Pectinex XXL,a commercially prepared pectinase,was investigated for its potential application in the fruit juice industry.Polygalacturonic acid was used as the substrate for determining the enzymatic properties of Pec...Pectinex XXL,a commercially prepared pectinase,was investigated for its potential application in the fruit juice industry.Polygalacturonic acid was used as the substrate for determining the enzymatic properties of Pectinex XXL using the DNS method.According to the results,the optimal pH for Pectinex XXL activity was 4.5,and the enzyme was stable in the pH range of 3.0~4.5.The optimal pH and pH stability range are consistent with those of some tropical and subtropical fruits.The optimal temperature for Pectinex XXL activity was 60℃,and the enzyme remained stable after one hour in a water bath set at 40℃.Additionally,the enzymatic activity was not inhibited in the presence of 1 mmol/L of Na^(+),Mg^(2+),Ba^(2+),Co^(2+),Zn^(2+),and Fe^(2+),whereas it was slightly inhibited in the presence of 2 mmol/L of K^(+)and Fe^(2+)and partially inhibited in the presence of 1 and 2 mmol/L of Ca^(2+)and Mn^(2+),demonstrating its good stability in acids and excellent thermal catalytic performance.Based on the above experimental results,depectinization experiments were performed on plantain and cherry tomato juices using different amounts of Pectinex XXL.After one hour reaction with 16 U/mL of the enzyme,the yields of the plantain and cherry tomato juices were substantially increased by 119.03%and 15.97%,respectively,while their light transmittance was remarkably enhanced by 37.65%and 12.35%,respectively.Furthermore,the enzyme reduced the viscosity of the plantain and cherry tomato juices by 88.29%and 29.50%,respectively.The juice production experiments confirmed that this enzyme can significantly improve the yield and light transmittance of plantain juice,while effectively reducing its viscosity.These findings indicate the potential of Pectinex XXL in the industrial production of plantain juice.展开更多
A novel surface modifying agent and internal compatilizer of inorganic and macromolecule composite materials,P(St/MAH/BA)terpolymer,was synthesized in butanone by solution polymerization method using styrene(St),malei...A novel surface modifying agent and internal compatilizer of inorganic and macromolecule composite materials,P(St/MAH/BA)terpolymer,was synthesized in butanone by solution polymerization method using styrene(St),maleic anhydride(MAH),and butyl acrylate(BA)as monomers and azobisisobutyronitrile(AIBN)as an initiator.Some affecting factors on terpolymers yields such as polymerization time,reaction temperature,solvent volume,initiator content,and reactants ratios were studied.Furthermore,the structure and thermal properties of terpolymers were primarily characterized and determined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FTIR),nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR),thermogravimetric analysis(TGA),and gel permeation chromatography(GPC).The results indicate that the terpolymers are random polymers and the yields are low,but the thermal decomposed temperature of terpolymers P(St/MAH/BA)is around 220 ℃ and the average molecular weights(Mw)achieve 1.189×105 g·mol-1.展开更多
The history and geographical origin of citron （Citrus medica L.） is still unknown but most of authors agree that it originated in Southeast Asia. There are different opinions about the exact period and the steps by ...The history and geographical origin of citron （Citrus medica L.） is still unknown but most of authors agree that it originated in Southeast Asia. There are different opinions about the exact period and the steps by which it was brought from its country of origin to the Mediterranean basin where it is cultivated in Corsica, Crete and in southern Italy （Calabria region）. In particulary, Citrus medica ＇Diamante＇ grows, almost exclusively, in a restricted area of the Tyrrhenian cost of the region Calabria, called ＂Riviera dei Cedri＂, a relevant local economic district. This citron has been and is, still being used by Jews for worship during the Feast of Tabernacles, a very important religious ritual, where it plays a prominent part; in fact, for this holiday of Sukkot, the use of the authentic citron that grows in Calabria region is recommended, because it is not grafted. In this paper, the fascinating history of C. medica and its spread from the centers of origin to the Mediterranean is reported with the aim to investigate the religious and cultural significance of the C. medica ＇Diamante＇, an exclusive and historical heritage of the Calabria region.展开更多
In our previous study, we have elucidated the chemical profile ofYGS40, a fraction of Yi-Gan San （YGS）, used for the treatment of Alzheimer＇s disease （AD）. Oxidative stress-induced apoptosis is implicated in neur...In our previous study, we have elucidated the chemical profile ofYGS40, a fraction of Yi-Gan San （YGS）, used for the treatment of Alzheimer＇s disease （AD）. Oxidative stress-induced apoptosis is implicated in neurodegenerative disorders such as AD. The aim of the present study was to explore the protective effects of YGS40 against hydrogen peroxide （H202）-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells and the underlying mechanisms. PC12 cells were exposed to 100 μmol·L 1 of H202 for 12 h with or without YGS40 pretreatment. Cytotoxicity was determined by MTT （3, （4, 5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl） 2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide） and lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） release assays; apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/propidium iodide coupled staining and by determining caspase-3 activity and Bax and Bcl-2 protein levels. Mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP） was assessed by the retention of rhodamine123; and the activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA） were measured using commercially available enzymatic kits. Pretreatment with YGS40 significantly prevented H2O2-induced cytotoxicity and protected the cells against H2O2-triggered apoptosis characterized by extemalization of membrane phosphatidylserine and caspase-3 activation and the increased ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in PC12 cells. Further studies showed that YGS40 suppressed H2O2-induced MMP loss, increased SOD activity, and decreased MDA level. These findings suggest that YGS40 may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress-mediated disorders.展开更多
文摘Pectinex XXL,a commercially prepared pectinase,was investigated for its potential application in the fruit juice industry.Polygalacturonic acid was used as the substrate for determining the enzymatic properties of Pectinex XXL using the DNS method.According to the results,the optimal pH for Pectinex XXL activity was 4.5,and the enzyme was stable in the pH range of 3.0~4.5.The optimal pH and pH stability range are consistent with those of some tropical and subtropical fruits.The optimal temperature for Pectinex XXL activity was 60℃,and the enzyme remained stable after one hour in a water bath set at 40℃.Additionally,the enzymatic activity was not inhibited in the presence of 1 mmol/L of Na^(+),Mg^(2+),Ba^(2+),Co^(2+),Zn^(2+),and Fe^(2+),whereas it was slightly inhibited in the presence of 2 mmol/L of K^(+)and Fe^(2+)and partially inhibited in the presence of 1 and 2 mmol/L of Ca^(2+)and Mn^(2+),demonstrating its good stability in acids and excellent thermal catalytic performance.Based on the above experimental results,depectinization experiments were performed on plantain and cherry tomato juices using different amounts of Pectinex XXL.After one hour reaction with 16 U/mL of the enzyme,the yields of the plantain and cherry tomato juices were substantially increased by 119.03%and 15.97%,respectively,while their light transmittance was remarkably enhanced by 37.65%and 12.35%,respectively.Furthermore,the enzyme reduced the viscosity of the plantain and cherry tomato juices by 88.29%and 29.50%,respectively.The juice production experiments confirmed that this enzyme can significantly improve the yield and light transmittance of plantain juice,while effectively reducing its viscosity.These findings indicate the potential of Pectinex XXL in the industrial production of plantain juice.
基金Nano Project Foundation of Shanghai Technology Committee,China(No.0652nm039)Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project,China(No.B502)Shanghai Key Laboratory Proejct,China(No.08DZ2230500)
文摘A novel surface modifying agent and internal compatilizer of inorganic and macromolecule composite materials,P(St/MAH/BA)terpolymer,was synthesized in butanone by solution polymerization method using styrene(St),maleic anhydride(MAH),and butyl acrylate(BA)as monomers and azobisisobutyronitrile(AIBN)as an initiator.Some affecting factors on terpolymers yields such as polymerization time,reaction temperature,solvent volume,initiator content,and reactants ratios were studied.Furthermore,the structure and thermal properties of terpolymers were primarily characterized and determined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FTIR),nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR),thermogravimetric analysis(TGA),and gel permeation chromatography(GPC).The results indicate that the terpolymers are random polymers and the yields are low,but the thermal decomposed temperature of terpolymers P(St/MAH/BA)is around 220 ℃ and the average molecular weights(Mw)achieve 1.189×105 g·mol-1.
文摘The history and geographical origin of citron （Citrus medica L.） is still unknown but most of authors agree that it originated in Southeast Asia. There are different opinions about the exact period and the steps by which it was brought from its country of origin to the Mediterranean basin where it is cultivated in Corsica, Crete and in southern Italy （Calabria region）. In particulary, Citrus medica ＇Diamante＇ grows, almost exclusively, in a restricted area of the Tyrrhenian cost of the region Calabria, called ＂Riviera dei Cedri＂, a relevant local economic district. This citron has been and is, still being used by Jews for worship during the Feast of Tabernacles, a very important religious ritual, where it plays a prominent part; in fact, for this holiday of Sukkot, the use of the authentic citron that grows in Calabria region is recommended, because it is not grafted. In this paper, the fascinating history of C. medica and its spread from the centers of origin to the Mediterranean is reported with the aim to investigate the religious and cultural significance of the C. medica ＇Diamante＇, an exclusive and historical heritage of the Calabria region.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.81274046 and 81373956)
文摘In our previous study, we have elucidated the chemical profile ofYGS40, a fraction of Yi-Gan San （YGS）, used for the treatment of Alzheimer＇s disease （AD）. Oxidative stress-induced apoptosis is implicated in neurodegenerative disorders such as AD. The aim of the present study was to explore the protective effects of YGS40 against hydrogen peroxide （H202）-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells and the underlying mechanisms. PC12 cells were exposed to 100 μmol·L 1 of H202 for 12 h with or without YGS40 pretreatment. Cytotoxicity was determined by MTT （3, （4, 5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl） 2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide） and lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） release assays; apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/propidium iodide coupled staining and by determining caspase-3 activity and Bax and Bcl-2 protein levels. Mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP） was assessed by the retention of rhodamine123; and the activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA） were measured using commercially available enzymatic kits. Pretreatment with YGS40 significantly prevented H2O2-induced cytotoxicity and protected the cells against H2O2-triggered apoptosis characterized by extemalization of membrane phosphatidylserine and caspase-3 activation and the increased ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in PC12 cells. Further studies showed that YGS40 suppressed H2O2-induced MMP loss, increased SOD activity, and decreased MDA level. These findings suggest that YGS40 may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress-mediated disorders.
