Stability and bioavailability of lutein ester supplements from Tagetes flower prepared under food processing conditions

Tagetes spp. belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is recognized as a major source of lutein ester (lutein esterified with fatty acids such as lauric, myristic and palmitic acids), a natural colorant belonging to the xanthophylls or oxygenated carotenoids. Four species of Tagetes flower (Tagetes tenuifolia, Tagetes erecta, Tagetes patula, and Tagetes lucida) were used to extract lutein and lutein esters with three different methods. The results showed that T. erecta, type “orangeprinz”, is the richest source of lutein esters (14.4 ± 0.234 mg/g) in comparison to other Tagetes spp. No significant differences between extractions of lutein esters with medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCT) oil, orange oil or solvent (hexane/isopropanol) could be observed. MCT oil also improved stability of lutein esters at 100 °C for 40 min. Emulsification of MCT oil improved the stability of lutein ester extract against UV light at 365 nm for 72 h. Finally, an emulsion was prepared under food processing conditions, spray dried and its bioavailability investigated in a preliminary human intervention study. The results show a lower resorption, but further data suggest improvements in implementation of such supplements.     

Antioxidant activities of different Teucrium montanum L. Extracts

The sequential extraction of Teucrium montanum L. was realised with five solvents of different polarities (70% methanol, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n‐butanol) and HPLC method was used for identification of phenolic compounds. The total phenolic content of the extracts was determined spectrophotometrically according to the Folin–Ciocalteau procedure and range from 0 to 296 mg g^?1. The antioxidant activity of extracts was tested by measuring their ability to scavenge reactive hydroxyl radical during the Fenton reaction, using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. Moreover, the influence of these extracts on lipid peroxyl radicals obtained during lipid peroxidation of: (1) sunflower oil (37 °C, 3 h) induced by 4,4′‐azobis(4‐cyanovaleric acid) (ACVA) and (2) liposomes induced by 2,2′‐azobis(2‐amidino‐propane)dihydrochloride (AAPH) was studied. n‐Butanol extract, because of the highest content of total phenolic compounds (296 mg g^?1) had the best antioxidant activity (100% at 0.16 mg mL^?1 in Fenton reaction system; 90.57% at 5 mg mL^?1 in system I; 100% at 5 mg mL^?1 in system II).     

Effect of distillation waste water and plant hormones on spearmint growth and composition

BACKGROUND: Distillation waste water (DWW) is a by‐product from steam distillation of essential‐oil crops; and currently, it is discharged into streams and rivers. The effects of DWW from 13 essential‐oil crops, extracts from two alkaloid‐containing species, and three plant hormones (methyl jasmonate, MJ; gibberellic acid, GA3; and salicylic acid, SA) were evaluated on productivity, essential‐oil content and composition of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) cv. ‘Native’. RESULTS: Spearmint plant height was increased by the application of GA3 and Melissa officinalis DWW but suppressed by the application of Rosmarinus officinalis and Tagetes lucida DWW. Generally, MJ, GA3 and M. officinalis and Mentha arvensis DWW increased dry yields. The concentration of L ‐carvone in the oil ranged from 550 g kg^?1 (with Monarda citriodora DWW) to 670 g kg^?1 (with T. lucida DWW). M. citriodora DWW reduced the concentration of L ‐carvone in the oil by 23% relative to the control. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that DWW from essential‐oil crops may affect monoterpene synthesis in M. spicata and, hence, may have a direct effect on the essential oil composition. DWW from essential‐oil crops may be used as a growth promoter and modifier of the essential oil composition of spearmint. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Production of bioactive proteins and peptides from the diatom Nitzschia laevis and comparison of their in vitro antioxidant activities with those from Spirulina platensis and Chlorella vulgaris

This research focuses on green production of bioactive proteins and hydrolysates from Nitzschia. A comparison of antioxidant activities was established between protein extracts and hydrolysates from Nitzschia and two other well‐known microalgae, chlorella and spirulina. Protein hydrolysates from these microalgae were produced using Alcalase^®, Flavourzyme^® and Trypsin. The hydrolysis process enhanced the antioxidant activities in general, especially those obtained using Alcalase^®. Nitzschia showed the highest (P < 0.05) total phenolic content/reducing capacity (2.4 ± 0.02 mg GAE/100 g) after 90 min of hydrolysis with Alcalase^®. The ABTS [2,2′‐Azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid)] radical scavenging activity (66.77 ± 0.00%) was highest (P < 0.05) after 120 min of hydrolysis, but DPPH (2,2‐Diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical) was low (29.59 ± 0.02%). A correlation between ABTS activity and total phenolic contents was the highest (P < 0.05) for protein hydrolysates from all three organisms using Alcalase^®, but superoxide anion radical scavenging activity was intermediate for Nitzschia. Therefore, Nitzschia protein hydrolysates have the potential to be used as antioxidants.     

Fatty acid profiles, antioxidant compounds and antiradical properties of Pinus halepensis Mill. cones and seeds

BACKGROUND: Pinus halepensis (Aleppo pine) is a widespread tree that can be found in both natural and urban environments. A discrimination study based on the antioxidant compounds, antioxidant capacity and fatty acid (FA) profile of P. halepensis cones (PHC) and seeds (PHS) was performed. RESULTS: The total amount of phenols was about 72‐fold higher in PHC extract than in PHS extract (P < 0.001). Anthocyanin and carotenoid contents were 10‐ and 12‐fold higher respectively in PHC extract. PHC and PHS extracts at a concentration of 1 mg mL^?1 differed significantly in free radical‐scavenging activity on 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH^?) (86.65 vs 16.97%). PHC had higher antioxidant ability on 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothialozine‐6‐sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS^?+) than PHS (EC₅₀ 0.368 vs 2.345 mg mL^?1). The FA profile of PHC oil revealed its richness in saturated FAs (41.5%) and high levels of trans FA isomers, with a predominance of trans,trans ‐linoleic acid (4.74%). However, polyunsaturated FAs in PHS oil represented more than 64% of total FAs. CONCLUSION: PHC showed important antioxidant activities as well as high levels of bioactive compounds. Thus PHC is a potential source of natural antioxidants that may afford several health benefits. However, the lipid extract of PHS seems to have more nutritional value as a polyunsaturated oil than that of PHC, which is high in saturated and trans FAs. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evaluation of antioxidant activities of rosehip ethanol extracts in different test systems

Rosehip extracts of 18 samples representing six taxa in the genus Rosa were evaluated for antioxidant activities by use of different test systems. The ferric‐reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and Trolox‐equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) of the crude extracts ranged from 983.4 to 2187.1 µmol FRAP g⁻¹ dry matter and from 457.2 to 626.2 µmol TEAC g⁻¹ dry matter. The high antioxidant capacity was related to high contents of phytonutrients. The overall mean of antioxidants was 23.23 mg g⁻¹ total carotenoids and 76.26 mg g⁻¹ total phenolics. The phenolic component made a major contribution to the total antioxidant activities in both assays (overall mean was 90.5% and 75.7%), whereas the ascorbate made a minor contribution (8.6% and 16.9%) and the lipophilic component made an even smaller one (0.9% and 7.3%). However, the lipophilic component was the most effective when the comparison was based on the ratio of antioxidant activity to content of antioxidants. The crude extracts exhibited 50.9% (46.6–60.3%) inhibitory effect against the lipid peroxidation induced by 2,2′‐azobis(2,4‐dimethylvaleronitrile) (AMVN) and 85.0% (80.1–90.2%) inhibition in 2,2′‐azobis(2‐amidinopropane)hydrochloride (AAPH) assay at a concentration of 250 µg ml ⁻¹. Ascorbate acted as an antioxidant in both peroxy radical‐induced lipid peroxidations, but as a pro‐oxidant in the metal ion‐induced lipid peroxidation. The crude extracts showed a large inhibitory effect in the ferric ion‐induced lipid peroxidation and caused 83.7% inhibition at a concentration of 25 µg ml ⁻¹ dried rosehip powder. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Unexploited Acacia cyanophylla seeds: potential food sources of ω6 fatty acids and antioxidants?

BACKGROUND: In order to investigate new sources of dietary phytochemicals, recent studies have focused on underexploited seeds. In this study the total lipid contents, fatty acid profiles and levels of soluble proteins, minerals and antioxidants in seeds from 12 Acacia cyanophylla ecotypes commonly grown in Tunisia were determined. RESULTS: Total lipids averaged 101.7 g kg^?1 on a dry weight basis. Linoleic (61.11–65.45% of total fatty acid content), oleic (19.67–22.85%) and palmitic (9.18–9.98%) acids were the principal fatty acids. Smaller proportions of stearic (1.49–1.82%), vaccenic (1.13–2.05%) and palmitoleic (0.34–0.58%) acids were also quantified. Proteins (by Kjeldahl assay) averaged 107.2 g kg^?1 on a dry weight basis. Total phenolics averaged 1.91 g gallic acid equivalent kg^?1 dry weight (DW) and total flavonoids averaged 0.40 g rutin equivalent kg^?1 DW. The free radical‐scavenging activity determined by 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl assay averaged 0.59 mmol L^?1 Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), while that determined by 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) assay averaged 0.28 mmol L^?1 TEAC. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study confirm the presence of ω6 fatty acids at high levels in A. cyanophylla seeds. These metabolites could be used as such and/or extracted for the formulation of supplements and/or ingredients to provide a ratio close to the ideal for the ω3/ω6 balance. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Essential oils applied to the food act as repellents toward Tribolium castaneum

The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, is a common and important insect pest of stored products. Repellency of essential oils of five Columbian aromatic plants was evaluated by allowing adults to choose between untreated oats or oats treated with different concentrations of the oils. Essential oils from Cananga odorata, Tagetes lucida and Cymbopogon citratus showed better activity than the commercial repellent IR3535 at the highest tested concentration (5 μL/g), whereas at the lowest concentration (0.0005 μL/g), oils isolated from Eucalyptus citriodora were most repellent. Results show essential oils from Colombian plants are natural repellents of T. castaneum.     

Antioxidant Activities and Phenolic Compounds of Several Tissues of Pawpaw (Asimina triloba [L.] Dunal) Grown in Korea

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba [L.] Dunal) possesses antioxidant compounds and strong inhibitors of cancer cells, and is widely cultivated in North America, Canada, and Korea. We analyzed the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC, respectively) of pawpaw plants grown in Korea and the antioxidant activities of their roots, twigs, leaves, and fruit with respect to 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl‐hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, 2,2′‐azino‐bis diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, ferrous (Fe²⁺) chelating ability, and nitrite scavenging activity. Pearson's correlation analyses revealed a linear correlation between TPC and antioxidant activities (r² >0.69). Root methanol extracts had higher TPC and antioxidant activities than other extracts, which was also consistent with those from the phenolic compounds found in those extracts. Therefore, antioxidant activities seem to depend on the TPC of each pawpaw tissue and pawpaw roots might be useful as a natural source of natural antioxidants.     

Radical scavenging activities,endogenous oxidative enzymes and total phenols in edible mushrooms commonly consumed in Europe

Edible mushrooms are a good source of antioxidants. Methanol extracts of mushrooms such as Pleurotus sp., Agaricus bisporus, Morchella esculenta, Boletus edulis (approx. 2 mg mL^?1) showed a high 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity close to 90%. Water extracts showed even higher antioxidant activity. In this case, B. edulis, Lentinus edodes and Amanita cesarea showed the highest 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS) scavenging activity at approx. 0.14 mg mL^?1. Other mushrooms such as Lactarius deliciosus and Cantharellus cibarius showed lower antioxidant activity in both extracts. Oxidative enzymes (peroxidases and polyphenol oxidases) present in the water fractions reduced their antioxidant activity by different extents since the phenols responsible for the antioxidant activity were not only those substrates of the oxidative enzymes. Other phenolic compounds and low‐molecular‐weight compounds were also involved in the antioxidant activity and differed depending on mushroom species. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Anti-oxidant content of different coloured sweet peppers, white, green, yellow, orange and red (Capsicum annuum L.)

Five different coloured sweet peppers (Capsicum annuum cv. Signal), white, green, yellow, orange and red were analysed for total carotenoids, α‐tocopherol, sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose), organic acids (citric and ascorbic acids) and anti‐oxidant properties. The mature fruits, ‘Signal Red’, ‘Signal Orange’ and ‘Signal Yellow’ contained higher carotenoids, α‐tocopherol, sugars and organic acids than the immature fruits, ‘Signal Green’ and ‘Signal White’. Among the mature fruits, ‘Signal Red’ was the highest in total carotenoids [9.15 mg (100 g)^?1 of fresh weight] while ‘Signal Orange’ was the highest in α‐tocopherol [5.40 mg (100 g)^?1 of fresh weight]. ‘Signal Red’ and ‘Signal Orange’ contained the most sugars and organic acids. The suppression of 2,2′‐azobis (2,4‐dimethylvaleronitrile) (AMVN)‐induced oxidation of methyl linoleate by the acetone extracts from the coloured sweet peppers resulted as follows: ‘Signal Red’ > ‘Signal Orange’ ≈ ‘Signal Yellow’ > ‘Signal Green’ ≈ ‘Signal White’. The order of 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities of the acetone extracts was similar to that of suppression of methyl linoleate oxidation.     

Beneficial effect of the unsaponifiable matter from rice bran on oxidative stress in vitro compared with α‐tocopherol

Unsaponifiable matter (UM) was prepared from rice bran using n‐hexane extraction followed by removal of its fatty acid methyl ester with supercritical CO₂ under heat‐stable conditions. The UM was made up of 1% of vitamin E isomers, 28% of γ‐oryzanol and 71% of uncharacterized compounds. The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant activities of the UM, using α‐tocopherol (α‐T) as a positive control, by measuring the Fe³⁺‐reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH^?) free‐radical‐scavenging property and lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes. In addition, the effects of the UM on the tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (t‐BOOH)‐induced cytotoxicity in cultured rat hepatocytes were also investigated. In FRAP assay and DPPH^? free‐radical‐scavenging assay, the results were expressed g^?1α‐T or g^?1 UM. The amount of UM used in lipid peroxidation assay and cytotoxicity assay was the amount required to have equal amounts of total vitamin E isomers in the sample and the control α‐T. The UM, as well as α‐T, exhibited significant antioxidant activities in FRAP, radical‐scavenging and membrane‐lipid oxidation. The FRAP value for total vitamin E isomers in the UM (TVEIUM) was 9.1 times higher than that for α‐T. In terms of their capacities to perform radical‐scavenging and lipid peroxidation, both TVEIUM and α‐T showed similar antioxidant activities. In experiments using cultured rat hepatocytes, the t‐BOOH‐induced lactate dehydrogenase release was significantly inhibited by the addition of 63.5 and 160 µg ml^?1 of TVEIUM treatments (84 and 89%, respectively), and that of 63.5 and 160 µg ml^?1 of α‐T treatment (88 and 93%, respectively). The antioxidant function against oxidative stress of the UM prepared from rice bran may extend its use to being a potential dietary supplement. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Rocket salad (Diplotaxis and Eruca spp.) sensory analysis and relation with glucosinolate and phenolic content

BACKGROUND: Salad crops of the Brassicaceae family, such as Diplotaxis tenuifolia and Eruca vesicaria, commonly referred to as ‘rocket salads’, have attracted considerable interest as culinary vegetables because of their strong flavour and their content of putative health‐promoting compounds. Among such compounds, glucosinolates and phenolics are well‐known phytochemicals with an important role also in determining the characteristic flavour of these species. In this study, to identify potentially high‐value rocket salads, 37 cultivated types were examined for sensory characters and their relations with glucosinolate and phenolic contents, which ranged from 0.76 to 3.03 g kg^?1 dry weight (DW) and from 4.68 to 31.39 g kg^?1 DW, respectively. RESULTS: The perception of bitter taste was significantly affected by specific glucosinolates, namely progoitrin/epiprogoitrin and dimeric glucosativin. Aroma intensity was negatively related to glucoalyssin content, whereas pungency was significantly related to total glucosinolate content. Kaempferol‐3‐(2‐sinapoyl‐glucoside)‐4′‐glucoside was positively and significantly related to all flavour trait perceptions. Aroma intensity, pungency, crunchiness and juiciness were positively related to typical rocket salad flavour perception through a prominent direct effect. CONCLUSION: Aroma intensity, pungency, crunchiness and juiciness were strong determinants of overall rocket salad flavour perception. Visual traits also characterised sensory components. Bitterness, usually considered a negative flavour trait, was moderately perceived in the examined material, without negatively affecting typical flavour perception. In the range of the examined material, glucosinolate content did not contrast with typical flavour, demonstrating that good taste and putative health‐promoting properties may coexist. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Antioxidative Properties and Ability of Phenolic Compounds of Myrtus communis Leaves to Counteract In Vitro LDL and Phospholipid Aqueous Dispersion Oxidation

Antioxidant activities of Myrtus communis leaf phenolic compounds (McPCs) were investigated on 2,2′‐9‐azino‐bis‐3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS⁺?) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) tests or on oxidation of biological models, human low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) and phospholipid aqueous dispersion (l ‐α‐phosphatidylcholine stabilized by bile salts). Two extraction techniques, microwave‐assisted (MAE) and conventional (CE), were used to isolate McPCs, producing similar results of phenolic compound content. ABTS⁺? assay showed clearly that myrtle extracts exhibited a stronger scavenging effect than butylated hydroxyanisole and α‐tocopherol, with a slight advantage for myrtle CE extract. In ORAC assay, the both McPC extracts were similarly less effective than the pure compounds as caffeic acid and myricitrin (myricetin 3‐O‐rhamnoside) but stronger than butylated hydroxytoluene. Moreover, myrtle CE and MAE extracts, and myricitrin were able to inhibit similarly the production of conjugated dienes and to prolong the lag phase (Tlag) during Cu²⁺‐induced LDL oxidation with a dose‐response effect. The cryo‐electron microscopy observations on studied phospholipid dispersion stabilized by bile salts (BS) revealed the presence of bilayer vesicles and micelles. In 2,2′‐azobis (2‐amidinopropane) hydrochloride–induced phospholipid/BS oxidation, myrtle CE and MAE extracts gave similar effects to α‐tocopherol and caffeic acid but myricitrin showed a higher protective effect than myrtle extracts. We showed also that no synergic or additive effect between α‐tocopherol and myrtle extracts or caffeic acid in α‐tocopherol–enriched phospholipid/BS dispersion, but myricitrin showed an additive effect and thus promoted the total antioxidant activity. These data showed that myrtle extract could be used as potential natural antioxidants, food stabilizers, or natural health products.     

Phytonutrients affecting hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activities in fruits,vegetables and legumes

The antioxidant activities of fruits (n = 21), vegetables (n = 67) and legumes (n = 7) commonly consumed in Korea were determined by both the lipophilic antioxidant performance assay (LAP) and the hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay (ORAC). The LAP assay used the lipophilic radical initiator MeO‐AMVN [2,2′‐azobis(4‐methoxy‐2,4‐dimethylvaleronitrile)] and the lipophilic probe BODIPY 581/591 [4,4‐difluoro‐5‐(4‐phenyl‐1,3‐butadienyl)‐4‐bora‐3a, 4a‐diaza‐s‐indacene‐3‐undecanoic acid]. The ORAC assay used the hydrophilic radical initiator AAPH [2,2′‐azobis(2‐amidinopropane) dihydrochloride] and the hydrophilic probe fluorescein. In addition, the lipid‐soluble phytonutrients, carotenoids and tocopherols were determined by a reverse‐phase HPLC system using a C30 column with a UV detector. The water‐soluble phytonutrient, ascorbic acid, was analyzed using an HPLC system with an electrochemical detector. Total phenols were determined by UV spectrophotometry. Tocopherols (r = 0.774, p < 0.0001) and carotenoids (r = 0.569, p < 0.0001) were significantly correlated with LAP in total samples (n = 95). ORAC was significantly correlated with total phenols (r = 0.893, p < 0.0001), but not with ascorbic acid (r = 0.009, p = 0.929) in total samples (n = 95). These data indicate that carotenoids and tocopherols and total phenols are the major contributors to the lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidant capacities, respectively. Therefore, the contribution of both the hydrophilic and lipophilic components of fruits and vegetables should be considered when determining the actual ‘total’ antioxidant activity of fruits and vegetables. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Assessment of in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial and immune activation potentials of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Phyllanthus niruri

BACKGROUND: Recently much attention has been paid to biologically active plants because of their low production cost and fewer adverse effects compared with chemical drugs. In the present investigation the bioactivity of Phyllanthus niruri ethanol and aqueous extracts was evaluated in vitro. RESULTS: The ethanol extract of P. niruri showed a high level of flavonoid content (123.9 ± 0.002 mg g^?1), while the aqueous extract showed the highest 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH; IC₅₀6.85 ± 1.80 µmol L^?1) and 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS; 46.44 ± 0.53 µmol L^?1) free radical scavenging activities with high phenol content (376 ± 0.02 mg g^?1) and elevated levels of ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP; 23 883 ± 0.019 mmol g^?1) with excellent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (20 mm inhibition zone) and Streptococcus agalactiae (12 mm inhibition zone), respectively, in addition to the best immune activation potential of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (450.5%). CONCLUSIONS: It is clear from our results that both extracts of P. niruri has excellent bioactivity roles via elevated levels of antibacterial, antioxidant and percentage of peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation, which could lead to the development of medications for clinical use. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

PER1, GUP1 and CWH43 of methylotrophic yeast Ogataea minuta are involved in cell wall integrity

In eukaryotes, the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) modification of many glycoproteins on the cell surface is highly conserved. The lipid moieties of GPI‐anchored proteins undergo remodelling processes during their maturation. To date, the products of the PER1, GUP1 and CWH43 genes of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been shown to be involved in the lipid remodelling. Here, we focus on the putative GPI remodelling pathway in the methylotrophic yeast Ogataea minuta. We found that the O. minuta homologues of PER1, GUP1 and CWH43 are functionally compatible with those of S. cerevisiae. Disruption of GUP1 or CWH43 in O. minuta caused a growth defect under non‐permissive conditions. The O. minuta per1Δ mutant exhibited a more fragile phenotype than the gup1Δ or cwh43Δ mutants. To address the role of GPI modification in O. minuta, we assessed the effect of these mutations on the processing and localization of the O. minuta homologues of the Gas1 protein; in S. cerevisiae, Gas1p is an abundant and well‐characterized GPI‐anchored protein. We found that O. minuta possesses two copies of the GAS1 gene, which we designate GAS1A and GAS1B. Microscopy and western blotting analysis showed mislocalization and/or lower retention of Gas1Ap and Gas1Bp within the membrane fraction in per1Δ or gup1Δ mutant cells, suggesting the significance of lipid remodelling for GPI‐anchored proteins in O. minuta. Localization behaviour of Gas1Bp differed from that of Gas1Ap. Our data reveals, for the first time (to our knowledge), the existence of genes related to GPI anchor remodelling in O. minuta cells.     

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy as an Alternative to Determine Dielectric Constant of Potatoes at Various Moisture Contents

The dielectric (DE) properties, specifically the DE constant (ε′) and loss factor (ε′′), were measured for vacuum‐dried and freeze‐dried potato samples at a microwave frequency of 2.45 GHz over a range of different moisture contents (MCs) using a DE probe and also a 2‐probe electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Third‐order polynomial models (ε′ = f₁(MC); and ε′′ = f₂(MC)) at room temperature were developed for regression analysis. Additionally, at various temperatures (T), biphasic 3rd‐order polynomial models (ε′ = f₁(MC, T); and ε′′ = f₂(MC, T)) were obtained to determine ε′ and ε′′ as a function of MC and T using measured data. The vacuum‐dried potato sample showed a good fitness of ε′ and ε′′ (R² = 0.95 and 0.96, respectively) to the regression model with the range of MCs from 18% to 80% (w/w), while the freeze‐dried potato sample showed a good fitness of ε′ and ε′′ to the 1st‐phase regression model with MC < 50% w/w (R² = 0.95 and 0.96, respectively) and the 2nd‐phase regression model with MC > 50% w/w (R² = 0.94 to 0.96). EIS measurements were also used to obtain correlation impedances for ε′ and ε′′ determined by the DE probe method. The resulted regression analysis meets the demands for simple, rapid, and accurate assessment for transient values of ε′ and ε′′ of food products during dehydration/drying processes. The EIS method was verified to be a successful alternative to direct measurements of ε′ and ε′′.     

Kinetics of fructose on the Maillard brown colour development,pH change and antioxidative activity development in model fructose/glycine systems

Model fructose/glycine systems with fructose concentration between 0.035 and 0.28 m were incubated at temperature 45–90 °C for investigating the effects of fructose and temperature on the brown colour development, pH change and the antioxidative activity developments of Maillard reaction. The result showed that effects of fructose followed logarithm‐order kinetics on brown colour and DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity (S_DPPH) development, and first‐order kinetics on system pH decrease. However, the effect of fructose on ABTS·⁺ (2,2′‐azino‐bis[3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid]) radical scavenging activity (S_ABTS) development was first order at 60–90 °C and logarithm order at 45 °C, which revealed the mutual synergistic interaction of concentration with temperature on S_ABTS development. Activation energy for S_DPPH development was lower than that for S_ABTS development, revealing that DPPH radical was more vulnerable than ABTS·⁺ radical to fructose/glycine MRPs at low temperature. But the relative vulnerability would invert at high temperature, as the Q₁₀ value for S_DPPH development was lower than that for S_ABTS development.     

Diferulates as structural components in soluble and insoluble cereal dietary fibre

Cell wall cross‐linking can have a substantial effect on the properties of the wall. To estimate cross‐linking (between arabinoxylans) in cereal fibres, dehydrodiferulate levels were measured in soluble and insoluble dietary fibre (SDF and IDF) isolated from whole grains of maize (Zea mays L), wheat (Triticum aestivum L), spelt (Triticum spelta L), rice (Oryza sativa L), wild rice (Zizania aquatica L), barley (Hordeum vulgare L), rye (Secale cereale L), oat (Avena sativa L) and millet (Panicum miliaceum L). After saponification of the cereal fibres the extracts were investigated for dehydrodimers of ferulic acid using GLC–MS and GLC–FID. From most cereal IDF the whole spectrum of dehydrodiferulic acids (DFAs) (8‐5′‐, 8‐8′‐, 5‐5′‐, 8‐O‐4′‐ and 4‐O‐5′‐coupled) could be identified. The absolute contents of total DFAs ranged between 2.4 and 12.6 mg g^?1. With the exception of 4‐O‐5′‐coupled DFA, the whole range of DFAs was also detected from cereal SDF but only in amounts of 40–230 µg g^?1. It was estimated that arabinoxylans of cereal IDF contain 8–39 times more diferulates than arabinoxylans of cereal SDF (where measurement of DFA levels in SDF was possible). In cereal IDF, 8‐5′‐coupled dimers dominated, whereas in cereal SDF, 8‐8′‐coupled dimers were relatively enhanced and often became the major dimers. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry