Structure-Specific Fermentation of Galacto-Oligosaccharides, Isomalto-Oligosaccharides and Isomalto/Malto-Polysaccharides by Infant Fecal Microbiota and Impact on Dendritic Cell Cytokine Responses.

SCOPE: Next to galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), starch-derived isomalto-oligosaccharide preparation (IMO) and isomalto/malto-polysaccharides (IMMP) could potentially be used as prebiotics in infant formulas. However, it remains largely unknown how the specific molecular structures of these non-digestible carbohydrates (NDCs) impact fermentability and immune responses in infants. METHODS AND RESULTS: In vitro fermentation of GOS, IMO and IMMP using infant fecal inoculum of 2- and 8-week-old infants shows that only GOS and IMO are fermented by infant fecal microbiota. The degradation of GOS and IMO coincides with an increase in Bifidobacterium and production of acetate and lactate, which is more pronounced with GOS. Individual isomers with an (1↔1)-linkage or di-substituted reducing terminal glucose residue are more resistant to fermentation. GOS, IMO, and IMMP fermentation digesta attenuates cytokine profiles in immature dendritic cells (DCs), but the extent is dependent on the infants age and NDC structure. CONCLUSION: The IMO preparation, containing reducing and non-reducing isomers, shows similar fermentation patterns as GOS in fecal microbiota of 2-week-old infants. Knowledge obtained on the substrate specificities of infant fecal microbiota and the subsequent regulatory effects of GOS, IMO and IMMP on DC responses might contribute to the design of tailored NDC mixtures for infants of different age groups.

Maternal Human Milk Oligosaccharide Profile Modulates the Impact of an Intervention with Iron and Galacto-Oligosaccharides in Kenyan Infants.

There is little data on human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) composition in Sub-Saharan Africa. Iron fortificants adversely affect the infant gut microbiota, while co-provision of prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) mitigates most of the adverse effects. Whether variations in maternal HMO profile can influence the infant response to iron and/or GOS fortificants is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine HMO profiles and the secretor/non-secretor phenotype of lactating Kenyan mothers and investigate their effects on the maternal and infant gut microbiota, and on the infant response to a fortification intervention with 5 mg iron (2.5 mg as sodium iron ethylenediaminetetraacetate and 2.5 mg as ferrous fumarate) and 7.5 g GOS. We studied mother-infant pairs (n = 80) participating in a 4-month intervention trial in which the infants (aged 6.5-9.5 months) received daily a micronutrient powder without iron, with iron or with iron and GOS. We assessed: (1) maternal secretor status and HMO composition; (2) effects of secretor status on the maternal and infant gut microbiota in a cross-sectional analysis at baseline of the intervention trial; and (3) interactions between secretor status and intervention groups during the intervention trial on the infant gut microbiota, gut inflammation, iron status, growth and infectious morbidity. Secretor prevalence was 72% and HMOs differed between secretors and non-secretors and over time of lactation. Secretor status did not predict the baseline composition of the maternal and infant gut microbiota. There was a secretor-status-by-intervention-group interaction on Bifidobacterium (p = 0.021), Z-scores for length-for-age (p = 0.022) and weight-for-age (p = 0.018), and soluble transferrin receptor (p = 0.041). In the no iron group, longitudinal prevalence of diarrhea was higher among infants of non-secretors (23.8%) than of secretors (10.4%) (p = 0.001). In conclusion, HMO profile may modulate the infant gut microbiota response to fortificant iron; compared to infants of secretor mothers, infants of non-secretor mothers may be more vulnerable to the adverse effect of iron but also benefit more from the co-provision of GOS.

Low Diversity of Human Milk Oligosaccharides is Associated with Necrotising Enterocolitis in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants.

Difference in human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) composition in breast milk may be one explanation why some preterm infants develop necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) despite being fed exclusively with breast milk. The aim of this study was to measure the concentration of 15 dominant HMOs in breast milk during the neonatal period and investigate how their levels correlated to NEC, sepsis, and growth in extremely low birth weight (ELBW; <1000 g) infants who were exclusively fed with breast milk. Milk was collected from 91 mothers to 106 infants at 14 and 28 days and at postmenstrual week 36. The HMOs were analysed with high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection. The HMOs diversity and the levels of Lacto-N-difucohexaose I were lower in samples from mothers to NEC cases, as compared to non-NEC cases at all sampling time points. Lacto-N-difucohexaose I is only produced by secretor and Lewis positive mothers. There were also significant but inconsistent associations between 3'-sialyllactose and 6'-sialyllactose and culture-proven sepsis and significant, but weak correlations between several HMOs and growth rate. Our results suggest that the variation in HMO composition in breast milk may be an important factor explaining why exclusively breast milk fed ELBW infants develop NEC.

1H NMR Metabolomics Identifies Underlying Inflammatory Pathology in Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Joints.

Despite osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) being typically age-related, their underlying etiologies are markedly different. We used 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to identify differences in metabolite profiles in low volumes of OA and RA synovial fluid (SF). SF was aspirated from knee joints of 10 OA and 14 RA patients. 100 µL SF was analyzed using a 700 MHz Avance IIIHD Bruker NMR spectrometer with a TCI cryoprobe. Spectra were analyzed by Chenomx, Bruker TopSpin and AMIX software. Statistical analysis was undertaken using Metaboanalyst. 50 metabolites were annotated, including amino acids, saccharides, nucleotides and soluble lipids. Discriminant analysis identified group separation between OA and RA cohorts, with 32 metabolites significantly different between OA and RA SF (false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05). Metabolites of glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle were lower in RA compared to OA; these results concur with higher levels of inflammation, synovial proliferation and hypoxia found in RA compared to OA. Elevated taurine in OA may indicate increased subchondral bone sclerosis. We demonstrate that quantifiable differences in metabolite abundance can be measured in low volumes of SF by 1H NMR spectroscopy, which may be clinically useful to aid diagnosis and improve understanding of disease pathogenesis.

Prebiotics offered to broiler chicken exert positive effect on meat quality traits irrespective of delivery route.

Elimination of antibiotic growth promoters from poultry production has encouraged intensive search for relevant alternatives. Prebiotics are proposed as efficient replacements to stimulate colonization/expansion of beneficial microflora in chickens. The aim of this study was to deepen the knowledge on the effect of prebiotic administration on slaughter performance and meat quality traits of broiler chickens by evaluating different routes of their delivery (in ovo vs. in-water vs. in ovo + in-water). At d 12 of incubation, 1,500 eggs (Ross 308) containing viable embryos were randomly allotted into 4 groups and injected in ovo with 0.2 mL solution containing: 3.5 mg/embryo BI (Bi2tos, trans-galactooligosaccharides); 0.88 mg/embryo DN (DiNovo, extract of Laminaria spp.); 1.9 mg/embryo RFO (raffinose family oligosaccharides) and 0.2 mL physiological saline (C). All prebiotics increased final BW compared to C group (P < 0.01), irrespective of delivery route. The prebiotics injected in ovo (T1) or in ovo combined with in-water supplementation (T2) increased carcass weight as compared with in-water group (T3), while T3 had the lowest carcass yield compared to the other groups. All prebiotics increased breast muscle weight and yield (P < 0.01), as well as fiber diameter (P < 0.05). Ultimate meat pH was lower (P < 0.01) in T3 than in T2 group. Meat from chickens treated with prebiotics showed a lower redness index, while lightness and yellowness were not affected by the treatments. Saturated fatty acid (SFA), polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and n-3 fatty acids contents were higher (P < 0.01), and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) level was lower (P < 0.01) in prebiotic groups compared with C group. Nutritional indexes (n-6/n-3, PUFA/SFA ratio and thrombogenic index) displayed favorable human health-promoting values in the meat of chickens which were treated with prebiotics, irrespective of delivery route. Muscle cholesterol content was not affected by prebiotics. In conclusion, this study has shown that prebiotics can exert positive effects on growth of broiler chickens, carcass and meat quality traits, irrespective of delivery route.

Analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: An update for 2013-2014.

This review is the eighth update of the original article published in 1999 on the application of Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI) mass spectrometry to the analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates and brings coverage of the literature to the end of 2014. Topics covered in the first part of the review include general aspects such as theory of the MALDI process, matrices, derivatization, MALDI imaging, fragmentation, and arrays. The second part of the review is devoted to applications to various structural types such as oligo- and poly- saccharides, glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycosides, and biopharmaceuticals. Much of this material is presented in tabular form. The third part of the review covers medical and industrial applications of the technique, studies of enzyme reactions, and applications to chemical synthesis. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 37:353-491, 2018.

Galacto-Oligosaccharide/Polidextrose Enriched Formula Protects against Respiratory Infections in Infants at High Risk of Atopy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Early nutrition affects the risk of atopy and infections through modifications of intestinal microbiota. The Prebiotics in the Prevention of Atopy (PIPA) study was a 24-month randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. It aimed to evaluate the effects of a galacto-oligosaccharide/polydextrose (GOS/PDX)-formula (PF) on atopic dermatitis (AD) and common infections in infants who were born to atopic parents and to investigate the relationship among early nutrition, gut microbiota and clinical outcomes. METHODS: A total of 201 and 199 infants were randomized to receive a PF and standard formula (SF), respectively; 140 infants remained on exclusive breastfeeding (BF). RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of AD and its intensity and duration were not statistically different among the three groups. The number of infants with at least one episode of respiratory infection (RI) and the mean number of episodes until 48 weeks of age were significantly lower in the PF group than in the SF group. The number of patients with recurrent RIs and incidence of wheezing lower RIs until 96 weeks were lower in the PF group than the SF group, but similar to the BF group. Bifidobacteria and Clostridium cluster I colonization increased over time in the PF group but decreased in the SF and BF groups. Bifidobacteria had a protective role in RIs, whereas Clostridium cluster I was associated with atopy protection. CONCLUSION: The early administration of PF protects against RIs and mediates a species-specific modulation of the intestinal microbiota. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrial.gov Identifier: NCT02116452.

Desenvolvimento, caracterização e avaliação da formação de complexos de inclusão de rutina, avobenzona e ρ-metoxicinamato de octila na presença de ciclodextrinas / Development, characterization and evaluation of inclusion complexes between rutin, avobenzone and octyl ρ-methoxycinnamate with cyclodextrins

A radiação UV pode causar danos à pele humana, e, evitar estes danos, é uma preocupação crescente para a população e um desafio à comunidade científica. Para uma ação efetiva de fotoproteção, a associação de filtros, como avobenzona (BMBM) e ρ-metoxicinamato de octila (EHMC), são empregados. Devido à semelhança estrutural com os filtros solares químicos, a rutina (RUT), tal como outros flavonoides, apresenta atividade fotoprotetora. Apesar da disponibilidade de diferentes classes de filtros solares, o desenvolvimento de fotoprotetores contendo filtros químicos é um desafio, devido à instabilidade inerente a certos filtros orgânicos. As ciclodextrinas (CDs) são oligossacarídeos cíclicos, de formato tronco-cônico, cuja estrutura externa é hidrófilica e sua cavidade interna central hidrofóbica, com a capacidade de acomodar substâncias lipofílicas, formando complexos de inclusão. A formação dos complexos de inclusão pode levar à alterações de propriedades físico-químicas da molécula hóspede, tais como, solubilidade, fotoestabilidade e biodisponibilidade. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver, caracterizar e avaliar a formação de complexos de inclusão entre RUT, BMBM e EHMC e as CDs (HPßCD e SBEßCD). Os complexos de inclusão (RUT:HPßCD, RUT:SBEßCD, BMBM:HPßCD, BMBM:SBEßCD, EHMC:HPßCD e EHMC:SBEßCD) foram obtidos pelo método de liofilização e quantificados por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE). Os sistemas binários foram caracterizados em solução, pelo método de equilíbrio de solubilidade, e, no estado sólido, empregando calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), termogravimetria (TG/DTG) e difração de raios-X de pó (PDRX). As substâncias isoladas e os complexos binários foram avaliados quanto à fotoestabilidade em estado sólido, e, em solução. Incremento na solubilidade (X mcg mL-1) foi observado para os complexo RUT:HPßCD (4,13x); RUT:SBEßCD (4,38x); BMBM:HPßCD (43,3x); BMBM:SBEßCD (53,3x); EHMC:HPßCD (12,7x); e EHMC:SBEßCD (70,0x). Os ensaios de DSC, TG/DTG, e P-DRX indicaram a formação de complexos de inclusão para os todos os sistemas, onde a supressão dos eventos endotérmicos característicos das substâncias isoladas foram observados; porém, nos complexos de BMBM, a presença de avobenzona livre no meio foi detectada, sugerindo, que a complexação não foi completa. A formação dos complexos de inclusão promoveu o aumento da fotoestabilidade em todos os sistemas avaliados, tanto no estado sólido, como em solução. Os resultados reportados neste estudo, indicaram que a complexação de substâncias fotoprotetoras com HPßCD e SBEßCD, pode representar, uma estratégia promissora quanto ao aumento da solubilidade e da fotoestabilidade

UV radiation may cause demage on human skin, and preventing it, is an increasing worry for the population and a challenge to the scientific community. For an effective action of photoprotection, the association of filters, like avobention (BMBM) and octyl ρ-methoxycinnamate (EHMC), are used. Due to the structural similarity with the chemical solar filters, the rutin (RUT), like other flavonoids, shows photoprotective activity. Despite the availability of different classes of sunscreens, the development of photoprotectors containing chemical filters is a challenge, due to the inherent instability of certain organic filters. The cyclodextrins (CD) are cyclic oligosaccharides of truncated conical structure, which external structure is hydrophilic and its internal central hydrophobic cavity, with capacity to accommodate lipophilic substances, forming inclusion complexes. The formation of the inclusion complexes can lead to changes in physicalchemical properties of the host molecule, such as, solubility, photostability and bioavailability. The objective of this work was to develop, characterize and evaluate the formation of the inclusion complexes between RUT, BMBM and EHMC and the CDs (HPßCD and SBEßCD). The inclusion complexes (RUT:HPßCD, RUT:SBEßCD, BMBM:HPßCD, BMBM:SBEßCD, EHMC:HPßCD and EHMC:SBEßCD) were obtained by the lyophilization method and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The binary systems were characterized in solution, by solubility equilibrium method and in solid state, using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) and powder X-ray diffraction (P-XRD). The isolated substances and binary complexes were evaluated the photostability in solid state, and in solution. The increase in solubility (X mcg mL-1) was observed for the complexes RUT:HPßCD (4.13x); RUT:SBEßCD (4.38x); BMBM:HPßCD (43.3x); BMBM:SBEßCD (53.3x); EHMC:HPßCD (12.7x); and EHMC:SBEßCD (70.0x). The analysis of DSC, TG/DTG, and P-DRX indicated the formation of inclusion complexes for all systems, where the suppression of the endothermic events characteristic of the isolated substances were observed; however, in the BMBM complexes, the presence of free avobenzone was detected, suggesting that the complexation was not complete. The formation of inclusion complexes promoted the increase of photostability in all evaluated systems, as in solid state as in solution. The results reported in this study indicated that the complexation of photoprotective substances with (HPßCD e SBEßCD). may represent a promising strategy for increasing solubility and photostability

Rapid Identification and Assignation of the Active Ingredients in Fufang Banbianlian Injection Using HPLC-DAD-ESI-IT-TOF-MS.

Fufang Banbianlian Injection (FBI) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine formula composed of three herbal medicines. However, the systematic investigation on its chemical components has not been reported yet. In this study, a high-performance liquid chromatography combined with diode-array detector, and coupled to an electrospray ionization with ion-trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI-IT-TOF-MS) method, was established for the identification of chemical profile in FBI. Sixty-six major constituents (14 phenolic acids, 14 iridoids, 20 flavonoids, 2 benzylideneacetone compounds, 3 phenylethanoid glycosides, 1 coumarin, 1 lignan, 3 nucleosides, 1 amino acids, 1 monosaccharides, 2 oligosaccharides, 3 alduronic acids and citric acid) were identified or tentatively characterized by comparing their retention times and MS spectra with those of standards or literature data. Finally, all constituents were further assigned in the individual herbs (InHs), although some of them were from multiple InHs. As a result, 11 compounds were from Lobelia chinensis Lour, 33 compounds were from Scutellaria barbata D. Don and 38 compounds were from Hedyotis diffusa Willd. In conclusion, the developed HPLC-DAD-ESI-IT-TOF-MS method is a rapid and efficient technique for analysis of FBI sample, and could be a valuable method for the further study on the quality control of the FBI.

Effects of short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) and rearing temperature on growth performance and hepatic intermediary metabolism in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) juveniles.

The effect of dietary short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) incorporation on growth, feed utilization, body composition, plasmatic metabolites and liver activity of key enzymes of lipogenic and amino acid catabolic pathways was evaluated in gilthead sea bream reared at 18 and 25 °C. Four practical diets containing plant ingredients and fish meal (50:50) as protein sources and supplemented with 0, 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 % scFOS were fed to triplicate groups of fish for 8 weeks. Growth performance, feed efficiency and nitrogen retention were higher at 25 °C. In fish reared at 18 °C, there was a positive correlation between dietary scFOS concentration and growth. At 18 °C, liver glycogen was higher in fish fed the control diet, while at 25 °C it was higher in fish fed the 0.5 % scFOS diet. Plasma cholesterol LDL was lower in fish fed 0.25 % scFOS diet, and in fish reared at 18 °C plasma glucose was higher in fish fed the 0.1 % scFOS diet. Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, fatty acid synthetase and aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) activities were higher in fish reared at 18 °C, whereas alanine aminotransferase activity was higher in fish reared at 25 °C. scFOS affected ASAT activity, which was lower in fish fed 0.25 % scFOS diet. Although, scFOS seemed to have no major effects on gilthead sea bream metabolism, the positive correlation between dietary prebiotic incorporation and growth at 18 °C indicates a beneficial effect of scFOS in fish reared at low temperatures.

Monitoring and preparation of neoagaro- and agaro-oligosaccharide products by high performance anion exchange chromatography systems.

A series of neoagaro-oligosaccharides (NAOS) were prepared by ß-agarase digestion and agaro-oligosaccharides (AOS) by HCl hydrolysis from agarose with defined quantity and degree of polymerization (DP). Chain-length distribution in the crude product mixtures were monitored by two high performance anion exchange chromatography systems coupled with a pulsed amperometric detector. Method 1 utilized two separation columns: a CarboPac(™) PA1 and a CarboPac(™) PA100 connected in series and method 2 used the PA100 alone. Method 1 resolved the product in size ranges consisting of DP 1-46 for NAOS and DP 1-32 for AOS. Method 2 clearly resolved saccharide product sizes within DP 26. The optimized system utilizing a semi-preparative CarboPac(™) PA100 column was connected with a fraction collector to isolate and quantify individually separated products. This study established systems for the preparation and qualitative and quantitative measurements as well as for the isolation of various sizes of oligomers generated from agarose.

Development of a high-throughput glycoanalysis method for the characterization of oligosaccharides in human milk utilizing multiplexed capillary gel electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection.

During the last decade, enormous progress regarding knowledge about composition and properties of human milk (HM) has been made. Besides nutrition, the three macro-nutrients: proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates combine a large variety of properties and functions. Especially, complex oligosaccharides emerge as important dietary factors during early life with multiple functions. The characterization of these HM oligosaccharides (HMOS) within the total carbohydrate fraction is prerequisite to understand the relationship between milk composition and biological effects. Therefore, extended studies of large donor cohorts and thus, new high-throughput glycoanalytical methods are needed. The developed method comprises sample preparation, as well as analysis of HMOS by multiplexed CGE with LIF detection (xCGE-LIF). Via a respective database the generated "fingerprints" (normalized electropherograms) could be used for structural elucidation of HMOS. The method was tested on HM samples from five different donors, partly sampled as a series of lactation time points. HMOS could be easily identified and quantified. Consequently, secretor and Lewis status of the donors could be determined, milk typing could be performed and quantitative changes could be monitored along lactation time course. The developed xCGE-LIF based "real" high-throughput HMOS analysis method enables qualitative and quantitative high-performance profiling of the total carbohydrate fraction composition of large sets of samples.

1D 13C-NMR data as molecular descriptors in spectra--structure relationship analysis of oligosaccharides.

Spectra-structure relationships were investigated for estimating the anomeric configuration, residues and type of linkages of linear and branched trisaccharides using 13C-NMR chemical shifts. For this study, 119 pyranosyl trisaccharides were used that are trimers of the α or ß anomers of D-glucose, D-galactose, D-mannose, L-fucose or L-rhamnose residues bonded through a or b glycosidic linkages of types 1→2, 1→3, 1→4, or 1→6, as well as methoxylated and/or N-acetylated amino trisaccharides. Machine learning experiments were performed for: (1) classification of the anomeric configuration of the first unit, second unit and reducing end; (2) classification of the type of first and second linkages; (3) classification of the three residues: reducing end, middle and first residue; and (4) classification of the chain type. Our previously model for predicting the structure of disaccharides was incorporated in this new model with an improvement of the predictive power. The best results were achieved using Random Forests with 204 di- and trisaccharides for the training set-it could correctly classify 83%, 90%, 88%, 85%, 85%, 75%, 79%, 68% and 94% of the test set (69 compounds) for the nine tasks, respectively, on the basis of unassigned chemical shifts.

Evolutionary glycomics: characterization of milk oligosaccharides in primates.

Free oligosaccharides are abundant components of mammalian milk and have primary roles as prebiotic compounds, in immune defense, and in brain development. A mass spectrometry-based technique is applied to profile milk oligosaccharides from apes (chimpanzee, gorilla, and siamang), new world monkeys (golden lion tamarin and common marmoset), and an old world monkey (rhesus). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the patterns of primate milk oligosaccharide composition from a phylogenetic perspective to assess the extent to which the compositions of HMOs derives from ancestral primate patterns as opposed to more recent evolutionary events. Milk oligosaccharides were quantitated by nanoflow liquid chromatography on chip-based devices. The relative abundances of fucosylated and sialylated milk oligosaccharides in primates were also determined. For a systematic and comprehensive study of evolutionary patterns of milk oligosaccharides, cluster analysis of primate milk was performed using the chromatographic profile. In general, the oligosaccharides in primate milk, including humans, are more complex and exhibit greater diversity compared to the ones in nonprimate milk. A detailed comparison of the oligosaccharides across evolution revealed nonsequential developmental pattern, that is, that primate milk oligosaccharides do not necessarily cluster according to the primate phylogeny. This report represents the first comprehensive and quantitative effort to profile and elucidate the structures of free milk oligosaccharides so that they can be related to glycan function in different primates.

Ion-trap mass spectrometry unveils the presence of isomeric oligosaccharides in an analyte: stage-discriminated correlation of energy-resolved mass spectrometry.

Mass spectrometry, especially tandem mass spectrometry, has been widely used in the field of analytical sciences for handling biological and chemical samples. The technique resolves molecular and fragment ions based on the mass to charge ratio. Energy-resolved mass spectrometry (ERMS) further provides an activation energy-related factor in the dissociation reaction. Therefore, it is a very powerful technique that can discriminate isomeric compounds. Despite the power of ERMS, useful information cannot be obtained when an analyte contains structural isomers. Carbohydrates carry multiple chiral centers, thus oligomers of monosaccharides can form a vast number of structural isomers. We decided to use such species in our endeavors to establish a method of identifying the 'purity' of an analyte solely based on mass spectrometry. In the present paper, we describe a stage-discriminated spectral correlation of ERMS, which not only enables identification of the presence of contaminants in an analyte, but also provides information regarding the 'purity' of fragment ions.

Carbohydrate terminology and classification.

Dietary carbohydrates are a group of chemically defined substances with a range of physical and physiological properties and health benefits. As with other macronutrients, the primary classification of dietary carbohydrate is based on chemistry, that is character of individual monomers, degree of polymerization (DP) and type of linkage (alpha or beta), as agreed at the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Consultation in 1997. This divides carbohydrates into three main groups, sugars (DP 1-2), oligosaccharides (short-chain carbohydrates) (DP 3-9) and polysaccharides (DP> or =10). Within this classification, a number of terms are used such as mono- and disaccharides, polyols, oligosaccharides, starch, modified starch, non-starch polysaccharides, total carbohydrate, sugars, etc. While effects of carbohydrates are ultimately related to their primary chemistry, they are modified by their physical properties. These include water solubility, hydration, gel formation, crystalline state, association with other molecules such as protein, lipid and divalent cations and aggregation into complex structures in cell walls and other specialized plant tissues. A classification based on chemistry is essential for a system of measurement, predication of properties and estimation of intakes, but does not allow a simple translation into nutritional effects since each class of carbohydrate has overlapping physiological properties and effects on health. This dichotomy has led to the use of a number of terms to describe carbohydrate in foods, for example intrinsic and extrinsic sugars, prebiotic, resistant starch, dietary fibre, available and unavailable carbohydrate, complex carbohydrate, glycaemic and whole grain. This paper reviews these terms and suggests that some are more useful than others. A clearer understanding of what is meant by any particular word used to describe carbohydrate is essential to progress in translating the growing knowledge of the physiological properties of carbohydrate into public health messages.

Method for profiling mucin oligosaccharides from gastric biopsies of rhesus monkeys with and without Helicobacter pylori infection.

A method for in vivo analysis of gastric mucin oligosaccharides was developed and applied to rhesus monkeys with and without Helicobacter pylori infection. Mucin-type O-linked oligosaccharides were directly released by reductive beta-elimination from gastric biopsies from rhesus monkeys. The released oligosaccharides were structurally characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionozation and electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. A diverse profile of neutral and acidic oligosaccharides was observed with these techniques. The most predominant core structure detected in all of the samples at relatively high abundance corresponded to core 2 (2HexNAc-1Hex, m/z = 611.227). The spectra generated from H. pylori-infected monkey samples showed fewer oligosaccharides collectively. Peaks corresponding to 1HexNAc-1Hex (m/z = 408.148) and 2HexNAc (m/z = 449.174), which most likely represent core structures, were absent in all infected monkeys studied, although present in all uninfected monkeys. Unsupervised cluster analysis demonstrated clear differences between the peaks detected in uninfected and naturally infected monkey samples. The results suggest that H. pylori infection is associated with lower relative abundance of oligosaccharides and loss of mucin-type core structures. This method can be applied to characterize the glycans associated with the mucin lining of live animals and allows for repeated analysis of the same animal over the course of infection.

Syntheses of a series of lacto-N-neotetraose clusters using a carbosilane dendrimer scaffold.

4-Pentenyl (2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-d-galactopyranosyl)-(1-->4)-(3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-beta-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-(2,6-di-O-benzoyl-beta-d-galactopyranosyl)-(1-->4)-2,3,6-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-d-glucopyranoside (4) was synthesized by regioselective glycosylation of 4-pentenyl (2,6,-di-O-benzoyl-beta-d-galactopyranosyl)-(1-->4)-2,3,6-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-d-glucopyranoside and (2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-d-galactopyranosyl)-(1-->4)-3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-beta-d-glucopyranosyl chloride. By conversion of the protecting groups followed by thioacetylation, 4 was transformed into the corresponding lacto-N-neotetraose derivative, 5-(acetylthio)pentenyl (2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-d-galactopyranosyl)-(1-->4)-O-(3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-(2,4,6-di-O-acetyl-beta-d-galactopyranosyl)-(1-->4)-2,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-beta-d-glucopyranoside (6). The lacto-N-neotetraose derivative 6 was introduced into carbosilane dendrimer cores of three shapes, and three kinds of new carbosilane dendrimers peripherally functionalized by lacto-N-neotetraose were obtained.

Occurrence of glucosylsucrose [alpha-D-glucopyranosyl- (1-->2)-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-fructofuranoside] and glucosylated homologues in cyanobacteria. Structural properties, cellular contents and possible function as thermoprotectants.

Little is known about the structure and function of oligosaccharides in cyanobacteria. In this study, a new class of saccharides from Nostoc was identified by MS and NMR techniques, consisting of alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]n-beta-D-fructofuranosides ranging from the trisaccharide (n = 1) to decasaccharide (n = 8). In Nostoc ellipsosporum the cell content of saccharides increased 10-20-fold after heat stress (1 day, 40 degrees C) or during prolonged cultivation. Under these conditions the abundance of homologues of higher molecular mass (> pentasaccharide) increased and finally exceeded that of homologues of lower molecular mass including sucrose. Total intracellular content of the saccharides after heat stress was 5-10 mg x (g dry weight)(-1) corresponding to intracellular concentrations of 0.25-0.5% (w/v). A possible role of the oligosaccharides identified is in the protection of enzymes against heat inactivation. Whereas amylase from Nostoc was only weakly protected by the decasaccharide, alpha-amylase from porcine pancreas was more efficiently stabilized by the octasaccharide and decasaccharide. Evidence is presented for the widespread occurrence of the newly identified saccharides in cyanobacteria. The results are discussed including previous reports on cyanobacterial oligosaccharides and with respect to possible functions of these compounds in the living cell.