Systematic transient assays of promoter activities for leaf-specific genes identified by gene-expression profiling with cDNA microarrays in Arabidopsis thaliana

We identified 85 genes highly expressed in leaves using an Arabidopsis cDNA microarray. A vector, pRAB5, was designed to allow cloning and assaying of the promoters. Fifty-one promoters from the selected genes were cloned and then assayed using a microprojectile bombardment and dual luciferase reporter assay system. This system allowed efficient systematic assays of promoter activity.     

Efficient construction of cDNA microarrays utilizing normalized cDNA libraries of Arabidopsis thaliana

We have demonstrated the utility of normalization for efficient cDNA microarray preparation using Arabidopsis as a model. Nonredundant cDNAs including 5722 species were efficiently collected from random 7914 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) in four normalized cDNA libraries. The prepared microarrays were successfully used to monitor gene expression. These methodologies should be applicable to the study of other species in plant biotechnology.     

Effects of the cultivation period of sweet potato on the sensory quality of imo‐shochu,a Japanese traditional spirit

Imo‐shochu is a Japanese traditional spirit made from sweet potatoes. Characteristic volatile compounds in imo‐shochu are mainly derived from the sweet potato and its flavour significantly depends on the quality and cultivar of sweet potato used. Thus, the effects of the cultivation period of sweet potatoes on sensory characteristics and composition of volatile compounds of imo‐shochu were investigated. Sweet potatoes (cv. Koganesengan) used in this study were harvested at 120, 150 or 180 days after planting, and each sample was used to prepare imo‐shochu. The imo‐shochu samples were evaluated by eight panellists in a blind study, who ranked them on the basis of various odour and taste attributes. Rank sums were calculated and data were analysed using the Friedman test. The compositions of the volatile compounds in the imo‐shochu samples were analysed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Sensory evaluations showed that a longer cultivation period of the sweet potatoes enhanced the floral aroma and characteristic taste of imo‐shochu. In addition, imo‐shochu prepared with the sample cultivated for 150 days was evaluated to have a sweeter taste than that prepared with the other samples. The GC‐MS analysis showed that imo‐shochu prepared with the sample cultivated for 180 days contained a lower concentration of monoterpene alcohols, but higher concentrations of β‐damascenone, rose oxide, and fatty acid esters than the imo‐shochu prepared with the sample cultivated for 120 days. These differences in the composition of the volatile compounds affected the sensory qualities of the imo‐shochu. Copyright © 2016 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Effect of skimmed milk and its fractions on the inactivation of Escherichia coli K12 by high hydrostatic pressure treatment

We investigated the effects of skimmed milk and its protein fractions (casein, whey, globulin, and albumin) on the injury and inactivation of Escherichia coli K-12 by high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment. The protective effect of skimmed milk on HHP-mediated inactivation and injury of E. coli increased with increases in the skimmed milk concentration. However, protein fractions derived from skimmed milk did not exhibit this protective effect. Microscopy analysis by DAPI/PI staining indicated that some cells were localized in the solid portion of skimmed milk, and some of these cells were alive. The coagulated fraction derived from the autoclaved whey fraction also showed a significant protective effect. We speculate that the solid portion in skimmed milk could provide the protective effect to bacterial cells.     

Simultaneous determination of ochratoxin A, B and citrinin in foods by HPLC-FL and LC/MS/MS

Methods using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FL) and using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) were developed for simultaneous determination of ochratoxin A (OTA), ochratoxin B (OTB) and citrinin (CIT) in cereal, fruit, and coffee products. The samples were extracted with ethyl acetate under an acidic condition, and then cleaned up with liquid-liquid separation. The test solutions were analyzed by reverse-phase HPLC-FL and LC/MS/MS. Mass spectral acquisition was performed in positive ion mode by applying multiple reaction monitoring. The performances of both detectors were almost equivalent. The recoveries of OTA and OTB were 87-111%, and that of CIT were 70-88%. The limits of quantification (S/N> or =10) of OTA, OTB and CIT was 0.1 mug/kg or less. These methods were considered to be useful for the determination of the three mycotoxins at low levels (0.1 microg/kg).     

Fused salt synthesis of Bi4Ti3O12

Bismuth titanate powders were prepared in the presence of chloride or sulfate fused salts. In both fluxes, aggregate particles formed during the formation process and differently-shaped primary particles were obtained depending on the flux species. The aggregates changed to discrete plate-like particles on further heating. The crystal structure of the specimens obtained at low temperatures was defective with disturbed long-range order along c-axis and a/b close to unity. The effects of flux species on the nature of the products have been explained in terms of the interaction between Bi ions and flux anions.     

SEMICONTINUOUS ETHANOL FERMENTATION WITH SHOCHU DISTILLERY WASTE*

An effective utilization system using distillery waste discharged from Japanese traditional shochu factory was developed. Mugi (barley) shochu distillery waste discharged from a novel vacuum distillation procedure (35–40°C) contained a large number of viable yeast (7 × 10⁶ cells/ml), glucoamylase activity (19.7 units/ml), acid protease activity (940 units/ml), and neutral protease activity (420 units/ml). Ethanol fermentation was achieved with a mash composed of glucose as the sola carbon source and mugi shochu distillery waste. After ethanol fermentation was completed the fermented broth was again distilled at 35–40°C in vacuo and the non volatile residue used in the next ethanol fermentation. In this way, semicontinuous ethanol fermentation system of more than 10 cycles was developed. Even in the distillate of the mash of the 8th fermentation cycle, 7.9% of ethanol, 33.0 ppm of ethyl acetate, 28.5 ppm of isobutyl alcohol, and other aromatic compounds were present. A semicontinuous ethanol fermentation system has been developed for shochu distillery waste which conventionally is treated as wastewater.     

Screening method for the determination of 199 pesticides in agricultural products by gas chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS)

A screening method is described for determining 200 pesticides, except dimethipin, divided into four groups by means of gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) using an ion trap mass spectrometer equipped with automated gain control (AGC). The quantitation limit for 194 pesticides was 0.01 mg/kg on a crop basis, except for allidochlor, dimethoate, hexythiazox, methamidophos and triadimenol. The calibration curve of each pesticide was linear in the range of 0.04-5.0 microg/mL. One hundred and ninety-nine pesticides were added to matrix of potato, spinach, cabbage, apple, orange, soybean and unpolished rice at twice the limits of quantitation. The recoveries of 194 pesticides from all crops were satisfactory (50-150%) for screening purposes. Although some pesticides in apple and orange were not determined by selected ion monitoring (SIM) analysis at the limits of quantitation, all of them were identified by ion-trap GC/MS/MS at the same concentration. Thus, the ion trap GC/MS/MS technique is useful for the screening of residual pesticides present at low levels in agricultural products.     

Determination of captafol,cyhexatin, 1-naphthylacetic acid and quintozene in apple,Japanese pear and melon by simultaneous extraction

A simple and rapid method is described for the determination of the non-registered pesticides, captafol, quintozene (PCNB), cyhexatin and 1-naphthylacetic acid (NAA), in fruits. These pesticides were extracted with acidified acetone, then captafol and PCNB were purified with a Florisil mini column and analyzed by GC-ECD. Cyhexatin was ethylated with ethylmagnesium bromide, and the ethyl derivative was analyzed by GC-FPD (Sn filter). NAA was purified with liquid-liquid extraction and determined by HPLC equipped with a fluorescence detector. These analytes were identified with GC/MS or LC/MS. The minimum identified concentration of the pesticides was below 0.2 ng per injection, which corresponds to a detection limit of below 0.02 microgram/g in the original samples. Recoveries of the pesticides spiked at 0.1 microgram/g into apple, Japanese pear and melon were greater than 61%.     

Development of service-oriented products based on the inverse manufacturing concept

To achieve sustainability, resource consumption and waste generation must be drastically decreased. For societal acceptance, preservation of both quality of life and corporate profits are essential. One promising approach is to shift the source of value from the amount of product sold to the quality of services the product provides. This paper describes the need for redesigning recycling systems from a manufacturing perspective and then discusses the possibility of this "servicification" of products, describing our experience with prototype development. We discuss development of product prototypes and their business, using consumer facsimile machines as an example of "service-oriented products". Traditional thought presumes that only products comprising new materials and components are valuable. Consideration of a service-oriented product can serve as a stimulus to revise this mode of thought and to control delivery and quality of disposed products. This paper also provides a life cycle simulation of the developed service-oriented business. Simulation results indicate that service-oriented business can potentially reduce environmental impact while extending business opportunities from the viewpoint of whole product life cycles.