Liaison of phenolic acids and biological activity of escalating cultivars of Daucus carota

The objective of the present study was to analyze and compare the phenolic compounds and their antioxidant capacities of new lines of Dacus carota. The selected cultivars showed high variation in the contents of total phenolics (30.26–65.39 mg/100 g FW) and total ascorbic acid (41.12–58.36 mg/100 g FW). Analysis on RP-HPLC revealed that hydroxycinnamic acids and its derivatives were major phenolic compounds present in D. carota extracts, whereas 5-caffeolquinic acid was a major hydroxycinnamic acid (ranged from 30.26 to 65.39 mg/100 g FW). DCP cultivar showed high total antioxidant capacity (77.69 mg/100 g), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging capacity (52.36 mg/100 g), superoxide radical scavenging capacity (53.69 mg/100 g), and hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity (51.91 mg/100 g). A linear relationship was found between total phenolic acid contents and antioxidant capacity. Both phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacities varied significantly (ρ < 0.05) among cultivars. DCP cultivar was found to be a rich source of phenolics and ascorbic acid with high antioxidant activity.     

Phosphine-induced sterility in Ephestia cautella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The present study was conducted to explore the sterilizing effect of phosphine on Ephestia cautella. Three to four-day old pupae were exposed to 0, 0.007, 0.014, 0.021, 0.028, 0.035, 0.042 and 0.049 mg/l of phosphine for 24 h at room temperature. The normally developed adults of each treatment were pair mated and several physiological and genetical parameters were investigated. The results showed gradual increases with dose in pupal mortality and adult malformation. The crossing results showed no changes in adult longevity and mating frequency. However, consistent reduction was noted in the fecundity and fertility of normally emerged adults. Preliminary data indicated similar levels of inherited sterility in the F₁ adults raised from the above mentioned crosses.     

Banana peel: an effective biosorbent for aflatoxins

This work reports the application of banana peel as a novel bioadsorbent for in vitro removal of five mycotoxins (aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2) and ochratoxin A). The effect of operational parameters including initial pH, adsorbent dose, contact time and temperature were studied in batch adsorption experiments. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and point of zero charge (pH_pzc) analysis were used to characterise the adsorbent material. Aflatoxins’ adsorption equilibrium was achieved in 15 min, with highest adsorption at alkaline pH (6–8), while ochratoxin has not shown any significant adsorption due to surface charge repulsion. The experimental equilibrium data were tested by Langmuir, Freundlich and Hill isotherms. The Langmuir isotherm was found to be the best fitted model for aflatoxins, and the maximum monolayer coverage (Q₀) was determined to be 8.4, 9.5, 0.4 and 1.1 ng mg^?1 for AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 respectively. Thermodynamic parameters including changes in free energy (ΔG), enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) were determined for the four aflatoxins. Free energy change and enthalpy change demonstrated that the adsorption process was exothermic and spontaneous. Adsorption and desorption study at different pH further demonstrated that the sorption of toxins was strong enough to sustain pH changes that would be experienced in the gastrointestinal tract. This study suggests that biosorption of aflatoxins by dried banana peel may be an effective low-cost decontamination method for incorporation in animal feed diets.     

In Vitro and In Vivo Metabolism of the Radiolytic Compound 2-Dodecylcyclobutanone

ABSTRACT: Our knowledge about the metabolism of alkylcyclobutanones (2-ACBs) is limited, and the lack of literature on the metabolism of 2-ACBs causes consumers to doubt the safety of irradiated foods. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the metabolism of 2-dodecylcyclobutanone (2-DCB) and identify any possible metabolite. The 2-DCB was mixed with rat S9 (postmitochondrial supernatant fraction) and β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) and incubated for 2 h at 37 °C. Then, the incubation mixture was mixed with sodium sulfate and extracted with n-hexane by using a Soxhlet apparatus. The hexane extract was concentrated under nitrogen and injected into the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) machine running in selective ion monitoring mode (SIM) to measure 2-DCB concentration. The hexane extract from the in vitro and in vivo studies was also derivatized with a silylation reagent and injected into a GC-MS running in full scan mode. The average percentage of 2-DCB recovered from the test incubations was 23%, compared with 50% from the controls. The GC-MS chromatograms of the derivatized samples showed a unique peak in the in vitro test incubations and in the hexane extract of the rat feces that were given 2-DCB. This peak was later identified as 2-doecylcyclobutanol.     

Microencapsulation of Fish Oil by Spray Granulation and Fluid Bed Film Coating

Abstract: The stability of microencapsulated fish oil prepared with 2 production processes, spray granulation (SG) and SG followed by film coating (SG-FC) using a fluid bed equipment, was investigated. In the 1st process, 3 types of fish oil used were based on the ratios of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (10/50, 33/22, and 18/12). Each type was emulsified with soluble soybean polysaccharide (SSPS) and maltodextrin to produce 25% oil powders. In the 2nd process, 15% film coating of hydroxypropyl betacyclodextrin (HPBCD) was applied to the granules from the 1st process. The powder stability against oxidation was examined by measurement of peroxide values (PV) and headspace propanal after storage at room temperature and at 3 to 4 °C for 6 wk. Uncoated powder containing the lowest concentration of PUFA (18/12) was found to be stable during storage at room temperature with maximum PV of 3.98 ± 0.001 meq/kg oil. The PV increased sharply for uncoated powder with higher concentration of omega-3 (in 33/22 and 10/50 fish oils) after 3 wk storage. The PVs were in agreement with the concentration of propanal, and these 2 parameters remained constant for most of the uncoated powders stored at low temperature. Unexpectedly, the outcomes showed that the coated powders had lower stability than uncoated powders as indicated by higher initial PVs; more hydroperoxides were detected as well as increasing propanal concentration. The investigation suggests that the film-coating by HPBCD ineffectively protected fish oil as the coating process might have induced further oxidation; however, SG is a good method for producing fish oil powder and to protect it from oxidation because of the “onion skin” structure of granules produced in this process.     

A novel technique for the measurement of liquid viscosity

A novel technique for the measurement of liquid viscosity is presented. In this technique, a disk was driven by a constant speed dc shunt motor in the test liquid. The change in the motor current measured the viscosity. The change in motor current was measured using an instrumentation amplifier and the viscosity of the liquid was measured in terms of output voltage. The temperature of the liquid was controlled using a peltier cooler/heater and was measured using an AD590 two-terminal integrated circuit temperature sensor. The viscosity of vegetable oils (groundnut, palm, sunflower, coconut) in the temperature range from 20 °C to 60 °C were determined. The results thus found were similar to the results obtained from a Redwood viscometer. This technique is useful to measure viscosity of liquids.     

Prevalence of Campylobacter species in meat, milk and other food commodities in Pakistan

A surveillance study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Campylobacter in meat, milk and other food commodities in Pakistan. Over a period of 3 years (January 2002-December 2004), a total of 1636 food samples of meat, milk and other food commodities were procured from three big cities of Pakistan (Faisalabad, Lahore and Islamabad) and were analysed. Among meat samples, the highest prevalence (48%) of Campylobacter was recorded in raw chicken meat followed by raw beef (10.9%) and raw mutton (5.1%). Among other food commodities, the highest prevalence was observed in vegetable/fruit salad (40.9%), sandwiches (32%), cheese (11%) and raw bulk milk samples (10.2%). The overall prevalence of Campylobacter was found to be 21.5%, out of which 70.6% were identified as Campylobacter (C.) jejuni and 29.4% as C. coli. The study reported that the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. was significantly higher in the food commodities, which included raw/undercooked ingredients.     

Algal ecology and composition in the Garmat ali river,Iraq

Planktonic, epipelic and epiphytic algae were studied monthly, during the period from January to December 1985 in the Garmat ali river, a naturally regulated river draining to the al-Hammar marsh, Iraq. Chlorophyll-a, primary productivity and water quality variables were also measured. High light penetration was noticed during the winter and spring. The water is oligohaline, alkaline and very hard. Reactive nitrate was found in higher concentrations than nitrite, and there were low concentrations of reactive phosphate. Two peaks were noticed for chlorophyll-a concentrations during spring and autumn, whereas only one occurred during autumn for primary productivity. The study area may be characterized as typically mesotrophic. A total of 154 species of algae was identified, including 65, 89, 98 and 77 species of plankton, epipelic and epiphytic algae on Potamogeton lucens and on Ceratophyllum demersum, respectively. Only 25 species were common to all the different communities. Diatoms were the dominant group in the epipelic and epiphytic algae during the study period, as well as in the plankton during spring and autumn. Seasonal variations were clear in the total cell numbers of algae from different habitats.     

The Plasminogen–Activator Plasmin System in Physiological and Pathophysiological Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is a process associated with the migration and proliferation of endothelial cells (EC) to form new blood vessels. It is involved in various physiological and pathophysiological conditions and is controlled by a wide range of proangiogenic and antiangiogenic molecules. The plasminogen activator–plasmin system plays a major role in the extracellular matrix remodeling process necessary for angiogenesis. Urokinase/tissue-type plasminogen activators (uPA/tPA) convert plasminogen into the active enzyme plasmin, which in turn activates matrix metalloproteinases and degrades the extracellular matrix releasing growth factors and proangiogenic molecules such as the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A). The plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is the main inhibitor of uPA and tPA, thereby an inhibitor of pericellular proteolysis and intravascular fibrinolysis, respectively. Paradoxically, PAI-1, which is expressed by EC during angiogenesis, is elevated in several cancers and is found to promote angiogenesis by regulating plasmin-mediated proteolysis and by promoting cellular migration through vitronectin. The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) also induces EC cellular migration during angiogenesis via interacting with signaling partners. Understanding the molecular functions of the plasminogen activator plasmin system and targeting angiogenesis via blocking serine proteases or their interactions with other molecules is one of the major therapeutic strategies scientists have been attracted to in controlling tumor growth and other pathological conditions characterized by neovascularization.     

Genomics and Epigenomics of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Understanding the Molecular Pathways of the Disease Pathogenesis

One of the most common complications during pregnancy is gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), hyperglycemia that occurs for the first time during pregnancy. The condition is multifactorial, caused by an interaction between genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for its pathogenesis remain elusive. Moreover, in contrast to several common metabolic disorders, molecular research in GDM is lagging. It is important to recognize that GDM is still commonly diagnosed during the second trimester of pregnancy using the oral glucose tolerance test (OGGT), at a time when both a fetal and maternal pathophysiology is already present, demonstrating the increased blood glucose levels associated with exacerbated insulin resistance. Therefore, early detection of metabolic changes and associated epigenetic and genetic factors that can lead to an improved prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes and future cardio-metabolic pathologies in GDM women and their children is imperative. Several genomic and epigenetic approaches have been used to identify the genes, genetic variants, metabolic pathways, and epigenetic modifications involved in GDM to determine its etiology. In this article, we explore these factors as well as how their functional effects may contribute to immediate and future pathologies in women with GDM and their offspring from birth to adulthood. We also discuss how these approaches contribute to the changes in different molecular pathways that contribute to the GDM pathogenesis, with a special focus on the development of insulin resistance.