Total Saccharides Research Articles

Decomposition kinetics of straw saccharides and synthesis of microbial saccharides under field conditions

SUMMARYThe decomposition of rice and barley straw saccharides under field conditions was well represented by the first‐order kinetics model of Yt=C1e−k1t+C2e−k2t, where Yt is the remaining amount at time t, k1 and k2 are the decomposition rate constants (time−1) for the labile fraction (C1) and the non‐labile fraction (C2), respectively. About 82% of the total saccharide content of the rice straw was in the labile fraction with a rate constant 0.64–0.81, the values for the barley straw being 70–92% and 0.50–0.61, respectively. The non‐labile fraction appeared to persist for a long time, with a half‐value period of 9–59 months. Barley straw and its saccharides decomposed at a slower rate than rice straw. Much more favourable initial decomposition was observed in a paddy field than in an upland field.Mannose, fucose, rhamnose and ribose were synthesized in parallel with the flush of decomposition of straw saccharides.

Kinetics and mathematical model of hydrolysis and transglycosylation catalysed by cellobiase

The kinetics of hydrolysis and transglycosylation reactions catalysed by cellobiase (β- d-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.21) from Aspergillus foetidus in the cellobiose- d-glucose reaction system have been studied. The formation of transglycosylation products was observed at cellobiose concentrations >10 −2 m , whereas at lower substrate concentrations the only reaction product was d-glucose. In the cellobiase-catalysed transglycosylation a (1→6)-β-linkage was formed after the transfer of a d-glucose residue to acceptor molecule. The basic transglycosylation products were isocellotriose and gentiobiose. A small amount of oligosaccharides with a higher degree of polymerization was also formed. The maximum content of transglycosylation products amounted to 25–30% of the total saccharide content in the system at the initial cellobiose concentration (0.1–0.3 m). The processes in the reaction system were inhibited by the substrate and product ( d-glucose). A general scheme for cellobiose hydrolysis has been proposed and validated, allowing for the inhibition and transglycosylation effects. Based on this scheme, a mathematical model for cellobiose hydrolysis has been suggested to describe the kinetics of substrate consumption and product ( d-glucose) accumulation, as well as the kinetics of formation and consumption of transglycosylation products throughout the course of enzymatic reaction with various initial amounts of cellobiose, starting from low concentrations up to 0.2–0.3 m (7–11% bv weight).

Effect of BR-227, a new bromhexine derivative, on secretory activities of tracheal secretory cells.

The effects of BR-227 on secretory activities of canine tracheal secretory cells including behavior of mucus glycoproteins were investigated histologically and histochemically. Following BR-227 treatment at a concentration of alcian blue at pH 2.5 and periodic acid-Schiff (AB (pH 2.5)/PAS) decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, a decrease in the thickness of the acini of submucosal glands and in marked increase in the ratio of acinar inner diameter of the gland to tracheal wall were induced after application of BR-227 at a concentration range of 10(-7) to 10(-4) M. The numbers of goblet and submucosal glandular cells which stained blue and purple with AB (pH 2.5)/PAS were decreased by BR-227 treatment in a concentrations-dependent way, whereas the cells which stained red were markedly increased. In the experiment using a combination of AB at pH 1.0 and PAS, a decrease in sulfated glycoproteins in those secretory cells was observed. Total saccharide and protein concentrations in the incubation fluid increased with BR-227 treatment, while N-acetylhexomsamine concentration tended to decrease. These findings suggest that BR-227 stimulates secretory activities of both goblet cells and submucosal glands, and lowers mucus viscosity in the secretory cells.

Behavior of mucus glycoproteins of tracheal secretory cells following L-cysteine methyl ester treatment.

The effects of L-cysteine methyl ester on behavior of mucus glycoproteins in canine tracheal secretory cells were investigated histologically and histochemically. Low concentrations (10(-7) and 10(-6)M) of L-cysteine methyl ester produced, as histological changes, decreases in the total goblet cell number and the thickness of the acini of submucosal glands, and an increase in the acinar inner diameter. On the other hand, L-cysteine methyl ester at 10(-5) and 10(-4)M produced an increase in the thickness of the acini and a slight decrease in the acinar inner diameter. Both the total acid glycoprotein and sulphated glycoprotein contents in glandular cells markedly decreased, whereas the neutral glycoprotein content in the cells increased following L-cysteine methyl ester treatment in a concentration-dependent way. Total saccharide and protein concentrations in the incubation fluid increased with 10(-7) and 10(-6)M, but decreased with 10(-5) and 10(-4)M L-cysteine methyl ester. N-Acetylhexosamine concentration in the bathing fluid increased at 10(-7) and 10(-6)M of the agent. These findings suggest that low concentrations of L-cysteine methyl ester stimulate secretory activities of tracheal secretory cells, while at high concentrations the agent stimulates synthesis of mucus glycoproteins in the submucosal glands. Additionally, it is suggested that L-cysteine methyl ester has a marked viscosity lowering effect on the mucus in the secretory cells.

Effect of pilocarpine on behavior of mucus glycoproteins of canine tracheal secretory cells.

Behavior of mucus glycoproteins in tracheal secretory cells after treatment with pilocarpine was investigated histologically and histochemically using the isolated canine trachea. Following pilocarpine treatment, the number of total and neutral glycoprotein-containing goblet cells was reduced concentration-dependently. The number of acid glycoprotein (AGP)-containing goblet cells was not altered with 10(-7) and 10(-6) M pilocarpine, but significantly decreased with 10(-5) and 10(-4) M pilocarpine. The thickness of the acini of submucosal glands significantly decreased, and the ratio of acinar inner diameter to tracheal wall thickness increased in 10(-5) and 10(-4) M pilocarpine. AGP content in glandular cells increased in 10(-7) and 10(-6) M pilocarpine, but markedly decreased at concentrations of 10(-5) and 10(-4) M. Pilocarpine treatment caused an increase in N-acetylhexosamine concentration in the incubation fluid. Total saccharide concentration in the incubation fluid decreased in 10(-7) and 10(-6) M pilocarpine, but was not apparently altered at concentrations of 10(-5) and 10(-4) M. These findings suggest that lower concentrations of pilocarpine stimulate synthesis of AGP in goblet and glandular cells much more preferentially than it stimulates discharge of AGP from the cells. While at higher concentrations, the AGP-discharge effect overcomes the stimulation in synthesis.

EFFECT OF PILOCARPINE ON BEHAVIOR OF MUCUS GLYCOPROTEINS OF CANINE TRACHEAL SECRETORY CELLS

Behavior of mucus glycoproteins in tracheal secretory ceils after treatment with pilocarpine was investigated histologically and histo-chemically using the isolated canine trachea. Following pilocarpine treatment, the number of total and neutral glycoprotein-containing goblet cells was reduced concentration-dependently. The number of acid glycoprotein (AGP)-containing goblet ceils was not altered with 10-7 and 10-6 M pilocarpine, but significantly decreased with 10-5 and 10-4 M pilocarpine. The thickness of the acini of submucosal glands significantly decreased, and the ratio of acinar inner diameter to tracheal wall thickness increased in 10-5 and 10-4 M pilocarpine. AGP content in glandular cells increased in 10-7 and 10-6 M pilocarpine, but markedly decreased at concentrations of 10-5 and 10-4 M. Pilocarpine treatment caused an increase in N-acetylhexosamine concentration in the incubation fluid. Total saccharide concentration in the incubation fluid decreased in 10-7 and 10-6 M pilocarpine, but was not apparently altered at concentrations of 10-5 and 10-4 M. These findings suggest that lower concentrations of pilocarpine stimulate synthesis of AGP in goblet and glandular cells much more preferentially than it stimulates discharge of AGP from the cells, while at higher concentrations, the AGP-discharge effect overcomes the stimulation in synthesis.

Changes in total contents of saccharides, proteins and chlorophyll in malformed mango inflorescence induced by fusarium moniliforme var. subglutinans

Fusarium moniliforme var.subglutinans Wr. etRg. causes malformations of mango inflorescences that finally fail to fruit. The host-cultivar Himsagar showed higher contents of total saccharides, chlorophyll and protein than the cultivar Bombai. Considerable loss in saccharides and chlorophyll contents and increase in protein content as a result of malformation of inflorescence was recorded in both the host-cultivars which progressed with time.

Determination of Sorbitol in the Presence of Saccharides

Samples presented for determination of the sorbitol content often contain various kinds of saccharides and these interfere with the determination by oxidation with periodate or some other methods. For the application of these methods, separation of sorbitol from saccharides is required. For this purpose, bakers' yeast with the sugar assimilability is considered to be useful, as it assimilats 95% or more of total saccharides. Therefore, some experimental conditions are examined to apply the bakers' yeast. As a result, an experimental condition was established and described as follows: (1) The adding amount of the bakers' yeast should be 0.4% to the test solution. (2) The applicable composition of the test solution should besaccharides%≤O.5%sorbitol%≥ 2×(saccharides%) In the case the content of sorbitol and/or saccharides is not known, the concentration is adjusted to the applicable sorbitol saccharides composition with adding known amount of sorbitol. By this method, reasonable values were obtained for several processed food products containing sorbitol and saccharides. Some examples are shown in this report.

MICROBIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS

Using Candida rugosa JF 114, the differences between the monosaccharide components of kerosene-assimilated cells (K-cells) and those of glucose-assimilated cells (G-cells) were investigated.The monosaccharide components of both cells consisted of glucose, mannose and galactose. The K-cells have a lower content of total saccharide, namely, crude carbohydrate and a higher content of crude fat than the G-cells. It is concluded that there is no qualitative difference between the monosaccharide components of G-cells and K-cells.