Effects of different drying methods on quality of male flowers of Eucommia ulmoides based on color and chemical composition / 中国中药杂志

To study the effects of different drying methods on the quality of male flowers of Eucommia ulmoides(MFOEU), we treated fresh MFOEU samples with drying in the shade(DS), vacuum freeze drying(VFD), high-or low-temperature hot air drying(HTHAD, LTHAD), microwave drying(MD), and vacuum drying(VD), respectively. The color, total flavonoid content, total polysaccharide content, and main active components such as geniposide, geniposidic acid, rutin, chlorogenic acid, galuteolin, pinoresinol diglucoside, and aucubin in MFOEU were taken as the evaluation indicators. The quality of MFOEU was comprehensively evaluated by entropy weight method combined with color index method, partial least squares discriminant analysis and content clustering heat map. The experimental results showed that VFD and DS basically kept the original color of MFOEU. The MFOEU treated with MD had higher content of total polysaccharides, phenylpropanoids, lignans, and iridoids. The MFOEU treated with LTHAD had higher content of total flavonoids and that treated with VD had lower content of active components. According to the results of comprehensive evaluation, the quality of MFOEU dried with different methods followed the order of MD>HTHAD>VFD>LTHAD>DS>VD. Considering the color of MFOEU, the suitable drying methods were DS and VFD. Considering the color, active components, and economic benefits of MFOEU, MD was the suitable drying method. The results of this study are of a reference value for the determination of suitable methods for MFOEU processing in the producing areas.

Nature-effect transformation mechanism of mulberry leaves and silkworm droppings based on chemical composition analysis / 中国中药杂志

Starting with the relationship between mulberry leaves and silkworm droppings as food and metabolites, this study systematically compared the chemical components, screened out differential components, and quantitatively analyzed the main differential components based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and UPLC-Q-TRAP-MS combined with principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA). Moreover, the in vitro enzymatic transformation of the representative differential components was studied. The results showed that(1) 95 components were identified from mulberry leaves and silkworm droppings, among which 27 components only exist in mulberry leaves and 8 components in silkworm droppings. The main differential components were flavonoid glycosides and chlorogenic acids.(2) Nineteen components with significant difference were quantitatively analyzed, and the components with significant differences and high content were neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, and rutin.(3) The crude protease in the mid-gut of silkworm significantly metabolized neochlorogenic acid and chlorogenic acid, which may be an important reason for the efficacy change in mulberry leaves and silkworm droppings. This study lays a scientific foundation for the development, utilization, and quality control of mulberry leaves and silkworm droppings. It provides references for clarifying the possible material basis and mechanism of the pungent-cool and dispersing nature of mulberry leaves transforming into the pungent-warm and dampness-resolving nature of silkworm droppings, and offers a new idea for the study of nature-effect transformation mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine.

Effect of chlorocholine chlorid on phenolic acids accumulation and polyphenols formation of buckwheat plants

BACKGROUND: Effect of chlorocholine chloride (CCC) on phenolic acids composition and polyphenols accumulation in various anatomical parts (stems, leaves and inflorescences) of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) in the early stages of vegetation period were surveyed. RESULTS: Treatment of buckwheat seeds with 2% of CCC has been increased content of total phenolics in the stems, leaves and inflorescences. On analyzing the different parts of buckwheat plants, 9 different phenolic acids - vanilic acid, ferulic acid, trans-ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, salycilic acid, cinamic acid, p-coumaric acid, p-anisic acid, methoxycinamic acid and catechins were identified. The levels of identified phenolic acids varied not only significantly among the plant organs but also between early stages of vegetation period. Same changes as in contents of chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, trans-ferulic acid were found for content of salycilic acid. The content of these phenolic acids has been significant increased under effect of 2% CCC treatment at the phase I (formation of buds) in the stems and at the phase II (beginning of flowering) in the leaves and then inflorescences respectively. The content of catechins as potential buckwheat antioxidants has been increased at the early stages of vegetation period after treatment with 2% CCC. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results suggest that influence of CCC on the phenolics composition can be a result of various mechanisms of CCC uptake, transforming and/or its translocation in the buckwheat seedlings.

Effect of aluminum on antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds content in in vitro cultured blueberries / Efectos de aluminio en la capacidad antioxidante y en el contenido de compuestos fenólicos en plántulas de arándano cultivadas in vitro

Blueberry is a popular natural food product consumed worldwide. Acid soils are found throughout the world. A significant problem of acid soils is the active aluminum content, which may result toxic to plant. The present study was undertaken to assess the toxicities of Al for Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cultivated in vitro and treated with 100 and 200 uM Al. The effects of Al concentration on malondialdehyde (MDA) content, antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds of blueberry after 7, 14 and 21 days of treatment were established. The analysis of the MDA accumulated in the tissues of the blueberry seedlings indicates that Al concentration increases the damage caused by lipid peroxidation, for both treatments, after 14 days. The highest antioxidant activity in the extracts was observed at 200 uM Al after 14 days of treatment, being chlorogenic and ellagic acids the most significant metabolites involved in the antioxidant properties. Then, the content of Al in soil could be modulate the content of bioactive compounds in blueberry plants.

El Arándano es un popular alimento natural consumido en todo el mundo. Los suelos ácidos se encuentran en todo el mundo. Un problema significativo de suelos ácidos es el contenido de aluminio activo, que puede resultar tóxico para la planta. Este estudio se realizó para evaluar la toxicidad del aluminio en plantas de arandano, cultivadas in vitro y tratadas con 100 y 200 mM de Al. Se establecieron los del aluminio en el contenido de malodialdehido (MDA), capacidad antioxidante y contenido de compuestos fenolicos en plantulas de arandano luego de 7, 14 y 21 dias de tratamiento. El análisis del MDA acumulado en los tejidos de las plantulas de arándanos indica que la concentración de Al aumenta el daño causado medido como peroxidación de lípidos, para ambos tratamientos, después de 14 días. La actividad antioxidante más alta de los extractos se obseva a 200 mM de Al después de 14 días de tratamiento, siendo los ácidos clorogénico y elágico los metabolitos más importantes que participan en las propiedades antioxidantes. Entonces, el contenido de Al en el suelo podría modular el contenido de compuestos bioactivos en plantas de arándanos, alterando sus propiedades medicinales.

Verificação da presença de compostos fenólicos com propriedades antioxidantes em amostras de café / Verification of the presence of phenolic compounds with antioxidant properties in coffee samples

O mecanismo e conseqüência da oxidação por radicais livres em alimentos e em sistemas biológicos têm sido implicado na ocorrência de doenças crônicas. Compostos fenólicos, presentes em alimentos e bebidas, como o café, têm se destacado por serem substâncias antioxidantes capazes de minimizar esse processo. Este estudo verificou a presença de compostos fenólicos e o comportamento antioxidante de amostras de café em diferentes formas de preparo. A Cromatografia em Camada Delgada (CCD) foi utilizada para detecção de compostos fenólicos com atividade antioxidante. A atividade antioxidante in vitro foi testada em sistema aquoso oxidativo utilizando ?-caroteno/ácido linoléico. Foi feito estudo cinético utilizando-se o método das tangentes para obtenção do fator 1 (F1) e fator 2 (F2). Todas as amostras apresentaram bandas reveladas em CCD tanto no sistema revelador ?-caroteno (Rf de 0,72-0,81) quanto no ferricianeto/cloreto férrico (Rf de 0,75-0,85), identificando a presença de compostos fenólicos com atividade antioxidante. O café solúvel no volume de 20?L (64ppm) foi a amostra que apresentou melhor proteção contra a oxidação (71,3%), sem diferença estatística (p>0,05) para os volumes subseqüentes. O estudo cinético verificou maior efetividade em bloquear a fase de iniciação das reações de oxidação (F1<1) para todos os extratos, exceto o solúvel e o preparado em filtro de pano a 200?L, o que indica capacidade de inibição da propagação da cadeia oxidativa (F2<1). Os resultados in vitro obtidos sugerem o café como fonte de compostos fenólicos, atuando na proteção de processos oxidativos.

Efectos del tratamiento de la pulpa de cafe, fresca o ensilado, con hidroxido de cálcio, sobre su valor nutritivo / Effects of the treatment of coffee pulp, fresh or ensilaged, with calcium hydroxide, on its nutritive value

El presente estudio se efectuó para determinar los efectos de la adición de hidróxido de calcio sobre la composición química y valor nutritivo de la pulpa de café, fresca o ensilada. Se mezcló pulpa fresca o ensilada con 1,2 y 3% de hidróxido de calcio. El proceso se llevó a cabo en dos períodos de tiempo, 0 y 16 horas, respectivamente, después de los cuales las pulpas se dejaron secar al sol durante 36 horas, hasta alcanzar 12% de humedad. Estas muestras se analizaron para determinar su composición química proximal y de algunos minerales (Ca, P, Na, K), así como por su contenido de cafeína, taninos y ácidos clorogénico y cafeíco. Con los materiales ya analizados, se elaboraron raciones con 15% de proteína y 15 ó 30% de pulpa de café fresca o ensilada, las que se ofrecieron a ratas recién destetadas durante seis semanas. Se recoletó la información requerida, y los materiales necesarios para determinar ganancia de peso, eficiencia de alimentación, digestibilidad aparente y toxicidad de las raciones. Los resultados del análisis químico mostraron que los principales cambios ocurridos en las pulpas a causa del efecto del hidróxido de calcio, fueron los siguientes: disminución del extracto etéreo (de 4.0 a 2.5), de la fibra cruda (de 18.3 a 11.9), y de la proteína (de 12.3 a 8.6), en una relación inversa al porcentaje de hidróxido de calcio utilizando ambas pulpas. La cantidad de ceniza se incrementó, fluctuando los valores entre 5.5 y 14.4% como consecuencia del Ca(OH)2 agregado, lo que influyó al calcular la relación calcio: fósforo en las dieta. Se encontró una relación promedio de 7.2:1 en las pulpas control (0% de Ca(OH)2 y de 59.0:1 en las pulpas que contenían el mayor porcentaje de Ca(OH)2 (3%). Con respecto al contenido de cafeína, taninos y ácidos cloregénico y cafeico, se encontró que los tratamientos alcalinos sólo fueron efectivos en reducir ls taninos de la pulpa, más en la fresca que en la ensilada...