Feasibility of Defatted Juice from Sea-Buckthorn Berries (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) as a Wheat Beer Enhancer

Juice made from sea-buckthorn berries (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is a valuable source of bioactive compounds, vitamins, as well as micro- and macronutrients. By applying defatted sea-buckthorn juice, it is possible to enhance wheat beer and change its sensory properties and the contents of bioactive compounds in the finished product. A sensory assessment showed that wheat beers with a 5% v/v addition of sea-buckthorn juice were characterised by a balanced taste and aroma (overall impression). Physicochemical analyses showed that, compared to the control samples, wheat beers enhanced with defatted sea-buckthorn juice at a rate of 5% v/v or 10% v/v had high total acidity with respective mean values of 5.30 and 6.88 (0.1 M NaOH/100 mL), energy values lower on average by 4.04% and 8.35%, respective polyphenol contents of 274.1 mg GAE/L and 249.7 mg GAE/L, as well as higher antioxidant activity (measured using DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS assays). The findings show that the samples of wheat beer enhanced with sea-buckthorn juice had average ascorbic acid contents of 2.5 and 4.5 mg/100 mL (in samples with 5% v/v and 10% v/v additions, respectively) and contained flavone glycosides, e.g., kaempferol-3-O-glucuronide-7-O-hexoside. Based on the current findings, it can be concluded that wheat beer enhanced with sea-buckthorn juice could emerge as a new trend in the brewing industry.     

Synthesis and evaluation of the catalytic properties of semicarbazides derived from N-triphenylmethyl-aziridine-2-carbohydrazides

A straightforward synthesis of a series of new catalysts derived from N-triphenylmethyl-aziridine-2-carbohydrazides is described. The new compounds have been tested for the enantioselective addition of diethyl- and phenylethynylzinc to aryl and alkyl aldehydes, which afforded the corresponding chiral alcohols in high chemical yields (up to 92%) and with excellent ee’s of approximately 90%.     

Detection of Amine Impurity and Quality Assessment of the MALDI Matrix α-Cyano-4-Hydroxy-Cinnamic Acid for Peptide Analysis in the amol Range

We have studied sample preparation conditions to increase the reproducibility of positive UV-MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry of peptides in the amol range. By evaluating several α-cyano-4-hydroxy-cinnamic acid (CHCA) matrix batches and preparation protocols, it became apparent that two factors have a large influence on the reproducibility and the quality of the generated peptide mass spectra: (1) the selection of the CHCA matrix, which allows the most sensitive measurements and an easier finding of the “sweet spots,” and (2) the amount of the sample volume deposited onto the thin crystalline matrix layer. We have studied in detail the influence of a contaminant, coming from commercial CHCA matrix batches, on sensitivity of generated peptide mass spectra in the amol as well as fmol range of a tryptic peptide mixture. The structure of the contaminant, N,N-dimethylbutyl amine, was determined by applying MALDI-FT-ICR mass spectrometry experiments for elemental composition and MALDI high energy CID experiments utilizing a tandem mass spectrometer (TOF/RTOF). A recrystallization of heavily contaminated CHCA batches that reduces or eliminates the determined impurity is described. Furthermore, a fast and reliable method for the assessment of CHCA matrix batches prior to tryptic peptide MALDI mass spectrometric analyses is presented.

Lipase-Catalyzed Kinetic Resolution of the Racemic Mixtures of 1-Aryloxy-3-Nitrato-and 1-Aryloxy-3-Azido-2-Propanols

The racemic mixtures of 1-aryloxy-3-nitrato-2-propanols and 1-aryloxy-3-azido-2-propanols were resolved with moderate selectivity by the lipase-mediated acylation with vinyl acetate. The effects of the nature, position, and spatial requirements of the phenyl-ring substituents on the resolution degree were investigated.     

New Reactions of N‐tert‐Butylimines; Formation of N‐Heterocycles by Methyl Radical Elimination on Flash Vacuum Thermolysis of N‐Benzylidene‐ and N‐(2‐Pyridylmethylidene)‐tert‐butylamines

Thermal reactions of N‐benzylidene‐ and N‐(2‐pyridylmethylidene)‐tert‐butylamines ( 5 and 13 ) under FVT conditions have been investigated. Unexpectedly, at 800 °C, compound 5 yields 1,2‐dimethylindole and 3‐methylisoquinoline. In the reaction of 13 at 800 °C, 3‐methylimidazo[1,5‐a]pyridine was obtained as the major product. Mechanisms of these reactions have been proposed on the basis of DFT calculations. Furthermore, UV‐photoelectron spectroscopy combined with FVT has been applied for direct monitoring and characterization of the thermolysis products in situ.     

Determination of Cytotoxic Activity of Sanguinaria canadensis Extracts against Human Melanoma Cells and Comparison of Their Cytotoxicity with Cytotoxicity of Some Anticancer Drugs

Melanoma is an enormous global health burden, and should be effectively addressed with better therapeutic strategies. Therefore, new therapeutic agents are needed for the management of this disease. The aim of this study was the investigation of cytotoxic activity of some isoquinoline alkaloid standards and extracts obtained from Sanguinaria canadensis—collected before, during, and after flowering—against three different human melanoma cells (A375, G361, SK-MEL-3). The cytotoxicity of these extracts was not previously tested on these melanoma cell lines. Determination of alkaloid contents was performed by HPLC-DAD using Polar RP column and mobile phase containing acetonitrile, water, and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate. The cytotoxicity of alkaloid standards was investigated by determination of cell viability and calculation of IC₅₀ values. Significant differences were observed in the alkaloids content and cytotoxic activity of the extracts, depending on the season of collection of the plant material. In the Sanguinaria canadensis extracts high contents of sanguinarine (from 4.8543 to 9.5899 mg/g of dry plant material) and chelerythrine (from 42.7224 to 6.8722 mg/g of dry plant material) were found. For both of these alkaloids, very high cytotoxic activity against the tested cell lines were observed. The IC₅₀ values were in the range of 0.11–0.54 µg/mL for sanguinarine and 0.14 to 0.46 µg/mL for chelerythrine. IC₅₀ values obtained for Sanguinaria canadensis extracts against all tested cell lines were also very low (from 0.88 to 10.96 µg/mL). Cytotoxic activity of alkaloid standards and Sanguinaria canadensis extracts were compared with the cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs—etoposide, cisplatin, and hydroxyurea. In all cases except the one obtained for cisplatin against A375, which was similar to that obtained for Sanguinaria canadensis after flowering against the same cell line, IC₅₀ values obtained for anticancer drugs were higher than the IC₅₀ values obtained for sanguinarine, chelerythrine, and Sanguinaria canadensis extracts. Our results showed that Sanguinaria canadensis extracts and isoquinoline alkaloids, especially sanguinarine and chelerythrine, could be recommended for further in vivo experiments in order to confirm the possibility of their application in the treatment of human melanomas.     

Determination of Cytotoxic Activity of Selected Isoquinoline Alkaloids and Plant Extracts Obtained from Various Parts of Mahonia aquifolium Collected in Various Vegetation Seasons

Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that begins in cells known as melanocytes. While it is less common than the other forms of skin cancer, melanoma is more dangerous because of its ability to spread to other organs more rapidly if it is not treated at an early stage. The number of people diagnosed with melanoma has increased over the last few decades. The most widely used treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The search for new drugs to treat various cancers is one of the most important challenges of modern scientific research. Some isoquinoline alkaloids found in different plant species have strong cytotoxic effects on various cancer cells. We tested the effect of isoquinoline alkaloids and extracts obtained from various parts of Mahonia aquifolium collected in various vegetation seasons on human melanoma cancer cells and our data indicated that investigated extract induced significant reduction in cell viability of Human malignant melanoma cells (A375), human Caucasian malignant melanoma cell line (G361), and human malignant melanoma cell line (SKMEL3 cancer cell lines in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Differences in cytotoxic activity were observed for extracts obtained from various parts of Mahonia aquifolium. Significant differences were also obtained in the alkaloids content and cytotoxic activity of the extracts depending on the season of collection of plant material. Our investigations exhibit that these plant extracts can be recommended for further in vivo experiments in order to confirm the possibility of their use in the treatment of human melanomas.     

The Potential Effects of Phytoestrogens: The Role in Neuroprotection

Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring non-steroidal phenolic plant compounds. Their structure is similar to 17-β-estradiol, the main female sex hormone. This review offers a concise summary of the current literature on several potential health benefits of phytoestrogens, mainly their neuroprotective effect. Phytoestrogens lower the risk of menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis, as well as cardiovascular disease. They also reduce the risk of brain disease. The effects of phytoestrogens and their derivatives on cancer are mainly due to the inhibition of estrogen synthesis and metabolism, leading to antiangiogenic, antimetastatic, and epigenetic effects. The brain controls the secretion of estrogen (hypothalamus-pituitary-gonads axis). However, it has not been unequivocally established whether estrogen therapy has a neuroprotective effect on brain function. The neuroprotective effects of phytoestrogens seem to be related to both their antioxidant properties and interaction with the estrogen receptor. The possible effects of phytoestrogens on the thyroid cause some concern; nevertheless, generally, no serious side effects have been reported, and these compounds can be recommended as health-promoting food components or supplements.     

Low Density Ionic Liquid-Based Ultrasound-Assisted Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction for the Preconcentration of Trace Aromatic Amines in Waters

Journal of Analytical Chemistry - Low density ionic liquid-based ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid?liquid microextraction for the preconcentration of aromatic amines in river waters and...