Information For Further Application Research Articles

Elucidation of antioxidant compounds recovery capacity from “Cam” purple rice bran by different sustainable extraction techniques

“Cam” rice is a pigmented rice with the purple color that was well known as local cultivar in Tien Giang province (Vietnam). The bran of this rice is usually not properly used; however, it contains rich antioxidants that could be utilized for demanding healthy and nutritional foods. This study is aimed to study the different green and sustainable extraction methods for rice bran’s antioxidants, including microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), ultrasound followed by microwave (U+MAE), microwave followed by ultrasound (M+UAE), and conventional method as the control. The results showed that high extraction efficiency was found when Cam rice bran was extracted with the aid of sustainable extraction techniques such as sonication or microwave. The study also reported that dual synergistic-assisted extraction presented a higher content of bioactive compounds and their antioxidant activities compared with single-assisted extraction. In addition, U+MAE was shown to have a higher capacity to extract and maintain antioxidant activities than M+UAE. This study provides the fundamental information for further application and optimization process of extract of antioxidant compounds from Cam rice bran, as source of antioxidant and nutraceutical ingredient.

Metabolite profiles and antibacterial and antioxidant activities of leaf extracts of five Lonicera species: a comparative study

BackgroundLonicera japonica Flos is widely used as a medicinal plant in China owing to its various pharmacological activities. However, little is known about the metabolic profile and antibacterial properties of the leaves of Lonicera species. The present study aimed to determine and compare the metabolite profiles and antibacterial and antioxidant activities of leaf extracts of five Lonicera species.Results598 metabolites were identified based metabolomics using UHPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap MS/MS in the five Lonicera species leaves. Among them, flavonoids and phenols compounds accounted for 13%. In Lonicera dasystyla, 110 differential metabolites were found compared to those in the other Lonicera species, of which flavonoids and phenols accounted for 20% and 10%, respectively. Compared to other Lonicera species leaves, the contents of total phenol, total flavonoid, antioxidant activities and anti-bacterial capacities were considerably higher in Lonicera hypoglauca and lower in L. dasystyla. The contents of total phenol and total flavonoid in L. hypoglauca were 95.86% and 201.64% higher than those in L. dasystyla. The RPA value in L. hypoglauca was 93.27% higher than the value of L. dasystyla, respectively. The content of 4, 5-dicaffeoylquninic acid in L. hypoglauca was 4.814 mg g−1, which was 302.85% higher than that of L. dasystyla. Besides, Chlorogenic acid was most high in leaves of L. japonica and reached 15 mg g−1, which was 209.34% higher than that of L. dasystyla. Moreover, correlation analysis showed most flavonoids, phenols, and coumarins were positively correlated with antioxidant activities and antibacterial capacities.ConclusionsThis study identified the difference of metabolites in leaves of five Lonicera species, antioxidant abilities and inhibition effects of leaf extracts on pathogens, which provides a potential information for further application of Lonicera leaves.Graphical

Genome wide analysis for the identification and characterization of Superoxide-dismutase gene family in Rosa chinensis ascertains the role of salinity-responsive RcMSD1 protein and its interaction with peroxyl radical

Abiotic stresses e.g., cold, heat, and salinity affect the quality and yield of Rosa chinensis, a well-known ornamental and medicinal plant. Previously, several attempts have been made to identify the genes that confer resistance to oxidative stressors. Superoxide-dismutase (SOD) is a crucial member of the class metalloenzyme that responds to abiotic stresses and protects plants by countering the reactive-oxygen species (ROS). In this genome-wide association study, the SOD gene family has been investigated in R. chinensis. Seven SOD genes, including three Cu/ZnSODs, two MnSODs, and two FeSODs were identified. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that RcSODs are divided into three clades; (i) CSDs (Cu/ZnSODs) (ii) FSDs (FeSODs) and MSDs (MnSODs). Most of the RcSODs exhibited different exons/introns distribution patterns. Motifs 3 and 5 are conserved in all RcSODs genes. The RNA-seq data analysis and qRT-PCR-based expression profiling indicated that RcSODs exhibit diverse responses under salt stress conditions. The RcCSD1, RcCSD3, and RcFSD3 are significantly up-regulated under salt stress conditions in roots and down-regulated in leaves. This data provides valuable information for further application and function of SODs in R. chinensis under abiotic stresses.

Discovery of a hidden form of neuropeptide F and its presence throughout the CNS–gut axis in the mud crab, Scylla olivacea

The mud crab Scylla olivacea (Scyol) is an economically crucial crustacean species in Thailand, due to its high market demand and nutritional value. The neuropeptide F (NPF) has been implicated in the coordinated regulation of feeding and metabolism in invertebrates. While various isoforms of neuropeptide F (NPF) have been previously explored in the mud crab, some knowledge gaps in relation to the NPF family, and ambiguities in the nomenclature from previous reports, remain. In this study, NPF was firstly localized in the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract of the mud crab, S. olivacea, using a polyclonal antibody against Macrobrachium rosenbergii, Macro-NPF. The NPF immunoreactivity (ir) was detected dominantly in the X-organ/sinus gland complex of the eyestalk (ES) and the various neuronal clusters (cluster 6, 9/11, and 14/15) and neuropils (anteromedial and posteromedial protocerebral neuropils, olfactory and accessory olfactory neuropils, and medial antennule neuropil, columnar neuropil) of the brain (BR), commissural ganglia, and suboesophageal ganglion of the ventral nerve cord (VNC). Interestingly, this study also presented the NPF immunoreactivity (NPF-ir) in the acinar gland-like cell and spindle-shaped epithelial cells of S. olivacea intestine. The full-length Scyol-NPFII was characterized by molecular cloning and revealed 414 nucleotides with 375 nucleotides of an open reading frame which encoded 124 deduced amino acids. A 124-amino acid precursor protein of Scyol-NPFII included a 26-residue signal peptide and a 69-amino acid mature peptide. The Scyol-NPFII showed the highest percentage of hit similarity to S. paramamosain-NPFII and clustered in the NPFII family, separated from the other forms of NPFs in this species. The spatial gene expression in various tissues revealed that Scyol-NPFII was found dominantly in the ES and BR, VNC, heart, intestine, and muscle. This study provided a novel form of NPF in the female mud crab, S. olivacea, which could open the possibility of its functioning in the brain-to-gut controlling axis. This study could provide essential information for further application in the cultured system of S. olivacea in the near future.

Transcriptome analysis revealed growth phase-associated changes of a centenarian-originated probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis A6

BackgroundThe physiology and application characteristics of probiotics are closely associated with the growth phase. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis A6 is a promising probiotic strain isolated from the feces of a healthy centenarian in China. In this study, RNA-seq was carried out to investigate the metabolic mechanism between the exponential and the stationary phase in B. lactis A6.ResultsDifferential expression analysis showed that a total of 815 genes were significantly changed in the stationary phase compared to the exponential phase, which consisted of 399 up-regulated and 416 down-regulated genes. The results showed that the transport and metabolism of cellobiose, xylooligosaccharides and raffinose were enhanced at the stationary phase, which expanded carbon source utilizing profile to confront with glucose consumption. Meanwhile, genes involved in cysteine-cystathionine-cycle (CCC) pathway, glutamate dehydrogenase, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) biosynthesis, and Clp protease were all up-regulated in the stationary phase, which may enhance the acid tolerance of B. lactis A6 during stationary phase. Acid tolerance assay indicated that the survival rate of stationary phase cells was 51.07% after treatment by pH 3.0 for 2h, which was 730-fold higher than that of 0.07% with log phase cells. In addition, peptidoglycan biosynthesis was significantly repressed, which is comparable with the decreased growth rate during the stationary phase. Remarkably, a putative gene cluster encoding Tad pili was up-regulated by 6.5 to 12.1-fold, which is consistent with the significantly increased adhesion rate to mucin from 2.38% to 4.90% during the transition from the exponential phase to the stationary phase.ConclusionsThis study reported growth phase-associated changes of B. lactis A6 during fermentation, including expanded carbon source utilizing profile, enhanced acid tolerance, and up-regulated Tad pili gene cluster responsible for bacterial adhesion in the stationary phase. These findings provide a novel insight into the growth phase associated characteristics in B. lactis A6 and provide valuable information for further application in the food industry.

Grain Growth in the Nanocrystalline W–Cu and Cu–Pb Composite Powders Prepared by Mechanical Alloying

Abstract The thermal behavior of the nanocrystalline W–Cu and Cu–Pb powders was investigated in order to gain thermal stability information for further application and also to elucidate the grain growth kinetics in an immiscible alloy system. The nanocrystalline alloy powders were prepared by mechanical alloying (MA) and characterized. Thermal behavior of this nanocrystalline alloy was analysed by DSC, XRD, SEM, TEM and EXAFS. The time exponent n and the activation energy for grain growth were determined from the grain size data. The nanocrystalline W, Cu and Pb have revealed lower n values than the polycrystalline ones. The activation energy of the nanocrystalline W, Cu, and Pb grain growth in MAW–Cu and Cu–Pb powders is 186.5 ± 1.0, 55.6 ±10.5 and 42.0 ± 3.9 kJ/mol, respectively. The melting point suppression of Pb crystalline embedded in Cu matrix in MA Cu–Pb powders can be estimated. On the basis of the grain growth parameter obtained in this study and available data in the literature, the grain growth features and kinetics in the nonequilibrium state of the immiscible alloy system are discussed.

A rapid and sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the determination of vanillic acid in rat plasma with application to pharmacokinetic study.

Vanillic acid, a phenolic compound isolated from Angelica sinensis and green tea, exhibits excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, a rapid and sensitive ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was established and validated for the determination of vanillic acid in rat plasma. Plasma samples were prepared by protein precipitation with acetonitrile. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Zorbax RRHD Eclipse Plus C18 column (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.8μm) with gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.3ml/min, using mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid (A) and acetonitrile (B). Vanillic acid and caffeic acid (internal standard, IS) were quantified by multiple reaction monitoring in negative ion mode. The method was fully validated according to the US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 2-1,000 ng/ml with a correlation coefficient of >0.99. The carryover, matrix effect, extraction recovery, dilution effect, intra- and interday precision and accuracy were within acceptable limits. The method was then applied to a pharmacokinetic study of vanillic acid in rats. After oral administration at doses of 2, 5 and 10mg/kg, the plasma concentration reached peaks of 0.42 ± 0.09, 0.73 ± 0.21 and 0.92 ± 0.28 μg/ml at the time of 0.55-0.64 h, respectively. The oral bioavailability was calculated as 25.3-36.2% in rat plasma. The result provided pre-clinical information for further application of vanillic acid.

LC-MS/MS for determination of aesculetin in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study.

Aesculetin, a coumarin compound present in the sancho tree and chicory, exhibits excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in the vascular and immune system. In this study, a rapid and sensitive ultra-high performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS) method was established and validated for the determination of aesculetin in rat plasma. Plasma samples were prepared by protein precipitation with acetonitrile. Chromatographic separation was performed on an Acquity UPLC HSS T3 C18 column (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.8μm) with gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.3ml/min, using mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid (A) and acetonitrile (B). Aesculetin and puerarin (internal standard) were detected by multiple reaction monitoring in negative ion mode. The method was fully validated according to the US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 2-1,000 ng/ml with correlation coefficient >0.9980. The carry-over, matrix effect, extraction recovery, dilution effect, intra- and inter-day precision and the accuracy were within acceptable limits. The method was then applied to a pharmacokinetic study of aesculetin in rats. After oral administration at doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg, the plasma concentration reached peaks of 95.7, 219.9, 388.6ng/ml at times of 1.22-1.78 h. The oral bioavailability was calculated as 15.6-20.3% in rat plasma. The result provided pre-clinical information for further application of aesculetin.

Characterization of interactions between whey protein isolate and hyaluronic acid in aqueous solution: Effects of pH and mixing ratio

Interactions between whey protein isolate (WPI) and hyaluronic acid (HA) were characterized as functions of pH (6.0−1.0) and protein to polysaccharide ratio (R, 1:4−10:1). Intramolecular soluble complexes formed at pHc of 5.6–5.8, followed by intermolecular insoluble complexes formed at pHΦ1 of 4.4–4.6. Complexes at ratios below 4:1 reached maximum optical value at pH 2.4 while samples above 4:1 peaked at pH 3–3.4 then precipitated. WPI/HA coacervates completely dissociated into soluble complex at pH 1.6–1.8 (pHΦ2). WPI/HA mixtures showed shear thinning behavior and elastic property. Whey protein underwent significant α-helix structure change when interacting with HA in range of pHΦ1>pH > pHΦ2 and at low R values (1:4 and 1:2). Scanning electronic microscope (SEM) pictures showed pH and mixing ratio dependent microstructural changes corresponding with phase transition. Data may provide helpful information for further application of WPI/HA complexes in medical, food and cosmetic fields.

Radiolytic stability of pillar[5]arene-based diglycolamides

Abstract Radiolytic stability of pillar[5]arene-based diglycolamides (P5DGAs) against gamma irradiation up to 1000 kGy adsorbed dose was studied. The results reveal the increase of radiation damage degree on P5DGAs with dose. The radiolysis products of P5DGAs including the gaseous and solid products were fully characterized by 1H NMR, HR-ESI-MS, GC, and HPLC techniques. It was found that the main radiolytic gas products of P5DGAs under argon are H2, N2, CO and gaseous hydrocarbons. The solid degradation products contain phenolic hydroxyl groups and secondary amine groups. In addition, solvent extraction toward Eu(III) was performed with P5DGAs, in which about 50% decrease on extraction efficiency was observed for irradiated P5DGAs with dose of 1000 kGy in comparison with the non-irradiated one. A radiolytic degradation pathway was also proposed based on the above results. This is the first time to investigate the radiolytic stability of neat P5DGAs and P5DGAs in molecular diluent in detail and provides useful information for further application of P5DGAs in practical applications for spent fuel reprocessing.

Antibacterial activities of ethanolic extract of four species of Rutaceae family

In this study, the antibacterial activity of ethanolic extract from the leaves of four Rutaceae species, including Acronychia pedunculata, Clausena excavata, Glycosmis pentaphylla and Luvunga scandens, were performed using the agar disk diffusion method for the first time. The ethanolic extracts from the leaves of A. pedunculata and G. pentaphylla were able to resist against all six bacterial strains with zones of inhibition for Bacillus cereus (17.3±2.1 mm, 20.8±1.0 mm) Staphylococcus aureus (8.5±0.5 mm, 17.6±0.3 mm) Escherichia coli (16.7±2.1 mm, 15.3±1.2 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11.7±0.6 mm, 14.0±1.7 mm), Salmonella enteritidis (22.3±0.6 mm, 24.6±0.5 mm) and Salmonella typhimurium (9.5±0.9 mm, 8.3±0.6 mm). On the other hand, the ethanolic extract of C. excavata leaf was resistant to B. cereus (12.3±0.6 mm), S. aureus (11.6±0.5 mm), E. coli (11.5±2.1 mm), P. aeruginosa (10.6±0.3 mm) while B. cereus (8.2±0.3 mm), S. aureus (9.3±0.6 mm), E. coli (8.5±0.5 mm) and S. typhimurium (8.3±0.6 mm) were inhibited by the ethanolic extract of L. scandens leaf. This study could provide necessary information for further application of these species in medicine.

Complete Genome Sequence of Acidithiobacillus Ferrooxidans YNTRS-40, a Strain of the Ferrous Iron- and Sulfur-Oxidizing Acidophile.

Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans YNTRS-40 (A. ferrooxidans) is a chemolithoautotrophic aerobic bacterium isolated from Tengchong hot springs, Yunnan Province, China, with a broad growth pH range of 1.0–4.5. This study reports the genome sequence of this strain and the information of genes related to the adaptation of diverse stresses and the oxidation of ferrous iron and sulfur. Results showed that YNTRS-40 possesses chromosomal DNA (3,209,933-bp) and plasmid DNA (47,104-bp). The complete genome of 3,257,037-bp consists of 3,349 CDS genes comprising 6 rRNAs, 52 tRNAs, and 6 ncRNAs. There are many encoded genes associated with diverse stresses adaptation and ferrous iron and sulfur oxidation such as rus operon, res operon, petI, petII, sqr, doxDA, cydAB, and cyoABCD. This work will provide essential information for further application of A. ferrooxidans YNTRS-40 in industry.

The screening of antioxidant activities and FTIR analysis of Christia Vespertilionis leaves extracts

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) or free radicals may be harmful to our body as it can cause many health problems. Antioxidants can act as radical scavengers to prevent these mechanisms. Christia vespertilionis or butterfly wings is widely found in South East Asia, traditionally used for many medical benefits. There are limited data that can be found about this plant from all possible scientific sources. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze multiple C. vespertilionis leaves extracts for its antioxidants’ capacity and infrared analysis. Five different extracts of different solvents viz, hexane, hexane: ethyl acetate, ethyl acetate, ethyl acetate: methanol, and methanol were obtained from C. vespertilionis leaves. All the extracts were assessed for 2, 2-diphenyl-1-pierylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging ability and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) followed by Fourier transform infrared analysis. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of ethyl acetate: methanol showed high radical scavenging activity with the lowest IC50 value of 0.549 ± 0.02 mg/mL compared to other extracts while ethyl acetate: hexane has the highest FRAP value of 271.67 ± 0.93 AAE µg ascorbic acid/g. The rapid FTIR analysis revealed the present of O-H, C-H, C=O, C=C, C-O, and N-H predominantly in the extracts. This study provides the information for further application of C. vespertilionis on various pharmacological and phytochemical aspects as not many scientific studies can be found.

Pharmacokinetics and Tissue Distribution of Alnustone in Rats after Intravenous Administration by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.

Alnustone, a nonphenolic diarylheptanoid, first isolated from Alnus pendula (Betulaceae), has recently received a great deal of attention due to its various beneficial pharmacological effects. However, its pharmacokinetic profile in vivo remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to establish a fast and sensitive quantification method of alnustone using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and evaluate the pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution profiles of alnustone in rats. The sample was precipitated with acetonitrile with 0.5% formic acid and separated on BEH C18 Column. The mobile phase was composed of 0.1% formic acid in water and methanol at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. Alnustone and the internal standard (caffeine) were quantitatively monitored with precursor-to-product ion transitions of m/z 262.9→105.2 and m/z 195.2→138.0, respectively. The calibration curve for alnustone was linear from 1 to 2000 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day assay precision (RSD) ranged from 1.1–9.0 % to 3.3–8.6%, respectively and the intra- and inter-day assay accuracy (RE) was between −8.2–9.7% and −10.3–9.9%, respectively. The validated method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic studies of alnustone in rats. After single-dose intravenous administration of alnustone (5 mg/kg), the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) value was 7066.36 ± 820.62 ng/mL, and the mean area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0–t) value was 6009.79 ± 567.30 ng/mL∙h. Our results demonstrated that the residence time of alnustone in vivo was not long and it eliminated quickly from the rat plasma. Meanwhile, the drug is mainly distributed in tissues with large blood flow, and the lung and liver might be the target organs for alnustone efficacy. The study will provide information for further application of alnustone.

Spaceborne GNSS-R Observation of Global Lake Level: First Results from the TechDemoSat-1 Mission

Spaceborne global navigation satellite system reflectometry (GNSS-R) data collected by the UK TechDemoSat-1 (TDS-1) satellite is applied to retrieve global lake levels for the first time. Lake levels of 351 global lakes (area greater than 500 km2 and elevation lower than 3000 m each) are estimated using TDS-1 Level 1b data over 2015–2017. Strong correlations (overall R2 greater than 0.95) are observed among lake levels derived from TDS-1 and other altimetry satellites such as CryoSat-2, Jason, and Envisat (the latter two are collected by Hydroweb), although with large root-mean-square error (RMSE) (tens of meters) mainly due to the fact that TDS-1 is not dedicated for altimetry measuring purpose. Examples of the Caspian Sea and the Poyang Lake show consistent spatial and temporal variations between TDS-1 and other data sources. The results in this paper provide supportive information for further application of GNSS-R constellations to measure altimetry of inland water bodies.

Clinical performance of tooth- or implant-supported veneered zirconia single crowns: 42-month results.

The objective of this clinical study was to compare and assess the clinical performance of tooth-supported and implant-supported zirconia single crowns with sintered veneering caps. In this prospective study, 118 patients with a total of 220 single crowns placed on 106 teeth (69 vital teeth, 37 endodontically treated teeth) and 114 implants in molar and premolar regions were examined during a mean observation period of 42months. The restorations were evaluated for technical failures such as veneering porcelain fractures (chipping), surface quality, marginal fit, and the interface quality of the coping and sintered veneering. The soft tissue status was assessed using the modified Silness and Löe's plaque and gingival index (mPI) and the modified Muhlemann sulcus bleeding index (mSBI). Tooth-supported crowns were checked for secondary caries and hypersensitivity during the follow-up period. Recalls were performed every 6months. The 3-year Kaplan-Meier success probability was 98.2% and 100% for implant- and tooth-supported crowns, respectively. A significant difference could be detected between the implant-supported and tooth-supported zirconia single crowns, in terms of their chipping rate (p = 0.039). Veneering material fractures were recorded on two implant-supported restorations (1.8%). No veneering fractures occurred on tooth-supported single crowns. The plaque and gingival index and sulcus bleeding index showed stable and healthy soft peri-implant and periodontal tissues. Neither loss of vitality nor secondary caries occurred on tooth-supported crowns. Zirconia-based single crowns with a sintered veneering cap showed promising clinical results on both tooth and implant abutments; however, the dental implants were more prone to complications. In terms of clinical significance, high-strength ceramic with a sintered veneering cap can be recommended for prosthetic treatment of both tooth- and implant-supported single crowns in molar regions. This study provides valuable information for further application of all-ceramic restorations.

Transformation of Mordenite-Clinoptilolite Natural Zeolite at Different Calcination Temperatures

Natural zeolite is one of prospective material with various applications. The material has low-cost provisioning and abundant availability in the world. Mordenite-clinoptilolite is one of the common types of natural zeolite; one of the deposits are located in Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. For optimizing the utilization, some treatment is needed, calcination being one of the possible treatments. The dealuminated natural zeolite was used as the base material for understanding the transformation effect, then calcinated the zeolite in various temperature range between 400 °C and 1000 °C. Some characterization was conducted after the treatment, such as XRD, SEM-EDX, and BET to explore the structure, morphology, composition, and specific surface area. Drastic structure changes were demonstrated at the calcination of 1000 °C which eliminating the zeolite structure into cristobalite as one of the silica structures. The specific surface area decreased after 600 °C, even elapsed after the structure change. Calcination has the ability to transform the zeolite structures and also affected the specific surface area properties. This transformation provides critical information for further application of natural zeolite in the various treatment of calcination.

Dynamic changes in polyphenol compounds, antioxidant activity, and PAL gene expression in different tissues of buckwheat during germination.

There is a growing interest in buckwheat germination regarding the improvement of its health benefits. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of germination on polyphenol compounds, antioxidant activity, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) gene expression in different tissues (cotyledon, hypocotyl, and radicle) of buckwheat sprouts during germination for 12 days, as well as to investigate their interactions. Total polyphenol and total flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity, main polyphenol components, and PAL gene expression significantly increased during germination. On day 12, the rutin content in cotyledons was elevated to 88.6 g kg-1 , which was 7.7-times and 39.4-times compared to those in buckwheat seeds and radicles, respectively. Meanwhile, chlorogenic acid in hypocotyls reached 7.84 g kg-1 , which was 36.3-fold higher than those in radicles. However, the PAL gene showed the highest expression in radicles. Present results showed that polyphenol compounds mainly accumulated in cotyledons and hypocotyls. There was a negative correlation between polyphenol compounds and PAL gene expression. The discrepancy suggested that polyphenol compounds might experience transportation within buckwheat sprouts. The study could provide useful information for further application of buckwheat in functional foods, and revelation of the correlation between bioactive components and related gene expressions. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Corrigendum: Significant improvement of intestinal microbiota of gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio ) after traditional Chinese medicine feeding

Aims Increasing attention has been attracted to intestinal microbiota, due to interactions with nutrition, metabolism and immune defence of the host. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) feed additives have been applied in aquaculture to improve fish health, but the interaction with fish gut microbiota is still poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the effect of adding TCM in feed on the intestinal microbiota of gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). Methods and results Bacterial communities of 16 fish intestinal contents and one water sample were characterized by high-throughput sequencing and analysis of the V4-V5 region of the 16S rRNA gene. The results showed that the composition and structure of the bacterial community were significantly altered by the TCM feeding. Some phyla increased markedly (Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, etc.), while Fusobacteria were significantly reduced. Concurrently, the richness and diversity of the taxonomic units increased, and the microbiota composition of TCM-treated fish was more homogeneous among individuals. At the genus level, the addition of TCM tended to reduce the incidence of potential pathogens (Aeromonas, Acinetobacter and Shewanella), while stimulating the emergence of some potential probiotics (Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Bacillus and Pseudomonas). Conclusions These data suggested that the feed additive could regulate the fish intestinal microbiota by reinforcing the microbial balance. Significance and impact of the study This study may provide useful information for further application of TCM for diseases prevention and stress management in aquaculture.

Synthesis, properties of pentaalkylguanidinium-based magnetic room temperature ionic liquids (MRTILs) and the mutual solubility of (MRTILs + cyclohexane) and (MRTILs + n-octane) binary systems

The application of guanidinium-based ionic liquids (ILs) is a newly emerging area in the fields of extraction desulfurization. Herein, four novel pentaalkylguanidinium-based magnetic room temperature ionic liquids (MRTILs) [CnTMG][FeCl3Br] (n = 2, 4, 6, 8) were synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, Raman and HRMS (ESI) spectra. The physical properties including thermal stability, density, viscosity, conductivity and magnetic properties were determined and revealed that the MRTILs were liquids at room temperature and have good thermal stability (Td > 250 °C), high magnetic susceptibility (>3.8 × 105 emu·g−1) and low viscosities (<160 mPa·s, 25 °C). Moreover, the mutual solubility behaviors for binary systems of MRTILs with representative non-polar organic solvents (cyclohexane, n-octane) were measured at temperatures from 5 to 65 °C, showed a low miscibility between MRTILs and organic solvents and a typical lower critical solution temperature (LCST) phenomenon. The results are supposed to provide useful information for further application as “green” liquid desulfurization extractants or others potential dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction applications.