Microbial glucosylation of thaxtomin A, a partial detoxification.

Thaxtomin A (1) and B (2), the two major phytotoxins associated with the common scab of potato disease, were transformed into C-14 linked beta-glucosides (3) and (4), respectively, when individually incubated with cultures of Bacillus mycoides in oatmeal broth at 26 degrees C. These biotransformation products when assayed on aseptically produced potato minitubers proved to be much less phytotoxic than the parent compounds.

Use of citric acid for neutralizing polymerase chain reaction inhibition by chlorogenic acid in potato extracts.

Polyphenolics are a widely distributed class of plant constituents implicated in the inhibition of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Since chlorogenic acid forms the bulk of phenolics in the potato tuber, a range of chlorogenic acid concentrations were tested for inhibition of reverse transcription (RT) and PCR steps. The RT step was inhibited at chlorogenic acid concentrations of 6.0 to 7.5 microg, while the PCR step was inhibited at much lower concentrations of 1.2 to 1.8 microg. Incorporation of 1.2% citric acid at the nucleic acid extraction step prevented darkening of the extract and neutralized the inhibitory effect of chlorogenic acid.

Pulmonary profiling in exercise.

The role of the lungs during exercise, the effect of physical training on lung function, and the attributes of lung function that are important for superior athletic performance are discussed. Also considered is the role of exercise in two common lung disorders, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.