Total Polysaccharide Content Research Articles

Cork processing wastewaters components fractioned by ultrafiltration membranes – studies of antioxidant and antitumoral activity

AbstractBACKGROUNDCork processing wastewater is an environmental problem due to its high content of organic matter, such as sugars and non‐biodegradable compounds such as polyphenols (PPs), namely tannins. Membrane technology aimed at valorisation of the wastewaters components, concentrate stream, and simultaneously offer a pre‐treatment of the wastewater, permeate stream. In this work, the identification of bioactive PPs was also envisaged. Several fractions of cork processing wastewaters were generated using two cellulose acetate ultrafiltration membranes of 3 kDa and 74 kDa for PPs isolation according to nature and molecular weights. The membranes were prepared by the phase inversion method and fractionation was made in concentration and diafiltration modes. The wastewater and the fractions were analyzed in terms of total organic carbon, total phenols, tannins and total polysaccharides content and the compounds present were identified by FTIR, LC–MS and quantified by HPLC‐DAD.RESULTSCompounds such as quinic, gallic, protocatechuic, brevifolin carboxylic and ellagic acids were identified as the major compounds in cork wastewater. The wastewater and the fractions were tested for antioxidant activity and for capacity to inhibit the proliferation of the growth of human breast carcinoma cell lines, MCF‐7. The fractions revealed high antioxidant activity with EC50 values ranging from 1.174 ± 0.069 to 1.943 ± 0.179 mg/mgDPPH. The fractions demonstrated to be efficient as cell proliferation inhibitors, with values of IC50 ranging from 0.20 ± 0.003 to 0.46 ± 0.02 mg mL‐1.CONCLUSIONThe process reported demonstrates that PPs compounds can be recovered from cork effluent and further reused as high‐value bioactive compounds. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry

WOOD-DESTROYING PROPERTIES OF FOMITOPSIS PINICOLA (SW.) P. KARST. FROM MIDDLE SIBERIA

Presents the results of a research of wood-destroying properties of the basidiomycete Fomitopsis pinicola (Sw.) P. Karst. The strains were isolated in pure culture from fruiting bodies that grew on the Abies sibirica Ledeb, Pinus sylvestris Ledeb, Pinus sibirica Du Tour and Larix sibirica Ledeb in the forests of the Krasnoyarsk Territory (56°09'–56°22' N; 92°10'–92°58' E). The cultures screened for growth parameters and the dynamics of enzymatic activity during cultivation on cellulose-containing media. The radial growth rate of Siberian strains on the agar medium and plant substrates is 1,1–3,3 mm / day; the growth coefficient is 10–42. All studied cultures synthesize extracellular cellulolytic enzymes that hydrolyze the sodium salt of carboxymethylcellulose. The enzymatic activity is in the range 0,05–0,39 U / ml with a maximum of 7–9 days. The most active strain of Fp5-15 F. pinicola used for bioconversion of coniferous plant substrates under solid-phase culture conditions. The maximum wood-destroying activity observed on pine and larch wood – the mass loss of substrates was 16 and 20%, respectively. On Pinus sylvestris sawdust, the total content of polysaccharides decreased by 1,2 times due to the fermentolysis of the hardly hydrolyzable fraction (a decrease of 1,4 times); the content of lignin substances did not change significantly. On the sawdust of Larix sibirica, the amount of polysaccharides decreased by 1,3 times in comparison with the initial substrate; lignin – in 1,2 times.

Characterization of molecular signature of the roots of Paeonia lactiflora during growth

AbstractThe roots of Paeoniae lactiflora Pall. are widely consumed as crude drugs in Asian countries due to their remarkable beneficial health effects. The present research was undertaken to illuminate the dynamic changes in metabolites and enzymes and facilitate selection of the harvesting time when the herb can provide optimum health benefits. P. lactiflora roots were analyzed at 12 stages of growth for monoterpenoid glycosides, phenols, nucleosides, nucleobases, amino acids, and polysaccharides by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector, ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, and UV spectrophotometry. The enzyme activities of plant β-glucosidases and esterases were determined by UV methods. The total content of monoterpenoid glycosides and phenols peaked in December. For nucleosides and nucleobases, the highest content appeared in April. The maximum phasic accumulation of the total amino acids took place in March, and the content of total polysaccharides reached a peak value in September. December, April, and March were selected as the appropriate harvesting times for producing natural medicinal or health food products. Plant β-glucosidases and esterases showed the highest activity in December and May, respectively. When the activity of β-glucosidase increased, esterase activity decreased, while the contents of oxypaeoniflora and paeoniflorin increased. When esterase activity increased, the contents of benzoylpaeoniflorin, paeoniflorin, and gallic acid decreased. In conclusion, the results from the present study would be useful in determination of the suitable time for harvesting P. lactiflora roots for medicinal purposes.

Ceylon spinach: A promising crop for skin hydrating products

Ceylon spinach, or Basella alba, is a mucilaginous vegetable crop having high economic, nutritional and medicinal value. It has long been used in traditional skin remedies, although to date few reports have focused on the scientific basis of its skin hydrating properties, or protocols for extract quality control. Extracts of this crop were therefore prepared, and evaluated for their efficacy towards skin hydration. An extraction time of 3h provided the highest yield, and maximum total polysaccharide content, with the following extract specifications: yield (2.93±0.83%), moisture content (12.51±0.52%), total polysaccharide and total tannin contents (0.37±0.00mg glucose/g and 4.18±0.09μg tannic acid/g, respectively), astringency (245.86±0.05mg tannic acid/g), solubility and swelling capacity in water (0.02±0.00% and 4.17±0.58%, respectively), viscosity (1541.33±22.12 cps) and water and oil absorption capacities (1.13±0.03g/g and 2.82±0.12g/g, respectively). Evaluation in 22 Thai volunteers indicated that the extract caused no skin irritation, and that skin hydrating efficacy (0.05–0.10%) was 7–28% better than the control in the short term (0–210min; Corneometer® CM 825). These results highlight the potential for B. alba usage in healthcare products including pharmaceutics and cosmetics, and provide useful guidelines for extract preparation, quality control, standardization and specifications for industrial processing.

참죽의 추출방법에 따른 수용성 다당류의 생리기능성

다양한 영양성분을 함유할 뿐만 아니라 생리활성이 우수한 참죽으로부터 수용성 다당류를 추출하고 이들의 생리기능성을 측정하였다. 이를 위해 참죽을 열수, 초음파 및 효소(Viscozyme, Shearzyme)를 이용하여 수용성 다당류를 추출하고, 추출법에 따른 수용성 다당류의 기능성을 비교하였다. Searzyme 효소로 추출하여 얻은 수용성 다당류 분획의 수율과 총당 함량이 가장 높았다. 참죽으로부터 추출된 수용성 다당류 분획의 산화방지 활성을 측정한 결과, 열수추출에 의해 얻은 수용성 다당류 분획물의 <TEX>$IC_{50}$</TEX> 값이 가장 낮게 나타나 가장 높은 산화방지 활성을 보였다. Tyrosinase 저해활성은 측정 농도가 증가할수록 모든 추출군의 활성이 증가하였다. 포도당 흡수지연 효과를 확인한 결과, 모든 추출군은 포도당 흡수 지연 효과를 보였으며, 특히, WSPs는 대조구인 CMC의 포도당 흡수지연 효과와 유사한 값을 나타내었다. Bile acid 흡수지연 효과를 측정한 결과, bile acid의 투과율이 CMC에 비해 높아 흡수지연 효과가 낮은 것으로 나타났다. 이상의 연구 결과, 열수에 의해 추출된 수용성 다당류분획이 뛰어난 산화방지 및 미백활성을 보였으며, Shearzyme 효소추출물이 우수한 포도당 흡수저해 효과를 보였다. 이를 통해 참죽으로부터 추출된 수용성 다당류는 향후 기능성 식품 소재로서의 개발 가능성이 높을 것으로 판단된다. The biological activity of water-soluble polysaccharide (WSP) fractions extracted from Cedrela sinensis was examined in this study. Cedrela sinensis was extracted using hot water, ultrasonication, and enzymes (Viscozyme, Shearzyme) and precipitated using ethanol to produce crude polysaccharides. The yield (3.51%) and total polysaccharide content (28.03 g/100 g) of WSP extracted using Shearzyme (WSPs) were highest compared to other extracts. The antioxidant activity of WSP extracted using hot water was highest and had the lowest <TEX>$IC_{50}$</TEX> values in DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and superoxide dismutase-like activity. Tyrosinase inhibitory activity increased as the concentration increased. All extracts showed higher retardation effects on glucose and bile acid compared to the control; particularly, WSPs showed a similar glucose retardation effect to carboxymethyl cellulose. This study suggests that WSP from C. sinensis can be used as a functional food material.

Aloe arborescens Polysaccharides: In Vitro Immunomodulation and Potential Cytotoxic Activity.

Different polysaccharides were isolated from the leaves of Aloe arborescens using the gradient power of hydrogen followed by antitumor and immunomodulatory assay. The total polysaccharide content of different fractions, water-soluble polysaccharide (WAP), acid-soluble polysaccharide (ACP), and alkaline-soluble polysaccharide (ALP), was estimated using a phenol-sulfuric acid spectrophotometric method. WAP possessed a higher content of mannose and glucose than either ACP or ALP. In vitro antitumor activity was investigated in three different cancer cell lines, and in vitro immunomodulatory potential was assessed through phagocytosis and lymphocyte transformation assay. The results showed that WAP and ALP exhibited the most significant cytotoxicity against HepG2 human liver cancer cells, with IC50 values of 26.14 and 21.46 μg/mL, respectively. In contrast, ALP was able to enhance lymphocyte transformation, whereas WAP had the most potent phagocytic activity. Molecular weight, total sugar and uronic acid content, Fourier transform-infrared analysis, and linkage type of bioactive polysaccharides were investigated. These findings revealed that the potential antitumor activity of the natural agents WAP and ALP was through an immunomodulation mechanism, which verifies the use of the plant as adjuvant supplement for cancer patients suffering immunosuppression during chemotherapy.

Variations in the chemical composition and standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids in eight genotypes of triticale fed to growing pigs.

The study was conducted to determine the chemical composition, physical characteristics, and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of CP and AA of 8 currently available genotypes of triticale fed to growing pigs. The genotypes included Grenado, Cando, Agostino, Massimo, Tarzan, HYT Prime, SW Talentro, and Cultivo. Eight barrows with an initial BW of 31 ± 2 kg were fitted with simple T-cannulas at the distal ileum and allotted to an 8 × 8 Latin square design with 8 periods of 7 d each and 8 assay diets. The N-free method was used to determine basal ileal endogenous CP and AA losses. The 8 assay diets contained 1 of 8 triticale genotypes as the sole source of CP and AA. The triticale genotypes were grown under identical environmental conditions on the same site. Among the 8 genotypes, contents of CP ranged from 104.7 to 118.1 g/kg (as-fed basis). The content of total nonstarch polysaccharides and NDF ranged, on an as-fed basis, from 84.6 to 99.5 g/kg and from 88.4 to 149.0 g/kg, respectively. Among the 8 genotypes, SID of CP ranged from 81% in Grenado to 85% in Massimo and Tarzan. The SID of CP and AA did not differ among triticale genotypes except for SID of Arg, Glu, and Gly ( < 0.05). The mean SID of CP, Lys, Met, and Trp was 4, 4, 4, and 1 percantage units less and SID of Trp was 5 percantage units greater compared with values in current feed tables. Among the 8 triticale genotypes, standardized ileal digestible content (cSID) of CP followed total CP content and ranged from 84.8 to 98.7 g/kg (as-fed basis), with the lowest ( < 0.001) values for Grenado and the greatest ( < 0.001) values for SW Talentro and Cultivo. For CP and most AA, cSID linearly decreased as the content of total, soluble, and insoluble β-glucans increased ( < 0.05) in the 8 genotypes of triticale. There was a positive correlation between thousand seed weight and cSID of CP and most AA ( < 0.01). These variables may help to predict cSID in triticale batches, whereas other nutrients are not suitable due to their low variation among the 8 genotypes. The present study provides data on chemical composition, physical characteristics, and SID of CP and AA of 8 triticale genotypes grown under similar conditions. However, as most of the present SID values are less than those in feed tables, future research is warranted to elaborate whether these differences are caused by experimental conditions or reflect a consistent decrease that needs to be accounted for in feed tables.

Assessment of carbon pools in Inceptisol under potato (Solanum tuberosum) based cropping systems in Indo-Gangetic plains

Soil carbon pools play a major role in sustaining agro-ecosystems and maintaining environmental quality as they act as a major source and sink of atmospheric carbon. The long-term effect of manuring and fertilization on accessibility of carbon pools of soil in high intensity rice (Oryza sativa L.)−potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)−wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) −potato−onion (Allium cepa L.) cropping systems in Inceptisol of semi-arid sub-tropical India continuing for 10 years was studied. Soil samples were collected (0-15 and 15-30 cm soil depth) from the treatments comprising control (T1), 100% NPK-Fertilizer (T2), 100% N-Vermicompost (VC) (T3), 50% NPK-Fertilizer + 50% N-Vermicompost (VC) (T4), 100% NPK-Fertilizer + crop residue (CR) (T5), 100% N-Vermicompost + CR (T6). Assessment of carbon pools was done by estimating total soil C (TSC), total soil nitrogen (TSN), C:N ratio, carbon mineralization (Cmin), total polysaccharide (TP) and relationship between these pools. The results showed that the application of 100% N-VC (T3) and 100% N-VC + CR (T6) increased the TSC by 94% and 80%, respectively, over 100% NPK in rice-potato-wheat cropping system, while in maize-potato-onion system, 100% N-VC (T3) increased TSC by 48% over 100% NPK (T2) at 0-15 cm soil depth. The soil C:N ratios were generally wider in case of treatments receiving organic sources. In both the soil depths, the T6 treatment (100% N-VC + CR) had resulted higher C mineralization than the other treatments throughout the incubation period. The stable C was lower in maize–potato–onion system than that in the rice–potato–wheat system. The total polysaccharides was higher in organic amended treatments (T6, T3) over chemical fertilizer treatments in improving the TP content in soil which was related to greater C input.

LSP1, a responsive protein from Meyerozyma guilliermondii, elicits defence response and improves glycyrrhizic acid biosynthesis in Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch adventitious roots.

This research explored the effects of protein and polysaccharide in Meyerozyma guilliermondii on active compounds in Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch adventitious roots. In this study, a responsive protein LSP1 was purified from the Meyerozyma guilliermondii since the excellent induction. The contents of total flavonoids (3.46 mg · g-1 ), glycyrrhizic acid (0.41 mg · g-1 ), glycyrrhetinic acid (0.41 mg · g-1 ), and polysaccharide (94.49 mg · g-1 ) in adventitious root peaked at LSP1 group, which were 1.6, 3.4, 2.4, 2.0-fold that of control, respectively. Besides, the responsive protein LSP1 significantly activated the defense signaling, mitogen-activated protein kinases and extremely up-regulated the expression of defense-related genes and functional genes involved in glycyrrhizic acid biosynthesis.

Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of wolfberry infusion

An infusion of the wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.) is a traditional Asian herbal tea. This is the most commonly consumed form of dried wolfberry worldwide, yet little scientific information on wolfberry infusions is available. We investigated the effects of making infusions with hot water on the color, the content of bioactive compounds (polysaccharides, polyphenols, flavonoids and carotenoids) and the antioxidant ability of wolfberry infusions. The contents of bioactive compounds and the antioxidant activity of a wolfberry infusion increased with increased infusion temperature and time. Total polysaccharides content (TPOC), total polyphenols (TPC), total flavonoids (TFC) and total carotenoids contents (TCC) were important for determining the antioxidant capacity of wolfberry infusions with the contribution to antioxidant activity in the order TPC > TFC > TCC > TPOC. Hierarchical cluster analysis indicated preparation conditions of 100 °C for 1~3 h, 90 °C for 2~3 h and 80 °C for 2.5~3 h were equivalent as regards the value of TPC, TPOC, TFC, TCC, FRAP, DPPH and ABTS. The results of this study suggest the length of time of making a wolfberry infusion in actual real life practice is too short and different dietary habits associated with the intake of wolfberry infusion might provide the same bioactive nutrients.

Study on separation and purification of fucoidan from Kjellmaniella crassifolia and antitumor activity in vitro

In this study, the crude fucoidan extracted from Kjellmaniella crassifolia was taken as raw material, and then purified by DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow weak anion exchange column. The contents of total polysaccharide and sulfate ( SO42-) of fucoidan in each fraction were determined by phenol-sulfuric acid colorimetry method and barium chloride-gelatin method, respectively.The antitumor activities for all in the crude and separated fractions with 50, 200, 800 μg/m L concentrations against Hep G2 cells, A549 cells and HT-29 cells were determined by MTT assay. The results showed that, crude fucoidan from Kjellmaniella crassifolia could be well separated and purified by DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow weak anion exchange column, and five different fractions ( F-0, F-1, F-2, F-3, F-4) were obtained. Total polysaccharide and SO42- content in F-4 were the highest, which were 64.25% and 26.32%, respectively. The results of MTT assay indicated that the crude fucoidan and the fractions had significant inhibitory activities on Hep G2, A549 and HT-29 cells.The lowest cell viability of 67.69%, 56.03% and27.56% were obtained for Hep G2, A549 and HT-29 cells respectively.Based on those findings, it suggested that fucoidan from Kjellmaniella crassifolia had great potential to be a kind of effective natural antineoplastic drugs.

Anti‐inflammatory properties of high pressure‐assisted extracts of Grifola frondosa in lipopolysaccharide‐activated RAW 264.7 macrophages

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the in vitro anti‐inflammatory properties of the shake extract (SE) and the high pressure‐assisted extract (PE) of the mycelia of Grifola frondosa in a lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage model. The content of total polysaccharides and β‐glucans of PE at 600 MPa (PE‐600) was 41.2 and 6.2 mg g−1 dry weight, respectively, which were significantly higher than SE extracts. The results showed that treatment with 500 μg mL−1 of PE by 600 MPa (PE‐600) did not reduce RAW 264.7 cell viability but did significantly inhibit the production of LPS‐induced NO, PGE2 and intracellular ROS. The PE‐600 inhibited the activation of NF‐kB and then reduced the production of LPS‐induced TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐1β in a dose‐dependent manner. Thus, the PE could be used as an alternative extraction method for improving the extraction efficacy of G. frondosa and serve as an alternative source of anti‐inflammatory agents.

Effects of Different Source of Dietary Non-Starch Polysaccharides on Growth Performance, Physiological Characteristics and Gene Expression of GLUT2 in Chickens

Growth and physiological characteristics of meat-type chicken such as serum immunoglobulin concentration, digesta pH and viscosity, pancreatic enzyme activity, organelle weights, and gene expression of intestinal GLUT2 of chickens was studied by means of 375 day-old chicks which randomly assigned to three treatments with five replicates in a completely randomized design. Two different types of cereal-based diets (wheat, and barley) were used as experimental groups and a corn-based diet was also considered to serve as control group. All diets had similar contents of crude protein, energy, and total non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). Results indicated that different dietary source of NSP had significantly (P&lt;0.01) affected growth traits, so barley and wheat diets had maximum feed intake and feed conversion rate, inversely minimum weight gain than corn diet. Intestinal physicochemical characteristics such as pH and viscosity of digesta significantly (P&lt;0.01) changed by different dietary source of NSP. Wheat and barley diets had minimum pH, and inversely maximum viscosity compared to corn diet. The maximum values of fat pad and liver percentage, in contrary, minimum values of pancreas and gut length belonged to corn diet (P&lt;0.01). Serum immunoglobulin concentrations of IgG and IgM for wheat and barley diets were higher than their counterparts fed on corn (P&lt;0.01). Gene expression of intestinal GLUT2 of chickens based on mean fold change after feeding of wheat or barley was at upper level compared to corn diet (P&lt;0.01). In conclusion, based on findings of present study, feeding of different dietary NSP sources to broiler chickens significantly affected growth traits and internal organelle percentages, as well as physiological and immune responses. Also gene expression of intestinal GLUT2 well affected by cereal NSP sources through feeding of wheat or barley.

Investigation on prescription screening of a polyherbal preparation based on splenocyte proliferation activity and its preparation method

Objective: The present study aims to optimize the extraction conditions of polysaccharides and flavonoids from a polyherbal preparation consisting of three kinds of Chinese medicinal herbs, Codonopsis pilosula, Crataegus pinnatifida, and Lycium barbarum, and evaluation of its immunomodulatory activity in immunosuppressed mice. Materials and Methods: An orthogonal design (L9 [3]4) was constructed to achieve the optimal extraction conditions. The immunomodulatory action of the polyherbal preparation was studied at three doses of 10, 20, and 40 mL/kg/day orally by measuring splenocyte proliferation in mice model of cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression. Results: The chosen parameters, including the ratio of solvent-to-raw material, duration of extraction, and extraction times, were the fundamental variables that influenced the extract yields. The highest yield of total polysaccharides content was 54.3 mg/mL when the ratio of solvent-to-raw material, duration of extraction, and number of extractions were 12:1, 1.5 h, and 3, respectively. The maximum extraction yield of the flavonoids was 3.5 mg/mL when the ratio of solvent-to-raw material was 12:1, the extraction time was 2 h, and the number of extractions was 3. The prescription screening showed that the impact of the polyherbal preparation on the splenocyte proliferation capacity was more pronounced than its disassembled components. Oral administration of the polyherbal preparation could significantly increase the concanavalin A-stimulated mouse spleen cells proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: These findings suggested that the polyherbal preparation possesses potential for augmenting the immune activity due to the polysaccharide and flavonoid content in these herbal medicines.

Molecular cloning and functional analysis of the phosphomannomutase (PMM) gene from Dendrobium officinale and evidence for the involvement of an abiotic stress response during germination.

Phosphomannomutase (PMM, EC 5.4.2.8) catalyzes the interconversion of mannose-6-phosphate to mannose-1-phosphate, the precursor for the synthesis of GDP-mannose. In this study, the complementary DNA (cDNA) of the Phosphomannomutase (PMM) gene was initially cloned from Dendrobium officinale by RACE method. Transient transform result showed that the DoPMM protein was localized in the cytoplasm. The DoPMM gene was highly expressed in the stems of D. officinale both in vegetative and reproductive developmental stages. The putative promoter was cloned by TAIL-PCR and used for searched cis-elements. Stress-related cis-elements like ABRE, TCA-element, and MBS were found in the promoter regions. The DoPMM gene was up-regulated after treatment with abscisic acid, salicylic acid, cold, polyethylene glycol, and NaCl. The total ascorbic acid (AsA) and polysaccharide content in all of the 35S::DoPMM Arabidopsis thaliana transgenic lines #1, #2, and #5 showed a 40, 39, and 31% increase in AsA and a 77, 22, and 39% increase in polysaccharides, respectively more than wild-type (WT) levels. All three 35S::DoPMM transgenic lines exhibited a higher germination percentage than WT plants when seeded on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 150mM NaCl or 300mM mannitol. These results provide genetic evidence for the involvement of PMM genes in the biosynthesis of AsA and polysaccharides and the mediation of PMM genes in abiotic stress tolerance during seed germination in A. thaliana.

Development of specific and quantitative methods for the quality control of the polysaccharides from sea-tangle and sargassum

Polysaccharides from numerous traditional Chinese medicines have been proven as the bioactive ingredients and are hence used as the quality control markers. However, the assessment criteria always show a poor specificity, due to the lack of systematic comparison among the analogous herbs. In the present study, two similar materials, namely sea-tangle and sargassum, were selected as the model herbs to develop more specific methods for quality control. Two well-established methods, determination of the total polysaccharides content and monosaccharides composition analysis, were both employed. Based upon the quantitative results, the evaluation criteria of the polysaccharides contents of not less than 2.0% and 1.7% were proposed for sea-tangle and sargassum, respectively. Nine identical monosaccharide derivatives appeared on the HPLC chromatograms of the hydrolysis and derivatized solutions of the two drugs. Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis using the peak areas of monosaccharides derivatives as the variables were performed, and the results indicated that mannuronic acid and xylose with the opposite concentrations in the two drugs were the differential components. A discriminative criterion using the peak area ratio of these two monosaccharides derivatives was proposed for the qualitative identification. In conclusion, a more specific and quantitative quality control method was developed for sea-tangle and sargassum.

Nutrients, amino acid, fatty acid and non-starch polysaccharide profile and in vitro digestibility of macadamia nut cake in swine.

The highly variable cost and limited availability of conventional feedstuffs make it imperative to explore alternative feedstuffs to be used in swine. Macadamia nut cake (MNC), a coproduct of the macadamia nut oil industry, has not been well studied. MNC was analyzed for its nutrient profile, gross energy (GE), fibers, amino acids and fatty acids content. Dry matter (DM) and GE digestibility of MNC in swine was determined using an in vitro model. On a DM basis, ash, crude protein, ether extract, NDF, ADF, lignin and GE were found to be 3.7, 25.5, 11.9, 35.8, 28.0, 16.0% and 5581kcal/kg, respectively. Total and soluble non-starch polysaccharide content were 32.2 and 11.8%, respectively. The concentration of lysine was found to be 0.7%. The DM and GE digestibility were found to be 75.7 and 71.4%, respectively. Gross energy content of MNC is comparable with that of corn and higher than soybean meal, while protein content is twice as high as corn but lower than soybean meal. In conclusion, MNC is not merely a good source of protein and energy but also has fairly high digestibility in swine. Hence, it can be used as a viable alternative source of energy and protein in swine diets.

Zinc toxicity stimulates microbial production of extracellular polymers in a copiotrophic acid soil

The production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) is crucial for biofilm structure, microbial nutrition and proximal stability of habitat in a variety of environments. However, the production patterns of microbial EPS in soils as affected by heavy metal contamination remain uncertain. Here we investigate the extracellular response of the native microbial biomass in a grassland soil treated with refined glycerol or crude unrefined biodiesel co-product (BCP) with and without ZnCl2. We extracted microbial EPS and more readily soluble microbial products (SMP), and quantified total polysaccharide, uronic acid, and protein content in these respective extracts. Organic addition, especially BCP, significantly stimulated the production of EPS-polysaccharide and protein but had no impact on EPS-uronic acids, while in the SMP-fraction, polysaccharides and uronic acids were both significantly increased. In response to the inclusion of Zn2+, both EPS- and SMP-polysaccharides increased. This implies firstly that a tolerance mechanism of soil microorganisms against Zn2+ toxicity exists through the stimulation of SMP and EPS production, and secondly that co-products of biofuel industries may have value-added use in bioremediation efforts to support in-situ production of microbial biopolymers. Microbial films and mobile polymers are likely to impact a range of soil properties. The recent focus on EPS research in soils is anticipated to help contribute an improved understanding of biofilm dynamics in other complex systems - such as continuously operated bioreactors.

Quantitative determination of non-starch polysaccharides in foods using Gas Chromatography with flame ionization detection.

A gas chromatographic method was developed for the quantitative determination of the monosaccharides of the soluble, insoluble fractions and the total non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) content in foods with fat contents of less than 5%. Sample preparation involved enzymatic removal of starch and acid hydrolysis of the NSP to their constituent sugars. The alditol acetate derivatives were analysed on a wide bore capillary column with detection by flame ionization. The method was accurate, with recovery of spiked samples between 93.6% and 102.7% for intra-day analysis and between 93.2% and 104.7% for inter-day analysis. Repeatability was excellent; RSD values from 0.1 to 4.4% and 0.2 to 5.7% were observed from intra-day analysis and inter-day analysis, respectively. The peaks for all neutral sugars were sharp and separation was at baseline resolution with no interfering or co-eluting peaks.

Chemical composition and standardized ileal amino acid digestibility of eight genotypes of rye fed to growing pigs.

A study with growing pigs was conducted to determine the chemical composition, physical characteristics, and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of CP and AA of 8 rye genotypes that have recently been added to the German Descriptive Variety List. Eight barrows with an initial BW of 24 ± 2 kg were fitted with T-cannulas at the distal ileum and allotted to an 8 × 8 Latin square design with 8 periods of 6 d each and 8 pigs receiving 8 different diets. The N-free method was used to determine the basal ileal endogenous CP and AA losses. The 8 assay diets contained 1 of 8 rye genotypes (Guttino, Palazzo, Visello, Bellami, Dukato, Conduct, Helltop, and Dankowski Diament) as the sole source of CP and AA. The rye genotypes were grown under identical environmental conditions on the same site. Among the 8 rye genotypes, contents of CP ranged from 9.5 to 11.2% (as-fed basis) and contents of total nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP) ranged from 10.7 to 12.9% (as-fed basis). Arabinoxylan (AX) constituted the major NSP fraction, with values ranging from 6.5 to 7.6% (as-fed basis). Among the 8 rye genotypes, starch contents ranged from 55.7 to 57.5% (as-fed basis). The SID of CP in the 8 rye genotypes ranged from 70 to 74%. The SID of Cys in genotypes Visello, Bellami, Dukato, and Dankowski Diament was lower ( < 0.05) when compared with Palazzo, Conduct, and Helltop. For all other AA, SID in the 8 rye genotypes did not differ. The standardized ileal digestible content (cSID) of CP was greatest ( < 0.001) in genotype Dankowski Diament (8.1%, as-fed basis) and lowest ( < 0.001) in genotype Guttino (6.9%, as-fed basis). Genotype Guttino had the lowest ( < 0.05) cSID of AA among all rye genotypes, except for Trp, Gly, and Pro. For Thr, Ala, and Gly, there were no differences in cSID among the 8 rye genotypes. For CP and most AA, cSID decreased as contents of total and insoluble β-glucan ( < 0.05), total AX, and soluble NSP increased ( < 0.05). The results of the present study provide a comprehensive database on chemical composition, physical characteristics, and SID of CP and AA of 8 rye genotypes grown under same conditions. However, as present SID values of these recently introduced genotypes are lower compared to values in feed tables, adjustments are possibly required to minimize the risk of overestimating the actual protein value of rye for pigs.