Effect of biotic and abiotic stresses on volatile emission of Achillea collina Becker ex Rchb

This study describes the application of headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME)–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to characterise the volatile fingerprint changes of Achillea collina, induced by aphids' infestation, mechanical damage and jasmonic acid (JA) treatment. The volatile organic compound profiles of A. collina, Prunus persica and Pisum sativum infested by Myzus persicae were also compared. Several changes were observed between control, infested, mechanically damaged and JA-treated plants, and new inducible volatile organic compounds (IVOCs) were emitted in response to biotic or abiotic stresses. Some of these were in common for all stresses and other compounds were in common only for two types of stress. Conversely some IVOCs were emitted only in response to the specific stimuli. The results suggested that there were species-specific and common IVOCs emitted by A. collina, P. persica and P. sativum in response to M. persicae infestation. In conclusion, HS-SPME–GC/MS seems to be a reliable analytical approach to study in vivo plant reaction to external stimuli.     

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.     

Comparison of Antibacterial and Antioxidant Properties of Red (cv. Negramaro) and White (cv. Fiano) Skin Pomace Extracts

Wine pomace has attracted the attention of the food industry, due to its high content in bioactive compounds, and its multiple healthy activities. In this work, whole and separated skin pomaces from fermented (red) and un-fermented (white) grape by-products were characterized for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities in order to exploit them as functional food ingredient. Antioxidant activity, measured by both ORAC and TEAC assays, was higher in whole than in skin pomace extracts. The characterization of phenolic composition in whole and skin pomace extracts confirmed the peculiarity of some compounds such as anthocyanins (107.84 + 10.3 mg/g TP) in red skin pomace and a great amount of flavanols (80.73 + 4.04 mg/g TP) in white skin pomace. Whole and skin pomace extracts displayed the same antibacterial activity at 250 µg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/mL. Red and white skin pomace extracts showed a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 31.25–62.5 GAE/mL against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. Pseudomonas spp. were more sensitive to red skin pomace extracts rather than white skin pomace extracts. Given these results, both red and white pomace extracts could be exploited for future application in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.     

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.     

Increased Antioxidant Activity and Changes in Phenolic Profile of Kalanchoe pinnata (Lamarck) Persoon (Crassulaceae) Specimens Grown Under Supplemental Blue Light

Antioxidant compounds protect plants against oxidative stress caused by environmental conditions. Different light qualities, such as UV‐A radiation and blue light, have shown positive effects on the production of phenols in plants. Kalanchoe pinnata (Lamarck) Persoon (Crassulaceae) is used for treating wounds and inflammations. Some of these beneficial effects are attributed to the antioxidant activity of plant components. We investigated the effects of blue light and UV‐A radiation supplementation on the total phenol content, antioxidant activity and chromatographic profile of aqueous extracts from leaves of K. pinnata. Monoclonal plants were grown under white light, white plus blue light and white plus UV‐A radiation. Supplemental blue light improved the antioxidant activity and changed the phenolic profile of the extracts. Analysis by HPLC of supplemental blue‐light plant extracts revealed a higher proportion of the major flavonoid quercetin 3‐O‐α‐l ‐arabinopyranosyl (1→2) α‐l ‐rhamnopyranoside, as well as the presence of a wide variety of other phenolic substances. These findings may explain the higher antioxidant activity observed for this extract. Blue light is proposed as a supplemental light source in the cultivation of K. pinnata, to improve its antioxidant activity.     

Effect of Visible Light on the Dimerization of Cobalt (II) Tetrasulfonated Phthalocyanine in Water

Abstract

Beelen and coworkers in the Netherlands recently reported that visible light enhanced the rate of selective oxidation of mercaptoethanol by dioxygen, catalyzed by cobalt (II) tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine (CoTSPC). The Dutch workers speculated that visible light promoted disaggregation of CoTSPC, producing more of the catalytically active monomer.

If Beelen and associates are correct, then it is possible that the values for the dimerization constants of CoTSPC are in error. since the values were measured spectrophotometrically in the region of the spectrum where Beelen contends visible light promtes disaggregation. To test whether the dimerization constants are altered by the spectrophotometer, the absorbance of a CoTSPC solution was measured with a diode array UV-VIS spectrophotometer. By comparing the spectrum of CoTSPC in the UV region with the tungsten lamp active and then inactive, one can see whether the visible light affects aggregation. It turned out that no change was observed in the spectrum of CoTSPC when the tungsten lamp was turned off, so the dimerization constants measured in the visible region of the spectrum are not affected by the spectrophotometer.     

掺杂YAlO3晶体的温梯法生长及缺陷分析

采用温梯法工艺进行了掺铈和掺镱铝酸钇（YAlO3或YAP）晶体的生长实验。用同步辐射白光形貌表征了晶体内部生长层的分布情况，结果表明。温梯法生长掺杂YAP晶体的过程中，固-液界面形状比较平坦，这使得所生长的晶体具有较高的微观结构完整性；采用高分辨四晶摇摆曲线对其进行了表征，其主要晶面的半峰宽值均优于提拉法晶体。分析了生长过程中产生的主要缺陷，认为开裂主要来源于坩埚对晶体形成的压应力；而晶体中存在的色心主要与生长炉内的弱还原气氛有关。     

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oil of Achillea cretica L. (Asteraceae) from Turkey

Hydrodistilled volatile oil from the aerial parts of Achillea cretica L. (Asteraceae) was analysed by a combination of GC and GC/MS. Seventy-six components were identified, constituting 86.4% of the oil. The main constituents of the essential oil were caryophylladienol-II (13.4%), β-maaliene (6.1%), neo-intermedeol (6.0%), carvone (4.9%), spathulenol (4.5%), palmitic acid (3.3%) and selina-3,11-dien-6α-ol (3.2%). The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the broth-dilution method on nine microbial strains and showed to be quite strong against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. The antibacterial properties of A. cretica justify its use in traditional medicine for the treatment of wounds, contaminated through bacterial infections.     

Microcalorimetric Study on Effect of Chromium(III) and Chromium(VI) Species on the Growth of Escherichia coli

The effects of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) species (Cr₂O₇^2?, CrO₄^2? and Cr³⁺) on the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) have been investigated in detail by microcalorimetry at 37 °C. Parameters including the growth rate constant (k), inhibitory ratio (I), half‐inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀), total heat output (Q_total), time of the maximum heat production (t_log) in the log phase have been obtained. The results showed that Cr(VI) and Cr(III) had the inhibition effect on the growth of E. coli in aquatic environment; however, the inhibitory ratio of Cr(III) to E. coli was smaller than that of Cr(VI). The k values of E. coli in the presence of Cr(VI) and at high concentrations of Cr(III) were decreased with increasing the concentrations of these chromium species. Among the three chromium species investigated, Cr₂O₇^2? was found to be the most poisonous species against E. coli with an IC₅₀ value of 35.52 µg·mL^?1. CrO₄^2? exhibited moderate toxicity on E. coli with an IC₅₀ of 50.24 µg·mL^?1, and Cr³⁺ had the lowest toxicity with an IC₅₀ of 84.30 µg·mL^?1. Microcalorimetry can provide a convenient, sensitive and reliable method to study the effect of various metal species on the growth of bacteria or other microorganisms.     

Effect of Light on the Electrokinetic Behavior of TiO(2) Particles in Contact with Cr(VI) Aqueous Solutions

The electrokinetic behavior of titanium dioxide particles (Degussa P25, mainly composed of anatase) put in contact with chromium(VI) aqueous solutions is highly sensitive to light exposure under normal laboratory conditions. In the dark, adsorption of Cr(VI) gives rise to substantial decrements in the mobilities, especially in the acidic branch, and, at higher concentrations, to shifts in the isoelectric point (pH(piep)) to lower values, as expected for anionic chemisorption. A two-mode adsorption model accounts qualitatively for the results. Under light, pH(piep) shifts in the opposite direction as the Cr(VI) concentration increases. A maximum value is attained at [Cr(VI)] approximately 10(-3) mol dm(-3), pH(piep) 8.2, which coincides with values reported for hydrous chromium(III) oxides. At higher concentrations, Cr(VI) adsorption defines a shift of pH(piep) to lower values. It is concluded that light absorption by titanium dioxide promotes the reduction of Cr(VI) and the surface precipitation of the hydrous Cr(III) oxide. The values of pH(piep) for partially covered surfaces are well described by a simple model of surface ionization derived earlier. FTIR/ATR analysis of the surfaces supports this interpretation, and further suggests that one of the modes of Cr(VI) adsorption implies surface dimerization to yield adsorbed dichromate. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Effect of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Carotenoids from Papaya (Carica papaya L. cv. Sweet Mary) Using Vegetable Oils

By-products from fruits and are of great interest for their potential use in the food industry due to their high content of bioactive compounds. Herein, we examined the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of carotenoid and carotenoid esters from papaya pulp and peel using soybean oil and sunflower oil as alternative green solvents. Response surface methodology (RSM) was established to optimize the UAE process. Three independent variables, ultrasonic amplitude (20–60%), time (10–60 min), and co-solvent percentage (ethanol) (5–20%, v/v), were applied. The highest total carotenoid content in the UAE extracts was obtained from papaya pulp extracts (58.7 ± 1.6 and 56.0 ± 1.5 μg carotenoids/g oil) using soybean oil and sunflower oil, respectively (60% amplitude/ 10 min/ 20% ethanol). On the other hand, the highest carotenoid content (52.0 ± 0.9 μg carotenoids/g oil) was obtained from papaya peel using soybean oil applying the UAE process (20% amplitude/ 77 min/ 20% ethanol); a minor content of 39.3 ± 0.5 μg carotenoids/g oil was obtained from papaya peel using sunflower oil at 60% amplitude/ 60 min/ 5% ethanol. Lycopene was the most abundant carotenoid among all individual carotenoids observed in papaya oil extracts, obtaining the highest yields of this carotenoid when papaya pulp and peel were extracted using soybean oil (94% and 81%, respectively) and sunflower oil (95% and 82%, respectively). Great extraction of xanthophyll esters was detected using 20% of ethanol in the vegetable oil extraction solvent (v/v). High correlations (>0.85) was obtained between total carotenoid content and color determination in the UAE oil extracts. UAE vegetable oil extracts enriched with carotenoids from papaya by-products could be useful to formulate new food ingredients based on emulsions with interesting potential health benefits.     

Study on the Growth and Quality of Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate Grown from Acid-doped Solution

Potassium dihydrogen phosphate （KDP） single crystals have been grown respectively at the rates of about 1 and 20 mm/day from the pure and acid-added solutions by temperature reduction method. The effects of acid and supersaturation on the shape and size of grown crystals were compared and discussed. Samples were cut from different parts of the as-grown crystals for investigating the optical quality, including transmissibility, scattering centers and laser damage threshold. It is found that the stability of KDP growth solution improves to some extent and the growth rates in x- and z-directions have great difference after adding acid. Moreover, the acid causes remarkable differences in optical quality between prismatic and pyramidal sectors.     

Ultrathin SiO(x) Film Coating Effect on the Wettability Change of TiO(2) Surfaces in the Presence and Absence of UV Light Illumination

Wettability of sol-gel TiO(2) film surfaces has been studied by following the H(2)O contact angle (straight theta) as functions of illumination time and subsequent dark storage time. Upon illumination of the TiO(2) surface (lambda(ex)>300 nm), the value of straight theta rapidly decreased to reach approximately zero (photoprocess). When the resultant superhydrophilic sample was stored in the dark, the straight theta value increased slowly with increasing storage time (dark process). Ultrathin SiO(x) films were formed on the surface of TiO(2) by repeating chemisorption of 1,3,5,7-tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane and its photooxidation. With increasing thickness of the SiO(x) monolayer coating, the rate for the dark process significantly decreased, while that for the photoprocess also decreased. Both X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies and product analyses during the photoprocess clarified that photocatalytic oxidation of organic adsorbates in air causes the superhydrophilicity of the TiO(2) surfaces. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Effect of Botanical Extracts on the Growth and Nutritional Quality of Field-Grown White Head Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)

Nutraceuticals and functional foods are gaining more attention amongst consumers interested in nutritious food. The consumption of foodstuffs with a high content of phytochemicals has been proven to provide various health benefits. The application of biostimulants is a potential strategy to fortify cultivated plants with beneficial bioactive compounds. Nevertheless, it has not yet been established whether the proposed higher plants (St. John’s wort, giant goldenrod, common dandelion, red clover, nettle, and valerian) are appropriate for the production of potential bio-products enhancing the nutritional value of white cabbage. Therefore, this research examines the impact of botanical extracts on the growth and nutritional quality of cabbage grown under field conditions. Two extraction methods were used for the production of water-based bio-products, namely: ultrasound-assisted extraction and mechanical homogenisation. Bio-products were applied as foliar sprays to evaluate their impact on total yield, dry weight, photosynthetic pigments, polyphenols, antioxidant activity, vitamin C, nitrates, micro- and macroelements, volatile compounds, fatty acids, sterols, and sugars. Botanical extracts showed different effects on the examined parameters. The best results in terms of physiological and biochemical properties of cabbage were obtained for extracts from common dandelion, valerian, nettle, and giant goldenrod. When enriched with nutrients, vegetables can constitute a valuable component of functional food.     

预沉积Ge对Si(111)衬底上SSMBE外延生长SiC薄膜的影响

利用固源分子束外延(SSMBE)生长技术, 在Si(111)衬底上预沉积不同厚度(0、0.2、1 nm)Ge, 在衬底温度900 ℃, 生长SiC单晶薄膜. 利用反射式高能电子衍射仪(RHEED)、原子力显微镜(AFM)和傅立叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)等实验技术, 对生长的样品进行了研究. 结果表明, 预沉积少量Ge(0.2 nm)的样品, SiC薄膜表面没有孔洞存在, AFM显示表面比较平整, 粗糙度比较小, FTIR结果表明薄膜内应力比较小. 这说明少量Ge的预沉积抑制了孔洞的形成, 避免衬底Si扩散, 因而SiC薄膜的质量比较好. 没有预沉积Ge的薄膜, 结晶质量比较差, SiC薄膜表面有孔洞且有Si存在. 然而预沉积过量Ge (1 nm) 的样品, 由于Ge的岛状生长,导致生长的SiC表面粗糙度变大, 结晶质量变差, 甚至导致多晶产生.     

球磨干湿环境对原位硫掺杂氮化碳可见光催化性能的影响

以硫脲为原料,通过简单绿色的球磨法提高原位硫掺杂g-C3N4的光催化活性。利用X射线衍射、扫描电子显微镜、元素分析、X射线光电子能谱、紫外-可见漫反射光谱及光致发光光谱等测试方法对其结构和光学特性进行表征。以亚甲基蓝为目标污染物,评价了在不同物料溶剂比下球磨的硫掺杂g-C3N4的可见光催化性能。结果表明,湿式球磨后的硫掺杂g-C3N4光催化剂比表面积增大,反应活性位点的数量增加,带隙宽度也适当增大,氧化还原能力增强。另外,湿式球磨后样品的表面缺陷减少,聚合度增加,促进了光生电子-空穴的有效分离和转移,从而降低其复合率,协同提高了硫掺杂g-C3N4的可见光催化性能。湿式球磨后的样品在可见光照射下对亚甲基蓝的降解速率分别比未球磨的样品和干式球磨后的样品提高了1.5和3.6倍。     

DNA对Ru(bpy)_2(dppx)~(2+)-SDS体系共振光散射的猝灭作用及其应用

研究了Ru(bpy)2(dppx)2+-SDS-DNA(bpy=2,2′-联吡啶,dppx=7,8-二甲基-吡啶并[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]吩嗪)体系的共振光散射光谱。结果表明,在阴离子表面活性剂十二烷基硫酸钠(SDS)预胶束聚集体存在下,Ru(bpy)2(dppx)2+-SDS体系具有很强的共振光散射,DNA的加入使其共振散射光猝灭。探讨了反应机理。基于DNA对Ru(bpy)2(dppx)2+-SDS体系共振光散射的猝灭作用,建立了共振光散射法测定DNA的新方法。在最佳实验条件下,体系在393nm处的共振光散射猝灭程度与DNA的浓度呈线性关系,线性范围为0.01～1.2mg/L,检出限为1.5μg/L。     

Post-Harvest Use of Ultraviolet Light (UV) and Light Emitting Diode (LED) to Enhance Bioactive Compounds in Refrigerated Tomatoes

Different strategies have been developed to increase the concentration of bioactive compounds in tomatoes during post-harvest, with ultraviolet light (UV) and light emitting diodes (LEDs) being interesting tools. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ultraviolet (UVA at 366 nm and UVC at 254 nm) pre-treatment (1 kJ/m²) and red–blue LED light (25.4 µmol/m²/s) on the concentration of carotenoids, (poly)phenols and hydrophilic/lipophilic antioxidant capacity during 7 days of refrigeration storage of green tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivar “Raf”. In addition, special attention was paid to quality parameters (weight loss, colour, acidity, soluble solids and ripening index). Tomatoes exposed to LED light at 6 °C for 7 days increased up to three times the total carotenoids content (mainly β-carotene and E-lycopene) compared to tomatoes refrigerated in the dark, while UV treatments alone did not significantly affect the carotenoid content. Besides, exposure to LEDs increased the hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant capacity of tomatoes by 30%, without affecting phenolic contents. Thus, LED treatments alone during refrigerated storage fostered ripening and improved the nutritional value of tomatoes, without compromising quality parameters. Further studies must be carried out to evaluate the impact on sensory attributes and consumer acceptance.