Studies on antioxidant activities of mucuna seed (Mucuna pruriens var utilis) extract and various non‐protein amino/imino acids through in vitro models

The antioxidant activities of a methanolic extract of mucuna beans (Mucuna pruriens var utilis) and several non‐protein amino/imino acids, namely L ‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (L ‐dopa), L ‐3‐carboxy‐6,7‐dihydroxy‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline (compound I), (?)‐1‐methyl‐3‐carboxy‐6,7‐dihydroxy‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline (compound II) and 5‐hydroxytryptophan (5‐HTP), were evaluated. By virtue of their hydrogen‐donating ability, all the tested compounds and the mucuna seed extract showed excellent reducing power, with the highest values being recorded for L ‐dopa in a dose‐dependent manner. Similarly, as compared with synthetic antioxidants (BHT and BHA) and quercetin, all the tested compounds and the seed extract were found to be more potent in free radical‐scavenging activity (P < 0.05) against α,α‐diphenyl‐β‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH^?) radicals. Hydroxyl radicals (OH^?) and superoxide anion radicals (O₂^??) were effectively scavenged by the tested compounds, with the exception that no scavenging activity of 5‐HTP was observed on (O₂^??) up to a concentration of 2 mg ml^?1, as was also the case for BHA. Among the tested non‐protein amino/imino acids and seed extract the highest peroxidation‐inhibiting activity (95%) was recorded for 5‐HTP. On the other hand, in the linoleic acid/β‐carotene‐bleaching system, L ‐dopa, compound I and compound II acted as pro‐oxidants, whereas the seed extract showed only weak antioxidant activity as in the linoleic acid emulsion system. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

葡萄籽中原花青素的稳定性研究

研究了原花青素在不同条件下的稳定性，结果表明：原花青素光稳定性较差；低pH值稳定性较好；热稳定性较好，但在60℃以上温度时原花青素会受到一定影响；添加剂Vc、亚硫酸氢钠可提高葡萄籽原花青素的稳定性；Fe^2＋和Sn^2＋对原花青素有明显的破坏作用，Cu^2＋、Pb^2＋、Mn^2＋影响较小，Al^3＋、Zn^2＋、Na^＋、Mg^2＋影响较大。     

棉仁生育酚组成及其含量的高效液相色谱测定方法研究

优化并建立了棉仁生育酚含量的快速提取技术及高效液相色谱检测方法。样品用抗坏血酸和乙醇溶液处理后,正己烷超声萃取,以正己烷/异丙醇(100/1)流动相,采用C18色谱柱(ZORBAXRX-SIL)等度洗脱,流速0.88 m L/min,紫外检测器检测并定量(激发波长300 nm,发射波长330 nm)。测得4种生育酚的回归方程R2在0.990~0.999之间,线性关系良好;4种生育酚精密度试验结果的相对标准偏差(RSDs,n=5)均小于1%,加标回收试验的平均回收率范围在90%~105%之间,RSDs(n=3)低于7%;方法检出限范围为0.1~0.2μg/m L,定量限为0.2~0.5μg/m L。该方法作为棉仁生育酚的快速测定方法,准确、快捷、选择性好,具有较强的实用价值。     

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction,Preliminary Characterization,and Antioxidant Activity of a Novel Water-Soluble Polysaccharide from Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) Seeds

Ultrasound-assisted extraction was employed to extract polysaccharides from lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) seeds. Response Surface Methodology was used to determine the optimal extraction conditions of ultrasound power, extraction time, and extraction temperature at 406 W, 7.7 min, and 94°C, respectively. The crude extract was successively purified by chromatography, yielding a major polysaccharide fraction termed LSPS-1. It is a heteropolysaccharide, containing rhamnose, arabinose, glucose, and galactose with a molecular weight of 4484 Da and an α-dominating configuration in pyranose form sugar. Preliminary antioxidant activity test in vitro showed LSPS-1 could potentialize the scavenging effect on hydroxyl radicals in a dose dependent manner.     

Effect of Seeding on Metal Ion Recovery from Wastewater by Reactive Crystallization of Metal Carbonates

Reactive crystallization for separation and recovery of divalent metal ions from wastewater using a semi‐batch crystallizer has been developed. In this process, metal carbonates are produced by reacting metal sulfate solution with sodium carbonate solution. Nickel and copper ions are crystallized under particular initial pH conditions but the product shapes are not regular. Consequently, sphere seeds have been used as nucleus‐generating agents and their growth mechanism has been examined. When providing a particular amount of seeds before crystallization, metal substances piled up on the surface of the seeds, maintaining the form sphere, and the production of fines was restricted. The metal removal rate through reactive crystallization was ～99.9 % on average. This operation proved to be suitable for application in industrial wastewater treatment and for recycling of metal materials.     

Comparison of radiation‐induced hydrocarbons for the identification of irradiated perilla and sesame seeds of different origins

BACKGROUND: Perilla and sesame seeds, a rich source of energy, are commonly utilized in different forms in many countries. During the post‐harvest period, they are contaminated with insects as well as microbes that may have importance for keeping quality and quarantine, and thus they can be treated with ionizing radiation for insect disinfestation and microbial decontamination. Reliable and routine methods to identify whether or not a food has been irradiated are needed to help consumers' understanding of irradiated food and promote international trade. In the present study, fat‐derived hydrocarbons from irradiated perilla seeds and sesame seeds of Korean and Chinese origin were analyzed in order to identify irradiation treatment by comparing their properties during the post‐irradiation period. RESULTS: Gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric analysis showed that several saturated hydrocarbons, such as tetradecane, pentadecane, hexadecane and heptadecane, were found in the non‐irradiated control samples, while four radiation‐induced unsaturated hydrocarbons (R² = 0.647–0.997), such as 1,7,10‐hexadecatriene (C_16:3), 1,7‐hexadecadiene (C_16:2), 6,9‐heptadecadiene (C_17:2) and 8‐heptadecene (C_17:1), were detected in all irradiated samples at 0.5 kGy or higher, with variations according to sample and origin. Concentrations of all hydrocarbons were reduced during storage and could not be detected in 0.5 kGy irradiated Chinese sample of either seed after 8 months. CONCLUSION: Radiation‐induced hydrocarbons (C_{16:3, 16:2, 17:2, 17:1}) could be used as markers to identify irradiated perilla and sesame seeds of both Korean and Chinese origin at 1 kGy or higher for 8 months' storage at room temperature. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

堤防工程的植被防护措施

通过试验工程，阐述了在江河堤防工程中，除采用传统工程防护措施外，还可结合植被防护措施，诸如营造固滩防浪林，采取三维网垫植草护坡及水力喷播等植被防护措施，既能提高堤坝的行洪安全性，又能改善生态环境。     

不同储藏条件对油葵籽生理品质的影响研究

测定不同储藏条件下油葵籽生理指标的变化情况.结果表明:随着储藏时间的延长,油葵籽色泽、气味逐渐出现异常,生活力、发芽率和过氧化氢酶活度均呈逐渐下降的趋势,且温度和水分越高,下降趋势越明显.因此,低温、低水分是油葵籽安全储藏的主要条件.     

Influence of the degree of fusariosis on technological traits of wheat grain

The paper aims to enlarge the current knowledge about the dependence of technological traits of wheat grain on its degree of infestation (DI) with fusariosis. Samples of grain of four wheat cultivars were obtained from naturally grown crops (control) and from crops inoculated with Fusarium culmorum from which three degrees of kernel infestation were selected. Samples were determined for thousand kernels weight (TKW), total protein, starch and wet gluten (WG) contents, Hagberg falling number (HFN) and sedimentation value (SV). Content of protein and wet gluten showed higher values for moderately infested kernels (up to 15 and 25%, respectively, when compared to control grain) than for kernels lightly or heavily infested. All the remaining traits had values lower than that for control grain and showed a decrease with increasing DI. Decrease for the heaviest infestation was on average: 8, 29, 31 and 34% for starch, TKW, HFN and SV, respectively.     

Isolation and purification of a novel antioxidant protein from the water extract of Sundakai (Solanum torvum) seeds

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) at physiological concentrations may be required for normal cell function. Excessive production of ROS can be detrimental to cells, because ROS can cause oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA. Herein, we describe the isolation and purification of a novel antioxidant protein the water extract of dried, powdered Sundakai (Solanum torvum [Solanaceae]) seeds. Sundakai belongs to the Solanaceae family, a small shrub, which is distributed widely in India, Malaya, China, Phillipines and tropical America. Fifty percent of ammonium sulphate-precipitated crude water extract was fractionated on a Sephadex G100 column, which yielded two peaks, PI and PII. Peaks PI and PII inhibited lipid peroxidation up to 40% and 89%, respectively in linolenic acid micelles. Rechromatographing of peak PII on Sephadex G100 yielded a single peak, indicating the homogeneity of the purified protein. SDS–PAGE analysis indicated the molecular weight of the purified protein to be ∼28 kDa. The purified protein, at 0.8 μM, inhibited deoxyribose degradation induced by generation of hydroxyl radicals by 90% and scavenged DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radicals by 76%. The reducing power and chelating power of the purified protein, at 0.8 μM, were found to be 72% and 85%, respectively. The protein, at 0.8 μM, also offered significant protection to calf thymus DNA damage induced by H₂O₂ (1 mM). Therefore, the present study demonstrates, for the first time, a novel protein from the water extract of Sundakai seeds as an excellent antioxidant.