Experimental investigation of drying of garlic clove in solar dryer using phase change material as energy storage

This investigation deals with thermodynamic analysis, which offers an alternative approach to evaluate the performance of solar dryers and thin-layer drying characteristics of garlic cloves in a developed system. The garlic cloves were dried from a moisture content of 55.5 % (w.b.) to 6.5 % (w.b.) for 8 h. The drying data obtained were fitted to five different drying kinetics models. Of these, the model suggested by Midilli et al. [28] had the best fit with the drying behavior of garlic cloves. The energy efficiency without and with recirculation of the air exiting the drying chamber during the study varied from 43.06 to 83.73 %, and 3.98 to 14.95 %, respectively, while the exergy efficiency corresponding to the energy efficiency of the drying process ranged from 5.01 to 55.30 % and 67.06 to 88.24 %, respectively.     

Evaluation of the Saponin Content in Panax vietnamensis Acclimatized to Lam Dong Province by HPLC–UV/CAD

Panax vietnamensis, or Vietnamese ginseng (VG), an endemic Panax species in Vietnam, possesses a unique saponin profile and interesting biological activities. This plant is presently in danger of extinction due to over-exploitation, resulting in many preservation efforts towards the geographical acclimatization of VG. Yet, no information on the saponin content of the acclimatized VG, an important quality indicator, is available. Here, we analyzed the saponin content in the underground parts of two- to five-year-old VG plants acclimatized to Lam Dong province. Nine characteristic saponins, including notoginsenoside-R1, ginsenoside-Rg1, -Rb1, -Rd, majonoside-R1, -R2 vina-ginsenoside-R2, -R11, and pseudoginsenoside-RT4, were simultaneously determined by HPLC coupled with UV and with a charged aerosol detector (CAD). Analyzing the results illustrated that the detection of characteristic ocotillol-type saponins in VG by CAD presented a superior capacity compared with that of UV, thus implying a preferential choice of CAD for the analysis of VG. The quantitative results indicating the saponin content in the underground parts of VG showed an increasing tendency from two to five years old, with the root and the rhizome exhibiting different saponin accumulation patterns. This is the first study that reveals the preliminary success of VG acclimatization and thereby encourages the continuing efforts to develop this valuable saponin-rich plant.     

Allixin induction and accumulation by light irradiation.

Allixin, a phytoalexin isolated from garlic, was induced by irradiating fresh garlic cloves with sunlight or UV light. Induced allixin was analyzed by HPLC, and the accumulated amounts of allixin were 3.1-6.3 microg/g under experimental conditions.     

Ultraviolet derivatization of steroidal saponin in garlic and commercial garlic products as p-nitrobenzoate for liquid chromatographic determination

A method is described for determination of the steroidal saponin, eruboside B, originating in garlic and garlic products as the p-nitrobenzoyl chloride (PNBC) derivative by reversed-phase liquid chromatography (with ultraviolet detection at 260 nm. Proto-eruboside B was extracted from garlic (Allium sativum L.); subjected to solid-phase extraction (SPE) with a C18 cartridge, Florisil column chromatography, and silica gel column chromatography; and then enzymatically converted to eruboside B, which was applied as an external standard. Steroidal saponins in garlic and commercial garlic products were extracted with methanol and purified by SPE cartridges, followed by enzymatic treatment. A frostanol saponin such as proto-eruboside B is enzymatically transformed to a spirostanol saponin, eruboside B. After the derivatization with PNBC, the saponin derivative was chromatographed on a C8 column with a gradient elution of (A) 80% aqueous acetonitrile and (B) 100% acetonitrile. The detection limit of the developed method was 1 microg/g for the samples. The method was applied to the analysis of garlic and garlic health food products available in Japan.     

基于化学模式识别的大蒜傅里叶变换红外光谱指纹图谱多样性

以不同地理居群的大蒜为研究对象,采用傅里叶变换红外光谱法获取各样品的红外谱图及不同波数下各样品的透过率数据,运用主成分分析及聚类分析等统计学方法对谱图数据进行了比较分析。结果发现,不同地理居群大蒜的红外指纹图谱存在差异,统计学分析结果显示25个品种大致可分为4大类(其中2个样品,4号及25号与这4类间有较大差异),此现象一定程度上反映了大蒜种植地居群环境对大蒜理化性质的影响。     

三种丁香花精油的挥发性成分比较分析

为了解紫丁香、白丁香和红丁香花蕾精油样品挥发性成分的差异,采用气相色谱-质谱联用技术（GC-MS）分析了三种丁香花精油样品的挥发性成分,并对三者的挥发性成分进行了主成分分析和聚类分析。结果从紫丁香、白丁香和红丁香精油中分别解析出46、64和56种挥发性物质,包括烷烃类、酯类、醇类、酮类、烯烃类、酚类、有机酸等,其中共有的挥发性成分为9种。三种丁香花精油样品的挥发性成分比较分析显示,酯类是含量最高的挥发性成分,其次是烷烃类,并且这两类物质在不同品种的丁香花精油中含量不同。统计分析结果表明三种样品的挥发性成分之间没有明显差别。本研究为增加丁香花精油的应用范围提供了理论依据。     

Allixin accumulation with long-term storage of garlic

Extremely high accumulation of allxiin, a phytoalexin derived from garlic, was observed in necrotic tissue areas after long-term storage. The allixin produced recrystallized on the surface of the garlic clove. The amount of allixin produced in raw garlic with necrotic tissue areas was 1400 ng/mg wet garlic, which exceeds the minimum exhibitory concentration of allixin. After approximately 2 years of storage, amount of allixin accumulated reached slightly less than 1% of the dry weight of garlic cloves.     

Effects of γ-irradiation on the lipid composition of inner sprout of garlic

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of a dose of 60.0 Gy of ⁶⁰Co γ-rays on the concentration and composition of lipids from the inner sprout of garlic cloves. 210 days after treatment, the levels of phospholipids, triacylglycerols and glycolipids were significantly reduced as a result of radiation. Levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids from these lipid fractions such as linoleic acids showed a similar trend of decrease. Irradiation also brought about an increase in diacylglycerols. Results are correlated with sprouting inhibition induced by γ-irradiation in garlic.     

O/W Emulsions with Liquid Crystals as Vehicles of β-Escin

Aescin is an important active substance composed of saponin glucosides topical employed in the treatment of inflammatory and edematous conditions. A particular kind of skin care product called α-gel lamellar phases emulsion was developed, containing β-escin. Detailed knowledge of the lamellar phases behavior has been obtained by DSC, rheological measurements and polarized-light optical microscopy. Moreover the effects of lamellar phases on β-escin release profiles have been studied.     

Simultaneous Quantification of Seven Main Triterpenoid Saponins in Radix et Rhizoma Clematidis by LC–ELSD

Chinese clematis is a Chinese medicine with anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatoid properties. Studies showed the triterpenoid saponins of this herb represent the major active components with therapeutic activities for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The LC–ELSD method was developed to quantitatively analyze seven major triterpenoid saponins in 22 samples from different habitats. The linearity, sensitivity, precision, and accuracy were investigated. It showed the great variation of the contents of each saponin. We concluded clematichinenoside AR is the major saponin in all the samples. This method can be used to effectively evaluate and monitor the quality of Chinese clematis in clinical use.     

Four new dimeric triterpene glucosides from Sanguisorba officinalis

In search for bioactive compounds from the roots of Sanguisorba officinalis L. (Rosaceae), four new dimeric triterpene glucosides, namely sanguidioside A, B, C, and D (1-4) were isolated. Alkaline hydrolysis of 1-2 afforded the corresponding dimeric aglycones (1a and 2a). Meanwhile, a ready intra-molecular transesterification was observed, providing dimeric triterpenes 1b and 2b. Alkaline hydrolysis of the crude dimmeric saponin also provided a new dimeric triterpene, sanguidiogenin (9). The structures of all these compounds are elucidated via spectroscopic and chemical methods, and are further confirmed by the X-ray diffraction analysis of the dimeric aglycone 2a. Compound 3 represents the first dimeric saponin of an oleanolic acid and an ursonic acid derivative, while compound 4 is the first dimeric saponin of oleanolic acid derivatives.     

Artemisia abrotanum L. (Southern Wormwood)—History,Current Knowledge on the Chemistry,Biological Activity,Traditional Use and Possible New Pharmaceutical and Cosmetological Applications

Artemisia abrotanum L. (southern wormwood) is a plant species with an important position in the history of European and Asian medicine. It is a species famous as a medicinal plant in Central Asia, Asia Minor, and in South-East and Central Europe. The raw materials obtained from this species are Abrotani herba and Abrotani folium. In the traditional European medicine, they have been used successfully most of all in liver and biliary tract diseases, in parasitic diseases in children and as antipyretic medication. In the official European medicine, this plant species is recommended by the French Pharmacopoeia for use in homeopathy. In many European countries, it is used traditionally in allopathy. The latest studies on the biological activity of extracts from the aboveground parts of the plant and/or the leaves, and/or the essential oil have provided evidence of other possible applications related to their antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anticancer, and antiallergic properties. The latest studies have also focused on the repellent activity of the essential oil of this species and the possibility to use it in the prevention of diseases in which insects are the vectors. The main substances obtained from the plant that are responsible for this activity are: the essential oil, coumarins, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. Some of the latest investigations emphasize the large differences in the composition of the essential oil, determined by the geographical (climatic) origin of the plant. A. abrotanum is recommended by the European Cosmetic Ingredients Database (CosIng) as a source of valuable cosmetic ingredients. Additionally, the leaves of this species possess a well-established position in the food industry. This plant species is also the object of biotechnological studies.     

Increased synthesis of a new oleanane-type saponin in hairy roots of marigold (Calendula officinalis) after treatment with jasmonic acid

Native plant of marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) synthesizes oleanolic acid saponins classified as glucosides or glucuronides according to the first residue in sugar chain bound to C-3 hydroxyl group. Hairy root culture, obtained by transformation with Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain 15834, exhibit a potent ability of synthesis of oleanolic acid glycosides. The HPLC profile of saponin fraction obtained from C. officinalis hairy roots treated with plant stress hormone, jasmonic acid, showed the 10-times increase of the content of one particular compound, determined by NMR and MALDI TOF as a new bisdesmoside saponin, 3-O-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl-28-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-oleanolic acid. Such a diglycoside does not occur in native C. officinalis plant. It is a glucuronide, whereas in the native plant glucuronides are mainly accumulated in flowers, while glucosides are the most abundant saponins in roots. Thus, our results revealed that the pathways of saponin biosynthesis, particularly reactions of glycosylation, are altered in C. officinalis hairy root culture.     

Assessment of worldwide genetic diversity of Siberian wild rye (Elymus sibiricus L.) germplasm based on gliadin analysis

E. sibiricus L., the type species of the genus Elymus, is a perennial, self-pollinating and allotetraploid grass indigenous to Northern Asia, which in some countries can be cultivated as an important forage grass. In the present study, eighty-six Elymus sibiricus accessions, mostly from different parts of Asia, were assayed by gliadin markers based on Acid Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis to differentiate and explore their genetic relationships. The genetic similarity matrix was calculated by 47 polymorphic bands, which ranged from 0.108 to 0.952 with an average of 0.373. The total Shannon diversity index (H(o)) and the Simpson index (H(e)) was 0.460 and 0.302, respectively. Cluster analysis showed a clear demarcation between accessions from Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China and the others as separate groups. The clustering pattern was probably dependent on geographic origin and ecological adaptability of the accessions. The population structure analysis based on Shannon indices showed that the proportion of variance within and among the five geographic regions of the Northern Hemisphere was 55.9 and 44.1%, respectively, or 63.4 and 36.6% within and among six Chinese provinces. This distinct geographical divergence was perhaps depended on ecogeographical conditions such as climate difference and mountain distribution. The results of gladin analysis in this study are useful for the collection and preservation of E. sibiricus germplasm resources.     

Metabolite profiling of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) from different locations using comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography coupled to diode array and tandem mass spectrometry detection

Profiling of the main metabolites from several licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) samples collected at different locations is carried out in this work by using comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography (LC × LC) coupled to diode array (DAD) and mass spectrometry (MS) detectors. The optimized method was based on the application of a HILIC-based separation in the first dimension combined with fast RP-based second dimension separation. This set-up was shown to possess powerful separation capabilities allowing separating as much as 89 different metabolites in a single sample. Identification and grouping of metabolites according to their chemical class were achieved using the DAD, MS and MS/MS data. Triterpene saponins were the most abundant metabolites followed by glycosylated flavanones and chalcones, whereas glycyrrhizic acid, as expected, was confirmed as the main component in all the studied samples. LC × LC-DAD-MS/MS was able to resolve these complex licorice samples providing with specific metabolite profiles to the different licorice samples depending on their geographical origin. Namely, from 19 to 50 specific compounds were exclusively determined in the 2D-chromatograms from the different licorice samples depending on their geographical origin, which can be used as a typical pattern that could potentially be related to their geographical location and authentication.     

Effect of Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria Associated with Halophytic Weed (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Psoralea corylifolia</Emphasis> L) on Germination and Seedling Growth of Wheat Under Saline Conditions

Halotolerant bacteria associated with Psoralea corylifolia L., a luxuriantly growing annual weed in salinity-affected semi-arid regions of western Maharashtra, India were evaluated for their plant growth-promoting activity in wheat. A total of 79 bacteria associated with different parts viz., root, shoot and nodule endophytes, rhizosphere, rhizoplane, and leaf epiphytes, were isolated and grouped based on their habitat. Twelve bacteria isolated for their potential in plant growth promotion were further selected for in vitro studies. Molecular identification showed the presence of the genera Bacillus, Pantoea, Marinobacterium, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, and Sinorhizobium (LC027447-53; LC027455; LC027457, LC027459, and LC128410). The phylogenetic studies along with carbon source utilization profiles using the Biolog® indicated the presence of novel species and the in planta studies revealed promising results under salinity stress. Whereas the nodule endophytes had minute plant growth-promoting (PGP) activity, the cell free culture filtrates of these strains enhanced seed germination of wheat (Triticum aestivum L). The maximum vigor index was monitored in isolate Y7 (Enterobacter sp strain NIASMVII). Indole acetic acid (IAA) production by the isolates ranged between 0.22 and 25.58 μg mL^?1. This signifies the need of exploration of their individual metabolites for developing next-generation bio-inoculants through co-inoculation with other compatible microbes. This study has potential in utilization of the weed-associated microbiome in terms of alleviation of salinity stress in crop plants.     

进口中亚铜矿和含铜物料红外光谱法鉴定方法的研究

基于阿拉山口口岸重要地理位置,结合进口中亚铜矿和含铜物料情况,按照国别收集阿拉山口口岸进口铜矿和含铜物料样品。利用红外光谱可根据未知物在红外光谱中吸收峰的强度、位置和形状,确定该未知物分子中包含有哪些基团,从而推断该未知物的结构的性质,通过优化实验条件,对铜矿和含铜物料进行定性鉴定技术的研究,并建立符合新疆口岸进口中亚国家铜矿产品谱图库,便于快速确定矿产国别及品质源头,防止低含量铜冶炼残渣易名高含量铜精矿进口,危害国家利益。     

Structure-related clustering of gene expression fingerprints of thp-1 cells exposed to smaller polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that structurally similar PAHs induce similar gene expression profiles. THP-1 cells were exposed to a series of 12 selected PAHs at 50 µM for 24 hours and gene expressions profiles were analyzed using both unsupervised and supervised methods. Clustering analysis of gene expression profiles revealed that the 12 tested chemicals were grouped into five clusters. Within each cluster, the gene expression profiles are more similar to each other than to the ones outside the cluster. One-methylanthracene and 1-methylfluorene were found to have the most similar profiles; dibenzothiophene and dibenzofuran were found to share common profiles with fluorine. As expression pattern comparisons were expanded, similarity in genomic fingerprint dropped off dramatically. Prediction analysis of microarrays (PAM) based on the clustering pattern generated 49 predictor genes that can be used for sample discrimination. Moreover, a significant analysis of Microarrays (SAM) identified 598 genes being modulated by tested chemicals with a variety of biological processes, such as cell cycle, metabolism, and protein binding and KEGG pathways being significantly (p < 0.05) affected. It is feasible to distinguish structurally different PAHs based on their genomic fingerprints, which are mechanism based.     

Saponins of plants of Panax species collected in Central Nepal, and their chemotaxonomical significance. III

Panax pseudo-ginseng subsp. pseudo-ginseng has a carrot like root with a small rhizome. It was shown that the saponin composition of roots and rhizomes of this subspecies collected in Tibet and China was extremely poor. From the roots and rhizomes collected in Central Nepal, (specimen-PNct), only a small amount of an oleanolic acid saponin, beta-D-glucopyranosyl-oleanolate (2) was isolated together with a polyacetylene-alcohol, panaxynol (3). In another specimen (specimen-PNs), also collected in Central Nepal, two oleanolic acid saponins, stipleanoside R2 (4) and chikusetsusaponin IV (5) were detected. No dammarane saponin was identified in either specimen. P. pseudo-ginseng subsp. himalaicus (Subsp-H) has a big rhizome with a small round root. From rhizomes and roots of this subsp. collected in Central Nepal (specimen-HNct), a fairly large amount of dammarane saponins, ginsenosides-Rb1 (6), -Rd (7), -Re (9) and -Rg1 (10), gypenoside XVII (8), notoginsenoside-R1 (11), majonoside-R2 (12) and pseudo-ginsenoside-F11 (13) were isolated, while no oleanane saponin (oleanolic acid saponin) was identified in this subsp. Based on the present and previous studies, medicinal evaluation and chemogeographical correlation of Himalayan Panax spp. are discussed.     

Discrimination of almonds (Prunus dulcis) geographical origin by minerals and fatty acids profiling

Twenty-one almond samples from three different geographical origins (Sicily, Spain and California) were investigated by determining minerals and fatty acids compositions. Data were used to discriminate by chemometry almond origin by linear discriminant analysis. With respect to previous PCA profiling studies, this work provides a simpler analytical protocol for the identification of almonds geographical origin. Classification by using mineral contents data only was correct in 77% of the samples, while, by using fatty acid profiles, the percentages of samples correctly classified reached 82%. The coupling of mineral contents and fatty acid profiles lead to an increased efficiency of the classification with 87% of samples correctly classified.