Isolation and characterization of a major allergen in kiwi fruit

 The isolation of an important allergen in kiwi fruit (Actinidia chinensis) by ion-exchange chromatography (IEC) and micropreparative SDS-PAGE followed by electroelution is reported. The purity of the allergen was analysed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting with sera from patients who have an allergy to kiwi. The allergen was shown to have a molecular weight of 43 kDa by SDS-PAGE/immunoblotting and an isoelectric point of approximately 6.9 as estimated by IEC. In accordance with World Health Organization nomenclature, this allergen is called Act c 2. By immunoblot inhibition it was shown that epitopes from different allergens in kiwi fruit are also located on Act c 2. N-terminal amino acid sequencing of 17 amino acid residues did not reveal homology with the major allergens in birch pollen (Bet v 1), apple (Mal d 1) or with other proteins of allergenic plant foods. In addition, the isoelectric point of a 67-kDa allergen in kiwi fruit was estimated to be 7.4 by IEC, but micropreparative isolation of this allergen failed because of its very low content in the fruit. Received: 14 April 1997     

The hydroxycinnamic acid content of barley and brewers’ spent grain (BSG) and the potential to incorporate phenolic extracts of BSG as antioxidants into fruit beverages

The hydroxycinnamic acid (HA) content of starting barley for brewers’ spent grains (BSG), whole BSG and phenolic extracts from BSG was measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and correlated with antioxidant potential. The effect of BSG phenolic extracts on antioxidant activity of fruit beverages was also assessed (using the total phenolic content (TPC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays). The concentration of HA present in barley extract and BSG was in the order of ferulic acid (FA), p-coumaric acid (p-CA) derivatives, FA derivatives, p-CA, caffeic acid (CA) and CA derivatives. Results suggested that brewing and roasting decreased the HA content. Antioxidant activity was significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with caffeic acid (R² = 0.8309) and total HA (R² = 0.3942) concentrations. Addition of extracts to fruit beverages resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) increase in antioxidant activity of cranberry juice, measured by the FRAP assay. In vitro digestion significantly (P < 0.05) reduced TPC, DPPH and FRAP activity of the fruit beverages.     

Effectiveness of products from four locally grown plants for the management of Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) and Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boheman) (both Coleoptera: Bruchidae) in stored beans under laboratory and farm conditions in Northern Tanzania

The effectiveness of whole or powdered leaves (botanicals) from four locally grown plant species applied at a rate of 1.5 kg per 100 kg beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) against Acanthoscelides obtectus and Zabrotes subfasciatus was compared under laboratory and farm conditions. In the laboratory, Chenopodium ambrosioides, applied as powder or as whole leaves, was the most effective, with 100% mortality of adult insects in less than three days and no progeny. Less C. ambrosioides (about 200 g per 100 kg beans) still resulted in 100% mortality within 24 h. Tagetes minuta applied as powder also increased mortality and reduced oviposition and progeny production significantly. The other treatments - T. minuta applied as leaves, and Azadirachta indica or Cupressus lusitanica applied as powder or as whole leaves - had no significant effects upon mortalities, oviposition rate, or progeny production compared with control treatments. When the rate of application was increased to about 8.3 kg per 100 kg beans, there was a slight increase in mortality using T. minuta and A. indica, but not with C. lusitanica. An additional trial with C. ambrosioides from different collections and with plants at different stages of development revealed considerable variations in the efficacy of the treatment.In the on-farm trials, A. indica-seed powder was the most effective treatment, followed respectively by leaf powders of C. ambrosioides, C. lusitanica and T. minuta. All treatments were significantly more effective than the control in reducing the numbers of live insects; they also reduced numbers of damaged beans and maintained germination rates after 5 months of storage. The results of evaluations of the treatments made by farmers just after the trials and five years later are reported.     

Oxidation of alcohols using RuMnCe catalysts

The combination of ruthenium, manganese as well as cerium oxides formed an active catalytic system for the oxidation of 2-octanol and other alcohols. The addition of manganese species as promotors resulted in more active catalysts than comparable cobalt-doped oxidic materials. The application of RuMnCe oxides on redox-active supports, such as TiO₂ or CeO₂, by deposition–precipitation caused a further improvement of catalytic activity. A tolerance to nitrogen-containing substrates was observed.     

High Porosity Poly(ether ketone ketone): Influence of Solvents on Foam Properties

Poly(ether ketone ketone) (PEKK) is a semicrystalline high-performance polymer with exceptional mechanical properties, high continuous operation temperature, and is insoluble in most common solvents. Porous PEKK, desired for biomedical applications, is produced by a high-temperature thermally induced phase separation process using PEKK solutions in two high boiling aprotic solvents, 4-phenylphenol and 9-fluorenone, with concentrations up to 20 wt.%. It is demonstrated that the solvent choice has a pronounced influence on the phase separation behavior, which determines the foam morphology, physical and mechanical properties of PEKK foams. Porous PEKK with porosities ranging from 70% to 90%, specific surface areas up to 194 m² g⁻¹ and elastic moduli ranging from 35 to 100 MPa are produced.     

Experimentelle Bestimmung des maximalen Säurebildungs- bzw. Pufferungspotentials von sulfidhaltigen Lockergesteinen

A simple titrimetric oxidation test using hydrogen peroxide was developed for the determination of the maximum quantity of acid releasable from tip sands by pyrite oxidation. The acid buffering capacity of the respective sample can be estimated by balancing the maximum amount of acid releasable by weathering (worst case) with the amount calculated theoretically from the total sulphur. The measurement of the pH and the electrical conductivity in the oxidised sample already allows a semi-quantitative assessment of the worst case. These analysis methods, conductable with little laboratorial expenditure and appliable to large sample quantities are used to estimate the maximum possible acid release from aquifers.     

Foamed Propellants

Foamed propellants based on polymer bonded nitramines show high conversion rates due to their porous structure. The properties of the material can be varied in a wide range by using different explosive fillers, energetic binders and porous structures. Foamed propellants with high energy content and variable burning and material characteristics can be formulated. Due to this flexibility, these propellants can be adjusted to manifold applications. The burning characteristics of these porous charges show specific differences compared to standard gun propellants, e.g. the mass conversion rates are essentially above those obtained by combustion of compact materials. In addition, the burning behavior of foamed propellants depending on pressure deviates from that expected by a straightforward use of Vieille's law. This paper presents an overview on investigations carried out in the field of foamed propellants at Fraunhofer ICT concerning thermodynamical calculations, studies on burning behavior and vulnerability.