contained relatively small amounts of tannins varying from 0.12 to 0.16 mg g^?1 DW (determined as catechin equivalents) compared to those with coloured seed coats (up to 2.58 mg g^?1 DW). All rats readily ate the test meals so that Zn intake varied directly with seed‐Zn concentration. As indicated by ⁶⁵Zn absorption, the bioavailability to rats of Zn in the seeds varied between genotypes and ranged from about 78 to 95% of the total Zn in the seeds. The bioavailability of Zn to marginally Zn‐deficient rats was not affected markedly by either IP5 + IP6 or tannin in the dry beans. These results demonstrate that the concentration of Zn in dry beans can be increased through traditional plant‐breeding techniques and that this may result in significant increases in the amount of bioavailable Zn in the beans. Increasing the amount of Zn in beans may contribute significantly to improving the Zn status of individuals dependent on beans as a staple food. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Survey of 13 trace elements of toxic and nutritional significance in rice from Brazil and exposure assessment

Twenty-seven rice samples from Brazil, four parboiled brown, seventeen white and six parboiled white were analysed by ICP-MS for trace element determination. Concentrations of arsenic varied from 58.8 to 216.9?ng?g^?1, for cadmium from 6.0 to 20.2?ng?g^?1, for antimony from 0.12 to 1.28?ng?g^?1, and for uranium from 0.025 to 1.28?ng?g^?1. The estimated daily intake through rice consumption was 9.5?µg for As, 2.4?µg for Cd, 0.029?µg for Sb, 0.013?µg for U, 3.1?µg for Co, 0.2?µg for Cu, 85.6?mg for Mg, 1.9?mg for Mn, 333?mg for P, 3.0?µg for Se, 1.6?mg for Zn, 0.9?mg for Rb, and 0.3?µg for V. Found values represent a considerable percentage of the dietary reference intakes and provisional tolerable daily intake for essential and toxic elements, respectively.     

Comparative study of the mineral composition of several varieties of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) from different countries cultivated in Canary Islands (Spain)

Potatoes are a basic component of human diets worldwide being an excellent source of minerals linked the maintenance of health. Contents of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), sodium (Na), cupper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) in seventy‐four fresh potato samples from different varieties consumed in Tenerife Island (Canary Islands, Spain) were determined by flame atomic absorption spetrometry (FAAS). The mean concentrations were 60.1 mg kg^?1, 222 mg kg^?1, 5047 mg kg^?1, 125 mg kg^?1, 1.69 mg kg^?1, 8 mg kg^?1, 1.70 mg kg^?1, 3.88 mg kg^?1, 62.7 μg kg^?1 and 19.9 μg kg^?1 for Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni and Cr, respectively. The varieties of local potatoes presented higher mineral contents than imported potatoes. Potassium presented the highest contents in all varieties of potatoes. Iron was the most abundant microelement. Local potatoes offer greater nutritional contributions to the recommended intakes than imported varieties. Within the macrominerals, the highest contribution to the intakes was observed for K, while Fe was the trace element with the largest contribution to the proposed intake.     

Essential elements and contaminants in tissues of commercial pelagic fish from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

BACKGROUND: It is important to determine the concentrations of essential and non‐essential metals in fish for human health. The essential elements and contaminants (Pb and Cd) were determined seasonally in the muscle and liver of some pelagic fish species round herring (Etrumeus teres), chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), golden grey mullet (Liza aurata) and Mediterranean horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus) from the Iskenderun Bay, Eastern Mediterranean Sea. RESULTS: The Na, K, Ca and Mg were the most abundant elements in muscle and liver tissues. The Na, K, Ca and Mg concentrations in fish tissues were between 51.7 and 3426 mg kg^?1. Muscle accumulated the lowest levels of elements. Trace element and contaminant levels in muscle were highest in spring and summer. The Cu, Zn and Cr concentrations were highest in summer. The Ni, Mn and Fe concentrations were highest in spring. The maximum Pb concentrations in the muscle and liver of fish species was 0.39 and 0.80 mg kg^?1 in autumn. The maximum Cd concentration in the muscle of fish was 0.27 mg kg^?1 in spring and the maximum Cd concentration in the liver was 0.78 mg kg^?1 in summer. CONCLUSION: The Cr, Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn levels in muscle were found to be lower than permissible limits reported by various authorities. Estimated weekly and daily intake for Pb and Cd by consumption of fish muscle were far below the PTWI and PTDI values established by FAO/WHO. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Concentrations of selected metals in candies and chocolates consumed in southern Nigeria

Results are presented for the determination of levels of Ca, Cd, Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, Zn Fe, Co and Mg in candies and chocolates consumed in southern Nigeria. Mean concentrations of metals in both confectionaries ranged 7.7–1405.2?µg/g¹ for Ca, <0.001–0.2?µg/g for Cd, 1.4–7.9?µg/g for Ni, 0.4–3.0?µg/g for Cr, <0.08–2.3?µg/g for Pb, 0.4–12.6?µg/g for Mn, 0.6–8.0?µg/g for Zn, 1.7–12.3?µg/g for Fe, <0.05–1.49?µg/g for Co, and 8.4–576.1µg/g for Mg. The data showed that that these metals are not present at harmful levels. Concentrations of nickel and chromium were slightly elevated but were comparable to levels reported in similar food items elsewhere in the world.     

Application of inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry for trace element characterisation of equine meats

A validated and accredited analytical method of inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry was used to determine the levels of 22 trace elements in 52 equine meat samples collected during 2015. Greater amounts of Zn, Fe, and Ca were found with mean values of over 25 µg g^?1. Levels of non-essential trace elements, that is, Pb, Cd, Hg, and As, were generally low (mean values lower than 11.3 ng g^?1). Equine gender and geographic origin of meats (Italy and Poland) were compared, with no significant differences being found, whereas equine meats could be differentiated from bovine through a multivariate approach. As regards trace element accumulation, evaluated considering slaughter age, Zn, Fe, Ca, and Cr showed greater increase. Finally, a good correlation was obtained between two pairs of trace elements, Zn/Fe (r = 0.82) and Ca/Fe (r = 0.87).     

Intake of essential and non-essential elements from consumption of octopus,cuttlefish and squid

Total concentrations of essential (Cu, Zn, Se and Cr) and non-essential (Hg, Cd, Pb and As) trace elements were measured in the flesh and hepatopancreas of Octopodidae (Eledone moschata, Eledone cirrhosa, Octopus salutii), Sepiidae (Sepia elegans, Sepia orbignyana) and Loliginidae (Illex coindeti, Loligo vulgaris) from the Mediterranean Sea. As expected, the hepatopancreas showed higher metal concentrations than flesh; the only exceptions were Hg and As, which were equally distributed in the two tissues. Regarding the edible portion, the highest toxic metal concentrations were in Octopodidae (Hg: 0.44, Cd: 0.49, Pb: 0.10 µg g^?1 wet weight) and Sepiidae (Hg: 0.27, Cd: 0.50, Pb: 0.12 µg g^?1 wet weight), while Loliginidae tended to accumulate less metal, especially Hg (Hg: 0.11, Cd: 0.30, Pb: 0.05 µg g^?1 wet weight). The other elements showed a heterogeneous distribution among the different cephalopod families. Loliginidae showed the highest Se concentrations (1.18 µg g^?1 wet weight), Octopodidae of Cu (37.37 µg g^?1 wet weight) and Zn (42.00 µg g^?1 wet weight) and Sepiidae of As (61.43 µg g^?1 wet weight), while Cr was uniformly distributed among the various families (0.38–0.43 µg g^?1 wet weight). In these seafoods, the concentrations of essential and non-essential elements were within the prescribed limits set by various authorities, except for Cu and As. Health risks posed by toxic elements to humans via dietary intake of these mollusks were assessed on the basis on Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI), while the estimated intakes of essential elements were compared to Dietary Reference Intakes (RDIs). A 70-g serving of these mollusks was shown to provide a large contribution to Cd intake (0.89 µg kg^?1 body weight), corresponding to 35.6% of PTWI. Concerning the essential elements, the consumption of these mollusks made an important contribution to daily dietary intake of Se, Cu and Zn.     

Thermal stability of myofibrillar protein from Indian major carps

The characteristics and stability of natural actomyosin (NAM) from rohu (Labeo rohita), catla (Catla catla) and mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) were investigated. The total extractable actomyosin (AM) was higher (7.60 mg ml^?1) in the case of rohu compared with that from catla and mrigal (5 mg ml^?1). Although the specific AM ATPase activity was similar (0.43–0.5 µmol P min^?1 mg P^?1) among the three species, the total ATPase activity was lower in mrigal (25 µmol g^?1 meat) compared with the other species (37 µmol g^?1 meat). The inactivation rate constants (k_d) of AM Ca ATPase activity showed differences in the stabilities of actomyosin among these fish, the actomyosin from catla being least stable. The NAM from these species was stable up to 20 °C at pH 7.0. Catla AM became unstable at 30 °C, while rohu and mrigal AM could withstand up to 45 °C. The thermal denaturation with respect to solubility, turbidity, ATPase activity, sulphhydryl group and surface hydrophobicity showed noticeable changes at around these temperatures. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Content of various elements in different parts of the tea plant and in infusions of black tea from Southern India

Contents of various elements in dyferent parts of the tea plant (shoot, mature leaf, small stem, thick wood and root), black tea manufactured by the crush-tear-curl and orthodox processes, and tea brew after 1 and 5 min of infusion were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. From these, the amount of each element assimilated in the production of 1000 kg of marketable tea, as well as the quantity of each element brought into infusion and thus possib f y taken up through drinking tea, were calculated and discussed. Among the various elements assimilated by the tea plant, the shoot jraction (economically important for manufacturing commercial tea) contained high concentrations of N, P, K and Mg while the mature leaf accumulated Al, Bu, Ca, Cd, Mn, Pb and Sr. Of the dgerent elements brought into infusion while brewing black tea, the amount of K was found to be the largest (> 10000 μg g⁻¹ tea) followed by P (700–1200 μg g⁻¹), Mg (300–700 μg g⁻¹), Ca and A1 (each 150–300 μg⁻¹), Mn (60–150 μg g⁻¹), Cu, Na, Si and Z n (each 6–50 μg g⁻¹), B, Ba, Cr, Fe, Ni and Pb (each Id μg g⁻¹), and Sr, Co and Gd (each <1μg g⁻¹). The proportion of the totalamount of an element brought into infusion showed that the elements Ba, Ca, Fe and Sr were less soluble (<10 % of total amount), Al, B, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mg, Mn, P, Pb, Si and Zn were moderately soluble (10–50 %), and K, Nu and Ni were highly soluble (>50%). The overall mean of the extent of solubility of all elements in 1 and 5 min showed that, out of the amount soluble in 5 min, about 68% was dissolved within 1 min.     

Micronutrients (B,Co, Cu,Fe, Mn,Mo, and Zn) content in made tea (Camellia sinensis L.) and tea infusion with health prospect: A critical review

Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) is a perennial acidophilic crop, and known to be a nonalcoholic stimulating beverage that is most widely consumed after water. The aim of this review paper is to provide a detailed documentation of selected micronutrient contents, viz. boron (B), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), and zinc (Zn) in made tea and tea infusion. Available data from the literature were used to calculate human health aspect associated with the consumption of tea infusion. A wide range of micronutrients reported in both made tea and tea infusion could be the major sources of micronutrients for human. The content of B, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, and Zn in made tea are ranged from 3.04 to 58.44 μg g^?1, below detectable limit (BDL) to 122.4 μg g^?1, BDL to 602 μg g^?1, 0.275 to 13,040 μg g^?1, 0.004 to 15,866 μg g^?1, 0.04 to 570.80 μg g^?1 and 0.01 to 1120 μg g^?1, respectively. Only 3.2 μg L^?1 to 7.25 mg L^?1, 0.01 μg L^?1 to 7 mg L^?1, 3.80 μg L^?1 to 6.13 mg L^?1, 135.59 μg L^?1 ?11.05 mg L^?1, 0.05 μg L^?1 to 1980.34 mg L^?1, 0.012 to 3.78 μg L^?1, and 1.12 μg L^?1 to 2.32 μg L^?1 of B, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, and Zn, respectively, are found in tea infusion which are lower than the prescribed limit of micronutrients in drinking water by World Health Organization. Furthermore, micronutrient contents in tea infusion depend on infusion procedure as well as on the instrument used for analysis. The proportion of micronutrients found in different tea types are 1.0–88.9% for B, 10–60% for Co, 2.0–97.8% for Cu, 67.8–89.9% for Fe, 71.0–87.4% for Mn, 13.3–34% for Mo, and 34.9–83% for Zn. From the results, it can also be concluded that consumption of three cups of tea infusion per day does not have any adverse effect on human health with respect to the referred micronutrients rather got beneficial effects to human.     

Trace metal concentrations in distilled alcoholic beverages and liquors in Nigeria

The concentrations of 12 metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu, Co, Fe, Mn, Zn, Ca, Mg and K) in 13 classes of alcoholic beverages were determined by atomic spectrometry after HNO₃/H₂O₂ digestion. The mean concentrations of metals (µg mL^?1) in these alcoholic beverages varied in the ranges 0.01–0.04, 0.02–0.24, 0.04–0.13, 0.01–0.28, 0.01–0.77, <0.001–0.12, 0.28–1.48, 0.004–0.33, 0.10–1.02, 1.43–162.86, 0.26–25.46 and 0.49–322.58 for Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu, Co, Fe, Mn, Zn, Ca, Mg and K respectively. The concentrations of metals found in these particular alcoholic beverages were below the International Statutory Limits for metals in alcoholic beverages. The estimated daily intake of the metals based on a per capita consumption of 3.6 L per annum pure alcohol was <3% of the tolerable daily intake of each metal. The individual and combined target hazard quotients of the metals were <1, indicating no long‐term health concerns from the consumption of these alcoholic beverages based on their metal content alone. Copyright © 2014 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Polyphenol oxidase activity of two olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars as an early criterion of Mn toxicity

BACKGROUND: The time course of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity in the leaves of two olive cultivars (Picual and FS‐17) irrigated with nutrient solutions differing in Mn concentration (0, 2 and 1280 µmol L^?1) was studied under hydroponic conditions to determine whether PPO activity could be used as an early criterion of Mn status of olive plants, and to elucidate whether genotypic differences exist between the two olive cultivars studied, concerning the effect of Mn concentration on PPO activity. RESULTS: In all the Mn treatments, PPO activity was greater in Picual than in FS‐17. Under excess Mn (1280 µmol L^?1), PPO activity gradually increased with time, starting from day 30 of the experiment in both cultivars, and this increase preceded the appearance of Mn toxicity symptoms. In contrast, in the other two Mn treatments (0 and 2 µmol L^?1) PPO activity increased and afterwards decreased during the experiment, but the trend was not clear. In the 1280 µmol L^?1 treatment, PPO activity linearly increased (R = 0.8836 for Picual and 0.943 for FS‐17) with the increase of Mn concentration in the leaves of both cultivars. In the 1280 µmol L^?1 Mn treatment, PPO activity was negatively related with Fe and Zn concentrations in the leaves, and positively in the 0 and 2 µmol L^?1 Mn treatments with the Ca, Mg and K concentrations. CONCLUSION: From the differential time course of PPO activity in the three Mn treatments (0, 2 and 1280 µmol L^?1), it is concluded that periodic measurements of PPO activity in the leaves of the olive cultivars Picual and FS‐17 can be used for the early detection of Mn toxicity (before the appearance of symptoms). Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Trace elements in edible tissues of three shrimp species (Penaeus semisulcatus,Parapenaeus longirostris and Paleomon serratus)

Accumulation levels of trace elements in edible tissues of three shrimp species (Penaeus semisulcatus, Parapenaeus longirostris and Paleomon serratus) from the Gulf of Antalya, Turkey were investigated. Copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The lowest Cu (1.33 mg kg^?1) and Cd (0.23 mg kg^?1) and highest Mn (1.52 mg kg^?1) concentrations were found in P. longirostris, the lowest Zn (6.25 mg kg^?1), Fe (1.84 mg kg^?1) and Mn (0.25 mg kg^?1) concentrations in P. serratus and the highest Cu (6.19 mg kg^?1), Cd (2.36 mg kg^?1), Zn (30.84 mg kg^?1) and Fe (33.89 mg kg^?1) concentrations in P. semisulcatus. The Cd levels detected in P. semisulcatus and P. serratus were above legislative limits. Our results show that there were significant differences in trace element concentrations among the three shrimp species. The highest levels of the five trace elements investigated, with the exception of Mn, were found in edible tissue of P. semisulcatus. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evaluation and validation of two microbiological tests for screening antibiotic residues in honey according to the European guideline for the validation of screening methods

Two microbiological kits based on Bacillus stearothermophilus (Eclipse 50® and Premi®Test) have been evaluated and validated according to the European guideline for the validation of screening methods (January 2010) and in relation to the concentrations recommended by the EU-RL in 2007. Both tests are robust, a fast method and easy to implement. Both tests are applicable to a very large variety of honeys from different floral and geographical origins (rosemary, lavender, scrub, heath, alder, forest, lemon, acacia, chestnut, raspberry, mountain and flowers) as well as honey of different colours (from blank honey to brown honey, including yellow and orange honey). A satisfactory false-positive rate of 5% was obtained for the Eclipse 50® test. The observed detection capabilities CCβ of the Eclipse 50® kit were: chlortetracycline (>75?µg?kg^?1), oxytetracycline (≤200?µg?kg^?1), tetracycline (>100?µg?kg^?1), cloxacillin (≤40?µg?kg^?1), tylosin (≤200?µg?kg^?1), desmycosin (>400?µg?kg^?1), sulfadiazine (≤300?µg?kg^?1), sulfadimethoxine (≤250?µg?kg^?1), sulfamerazine (>300?µg?kg^?1), sulfamethazine (>1000?µg?kg^?1), sulfamethizole (>75?µg?kg^?1), sulfamethoxazole (≤25?µg?kg^?1), sulfanilamide (?1000?µg?kg^?1), sulfaquinoxaline (>75?µg?kg^?1), sulfathiazole (≤250?µg?kg^?1) and lincomycin (>1500?µg?kg^?1). These levels were all higher than the recommended concentrations where they exist. Due to its lack of sensitivity, it cannot be recommended for reliable routine use. The observed CCβ of the Premi®Test kit were: chlortetracycline (10?µg?kg^?1), oxytetracycline (>10?µg?kg^?1), tetracycline (≤10?µg?kg^?1), cloxacillin (≤5?µg?kg^?1), tylosin (≤10?µg?kg^?1), desmycosin (≤15?µg?kg^?1), sulfadiazine (≤25?µg?kg^?1), sulfadimethoxine (≤25?µg?kg^?1), sulfamerazine (≤25?µg?kg^?1), sulfamethazine (≤25?µg?kg^?1), sulfamethizole (≤25?µg?kg^?1), sulfamethoxazole (≤10?µg?kg^?1), sulfanilamide (≤25?µg?kg^?1), sulfaquinoxaline (≤10?µg?kg^?1), sulfathiazole (25?µg?kg^?1) and lincomycin (≤25?µg?kg^?1). The Premi®Test kit could be recommended for reliable use in routine control due to its low detection capabilities (except for aminoglycosides), but the disadvantage is a high false-positive rate of 14%.     

Bioactivities of essential oil and extract of Thymus argaeus,Turkish endemic wild thyme

BACKGROUND: Thymus argaeus Boiss. & Bal. (Lamiaceae), an endemic plant species of Turkey known as wild thyme, is traditionally used as a spice and a wild tea in the Inner Anatolia region of Turkey. In this study the composition of the essential oil and the antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of the methanolic extract and essential oil of T. argaeus were determined. RESULTS: The main components of the essential oil were linalool (499 g kg^?1), α‐terpineol (150 g kg^?1), linalyl acetate (97 g kg^?1) and thymol (94 g kg^?1). The total phenolic, flavanol and flavonol contents of the extract were 83.31 ± 0.59 mg gallic acid equivalent g^?1, 6.26 ± 0.00 mg catechin equivalent g^?1 and 28.81 ± 0.21 mg rutin equivalent g^?1 respectively. The antioxidant activities of the extract and essential oil determined by the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical‐scavenging method were 830.18 ± 0.42 and 20.47 ± 2.3 mg g^?1 respectively. The antimicrobial activities of the extract and essential oil against 13 bacteria and two yeasts were studied by the agar diffusion method. The micro‐organisms most sensitive to the essential oil were Aeromonas hydrophila and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while the micro‐organism most sensitive to the extract was P. aeruginosa. CONCLUSION: Only the extract of T. argaeus could be used as a natural antioxidant, while both the extract and the essential oil could be useful as natural antimicrobial agents in food preservation. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Quantitative analysis of the isoflavone content and biological growth of soybean (Glycine max L.) at elevated temperature,CO2 level and N application

Effects of ambient and elevated CO₂ levels (360 and 650 µmol mol^?1 respectively), ambient and high (5 °C above ambient) temperatures and their interactions with N application on soybean (Glycine max L.) were studied in 2001. Overall, total isoflavones in whole soybean seeds were highest (1383.0 µg g^?1) in the elevated CO₂ (AE) treatment without N application and lowest (414.1 µg g^?1) in the elevated temperature (EA) treatment with N application. Malonylgenistin (449.2 µg g^?1) and malonyldaidzin (435.9 µg g^?1) concentrations in the AE treatment without N application were highest among the 12 individual isoflavones, while aglycon and acetyl conjugates showed lower concentrations (below 10 µg g^?1) than glucoside and malonyl conjugates in all treatments. Overall, N application had no effect on total isoflavone concentration, while both temperature and CO₂ level had a higher effect on increasing isoflavones, including aglycon and acetyl conjugates (P = 0.001). In the biological growth analysis, total dry weight was highest (100.9 g) in the elevated temperature and CO₂ (EE) treatment with N application, while leaf area was more affected by CO₂ than by temperature and increased with N application. There were larger numbers of pods (99) and seeds (176) per plant in the EE treatment with N application, and generally the AE treatment showed a greater increase in 100‐seed weight (g per 100 seeds) and in pods and seeds per plant than other treatments. Overall, total dry weight was highly affected (P = 0.001) by three main factors, temperature, CO₂ and N application, but the interactions temperature × N and temperature × CO₂× N did not affect total dry weight. Also, total dry weight tended to increase with increasing numbers of pods (r² = 0.93***) and seeds (r² = 0.93***) and larger leaf area (r² = 0.85***). In addition, numbers of pods and seeds were significantly affected (P = 0.01–0.001) by temperature, CO₂ and temperature × CO₂. Generally, elevated CO₂ and temperature did not affect N, P and K concentrations in the seeds but did decrease the concentrations of Ca and Mg, which were increased in the AE treatment. Among the nutrients, Ca and Mg were highly correlated with temperature and CO₂ level. N concentration in the seeds increased with applied N and in particular showed a high increase with elevated temperature and ambient CO₂ (EA treatment). The variation in isoflavones was correlated with temperature (r² = ?0.70**) and CO₂ (r² = 0.67**), while N application was not correlated with isoflavone concentration. Also, Ca (r² = ?0.85***) and Mg (r² = ?0.57*) in the seeds were correlated with variation in isoflavones. This indicated that isoflavones were in higher concentrations under conditions of low temperature and increasing CO₂, which also resulted in low Ca and Mg concentrations in the seeds. The results of this study suggest that the long‐term adaptation of the soybean to growth at elevated CO₂ level and high temperature might potentially increase its isoflavone content, growth and yield. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Survey of levels of cadmium in oysters,mussels, clams and scallops from the Pacific Northwest coast of Canada

Field and retail collections of bivalves from the Pacific Northwest, Canada, were analysed for cadmium concentrations by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Both collections of varnish (Nuttallia obscurata) and manila (Venerupis philippinarum) clams contained cadmium concentrations of less than 0.5 µg g^?1, well below international safety guidelines of 1 and 2 µg g^?1 wet weight cadmium for the European and Hong Kong markets, respectively, as well as the 2 µg g^?1 safety guideline set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). Cadmium concentrations in retail collections of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, were generally above 2 µg g^?1 wet weight (range = 1.5–3.56 µg g^?1). Retail collections of the mussel, Mytilus spp., contained cadmium concentrations below the 2 µg g^?1 wet weight guideline, but not always the 1 µg g^?1 limit (range = 0.15?1.8 µg g^?1). However, field collections of Mytilus spp. contained cadmium concentrations between 0.35 and 4.00 µg g^?1 wet weight, and depending on sampling location, concentrations exceeded the CAC guidelines by more than two-fold. Locations where mussels had high cadmium concentrations correlated with regions that had previously reported high values for cadmium in Pacific oysters (r = 0.65; p < 0.05). Of the various shellfish analysed, the four species of scallops, Chlamys hastata, C. rubida, Crassadoma gigantea, and Patinopecten yessoensis, contained the greatest concentrations of cadmium, in excess of 5 µg g^?1 wet weight (range = 4.97–8.98 µg g^?1) with the greatest concentrations determined for C. gigantea. Cadmium concentrations in shellfish from the Pacific Northwest are greater than values reported for shellfish from other regions of the world and consumers need be aware of Health Canada consumption guidelines for shellfish from this region.     

Content and in vitro availability of Fe,Zn, Mg,Ca and P in homogenized fish-based weaning foods after bone addition

The aim of the present study was to compare the Fe, Zn, Mg, Ca and P contents and their in vitro availability in five fish-based infant weaning foods, as a function of the fish bone added with the muscle. The weaning foods studied were: sole without bone (S); hake without bone (H); sole with bone and hake without bone (SBH); sole with bone (SB); and hake with bone (HB). Low levels of Fe and Zn and low percentages of these dialysed minerals were found in all the weaning foods assayed. The incorporation of bone increased the Ca and P contents, particularly in HB weaning food (92.8 ± 0.44 mg 100 g⁻¹ for Ca and 274 ± 1.93 mg 100 g⁻¹ for P). The amounts of Ca and P dialysed were also higher in the weaning foods with bone.