六种中药水提物体外抗氧化活性研究

从羟自由基清除率、还原力、抑制脂质过氧化能力和清除DPPH自由基等四个方面研究了旱莲草、积雪草、莱菔子、马齿苋、女贞子、枇杷核等六味中药水提物的体外抗氧化作用。结果显示,在羟自由基清除率方面,从强到弱清除能力依次是马齿苋、积雪草、旱莲草、枇杷核、女贞子和莱菔子。在还原力方面,六味中药从强至弱顺序依次是积雪草、马齿苋、旱莲草、枇杷核、女贞子和莱菔子。在抑制脂质过氧化方面,抗氧化能力从强到弱依次是马齿苋、女贞子、莱菔子、枇杷核、积雪草和旱莲草。在DPPH自由基方面,其清除能力从大到小依次是积雪草、马齿苋、枇杷核、旱莲草、女贞子和莱菔子。结论表明,六味中药的水提物均具有一定的体外抗氧化活性。     

The occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in dried herbs and spices

A sensitive, selective, and robust method for the determination of four EU-regulated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (benzo[a]pyrene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and benzo[a]anthracene) at trace levels in dried herbs and spices using gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry was elaborated and validated in accordance with the performance criteria outlined in EU legislation. A total of 150 samples of oregano, basil, thyme, black pepper, paprika, and nutmeg were tested for the occurrence of four PAHs. These PAHs were detected in 86% of the samples. The benzo[a]pyrene content in seasonings ranged from non-detectable levels to 6.60 μg kg⁻¹. None of the samples exceeded the levels acceptable in EU for BaP and the sum of four regulated PAHs.     

Heavy metals in spices and herbs from wholesale markets in Malaysia

As, Cd, Pb and Hg were analysed in commonly consumed spices and herbs in Malaysia. The range of As, Cd, Pb and Hg content was 0.24–2.54, 0.23–8.07, 1.54–8.94 and 0.06–0.52?µg?g^–1, respectively. The highest concentration of Cd, Pb and Hg in spices and herbs exceeded the maximum permitted proportion, which are 1, 2 and 0.05?µg?g^?1, respectively. This study suggests further monitoring of Cd, Pb and Hg on daily consumption of spices and herbs and its toxicological implication for consumers since only the amount of As was lower than the permitted concentration.     

Screening culinary herbs for antioxidant and α‐glucosidase inhibitory activities

Twelve commonly consumed culinary herbs were assessed for their potential effect in mitigating oxidative stress and postprandial hyperglycaemia: River Mint, Vietnamese Mint, Fish Mint, Spearmint, Sweet Basil, Thai Basil, Coriander, Lemon Verbena, Vietnamese Perilla, Rice Patty, Sawtooth and Rosemary. The radical scavenging and reducing antioxidant activity of the herbs were quite variable ranging from 31–652 mg Trolox Equivalent to 35–512 mg Ferrous Equivalent per gram dried leaves, respectively. The herbs were largely inactive against pancreatic α‐amylase, but showed strong inhibitions against yeast α‐glucosidase at 100 μg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE) per millilitre. Vietnamese Mint is the most potent herbs with the concentration required for 50% inhibition of activity of 6.9 μg Dried Leaves per millilitre. In addition, Vietnamese Mint was the only herb that produced significant inhibition of rat intestinal α‐glucosidases, reducing activity to 29.6% at 100 μg GAE mL^?1 compared with control.     

北京地区几种野菜主要营养素的测定

本文对北京地区自然条件及人工规模化栽培条件下生长的几种野菜叶片在采收后进行处理保存，定期测定氨基酸与维生素C的含量。结果表明：野菜中含有的氨基酸种类和数量随时间的延长变化不大；野菜在人工规模化栽培条件下维生素C的含量少于自然条件下生长时维生素C的含量：热烫处理有降低维生素C含量作用。     

OPTIMIZATION OF THE VACUUM DEHYDRATION OF CELERY (APIUM GRAVEOLENS) USING THE RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the vacuum dehydration conditions of celery. The independent variables were drying temperature (65 to 75°C), vacuum pressure (16 to 20 in Hg) and slice thickness (1 to 3 mm). The responses were rehydration ratio, bulk density, final moisture content and over-all acceptability rating. Statistical analysis revealed that temperature, vacuum pressure and slice thickness significantly affected (90% confidence interval) bulk density and final moisture content. Rehydration ratio on the other hand, was affected only by temperature and slice thickness while over-all acceptability rating was not significantly affected by any of the three variables. Contour plots for each of the responses were used to generate an optimum area through superimposition. Model validation was conducted using separate experiments at optimum conditions. Resulting drying curves at optimum conditions showed that vacuum drying of celery occurred in the falling rate period.     

中草药治疗鸡马立克氏病的效果研究

2000年底湖南省教育厅立项“利用中草药治疗鸡马立克氏病”进行中试研究，经过反复试验得知，利用中草药能很好地治愈鸡马立克氏病，与不用药的对照组相比，神经型马立克病其治愈率高达60％左右，皮肤型马立克病的治愈率高达80％左右．早期发现病情立即用药，则治疗效果更好．另外，服用中草药能明显地增强鸡群的食欲，促进生长．     

Culinary Herbs and Spices: Their Bioactive Properties,the Contribution of Polyphenols and the Challenges in Deducing Their True Health Benefits

Herbs and spices have been used for both culinary and medicinal purposes for centuries. Over the last decade, research into their role as contributors of dietary polyphenols, known to possess a number of properties associated with reducing the risk of developing chronic non-communicable diseases, has increased. However, bearing in mind how these foods are consumed, normally in small quantities and in combination with other foods, it is unclear what their true benefit is from a health perspective. The aim of this review is to use the literature to discuss how preparative and digestive processes, bioavailability and interactions between foods may influence the bioactive properties of these foods, and whether or not polyphenols are responsible for these properties. Furthermore, this review aims to highlight the challenges that need to be addressed so as to determine the true benefits of these foods and the mechanisms of action that underpin their purported efficacy.     

Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities in Extracts of Fully Grown Cladodes of 8 Cultivars of Cactus Pear

The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of some cultivars of the nopal cactus have not been determined. In this study, 8 cultivars of nopal cacti from Mexico were assayed for phenolic content, antioxidant activities, and antimicrobial activities against Campylobacter Jejuni, Vibrio cholera, and Clostridium Perfringens. Plant material was washed, dried, and macerated in methanol. Minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were determined using the broth microdilution method. Antioxidant activities were quantitatively determined using spectrophotometric methods. The MCBs of the nopal cacti ranged from 1.1 to 12.5 mg/mL for c. jejuni, 4.4 to 30 mg/mL for V. cholera, and 0.8 to 16 mg/mL for C. perfringens in the cultivars Cardon Blanco, Real de Catorce, and Jalpa, respectively. High quantities of total phenols and total flavonoids were found in the Jalpa cacti (3.80 mg of gallic acid equivalent GAE/g dry weight [DW] and 36.64 mg of quercetin equivalents [QE]/g DW, respectively). 2,2‐Diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities (RSA) were correlated to bioactive compound contents. The Villanueva cacti had the highest %RSA at 42.31%, and the lowest activity was recorded in Copena V1 at 19.98%. In conclusion, we found that some of the 8 cactus pear cultivars studied may be used for their antioxidant compounds or antimicrobials to control or prevent the contamination of foods.