Heavy metal levels in two fish species Leuciscus cephalus and Lepomis gibbosus

The concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) were measured in muscle, gill and liver of two fish species (Leuciscus cephalus and Lepomis gibbosus) caught from Saricay, South-West Anatolia. Levels of metals varied depending on different tissues in species. The mean concentrations (μg g⁻¹ wet weight) of heavy metals in tissues of Leucis cephalus were as follows: Cd: 0.010–0.084, Co: nd–0.131, Cu: 0.193–2.611, Fe: 4.240–172.000, Mn: 0.112–24.230, Pb: 0.068–0.874, Zn: 6.350–28.550, and in tissues of Lepomis gibbosus were as follows; Cd: 0.008–0.082, Co: nd–0.233, Cu: 0.065–4.360, Fe: 11.200–125.000, Mn: nd–12.434, Pb: 0.070–0.920, Zn: 6.540–16.064. Ni was not determined in all organs studied.     

Chemical composition,antimicrobial potential against cariogenic bacteria and cytotoxic activity of Tunisian Nigella sativa essential oil and thymoquinone

We investigate in this work the chemical composition by GC–EIMS, the antibacterial and the cytotoxic activities of Tunisian Nigella sativa essential oil and its bioactive compound, thymoquinone, were tested against various clinical cariogenic bacteria (n = 30). Eighty-four compounds were identified in the essential oil. The major one was p-cymene (49.48%) whereas thymoquinone represented only 0.79%. The essential oil (2.43 mg/disc) containing only 3.35 μg of thymoquinone showed pronounced dose dependant antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus constellatus and Gemella haemolysans (15.5 ± 0.707 mm). However, pure thymoquinone compound (150 μg/disk) was active against all the studied strains especially S. mutans and S. mitis (24.5 ± 0.71 and 22 ± 1.41 mm inhibition zones, respectively).     

Metal concentration of wild edible mushrooms in Soguksu National Park in Turkey

Twelve varieties of fruiting bodies of wild edible mushrooms collected in 2002 from Soguksu National Park, Ankara, Turkey were analysed for Pb, Cd, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Co contents by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Dried samples were dissolved by microwave digestion. The contents of trace metals in the mushroom samples were found in the ranges: 0.7–4.2, 0.31–54.2, 29–146, 138–1714, 10–77, 6–187, not detected–21.6, 0.7–4.2 and not detected–5.2 mg kg⁻¹ for Pb, Cd, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr, Ni and Co, respectively. The levels of Pb and Cd analysed in all edible mushroom samples except Agaricus arvensis and Ramaria obtusissima for Cd were found to be lower than the legal limits.     

Chemical characterisation and speciation of organic selenium in cultivated selenium-enriched Agaricus bisporus

The selenium concentration in Agaricus bisporus cultivated in growth compost irrigated with sodium selenite solution increased by 28- and 43-fold compared to the control mushroom irrigated solely with water. Selenium contents of mushroom proteins increased from 13.8 to 60.1 and 14.1 to 137 μg Se/g in caps and stalks from control and selenised mushrooms, respectively. Selenocystine (SeCys; detected as [SeCys]₂ dimer), selenomethionine (SeMet), and methyl-selenocysteine (MeSeCys) were separated, identified and quantified by liquid chromatography–electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry from water solubilised and acetone precipitated proteins, and significant increases were observed for the selenised mushrooms. The maximum selenoamino acids concentration in caps and stalks of control/selenised mushrooms was 4.16/9.65 μg/g dried weight (DW) for SeCys, 0.08/0.58 μg/g DW for SeMet, and 0.031/0.10 μg/g DW for MeSeCys, respectively. The most notable result was the much higher levels of SeCys accumulated by A. bisporus compared to SeMet and MeSeCys, for both control and selenised A. bisporus.     

Metal content determination in four fish species from the Adriatic Sea

Concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) in muscle tissues of four fish species: anchovy (Engraulis encrasicholus), mackerel (Scomber japonicus), red mullet (Mullus surmuletus) and picarel (Spicara smaris) from the Croatian waters of the Adriatic Sea during 2008 and 2009. Metal levels measured in anchovy were in the following ranges (mg kg⁻¹): As 0.01–54.8, Cd 0.001–0.02, Cu 0.001–6.29, Hg 0.001–0.52 and Pb 0.001–0.34 mg kg⁻¹. Metal ranges in red mullet were (mg kg⁻¹): As 0.01–70.9, Cd 0.002–0.85, Cu 0.001–57.3, Hg 0.001–2.07 and Pb 0.001–0.27 mg kg⁻¹. Metal level ranges measured in mackerel were (mg kg⁻¹): As 0.01–36.4, Cd 0.001–0.1, Cu 0.001–15.9, Hg 0.001–0.78 and Pb 0.002–0.24 mg kg⁻¹. In picarel, metal level ranges were (mg kg⁻¹): As 0.01–54.6, Cd 0.001–0.1, Cu 0.08–32.9, Hg 0.001–0.207 and Pb 0.001–0.46 mg kg⁻¹. Significant differences in metal concentrations were found among fish species. The results presented on metal contents in the examined species give an indication of the environmental conditions. Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb obtained were far below the established values by the European Community regulations. However, arsenic levels found in red mullet were higher than the recommended legal limits for human consumption and as such may present a human health issue.     

Fast,clean, low-cost screening of cadmium and lead in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lmk. by visible spectroscopy and partial least squares regression

The potential of visible (VIS) spectroscopy for screening cadmium and lead contents in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lmk. was assessed. The spectra of the samples were recorded (400–700 nm). The Cd and Pb contents were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy, and were regressed against different spectral transformations by modified partial least square (PLSm) regression. Coefficients of determination in the cross-validation (Cd = 0.95; Pb = 0.77) were indicative of equations with excellent and good quantitative information, respectively. The standard deviation to standard error of cross-validation ratio (Cd = 4.43; Pb = 2.10) showed sufficient predictive accuracy for the equations to be used for screening purposes. PLSm loading plots corresponding to the first terms of the equations showed that chromophores influenced them significantly. This pioneering use of the VIS spectrum to predict Cd and Pb in mussels represents an important saving in time and cost of analysis in comparison to other methods.     

Element concentrations in shell of Pinctada margaritifera from French Polynesia and evaluation for using as a food supplement

Element concentrations in shell of Pinctada margaritifera (black-lip pearl oyster) from Manihi, French Polynesia, were measured with Inductively Coupled Plasma – Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). The respective average concentrations were: calcium (Ca) 396.4 mg/g, sodium (Na) 5.536 mg/g, magnesium (Mg) 2.136 mg/g, strontium (Sr) 890.6 ppm, iron (Fe) 67.89 ppm, aluminum (Al) 45.74 ppm, phosphorus (P) 27.19 ppm, boron (B) 12.17 ppm, manganese (Mn) 2.308 ppm, copper (Cu) 1.050 ppm, zinc (Zn) 0.7180 ppm; and nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and vanadium (V) were below detection limits with ICP-AES.     

The in vitro antioxidative properties of the essential oils and methanol extracts of Satureja spicigera (K. Koch.) Boiss. and Satureja cuneifolia ten

This study was designed to examine the in vitro antioxidant activities of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Satureja spicigera and S. cuneifolia from Turkish flora. GC and GC/MS analysis of the essential oils resulted in the identification of 40 and 29 compounds, representing the 99.4% and 99.5% of the oils, respectively. Major constituents of the oils were carvacrol (42.5% and 67.1%), γ-terpinene (21.5% and 15.2%) and p-cymene (20.9% and 6.7%), respectively. Methanol extracts were also obtained from the aerial parts of the plants. The samples were subjected to a screening for their possible antioxidant activities by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and β-carotene–linoleic acid assays. In general, samples obtained from S. cuneifolia exerted greater antioxidant activities than did those obtained from S. spicigera. In the DPPH test system, free radical-scavenging activity of S. spicigera oil was determined to be 127 ± 1.63 μg/ml, whereas IC₅₀ value of S. cuneifolia was 89.1 ± 2.29 μg/ml. In the β-carotene–linoleic acid test system, antioxidant activities of the oil were 81.7 ± 1.14% and 93.7 ± 1.83%, respectively. Antioxidant activities of the synthetic antioxidant, BHT, ascorbic acid, curcumin and α-tocopherol were also determined in parallel experiments.     

Determination of hyperoside and 2″-acetylhyperoside from Ligularia fischeri by high performance liquid chromatography

Ligularia fischeri and its main flavonoids, hyperoside and 2″-acetylhyperoside, posses antioxidant properties. This study was carried out to investigate the contents of hyperoside and 2″-acetylhyperoside in L. fischeri by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). An HPLC–photodiode array (PDA) detection method was established for the simultaneous determination of hyperoside and 2″-acetylhyperoside in L. fischeri. Two flavonoids were successfully separated in less than 20 min using an YMC RP 18 column. The mobile phase was composed of water (A) and acetonitrile (B) with isocratic elution system (23% B) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Their calibration curves showed good linear regression (r > 0.9992) within the test ranges. The method was validated for specificity, accuracy, precision, and limits of detection. The determined two compounds were well separated with a linear range of 18–180 μg/mL. The contents of hyperoside and 2″-acetylhyperoside were 0.387 ± 0.002 and 0.526 ± 0.006 mg/g in L. fischeri, respectively.     

Trace metal content in nine species of fish from the Black and Aegean Seas,Turkey

Trace metal content of nine fish species harvested from the Black and Aegean Seas were determined by microwave digestion and atomic absorption spectroscopy (MD–AAS). Verification of the MD–AAS method was demonstrated by analysis of standard reference material (NRCC-DORM-2 dogfish muscle). Trace metal content in fish samples were 0.73–1.83 μg/g for copper, 0.45–0.90 μg/g for cadmium, 0.33–0.93 μg/g for lead, 35.4–106 μg/g for zinc, 1.28–7.40 μg/g for manganese, 68.6–163 μg/g for iron, 0.95–1.98 μg/g for chromium, and 1.92–5.68 μg/g for nickel. The levels of lead and cadmium in fish samples were higher than the recommended legal limits for human consumption.     

Determination of trace metals in canned fish marketed in Turkey

The levels of trace metals of canned fish samples collected from markets in Turkey were determined by flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after microwave digestion. The accuracy of the method was corrected by standard reference material (NRCC-DORM-2 Dogfish Muscle). The contents of investigated trace metals in canned fish samples were found to be in the range 1.10–2.50 μg/g for copper, 7.57–34.4 μg/g for zinc, 0.90–2.50 μg/g for manganese, 10.2–30.3 μg/g for iron, 0.96–3.64 μg/g for selenium, 0.45–1.50 μg/g for aluminium, 0.97–1.70 μg/g for chromium, 0.42–0.85 μg/g for nickel, 0.09–0.40 μg/g for lead and 0.06–0.25 μg/g for cadmium. The results were compared with the literature values.     

Phytochemical composition and thermal stability of two commercial açai species, Euterpe oleracea and Euterpe precatoria

Açai fruit are native to the Amazon region of South America and two predominant species are commercially exported as fruit pulps for use in food and beverage applications. Detailed characterisation of the polyphenolic compounds present in the de-seeded fruits of Euterpe oleracea and Euterpe precatoria species were conducted by HPLC–ESI–MSⁿ analyses and their thermal stability and overall influence on antioxidant capacity were determined. Anthocyanins were the predominant polyphenolics in both E. oleracea (2247 ± 23 mg/kg) and E. precatoria (3,458 ± 16 mg/kg) species, and accounted for nearly 90% of the trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity in both E. oleracea (87.4 ± 4.4 μmol TE/g) and E. precatoria (114 ± 6.9 μmol TE/g) fruits. Various flavones, including homoorientin, orientin, taxifolin deoxyhexose and isovitexin; various flavanol derivatives, including (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, procyanidin dimers and trimers, and phenolic acids, including protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, syringic and ferulic acids, were also present in both species. Thermal stability of these compounds was evaluated, following a thermal holding cycle (80 °C for up to 60 min) in the presence and absence of oxygen. Both species experienced only minor changes (<5%) in non-anthocyanin polyphenolic contents during all thermal processes whereas 34 ± 2.3% of anthocyanins in E. oleracea and 10.3 ± 1.1% of anthocyanins in E. precatoria were lost under these conditions, regardless of the presence of oxygen. Proportional decreases (10–25%) in antioxidant capacity accompanied the anthocyanin changes. Results suggest that both açai species are characterised by similar polyphenolic profiles, comparable antioxidant capacities, yet only moderate phytochemical stability during heating.     

Trace element content of fish feed and bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) from aquaculture and wild source in Missouri

Trace element content of fish feed and bluegill sunfish muscles (Lepomis macrochirus) from aquaculture and natural pond in Missouri were determined using the inductively coupled-plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) and the direct mercury analyzer (DMA). Dietary intake rates of trace elements were estimated. Dogfish muscle (DORM-2) and lobster hepatopancreas (TORT-2) reference standards were used in trace element recovery and method validations. The average elemental concentrations (mg/kg diet, dry wt.) of fish feed were: As 1.81, Cd 2.37, Co 0.10, Cr 1.42, Cu 8.0, Fe 404, Mn 35.9, Ni 0.51, Pb 9.16, Se 1.71, Sn 20.7, V 0.09, Zn 118 and Hg 0.07. The mean elemental concentrations (μg/kg wet wt.) in bluegill muscles from both aquaculture and wild (in parenthesis) sources were: As 0.36 (0.06), Cd 0.28 (0.01), Co 0.0 (0.0), Cr 0.52 (0.05), Cu 0.38 (0.18), Fe 17.5 (2.43), Mn 0.18 (0.24), Ni 0.18 (0.04), Pb 1.03 (0.04), Se 0.34 (0.30), Sn 0.66 (0.42), V 0.02 (0.01), Zn 6.97 (9.13) and Hg 0.06 (0.24). Kruskal–Wallis chi square indicated significant differences in As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sn, V, Zn and Hg (P < 0.001), Se (P < 0.01) and Mn (P < 0.05) across the sampling locations. Dietary intake rates, estimated from weekly consumption of 228 g of aquaculture and wild bluegills, posed no health risks for approximately 85% of all samples.     

Ultraviolet irradiation: The generator of Vitamin D2 in edible mushrooms

Fresh Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes), Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus), Button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus), and Abalone mushrooms (Pleurotus cystidus) were irradiated with Ultraviolet-A (UV-A; wavelength 315–400 nm), Ultraviolet-B (UV-B; wavelength 290–315 nm), and Ultraviolet-C (UV-C; wavelength 190–290 nm). Irradiation of each side of the mushrooms for 1 h, was found to be the optimum period of irradiation in this conversion. The conversions of ergosterol to vitamin D₂ under UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C were shown to be significantly different (p < 0.01). The highest vitamin D₂ content (184 ± 5.71 μg/g DM) was observed in Oyster mushrooms irradiated with UV-B at 35 °C and around 80% moisture. On the other hand, under the same conditions of irradiation, the lowest vitamin D₂ content (22.9 ± 2.68 μg/g DM) was observed in Button mushrooms.     

Essential oil composition,antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Satureja cuneifolia Ten.

Satureja cuneifolia Ten. is a well-known aromatic plant which is frequently used as a spice and herbal tea in Anatolia. S. cuneifolia oil was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The major components of S. cuneifolia oil were carvacrol (44.99%) and p-cymene (21.61%). The essential oil of S. cuneifolia exhibited antimicrobial activity against all of the tested foodborne and spoilage bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for test bacteria which were sensitive to the essential oil of S. cuneifolia were in the range of 600–1400 μg/ml. Antioxidant activities of the essential oil and the methanolic extract from S. cuneifolia were evaluated by using DPPH radical scavenging, β-carotene–linoleic acid bleaching and metal chelating activity assays. In addition, the amounts of total phenol components in the plant methanolic extract (222.5 ± 0.5 μg/mg) and the oil (185.5 ± 0.5 μg/mg) were determined.     

Cell wall invertase immobilisation within gelatin gel

Yeast cell wall invertase (CWI) was immobilised within 10% gelatin hydrogel. The result of entrapment was the complete immobilisation of all the added CWI. The activity of immobilised biocatalyst was 93 ± 3 U/g, with activity yield of 30%. The optimum pH was in range of 4.5–5.0 for free and immobilised biocatalyst. The optimum temperature was 60 °C for both free and gelatin immobilised CWI. Immobilised CWI was more stable than free CWI above optimum activity temperatures. The K_m of free and immobilised CWI was 35.10 ± 2.99 mM and 71.45 ± 3.23 mM, respectively. The V_max values were estimated as 8.23 ± 0.24 mM/min and 0.121 ± 0.002 mM/min, respectively. Immobilised CWI was tested in a batch reactor using 50% sucrose (w/v). After 70 consecutive cycles gelatin immobilised CWI retained 75% of its original activity.     

Assessment of in vitro antioxidant capacity and polyphenolic composition of selected medicinal herbs from Leguminosae family in Peninsular Malaysia

Determination of total phenolic (TPC), flavonoid and anthocyanin contents, and various antioxidant activities (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, ferric reducing power, ferrous ion chelating and lipid peroxidation inhibition) of leaves and flowers of Bauhinia kockiana, Caesalpinia pulcherrima and Cassia surattensis were performed in this study. The B. kockiana flower was found to possess the highest TPC (8280 ± 498 mg GAE/100 g), free radical scavenging activity (ascorbic acid equivalents 14,600 ± 2360 mg AA/100 g) and reducing ability (72.4 ± 8.7 mg GAE/g). Rutin and chlorogenic acid were detected in the plants, where the C. pulcherrima leaf contained the highest amount of rutin (669 ± 26 mg/100 g), while minute amounts of chlorogenic acid were detected in C. surattensis leaf (9.13 ± 0.44 mg/100 g). The C. pulcherrima leaf displayed the highest ferrous ion chelating and lipid peroxidation inhibition activities. Positive correlation was observed between TPC and various antioxidant activities.     

Chemical composition,antioxidative activity and cell viability effects of a Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) extract

Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) seeds, commonly known as cedar nuts, are ascribed a number of medicinal properties. In this study, we report the qualitative–quantitative composition, antioxidant activity and cell viability-related properties of a defatted aqueous-acetone-soluble P. sibirica seed extract. The total phenolic and total tannin contents were estimated at 266 ± 3.9 mg gallic acid/g and 115 ± 7.8 mg tannic acid/g, respectively. Reverse-phase chromatographic analysis of the crude extract indicated the presence of a chromatographic hump indicative of the presence of proanthocyanidins. After acid hydrolysis, the presence of hydroxylated benzoic and cinnamic acids, flavanones and flavan-3-ols was confirmed. After thiolysis, (+)-catechin was identified as more abundant than (−)-epicatechin, suggesting that this molecule was the main terminal unit of the proanthocyanidins within this extract. The extract demonstrated iron(III)-reductive (AscAE = 650 ± 5.10 μmol ascorbic acid/g) and iron(II) chelating (EC₅₀ = 20.1 ± 2.1) activities and the ability to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (IC₅₀ = 257 ± 2.36 μg/ml) and hydroxyl (IC₅₀ = 338 ± 6.49 μg/ml) free radicals. When the effects of P. sibirica extract were assessed in a tumourigenic SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line, it was found that the cell viability was diminished in the presence of P. sibirica extract (0.2–1.0 mg/ml), as indicated by decreased membrane integrity (LDH assay) and mitochondrial metabolic activity (MTT assay), but the level of p53 protein was not changed (Western blot).     

Folate contents of some selected Fijian foods using tri-enzyme extraction method

Folic acid and total folate contents of 18 common foods in the Fijian diet were assayed. Foods were purchased from the central and eastern parts of Viti Levu in Fiji. Tri-enzyme treatment was performed to release bound folates using protease and α-amylase, with chicken pancreas as the conjugase. The highest total folate content was recorded for egg yolk (Gallus domesticus) at 256 μg/100 g, followed by long beans (Vigna sesquipedalis) which contained 130 μg/100 g of total folate (fresh weight basis). The local leafy vegetable called Bele (Abelmoschus manihot) and the Drumstick leaves (Moringa oleifera) available in Fiji also had high total folate contents, above 100 μg/100 g (fresh weight basis). For the 18 foods studied, the content of folic acid ranged from 3 to 189 μg/100 g and the total folate content was in the range of 3–256 μg/100 g, indicating a very wide range of folate content in the foods studied.     

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the essential oil of Clinopodium vulgare L.

This study was designed to examine the chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant activity of the essential oil of Clinopodium vulgare. GC–MS analysis of the oil resulted in the identification of 40 compounds, representing 99.4% of the oil; thymol (38.9%), γ-terpinene (29.6%) and p-cymene (9.1%) were the main components. The samples were subjected to a screening for their possible antioxidant activity by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and β-carotene-linoleic acid assays. In the first case, IC₅₀ value of the C. vulgare essential oil was determined as 63.0 ± 2.71 μg/ml. IC₅₀ value of thymol and γ-terpinene, the major compounds of the oil, was determined as 161 ± 1.3 μg/ml and 122 ± 2.5 μg/ml, respectively, whereas p-cymene did not show antioxidant activity. In β-carotene-linoleic acid system, C. vulgare essential oil exhibited 52.3 ± 1.19% inhibition against linoleic acid oxidation. In both systems, antioxidant capacities of BHT, curcumine and ascorbic acid were also determined in parallel experiments.