Effect of gamma irradiation combined with hot water dip and transportation from Thailand to Canada on biochemical and physical characteristics of Thai mangoes (Nahng Glahng Wahn variety)

Two lots of mangoes of the Nahng Glahng Wahn variety from Thailand were irradiated at the Thai Irradiation Center (TIC) at 0.49 to 0.77 kGy. Following this, one batch was retained in Thailand (TIC) while the other was shipped to the Canadian Irradiation Center (CIC) for investigation of the same variables during storage. This way, it was hoped to compare the effects of gamma radiation with hot water dip (HWI) or without (I) before and after transportation, on the respiratory activity, rotting, texture, ph, titratable acidity and on the total soluble solids in mangoes. Irradiation stimulated carbon dioxide (CO₂) production early in the study but delayed ethylene (C₂H₄) production which peaked later. The production of CO₂ and C₂H₄ occurred later at CIC than at TIC. The I and particularly HWI treatments also delayed the rotting of the mangoes. The texture of the mangoes declined earlier and more rapidly during storage in Thailand than in Canada. The irradiated samples developped a softer texture early during storage and the rise in pH was less marked than the controls. The control showed lower values of total soluble solids during the first 10 days of storage but increased later.     

Effect of quarantine treatments on the carbohydrate and organic acid content of mangoes (cv. Tommy Atkins)

Brazil is one of the largest mango producers and the third largest mango exporter worldwide. Irradiation treatment and its commercial feasibility have been studied in our country to make it possible to develop new markets and, consequently, to compete with the major exporters of mangoes, Mexico and India. This work was designed to compare irradiation treatment with the hot water dip treatment in mangoes cv. Tommy Atkins for export and to verify that the main attributes for acceptance, color and texture, as well as carbohydrate and organic acid contents, were maintained. In this study, the fruit was divided into groups: control, hot water dip-treated (46 °C for 90 min), and irradiation-treated at doses of 0.4 kGy and 1.0 kGy. The fruit was stored at low temperature (11 °C±2) for 14 days and then at room temperature (23 °C±2) until the end of the study. The results indicated that the fruit given a dose of 1.0 kGy remained in a less advanced stage of ripening (stage 3) throughout the storage period, but experienced a greater loss of texture in the beginning of the experiment. It was noted that only the control group had higher levels of citric acid and succinic acid on the last day of the experiment. There were no significant differences in the total sugar content between any treatment groups. Gamma radiation can be used as a quarantine treatment and does not interfere negatively with the quality attributes of mangoes.     

Fruits of two seabuckthorn varieties

Fruits of two varieties of Hippophae rhamnoides L. collected in Kyrgyzstan (I) and Uzbekistan (II) were investigated. Differences in their morphological and biochemical properties were demonstrated. Titrable acids, ascorbic acid, and protein dominated in the fruits of I. Pulp oil of II contained more free fatty acids (acid number 2.9 mg KOH) and carotinoids (419.3 mg%). The principal pulp acid was 16:1. Among the rarely encountered acids of pulp oil, an insignificant quantity of 16:2 was detected (1.2–4.6%). Seed oil of the studied specimens contained >40% of the essential acids 18:2 and 18:3 (vitamin F).Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 435–437, November–December, 2004.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Microbiological and biochemical characteristics of ground beef as affected by gamma irradiation, food additives and edible coating film

The current interest in “minimally processed foods” has attracted the attention for combination of mild treatments to improve food safety and shelf-life extention. The present study was conducted to evaluate the combined effect of gamma irradiation and incorporation of naturally occurring antimicrobial compounds on microbial and biochemistry characteristics of ground beef. Ground beef patties (23% fat ) were purchased from a local grocery store (IGA, Laval, Que., Canada) and divided into 3 separate treatment groups: (i) control (ground beef without additive), (ii) ground beef with 0.5% (w/w) ascorbic acid, and (iii) ground beef with 0.5% ascorbic acid and coated with a protein-based coating containing selected spices. Samples were irradiated at 0, 1, 2, and 3 kGy final dose at the CIC. Samples were stored at 4°C and evaluated periodically for microbial growth, total thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) and free sulfydryl content. At the end of the storage period, Enterobacteriaceae, Lactic acid bacteria, Pseudomonas and Brochothrix thermosphacta were enumerated. Regardless of the treatment group, irradiation significantly (p0.05) reduced the total aerobic plate counts (APC). Irradiation doses of 1, 2, and 3 kGy produced immediate reduction of 2, 3, and 4 log units of APCs, respectively. Also, shelf-life periods were higher for ground beef samples containing food additives. Lactic acid bacteria and Brochothrix thermosphacta were more resistant to irradiation than Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas. Concentration of TBARS and free sulfydryl concentrations were stabilized during post-irradiation storage for samples containing ascorbic acid and coated with the protein-based coating containing spices.     

Effect of five different stages of ripening on chemical compounds in medlar (Mespilus germanica L.)

The study of changes of nutritional value of fruit during the ripening process can help estimate the optimal date for fruit harvesting to achieve the best quality for direct consumption and further utilization. The aim of this study was to monitor the changes of chemical composition of medlar fruit (Mespilus germanica L.) measured at five various ripening stages including 134, 144, 154, 164 and 174 days after full bloom (DAFB). Fruits were analyzed and ascorbic acid (AA) and total phenolic compound content with respect to the total antioxidant activity were determined. In addition, selected micronutrients and macronutrients were monitored. The results of our experiments demonstrate that ascorbic acid, total phenolic compound content and total antioxidant activity decreased significantly with increasing time of ripeness. The decreasing tendency in potassium, calcium and magnesium contents during the ripening stages was also determined. During the ripening period, the content of all micronutrients as well as phosphorus and sodium was balanced, with no statistically significant differences between the monitored ripening stages, which can be considered as a positive fact with respect to ideal consumption quality of fruit.     

Formation of free radicals in photoirradiated cellulose. VI. Effect of lignin

The effect of lignin on free-radical formation in photoirradiated pulp was studied by means of electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Samples were irradiated with light of wavelength longer than 3400 Å as well as longer than 2537 Å. Radical formation in aspen lignin was observed before and after irradiation with light of wavelength longer than 3400 Å. Upon irradiation, free radicals were formed in a pulp sample with 0% lignin content only when oxygen was present. On irradiation with light longer than 2537 Å, in the presence of nitrogen, oxygen, and under vacuum, free-radical formation was found in all cases. The largest concentration of radicals was obtained under vacuum, the smallest in oxygen. It is evident that cellulose was protected from radiation by the presence of lignin. Increased aspen lignin content in pulp led to a decrease in the relative signal intensity of ESR spectrum, that is, a decrease of the yield of free radicals in the cellulose fraction in pulp. Irradiation with light in the presence of oxygen caused significant yellowing of the pulp sample, and these photooxidation and discoloration reactions occurred primarily on the surface of the sample irradiated.     

Ionizing radiation treatment to improve postharvest life and maintain quality of fresh guava fruit

We investigated the potential of ionizing radiation for improving physiological responses, quality, and storage time of fresh guava fruit. Ionizing radiation treatment suppressed the respiration and ethylene production rates and thus retarded the process of fruit ripening during storage. Irradiation treatment also retarded the physical and biochemical changes associated with ripening such as firmness, titratable acidity, soluble solids content, and vitamin C during storage, but for doses higher than 0.25 kGy the vitamin C content decreased. The positive effects of ionizing radiation treatment on delayed fruit ripening and other quality attributes diminished during 22 days of storage at 10 °C. Thus, a combination of ionizing radiation with low-temperature storage (10 °C) did not have much synergistic effect on storage life and quality of guava fruit. In conclusion, ionizing radiation treatment of guava fruit with 0.25 kGy dose increased the postharvest life by 3–4 days, maintained fruit quality, and reduced the decay incidence. The optimal dose (0.25 kGy) for postharvest life extension of guava fruit may be exploited to provide phytosanitary security against many insect pests including fruit flies.     

Flow injection spectrophotometric or conductometric determination of ascorbic acid in a vitamin C tablet using permanganate or ammonia

Two simple flow injection (FI) procedures for the determination of ascorbic acid content in a vitamin C tablet are proposed: spectrophotometric involving injection into a stream of acidic potassium permanganate solution and monitoring its color change due to the redox reaction; FI conductometry based on the neutralization of ascorbic acid injected into a flowing ammonia solution yielding a change in conductivity. The procedures have been applied to the analysis of locally commercial vitamin C tablet samples. A through-put of at least 90 injections h⁻¹ can be achieved. The relative standard deviation was found to be 2.5% (for a 50 mg vitamin C tablet; n=7) for both. Results obtained by either procedure agree with a standard titrimetric method.     

溴酚蓝修饰玻碳电极测维生素C中抗坏血酸含量

使用溴酚蓝修饰的玻碳电极,以快速循环伏安法测定维生素C片剂中抗坏血酸含量并优化实验条件.结果表明,溴酚蓝(BPB)修饰玻碳电极用于抗坏血酸含量的分析,有良好的稳定性和抗干扰能力.在0.0050~0.1500 g.L-1浓度范围内,峰电流与浓度呈良好的线性关系,R=-0.9991,检出限为0.0010 g.L-1,结果令人满意.     

ESR study of ascorbic acid irradiated with gamma-rays

The interest in application of high-energy ionizing radiation for stenlization of pharmaceutical products and foodstuffs has led a number of workers to investigate the radiation sensitivity of vitamins. Aside from its use as a vitamin, ascorbic acid (AA) or some derivatives are employed as antioxidants in foodstuffs. The effects of ionizing radiation on AA in simple solutions and in mixture of naturally occurring compounds have been extensively reported in the literature. However, the effects of ionizing radiation on solid AA were reported in few works which described rather dosimetric features of AA No reports, except one, are available describing the characteristic features of the radiolytic intermediates produced after irradiation of polycrystalline AA. Irradiation studies performed on single crystal of AA has led us to reinvestigate our previous work on the radiolytic intermediates produced in irradiated polycrystalline AA. Three radical species, rather than two, having different characteristics were decided contributing to the formation of experimental electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrum of γ-irradiated polycrystalline AA. Spectral parameters of these species were calculated after exhaustive spectrum simulation calculations based on data derived from experimental microwave saturation and dose-response studies.     

Effects of different maturity stages on antioxidant content of Ivorian Gnagnan (Solanum indicum L.) berries

Gnagnan (Solanum indicum L.) is a spontaneous plant widely distributed in Ivory Coast. During ripening stages, Solanum indicum L. presents different colours (green, yellow and red) and is reported to contain several albeit poorly characterized antioxidant compounds. This paper describes in detail the antioxidant profile (ascorbic acid, carotenoids and polyphenols), antioxidant capacity (FRAP test and Folin-Ciocalteau assay) and the colour changes of Gnagnan berries at different ripening levels. Ascorbic acid content was similar in green and yellow berries, but significantly lower in red ones. Red berries showed a higher content of carotenoids compared to green and yellow ones. Regarding polyphenols, several phenolic acids and flavonoids were found in all berries. The content of caffeoylquinic acids, caffeic acid, flavonol glycosides and naringenin was higher in red berries, while the content of p-coumaric acid and feruloylquinic acids was similar among the three colours. The FRAP assay increased with the ripening process, whereas total polyphenols were similar among berries. Significant differences were found for the colorimetric indexes among products of different degrees of ripening. The present results show the important role of the ripening stage in increasing the antioxidant content of Gnagnan berries.     

Nitrate, ascorbic acid, mineral and antioxidant activities of Cosmos caudatus in response to organic and mineral-based fertilizer rates

The source and quantity of nutrients available to plants can affect the quality of leafy herbs. A study was conducted to compare quality of Cosmos caudatus in response to rates of organic and mineral-based fertilizers. Organic based fertilizer GOBI (8% N:8% P?O?:8% K?O) and inorganic fertilizer (15% N, 15% P?O?, 15% K?O) were evaluated based on N element rates at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 kg h?1. Application of organic based fertilizer reduced nitrate, improved vitamin C, antioxidant activity as well as nitrogen and calcium nutrients content. Antioxidant activity and chlorophyll content were significantly higher with increased fertilizer application. Fertilization appeared to enhance vitamin C content, however for the maximum ascorbic acid content, regardless of fertilizer sources, plants did not require high amounts of fertilizer.     

Flow Injection Analysis Determination of Ascorbic Acid with Spectrofluorimetric Detection

Abstract

A flow injection system for the fluorescence determination of low level of ascorbic acid is proposed. The method is based on the rapid oxidation of ascorbic acid by thallium(I). The fluorescence signal at 419 nm is proportional to the amount of ascorbic acid in the range of (1.4–28.0) × 10^?7 mole. The relative standard deviations for ten replicate measurements of 1.4 × 10^?6 mole of ascorbic acid was 1.3%. The sample rate of 45 ± 5 sample per hour was achieved. The usefulness of the method was tested in the determination of ascorbic acid in fruit juices and vitamin C tablets.     

Effect of gamma irradiation on quality of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa var. deliciosa cv. Hayward)

Ionizing radiation is able to inactivate the three pathogens of Botrytis cinerea, Diaporthe actinidiae, and Botryosphaeria dothidea in kiwifruit. Irradiated kiwifruits appeared softer compared to non-irradiated kiwifruits. The color and organic acid content of kiwifruits were minimally affected by the irradiation. Irradiated fruits showed a decrease in the total soluble solids content with increasing irradiation dose. Irradiation of kiwifruit up to 3 kGy had negative effects on vitamin C content and antioxidant activity, but it contributed to improving sensory quality.     

UVA- and UVB-induced changes in collagen and fibronectin biosynthesis in the skin of hairless mice.

The modifications induced in hairless mouse skin by chronic UV irradiation were investigated. Skin explant cultures were used to study UVA- and UVB-induced changes occurring in interstitial collagen (type I and type III) and fibronectin biosynthesis. To study the long-term effects, albino hairless mice were irradiated with UVA radiation alone from two sources with different spectral qualities or with UVB. UVA and UVB radiation produced a significant increase in the ratio of type III to type I collagen (more than 100% for UVA-irradiated skin and about 60% for UVB-irradiated skin) accompanied by a significantly increased fibronectin biosynthesis (50% or more in all irradiated groups). Irradiation with either UVA or UVB alone had no significant effect on the total collagen synthesis and resulted in only a slight decrease in the total collagen content of the skin determined as hydroxyproline. This decrease was significant only in the case of the group irradiated with UVA (xenon) (decrease of 25%, expressed as micrograms of hydroxyproline per milligram wet weight). A significant decrease in collagen hydroxylation (expressed as radioactive hydroxyproline/radioactive hydroxyproline plus proline in neosynthesized collagen) was observed of about 50% in skin irradiated with UVA (xenon) but not in UVB-treated skin. Several of the above modifications (increased fibronectin biosynthesis, increased collagen type III to type I ratio) correspond to the modifications observed during the aging of non-irradiated hairless mice. Therefore it appears that UV irradiation accelerates the modifications of extracellular matrix biosynthesis observed during aging.     

Sequential injection redox or acid-base titration for determination of ascorbic acid or acetic acid

Two sequential injection titration systems with spectrophotometric detection have been developed. The first system for determination of ascorbic acid was based on redox reaction between ascorbic acid and permanganate in an acidic medium and lead to a decrease in color intensity of permanganate, monitored at 525 nm. A linear dependence of peak area obtained with ascorbic acid concentration up to 1200 mg l⁻¹ was achieved. The relative standard deviation for 11 replicate determinations of 400 mg l⁻¹ ascorbic acid was 2.9%. The second system, for acetic acid determination, was based on acid–base titration of acetic acid with sodium hydroxide using phenolphthalein as an indicator. The decrease in color intensity of the indicator was proportional to the acid content. A linear calibration graph in the range of 2–8% w v⁻¹ of acetic acid with a relative standard deviation of 4.8% (5.0% w v⁻¹ acetic acid, n=11) was obtained. Sample throughputs of 60 h⁻¹ were achieved for both systems. The systems were successfully applied for the assays of ascorbic acid in vitamin C tablets and acetic acid content in vinegars, respectively.     

Applications of a simultaneous assay of ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid and ascorbic sulphate in biological materials

A modified spectrophotometric assay for ascorbic acid and its derivatives based on their reaction with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) is described. Using standard ascorbic acid or ascorbic sulphate solutions, together with animal tissue or compound diet extracts, the conditions for ascorbic acid degradation were determined. For the differential measurement of reduced ascorbic acid (AA), dehydroascorbic acid (dAA) and ascorbic sulphate (AS), five series of simultaneous determinations were performed. These included the use of (1) KBrO3 for the hydrolysis of AS, (2) 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol as an oxidant, (3) DNPH to form a hydrazone derivative with dAA and (4 and 5) two blanks (where ascorbate was degraded) to correct for interfering substances. A variety of vertebrate and invertebrate tissues were examined for their ascorbate content, and the advantages of the modified procedure over currently available assays are discussed. The results suggest that the Artemia cyst is a unique material in which ascorbic sulphate is present in large amounts whereas fish tissues do not contain this form of vitamin C.     

Antioxidant effect of vitamin K homologues on ascorbic acid/Fe(2+)-induced lipid peroxidation of lecithin liposomes.

The effects of vitamin K homologues (K1, K2 and K3) on lipid peroxidation of lecithin liposomes induced by ascorbic acid and ferrous ion were examined. Ubiquinone-10 (UQ-10) was used as a reference in evaluation of the effectiveness of these vitamins. The lipid peroxidation was assessed by measurements of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) and conjugated diene formation during the reaction. Among them, vitamins K1 and K2 inhibited the lipid peroxidation, as did UQ-10, with the order of effectiveness: UQ-10 greater than K2 greater than K1. By contrast, vitamin K3 had no inhibitory effect on ascorbic acid/Fe(2+)-induced lipid peroxidation of the liposomes. The inhibitory effect of vitamins K1 and K2 appeared only when these vitamins were incorporated into the liposomes by sonication. Simple mixing of the liposomes with these vitamins or with UQ-10 did not inhibit peroxidation of the liposomes even at high concentrations. From measurements of nitroblue tetrazolium reduction and p-nitrosodimethylaniline bleaching of vitamin K1- or K2-incorporated liposomes in the presence of ascorbic acid/Fe2+, it was found that these vitamins prevent the formation of hydroxyl radicals, not superoxide anions, during the peroxidation reaction. However, the degree of ascorbic acid/Fe(2+)-induced TBARS formation of the liposomes was not inhibited by the addition of mannitol to the reaction mixture. From these results, it is suggested that the inhibitory effect of these vitamins is mainly involved in termination of radical-chain reaction. Experimental results using several radical scavengers and/or antioxidants supported this interpretation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Simultaneous dual wavelength spectrophotometric determination of citric and ascorbic acids using an artificial neural network

In this study, a very simple spectrophotometric method for the simultaneous determination of citric and ascorbic acid based on the reaction of these acids with a copper(II)-ammonia complex is presented. The Cu²⁺-NH₃ complex (with λ_max = 600 nm) was decomposed by citrate ion and formed a Cu²⁺-citrate complex (with λ_max = 740 nm). On the other hand, during the reaction of ascorbic acid with copper(II)-ammonia complex, ascorbic acid is oxidized and the copper(II)-ammonia complex is reduced to the copper(I)-ammonia complex and the absorbance decreases to 600 nm. Although there is a spectral overlap between the absorbance spectra of complexes Cu²⁺-NH₃ and Cu²⁺-citrate, they have been simultaneously determined using an artificial neural network (ANN). The absorbances at 600 and 740 nm were used as the input layer. The ANN architectures were different for citric and ascorbic acid. The output of the citric acid ANN architecture was used as an input node for the ascorbic acid ANN architecture. This modification improves the capability of the ascorbic acid ANN model for the prediction of ascorbic acid concentrations. The dynamic ranges for citric and ascorbic acid were 1.0–125.0 and 1.0–35.0 mM, respectively. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of citric and ascorbic acids in vitamin C tablets and some powdered drink mixes. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

A Simple and Reliable Spectrophotometric Method for the Determination of Ascorbic Acid in Pharmaceutical Preparations

In this study, a simple spectrophotometric method based on the reaction between ascorbic acid and the copper(II)–ammonia complex is presented for the determination of the vitamin C content of pharmaceutical preparations. During this reaction, ascorbic acid is oxidized and the copper(II)–ammonia complex is reduced to the copper(I)–ammonia complex, and the absorbance decrease at 600 nm (_max for the copper(II)–NH₃ complex) is measured. Stirring the final solution in the presence of air leads to the primary absorbance again being obtained, which indicates that the copper(I)–NH₃ complex is quantitatively oxidized to the copper(II)–NH₃ complex by O₂. The linear dynamic range of the calibration curve is 0.8–6 mmol with a detection limit of 0.26 mmol. The relative standard deviation for eight repeated experiments is 2.4%, which shows that the proposed method has a good repeatability. Finally, this method was used in the analysis of the vitamin C content of different pharmaceutical preparations, such as multivitamin tablets and syrups, vitamin-C tablets and powders, and effervescent tablets. The obtained results are in good agreement with iodimetric data.