Non-saturated Fatty Acids Research Articles

Domestication shapes the endophytic microbiome and metabolome of Salicornia europaea.

We aim at understanding the effect of domestication on the endophytic microbiome and metabolome of Salicornia europaea and collecting evidence on the potential role of microbial populations and metabolites in the adaptation of plants to different ecological contexts (wild vs crops). Samples were collected from a natural salt marsh (wild) and an intensive crop field (crop). High-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) were used to analyze the endophytic bacterial communities and the metabolite profiles of S. europaea roots, respectively. The elemental analysis of the plant shoots was performed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS).Overall, significant differences were found between the microbiome of wild and cultivated plants. The later showed a higher relative abundance of the genera Erythrobacter, Rhodomicrobium, and Ilumatobacter than wild plants. The microbiome of wild plants was enriched in Marinobacter, Marixanthomonas, and Thalassospira. The metabolite profile of crop plants revealed higher amounts of saturated and non-saturated fatty acids and acylglycerols. In contrast, wild plants contained comparatively more carbohydrates and most macroelements (i.e. Na, K, Mg, and Ca). There is a strong correlation between plant metabolites and the endosphere microbiome of S. europaea. In wild populations, plants were enriched in carbohydrates and the associated bacterial community was enriched in genes related to primary metabolic pathways such as nitrogen metabolism and carbon fixation. The endosphere microbiome of crop plants was predicted to have higher gene counts related to pathogenesis. Crop plants also exhibited higher amounts of azelaic acid, an indicator of exposure to phytopathogens.

Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): Diagnostic, And Therapeutic Strategies: Clinical review

AbstractHypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in neonates. On account of high groupings of sensitive immature cells, metal-catalyzed free radicals, non-saturated fatty acids, and low concentrates of antioxidants enzymes, the brain requires elevated degrees of oxygen supply and is, in this manner, very sensitive to hypoxia. Solid proof shows that oxidative stress assumes a significant part in pathogenesis and progression. Following hypoxia and ischemia, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production rapidly increments and overpowers antioxidant defences. A large excess of ROS will straightforwardly change or degenerate cell macromolecules, like membranes, proteins, lipids, and DNA, and lead to a cascading inflammatory reaction, and protease secretion. These derivatives are engaged with a complex interplay of numerous pathways (e.g., inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis) which at last lead to brain injury. In this review, we feature the molecular mechanism for oxidative stress in HIE, sum up current research on therapeutic methodologies used in combating oxidative stress, and attempt to explore novel potential clinical methodologies.

Property of a new Prussian blue-bounded iron complex able to peroxidate non-saturated fatty acids with a tendency to create conditions that may encourage ferroptosis.

Ferroptosis is a cell death process caused by redox imbalance in the cell environment. However, the cell death pathway proves beneficial in anticancer therapy, so compounds inducing ferroptosis are sought. The paper presents a newly synthesized iron complex named FeT, composed of ferricyanide and tartrate, which seems to meet these expectations. It is relatively stable, easily soluble in water and capable of peroxidating unsaturated fatty acids. T24 bladder cells were used as model cells. Preliminary studies demonstrated a strong inhibitory effect of this compound on cell proliferation. The cytotoxicity of FeT was assessed. Independently, it initiates caspase activity, indicating the complex cellular impact of this compound. This effect is compellingly the result of FeT penetration into the cell's interior with possible direct damage to mitochondria, thus explaining the involvement of apoptosis in cell death. At the same time, after penetrating into the cell, it causes an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation and a decrease in reduced glutathione, which is interpreted as to cause ferroptosis. In turn, reducing mitochondrial potential may indicate both ferroptosis and an internal pathway to apoptosis.

Phycoremediation by simulating marine aquaculture effluent using Tetraselmis sp. and the potential use of the resulting biomass

This study investigates the capability of Tetraselmis sp. for treating mariculture wastewater in a 70-L high-rate algal pond and determines the feasibility of using the resulting biomass. The culture medium contained 45 mg L–1 nitrates, 10 mg L–1 nitrites, 30 mg L–1 ammonium, 17 mg L–1 orthophosphates and 270 mg O2 L–1 of dissolved organic matter as chemical oxygen demand (COD). The culture was kept under a 12 h:12 h light:darkness photoperiod using a photosynthetically active photon flux density of 1500 μmol m–2 s–1, and a temperature of 23 ± 2 °C. A 4-cycle growth semicontinuous culture was used obtaining on average 1.19 g L−1 dry biomass, with lipid content of 62.16 mg g−1. In the first batch culture cycle, 11.4 % of highly non-saturated fatty acids were obtained, and a significant decrease thereof was observed in subsequent batch culture cycles. Nutrient removals were 95.5 ± 0.4 % total nitrogen, 94.4 ± 0.5 % ortho-phosphates and 61.4 ± 3.9 % COD. These results show the feasibility of mariculture wastewater treatment using the studied microalga, with the advantage of producing biomass containing accumulated lipids and usable as food for mariculture species. Thus, it may be possible to reduce the cost of wastewater treatment and of culturing marine species.

Diet Content of Non-saturated Fatty Acids Decreases Plasma Adiponectin in Patientswith Metabolic Syndrome

Introduction: The metabolic syndrome (MS) has been related to the unbalance between pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines; where adiponectin, an anti-inflammatory adipokine, is considered to play a key metabolic role. The consumption of certain micronutrients has been claimed to modify pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Aim: To explore whether dietary micronutrients are related with plasma adiponectin in patients with MS. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis. Quartiles of dietary bioactive compounds were compared according to values of plasma adiponectin. Interquartile variation (IQV) and correlation analyses were performed. Results: There was a significant IQV of dietary unsaturated fatty acids (between 50%-66% of change, p25 vs p75, p<0.05), particularly for trans-fatty acids, poly-unsaturated fatty acids, mono-unsaturated fatty acids and ω-6 fatty acids, in relation to plasma adiponectin; as well as a negative correlation (rho=-0.53, -0.37, -0.29 and -0.34, respectively; p<0.05). Conclusion: Dietary amounts of unsaturated fatty acids inversely related to plasma adiponectin in patients with MS.

ВЕТЕРИНАРНО-САНИТАРНЫЕ ПОКАЗАТЕЛИ МЯСА БРОЙЛЕРОВ ПРИ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИИ В КОРМАХ ШРОТА РАПСОВОГО

The results of the investigation have been presented in the paper for broiler meat veterinary and sanitary traits using rapeseed meal in feeds. Rapeseed meal contains easily assimilable fiber, residual amounts of non-saturated fatty acids, plant protein and some other biologically valuable nutritional matters. It has well pronounced energetic ability for animals and poultry. Rapeseed meal using in feeds influence positively on broiler body and on meat production. Feed consumption, and body weight gain, and carcasses yield increase, chicken culling and forced slaughter decrease. Fat and protein content increase in broiler meat with rapeseed meal in feeds. Such meat has higher biological value and is in demand among the population.

STUDY OF NUTRITIONAL CONTENTS OF SEA URCHIN GONAD FROM DRINI BEACH, GUNUNG KIDUL, YOGYAKARTA

ABSTRACTThis paper aims to determine the types and contents of protein, fatty acids, amino acids and protein in the gonads of Arbacia lixula, Colobocentrotus atratus, Heterocentrotus trigonarius and Echinotrix diadema from the waters of Drini, Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta. Kjedal method was used to analyze the protein content, while GC and HPLC methods were employed to analyze amino acids in this study. The results showed that the protein contents of each sample, consequently from highest to lowest, were Heterocentrotus trigonarius (13.3 %), Echinotrix diadema (10.86), Colobocentrotus atratus (10.41) and Arbacia lixula (9.90%). Amino acids analysis from all identified both saturated fatty acids, consisting of lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidonic acid, lignoceric acid, as well as non-saturated fatty acids, consisting of palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, erucic acid, EPA, and DHA. The highest contents of non-saturated fatty acids were identified in Colobocentrotus atratus (434.14 mg/100g) and the lowest content in Arbacia lixula (197.71 mg/100g). The highest percentage of essential fatty acids was found in Heterocentrotus trigonarius (0.29%), whereas the lowest was found in Echinotrix diadema (0.19 %). It is concluded that the gonad of Heterocentrotus trigonarius showed the highest protein and essential fatty acids contents. This study also found that Colobocentrotus atratus sea urchin gonads possess the highest content of non-saturated fatty acids (434.14 mg/100g). Keywords: amino acid, fatty acid, protein, sea urchin gonad.

Serum metabolomic profiles reveal the impact of BuZangTongLuo formula on metabolic pathways in diabetic mice with hindlimb ischemia

Ethnopharmacological relevanceBuZangTongLuo Formula (BZTLF) was the decoction of eight traditional Chinese medicines including Astragalus membranaceus, Dioscorea opposita, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Scrophularia ningpoensis, Ophiopogon japonicus, Panax ginseng, Fritillariae cirrhosae and Whitmania pigra. This formula has been used as an effective remedy for treatment of diabetic ischemia clinically. Aim of the studyIn previous study, we have reported the therapeutic effect of BZTLF on diabetic vascular dysfunction. However, it remains obscure about the role of metabolic pathways in BZTLF-initiated improvement on hindlimb ischemia. Materials and methodsDiabetic mice with hindlimb ischemia were orally administrated with BZTLF by gavage. The serum samples were prepared for untargeted metabolomic analysis by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer. The metabolic network was built by integrating metabolite data with the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset (GSE3313). Further, quantitative PCR was used to confirm the key target genes. ResultsBZTLF treatment remarkably led to the reversal of changed metabolite levels in serum of diabetic mice with hindlimb ischemia, which mainly derived from bacteria, plant and signaling molecules. Also, BZTLF reshaped the metabolic pathways, especially those responsible for metabolism of lipid, gluthanine and tryptophan. In addition, BZTLF led to the reduction of lysophosphatidic acids (LPAs) and increment of triglycerides (TGs) conjugation with non-saturated fatty acids in serum. BZTLF significantly restored the down-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) or the up-regulation of interleukin 4-induced 1 (IL4I1) and cytochrome P450 family 1 subfamily B member 1 (CYP1B1) at mRNA level, which were key regulatory genes located in metabolic pathways of glutamate and tryptophan. ConclusionsBZTLF improved hindlimb ischemia in diabetic mice by the positive regulation of metabolome changes in serum.

Oxidative Stress in Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies.

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in neonates. Because of high concentrations of sensitive immature cells, metal-catalyzed free radicals, non-saturated fatty acids, and low concentrations of antioxidant enzymes, the brain requires high levels of oxygen supply and is, thus, extremely sensitive to hypoxia. Strong evidence indicates that oxidative stress plays an important role in pathogenesis and progression. Following hypoxia and ischemia, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production rapidly increases and overwhelms antioxidant defenses. A large excess of ROS will directly modify or degenerate cellular macromolecules, such as membranes, proteins, lipids, and DNA, and lead to a cascading inflammatory response, and protease secretion. These derivatives are involved in a complex interplay of multiple pathways (e.g., inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis) which finally lead to brain injury. In this review, we highlight the molecular mechanism for oxidative stress in HIE, summarize current research on therapeutic strategies utilized in combating oxidative stress, and try to explore novel potential clinical approaches.

Nitro-linolenic acid is a nitric oxide donor

Nitro-fatty acids (NO2-FAs), which are the result of the interaction between reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and non-saturated fatty acids, constitute a new research area in plant systems, and their study has significantly increased. Very recently, the endogenous presence of nitro-linolenic acid (NO2-Ln) has been reported in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. In this regard, the signaling role of this molecule has been shown to be key in setting up a defense mechanism by inducing the chaperone network in plants. Here, we report on the ability of NO2-Ln to release nitric oxide (NO) in an aqueous medium with several approaches, such as by a spectrofluorometric probe with DAF-2, the oxyhemoglobin oxidation method, ozone chemiluminescence, and also by confocal laser scanning microscopy in Arabidopsis cell cultures. Jointly, this ability gives NO2-Ln the potential to act as a signaling molecule by the direct release of NO, due to its capacity to induce different changes mediated by NO or NO-related molecules such as nitration and S-nitrosylation or by the electrophilic capacity of these molecules through a nitroalkylation mechanism.

The Petroleum Industry Surfactants Synthesized from Fish Oils

Biodegradable surfactants for the petroleum industry have been synthesized by the sulfurization of fish oils. A qualitative composition analysis of surfactants was conducted by FTIR spectroscopy that showed the presence of sulfonic acid groups in the samples. Previously, several samples of the technical fish oils (fish processing waste) have been studied with regard to their use for the synthesis of biodegradable surfactants. It has been shown by gas–liquid chromatography, FTIR spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry method that samples under study contain a large amount of saturated and nonsaturated fatty acids with hydrocarbon radicals comprising from 16 to 22 carbon atoms. The results reveal that the concentration of oleic acid approaches to 15 wt%. Fish oils with a high content of free fatty acids were used as the basis for the synthesis of technical, environmentally friendly surfactants that can be applied in the petroleum industry.

Transformation with oncogenic Ras and the simian virus 40 T antigens induces caspase-dependent sensitivity to fatty acid biosynthetic inhibition.

Oncogenesis is frequently accompanied by the activation of specific metabolic pathways. One such pathway is fatty acid biosynthesis, whose induction is observed upon transformation of a wide variety of cell types. Here, we explored how defined oncogenic alleles, specifically the simian virus 40 (SV40) T antigens and oncogenic Ras(12V), affect fatty acid metabolism. Our results indicate that SV40/Ras(12V)-mediated transformation of fibroblasts induces fatty acid biosynthesis in the absence of significant changes in the concentration of fatty acid biosynthetic enzymes. This oncogene-induced activation of fatty acid biosynthesis was found to be mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) dependent, as it was attenuated by rapamycin treatment. Furthermore, SV40/Ras(12V)-mediated transformation induced sensitivity to treatment with fatty acid biosynthetic inhibitors. Pharmaceutical inhibition of acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) carboxylase (ACC), a key fatty acid biosynthetic enzyme, induced caspase-dependent cell death in oncogene-transduced cells. In contrast, isogenic nontransformed cells were resistant to fatty acid biosynthetic inhibition. This oncogene-induced sensitivity to fatty acid biosynthetic inhibition was independent of the cells' growth rates and could be attenuated by supplementing the medium with unsaturated fatty acids. Both the activation of fatty acid biosynthesis and the sensitivity to fatty acid biosynthetic inhibition could be conveyed to nontransformed breast epithelial cells through transduction with oncogenic Ras(12V). Similar to what was observed in the transformed fibroblasts, the Ras(12V)-induced sensitivity to fatty acid biosynthetic inhibition was independent of the proliferative status and could be attenuated by supplementing the medium with unsaturated fatty acids. Combined, our results indicate that specific oncogenic alleles can directly confer sensitivity to inhibitors of fatty acid biosynthesis. Viral oncoproteins and cellular mutations drive the transformation of normal cells to the cancerous state. These oncogenic alterations induce metabolic changes and dependencies that can be targeted to kill cancerous cells. Here, we find that the cellular transformation resulting from combined expression of the SV40 early region with an oncogenic Ras allele is sufficient to induce cellular susceptibility to fatty acid biosynthetic inhibition. Inhibition of fatty acid biosynthesis in these cells resulted in programmed cell death, which could be rescued by supplementing the medium with nonsaturated fatty acids. Similar results were observed with the expression of oncogenic Ras in nontransformed breast epithelial cells. Combined, our results suggest that specific oncogenic alleles induce metabolic dependencies that can be exploited to selectively kill cancerous cells.

New Approaches to Assess the Transthyretin Binding Capacity of Bioactivated Thyroid Hormone Disruptors

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl-ethers (PBDEs) are metabolized into hydroxylated metabolites (OH-PCBs/PBDEs), which can disrupt the thyroid hormone homeostasis. Binding of these metabolites to transport proteins such as transthyretin (TTR) is an important mechanism of their toxicity. Several methods to quantify the competitive thyroxine (T(4)) displacement potency of pure metabolites exist. However, quantification of the potency of in vitro metabolized PCBs and PBDEs has drawbacks related to the coextraction of compounds disturbing the T(4)-TTR competitive binding assay. This study identifies and quantifies the major coextractants namely cholesterol, saturated and nonsaturated fatty acids (SFA and NSFA) at levels above 20 nmol per mg equivalent protein following various extraction methods. Their TTR binding potency was analyzed in a downscaled, nonradioactive fluorescence displacement assay. At concentration factors needed for TTR competitive binding, at least 10μM of these coextracts is present, whereas individual SFA and NSFA disturb the assay from 0.3μM. The effectiveness of the in vitro metabolism and extraction of the model compounds CB 77 and BDE 47 was chemically quantified with a newly developed chromatographic method analyzing silylated derivatives of the OH-metabolites and coextractants. A new method to selectively extract metabolites and limit coextraction of disturbing compounds to less than 5 nmol per mg equivalent protein is presented. It is now possible to make a dose-response curve up to 50% inhibition with bioactivated CB 77 and BDE 47. The toxic potencies of bioactivated persistent organic pollutants (POPs) should be taken into account to prevent serious underestimation of their hazard and risk.

Response of Some Sunflower Hybrids to Different Levels of Plant Density

The present investigation was conducted in the summer seasons of 2010, and 2011 at the Agricultural Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University to study the effect of four plant populations (45000, 60000, 750000 and 90000 plants/ha, respectively) on the field performance of five sunflower hybrids (Malabar, Romson 32, Horizon Record and Galla). The results showed that most of the studied yield and quality characters were significantly influenced by both plant densities, hybrids and their interaction.The lowest density gave the shortest plant and the highest values for leaf area, head diameter, 1000 seed weight, seed oil percentage and non-saturated fatty acids (oleic and linoleic). On the other hand, that density resulted in the significantly lowest value for days to harvest, leaf area index, dry matter yield, seed yield per ha, total oil yield and both saturated fatty acids, palmatic and stearic. The hybrid Record surpassed the other hybrids in most of the studied yield and quality characters.The plant density × hybrid interaction revealed that the hybrid record gave the highest values for average leaf area (0.56cm2), head diameter (33.9cm), 1000 seed weight (80.82g), seed oil percentage (45.9%), total oil production (1.23t/ha) and unsaturated fatty acids at the lowest plant density, whereas it gave the highest values for total dry matter production (16.3 t/ha), seed yield (3.6 t/ha) and total oil yield (1.23 t/ha), at 75000 plants per ha.

Interaction of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobia: Effects on flax yield in spoil‐bank clay

AbstractThis study focused on the application of native strains of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Sinorhizobium in effective crop production during reclamation of coal‐mine spoil banks. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted in spoil‐bank clay with a low dose of organic amendment to determine whether the microbial inoculation improves growth and utility qualities of two cultivars of Linum usitatissimum L. (oil and fiber flax). Inoculation with two native AMF isolates (Glomus mosseae, G. intraradices, and their mixture) significantly increased growth and shoot phosphorus (P) concentration of both flax cultivars. Inoculated fiber flax plants produced fivefold more fibers than the uninoculated ones. In oil flax, mycorrhizal inoculation significantly but quantitatively to a minor degree decreased the concentration of nonsaturated fatty acids in the seed oil. A mixture of five native Sinorhizobium sp. strains supported growth and P uptake of oil flax only in the absence of AMF. However, these beneficial effects of the bacteria were significantly lower as compared to AMF. No synergic action of Sinorhizobium strains and AMF was observed, and their interactions were often even antagonistic. Inoculation with AMF significantly decreased population density of Sinorhizobium in the soil. These results suggest that a careful selection of suitable bacterial strains is necessary to provide effective AMF combinations and maximize flax‐growth support.

Investigation of neuroprotective action of drug “Semax” at ischemic insult by Raman spectroscopy method by estimation of damage of low density lipoprotein of rat blood

With the help of Raman spectroscopy method the protective action of Semax on free radical lipoperoxide oxidation of non-saturated fatty acids of external amphipatic phospholipid layer of low density lipoprotein (LDL) of blood serum of rats at ischemic insult is investigated, that allow one to make the conclusions about degree of oxidative stress in brain tissues at action of Semax at this pathological condition. By estimation of damage of LDL it is shown that Semax decreases the oxidative stress in brain tissues at ischemia. Lipoperoxide oxidation of LDL of blood serum can be used as marker, determinating the level of oxidative stress in brain tissues at ischemic insult that can be used in clinical practice.

Typhonium flagelliforme inhibits cancer cell growth in vitro and induces apoptosis: An evaluation by the bioactivity guided approach

Aim of the Study Typhonium flagelliforme (Lodd.) Blume (Araceae) is a Malaysian plant used locally to combat cancer. In order to evaluate its antiproliferative activity in vitro and to possibly identify the active chemical constituents, a bioactivity guided study was conducted on the extracts of this plant. Materials and Methods The active extracts of Typhonium flagelliforme were fractionated by flash column chromatography and each fraction was evaluated for antiproliferative activity using MTT assay. The apoptotic effect of the active fraction was determined microscopically and by using TUNEL colorimetric assay. GC–MS and NMR were used to determine the chemical constituents of this active fraction. Results Several fractions of the hexane and dichloromethane extracts were found to inhibit the growth of NCI-H23 non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line significantly, with IC 50 < 15 μg/ml. However, most of these active fractions were also found to inhibit the growth of non-tumorigenic BALB/c 3T3 mouse fibroblast cell line except for fraction 21 of the dichloromethane extract (D/F21). This particular fraction was not only less cytotoxic to the non-tumorigenic cells, where the IC 50 was 48.6 μg/ml compared to IC 50 7.5 μg/ml for NCI-H23, but it was also found to induce apoptosis in the cancer cell line. GC–MS analysis revealed that D/F21 contains hexadecanoic acid, 1-hexadecene, phytol and a derivative of phytol. The presence of non-saturated fatty acids in this fraction was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Conclusions D/F21 was found to be the active and cancer cell line specific fraction of Typhonium flagelliforme. Its major chemical constituents had been determined spectroscopically.

Drosophila melanogaster CYP6A8, an insect P450 that catalyzes lauric acid (ω-1)-hydroxylation

Only a handful of P450 genes have been functionally characterized from the approximately 90 recently identified in the genome of Drosophila melanogaster. Cyp6a8 encodes a 506-amino acid protein with 53.6% amino acid identity with CYP6A2. CYP6A2 has been shown to catalyze the metabolism of several insecticides including aldrin and heptachlor. CYP6A8 is expressed at many developmental stages as well as in adult life. CYP6A8 was produced in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and enzymatically characterized after catalytic activity was reconstituted with D. melanogaster P450 reductase and NADPH. Although several saturated or non-saturated fatty acids were not metabolized by CYP6A8, lauric acid (C12:0), a short-chain unsaturated fatty acid, was oxidized by CYP6A8 to produce 11-hydroxylauric acid with an apparent V max of 25 nmol/min/nmol P450. This is the first report showing that a member of the CYP6 family catalyzes the hydroxylation of lauric acid. Our data open new prospects for the CYP6 P450 enzymes, which could be involved in important physiological functions through fatty acid metabolism.

Constituents of plants growing in Qatar III ? Nutritive constituents of Garawah (Glossonema edule)

Both the pericarp and the unripe seeds of the unripe fruits ofGlossonema edule were separately analysed. The crude protein content of the unripe seeds is double that of the pericarp. Investigation of the amino acids of both parts revealed slight quantitative differences with chemical scores of 40, 40 for each of methionine and tryptophan and 65 for lysine. The ratio of essential total: amino acid averages 34.5, compared to a corresponding value of 47.4 for the reference egg proteins. The analysis of the fatty acids showed that the ratio of saturated to non-saturated fatty acids averaged 73:27; palmitic acid makes up 60% of the total fatty acids. The soluble carbohydrate content of the pericarp is slightly higher than the corresponding value in the unripe seeds. Paper chromatography of the free sugars of both parts revealed qualitative differences. The oligosaccharide reffinose was detected in both parts. The ash was analysed for its content in four trace minerals: iron, zinc, manganese and copper.

Steady-state fluorescence polarization (FP) of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (dph)-labelled platelets in the presence of bradykinin (bk).

Steady-state fluorescence polarization (FP) decreases, when 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hextriene (dph) labelled platelets are exposed to bradykinin (bk). At pH 8, the dose-response curve is bell-shaped with an optimum bk effect at 10(-7) M. In contrast to the ricinoleic-acid ester of glycerin-polyethyleneglycol, cremophor EL (CEL), bk is no more effective when platelets are pretreated with 10(-5) M p-bromophenacylbromide (B phi B). These results suggest that platelets are target cells for the peptide bk, which induces an FP decrease indirectly by stimulating the release of non-saturated fatty acids in the platelet membrane.