Modification by wheat germ agglutinin delays the ocular elimination of liposome / 药学学报

The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) modified liposome as a vehicle for ophthalmic administration. Liposome loaded with 5-carboxyfluorescein (FAM) was prepared by lipid film hydration method. WGA was thiolated and then conjugated to the surface of the liposome via polyethylene glycol linker to constitute the WGA-modified and FAM-loaded liposome (WGA-LS/FAM). The amount of thiol groups on each WGA molecule was determined, and the bioactivity of WGA was estimated after it was modified to the surface of liposome. The physical and chemical features of the WGA-modified liposome were characterized and the ocular bioadhesive performance was evaluated in rats. The result showed that each thiolated WGA molecule was conjugated with 1.32 thiol groups. WGA-LS/FAM had a mean size of (97.40 +/- 1.39) nm, with a polydispersity index of 0.23 +/- 0.01. The entrapment efficacy of FAM was about (2.95 +/- 0.21)%, and only 4% of FAM leaked out of the liposome in 24 h. Erythrocyte agglutination test indicated that after modification WGA preserved the binding activity to glycoprotein. The in vivo ocular elimination of WGA-LS/FAM fitted first-order kinetics, and the elimination rate was significantly slower than that of the unmodified liposome, demonstrating WGA-modified liposome is bioadhesive and suitable for ophthalmic administration.

Wheat germ agglutinin anchored chitosan nanoparticles and its conjugation with N-acetylglucosamine / 药学学报

This study is undertaken to modify the chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and investigate the conjugation between WGA-CS-NPs and N-acetylglucosamine (NAG). CS-NPs were prepared by ionotropic gelation process and then conjugated with WGA under the activation of glutaricdialdehyde. The mean diameter of the CS-NPs was approximately 113.5 nm and the poly-dispersity index (PDI) was 0.18. The binding yield of WGA to CS-NPs was comprised between 27.8% and 87.9% depending mostly on the addition of 0.3% (w/v) glutaraldehyde solution. A competitive inhibition experiment of WGA-CS-NPs to bovine submaxillary gland mucin (BSM) was taken to illuminate the binding activity of WGA-CS-NPs to the sugar of N-acetylglucosamine. After the addition of NAG, the binding rates between CS-NPs and BSM almost didn't change, while the binding rates between WGA-CS-NPs and BSM dropped down significantly, which confirmed the specific binding characteristics of WGA to NAG.

Doença do armazenamento lisossomal induzida pelo consumo de Sida carpinifolia em bovinos do Rio Grande do Sul / Lysosomal storage disease caused by Sida carpinifolia in cattle in Rio Grande do Sul

This paper reports the natural poisoning by Sida carpinifolia (guanxuma, chá-da-índia) in cattle in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Five cattle were affected in the period 2001-2008. Clinical signs included weight loss, incoordination, walking difficulty, generalized tremors, frequent falls, and death. Microscopically, the main changes were vacuolation of Purkinje neurons in the cerebellum, pancreatic acinar cells, and thyroid follicular cells. Transmission electron microscopy revealed vacuoles bordered by membrane containing finely granular material. Lectin histochemistry showed positive staining in neurons with the lectins Concanavalia ensiformis (Con-A), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), and Succinyl Triticum vulgaris (sWGA).

Relata-se a intoxicação natural por Sida carpinifolia (guanxuma, chá-da-índia) em bovinos no Rio Grande do Sul. Foram afetados cinco bovinos no período 2001-2008. O quadro clínico foi caracterizado por emagrecimento, incoordenação, dificuldade de locomoção, tremores generalizados, quedas frequentes e morte. Microscopicamente, as principais alterações foram vacuolização dos neurônios de Purkinje do cerebelo, das células acinares do pâncreas e das células foliculares da tireoide. A microscopia eletrônica evidenciou vacúolos com conteúdo finamente granulado e delimitado por membrana. Na lectina-histoquímica, observou-se marcação em neurônios com as lectinas Concanavalia ensiformis (Con-A), Triticum vulgaris (WGA) e Succinyl Triticum vulgaris (sWGA).

Factibilidad tecnológica de incorporar germen desgrasado de maíz en la elaboración de pasta corta / Technological feasibility of incorporating defatted corn germ in pasta processing

Las pastas alimenticias, de amplio consumo, han sido elaboradas tradicionalmente con la semolina de trigo durum (STD), pero una alternativa a la dependencia de este rubro es la sustitución parcial del trigo por un subproducto de la industria del maíz, el germen desgrasado (GDM). Se planteó como objetivo de esta investigación evaluar la factibilidad tecnológica de elaborar una pasta corta sustituida con germen desgrasado de maíz a escala industrial para lo cual se propusieron varias fórmulas (con niveles de sustitución del 10, 20 y 30% de STD por GDM) preparadas en una primera fase a escala semi-industrial y sometidas a pruebas de cocción y evaluación sensorial, con una buena aceptación hasta el nivel de 30%. Para efectos de la preparación industrial se escogió una formulación al 25% de GDM, obteniéndose un producto con mayor contenido de grasa, cenizas y fibra que la pasta tradicional. Las pruebas de cocción de esta pasta corta dieron como resultado mayores pérdidas de sólidos en el agua y de proteínas solubles, mayor aumento de peso y de volumen en comparación con la pasta de 100%STD. Los resultados de la prueba sensorial de esta formulación industrial reflejaron una pasta significativamente diferente a la tradicional pero de buena aceptación. Se comprobó la factibilidad de elaborar una pasta con GDM hasta un 25% de sustitución a escala industrial utilizando los equipos, condiciones y procesos comunes de elaboración de pastas integrales, sin embargo, es necesario establecer operaciones adicionales como el mezclado de las materias primas, así como establecer las curvas de secado y el empleo de extrusoras diseñadas para trabajo con harinas extra finas.

Traditionally, pasta has been manufactured from wheat durum semolina (STD), but an alternative to reliance on this imported item is through the partial replacement of wheat by defatted corn germ (GDM), a byproduct of the maize industry. In order to assess the technological feasibility for producing pasta substituted with GDM in an industrial scale, several formulations were proposed (with substitution levels of 10, 20 and 30% of STD by GDM), which were prepared at an early stage in a semi-industrial scale and subjected to sensory evaluation, being well accepted until a 30% level of replacement. For industrial purposes, a 25% substitution of STD was chosen. The obtained supplemented product had a higher amount of fat, ash and fiber than traditional pasta. Cooking parameters indicated higher loss of solids and soluble proteins in water, greater weight and volume increase compared to 100% STD pasta (control). Sensory testing showed a substituted pasta significantly different from the traditional pasta, but with good acceptance. The industrial feasibility of developing pasta with GDM was proved using equipment, conditions and processes common of integral pasta processing, however, it is necessary to set up additional operations like the mixing of raw materials, as well as to establish the drying curves and test extruders designed to work with flours of finer granulometry than of semolina.

The Properties of Glycoconjugates in the Rat Nasal Mucosa following Inhalation of Formaldehyde / 대한해부학회지

The present study was carried out to investigate the glycoconjugate properties of the nasal mucosa in the rat after inhalation of formaldehyde. Sprague-Dawley male rats were inhalated 30 ppm formaldehyde for 3 times with 3 hours exposure. The olfactory and respiratory mucosa in the nasal mucosa were taken from the animals on 3, 6,9 days and 2, 3, 4, 5 weeks after inhalation of formaldehyde. The properties of glycoconjugate of the olfactory and respiratory mucosa were investigated using nine biotinylated lectins (PSA, UEA I, PHA-L, BSL I, PNA, MAL I, DBA, BSL II or sWGA). In experimental groups, the degenerative changes of the olfactory epithelium were observed until 3 weeks after inhalation of formaldehyde, but the respiratory epithelium was no change. In control group, the olfactory cells in the olfactory epithelium reacted with PSA, UEA I, PNA, DBA, BSL II, sWGA, and the supporting cells reacted with PSA, PHA-L, PNA, MAL I, DBA, BSL II, sWGA, and Bowman's glands reacted with all the lectins. In experimental groups, the olfactory cells reacted with UEA I, DBA, and the supporting cells reacted with PHA-L, MAL I, DBA, UEA I, and the positive reaction of Bowman's glands was increased. In control group, the goblet cells in the respiratory epithelium reacted with UEA I, MAL I, and the ciliated columnar cells reacted with PSA, UEA I, PHA-L, BSL I, DBA, BSL II, sWGA, and the septal nasal glands reacted with all the lectins except UEA I. In experimental groups, the goblet cells reacted with UEA I, MAL I and PNA. Conclusively, the olfactory mucosa was shown a lot of changes in the properties of glycoconjugates following inhalation of formaldehyde, but respiratory mucosa was shown feeble change. These results suggest that there were different sugar residues of glycoconjugate in the olfactory and respiratory mucosa following inhalation of formaldehyde, respectively.

Preparation of lectin-conjugated PLGA nanoparticles and evaluation of their in vitro bioadhesive activity / 药学学报

In this study, wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), tomato lectin (TL) and asparagus pea lectin (AL) were covalently coupled to conventional poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles using a carbodiimide method to take the bioadhesive properties. The influences of the amounts of activating agents and lectins, as well as the activating time and incubating time on the effect of lectin conjugating were investigated to optimize the preparation conditions. The mean diameters of the performed nanoparticles with or without lectin conjugation ranged from (140.7 +/- 5.7) nm to (245.6 +/- 18.3) nm. The yields of lectin conjugating and the lectin surface concentrations on nanoparticles were determined by Lowry's methods, and were calculated to be (18.97 +/- 2.9)% - (20.15 +/- 2.4)% and (9.46 +/- 1.45)--(10.05 +/- 1.19) microg x mg(-1), respectively. The in vitro bioadhesive activities of nanoparticles were evaluated by pig gastric mucin (PM) binding experiments. After incubation at room temperature for 60 min, the equilibria of binding between nanoparticles and PM reached. The percentages of the bulk PM which had interacted with different lectin-conjugated PLGA nanoparticles were 15.5%, 12.1% and 11.8%, respectively. The conjugation of lectin enhanced the interaction about 2.4 - 3.2 fold compared with that of the non-conjugated one. A mathematical model was used based on the Langmuir equation, and the rate constants of interaction (k) were calculated to be 2.373 x 10(-3), 1.536 x 10(-3) and 1.714 x 10(-3) (microg x min/mL)(-1), respectively. These interactions could be competitively inhibited by their corresponding sugars of lectins. The results suggested that lectin-conjugated PLGA nanoparticles greatly promoted the interaction with PM in vitro compared with the conventional PLGA nanoparticles, thus would improve the bioadhesion on gastrointestinal mucosa after oral administration resulting in a prolonged residence time in the gastrointestinal tract.

Barras de cereais elaboradas com proteína de soja e gérmen de trigo características físico-químicas e textura durante armazenamento / Cereal bars with soy protein and wheat germ physicochemical characteristics and texture during the storage

Estudos sobre barra de cereais vêm reportando características e preferências de consumidores em análise sensorial e crescimento do mercado, porém, pouca informação tem sido publicada sobre dados físico-químicos e suas propriedades de textura. Assim, este trabalho vem estabelecer informações sobre o armazenamento de uma formulação de barra de cereais de elevado teor protéico e vitamínico à base de proteína de soja e gérmen de trigo, acondicionadas em três filmes de embalagem diferentes (A: PET/PEBD; B: PETmet/PEBD; C: PET/PEBD/AL/PEBD) durante 6 meses em condições de temperatura (25±2°C) e umidade relativa (56 por cento) ambiente. Foram determinados a umidade, atividade de água, pH e acidez total das barras de cereais. As medidas texturais acompanhadas foram resistência ao corte, dureza e coesividade. As barras de cereais apresentaram variações na atividade de água (Aw), umidade e acidez total durante o armazenamento. A umidade das barras de cereais tendeu a um aumento, o que acarretou influência significativa (p=0,05) nas características de textura de resistência ao corte e dureza das barras de cereais, nos diferentes filmes de embalagens testados. O aumento nos valores de resistência ao corte (A: 4756,5N; B: 5093,0N; C: 5575,6N) aos 45 dias de estocagem foram atribuídos a possível cristalização do xarope de aglutinação das barras. A proteína texturizada de soja utilizada na formulação também pode ter contribuído para este fato por sua característica higroscópica, além de interferir na diminuição das medidas de coesividade (deformação) ao longo do tempo. O efeito das diferentes propriedades de barreira dos filmes de embalagens testados foi significativo (p=0,05) na estabilidade das barras de cereais ao longo do período de estocagem

Yoghurt for athletic people

Buffaloe's concentrated yoghurt was made by using different levels of Na-caseinate or wheat germ [0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5%]. The obtained concentrated yoghurt of the all treatments had sufficient energy which is suitable to consume during training or sporting time. Concentrated yoghurt fortified with 1.0% Na-caseinate or 0.5% wheat germ gave the highest score for flavour, body and texture and appearance. ATB culture was used in this work

Role of wheat germ and agglutinins in treatment of experimental cryptosporidiosis

A total of 100 suckling albino mice was immunosuppressed and infected with 106 purified Cryptosporidium oocysts. The oocyst count in stool using modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique on the days post infection [pi], the histopathological examination of ileum sections and the IFN- Y serum level were assessed for the drug evaluation. The use of wheat germ agglutinin [WGA] alone or with nitazoxanide [NTZ] showed a significant reduction of excreted oocyst count started on day 7 [pi], while the use of NTZ showed a significant reduction started on day 10 [pi] in comparison with the control group. The combined therapy showed a significant reduction in comparison with NTZ received group on days 7 and 10. The histopathological examination of mice received WGA alone or with NTZ showed increased inflammatory reaction and infiltrating inflammatory cells with multiple foci of enterocyte exfoliation along the villi. The IFN-Y serum level was significantly higher than the control and NTZ received groups

Histochemistry of Six Lectins in the Tissues of the Flat Fish Paralichthys olivaceus

Lectins are glycoproteins that specifically bind carbohydrate structures and may participate in the biodefense mechanisms of fish. In this study, the binding of three lectins, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), soybean agglutinin (SBA), Bandeiraea simplicifolia BS-1 (isolectin B4), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA) and Ulex europaeus (UEA-I) were studied in the gill, liver, intestine, kidney, heart, and spleen of the flat fish Paralichthys olivaceus. DBA was detected in intestinal mucous cells, as well as in gill epithelial and mucous cells. It was weakly detected in renal tubule epithelial cells and in bile duct epithelial cells. The strong SBA staining was seen in the intestinal club cells, in bile duct epithelial cells and renal tubule epithelial cells. There were intense positive reactions for isolectin B4 in gill epithelial and mucous cells, and the strong isolectin B4 staining was seen in epithelial cells of the bile duct and intestine. The strong WGA staining was seen in the gill mucosal cells, sinusoid, renal tubule epithelial cells and mucosal cells of the intestine. UEA-I was detected in the gill epithelial and mucosal cells, bile duct epithelial cells and renal tubular epithelial cells. These results suggest that the six lectins examined were localized in the covering epithelia of the various organs of the flat fish and they may participate in the biodefense mechanism of the intra body surface in which is exposed to various antigens.

Estimation of genetic parameters in the F1 and F2 generations of diallel crosses of bread wheat [Triticum aestivum L.]

A half diallel analysis of crosses among seven bread wheat varieties were usedto estimate combining ability, genetic components of variation and carry outgraphical analysis for days to heading, plant height, number of spikes/plant,main spike length, number of spikelets/spike, grain weight/spike, 1000-grainweight and grain yield/plant in the F1 and F2 generations. Highly significantdifferences among genotypes, parents and crosses were observed for all traitsin both generations. General and specific combining ability variances werehighly significant for all traits in the two generations indicating theimportance of both additive and non additive gene effects in the inheritanceof the traits studied. The estimated values of dominance components [H1 andH2] were found to be highly significant for all traits studied and higher inmagnitude in the F2 than in the F1. The three long spiked varieties [Sids 5,Sids 7 and Sids 8] were good general combiners for earliness, plant height,main spike length, grain weight/spike and number of spikelets/spike in the twogenerations, except Sids 8 in the F2 for the latter trait. Gimmeza 3 and Sids7 were the best general combiners for 1000-grain weight. The best generalcombiner for grain yield/plant and some of its components was the selectedline followed by Gimmeza-3. Estimates of F values revealed an excess ofdominant alleles in the parental lines for days to heading and grainweight/spike in the two generations. The best specific combinations for grainyield and some of its components were detected in both generations in ninecrosses. Graphical analysis revealed that partial dominance was found fordays to heading, plant height, main spike length and grains weight/spike inboth generations. Overdominance played an important role in the inheritanceof grain yield in both generations. The distribution of parental arrays alongthe regression line were widely scattered for all traits studied indicatinggenetic diversity among the parents. The relative order of the points of theseven parents along the regression line were different from one generation toanother. The results recommended using the two wheat varieties Gimmeza 3 andSids 7 and the best five hybrid combinations Giza 157 x Sids 5, Sakha 69 xSids 5, Gimmeza 3 x Sids 8 and the selected line with each of Sids 5 and Sids8 as the most promising genotypes in a future breeding program for developingnew bread wheat cultivars possessing high yielding potentiality

Cytotoxicity effect of malathion and its residues in stored tiriticum aestivum grains and vicia faba seeds

The genotoxic effect of the insecticide malathion and its residues was studiedin Triticum aestivum [wheat] grains and Vicia faba [broad beans] seeds. Wheatgrains and bean seeds were treated with 8, 24, and 40 mg malathion/kg andstored for three and six months. Treatment of the grains [seeds] withmalathion caused a statistically significant decrease in the mitotic index anda significant percentage of chromosome abnormalities after storage for threeand six months. The decrease in the mitotic index indicates inhibition ofcell division. Malathion induced a number of mitotic abnormalities. Thehighest percentage reached 8.73 +/- 0.22 [P <0.01] in root-tip meristems ofVicia faba seeds after treatment of seeds with 40 mg/kg and storage for threemonths. This percentage decreased after storage of the treated seeds for sixmonths, to 3.59 +/- 1.24 [P <0.05]. The percentage of chromosomeabnormalities in the root-tip cells of treated wheat grains was significantafter storage for three and six months. Prolongation of the storage period to six months had no effect on thepercentage of the induced abnormalities. Chromosome stickiness was observedin a high percentage in the root-tip cells of the treated grains [seeds]stored for three and six months. The above-described results indicated thatthe grains [seeds] did not recover after storage for six months. Thenon-recovery of the stored grains [seeds] may be attributed to the permanenteffect of malathion and its residues. The results indicated that malathion iscytotoxic

alkaline phospatase lacking wheat germ agglutinin binding sites; Useful enzyme for lectin assays with comparable activity to the calf enzyme

Despite the availability of various alkaline phosphatase [ALP] isoenzymes, the calf enzyme is being used in current enzyme assays as the detector enzyme. The glycosylation pattern of this enzyme makes it a suitable ligand for binding to wheat germ agglutinin lectin [WGA]. As a result of this property, the enzyme can not be used as a conjugate with this lectin, and the calf enzyme conjugates can not be used when lectin is on the solid phase in lectin based ELISA systems. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the activity and lectin binding property of an ALP from the hepatopancreas of shrimp Pandalus borealis as an alternative for the calf enzyme. While the problem of non-specific binding to WGA lectin was circumvented with the shrimp enzyme, the activity of the new studied enzyme was seen to be higher than the calf enzyme. Studies of the effect of magnesium ion concentration on both enzymes demonstrated a major effect of the cation on shrimp enzyme and a relatively minor effect on the calf ALP. Conjugation of the shrimp ALP with streptavidin can be used in enzyme amplification technique in lectin based ELISA using WGA

Fortification of ice milk with wheat germ

This work aimed to investigate the possibility of fortificating ice milk with wheat germ [WG] that contains all the essential amino acids and high proteins, minerals and vitamins. Ice milk was manufactured from standardized buffalo's milk, cream and dried skim milk to give 4% fat, 12% solids not fat, 15% sucrose and 0.5% gelatin. Ice milk mixes were fortified with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% WG for control and treatments. The values of total solids, protein, ash and specific gravity directly increased as fortification ratio of WG increased. Freezing point showed a contradictory trend, while pH values were nearly the same for all mixes. In general, specific gravity of the resultant ice milk relatively decreased with increase in WG fortification ratio in contrast to the overrun values that increased with fortification. Melting resistance and organoleptic properties improved with WG fortification up to 4%. Essential amino acids contents directly increased in proportion to WG fortification

Efecto reepitelizante del Triticum vulgare en el ectropión cauterizado del cérvix / Reepithelización effect of triticum vulgare after cervix cuatherization

El ectropión del cérvix es un trastorno común en la práctica ginecológica. El tratamiento más satisfactorio es la destrucción del tejido afectado mediante electrocauterización, criocirugía o vaporización con rayo láser, que obtienen la cicatrización con la posterior reparación mediante la proliferación de fibroblastos y reepitelización. La reepitelización completa puede llevar más de ocho semanas. Con el objeto de acortar el tiempo requerido para la reepitelización, se evaluó la eficacia del extracto acuoso de Triticum vulgare en un estudio doble ciego comparativo con placebo. Se estudiaron 40 pacientes con ectropión tratadas con vaporización mediante rayo láser. Posteriormente las pacientes del primer grupo fueron tratadas con óvulos de Triticum vulgare, dos veces al día durante dos semanas consecutivas; las pacientes del grupo control recibieron placebo. El extracto acuoso de Triticum vulgare fue capaz de acortar el tiempo para la reepitelización. Al día 40, el 40 por ciento de las pacientes tratadas con Triticum vulgare presentaron una reepitelización completa, comparado con 5 por ciento de las que recibieron placebo; 75 por ciento vs 35 por ciento al día 48, y 85 por ciento vs 55 por ciento al día 56, respectivamente. No se observaron eventos adversos. Se concluye que el extracto acuoso de Triticum vulgare acelera la reepitelización postratamiento del ectropión con rayo láser y tiene buena tolerabilidad vaginal.

Legislación, reglamentación y desarrollo del sistema de garantía y control de calidad de la harina de trigo fortificada / Legislation, regulation and development of garanted and cuality control system and cuality control of enriched in heat flour

El objetivo que dan a conocer es de garantizar a la población un aporte de hierro, ácido fólico y vitaminas del complejo B, a través de la harina de trigo fortificada de acuerdo a las disposiciones y normas nacionales vigentes, que todos los productos fortificados con hierro, harina de trigo y derivados cuenten con el registro sanitario correspondiente y que se introduzca en las prácticas rutinarias de garantía de calidad de los 19 molinos nacionales la determinación cualitativa de hierro

Insulin receptors tyrosine kinase activity in colon carcinoma

Colon carcinoma is the most common tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. According to some investigators, insulin, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) may be involved in the neoplastic proliferation. Insulin-binding and receptor tyrosine kinase activity were investigated in colon carcinomas and in normal colons. The insulin receptor concentration, as shown by binding assays, was 17.4 ñ 4.3 fmol/mug in normal colon and 29.69 ñ 9.4 fmol/mug in colon carcinoma. Nevertheless, the insulin affinity of the receptor was similar in both groups (Kd ( 1 nM). Both normal and neoplastic colon showed phosphorylation of the insulin receptor. The electrophoretic migration of the Beta-subunit of the insulin receptors purified from colon carcinomas was similar to that of normal colon and both tissues demonstrated an insulin-dependent autophosphorylation. The receptor tyrosine kinase activity was measured by the incorporation of [gamma32P]ATP into the Beta-subunit. The basal and the insulin-stimulated tyrosine kinase activities were significantly higher in colon carcinomas compared to normal colon tissues (2.2 and 1.6 times, respectively). Understanding the metabolism of neoplastic cells may contribute to the development of prevention strategies as well as new therapies. It is now necessary to study other steps of the insulin signal transduction pathway, such as insulin receptor substrate 1 phosphorylation.

Supplementing Shamy bread with wheat germs

The extinsograph results showed that addition of up to 9% raw or defatted wheat germs have good potentialities to be used in supplementing 82% flour for shamy bread making. On the other hand, the use of toasted germs would have deleterious effects on dough qualities required for bread making. Although supplementing flour for shamy bread making with wheat germs tended to lower the final bread weight, the supplemented bread was preferred organoleptically. Freshness of the supplemented bread by raw or toasted germs was rated very close to, or higher than, the control. Addition of defatted germs caused a noticeable decline in freshness. The addition of 9% raw wheat germs to wheat flour [the recommended treatment] caused a 16.4% increase in bread protein, 16.6% in iron, more than 110% in zinc, and 108% in calcium

Enrichment of two types of biscuits by wheat germs.

Rheological studies showed that the addition of 15% defatted wheat germs to 72% extraction flour used to produce hard sweet biscuits [Petite Beurre] lowered the stability and increased the weakening of the dough making it more suitable for biscuit manufacture. The organoleptic results recommended that enriching Petite Beurre biscuits with defatted wheat germs should not exceed 10%. Such treatment increased the protein content by 22.8%, iron by 28.1% and zinc by 668.8% while calcium content decreased by 36.2%. Supplementing 72% extraction flour with up to 20% raw wheat germs for soft sweet biscuit [Soiree] manufacture had beneficial weakening effects on its rheological characteristics. Biscuit thickness and diameter and the organoleptic results indicated that enriching soft sweet biscuits with up to 20% raw wheat germs was recommendable. Such treatment increased the protein content of Soiree biscuits by 41.4%, the iron content by 79.3% and the zinc content by 541.3% while calcium content decreased by 63.8%. Hard sweet biscuits enriched by defatted wheat germs and soft sweet biscuits enriched by raw wheat germs are recommended as good sources of protein, iron and zinc

Improved resolution of liver and bone alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes using wheat germ lectin or neuraminidase pretreatment with the introduction of some technical modifications

This study aims to establish a routine reliable electrophoresis method with improved separation of liver and bone alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes, which allows for their quantitation. Modifications of the already available techniques will also be studied. Samples were collected from patients with liver diseases [n = 26], with bone diseases and from children [n = 24] and from pregnant females in the third trimester [n = 10]. Control sera containing liver and intestinal isoenzymes were also used. Samples were subjected to liver function tests, calcium and phosphorus determination, cellulose acetate electrophoresis : ordinary, with germ wheat lectin and with neuraminidase pretreatment. Agarose gel electrophoresis was done with and without lectin. Samples were also subjected to sequential heat inactivation. Results showed that cellulose acetate electro-phoresis gave better separation of liver and bone fractions when done with germ wheat lectin or when samples were pretreated with neuraminidase. Several modifications were suggested to improve the technique. Agarose gel affinity electrophoresis [i.e., with lectin] gave the best separation of liver and bone isoenzymes into sharply defined bands. Sequential heat inactivation was tedious and needed scrupulous control of time and temperature. It overestimated the liver isoenzyme due to inclusion of biliary and intestinal fractions in its estimation. Excellent correlation was found between the different methods used for both bone and liver isoenzymes, Biliary isoenzyme was best separated by ordinary electrophoresis whether on cellulose acetate or agarose gel. Placental isoenzyme separation required preheating the sample at 65°C for 10 minutes to destroy the bone fraction which had the same migration mobility as placental isoenzyme. It was concluded that agarose affinity gel electrophoresis gave the sharpest and clearest separation of liver and bone fractions. On the other hand, cellulose acetate electrophoresis was less expensive, more sensitive and precise. Both methods were more suitable than the heat separation analysis method