Carrot Extract Research Articles

Reinvestigation of the Bitter Compounds in Carrots (Daucus carota L.) by Using a Molecular Sensory Science Approach

In order to reinvestigate the key molecules inducing bitter off-taste of carrots ( Daucus carota L.), a sensory-guided fractionation approach was applied to bitter carrot extracts. Besides the previously reported bitter compounds, 6-methoxymellein (1), falcarindiol (2), falcarinol (3), and falcarindiol-3-acetate (4), the following compounds were identified for the first time as bitter compounds in carrots with low bitter recognition thresholds between 8 and 47 micromol/L: vaginatin (5), isovaginatin (6), 2-epilaserine oxide (7), laserine oxide (8), laserine (14), 2-epilaserine (15), 6,8-O-ditigloyl- (9), 6-O-angeloyl-, 8-O-tigloyl- (10), 6-O-tigloyl-, 8-O-angeloyl- (11), and 6-, 8-O-diangeloyl-6 ss,8alpha,11-trihydroxygermacra-1(10) E,4 E-diene (12), as well as 8-O-angeloyl-tovarol (13) and alpha-angeloyloxy-latifolone (16). Among these bitter molecules, compounds 9, 10, 13, and 16 were not previously identified in carrots and compounds 6, 11, and 12 were yet not reported in the literature.

Determination of Color, Pigment, and Phenolic Stability in Yogurt Systems Colored with Nonacylated Anthocyanins from Berberis boliviana L. as Compared to Other Natural/Synthetic Colorants

Anthocyanins are of interest to the food industry because of their antioxidant power, attractive color, and stability in high acid foods. Powder from the Peruvian berry Berberis boliviana Lechler, rich in nonacylated anthocyanins (7% to 8% dry weight), was incorporated into yogurt samples containing 3 different fat levels. Color (CIE L, a, b, chroma, and hue angle), pigment (monomeric anthocyanin and polymeric color), and total phenolics were monitored over 8 wk of storage and compared to yogurt treatments containing purple carrot acylated anthocyanins, red beet betalaines, or FD&C Red nr 40. Anthocyanin profiles were analyzed by HPLC coupled to photodiode array and mass detectors. Color of yogurt containing B. boliviana anthocyanins at 20 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside (cy-3-glu) equivalents/100 g yogurt (L*= 65, chroma = 14, and hue angle = 335 degrees ) was similar to commercial blueberry yogurt (L*= 65, chroma = 10.5, and hue angle = 341 degrees ). High color, pigment, and phenolic stability were observed in yogurts colored with B. boliviana, independent of the fat matrix. Acylated anthocyanins from purple carrot extracts exhibited increased stability with higher fat content. Anthocyanin degradation followed 1st-order kinetics. Pigment half-lives were 125 and 104 d for nonacylated anthocyanins at 10 and 20 mg cy-3-glu equivalents/100 g yogurt and 550.2, 232.6, and 128.9 d for acylated anthocyanins at 20 mg of cy-3-glu equivalents/100 g of 4%, 2%, and 0% fat yogurt. Addition of B. boliviana whole berry powder to yogurt matrices produced an attractive, stable anthocyanin-rich product, eliminating the need for industrial colorant extraction.

Solvent extract from white carrots decreases viability of prostate cancer cell lines

Many commercially available carrots derive their color from carotenoids, a class of hydrophobic pigments which have been indicated through numerous studies to have anti‐proliferative effects on cultured cancer cells. However, an increasing amount of evidence suggests that isolated/purified food constituents are often less effective than the parent food in supporting health. We examined the effects of a crude solvent extract from several varieties of colored carrot on the proliferation of prostate cancer cells, a cancer which has supportive evidence of carotenoid‐rich foods having a protective effect. We examined carrot varieties that were enriched in several different carotenoids including β‐carotene (orange), lutein (yellow), lycopene (red) as well as a carrot that was nearly devoid of all carotenoids (white). The solvent extracts from all of the colored carrot varieties were able to decrease cell viability and increase caspase activity in a dose‐dependent manner. However, the solvent extract from the unpigmented white carrot was the most effective extract. Further experiments demonstrated that the solvent extract from white carrot caused a dose‐dependent reduction of the percentage of prostate cancer cells in S‐phase, indicating an inhibition of proliferation. Therefore, while the carotenoids present in colored carrots may contribute towards the decrease in prostate cell viability, there are other non‐pigmented phytochemicals present in carrots which also decrease cell viability. The enhanced bioactivity of the crude white carrot extract must be due to these non‐pigmented phytochemicals. Work supported by Standard Process, Inc.

Arsenic Speciation and Identification of Monomethylarsonous Acid and Monomethylthioarsonic Acid in a Complex Matrix

Anion-exchange chromatography was utilized for speciation of arsenite (As(III)), arsenate (As(V)), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA(V)), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA(V)), monomethylarsonous acid (MMA(III)), and the new As species monomethylthioarsonic acid (MMTA), using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (ICPMS) detection. MMA(III) and MMTA were identified for the first time in freeze-dried carrot samples that were collected over 25 years ago as part of a joint U.S. EPA, U.S. FDA, and USDA study on trace elements in agricultural crops. The discovery of MMA(III) and MMTA in terrestrial foods necessitated the analytical characterization of synthetic standards of both species, which were used for standard addition in carrot extracts. The negative ion mode, high-resolution electrospray mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS) data produced molecular ions of m/z 122.9418 and 154.9152 for MMA(III) and MMTA, respectively. However, ESI-MS was not sensitive enough to directly identify MMA(III) and MMTA in the carrot extracts. Therefore, to further substantiate the identification of MMA(III) and MMTA, two additional separations using an Ion-120 column were developed using the more sensitive ICPMS detection. The first separation used 20 mM tetramethylammonium hydroxide at pH 12.2 with MMA(III) eluting in less than 7 min. In the second separation, MMTA eluted at 11.2 min by utilizing 40 mM ammonium carbonate at pH 9.0. Oxidation of MMA(III) and MMTA to MMA(V) with hydrogen peroxide was observed for standards and carrot extracts alike. Several samples of carrots collected from local markets in 2006 were also analyzed and found to contain low levels of inorganic arsenic species.

Predictive value of the sulfidoleukotriene release assay in oral allergy syndrome to celery, hazelnut, and carrot.

Patients sensitized to birch pollen frequently suffer from a food allergy to plant foods such as celery, carrots, or hazelnut. One of the main manifestations of birch pollen-related food allergy is the oral allergy syndrome. Skin tests and allergen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E determinations are poor predictors of such reactions when assessed by double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC). To investigate whether a cellular test based on leukotriene release from basophils, the cellular antigen stimulation test in combination with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CAST-ELISA), is predictive of pollen-related food allergy. Birch pollen-sensitized patients with positive DBPCFC to celery (n=21), hazelnut (n=15), and carrot (n=7) underwent skin tests along with determination of specific IgE and CAST-ELISA for the respective allergens. The results were compared with those of 24 birch pollen-sensitized patients with negative open food challenge to celery, hazelnut, and carrot. While skin prick tests had a sensitivity of 85%, 80%, and 29% for commercial extracts of celery, hazelnut, and carrot, respectively, prick testing with self-prepared extracts yielded sensitivities of 100%, 80%, and 100%, respectively. For specific IgE determinations, sensitivities were 71%, 73%, and 57%, respectively, and the respective specificities were 67%, 73%, and 60%. For CAST-ELISA with various sources and doses of allergens, the sensitivity varied from 71% to 95% for celery, 73% to 80% for hazelnut, and 43% to 86% for carrot. The respective specificities were 67% to 92%, 75% to 88%, and 77% to 91%. Analysis of the predictive value of CAST-ELISA with receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the results of the tests were more predictive of pollen-related food allergy than quantitative allergen-specific IgE determinations. CAST-ELISA is more specific than routine diagnostic tests for the diagnosis of pollen-related food allergy to celery, hazelnut, and carrot.

Effect of adding ascorbic acid and glucose on the antioxidative properties during storage of dried carrot

In this study, carrots were treated with ascorbic acid (0.1%) in a glucose (1.0%) solution (AA-Glu), and then freeze-dried and hot-air-dried to investigate the effects on their antioxidant content after 30 days of storage. The antioxidant components were extracted from the carrot samples using methanol. To assess antioxidative properties, tests measured the samples’ reducing power, α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and ferrous ion chelating power. The above antioxidative properties of carrot extracts were compared with α-tocopherol and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). The analysis of antioxidant compounds included the total amount of ascorbic acid, total amount of phenolics, total amount of flavonoids, and carotenoids. The analysis showed that the samples immersed in AA-Glu solution prior to drying exhibited a higher antioxidative property than those not immersed.

Standard reference materials for foods and dietary supplements

Well-characterized certified reference materials are needed by laboratories in the food testing, dietary supplement, and nutrition communities to facilitate compliance with labeling laws and improve the accuracy of information provided on product labels, so that consumers can make good choices. As a result of the enactment of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 and the Infant Formula Act of 1980, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) worked to develop a series of food-matrix standard reference materials (SRMs) characterized for nutrient concentrations. These include SRM 1544 Fatty Acids and Cholesterol in a Frozen Diet Composite, SRM 1546 Meat Homogenate, SRM 1548a Typical Diet, SRM 1566b Oyster Tissue, SRM 1846 Infant Formula, SRM 1946 Lake Superior Fish Tissue, SRM 1947 Lake Michigan Fish Tissue, SRM 2383 Baby Food Composite, SRM 2384 Baking Chocolate, SRM 2385 Slurried Spinach, and SRM 2387 Peanut Butter. With the enactment of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, NIST has been working to develop suites of dietary supplement SRMs characterized for active and marker compounds and for toxic elements and pesticides, where appropriate. An updated SRM 1588b Organics in Cod Liver Oil, a suite of ephedra-containing materials (SRMs 3240-3245), a carrot extract in oil (SRM 3276), and a suite of ginkgo-containing materials (SRMs 3246-3248) are available. Several other materials are currently in preparation. Dietary supplements are sometimes provided in forms that are food-like; for these, values may also be assigned for nutrients, for example SRM 3244 Ephedra-Containing Protein Powder. Both the food-matrix and dietary supplement reference materials are intended primarily for validation of analytical methods. They may also be used as "primary control materials" in assignment of values to in-house (secondary) control materials to confirm accuracy and to establish measurement traceability to NIST.

Preparation and characterization of standard reference material 3276, carrot extract in oil

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) and Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) are collaborating to produce a series of standard reference materials (SRMs) for dietary supplements. Standard reference material (SRM) 3276 Carrot Extract in Oil is one in this series, with values assigned for trans-alpha-carotene, trans- and total beta-carotene, delta- and gamma-tocopherol, and twelve fatty acids. Results for carotenoids and tocopherols were obtained by use of combinations of liquid chromatography (LC), on columns of differing selectivity, with absorbance and mass spectrometric (MS) detection. Fluorescence detection also was used for the tocopherols. Results for fatty acids were obtained by use of gas chromatography (GC) with both flame-ionization and mass-spectrometric detection. This material is intended for use as a primary control material when assigning values to in-house (secondary) control materials and for validation of analytical methods for measurement of these analytes in similar matrices.

Cancer cell antiproliferation activity and metabolism of black carrot anthocyanins

The antiproliferation activity of a black carrot anthocyanin-rich extract (BC-ARE) on human cancer cells (HT-29 colorectal adenocarcinoma and HL-60 promyelocytic leukaemia) and metabolism of its characteristic anthocyanins (acylated and nonacylated forms) in humans were investigated. Cancer cells were exposed for 24 h to 0.0–2.0 mg/mL of BC-ARE. Anthocyanin-rich extract inhibited proliferation of both types of cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. After ingestion of a black carrot concentrate, three acylated and two nonacylated anthocyanins were excreted in the volunteers (n = 4) urine (0.048% of the administered dose). The anthocyanins were characterized by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. Urine recovery of nonacylated anthocyanins was 8-fold higher than that of acylated anthocyanins. Natural pigments have achieved commercial significance as food colorants due to the fact that consumers perceive them as safe additives. At present extracts rich in acylated anthocyanins, which are known for their outstanding stability, serve as a major source of natural food colours for the food colorant industry with purple sweetpotato, red cabbage and black carrot being the major sources. Beside aesthetic values, anthocyanins possess enhanced physiological activity due to their potent antioxidant properties and enhance the health-promoting qualities of foods. Our findings on cancer cell antiproliferation activity of an anthocyanin-rich black carrot extract as well as information about the bioavailability of black carrot anthocyanins could lead to an increased application of these natural food colorants by the food industry.

Comparative effect of carotenoid complex from Golden Neo-Life Dynamite (GNLD) and carrot extract on some haematological parameters of healthy Wistar albino rats

Comparative effect of carotenoid complex from Golden Neo-Life Dynamite (GNLD) and carrot extract on some haematological parameters of healthy Wistar albino rats

Isolation, Identification Of Human Autochthonous Bifidobacteria And Comparison Of Its Growth On Different Natural Food Products

Microbiological, enzymatical and biochemical tests of carbohydrates fermentation profile were used to identify and classify human indigenous bifidobacteria isolated from human fecal samples. The most prevalent isolates belong to species Bifidobacterium longum, 28 % , Bifidobacterium bifidum 22 % and Bifidobacterium adolcescens 17%. Growth of bifidobacteria improved significantly on natural and adjusted carrot extract medium that makes it feasible for routine monitoring. The cell growth reached more than 108 CFU /mL. Our experimental data will be useful for the development of various fermented product.

Microencapsulation of anthocyanin pigments of black carrot ( Daucus carota L.) by spray drier

The acidified ethanol extracts of black carrots which has a high anthocyanin content (125 ± 17.22 mg/100 g) were spray dried using a range of maltodextrins [Stardri 10 (10DE), Glucodry 210 (20–23DE) and MDX 29 (28–31 DE)] as a carrier and coating agents, at 3 different inlet/outlet air temperatures with constant feed solid content (20%). Higher inlet/outlet air temperatures caused greater anthocyanin loss during spray drying. The quality attributes of the powders which were produced at optimum drying temperatures (160 °C) were characterized by their anthocyanin content, antioxidant capacity, L ∗, a ∗, b ∗, C ∗ and H° values, dry matter content and hygroscopicity. The best dried pigment containing powder was found where the Glucodry 210 was used as wall material. Scanning electron microscope was used for monitoring the structures and size (3–20 μm) of the powders. For determination the stability and half-life period of microencapsulated pigments, samples were stored under different storage temperatures (4 °C and 25 °C) and light illumination (3000 lx).

Role of Dau c 1 in three different patterns of carrot-induced asthma

Objective To assess the role of Dau c 1 in three patients with carrot induced asthma. Material and methods Patient 1 had asthma when handling raw carrots. Sensitization to pollens wasn’t detected. Patient 2 had rhinoconjunctivitis due to grass and olive pollen allergy. She had asthma when handling raw carrots. Patient 3 was diagnosed of rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma due to allergic sensitization to mites, several pollens and cat. She had asthma due to raw carrot ingestion and inhalation. IgE immunobot analysis and ELISA inhibition assay were used to investigate the allergens and specific antibodies. Results IgE Immunoblot Analysis: Dau c 1 from carrot extract and the recombinant rDau c 1 were recognized by IgE from patients 1 and 2. Band of Bet v 1 in birch pollen extract wasn’t recognized. Patient 3 didn’t recognize any of these allergens. Specific IgE to rDau c 1 was measured by ELISA. Specific IgE ELISA-inhibition with carrot as solid phase howed an intermediate inhibition (30 %) between carrot and rDau c 1 in patient 1; and a considerable inhibition (nearly 100 %) between carrot and rDau c 1 in patient 2. No inhibition was found in patient 3. Specific IgE ELISA inhibition between r Dau c 1 and r Bet v 1, employing r Dau c 1 as solid phase was made in patients 1 and 2. Bet v 1 showed less than 40 % of inhibition of r Dau c 1 in patient 1; and an intermediate inhibition (> 40 %) between r Bet v 1 and r Dau c 1 in patient 2. Conclusions Airborne carrot allergens are able to sensitize without the implication of a previous pollen allergy. Dau c 1 was the main allergen in patient 2. In patient 1, there was a band of 30 kd that looks like the predominant allergen. Patients 1 and 2 were sensitized directly from carrot allergens. In patient 3, Dau c 1 isn’t related to the carrot allergy. Allergy to carrot in patient 3 seems to be related to her allergy to different pollens; however, it wasn’t related to birch pollen. Mediterranean countries didn’t show the same patterns of food-related pollen allergy than Nordic countries.

Content of antioxidants in plant extracts obtained by supercritical extraction

The content of natural antioxidants in extracts of medicinal plants, fruits, and seeds obtained by supercritical fluid extraction was determined by a microcalorimetric technique using the model reaction of induced cumene oxidation. All tested extracts can be divided into two groups according to their antioxidant activity. The first group includes extracts containing strong antioxidants with high inhibition rate constants; the second group includes preparations containing week antioxidants capable of reducing the oxidation rate. Among the preparations studied, the maximum concentrations of antioxidants were found in the extracts of sage (10.0 × 10−2 mole/kg), rosemary (5.3 × 10−2 mole/kg), cranberry (1.4 × 10−2 mole/kg), and carrot (1.2 × 10−2 mole/kg). The rate constants of reactions between antioxidants and peroxide radicals were calculated (k 7 = (0.4 − 9.0) × 104 liter/(mole sec)). With respect to this value, several types of natural antioxidants can be distinguished in each extract. The most active antioxidants are those contained in the rosemary extract, their reaction rate constants being about 2.3 × 105 liter/(mole sec). It is suggested that the most active components are tocopherols, polyphenols, and quinones.

Inhibitory effect of carrot leaves extract on tumor cell growth

Introduction Carrots which widely cultivated vegetables in temperate regions are the major source of β-carotene in the diet. Several epidemiological studies imply specifically the intake of carrots as important for the cancer prevention. Carrot leaves are also included many antioxidant flavonoids such as luteolin and apigenin. However, it is not clear the inhibitory effect of carrot leaves in cancer prevention. In the present study, we have investigated the inhibitory mechanism of cancer prevention by carrot leaves extract. Methods Carrot leaves was extracted with EtOH, CHCl3, EtOAc or BuOH. Ehrlich ascites tumor cells (EATC) were cultured with each extract of carrot leaves. Cell viability, cell proliferation and cell cycle were analyzed. Results All extracts of carrot leaves decreased cell proliferation of EATC time- and dose-dependently. Furthermore CHCl3 and EtOAc fractions were also inhibited cell viability. However BuOH fraction decreased cell proliferation without changing in the cell viability. The addition of CHCl3, EtOAc or BuOH extracts caused an accumulation of cells caused an accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase and then caused the arrest of cell proliferation. Conclusion These results suggest that carrot leaves extract have preventive effects on tumor proliferation. The inhibitory mechanism is induced through the arrest of cell division of EATC.

Aqueous extracts from colored carrots reduce prostate cell proliferation

Risk for many degenerative diseases is inversely correlated with the dietary consumption of fruits and vegetables. Carrots are a well accepted food with documented health benefits and we hypothesize that efficacy can be achieved with a whole-food based approach. The research presented here focuses on different varieties of colored carrots, all of which are enriched in different bioactive constituents: orange (high β-carotene), red (lycopene), yellow (lutein), purple (anthocyanidins) and white (devoid of pigments). The first step in this investigation was to measure the effect of extracts of the different carrot varieties in a cell-based model of a disease state. The effects of the crude aqueous extracts of these carrots, which maintain the mixtures of soluble constituents within the whole carrots, on the DU145 prostate cancer cells have been measured. The results show that the 4 mg/ml aqueous extracts from the colored carrots (which is approximately the amount of extract from 1 mg of whole carrots) all significantly reduced cell proliferation and increased LDH release in the DU145 cell line, but that the extracts from yellow, red and orange carrots are significantly more effective than the extracts from white and purple carrots. Thus, crude, aqueous carrot extracts reduced the proliferation of prostate cancer cells primarily through the induction of cell death. Work supported by Standard Process, Inc.

Heat resistance of Bacillus cereus spores in carrot extract acidified with different acidulants

The effect of acidification of carrot extract on the heat resistance of Bacillus cereus (ATCC 7004 and 4342) spores was studied. Malic, acetic, citric, ascorbic, lactic and hydrochloric acids were used as acidulants. Thermal resistance experiments were performed over the range 82–108 °C with continuous monitoring of pH. Non-acidified carrot extract (pH 5.2) had a protective effect on the thermal inactivation of spores when compared with the reference McIlvaine buffer at the same pH value. Acidification of carrot extract reduced the D-values obtained for spores, this effect occurring whatever the type of acidulant used. For both strains and all treatment temperatures, as pH decreased the D-values decreased exponentially over the pH range studied (5.2–4.0), yielding straight lines, basically parallel, with an average slope of 0.203 ± 0.023. Significant decreases in survivor counts and apparent D-values were observed when injured spores were recovered using the usual recovery medium containing carrot extract.

Occupational asthma due to carrot in a cook

Background Few previous reports of carrot-induced asthma have been confirmed by objective tests. Hypersensitivity to carrot is frequently associated with allergy to Apiaceae spices and sensitization to birch and mugwort pollens. Clinical case A 40-year-old cook woman was seen with sneezing, rhinorrhea, contact urticaria and wheezing within few minutes of handling or cutting raw carrots. She needed to leave out of the kitchen while the other cooks cut raw carrots. Methods and results Skin tests were positive to carrot, celery, aniseed and fennel. Rubbing test with fresh carrot was positive. Specific IgE to carrot was 4.44 kU/L. Determinations of specific IgE to mugwort, grass and birch pollens were negative. Inhalative provocation test, performed as a handling test, was positive. The IgE-immunoblotting showed two bands in carrot extract: a band with apparent molecular weight of 30 kd and other band of 18 kd. This band of 18 kd was Dau c 1. The band of 30 kd could correspond a phenylcoumaran benzylic ether reductase. Dau c 1 did not appear to be the unique allergen in this case. Additional allergens may induce the sensitization. Primary sensitization due to airborne allergens of foods and the lack of pollen allergy in this patient are notorious events.

Effects of contact chemistry and host plant experience in the oviposition behaviour of the eastern black swallowtail butterfly

Papilio polyxenes, the eastern black swallowtail butterfly, is a specialist on members of the carrot family, Apiaceae. Females choose food plants for their larvae, laying eggs singly on acceptable host plants, which vary considerably visually and chemically. To allow for fidelity of these vagile females to a single family of host plants in the absence of information transfer across life stages, the response to at least one type of host plant cue, be it visual or chemical, must be innate. Although much work has been done to identify the plant chemicals used by ovipositing swallowtails to recognize their host plants after landing, it has been assumed rather than demonstrated that the response to this cue is innate. We conducted two experiments to test the nature of the black swallowtail's response to contact chemical host plant cues, and a third to examine the role of the larval host plant in adult behaviour. The results of the first experiment verified that females without host plant experience respond specifically to cues from the host plant, Daucus carota, with typical abdomen curling, and not to the nonhost fava bean, Vicia faba. The nondeterrency of bean was also verified. The second experiment demonstrated that this response was unaltered by specific host plant experience: females responded to extracts of hosts, carrot and poison hemlock, Conium maculatum, differentially, but without regard to the plant previously experienced. We also examined effects of deprivation and age in the first experiment, with each having a significant effect; these were controlled for in the second experiment. Finally, feeding on a host plant as a larva did not increase the preference for that plant as an adult. This is the first demonstration that the response to these contact chemical cues is not only innate but unaltered by specific host plant experience.

Degradation of malathion, in aqueous extracts of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis).

Malathion was incubated in water extracts of vegetables at various temperatures and pH, and the amount of malathion present over time was analyzed by a gas chromatograph with a flame photometric detector. Malathion was degraded to a nondetectable level in a 1% asparagus extract incubated at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C for 4 h. Carrot extract showed the second highest rate of malathion degradation (76%), followed by kale extract (23.7%), spinach extract (9.7%), and broccoli extract (1.5%) under the same conditions. The highest degradation rates of malathion were observed at 37 degrees C, when three different temperatures were tested (5, 25, and 37 degrees C) at pH 7.4. Rate constants were 0.134 min(-)(1) from a 1% asparagus solution and 0.095 min(-)(1) from a 0.5% asparagus solution. The highest degradation rate of malathion was achieved at pH 9 among the pHs tested (pH 4, 7.4, and 9) in a 0.5% asparagus solution. The 0.5% asparagus solution degraded dicarboxylic acid esters by almost 100% for dimethyl succinate and diethyl adipate, by 64% for diethyl acetyl succinate, and 30% for diethyl benzyl malonate when incubated at pH 9 for 20 min. The results support the hypothesis that the enzyme that degrades malathion in the asparagus solutions is a carboxylesterase.