The concentration of ethyl carbamate in commercial ume (Prunus mume) liqueur products and a method of reducing it

The ethyl carbamate concentration of commercial ume liqueur products was studied, and a method of reducing it was examined from the viewpoint of antioxidation. The average ethyl carbamate concentration across 38 ume liqueur products was 0.12 mg/l (0.02-0.33 mg/l). When potassium metabisulfite was added to a concentration of 0-1,000 ppm during production, the generation of ethyl carbamate was reduced in a concentration-dependent manner, but when the amount of potassium metabisulfite added was below the maximum level allowed under the Japanese Food Sanitation Act, the reduction was only 27%. When ume liqueurs were produced under deoxygenated conditions created using an oxygen absorber, the ethyl carbamate concentration was reduced by up to 47% as compared with the control group, probably due mainly to a reduction in free hydrogen cyanide. When ume liqueur was produced in an oxygen atmosphere, the ethyl carbamate concentration increased by up to 50% as compared with the control group. Thus, oxygen may be involved in the generation of ethyl carbamate in ume liqueur production.     

The Concentration of Ethyl Carbamate in Commercial Ume (Prunus mume) Liqueur Products and a Method of Reducing It

The ethyl carbamate concentration of commercial ume liqueur products was studied, and a method of reducing it was examined from the viewpoint of antioxidation. The average ethyl carbamate concentration across 38 ume liqueur products was 0.12 mg/l (0.02–0.33 mg/l). When potassium metabisulfite was added to a concentration of 0–1,000 ppm during production, the generation of ethyl carbamate was reduced in a concentration-dependent manner, but when the amount of potassium metabisulfite added was below the maximum level allowed under the Japanese Food Sanitation Act, the reduction was only 27%. When ume liqueurs were produced under deoxygenated conditions created using an oxygen absorber, the ethyl carbamate concentration was reduced by up to 47% as compared with the control group, probably due mainly to a reduction in free hydrogen cyanide. When ume liqueur was produced in an oxygen atmosphere, the ethyl carbamate concentration increased by up to 50% as compared with the control group. Thus, oxygen may be involved in the generation of ethyl carbamate in ume liqueur production.     

Anti-genotoxic and free-radical scavenging activities of extracts from (Tunisian) Myrtus communis

The effect of extracts from leaves of Myrtus communis on the SOS reponse induced by Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and Nifuroxazide was investigated in a bacterial assay system, i.e. the SOS chromotest with Escherichia coli PQ37. Aqueous extract, the total flavonoids oligomer fraction (TOF), hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts and essential oil obtained from M. communis significantly decreased the SOS response induced by AFB1 (10 microg/assay) and Nifuroxazide (20 microg/assay). Ethyl acetate and methanol extracts showed the strongest inhibition of the induction of the SOS response by the indirectly genotoxic AFB1. The methanol and aqueous extracts exhibited the highest level of protection towards the SOS-induced response by the directly genotoxic Nifuroxazide. In addition to anti-genotoxic activity, the aqueous extract, the TOF, and the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts showed an important free-radical scavenging activity towards the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. These results suggest the future utilization of these extracts as additives in chemoprevention studies.     

Variety and variability of glycosidase activities in an Oenococcus oeni strain collection tested with synthetic and natural substrates

Aims: To evaluate the capacity of Oenococcus oeni strains to release aroma compounds from glycosylated precursors by measuring glycosidase activities with both synthetic and natural substrates. Methods and Results: Five glycosidase activities were investigated in 47 O. oeni strains using synthetic substrates. This screening revealed that activity levels vary considerably, not only for each strain (depending on the substrate tested), but also between strains. Fifteen strains exhibiting different activity profiles were further analysed using natural substrates extracted from both untoasted and toasted oak. In the latter, various amounts of aromatic compounds were measured, thus confirming the specific potentials of the selected strains, but the results were different from those obtained using synthetic substrates. In addition, the use of toasted wood extracts significantly increased the release of wood aromas, which minimized differences between strains. Conclusions: The capability of O. oeni to hydrolysate glycoconjugate aroma precursors is strain‐dependent and variable, depending on the substrate. Significance and Impact of the Study: Instead of synthetic substrates, natural aroma precursors should be used for an adequate evaluation of the glycosidase potential of O. oeni.     

Reaction of urethane with nucleic acids in vivo

1. [1-(14)C]Ethyl carbamate, ethyl [carboxy-(14)C]carbamate, [1-(14)C]ethanol and sodium hydrogen [(14)C]carbonate were injected intraperitoneally into C57 mice, and nucleic acids and proteins were separated from the liver and lungs with phenol as described by Kirby (1956). 2. Chromatographic analysis of the hydrolytic products of the urethane-labelled RNA showed the presence of a single radioactive compound differing in behaviour from the major pyrimidine nucleotides and purines. 3. The products from RNA labelled by [1-(14)C]ethyl carbamate or ethyl [carboxy-(14)C]carbamate appeared chromatographically identical but could not be detected in the RNA of mice given [1-(14)C]ethanol or sodium hydrogen [(14)C]-carbonate. 4. The labelled product appeared to be the ethyl ester of cytosine-5-carboxylic acid formed by the reaction of urethane with RNA in vivo. 5. A direct reaction between labelled urethane or the labelled metabolite of urethane, [1-(3)H]-ethyl N-hydroxycarbamate, and RNA was not detected.     

Inhibition of Naja nigricolis (Reinhardt) venom protease activity by Luffa egyptiaca (Mill) and Nicotiana rustica (Linn) extracts

Luffa egyptiaca and Nicotiana rustica are used in traditional medicine to treat snakebites and were evaluated for inhibitory activities on Naja nigricolis venom protease. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of L. egyptiaca significantly reduced the maximum velocity (Vmax) and the computed index of physiological efficiency (Kcat) of the enzyme in a dose dependent fashion. The protease activity was non-competitively inhibited by the aqueous extract of N. rustica with the Vmax significantly decreased and the K(M) remained unchanged. However, the N. rustica ethanol extract completely inhibited the protease activity. Ethyl acetate fractions partitioned from ethanol extracts of both plants were also found to completely inhibit the N. nigricolis venom protease activity at 0.1 and 0.05%. The use of these plants could be important in the treatment of snakebites.     

怀山药醇提取物抗DPPH自由基活性研究

将怀山药乙醇提取物采用溶剂萃取的方法,分成极性不同的五个部分,并首次用DPPH(2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl)方法测定各部分的抗自由基活性,发现乙酸乙酯萃取部分活性最强,氯仿萃取部分次之,再其次是正丁醇和水溶性部分。乙酸乙酯和氯仿萃取部分较强的抗自由基活性主要归因于其中所含的多酚类成分。同时利用薄层层析(TLC)、紫外光谱(UV)、^13C核磁共振(NMR)技术及显色反应对酚性成分进行了定性检验,并用Folin-Denis法测定了各萃取部位中酚性成分含量,发现抗自由基活性与萃取物中多酚性成分含量有一定的相关性。因而在评价怀山药质量时,其中所含的酚性成分不应忽视。     

Efficacy of crude extracts of Andrographis paniculata nees. on Callosobruchus chinensis L. during post harvest storage of cowpea

Bioefficacy of different solvent fractions of A. paniculata was tested against the cowpea weevil, C. chinensis in terms of its effect on adult mortality, total egg output and emergence of F1 adults. All the extracts were effective against the weevil, the efficacy was however more significant with respect to methanol and ethyl acetate extracts at the highest concentrations (1,000 ppm) which lead to 72.01 and 67.69% adult mortality respectively. The efficacy was dose dependent. Total egg and percent emergence of Fl adults were lowest for methanol followed by ethyl acetate fractions. Possible role of the principal chemical constituents of this plant in bringing about mortality of the pest, reduction in egg laying and adult emergence are discussed.     

Hemicelluloses of oak wood extracted with aqueous-alcoholic media

Hemicellulose fractions were isolated from ethanol extracts (40-90%) of oak wood. To determine the composition of these fractions, they were hydrolyzed, and the hydrolysis products in the form of trimethylsilyl derivatives were analyzed by GLC-MS. Depending on the content of ethanol, hemicelluloses of different composition were extracted from wood. In alcohols stored in a contact with oak wood and intended for manufacturing brandy and whisky, the content of hemicelluloses increased depending on storage duration. It is assumed that this makes drinks more full-bodied and imparts softness to them.     

Oak wood hemicelluloses extracted with aqueous-alcoholic media

Hemicellulose fractions were isolated from oak wood ethanol extracts (40–90%). To determine the composition of these fractions, they were hydrolyzed and the hydrolysis products in the form of trimethylsilyl derivatives were analyzed by GLC/MS. Depending on the content of the ethanol, hemicelluloses of a different composition were extracted from wood. In alcohols that were kept in oak wood, intended for manufacturing brandy and whisky, the content of the hemicelluloses increased depending on the duration of storage. It is assumed that this makes drinks more full-bodied and makes them softer.     

定点突变改造提高纺锤形赖氨酸芽孢杆菌氨基甲酸乙酯水解酶稳定性

氨基甲酸乙酯(Ethyl carbamate,EC)是一种存在于发酵食品和酿造酒精饮料中的潜在致癌物质。利用生物酶法去除食品饮料中的EC是一种较为安全有效的方法。本研究以来源于赖氨酸芽孢杆菌Lysinibacillus fusiformis SC02的氨基甲酸乙酯水解酶为研究对象,采用计算机辅助设计突变位点,构建了其不稳定区域Q328位点的饱和突变体。通过酶学性质分析发现,突变体Q328C和Q328V在40℃下的半衰期分别提高了7.46和1.99倍,Q328R在高温下也有比原酶更好的耐受性。此外,突变体Q328C对乙醇的耐受性和酸耐受性也有所提高。对氨基甲酸乙酯水解酶分子改造的结果表明,通过改造其不稳定区域Q328位点,可以提高酶的热稳定性及对酸和乙醇的耐受性。     

Potential of natural phenolic antioxidant compounds from Bersama abyssinica (Meliathacea) for treatment of chronic diseases

Chronic diseases including cardiovascular, diabetes and cancer persist for a long time in the course of treatment affecting health and are currently the cause of many deaths. In most cases, the treatment of chronic infectious diseases especially Tuberculosis relies on conventional drugs which are currently becoming fruitless due to drug resistance and unpredicted complications in course of treatment. However, herbal medicines have for a long time been used in prevention and treatment of chronic diseases including asthma and heart diseases in Africa. In this study, we extracted metabolites and screened for active compounds with potential free radical scavenging and pharmacological activities from Bersama abyssinica, the plant commonly used in traditional medicine in Tanzania. B. abyssinica root, stembark and leaf were air dried, sequentially extracted in various solvents including petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethylacetate and methanol to yield extracts and fractions. The extracts and fractions were tested for the presence of several metabolites and antioxidant activity. The analysis of chemical compounds from resultant extracts was done by GC–MS for non-polar factions and LC-MS/MC for moderate polar extracts.High amount of phenolic acid, flavonoids and tannin were identified in ethylacetate fraction compared to ethanol, dichloromethane and petroleum ether. The GC–MS analysis of petroleum ether extract of B. abyssinica stem back yielded twelve (12) compounds with varying composition. The most abundant compounds were 2-Butenoic acid, 3-methyl-, ethyl ester comprising 33.8%, n-Hexadecanoic acid comprising 16.7% and Ethanolpentamethyl- yielded in 16.7%.The LC-MS/MS analysis of Ethyl acetate fractions yielded 20 compounds including; Mangiferin and Isoquercitin were abundant in leaves, stembark and roots. Lastly, ethyl vanillate was identified in both roots and leaves whereas Quercitrin and 7,8-Dimethoxycoumarin were found in stembark and root.These findings indicated that B. abyssinica is rich in phenolic compounds ranging from phenolic acids, flavonoids and coumarin that possess high antioxidant and pharmacological properties potential for treatment of chronic diseases.     

Radical scavenging activities of Rio Red grapefruits and Sour orange fruit extracts in different in vitro model systems

Antioxidant fractions from two different citrus species such as Rio Red (Citrus paradise Macf.) and Sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) were extracted with five different polar solvents using Soxhlet type extractor. The total phenolic content of the extracts was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method. Ethyl acetate extract of Rio Red and Sour orange was found to contain maximum phenolics. The dried fractions were screened for their antioxidant activity potential using in vitro model systems such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), phosphomolybdenum method and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction at different concentrations. The methanol:water (80:20) fraction of Rio Red showed the highest radical scavenging activity 42.5%, 77.8% and 92.1% at 250, 500 and 1000 ppm, respectively, while methanol:water (80:20) fraction of Sour orange showed the lowest radical scavenging activity at all the tested concentrations. All citrus fractions showed good antioxidant capacity by the formation of phosphomolybdenum complex at 200 ppm. In addition, superoxide radical scavenging activity was assayed using non-enzymatic (NADH/phenaxine methosulfate) superoxide generating system. All the extracts showed variable superoxide radical scavenging activity. Moreover, methanol:water (80:20) extract of Rio Red and methanol extract of Sour orange exhibited marked reducing power in potassium ferricyanide reduction method. The data obtained using above in vitro models clearly establish the antioxidant potential of citrus fruit extracts. However, comprehensive studies need to be conducted to ascertain the in vivo bioavailability, safety and efficacy of such extracts in experimental animals. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on antioxidant activity of different polar extracts from Rio Red and Sour oranges.     

Toxicity of hardwood extractives toward Saccharomyces cerevisiae glucose fermentation

The toxicity of oak and yellow-poplar wood extracts, as well as a first-stage hardwood hydrolyzate liquor prepared from a red oak:white oak:yellow-poplar (1:1:1) sawdust, on Saccharomyces cerevisiae D5A was examined. Acetone/water and hot methanol extracts of solid biomass samples from white oak, red oak, and yellow-poplar gave 88-94% of the ethanol produced with controls. The organism was tolerant to the compounds present in the xylose-rich hydrolyzate, with fermentation efficiency being improved to 97% of that obtained with controls by using an overliming/thermal conditioning protocol.     

Red oak wood derived inhibitors in the ethanol fermentation of xylose byPichia stipitis CBS 5776

Summary Xylose, the predominant sugar in red oak prehydrolysate, is fermented to ethanol byPichia stipitis CBS 5776. Toxic model compounds derived from red oak hemicelluloses, lignin, and extractives inhibited the fermentation. Treatment of the prehydrolysate with molecular sieve and mixed bed ion resins facilitated the ethanol fermentation giving about 10 g/l ethanol from 32 g/l initial xylose. Fermentation inhibitors derived from red oak lignin and extractives were identified.     

Antioxidant activities of extracts and fractions from Lysimachia foenum-graecum Hance

The antioxidant activities of water extract, methanol extract, ethyl acetate, and n-BuOH fractions of methanol extract from Lysimachia foenum-graecum Hance were investigated in this study. Various methods, such as the total antioxidant capacity measured by phosphomolybdenum method, scavenging activities towards 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, superoxide anion radical, and hydroxyl radical, were established in in vitro systems. The amounts of total phenolics and total flavonoids in the extracts and fractions were also determined by spectrophotometric methods. The results showed that all the extracts and fractions exhibited antioxidant and radical-scavenging activities at different magnitudes of potency. The decreasing order of antioxidant and radical-scavenging activities among the extracts assayed through all the four methods were found to be ethyl acetate fraction>n-BuOH fraction>methanol extract>water extract. This similar order of the amounts of total phenolics and total flavonoids shows that the extent of antioxidant and radical-scavenging activities is in accordance with the amounts of phenolics and flavonoids present in extracts and fractions. The extracts of L. foenum-graecum Hance might be valuable antioxidant natural sources and seemed to be applicable in both healthy medicine and food industry.     

Evaluation of free radical scavenging activity of Butea monosperma Lam

In the present study, ethyl acetate, butanol and aqueous fractions derived from total methanol extract of Butea monosperma flowers were evaluated for radical scavenging activities using different in vitro models like reducing power assay, scavenging of 2,2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, nitric oxide radical, superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl radical and inhibition of erythrocyte hemolysis using 2, 2' azo-bis (amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH). Methanol extract along with its ethyl acetate and butanol fractions showed potent free radical scavenging activity, whereas aqueous fraction was found to be devoid of any radical scavenging properties. The observed activity could be due to the higher phenolic content in the extracts (16.1, 25.29, and 17.74% w/w in methanol extract, ethyl acetate and butanol fractions respectively). HPTLC fingerprint profile of the ethyl acetate and butanol fractions were developed which would serve as reference standard for quality control of the extracts.     

欧美107杨树提取物体外对植物病原真菌的抑制活性

制备了欧美107杨树枝条和叶的乙醇粗提物及不同极性溶剂的萃取部分,并测定了它们对植物病原真菌的抑制活性。枝条和叶的乙醇粗提物对棉花枯萎病菌、小麦纹枯病菌、番茄早疫病菌、番茄枯萎病菌、黄瓜枯萎病菌、小麦赤霉以及玉米弯孢等7种植物病原真菌均具有一定的抑制作用。而枝条的乙醇粗提物对杨树溃疡病菌的菌丝生长有一定的促进作用。抗菌活性成分主要集中在乙酸乙酯萃取部分。     

山鸡椒植物源抑菌成分的筛选研究

以山鸡椒为植物材料,以活性追踪的方法测定了不同组分对几种植物病原菌的抑制活性,并从中分离纯化出一种有效抗菌物质L1。实验结果表明:粗提物不同萃取相中,乙酸乙酯相的抑制作用最好,其对杨树溃疡病菌和苹果霉心病菌抑制率达到75%以上;乙酸乙酯相各个组分对几种植物病原真菌均有一定的抑制活性,其中组分6和组分7抑菌效果强,组分6对苹果霉心病菌抑制率达到100%,组分7对番茄灰霉病菌抑制率达到100%;而对抑菌活性物质L1的抑菌活性研究中,随着L1浓度逐渐升高,对几种病原菌的抑制作用也依次增强,尤其是对苹果霉心病菌的抑制效果更加明显,在供试浓度为0.1 mg/mL时,抑制率达到100%;活性成分L1最终通过波谱学方法和文献对比确定为5,8-二羟基-67,-二甲氧基黄酮。     

Lupin alkaloids from flowers of Echinosophora koreensis

(?)-Methyl 12-cytisineacetate (2) was isolated from methanol extracts of fresh flowers of Echinosophora koreensis together with seven known lupin alkaloids. Ethyl 12-cytisineacetate (3) was also isolated from ethanol extracts of the same flowers. Compounds 2 and 3 were artifacts and (?)-12-cytisineacetic acid (4) is assumed to be the principal source of 2 and 3. The variations in alkaloid content during growth of the flowers and the seedlings were also examined.