Formulation of sage essential oil (Salvia officinalis,L.) monoterpenes into chitosan hydrogels and permeation study with GC-MS analysis

This study deals with the formulation of natural drugs into hydrogels. For the first time, compounds from the sage essential oil were formulated into chitosan hydrogels. A sample preparation procedure for hydrophobic volatile analytes present in a hydrophilic water matrix along with an analytical method based on the gas chromatography coupled with the mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was developed and applied for the evaluation of the identity and quantity of essential oil components in the hydrogels and saline samples. The experimental results revealed that the chitosan hydrogels are suitable for the formulation of sage essential oil. The monoterpene release can be effectively controlled by both chitosan and caffeine concentration in the hydrogels. Permeation experiment, based on a hydrogel with the optimized composition [3.5% (w/w) sage essential oil, 2.0% (w/w) caffeine, 2.5% (w/w) chitosan and 0.1% (w/w) Tween-80] in donor compartment, saline solution in acceptor compartment, and semi-permeable cellophane membrane, demonstrated the useful permeation selectivity. Here, (according to lipophilicity) an enhanced permeation of the bicyclic monoterpenes with antiflogistic and antiseptic properties (eucalyptol, camphor and borneol) and, at the same time, suppressed permeation of toxic thujone (not exceeding its permitted applicable concentration) was observed. These properties highlight the pharmaceutical importance of the developed chitosan hydrogel formulating sage essential oil in the dermal applications.     

Multiplex PCR system to track authorized and unauthorized genetically modified soybean events in food and feed

A diverse range of genetic elements has been used to develop genetically modified organisms (GMOs) over the last 18 years. Screening methods that target few elements, such as the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus 35S promoter (P-35S) and Agrobacterium tumefaciens nopaline terminator (T-nos), are not sufficient to screen GMOs. In the present study, a multiplex PCR system for all globally commercialized GM soybean events was developed to easily trace the events. For this purpose, screening elements of 24 GM soybean events were investigated and 9 screening targets were selected and divided into three individual triplex PCR systems: P-35S, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit promoter of Arabidopsis thaliana, T-nos, T-35S, pea E9 terminator, open reading frame 23 terminator of A. tumefaciens, proteinase inhibitor II terminator of potato, acetohydroxy acid synthase large subunit terminator of A. thaliana, and the revealed 3′ flanking sequences of DP-305423-1. The specificity of the assays was confirmed using thirteen GM soybean events as the respective positive/negative controls. The limit of detection of each multiplex set, as determined using certified reference materials of specific GM events, ranged from 0.03 to 0.5%, depending upon target. Furthermore, 26 food samples that contained soybean ingredients, which were purchased from the USA, China, Japan, and Korea, were analyzed, 17 of which contained one or more GM soybean events. These results suggest that the developed screening method can be used to efficiently track and identify 24 GM soybean events in food and feed.     

Inhibition of Spore Germination of Phakopsora Pachyrhizi Using Crude Extracts of Amaranthus Spinosus

The effectiveness of methanolic and n-hexane crude extracts of Amaranthus spinosus to inhibit the spore germination of Phakopsora pachyrhizi, a causal agent of soybean rust disease was studied. Both methanolic and n-hexane crude extracts inhibited spore germination at concentrations of 0.1% to 5.0%. Methanolic extract of the roots at a concentration of 2.5% inhibited 55% of spore germination, and this result was similar when higher concentration at 5% of methanolic and n-hexane extracts of the flowers was used. The presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and terpenoids in the extract may be responsible for the inhibition. The extract was potential to be utilized as a botanical fungicide.     

Low concentration short time ozonation of rapeseed seeds reduces the stability of the oil and content of some antioxidant components

Ozonation is an innovative way to preserve high quality of seed during storage and it is an alternative to harmful organophosphorus agents. Disclosure of changes in the rapeseed oil under the influence of oxidative action of ozone on the seeds was the aim of the work and is presented for the first time. Two ozone concentrations and different length of ozonation were applied. The changes in tocopherols, phenolics, flavonoids contents, antiradical activity and oxidative stability were examined. The average vitamin E concentration was 33 mg per 100 g of oil before and 31.7 after ozonation of seeds. The average content of phenolic compounds was 14.3 mg of sinapic acid g⁻¹ and 16.9 after the ozone treatment. Changes in the flavonoids content and antioxidant activity were observed too. Ozonation caused a decrease in the vitamin E concentration which resulted also in reducing the quenching of free radicals and reduction of oil induction time.     

Partitioning of predominant lipophilic bioactives (squalene, α-tocopherol and β-sitosterol) during olive oil processing

The partitioning of predominant lipophilic olive bioactives (squalene, β-sitosterol and α-tocopherol) in olive oil processing was studied for the first time using common integrated olive milling plant. 7% of the oil and 5% of the squalene present in the olives was lost in the last pomace. β-sitosterol and α-tocopherol, which are mainly concentrated in the seed of the olive fruit, was recovered in virgin olive oil to a lesser extent (66%, 67%) while 10% were lost in last pomace. Thus, the loss of β-sitosterol and α-tocopherol was higher than that of squalene and oil, due to nonrecovered bound forms. 19% of the α-tocopherol and 21% of the β-sitosterol loss was unaccounted for, which can be attributed to degradation of α-tocopherol and incomplete recovery of sterols from the olive and pomace matrices. This study provides a basis for process development studies.     

HIGHER PLANT BIOMARKERS IN PALEOGENE CRUDE OILS FROM THE YUFUTSU OIL-AND GASFIELD AND OFFSHORE WILDCATS, JAPAN

Geochemical investigation of Paleogene oils from the onshore Yufutsu oil- and gasfield, southern Hokkaido, and from two nearby offshore wells, revealed the presence of numerous biomarkers of higher plant origin. Biomarkers in the oils belong to different groups of both angiosperm and gymnosperm origin; they include bicyclic sesquiterpanes, diterpanes, and triterpanes and their aromatized counterparts, which suggests a terrestrial origin for the oils. The oils were characterized as having a high wax content, a low content of organosulphur compounds, a high pristane/phytane ratio, and a low C₂₇/(C₂₇+C₂₉) sterane ratio.
Although the oils from on- and offshore Southern Hokkaido are similar in their geochemical composition, notable differences were observed in the biomarker signature of both saturate and aromatic fractions. The oils from the offshore wells appeared to have a greater abundance of higher plant biomarkers compared to those from the Yufutsu field, suggesting an enrichment in higher plant components. Differences in biomarker fingerprint could not be linked to the maturity effect, since the oils appeared to be of similar maturity levels, corresponding to the late stage of the oil window (0.9–1.2%, Rc). The differences in the biomarker signatures between the oils from the Yufutsu field and the offshore wells are likely to be due to facies variations in source organic matter, resulting from differences in the quantity and quality of land plant input.     

测井资料在优选压裂层位中的应用

压裂是低孔、低渗油层改造的主要增产措施。根据常规测井资料、岩石物理实验分析数据及试油成果。研究储层四性关系，确定区块的低孔、低渗储层评价标准。进一步对油层进行分类，有针对性地为油层压裂提供施工层位和准确的储层参数。通过商543区块实例，阐述了选择压裂层位的方法。     

动态评价技术在塔河碳酸盐岩缝洞型油气藏中的应用

塔河油田奥陶系油气藏是大型碳酸盐岩溶洞型油气藏，其储渗空间主要为大小不同的溶洞、裂缝带、溶蚀孔隙等组成，该油气藏具有极强的非均质性，单纯用静态资料来认识这类油气藏是非常困难。文章提出利用生产动态资料和信息进行该类型油气藏研究的新思路，利用人工神经网络技术在处理非线性相关参数预测方面的优势，并以渗流理论为基础，结合试井成果，选用已知油井的产量、油嘴、油压、含水率、气油比、原油密度等6个开发动态参数作为样品输入数据，推导出影响油气藏开发的重要参数（地层系数）与生产信息的关系，建立了人工神经网络预测储层参数的结构模型。通过塔里木盆地塔河油气田实例研究，说明了利用动态信息评价油气藏技术在碳酸盐岩缝洞型油气藏储层预测和非均质性分析等方面具有较高的实用价值。     

稠油微生物开采技术现状及进展

综述了用微生物方法开采稠油的技术现状与进展，论题如下。①概述。②基本方法：异源微生物采油，包括微生物吞吐和微生物驱；本源微生物采油压大港孔店油田的实例。③主要机理，包括产表面活性剂，降解稠油中重质组分及其他。④技术研究，包括机理性、可行性及经济效益研究，列举了国内外6个实例。⑤现场应用，包括国外1个、国内6个实例。⑥该技术的优势及问题。参22。