Variation of phenolic content in coconut oil extracted by two conventional methods

Phenolic compounds present in the nonsaponifiable fraction of coconut oil were analysed by high‐performance liquid chromatography with florescence detection. Mass spectra of the phenolic compounds were also obtained separately by LC–MS to confirm the presence of the phenolic compounds. Caffeic acid, p‐coumaric acid, ferulic acid and (+/?) catechin were observed in coconut oil. Phenolic acid fraction of the coconut oil prepared by boiling coconut milk (traditional coconut oil) was more complex compared with that of coconut oil prepared by pressing copra (commercial coconut oil). Total phenol content of traditional coconut oil was nearly seven times higher than that of commercial coconut oil (618 ± 46 vs. 91 ± 11 mg kg^?1), suggesting that the phenol content varies with the extraction method.     

超声辅助提取-高效液相色谱法测定荷叶中的生物碱

采用超声提取法提取荷叶中的O-去甲荷叶碱、N-去甲荷叶碱、荷叶碱和莲碱4种主要的生物碱,建立HPLC分析方法进行评价,为荷叶及相关产品的质量控制提供参考。选用Welch Materials C18色谱柱(250 mm×4.6 mm,5μm),以乙腈-水(含0.1%三乙胺)为流动相进行梯度洗脱,实现了O-去甲荷叶碱、N-去甲荷叶碱、荷叶碱和莲碱4种生物碱的同时基线分离。在0.1～50μg/mL范围内,O-去甲荷叶碱(R=0.999 8)、N-去甲荷叶碱(R=0.999 9)、荷叶碱(R=0.999 8)和莲碱(R=0.999 8)具有良好的线性关系,检出限分别为1.87、2.22、2.34和1.88 ng/mL(S/N=3∶1)。     

Research advances in traditional and modern use of Nelumbo nucifera: phytochemicals,health promoting activities and beyond

Abstract

Nelumbo nucifera, or sacred lotus, has been valuable for us to use as vegetable, functional food, and herb medicine for over 2,000?years. The purpose of this article is to systematically review the traditional/modern uses, chemical compositions and pharmacological activities on different parts of N. nucifera. Traditionally, this plant has been used to treat chronic dyspepsia, hematuria, insomnia, nervous disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and hyperlipidemia. Now, phytochemical investigations on different parts of N. nucifera have indicated a wide spectrum of at least 255 constituents belonging to different chemical groups, including proteins, amino acids, polysaccharides, starch, flavonoids, alkaloids, essential oils, triterpenoids, steroids, and glycosides. Meanwhile, its pharmacological activities, including anti-obesity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antitumor, memory-improving and antiviral activities, have also been reviewed, together with its applications in health food industry and clinic uses of its single plant or herbal formulae. Herein, this review will provide state-of-the-art overview on its traditional and modern uses in food industry and medicines, together with the comprehensive profiles of phytochemicals, and health promoting bioactivities of this valuable plant. In addition, the new perspectives and future challenges in the research on lotus are also outlined.     

Phenolic Compounds,Antioxidant Activity,and Medium Chain Fatty Acids Profiles of Coconut Water and Meat at Different Maturity Stages

Coconut is grown in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. The endosperm (water and meat) is consumed and processed in different forms. This study investigated the antioxidant activities and identified the phenolic compounds existing in the water and meat of coconut fruits at three different maturity stages, i.e., 180, 190, and 225 days after pollination from two planting areas in Thailand. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity indices increased as the coconut matured from 180 to 190 days after pollination and then decreased or remained unchanged at 225 days after pollination. Catechin and salicylic acid were the major phenolic compounds found in the water, while gallic, caffeic, salicylic, and p-coumaric acids were found in the meat. The fat content of the meat increased significantly with maturity stage. Medium chain fatty acids profiles were also analyzed. The results are important for producers, processors, and consumers to realize an optimal quality and functionality of coconut water and meat when used for specific purposes.     

Solar photocatalytically active,engineered silver nanoparticle synthesis using aqueous extract of mesocarp of Cocos nucifera (Red Spicata Dwarf)

ABSTRACT

Silver nanoparticles synthesised using aqueous extract of Cocos nucifera (CN) mesocarp were evaluated for their photocatalytic activity under solar irradiation. The silver nanoparticles were synthesised by a green method of harnessing bioactive phytocomponents from the mesocarp of Cocos nucifera. Large-scale application of this process necessitates the manoeuvering of the process parameters for increasing the conversion of silver ions to nanoparticles. Process parameters influencing the morphological characteristics of silver nanoparticles such as precursor salt concentration and pH of the synthesis mixture were studied. The crystalline nanoparticles were characterised using UV-vis spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, SEM and EDX analysis. CN extract and 5 mM silver nitrate solution at a ratio of 1:4 (v/v) in the synthesis mixture was found to be the optimum. Alkaline initial pH of the synthesis mixture was found to favour the synthesis of smaller sized monodispersed silver nanoparticles. Solar energy was harnessed for the photocatalytic degradation of Malachite green dye using silver nanoparticles obtained through the green synthesis method. Overall process aims at utilisation of naturally available resource for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles as well as the degradation of dyes using these nanoparticles, making it useful in the treatment of wastewater.     

Programs as Paradigms

How might we synthesise two very different approaches in architecture? One based on programme and another on typology or paradigm. Pablo Miranda Carranza , a researcher at the Architecture School at the RoyalInstitute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, takes his cue from an approach suggested by Colin Rowe in the early 1980s to examine how computation formulates architectural thinking and presentation.     

柱前衍生化高效液相色谱法测定莲子心中去甲乌药碱含量

以9-芴甲基-N-琥珀酰亚胺基碳酸酯（Fmoc-OSu）为荧光衍生化试剂,建立了柱前荧光衍生化反相高效液相色谱法分析去甲乌药碱的高灵敏分析方法.在硼酸缓冲溶液（pH=8.5）中,去甲乌药碱与Fmoc-OSu在温和的反应条件下反应生成具有荧光性的去甲乌药碱衍生物.采用UltimateR○XB-C18（5μm,150mm×4.6mm i.d.）色谱柱,用乙腈-水（体积分数比为85∶15）等溶液强度洗脱,以λ=265nm为激发波长,λ=315nm为发射波长,对去甲乌药碱衍生物进行了检测.实验结果显示：去甲乌药碱在0.05～20μg/mL范围内呈良好的线性关系（r=0.999 8）,其最低检出限（S/N=3）为5.0ng/mL,加标回收率为94.1%～105.9%,RSD为2.74%（n=5）.本方法灵敏度高、选择性好、准确度高,能够满足含去甲乌药碱中药材的质量控制.     

冬荷品种选育与栽培技术研究--以三水荷花世界为基地

冬荷在亚热带地区四季常绿,花期长达10个月(3月～12月),性耐寒,5℃时叶不枯黄,10℃左右花蕾出水,18℃～20℃开花.花繁密,结实率高,地下茎不会膨大成藕,所以比普通荷花观赏价值高.广东三水荷花世界用3年时间,采用以藕鞭为材料的配套栽繁技术,选育出3个冬荷新品种,可在我国南方沿海地区和东南亚各国推广应用.