Effect of extraction method on the yield of furanocoumarins from fruits of Archangelica officinalis Hoffm

Optimal conditions for the extraction and analysis of furanocoumarins from fruits of Archangelica officinalis Hoffm. have been determined. The following extraction methods were used: exhaustive extraction in a Soxhlet apparatus, ultrasonication at 25 and 60 degrees C, microwave-assisted solvent extraction in open and closed systems, and accelerated solvent extraction (ASE). In most cases the yields of furanocoumarins were highest using the ASE method. The effects of extracting solvent, temperature and time of extraction using this method were investigated. The highest yield of furanocoumarins by ASE was obtained with methanol at 100-130 degrees C for 10 min. The extraction yields of furanocoumarins from plant material by ultrasonication at 60 degrees C and microwave-assisted solvent extraction in an open system were comparable to the extraction yields obtained in the time- and solvent-consuming exhaustive process involving the Soxhlet apparatus.     

The effect of plant density, harvest date and method on the yield of seed and components of yield of parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)

Experiments conducted over four years (1980–1983) with parsnip cv. Avonre-sister examined the effects of plant density, harvest date and method on seed yield and the components of yield. In 1980, using the root-to-seed method, the yield of seed increased by 50% for an increase in plant density from 5.6 to 35 plants m^-2; the maximum yield at the optimum harvest date was 3015 kg h^-1. In the other three years, using the seed-to-seed method, seed yield increased to a maximum with an increase in plant density from c. 1 to 10 plants m^-2 but at higher densities yields were lower. At c. 10 plants m^-2, seed yields were 1567, 4029 and 1040 kg ha^-1, in 1981, 1982 and 1983, respectively, when harvested at the optimum time. An increase in plant density increased the number of non-seeding plants in the population, reduced the number of umbels per plant and reduced the number of seeds per umbel. Mean seed weight was, in general, unaffected by plant density and so effects of density on yield reflected changes in seed numbers. Increasing the plant density increased the proportion of primary-umbel seed. Maximum yields of seed were obtained from crops harvested at a seed-moisture content of 50 to 70%, which occurred 46 ± 2·4 days after flowering. Delay in harvesting after this date led to a loss of yield of 33, 35, 139 and 32 kg ha^-1wk^-1 in 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983, respectively. Plants cut, placed in the windrow to dry and then threshed gave similar yields to those harvested at the same time but dried in bins.     

Studies on production of alcoholic beverages from some tropical fruits

The varieties of alcoholic beverages from watermelon; watermelon-banana and watermelon-pineapple mixtures were produced by using monoculture and mixed culture fermentation techniques. Three yeast species, namely, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kleochera apicalata, Torulospora delbruckii and four bacterial species Leuconostoc oenos, Lactobacillus Sp, Micrococcus luteus and Streptococcus lactis were identified during the study. The daily succession of these organisms in the various fermenting samples differed in cell mass and occurrence due to their different growth conditions and factors present. A higher bacterial load (3.9 ± 0.2-4.4 ± 0.3) log (cfu) ml^?1 than yeast (2.8 ± 00-4.6 ± 0.4) log (cfu) ml^?1 counts was observed in the mixed culture fermentation, while in the monoculture fermentation, a higher yeast load (4.3 ± 0.3-4.7 ± 0.2) log (cfu) ml^?1 than bacterial loads (2.7 ± 0.1-4.1 ± 0.3) log (cfu) ml^?1 counts was recovered. The results obtained from the present study indicated that monoculture-fermented beverages were of better quality as compared to the mixed culture fermented ones. The monoculture-fermented beverage from watermelon-pineapple mixture was ranked as the best alcoholic beverage based on sensory evaluation score.     

Patterns of furanocoumarin production and insect herbivory in a population of wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa L.)

Summary Seasonal changes in the distribution and abundance of furanocoumarins in wild parsnip, Pastinaca sativa (Umbelliferae), were examined in a population of plants in Tompkins County, New York. Xanthotoxin, imperatorin and bergapten (linear furanocoumarins) occur in all above-ground parts of the plant; in addition, angelicin and sphondin (angular furanocoumarins) occur in umbels of some individuals. Total furanocoumarin content, as measured by percent dry weight, is greatest in reproductive parts, particularly buds and seeds; variation in concentrations between plants is greatest in vegetative structures (e.g., leaves).Within the plant, the distribution of furanocoumarins is significantly correlated with nitrogen, as opposed to biomass, allocation. In that nitrogen is often a factor limiting the plant growth, furanocoumarins appear to be allocated in proportion to plant tissue value; reproductive structures, obvious contributors to plant fitness, contain over ten times the amount of nitrogen and furanocoumarin contained in vegetative structures such as senescent leaves.Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that generalized insect herbivores tend to feed on plants or plant parts low in furanocoumarin content and, correspondingly, low in nitrogen content. Parsnip specialists, notably Depressaria pastinacella (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae), feed exclusively on umbels, plant parts rich in nitrogen and furanocoumarins; furanocoumarin number and content in fact account for over 60% of the variance in number of umbel feeders. These patterns conform with previous determinations of the toxicological properties of furanocoumarins. Nitrogen is known to affect growth rate, fecundity, longevity and survivorship of insect herbivores; by tolerating or detoxifying furanocoumarins, D. pastinacella can consume plant tissues containing significantly greater amounts of nitrogen than tissues consumed by generalist feeders. That the presence of D. pastinacella on individual plants is correlated with the number of furanocoumarins present is consistent with the hypothesis that parsnip specialists use angular furanocoumarins as host recognition cues.     

Purification and some properties of an aminopeptidase from the seeds of Cannabis sativa

An aminopeptidase (HSA) with a molecular mass of 78 kDa was purified from hemp (Cannabis sativa) seeds. The activity was inhibited by monoiodeacetic acid, p-chloromercuri-phenylsulfonic acid, and Zn2+ ion. The specificity of HSA was similar to that of a leucyl aminopeptidase [EC 3.4.11.1] from mammalian cytosol. However, other enzyme properties were different from these of leucyl aminopeptidase.     

Effect of some fungicides on the yield of grass swards

When benomyl, drazoxolon, thiabendazole or zineb were applied as soil drenches to established grassland drazoxolon reduced the incidence of rhizoplane fungi. Benomyl and thiabendazole significantly increased yield at one harvest but only benomyl had a significant effect on total yield. When benomyl was applied at monthly intervals from March to July significant increases in total yield were obtained with the June applications which also significantly increased yield at the first harvest in the following year. Repeated applications from March to July also had a significant residual effect on total yield. Yield increases were not significantly affected by increasing the benomyl level from 2.5 to 5.0 g/m².     

Influence of enzymes on the quality of processed vegetables and fruits

These organic catalysts—peroxidases, polyphenol oxidases and pectic enzymes among them—must be inactivated by heat or chemical treatment if high-quality food products are to be stored. Knowledge of their activity and control is still meagre.     

Influence of composition of diluent on populations of yeasts and moulds recovered from raw fruits

AIMS: The aims of this study were (i) to determine the retention of viability of mycoflora removed from raw fruits, and how this affected diluents used to prepare samples for enumeration of propagules, and (ii) to evaluate the performance of recovery media for supporting colony development. METHODS AND RESULTS: Yeasts and moulds removed from seven types of raw fruit were held in seven diluents for 1 h before plating on dichloran rose bengal chloramphenicol (DRBC) agar and plate count agar supplemented with chloramphenicol (100 micro g ml-1) (PCAC). Significant reductions (P=0.05) in populations of yeasts, moulds, and yeasts plus moulds occurred within the 1 h holding period, regardless of diluent composition. Overall, retention of viability was not influenced by diluent composition, and neither DRBC agar nor PCAC were superior in supporting colony development. CONCLUSIONS: The composition of diluents used to prepare food samples for mycological analysis has little affect on the number of yeasts and moulds recovered from seven types of naturally contaminated raw fruit. Both DRBC agar and PCAC are suitable as enumeration media. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Diluents and media most often recommended for enumerating yeasts and moulds in foods are appropriate for raw fruits.     

Storage characteristics of some vegetables and soft fruits

Rates of carbon dioxide production, in air and in 3 % 0₂, over a range of temperatures, were measured for over thirty commodities, and rates of evaporation, under known water vapour pressure deficit, measured for most of them. Optimum storage conditions in air for each commodity were determined. Storage life under these optimum conditions, and under the nearest practical approximation to them, was estimated. In most cases the optimum temperature is o^oC, examples of exceptions being runner beans, cucumbers, potatoes, green peppers and tomatoes. The humidity should usually be high, 100 % r.h. often being optimal, particularly for leafy vegetables, provided the temperature is low. Commodities resistant to evaporation, however, such as the onion, may with advantage be stored at lower humidities, thus reducing the microbial hazards.     

Antimutagenicity of some citrus fruits in Salmonella typhimurium

The antimutagenic effect of 10 citrus fruit juices was observed against the mutagenicity of N-nitro-o-phenylenediamine (NPD) in TA97a and sodium azide in TA100 tester strains of Salmonella typhimurium using the Ames test. It was noticed that the juices of all these fruits reduced significantly the NPD and sodium azide induced revertant colonies. The inhibitory activity was enhanced if the mutagen and juice were co-incubated for about 30 min at 37 degrees C prior to performing the mutagenicity assay. Dilution with distilled water led to the reduction in the inhibitory activity. The antimutagenic activity of synthetic ascorbic acid or citric acid or combined ascorbic acid and citric acid was also seen. But the results with fruit juices tempted us to believe that in addition to ascorbic acid and citric acid, the presence of other factor(s) possessing antimutagenic properties cannot be ruled out.     

Increase of lipid yields from some algae by acid extraction

The amounts of total lipids extracted from some but not all the algae examined were increased significantly by adding HCl to the usual chloroform—methanol extraction mixture. The Yield of phospholipid fraction relative to the glycolipids and neutral lipids increased significantly with acid extraction. Acid extraction also increased the yield of phosphatidyl serine, fatty acids, chlorophyll (or its derivatives) and several unknown compounds.     

High yield DNA extraction from the snake cast-off skin or bird feathers using collagenase

A simple method to extract DNA in high yield from the snake cast-off skin or bird feathers was developed. The molecular weight of the extracted DNA was higher by this than the conventional method and the yield of DNA was increased by more than one hundred fold. The DNA extracted by this method could be used for PCR and other analyses. This method could be applied to various samples, for instance, extracting DNA from bird feather in general.     

Influence of Shading on the Gross Composition of Cuscuta Species on Medicago sativa

A study was made of the alterations in growth characteristics of Cuscuta Campestris, Cuscuta indecora and Cuscuta reflexa on Medicago sativa as a consequence of a limitation in light intensity. There was a decrease in the content of dry solids, protein and total phosphorus in the filament mass. A decrease in these parameters occurred also in the tissues of the host, but was less pronounced that in the parasite. The response by the host to parasite growth was not always the same in the shade as in light. Phosphorus showed a distinct tendency toward firm retention in the infection complex in the dark.     

The type and yield of lipopolysaccharide from symbiotically deficient rhizobium lipopolysaccharide mutants vary depending on the extraction method

At least 18 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extraction methods are available, and no single method is universally applicable. Here, the LPSs from four R.etli, one R.leguminosarum bv. trifolii mutant, 24AR, and the R.etli parent strain, CE3, were isolated by hot phenol/water (phi;/W), and phenol/EDTA/triethylamine (phi/EDTA/TEA) extraction. The LPS in various preparations was quantified, analyzed by deoxycholate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (DOC-PAGE), and by immunoblotting. These rhizobia normally have two prominent LPS forms: LPS I, which has O-polysaccharide, and LPS II, which has none. The LPS forms obtained depend on the method of extraction and vary depending on the mutant that is extracted. Both methods extract LPS I and LPS II from CE3. The phi/EDTA/TEA, but not the phi/W, method extracts LPS I from mutants CE358 and CE359. Conversely, the phi;/W but not the phi;/EDTA/TEA method extracts CE359 LPS V, an LPS form with a truncated O-polysaccharide. phi/EDTA/TEA extraction of mutant CE406 gives good yields of LPS I and II, while phi/W extraction gives very small amounts of LPS I. The LPS yield from all the strains using phi/EDTA/TEA extraction is fairly consistent (3-fold range), while the yields from phi/W extraction are highly variable (850-fold range). The phi/EDTA/TEA method extracts LPS I and LPS II from mutant 24AR, but the phi/W method partitions LPS II exclusively into the phenol phase, making its recovery difficult. Overall, phi/EDTA/TEA extraction yields more forms of LPS from the mutants and provides a simpler, faster, and less hazardous alternative to phi/W extraction. Nevertheless, it is concluded that careful analysis of any LPS mutant requires the use of more than one extraction method.