Isotopic study of post-anthesis foliar incorporation of sulphur and nitrogen in wheat.

Nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) supplies have a strong influence on the quality and quantity of wheat storage proteins, which play an important role in the bread-making process. In order to relate the incorporation and distribution of foliar N and S fertilisers at the post-anthesis stage to the quality of wheat, 15N and 34S isotopes were used as tracers. The incorporation of these tracers in different plant parts (leaves, stems, ears) and in each storage protein fraction (gliadins, HMW and LMW glutenin subunits) was determined by isotopic ratio mass spectrometry coupled with an elemental analyser (EA-IRMS). By this means, the true recovery coefficient of N and S (TRCNfertiliser and TRCSfertiliser) and the N and S derived from fertilisers (Ndff and Sdff) could be determined. The TRCNfertiliser and TRCSfertiliser values of the different plant parts provide evidence of the applied N and S assimilation and translocation from wheat leaves to the seeds. The determination of Ndff and Sdff incorporated into storage proteins shows the efficiency and the influence of N and S incorporation into each storage protein fraction. Moreover, a favourable stage for fertiliser application can be determined by the TRCNfertiliser values in the grain and in the whole plant. The fertilisers enriched in stable isotope used in the culture techniques can be a means of understanding the effectiveness of fertilisers in the expression of wheat quality.

Specific natural isotope profile studied by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (SNIP-IRMS): (13)C/(12)C ratios of fructose, glucose, and sucrose for improved detection of sugar addition to pineapple juices and concentrates.

The delta(13)C values of fructose, glucose, and sucrose have been determined in authentic pineapple juices. The sugar fraction is separated from the organic acids by an anionic exchange process. Then the individual components (fructose, glucose, and sucrose) are isolated on a preparative HPLC device using a NH(2)-type column. It is demonstrated that no significant isotope fractionation occurs when close to 100% of material is recovered and when the hydrolysis of sucrose is avoided. The control of the recovery rates and of the sucrose hydrolysis rate after purification is recommended for a reliable interpretation of the results. Correlations between the delta(13)C values of fructose (delta(13)Cf), glucose (delta(13)Cg), and sucrose (delta(13)Csu) can be characterized by systematic differences between these values. For the set of measurements on authentic pineapple juices and concentrates, the mean and the standard deviation of the differences are delta(13)Cf - delta(13)Cg = -0.6 +/- 0.6 per thousand, delta(13)Cf - delta(13)Csu = -1.3 +/- 0. 6 per thousand, and delta(13)Cf - delta(13)Csu = -0.7 +/- 0.5 per thousand. The determinations of the (13)C content of fructose, glucose, and sucrose enable a refinement of the detection of added sugars in fruit juices, re-enforcing the SNIP-IRMS method.

Carbon 13 nuclear magnetic resonance studies on formaldehyde reactions with polyfunctional amino-acids.

Addition and condensation reactions of formaldehyde with polyfunctional amino-acids and their N alpha-acetyl derivatives have been studied in neutral or mildly acid solutions using 13 C n.m.r. The first addition reaction, giving hydroxymethyls, is fast and incomplete with the amine, guanidyl, hydroxyl, indole and imidazole groups of the side chains, fast and complete with the sulfhydryl group, slow and complete with the amide group. For asparagine, threonine, histidine and tryptophan, the N alpha-hydroxymethyl condenses with the basic group of the side chain to give a cyclic compound. In the case of cysteine, it is the S-hydroxymethyl which condenses with the alpha-amino group. The value of the chemical shifts of the hydroxymethyls and of the methylene bondings will be of help in the study of the reactions of formaldehyde with proteins.