ABSTRACT
The conventional method for analyzing fatty acid is gas chromatography (GC) with polar capillary columns. However, owing to the high cost and the sensitivity of these columns to the presence of water and oxygen, these columns are not the best choice for separation. Also, analyzing long-chain acids (>C28) with polar columns is impossible. On the other hand, complete separation with nonpolar columns is not possible for some saturated, unsaturated and long-chain fatty acids. Therefore, in this study, with the help of chemometric methods, a method was developed using GC/mass spectrometry (MS) with a nonpolar column to resolve the peaks to completely separate and accurately identify and quantify fatty acids. Using this method, the fatty acid profiles of the seed oils of Sesamum indicum L, Nigella sativa, Pimpinella anisum, Linum asitatissimum L, Silybum marianum and Amygdalus communis L. var. Amara and var. Dulcis were identified. Through applying the multivariate curve resolution method after GC/MS, the C-18 fatty acids such as α-linolenic, linoleic, oleic and stearic acids were separated and quantified. Also, the total percentages of identified fatty acids increased by 1-6% after resolving overlapping peaks. Finally, the obtained percentages of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were confirmed by reference reports.
Subject(s)
Chemometrics , Fatty Acids , Fatty Acids/analysis , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Fatty Acids, Unsaturated , Plant Oils/chemistryABSTRACT
In this study, a fast and precise method for determining three opium alkaloids (morphine, codeine, and thebaine) in different parts of some Papaver species was developed and validated with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.05 - 0.20 mg/L. The proposed method was based on three extraction steps by alkaline aqueous solution/chloroform/acidic aqueous solution and analysis by ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). After optimizing IMS parameters based on an experimental design, IMS was applied to analyze the extracts of seeds, stems, leaves, and capsules of seven Papaver species collected from different regions of Iran. All prepared samples were analyzed by HPLC and IMS at the same time. Then, the obtained results of the two instrumental methods were compared. The HPLC did not detect morphine in the prepared samples, while IMS results showed trace amounts of morphine in the capsules and leaves of four Papaver species. Other results were comparable and showed that IMS is more sensitive, affordable, and faster than HPLC for alkaloid analysis.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder in children. Recently, probiotics have been suggested as a treatment option for gastrointestinal disorders. The most effective species and the most appropriate doses are still unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Lactobacillus GG (LGG) for treating IBS in pediatric patients. METHODS: In a controlled, double blind, randomized trial, patients with IBS diagnosed by Rome III criteria from August 2012 to September 2012 at Dr. Sheikh Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran, were assigned to one of two groups, i.e., intervention and control groups. For four weeks, the intervention group received a probiotic in capsule form that contained LGG at a concentration of 1×10(10) cfu/ml bacteria. For the same period, the control group received a placebo capsule that had the same shape and color but only contained inulin, which also was present in the LGG capsules. The primary outcome was any change in the severity of the patients' pain, and we used a five-point Likert scale to evaluate the severity of their pain. Secondary outcomes were ghanges of the functional scale, stool patterns, and associated problems. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients participated in the study, and 26 patients were assigned randomly to each of the two groups. The severity of the patients' pain decreased significantly in the intervention group after one, two, three, and four weeks of treatment, as indicated by P-values of 0.01, 0.00, 0.00, and 0.00, respectively. Also, there was significant improvement in the functional scale after two weeks of treatment (P-value ≤ 0.00). CONCLUSION: Lactobacillus GG at a concentration of 1×10(10) cfu/ml for a period of four weeks can lessen the severity of the patients' pain and improve the functional scale in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Probiotics can have therapeutic effects for IBS patients.
