The Effects of Different Media, Sucrose Concentrations and Natural Additives on Plantlet Growth of Phalaenopsis Hybrid 'Pink'

ABSTRACT The effects of various sucrose concentrations as carbon source and natural additives in different media on plantlet growth of Phalaenopsis hybrid 'Pink' were studied. Plantlets were cultured on two media (Murashige and Skoog [MS] and Vacin and Went [VW]) supplemented with 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 g L-1 sucrose either with 0, 10 and 20% (v/v) coconut water (CW) or carrot juice (CJ) as natural additives. After four months of culture, the combination of sucrose and CW supplemented with both media affected plantlet growth where most of the plantlets showed slow growth and survival frequency (0-80%) with increasing concentrations of CW in all sucrose concentrations. However, plantlet growth on both media containing only 20 g L-1 sucrose without CW was optimal in terms of root number, root length, leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, fresh weight, dry weight and plant height. The combination of sucrose and CJ supplemented with MS medium resulted in overall good plantlet growth with 100% survival frequency. The combination of sucrose (20 g L-1) and CJ (10%) supplemented with MS medium increased root length, leaf length, leaf width and plant height. Plantlet growth was also optimal in the combination of 20 g L-1 sucrose and 10% CJ supplemented with VW medium. The results of this study indicate that Phalaenopsis hybrid 'Pink' cultured on the combination of sucrose (20 g L-1) and CJ (10%) supplemented with either MS or VW media can be used for plantlet growth of this species.

Effect of refrigerated storage on the probiotic survival and sensory properties of milk/carrot juice mix drink

Background: There is a genuine interest in the development of probiotic milk and juice based beverages because they are a good-vehicle to deliver probiotic microorganisms to consumers. For this purpose, the viability and metabolism of four probiotic strains (Lactobacillus acidophilus LA5, Bifidobacterium lactis BB12, L. rhamnosus and L. plantarum) were studied in non-fermented milk and carrot juice mix drink. The drinks were evaluated in 5 days interval for viable cell count, pH, acidity, sedimentation and sensory quality during refrigerated storage at 4 ± 2ºC for up to 20 days. Results: The results showed that all strains had good viability in milk/carrot juice drink (88-98%), but L. acidophilus LA5 seemed more stable than three other strains. The levels of pH and acidity were ranged 5.33-6.6 and 0.13-0.31%, respectively. The drinks inoculated with L. rhamnosus and control (non-probiotic) showed more variation in pH and acidity. The most sedimentation was detected in drinks inoculated with L. rhamnosus, reaching 3.73 mL/10 mL sample. Sensory assessment indicated lowest acceptability in control and milk/carrot juice drink inoculated with L. rhamnosus, respectively. Conclusion: This study indicated that some probiotic bacteria can be applied by food producers to produce functional drinks with an increased shelf-life.

The effect of carrot juice, beta-carotene supplementation on lymphocyte DNA damage, erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes and plasma lipid profiles in Korean smoker

High consumption of fruits and vegetables has been suggested to provide some protection to smokers who are exposed to an increased risk of numerous cancers and other degenerative diseases. Carrot is the most important source of dietary beta-carotene. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate whether carrot juice supplementation to smokers can protect against lymphocyte DNA damage and to compare the effect of supplementation of capsules containing purified beta-carotene or a placebo (simple lactose). The study was conducted in a randomized and placebo-controlled design. After a depletion period of 14 days, 48 smokers were supplemented with either carrot juice (n = 18), purified beta-carotene (n = 16) or placebo (n = 14). Each group was supplemented for 8 weeks with approximately 20.49 mg of beta-carotene/day and 1.2 mg of vitamin C/day, as carrot juice (300 ml/day) or purified beta-carotene (20.49 mg of beta-carotene, 1 capsule/day). Lymphocyte DNA damage was determined using the COMET assay under alkaline conditions and damage was quantified by measuring tail moment (TM), tail length (TL), and% DNA in the tail. Lymphocyte DNA damage was significantly decreased in the carrot juice group in all three measurements. The group that received purified beta-carotene also showed a significant decrease in lymphocyte DNA damage in all three measurements. However, no significant changes in DNA damage was observed for the placebo group except TM (P = 0.016). Erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme was not significantly changed after supplementation. Similarly plasma lipid profiles were not different after carrot juice, beta-carotene and placebo supplementation. These results suggest that while the placebo group failed to show any protective effect, carrot juice containing beta-carotene or purified beta-carotene itself had great antioxidative potential in preventing damage to lymphocyte DNA in smokers.

The Effect of Carrot Juice, beta-carotene Supplementation on Plasma Antioxidant Status of Korean Smokers

Smoking is associated with an increased incidence of numerous cancers and other degenerative diseases. It has been suggested that high consumption of fruits and vegetables may give some protection. Especially carrot is the most important source of dietary beta-carotene. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate whether carrot juice supplementation to smokers have different or superior effect of compared to the effect supplementing purified beta-carotene. The study was conducted in a randomized and placebo-controlled design, after a depletion period of 14 days, 48 smokers were supplemented either carrot juice (n = 18), purified beta-carotene (n = 16) or placebo (n = 14). Each group was supplemented for 8 weeks with approximately 20.49 mg of beta-carotene/day and 1.2 mg of vitamin C/day, as carrot juice (300 mL/day) or purified beta-carotene (1 capsule/day). Plasma vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene level were significantly increased after carrot juice and beta-carotene supplementation. These results suggest that carrot juice containing beta-carotene or beta-carotene itself have similar antioxidative potentials by increasing the antioxidant potential in smokers. Therefore, we suggest moderate dose of vitamin supplementation (amount of two servings of vegetable intake) may help to replenish the decreased oxidative stress levels in smokers.

Treatment of Chronic Idiopathic Onychodystrophy with Intake of Carotene-rich Food

BACKGROUND: Onychodystrophy refers to the various abnormalities in nail morphology due to changes in the attachment of the nail plate, changes in nail surface or color. The treatment principle of onychodystrophy largely relies on the discovery and verification of the cause. However, preventive treatment methods offer little help to the patient due to poor compliance, and the effect of corticosteroid is only temporary. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of carotene-rich food intake in chronic idiopathic onychodystrophy. METHODS: Ten patients with chronic idiopathic onychodystrophy were recommended to drink one or two cups of carrot juice daily. RESULTS: Patients showed improvement of onychodystrophy after drinking carrot juice twice a day for at least 4 weeks. No specific adverse effects were noted. CONCLUSION: Since there are no reliable treatment methods for chronic idiopathic onychodystrophy, we suggest a simple and compliant treatment method consisting of taking carotene-rich food, such as carrot juice, for patients with chronic idiopathic onychodystrophy.

Comparison of the Protective Effect of Antioxidant Vitamins and Fruits or Vegetable Juices on DNA Damage in Human Lymphocyte Cells Using the Comet Assay

In this study the in vitro protective effects of several antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C, alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene), fruits and vegetables (strawberry, tangerine, orange and 100% orange juice, carrot juice), on the levels of isolated human lymphocyte DNA damage was measured using Comet assay. Comet assay has been used widely to assess the level of the DNA damage in the individual cells. Lymphocytes were pre-treated for 30 minutes with antioxidant vitamins (10, 50, 100, 500 micrometer) or fruits. vegetables (10, 100, 500, 1000 microgram/ml), an4 then oxidatively challenged with 100 micrometer H2O2 for 5 min at 4degrees C. The protective effect of antioxidant vitamins against DNA damage at a concentration of 50 micrometer were 50% in vitamin C, 32% in alpha-tocopherol, whereas, beta-carotene showed a 55% protection at a dose as low as 10micrometer. The inhibitory effects of DNA damage by strawberry, tangerine, orange, orange juices, carrot juices were 50 - 60% with wide ranges of doses. The results of the present study indicate that most the antioxidant vitamins and fruits.vegetables juices produced a significant reduction in oxidative DNA damage.

Protective Effect of Yellow-Green Vegetable Juices on DNA Damage in Chinese Hamster Lung Cell Using Comet Assay

The present study was attempted to investigate the antioxidant capacity of popular yellow-green vegetable juices (kale, Angelica keishei, carrot, small water dropwort) and to investigate the effect of vegetable juices on protecting oxidative damage to DNA in cultured Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells. Antioxidant capacity was analyzed by TRAP assay (Total radical-trapping antioxidant potential). Cellular DNA dmamage was measured by SCGE (single-cell gel electrophoresis, also known as comet assay. Cells incubated in medium with PBS (negative control) or with various concentration of the freeze dried green juices (25, 50, 100, 250 ug/mL) resuspended in PBS were treated with H2O2 (200 micrometer) as an oxidative stimulus for 5 min at 4 degrees C. The physiological function of each vegetable juice on oxidative DNA damage was analyzed and expressed as tail moment (tail length X percentage migrated DNA in tail). Kale juice had the highest TRAP value suggesting that kale has the highest antioxidant capacity followed by Angelica keishei, small water dropwort and carrot. Cells treated with H2O2 had extensive DNA damage compared with cells treated with PBS or pre-treated with vegetable juice extracts. All green juices inhibited H2O2-induced DNA damage with kale being the most effective juice among the tested juices. These results indicate that green juice supplementation to CHL cells followed by oxidative stimulus inhibited damage to cellular DNA, supporting a protective effect against oxidative damage induced by reactive oxygen species.