Carotenoid composition of Rosa canina fruits determined by thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography.

The carotenoid composition of fruits of Rosa canina (Rosaceae) was determined comparatively by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in total extracts and in three different fractions derived from previous separation of the total fruit extract on alumina columns. Both chromatographic analyses revealed as major carotenoids: beta-carotene, lycopene, beta-chryptoxanthin, rubixanthin, zeaxanthin and lutein. The distribution of these compounds was reproducible by TLC and by HPLC. The I-III fractions eluted successively from alumina columns by increasing the polarity of the solvents were analysed also by TLC and HPLC. In all situations, carotenoids were better separated and identified by gradient HPLC systems than by isocratic HPLC or TLC.

[Multidisciplinary epidemiological observations on the role of mineral elements and other environmental factors in inducing essential arterial hypertension]. / Observatii epidemiologice multidisciplinare asupra rolului unor elemente minerale si altor factori ambientali în inducerea hipertensiunii arteriale esentiale.

The results of a pluridisciplinary epidemiological study carried out on a series of 225 adults from rural areas, in whom the prevalence of arterial hypertension disease (AHTD) and borderline (AHTB) was of 19.0% and 14.4%, respectively, are presented. In 19.0% of the carriers of over five associated risk factors for cardiovascular disease, the classical lipid constants (triglycerides-TG. total lipids-TL. total cholesterol-TC. HDL-cholesterol-HDL-c), plasma (PML) and erythrocyte magnesium level (EML), as compared to the degree of drinking water mineralization were determined. The environmental conditions, also expressed in water hardness (21.650 G) or magnesium water intake (85.13 mg/l) correlate in 41.0% of the subjects with a decrease in PML (1.8 mg/l) and in 70.48 with a decrease in EML (4.8 mg/l) through the association of some behavioral or metabolic risk factors: stress, consumption of atherogenic foods, excess alcohol and lipid dysmetabolism (TG: 130-140 mg/l = 59.5%; TL: 8 g%-30.9%; TC: 220 mg/l = 19%; HDL-c: 35 mg/l + 1.9%).

[A population study on the possible involvement of trace minerals in water in cardiovascular diseases]. / Studiu populational privind posibila interventie a oligomineralelor din apa în bolile cardiovasculare.

Starting from the hypothesis of a possible protection exerted by oligominerals in cardiovascular diseases, 660 water sources were analysed as to their content in mineral matter. It resulted that the population drinks a very hard water with a low content in zinc, manganese, copper and chromium oligominerals. By correlating these characteristics with the mortality rate by cardiovascular diseases, low in the territory under study, it became evident that no association between these factors can be made, the relative protection being probably due to other factors.

[The trace element (Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr) intake via drinking in the rural population of Iasi County]. / Aportul de oligoelemente (Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr) pe cale hidrica la populatia din mediul rural de pe teritoriul judetului Iasi.

The drinking water from wells in 55 villages of Iasi district was investigated in order to estimate the intake of mineral substances. The results pointed out that the content in oligo elements of water in these villages (250,000 inhabitants) was below required minimum (in 91.18% of villages for zinc, in 81.48% for manganese, in 92.7% for copper and in 98.80% for chromium).