The Influence of Different Pretreatment Methods on Color and Pigment Change in Beetroot Products

Vegetable processing pomace contains valuable substances such as natural colors that can be reused as functional ingredients. Due to a large amount of water, they are an unstable material. The aim of our research was to assess how the pretreatment method (thermal or nonthermal) affects the properties of powders obtained from beet juice and pomace after the freeze-drying process. The raw material was steamed or sonicated for 10 or 15 min, and then squeezed into juice and pomace. Both squeezed products were freeze-dried. The content of dry substance; L*, a*, and b* color parameters; and the content of betalain pigments were analyzed. Pretreatments increased the proportion of red and yellow in the juices. Steam and ultrasound caused a significant reduction in parameter b* in the dried pomace. A significant increase in betanin in lyophilizates was observed after pretreatment with ultrasound and steam for 15 min. As a result of all experiments, dried juices and pomaces can also be used as a colorant source. However, there is higher potential with pomaces due to their additional internal substances as well as better storage properties. After a few hours, juice was sticky and not ready to use.     

Phytochemical Constituents,Antioxidant Activity,and Toxicity Assessment of the Aerial Part Extracts from the Infraspecific Taxa of Matthiola fruticulosa (Brassicaceae) Endemic to Sicily

In a project designed to investigate the specific and infraspecific taxa of Matthiola endemic to Sicily (Italy) as new potential sources of bioactive compounds in this work, the infraspecific taxa of Matthiola fruticulosa were studied, namely, subsp. fruticulosa and subsp. coronopifolia. HPLC–PDA/ESI–MS and SPME–GC/MS analyses of hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from the aerial parts of the two subspecies led to the detection of 51 phenolics and 61 volatile components, highlighting a quite different qualitative–quantitative profile. The antioxidant properties of the extracts were explored through in vitro methods: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), reducing power and Fe²⁺ chelating activity assays. The results of the antioxidant tests showed that the extracts possess a different antioxidant ability: particularly, the extract of M. fruticulosa subsp. fruticulosa exhibited higher radical scavenging activity than that of subsp. coronopifolia (IC₅₀ = 1.25 ± 0.02 mg/mL and 2.86 ± 0.05 mg/mL), which in turn displayed better chelating properties (IC₅₀ = 1.49 ± 0.01 mg/mL and 0.63 ± 0.01 mg/mL). Lastly, Artemia salina lethality bioassay was performed for toxicity assessment. The results of the bioassay showed lack of toxicity against brine shrimp larvae for both extracts. The data presented indicate the infraspecific taxa of M. fruticulosa as new and safe sources of antioxidant compounds.     

A Review on Coordination Properties of Al(III) and Fe(III) toward Natural Antioxidant Molecules: Experimental and Theoretical Insights

This review focuses on the ability of some natural antioxidant molecules (i.e., hydroxycinnamic acids, coumarin-3-carboxylic acid, quercetin, luteolin and curcumin) to form Al(III)- and Fe(III)-complexes with the aim of evaluating the coordination properties from a combined experimental and theoretical point of view. Despite the contributions of previous studies on the chemical properties and biological activity of these metal complexes involving such natural antioxidants, further detailed relationships between the structure and properties are still required. In this context, the investigation on the coordination properties of Al(III) and Fe(III) toward these natural antioxidant molecules might deserve high interest to design water soluble molecule-based metal carriers that can improve the metal’s intake and/or its removal in living organisms.     

Structures,binding energies,temperature effects,infrared spectroscopy of [Mg(NH3)n = 1−10]+ clusters from DFT and MP2 investigations

The possible isomers of [Mg(NH₃)_{n = 1 − 10}]⁺ clusters have been investigated using both M06-2X/6-31++G(d,p) and MP2/6-31++G(d,p) levels of theory. The isomeric distribution for each n size has been studied as a function of temperatures ranging from 25 to 400 K. To the best of our knowledge, for clusters size n > 6, this is the first theoretical study available in the literature. From the calculated values in the considered clusters and using a fitting procedure, we have evaluated the binding energies (−14.0 kcal/mol), clustering energies (−10.1 kcal/mol), clustering free energies (−2.8 kcal/mol), and clustering enthalpies (−10.3 kcal/mol). On the basis of our structural and infrared (IR) spectroscopy outcomes, we find that the first solvation shell can hold up to six ammonia molecules. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The hydrogen salicylate ion as ligand. Complex formation equilibria with dioxouranium (VI), neodymium (III) and lead (II)

The complexation equilibria of the hydrogen salicylate ion, HL(-), have been studied, at 25 degrees C, by potentiometric measurements with a glass electrode in 1 M NaClO4 for uranyl and Nd(III) ions and in 3 M NaClO4 for Pb(II) ion. The ligand concentration (CL) was varied between 10(-3) and 0.05 M. In the system with U(VI) the concentrations ranged between: 10(-3) < or = [U(VI)] < or = 0.01 M, 0.5 < or = CL /[U(VI)] < or = 10 and 10(-2) < or = [H+] < or = 10(-5) M; for neodymium system: 2 x 10(-3) < or = [Nd(III)] < or = 0.01, 1 < or = CL /[Nd(III)] < or = 10 and 10(-2) < or = [H+] < or = 10(-7) M; for lead system: 10(-3) < or = [Pb(II) < or = 3 x 10(-3), 1 < or = CL /Pb(II)] < or = 2 and 10(-5) < or = [H+] < or = 10(-7.3) M. The experimental data have been explained with the formation of UO2HL+, UO2L, UO2(OH)L(-), (UO2)2(OH)L2(-) UO2(HL)L(-), NdHL(2+), NdL(+), Nd(OH)L, PbHL(+), PbL and PbL2(2-). Equilibrium constants are given for the investigated ionic media and at infinite dilution.     

Kinetic studies on H<Superscript>+</Superscript>-catalysed aquation of chromium(III)-oxalato-asparaginato and chromium(III)-oxalato-histidinato complexes

Three chromium(III) complexes with asparagine (Asn) and histidine (His) of the [Cr(ox)₂(Aa)]²⁻ type, where Aa = N,O–Asn, N,O–His or N,N′–His, were obtained and characterized in solution. The complexes with N,O–Aa undergo acid-catalysed aquation to give a free amino acid and cis-[Cr(ox)₂(H₂O)₂]⁻, whereas the complex with N,N′–His undergoes parallel reaction paths: (1) isomerization to the N,O–His complex and (2) liberation of an oxalate ligand. Kinetics of the N,O–Aa complexes in HClO₄ media were studied spectrophotometrically under pseudo-first-order conditions. The absorbance changes were attributed to the chelate ring opening at the Cr–N bond. The linear dependence of rate constants on [H⁺] was established, and a mechanism for the chelate ring cleavage was postulated. The existence of a metastable intermediate with O-monodentate Aa ligand was proved experimentally. Effect of [Cr(ox)₂(Aa)]²⁻ on 3T3 fibroblasts proliferation was studied. The tests revealed low cytotoxicity of the complexes. Complexes with Ala, His and Cys are good candidates for biochromium sources.     

Supplementation with Magnesium Salts—A Strategy to Increase Nutraceutical Value of Pleurotus djamor Fruiting Bodies

The use of substrates supplemented with minerals is a promising strategy for increasing the nutraceutical value of Pleurotus spp. The current research was performed to analyze the effect of substrate supplementation with magnesium (Mg) salts on the Mg content, biomass, and chemical composition of pink oyster mushroom (Pleurotus djamor) fruiting bodies. Before inoculation, substrate was supplemented with MgCl₂ × 6 H₂O and MgSO₄, both salts were applied at three concentrations: 210, 420, and 4200 mg of Mg per 2 kg of substrate. The harvest period included three flushes. Substrate supplementation with 4200 mg of Mg caused the most significant decrease in mushroom productivity, of about 28% for both Mg salts. The dry matter content in fruiting bodies was significantly lower in the treatment in which 210 mg of Mg was applied as MgSO₄ in comparison to the control. Supplementation effectively increased the Mg content in fruiting bodies of P. djamor by 19–85% depending on the treatment, and significantly affected the level of remaining bioelements and anions. One hundred grams of pink oyster fruiting bodies, supplemented with Mg salts, provides more than 20% of the Mg dietary value recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); thus, supplementation can be an effective technique for producing mushrooms that are rich in dietary Mg. Although P. djamor grown in supplemented substrate showed lower productivity, this was evident only in the fresh weight because the differences in dry weight were negligible. Mg supplementation increased the antioxidant activity of the fruiting bodies, phenolic compounds, and some amino acids, including L-tryptophan, and vitamins (thiamine and l-ascorbic acid).     

Analytical considerations on the use of a fruit-specific and representative matrix in pesticide residue analysis by LC-ESI-MS/MS

One of the quantification methods frequently applied to pesticide residue analysis in food by liquid chromatography — mass spectrometry (LC-MS) involves matrix-matched calibrations with a representative matrix used for all commodities belonging to one group. This approach, although very practical, is deemed to generate analytical errors. The effect of the application of a representative-matrix calibration curve on the pesticide quantification result was examined. Extractions of 56 pesticides from five soft fruits (strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, black currant and red currant) were carried out using QuEChERS method. Pesticide determinations were performed by LC-MS/MS in multiple reaction monitoring mode. Quantification difference functions and parameters were proposed and calculated. At the concentration of 0.05 mg kg^?1 for ca. 90% of examined pesticides the quantification difference arising from the use of a representative matrix calibration curve (raspberries) instead of a specific fruit matrix calibration curve was below 20% for black and red currents, and below 30% and 35% in the case of strawberries and blackberries, respectively. The 25% difference limit was not exceeded for 51 pesticides in black and red currents, 46 pesticides in blackberries and 45 pesticides in strawberries. Quantification difference functions and parameters such as relative standard deviation of corrected process efficiencies were found to be helpful in data-driven decision-making on the applicability of a representative matrix; the former may be also used as a tool for data correction to ensure the reliability and accuracy of analyses.      

Determination of benzotrifluoride derivative compounds in groundwater

Two simple analytical methods for the simultaneous determination and quantification of benzotrifluoride and eight chlorinated, amino and nitro benzotrifluoride derivatives in groundwater are proposed. Benzotrifluoride, 4-chlorobenzotrifluoride, 2,4-dichlorobenzotrifluoride and 3,4-dichlorobenzotrifluoride, were extracted by Purge-and-Trap on the basis of their volatile properties, while 3-aminobenzotrifluoride, 4-nitrobenzotrifluoride, 3-amino-4-chlorobenzotrifluoride, 3-nitro-4-chlorobenzotrifluoride and 4-chloro-3,5-dinitrobenzotrifluoride extractions were done with an automated SPE system. The analytical separations and detections were performed with two different GC systems, both equipped with single quadrupole mass spectrometer as detector. The LOD ranges for the two methods were 0.002–0.005 μg L⁻¹ and 0.01–0.07 μg L⁻¹, respectively. Both extraction methods were developed using spiked Milli-Q water and were then demonstrated with groundwater samples collected during autumn 2008. The areas of groundwater collection were polluted due to an episode of improper industrial soil disposal and consequent leakage of aliphatic and aromatic, fluorinated chemicals into the groundwater. This work eventually revealed the presence of several benzotrifluoride compounds most of them, like dichloro- and amino-derivatives, never been reported as environmental contaminants.