Fast analysis of triterpenoids in Ganoderma lucidum spores by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

A rapid and reliable method was established for simultaneous determination of main triterpenoids in Ganoderma lucidum spores using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC‐TQ‐MS). The established method was validated in terms of linearity, sensitivity, precision, accuracy and stability, and was successfully applied to determine the contents of 10 main triterpenoids in different batches of G. lucidum spores. The analysis results showed that moderate levels of triterpenoids were found in G. lucidum spores. In addition, a MS full scan with a daughter ion scan experiment was performed to identify the potential derivatives of triterpenoids present in G. lucidum spores. As a result, a total of 22 triterpenoids from different G. lucidum spores were unequivocally or tentatively identified via comparisons with authentic standards and literatures. This method provides both qualitative and quantitative results without the need for repetitive UPLC‐MS analyses, thereby increasing efficiency and productivity, making it suitable for high‐throughput applications. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于SERS技术的食源性致病菌芽孢拉曼光谱特征结构分析及快速识别

为了探究食源性致病菌芽孢的拉曼特征指纹图谱,实现快速识别,该研究以产气荚膜梭菌(C.perfringens)、艰难梭菌(C.difficile)和蜡样芽孢杆菌(B.cereus)的芽孢为研究对象,以柠檬酸钠还原法制备的AgNPs溶胶为基底材料,用SERS技术对芽孢进行拉曼光谱检测,解析食源性致病菌芽孢的分子结构、不同芽孢之间的异同之处。将3种食源性致病菌芽孢的SERS光谱与主成分分析(PCA)和系统聚类分析(HCA)相结合并进行对比分析,实现不同种属食源性致病菌芽孢的定性识别。结果表明,不同食源性致病菌芽孢的SERS光谱的特异性和重现性良好。芽孢光谱中Ca²⁺-DPA的拉曼振动峰数量和峰强度占主要地位,其拉曼振动峰位置在657～663, 818～820, 1 017, 1 389～1 393, 1 441～1 449和1 572～1 576 cm^-1波段。C.difficile spores SERS光谱中Ca²⁺-DPA的六个特征峰峰强度均高于C.perfringens spores和B.cereus spores,C...     

Rapid characterization of Bacillus spores targeting species-unique peptides produced with an atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization source

New and improved strategies are eagerly sought for the rapid identification of microorganisms, particularly in mixtures. Mass spectrometry remains a powerful tool for this purpose. Small acid-soluble proteins (SASPs), which are relatively abundant in Bacillus spores, represent potential biomarkers for species characterization. Despite sharing extensive sequence homology, these proteins differ sufficiently in sequence for discrimination between species. This work focuses on the differences in sequence between SASPs from various Bacillus species. Compilation of SASP sequences from protein database searches, followed by in silico trypsin digestion and analysis of the resulting fragments, identified several species-specific peptides that could be targeted for analysis using mass spectrometry. This strategy was tested and found to be successful in the characterization of Bacillus spores both from individual species and in mixtures. Analysis was performed using an ion trap mass spectrometer with an atmospheric pressure MALDI source. This instrumentation offers the advantage of increased speed of analysis and accurate precursor ion selection for tandem mass spectrometric analysis compared with vacuum matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization and time-of-flight instruments. The identification and targeting of species-specific peptides using this type of instrumentation offers a rapid, efficient strategy for the identification of Bacillus spores and can potentially be applied to different microorganisms.     

Stability of silver colloids as substrate for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy detection of dipicolinic acid

Silver colloids have been commonly used as substrates for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). It has been shown that SERS requires partial aggregation of the silver colloids. This study evaluates factors affecting the aggregative state of the silver colloids such as the age of the silver colloids and the aggregation as a result of addition of the analyte. The silver colloids are obtained from the chemical reduction of silver nitrate by sodium borohydride. Further oxidation of the sodium borohydride solution at room temperature results in concentration changes of the resulting silver colloids. Methods of controlling the sodium borohydride depletion are presented in this paper. The analyte used is dipicolinic acid, a molecular signature of Bacillus spores.     

Gold nanoparticles having dipicolinic acid imprinted nanoshell for Bacillus cereus spores recognition

Taking into account the recognition element for sensors linked to molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs), a proliferation of interest has been witnessed by those who are interested in this subject. Indeed, MIP nanoparticles are theme which recently has come to light in the literature. In this study, we have proposed a novel thiol ligand-capping method with polymerizable methacryloylamidocysteine (MAC) attached to gold nanoparticles, reminiscent of a self-assembled monolayer. Furthermore, a surface shell by synthetic host polymers based on molecular imprinting method for recognition has been reconstructed. In this method, methacryloyl iminodiacetic acid-chrome (MAIDA–Cr(III)) has been used as a new metal-chelating monomer via metal coordination–chelation interactions and dipicolinic acid (DPA) which is the main participant of Bacillus cereus spores has been used as a template. Nanoshell sensors with templates produce a cavity that is selective for DPA. The DPA can simultaneously chelate to Cr(III) metal ion and fit into the shape-selective cavity. Thus, the interaction between Cr(III) ion and free coordination spheres has an effect on the binding ability of the gold nanoparticles nanosensor. The interactions between DPA and MIP particles were studied observing fluorescence measurements. DPA addition caused significant decreases in fluorescence intensity because they induced photoluminescence emission from Au nanoparticles through the specific binding to the recognition sites of the crosslinked nanoshell polymer matrix. The binding affinity of the DPA imprinted nanoparticles has been explored by using the Langmuir and Scatchard methods and the analysis of the quenching results has been performed in terms of the Stern–Volmer equation.     

Effect of Constant Glucose Feeding on the Production of Exopolysaccharides by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tremella fuciformis</Emphasis> Spores

A fed-batch culture system with constant feeding (glucose 80 g L⁻¹, 0.25 ml min⁻¹) was used to study the influence of glucose on cell dry weight and exopolysaccharides production from submerged Tremella fuciformis spores in a 5-L stirred-tank bioreactor. The results showed that high levels of cell mass (9.80 g L⁻¹) and exopolysaccharides production (3.12 g L⁻¹) in fed-batch fermentation were obtained after 1 h of feeding, where the specific growth rate (μ) and exopolysaccharides yield on substrate consumed (YP/S) were 0.267 d⁻¹ and 0.14 g g⁻¹. Unlike batch fermentation, maximal cell mass and exopolysaccharides production merely reached 7.11 and 2.08 g L⁻¹; the specific growth rate (μ) and exopolysaccharides yield on substrate consumed (YP/S) were 0.194 d⁻¹ and 0.093 g g⁻¹, respectively. It is concluded that the synthesis of exopolysaccharides can be promoted effectively when feeding glucose at a late exponential phase.     

ALGAL, SPORES AND POLLEN ASSEMBLAGES FROM LATE PLEISTOCENE IN THE EAST PART OF THE CHINA SEA AND THEIR PALEOENVIRONMENTS

The paper deals with fossil spores, pollen and algae from the sediments of 70,00-12,000a B. P. in the eastern sea area of China, distinguishing three spores, pollen and algal zones. Zone Ⅰ indicates that the climate was cold, the sea level was lower, the continental shelf of theDonghai Sea (the East China Sea)was exposed as the plain with various grasses thickened and manylakes andswamps dotted in which lived abundant freshwater algae of Pediastrum, Zygnema, etc.The hills in the continental margin were covered by the dark coniferous forests of Abies, Piceaand Pinus. The climate of Zone Ⅱ was warm, resulting in the sea level rising and the con-tinental shelf submerged as neritic environment with a variety of diatoms, dinoflagllate andDictyocha. The vegetation of the hills in the continental margin became mixed forests ofconiferous and broad-leaf trees mainly composed of Pinus and Quercus. Zone Ⅲ indicatesthat the climate became cold again and the continental shelf was exposed as plain with thesame lan     

Decrease in optical density as a results of germination of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris spores under high hydrostatic pressure

Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris is a spore-forming bacterium, causing spoilage of juices. The spores of these bacteria have the ability to survive in the typical conditions used for thermal pasteurization. Therefore, the use of other techniques such as high hydrostatic pressure is considered for their inactivation. The effect of hydrostatic pressure of 200–500 MPa, at temperatures 4–50 °C for 15 min, on the dynamics of germination of A. acidoterrestris spores in apple juice and pH 4 buffer was studied. To estimate the share of germinated spores, the method of determining the optical density at a wavelength of 660 nm (OD₆₆₀) was used. Parameters of hydrostatic pressure treatment used in this work affected the dynamics of germination of A. acidoterrestris spores in apple juice, and the temperature had the greatest effect. The results indicate that nutrients present in apple juice can promote the germination of A. acidoterrestris spores.     

Sodium hydrogen dipicolinate dipicolinic acid trihydrate: Synthesis,structure, and valence bond sums

The synthesis and crystal structure of sodium hydrogen dipicolinate dipicolinic acid trihydrate, NaHdipic · H₂dipic · 3H₂O,I, is reported. There is a hydrogen bonded H₃(dipic)₂ ^– unit in which an Hdipic^– ion functions as a tridentate chelate to the Na⁺ ion while the second H₂dipic functions as a monodentate ligand and bridging unit. The Na⁺ ion is in the center of a pentagonal bipyramid with two water molecules in the axial positions. The equatorial plane is composed of an Hdipic^– ion, a water molecule and an oxygen from the H₂dipic. An analysis of data in the Cambridge Structural Database for Na⁺ compounds using Valence Bond Sums has produced newr ₀ values of 1.743 for Na–O and 1.891 for Na–N.