Lipids of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oenothera</Emphasis> seeds from different habitats. 1

The composition of lipids and fatty acids from seeds of Oenothera biennis growing in the RF near Kazan’ was determined. The content of γ-linolenic acid in all groups of acyl-containing lipids in the oil to be 4.4%. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 430–433, September–October, 2007.     

Lipids from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crambe amabilis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">C. kotschyana</Emphasis> seeds grown with saline irrigation water

Lipids from Crambe amabilis Butk. et Majlun and C. kotschyana Boiss. grown in the open in Uzbekistan in soil imported from the Aral Sea region were studied. It was found that the seed oil content decreased with increasing salinity of irrigation water with EC 1.5 up to 9.0 dS/m. The content of polar lipids increased. The content of unsaturated acids from C. amabilis neutral lipids was 94.74–97.46%; C. kotschyana, 95.76– 96.78%.     

Comparative characteristics of bud meristem lipids from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea obovata</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis>

It was shown that the lipid content of Pinus sylvestris L. was greater than that of Picea obovata L. The difference was 43–45% of total lipids in winter. Polar fractions dominated the lipid composition of both conifers. The phospholipid content was greater than the glycolipid content in winter. A significant amount of glycolipids that was equal to that of phospholipids was present simultaneously in meristem of wintering pine buds. Swelling buds of both species showed in spring an elevated content of glycolipids.     

Fatty acids from the Okhotsk sea sponge <Emphasis Type="Italic">Forcepia uschakowi</Emphasis>

The fatty-acid (FA) composition of total lipids from the Okhotsk sea marine sponge Forcepia uschakowi was studied. A total of 56 acids were identified by GC and GC—MS. The principal saturated acids were 16∶0 and 18∶0. The main monoene acid was 15-Me-24∶1(14), which was observed for the first time in sponge lipids. Polyunsaturated acids represented of 64.1% of the total FA of F. uschakowi. Of these, the principal ones were non-methylene-separated acids 26∶2(5,9) and 26∶3(5,9,19), which are typical of sponges, and bromo-acid 6-Br-26∶2(5,9). __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 422–424, September–October, 2007.     

Lipids from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halostachys caspica</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halocharis hispida</Emphasis>

The composition of lipids from the aerial parts of two species of halophytes from the family Chenopodiaceae, Halostachys caspica C. A. Mey. and Halocharis hispida Bge. was determined. Neutral lipids (NL, 62.1 and 54.2%, respectively) dominated the total lipids (TL) of these plants. More than a third of the NL were esters of aliphatic alcohols and phytosterols (FAE). Fatty acids 16:0, 18:1, and 18:2 dominated the acids of FAE; 16:0, 18:1, and 18:3, the phospholipids. The principal fatty acids of glycolipids were unsaturated acids (68.3 and 75.1%) with linolenic acid dominating (44.9 and 43.5%). Presented at the 7th International Symposium on the Chemistry of Natural Compounds, Tashkent, October 16–18, 2007. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 276–278, May–June, 2009.     

Lipids from the sand dollar <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scaphechinus mirabilis</Emphasis>

The composition of lipids and their fatty acids in tissues of scalp, gonads, and internal organs of the sand dollar Scaphechinus mirabilis was determined using one-and two-dimensional TLC and GC-MS. Lipids of S. mirabilis scalp consisting of several neutral and phospholipids were characterized for the first time. A significant quantity of eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5) was found in scalp lipids. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 320–323, July–August, 2007.     

Lipids of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helianthus tuberosus</Emphasis> tubers

Free and bound lipids from Helianthus tuberosus tubers were investigated. Neutral, glyco-and phospholipid classes and their fatty-acid compositions were determined. The composition of unsaponified substances was established. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 3–4, January–February, 2008.     

Neutral lipids from seeds of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cercis siliquastrum,Sapium sebiferum</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Koelreuteria paniculata</Emphasis>

The chemical composition of neutral lipids from seeds of Cercis siliquastrum, Sapium sebiferum, and Koelreuteria paniculata were studied. Characteristic features of their individual classes were established. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 318–319, July–August, 2007     

Quantitative determination of phenolic compounds in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mentha piperita</Emphasis> leaves

A spectrophotometric method using a dual-wavelength Firordt method that enabled simultaneous determination of the flavonoid and phenolic-acid contents was developed for quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds in Mentha piperita L. (Lamiaceae) leaves. Hesperidin and rosmaric acid were used as standards. The optimal extraction parameters of the phenolic compounds were determined. Metrological analysis of the developed method was performed. It was found that the determination error of the analyzed classes of compounds was less than 3%. The studied batches of M. piperita raw material contained flavonoids 3.02–6.32%; phenolic acids, 2.70–5.52%; total phenolic compound content, 5.72–11.51%.     

Fabaceae Polysaccharides. III. Galactomannan from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Astragalus cicer</Emphasis> seeds

Seeds of Astragalus cicer L. (Fabaceae) afforded a galactomannan (5.90% yield of seed mass) of molecular weight 1064 kDa, solutions of which had high viscosity [η] 925.5 mL/g and optical activity [α]_D +71.9°. The galactomannan consisted of galactose and mannose units in a 1:1.39 ratio. Physicochemical methods established that the main chain of the polysaccharide consisted of 1,4-β-D-mannopyranose units substituted at 72% of the C-6 positions by single α-D-galactopyranose units. The content of variously substituted galactose mannobiose units Man–Man, (Gal)Man–Man/Man–Man(Gal) and (Gal)Man–Man(Gal) in the galactomannan were 18.7, 19.8, and 61.5%, respectively.     

Lipophilic pigments and fatty acids from the aerial parts of certain plant species of the genus Limonium. VII

Pigments and lipids from the aerial parts of six plant species from the genus Limonium (Plumbaginaceae, Limoniacea) were studied. Xanthophylls dominated among the carotinoids; chlorophyll, the chlorophylls, according to spectrophotometry. Unsaturated fatty acids, the content of which reached 80%, dominated in all samples according to GC. The principal fatty acids were 18:1 and 18:2. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 412–414, September–October, 2006.     

Chemical composition and physicochemical characteristics of fixed oils from algerian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nigella sativa</Emphasis> seeds

The fatty acids, sterols, and polyphenols from the fixed oils of Nigella sativa seeds originating from four locations were determined. The seeds contained respectively 30.63–34.27% and 25.66–32.77% of fixed oils using hexane and isopropyl alcohol in solvent extraction. Linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acids formed the main proportion using the two solvents, respectively: hexane 54.47–61.28%, isopropanol 56.98–67.30%; hexane 19.62–22.94%, isopropanol 18.85–21.96%, and hexane 11.17–13.60%, isopropanol 9.20–14.18%. Other minor unsaturated fatty acids were identified. Eight phytosterols were isolated and identified in the fixed oils by GC and GC/MS analysis, wherein β-sitosterol was the dominating compound that inhibits the absorption of dietary cholesterol, followed by stigmasterol, campesterol, and Δ⁵-avenasterol.     

Chemical composition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus silvestris</Emphasis> essential oil from contaminated areas

The chemical composition of Pinus silvestris essential oil from contaminated areas was studied. An apparent effect of radionuclides and toxic elements on the biosynthesis of terpenoids in common pine essential oil was found. Increasing contamination apparently increased the content of sesquiterpenes and O-containing substances and decreased the content of monoterpenes in the essential oil. The contents of α-pinene, camphene, and limonene increased and those of 3-carene, terpinolene, and β-pinene decreased in the monoterpene fraction. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 47–49, January–February, 2007.     

Polyunsaturated fatty acids of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cortusa turkestanica</Emphasis> seed oil

The composition of free and bound lipids from seeds of Cortusa turkestanica A. Lozinsk (Primulaceae) was studied. The fatty acid composition of principal acyl-containing classes was established using GC/MS. It was found that triacylglycerines isolated from free and bound lipids contained the usual acids and rarely encountered polyunsaturated 18:3 ω-6 (γ-linolenic, 8.8 and 3.2%) and 18:4 ω-3 (stearidonic, 0.7 and 0.4%) acids and were enriched in linoleic acid (18:2, ω-6, 58.2 and 60.8%, respectively). It was found that polyunsaturated 18:3 ω-6 and 18:4 ω-3 acids were missing in the free form and were found among polar substances of bound lipids.     

Heat capacity and heat content of BiNb<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript>

The heat capacity and the heat content of bismuth niobate BiNb₅O₁₄ were measured by the relaxation time method, DSC and drop method, respectively. The temperature dependence of heat capacity in the form C _pm=455.84+0.06016T–7.7342·10⁶/T ² (J K^–1 mol^–1) was derived by the least squares method from the experimental data. Furthermore, the standard molar entropy at 298.15 K S _m=397.17 J K^–1 mol^–1 was derived from the low temperature heat capacity measurement.     

Chemotypical Variability of Leaf Oils in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Elephantopus scaber</Emphasis> from 12 Locations in China

The chemical constituents of leaf oils of Elephantopus scaber L. from 12 locations in Southern China, including three provinces and Hong Kong, were investigated using GC/MS. A total of 24 compounds were detected, of which 20 were identified by their mass spectra fragmentation patterns. The major compounds include hexadecanoic acid (8.19–39.22%), octadecadienoic acid (trace - 29.22%), five alkane homologues, i.e., n-tetradecane (1.19–5.26%), n-pentadecane (3.22–12.05%), n-hexadecane (2.38–16.26%), n-heptadecane (2.48–15.32%), and n-octadecane (1.39–9.59%), as well as tetramethylhexadecenol (2.06–4.31%). Hierarchical cluster analysis classified the leaf oils into two groups. Two main chemotypes of leaf oils in E. scaber were thus identified, one rich in hexadecanoic acid and octadecadienoic acid, and the other rich in the five alkane homologues. __________ Published in Kimiya Prirodnikh Soedinenii No. 5, pp. 403–404, September–October, 2005.     

The chemical composition of fruits of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pistacia atlantica</Emphasis> desf. subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">atlantica</Emphasis> from Algeria

The chemical composition of the fruits of the north algerian ecotype Pistacia atlantica subsp. atlantica was determined and compared to other fruits of different species in the genus growing in south Algeria and other Mediterranean regions. These fruits were analyzed for their dry matter, protein, crude oil, ash, fatty acids, and phytosterol content. The main fatty acids identified by gas chromatography were oleic (54.15%), linoleic (28.84%), and palmitic (12.21%) acids. The fruits of the north ecotype were found to be rich in protein, oil, fiber, and unsaturated fatty acids, suggesting that they may be valuable for food uses. The sterols isolated were campesterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, and Δ⁵-avenasterol with β-sitosterol as the major constituent (85%±0.85). The biochemical data indicated an elevated MUFA rate (∼56%) in pistacia oil which may be important against certain pathologies for its nutritional and preventive virtues. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 103–105, March–April, 2007.     

Influence of solvent structure on the aquation of <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">trans</Emphasis>-[Ru(3-MePy)<Subscript>4</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>2</Subscript>] complex in mixed aqueous solvents

The kinetics of the solvolytic aquation of trans-[Ru (3-Me Py)₄Cl₂] was studied spectrophotometrically in water – isopropanol in the range (30–90% v/v), and water acetonitrile in the range (10–70% v/v), and in the temperature range 50–65 °C. Plots of log k versus the reciprocal of the relative permittivity and Grunwald–Winstien gave non-linear plots. This non-linearity is derived from a large differential effect of solvent structure between the initial and transition states. The plot of log k versus water concentration was also non linear; evidence for the presence of a S _N ¹ mechanism. However, extrema in the variation of enthalpy ΔH* and entropy ΔS* of activation correlate well with the extrema in physical properties of the mixtures which are related to changes in solvent structure. Linear plots of ΔH* versus ΔS* were obtained and the iso- kinetic temperature indicates that the reaction is entropy controlled.     

Application of computer imaging,stripping voltammetry and mass spectrometry to study the effect of lead (Pb-EDTA) on the growth and viability of early somatic embryos of Norway spruce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea abies</Emphasis> /L./ Karst.)

Image analysis (IA) was used to determine the areas and circumferences of clusters of early somatic embryos (ESEs) of the Norway spruce (Picea abies /L./Karst.). Results obtained from IA were compared with the fresh weights of the ESE clusters and their esterase activities. The areas of the ESE clusters correlated well with both the increases in fresh weight (R ²=0.99) of the ESEs and their esterase activities (R ²=0.99). In addition, we studied the viability of the ESEs, which was determined by (a) double staining with fluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide (the resulting fluorescence was quantified by IA) and (b) determining esterase activity using a spectrofluorimetric detector. The results obtained with IA and esterase assay were comparable (the deviation between the tangents of the bisectors was 6.4%). IA was also used to study the effect of Pb–EDTA chelate (50, 250 and 500 μM) on the viability of the ESEs and on the growth of clusters. The presence of Pb–EDTA markedly slowed the growth of ESEs clusters (by more than 65% with 250 μM of Pb–EDTA after 288 h of cultivation) and decreased the viability of ESEs (by more than 30% with 500 μM of Pb–EDTA after 288 h of cultivation). The lead concentration in the ESEs was determined by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry and increased with the external lead concentration and the time of treatment from 100 to 600 pg Pb/100 mg of fresh weight of ESEs. Glutathione is a diagnostic marker of the influence of Pb–EDTA on ESEs and its content was determined by high–performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The glutathione content changed linearly with treatment time and the applied external lead concentration. The highest glutathione content was obtained at 250 μM of Pb–EDTA after 192 h of cultivation.     

Glycosides from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stevia rebaudiana</Emphasis>

A new laboratory method for isolating the glycosides stevioside and rebaudiosides A and C from leaves of Stevia rebaudiana was proposed. According to HPLC, the glycoside contents in plants grown in Russia (Voronezh Oblast’) and Ukraine (Crimea) were 5–6% (stevioside) and 0.3–1.3% (rebaudiosides A and C). __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 68–71, January–February, 2007