HPLC analysis of leaf surface flavonoids for the preliminary classification of birch species

Flavonoid aglycones found on the surfaces of birch (Betula spp.) leaves may constitute up to 10% of the dry weight of the leaf. A facile extraction and HPLC procedure has been developed that can be used for the preliminary classification of birch species according to the patterns of their leaf surface flavonoids. The procedure involves no complex sample preparation steps, and is able to provide HPLC chromatograms from fresh leaves in less than 30 min. If necessary, leaves do not even need to be removed from the tree. Since the genus Betula is taxonomically complex and separation of different birch species can be problematic, the developed method was applied to 15 Betula species and four sub-species of Betula pendula Seven of the studied species were classified as B. pubescens and eight as B. pendula-type birches. The remaining four species did not belong to either of these two classes on account of their unique pattern of external flavonoids. The difference between the leaf surface flavonoid composition of B. pubescens and B. pendula type birch species was unambiguously clear, and the developed method could reliably distinguish between the two species. Whilst leaf surface flavonoids can be valuable chemotaxonomic markers, they classify birch species differently from morphological markers. Birch species with diploid chromosome sets did not contain any of the flavanones that were present in the leaves of other species. The close relationship between the occurrence of some flavonoid aglycones and the ploidy level of Betula species suggests that these chemotaxonomic markers may be useful both in taxonomic and phylogenetic analyses.     

Quantitative analysis of ginkgolic acids from Ginkgo leaves and products using 1H-NMR

The determination of ginkgolic acids in Ginkgo products is one of the principal components of quality control. However, a number of ginkgolic acids with different side chains may be present and this makes their analysis by conventional chromatographic methods more complex. In this study, 1H-NMR spectrometry was applied to the analysis of the total content of ginkgolic acids in leaves of Ginkgo biloba and in six types of commercial Ginkgo products in the absence of chromatographic purification. For this analysis, protons H-3, H-4, and H-5, which are well separated in the range 8 (ppm) 6.5-7.5 in the 1H-NMR spectrum, were utilised. For further confirmation, the correlations of H-3, H-4 and H-5 were examined by 1H-1H COSY spectra in all extracts. The quantity of the compounds was calculated from the relative ratio of the integral of each peak to the integral of the peaks of a known amount (100 microg) of anthracene used as an internal standard. The quantitative results obtained by 1H-NMR analysis were compared with those obtained by GC, which showed that the 1H-NMR method allows a simple quantification of total ginkgolic acids in Ginkgo extracts without any pre-purification steps.     

高效液相色谱法测定山楂叶中熊果酸含量的研究

本文建立了一种可靠性高、重现性好的高效液相色谱(HPLC)测定山楂叶中熊果酸含量的方法,在测定中采用富集和固相萃取组合纯化工艺去除干扰物质。高效液相色谱测定条件为Hypersil(ODS)色谱柱,流动相为甲醇:0.2%磷酸二氢钠(90∶10,V/V),检测波长210nm,流速0.8mL/min。熊果酸浓度在100~800μg/mL与峰面积存在良好线性关系(r2=0.9992),该方法准确可靠,日内稳定性标准偏差在0.6%~1.5%,日间稳定性标准偏差在0.7%~2.6%。为不同产地山楂叶中熊果酸含量建立有效的分析方法。     

Comparative analysis of leaf trichome structure and composition of epicuticular flavonoids in Finnish birch species

The morphology, ultrastructure, density and distribution of trichomes on leaves of Betula pendula, B. pubescens ssp. pubescens, B. pubescens ssp. czerepanovii and B. nana were examined by means of light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The composition of flavonoids in ethanolic leaf surface extracts was analysed by high pressure liquid chromatography. All taxa examined contained both glandular and non-glandular trichomes (short and/or long hairs) but differed from each other in trichome ultrastructure, density and location on the leaf. Leaves of B. pubescens were more hairy than those of B. pendula, but the latter species had a higher density of glandular trichomes. Of the two subspecies of B. pubescens, leaves of ssp. pubescens had more short hairs on the leaf surface and four times the density of glandular trichomes of leaves of ssp. czerepanovii, whereas, in the latter subspecies, short hairs occurred largely on leaf veins, as in B. nana. The glandular trichomes were peltate glands, consisting of medullar and cortical cells, which differed structurally. Cortical cells possessed numerous small, poorly developed plastids and small vacuoles, whereas medullar cells had several large plastids with well-developed thylakoid systems and fewer vacuoles. In B. pubescens subspecies, vacuoles of the glandular cells contained osmiophilic deposits, which were probably phenolic, whereas in B. pendula, vacuoles of glandular trichomes were characterized by the presence of numerous myelin-like membranes. The composition of epicuticular flavonoids also differed among species. The two subspecies of B. pubescens and B. nana shared the same 12 compounds, but five of these occurred only in trace amounts in B. nana. Leaf surface extracts of B. pendula contained just six flavonoids, three of which occurred only in this species. In summary, the structure, density and distribution of leaf trichomes and the composition of epicuticular flavonoids represent good taxonomic markers for Finnish birch species.     

Single-laboratory validation for the determination of caffeic acid and seven caffeoylquinic acids in sweet potato leaves

A single-laboratory validation study was conducted on an HPLC method for the detection and quantification of caffeic acid (CA) and seven species of caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) in lyophilized sweet potato leaves. The procedure for extraction of the analytes from the matrix and the HPLC conditions for the efficient separation of CA and CQAs were optimized. In the proposed method, a relative response factor to one of the CQAs (5-CQA) was used to quantify the others. The method performed well in terms of precision when carried out on five different days and demonstrated Horwitz ratio (HorRat) scores ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 for all analytes, which were well within the limits of performance acceptability. Accuracy testing at three levels showed an overall recovery of 94% when duplicated on five different days. Moreover, a stability study revealed that all analytes in both standard solution and sample extract were stable for 28?days.     

Effect of repeated harvesting on the content of caffeic acid and seven species of caffeoylquinic acids in sweet potato leaves

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of repeated harvesting on the content of caffeic acid (CA) and seven species of caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) in sweet potato leaves using a newly developed high-performance liquid chromatography method. Six cultivars and two breeding lines were used in this study. Leaves were collected at monthly intervals from 1st harvest (May) to 4th harvest (August) in 2011 and 2012. ANOVA analysis revealed that the contents of CQAs were significantly different among all cultivars and breeding lines, but no significant differences were found for CA. No annual variation was confirmed in CA and CQAs. Repeated harvest of sweet potato leaves affected the content of only 4-CQA and 5-CQA. Post-hoc comparisons using Tukey’s method indicated that the contents of 4-CQA and 5-CQA in sweet potato leaves harvested at first time were significantly higher compared to those at the other harvest times.     

Solution structure, dynamics, and hydrodynamics of the calcium-bound cross-reactive birch pollen allergen Bet v 4 reveal a canonical monomeric two EF-hand assembly with a regulatory function

Birch pollinosis is one of the prevailing allergic diseases. In all, 5-20% of birch pollinotics mount IgE antibodies against the minor birch pollen allergen Bet v 4, a Ca2+-binding polcalcin. Due to IgE cross-reactivity among the polcalcins these patients are polysensitized to various plant pollens. Determination of the high-resolution structure of holo Bet v 4 by heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy reveals a canonical two EF-hand assembly in the open conformation with interhelical angles closely resembling holo calmodulin. The polcalcin-specific amphipathic COOH-terminal alpha-helix covers only a part of the hydrophobic groove on the molecular surface. Unlike the polcalcin Phl p 7 from timothy grass, which was recently shown to form a domain-swapped dimer, the hydrodynamic parameters from NMR relaxation, NMR translational diffusion, and analytical ultracentrifugation indicate that both apo and holo Bet v 4 are predominantly monomeric, raising the question of the physiological and immunological significance of the dimeric form of these polcalcins, whose physiological function is still unknown. The reduced helicity and heat stability in the CD spectra, the poor chemical shift dispersion of the NMR spectra, and the slightly increased hydrodynamic radius of apo Bet v 4 indicate a reversible structural transition upon Ca2+ binding, which explains the reduced IgE binding capacity of apo Bet v 4. The remarkable structural similarity of holo Bet v 4 and holo Phl p 7 in spite of different oligomerization states explains the IgE cross-reactivity and indicates that canonical monomers and domain-swapped dimers may be of similar allergenicity. Together with the close structural homology to calmodulin and the hydrophobic ligand binding groove this transition suggests a regulatory function for Bet v 4.     

单棕榈酰莽草酸的高效液相色谱-蒸发光散射检测法定量测定

本文建立一种采用高效液相色谱-蒸发光散射检测法定量测定单棕榈酰莽草酸的方法。色谱条件:色谱柱:反相Symmetry C18柱4.6×250 mm i.d.(填料粒度5μm),柱温30℃,流动相:乙腈-水-甲酸(80∶20∶0.2);流速0.8 mL/min;ELSD漂移管温度:80℃,载气流速:2 L/min。3-,4-和5-棕榈酰莽草酸纯品采用酶法合成,合成产物经柱层析和高效液相色谱制备纯化得到纯品。在该色谱条件下,3-,4-和5-棕榈酰莽草酸在0.21~4.12μg的范围内,其质量与其峰面积线性关系良好(r=0.9991,0.9998,0.9997),回收率分别为95.2~98.7%,96.1%~98.2%,96.3%~98.5%;RSD分别为1.6%,1.8%,1.9%。实验结果表明该方法具有简便、快速、准确、重现性较好的特点,可以用于定量分析单棕榈酰莽草酸,尤其适用于非水相酶促反应合成体系中的产物检测。     

Quantitative and rapid analysis of transglutaminase activity using protein arrays in mammalian cells

We developed a novel on-chip activity assay using protein arrays for quantitative and rapid analysis of transglutami-nase activity in mammalian cells. Transglutaminases are a family of Ca²⁺-dependent enzymes involved in cell regulation as well as human diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders, inflammatory diseases and tumor progression. We fabricated the protein arrays by immobilizing N,N′-dimethylcasein (a substrate) on the amine surface of the arrays. We initiated transamidating reaction on the protein arrays and determined the transglutaminase activity by analyzing the fluorescence intensity of biotinylated casein. The on-chip transglutaminase activity assay was proved to be much more sensitive than the [³H]putrescine-incorporation assay. We successfully applied the on-chip assay to a rapid and quantitative analysis of the transgluta-minase activity in all-trans retinoic acid-treated NIH 3T3 and SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, the on-chip transglutaminase activity assay was sufficiently sensitive to determine the transglutaminase activity in eleven mammalian cell lines. Thus, this novel on-chip transglutaminase activity assay was confirmed to be a sensitive and high-throughput approach to investigating the roles of transglutaminase in cellular signaling, and, moreover, it is likely to have a strong potential for monitoring human diseases. These authors contributed equally to this work.     

Variability in the composition of anti-oxidant compounds in Echinacea species by HPLC

A fast and reliable HPLC method for the determination of caffeic acid derivatives (caftaric acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, cynarin, echinacoside and cichoric acid) in various species of the genus Echinacea has been developed. Extraction of root samples by magnetic stirring with 80% methanol aqueous solution at room temperature allowed the complete recovery of all compounds of interest. Root extracts were analysed on a reversed-phase column with gradient elution and photodiode array detection. Caffeic acid derivatives showed differential qualitative and quantitative distributions in Echinacea species. The total amount of phenolic compounds ranged from 33.95 to 0.32 mg/g. The highest contents of caffeic acid derivatives were found in E. paradoxa var. paradoxa, E. paradoxa var. neglecta and E. purpurea, followed by E. angustifolia var. angustifolia, E. simulata, E. pallida and E. laevigata, whilst E. tennesseensis, E. sanguinea and E. atrorubens had low amounts of phenolic compounds. The radical scavenging activities of methanolic extracts of roots of Echinacea species was evaluated in vitro using the DPPH* radical scavenging method. The EC50 values of the samples ranged from 122 to 1223 microg/mL. The radical scavenging activities of the root extracts were correlated with the content of phenolic compounds, with a correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.923.     

不同地理种源杜仲叶片中丁香脂素二糖甙和京尼平甙酸含量的分析

杜仲(Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.)为中国特有的重要经济树种.传统上取其皮入药,但有研究表明杜仲叶片中的化学成分与皮相同且药理作用相似[1].杜仲的皮叶中主要药用成分为环烯醚萜类和木脂素类等次生代谢产物[1].丁香脂素二糖甙(SGD)为木脂素类化合物,对磷酸二酯酶(CAMP)有很强的抑制活性[2];京尼平甙酸(GA)为环烯醚萜类化合物,也是杜仲皮叶中的主要成分之一,具有导泻[3]、抗高血压[4]以及预防性功能低下、增强记忆功能、抗癌、抗氧化、促进胆汁分泌等功能[1].有研究表明, 不同地理种源、不同季节的杜仲叶片中的活性成分的含量差异明显[5].因此,研究不同地理种源春、秋季杜仲叶片中丁香素二糖甙和京尼平甙酸的含量的差异,可以为杜仲的选择育种和叶片适时采收提供科学依据.     

可见分光光度法测定杜仲叶中的绿原酸

研究杜仲叶中绿原酸含量的检测方法。利用绿原酸和铝离子的络合显色反应,采用可见分光光度法在波长530 nm处测定杜仲叶中绿原酸量。绿原酸质量浓度在1.7×10-4~1.0×10-2g.L-1之间线性关系良好,线性相关系数为0.9995。秋、夏叶中加标回收率分别为98.0%,101.0%。该方法简便、实用、准确。     

Lignans and secoiridoids from the root bark of Chionanthus virginicus L.: isolation, identification and HPLC analysis

Five lignans, phillyrin (1), pinoresinol-beta-D-glucoside (2), pinoresinol di-beta-D-glucoside (3), phillyrin-2-O-beta-D-glucoside (6), phillyrin-6-O-beta-D-glucoside (7), and three secoiridoids, oleuropein (4), ligustroside (5) and angustifolioside B (8), have been isolated from the root bark of Chionanthus virginicus L. (Oleaceae), a raw material used in the commercial preparation of homeopathy tinctures. Compound 6 is a new lignan, and compounds 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 are described for the first time in the title plant. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods (NMR and HPLC-MS). An isocratic HPLC method for the rapid characterisation and quantification of the major constituents, 1 and 4, of the root bark is described and validated.     

HPLC法测定植物中乌索酸的含量

采用HPLC法测定6种植物中乌索酸的含量,为扩大植物中乌索酸药物资源的开发利用提供分离测定方法。色谱柱为SyrmnetryShieldRP18,流动相甲醇-水-磷酸(88：12：0．1),流速1．0mL／min,检测波长210m,柱温2．5℃。该方法的线性范围为0．192-3．072μg,R=0．9999,平均回收率为98．12％,RSD=1．7％(n=5)。HPLC法测定乌索酸含量灵敏、准确、重现性好。     

Validation of a reversed-phase HPLC method for quantitative amino acid analysis.

A semi-automated method for amino acid derivatization and analysis has been validated for use in analysis of protein biopharmaceuticals. The method includes protein hydrolysis, o-phthalaldehyde derivatization, and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analysis in a general-purpose UV-visible high-performance liquid chromatography system. Amino-acid derivatization is performed automatically by the high-performance liquid chromatography autosampler right before injection. The required validation parameters, i.e., specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection, and limit of quantification, were studied for bovine serum albumin and for a recombinant human Fab fragment. The method can be employed as an absolute quantification method for determination of extinction coefficients of recombinant proteins.     

利用高效液相色谱法测定单细胞蛋白发酵液中氨基酸

利用酵母菌发酵工业废糟渣生产单细胞蛋白 (SCP)类饲料 ,其发酵液也含有蛋白类物质 ,酸水解后用高效液相色谱法测定氨基酸含量 ,结果表明 :酵母菌发酵液中氨基酸含量全面 ,总量达 2 95 .1mg·L- 1 ,有较高的应用价值。     

PR-10 protein is induced by copper stress in roots and leaves of a Cu/Zn tolerant clone of birch, Betula pendula

The response of a Cu- and Zn-tolerant birch ( Betula pendula ) clone to copper stress was investigated. The plants were exposed to control and EC50 concentrations of Cu (0·3 and 30 μ M CuSO₄, respectively) for 7 d in hydroponic culture. Total proteins were extracted from the roots and leaves and separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The differences in protein patterns on silver- or Coomassie-stained gels were analysed. The most apparent quantitative difference was the increase in the amount of a 17 kDa polypeptide caused by Cu stress in both roots and leaves. The protein was identified as Bet v 1-Sc3 (according to the current nomenclature PR-10c) using N-terminal amino acid sequencing and on-line high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization/ion trap mass spectrometry. The present results indicate that PR-10 is not only activated by pathogens but also by excessive amounts of copper ions. PR-10 proteins in birch have been reported earlier not to be induced by Ag, Li or Cd in birch suspension culture, but Cu has not been previously tested.     

高效液相色谱法测定葡萄叶中甘氨酸甜菜碱、脯氨酸及葫芦巴碱

甘氨酸甜菜碱、脯氨酸及葫芦巴碱的含量与葡萄的抗逆性能密切相关,应用离子交换树脂提取葡萄叶中的这三种物质,采用Suger-pak1(waters)色谱柱,柱温:85℃;样品测定时间:70min;进样体积:100μL;流速:0.6mL/min;检测波长:195nm;流动相:50mg/LCa-EDTA的HPLC同时分析测定这三种物质,甘氨酸甜菜碱、脯氨酸及葫芦巴碱线性相关系数分别为0.9999,0.9994及0.9994;保留时间分别为20.28,25.66及30.65min;检出限分别为1.35,2.56及1.02ng/mL,回收率为93%~96%。此方法分离效果好,稳定,精确。     

Evidence for discontinuous water columns in the xylem conduit of tall birch trees

The continuity of the xylem water columns was studied on 17- to 23-m tall birch trees (trunk diameter about 23 cm; first branching above 10 m) all year round. Fifty-one trees were felled, and 5-cm thick slices or 2-m long boles were taken at regular, relatively short intervals over the entire height of the trees. The filling status of the vessels was determined by (i) xylem sap extraction from trunk and branch pieces (using the gas bubble-based jet-discharge method and centrifugation) and from trunk boles (using gravity discharge); (ii) ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of slice pieces; (iii) infusion experiments (dye, ⁸⁶Rb⁺, D₂O) on intact trees and cut branches; and (iv) xylem pressure measurements. This broad array of techniques disclosed no evidence for continuous water-filled columns, as postulated by the Cohesion–Tension theory, for root to apex directed mass transport. Except in early spring (during the xylem refilling phase) and after extremely heavy rainfall during the vegetation period, cohesive/mobile water was found predominantly at intermediate heights of the trunks but not at the base or towards the top of the tree. Similar results were obtained for branches. Furthermore, upper branches generally contained more cohesive/mobile water than lower branches. The results suggest that water lifting occurs by short-distance (capillary, osmotic and/or transpiration-bound) tension gradients as well as by mobilisation of water in the parenchymatic tissues and the heartwood, and by moisture uptake through lenticels.