Determination of bioavailability of some long-chain N-substituted derivatives of L-methionine and L-lysine

The bioavailability of N-acyl-L-methionine derivatives has been determined using microbiological assay with Tetrahymena pyriformis. It was found that palmitoyl- and stearoyl-L-methionine, stearoyl-L-methionine ethyl ester, and stearoyl-L-methionine sodium salt were partially utilized (14-38%) for growth of the microorganism. These compounds partially inhibited utilization of free methionine added to the media. The shorter derivatives, acetyl-, hexanoyl-, lauroyl-, and myristoyl-L-methionine completely inhibited the growth of T. pyriformis. This effect was not reversed when DL-methionine was added to the media. N6-fatty acyl L-lysine derivatives gave low availability values (3-18%) in microbiological assessment with T. pyriformis. N2-Acetyl-and N6-acetyl-lysine did not inhibit the utilization of the added parent amino acid. Nutritional evaluation of L-methionine derivatives by the rat growth method using net protein ratio (NPR) as the performance index indicated complete availability of stearoyl-L-methionine, stearoyl-L-methionine sodium salt, and partial availability of stearoyl-L-methionine ethyl ester (52%), stearoyl-L-methionylglycine (32%), and lauroyl-L-methionine (75%).     

Coal-smoke pollution modifies physio-chemical characteristics of tissues during the ontogeny of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Peristrophe bicalyculata</Emphasis>

Coal-smoke emissions of a thermal power plant affected the physio-chemical status of Peristrophe bicalyculata (Reth) Nees, as observed at the pre-flowering, flowering and post-flowering stages of plant growth. The nitrate level was raised while nitrate reductase activity, and the soluble protein content of leaf declined heavily at the polluted site during different stages of plant growth, compared to the control. The rate of photosynthesis also decreased under the pollution stress. Sugar level in root, stem and leaves increased with growing age of the plant but was always lower at the polluted site than at the reference site. In roots, the difference was marginal till flowering stage and quite conspicuous afterwards; stems showed a reverse pattern of variation. Sulphur content was higher at the polluted site in all the organs and at each stage of the plant life. The Zn and Fe concentrations were reduced in all plant parts under the pollution stress. Copper content in root was consistently low at the polluted site. In the stem and leaves, however, it was almost equal on both the sites at the pre-flowering stage but showed a wide difference during the later part of plant ontogeny.     

Potentiality of artificial sea water salts for the production of carrageenase by a marine Cytophaga sp

Production of an extracellular enzyme complex (carrageenase) was studied by examining cell-free fluids from cultures of a marine Cytophaga, 1k-C783, growing on different media. Among artificial sea water salts, only NaCl and MgCl2 were utilized by the organism to produce carrageenase. The minimal concentrations of suitable combinations of NaCl and MgCl2 were found to be 0.05 M NaCl plus 0.25 M MgCl2, and 0.15 M NaCl plus 0.15 M MgCl2. KCl and CaCl2 did not have any role in carrageenase production in ZoBell 2216 E broth medium. Carrageenase was synthesized continuously within the resting cells and was released from the cells as well as in the growing cells, when nutrient had been supplied.