Trapping mechanism by di-d-psicose anhydride with methylglyoxal for prevention of diabetic nephropathy.

Di-d-psicose anhydride (DPA), derived from functional rare saccharide as d-psicose, is investigated for its strong chelating ability. Methylglyoxal (MGO), an important precursor of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), promotes obesity, and causes complications such as diabetic nephropathy. On mesangial cells, DPA can substantially reduce the negative effects of MGO. DPA effectively trapping MGO in mesangial cells. The bonding properties of the DPA-MGO adduct were discussed by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The NMR spectra of the DPA-MGO adduct provide evidence for chelation bonding. The inhibition of AGE formation and the mass spectrometry results of the DPA-MGO adduct indicate that DPA can scavenge MGO at a molar ratio of 1:1. DPA suppressed 330 % of the up-regulated receptor for an AGEs protein expression to a normal level and restored the suppressed glyoxalase 1 level to 86 % of the normal group. This research provides important evidence and theoretical basis for the development of AGE inhibitors derived from rare saccharide.

Effects of Plasma-Activated Water Treatment on the Inactivation of Microorganisms Present on Cherry Tomatoes and in Used Wash Solution.

Herein, we investigated the potential of plasma-activated water (PAW) as a wash solution for the microbial decontamination of cherry tomatoes. We analyzed the efficacy of PAW as a bactericidal agent based on reactive species and pH. Immersion for 5 min in PAW15 (generated via plasma activation for 15 min) was determined as optimal for microbial decontamination of fresh produce. The decontamination efficacy of PAW15 exceeded those of mimic solutions with equivalent reactive species concentrations and pH (3.0 vs. 1.7 log reduction), suggesting that the entire range of plasma-derived reactive species participates in decontamination rather than a few reactive species. PAW15-washing treatment achieved reductions of 6.89 ± 0.36, 7.49 ± 0.40, and 5.60 ± 0.05 log10 CFU/g in the counts of Bacillus cereus, Salmonella sp., and Escherichia coli O157:H7, respectively, inoculated on the surface of cherry tomatoes, with none of these strains detected in the wash solution. During 6 days of 25 °C storage post-washing, the counts of aerobic bacteria, yeasts, and molds were below the detection limit. However, PAW15 did not significantly affect the viability of RAW264.7 cells. These results demonstrate that PAW effectively inactivates microbes and foodborne pathogens on the surface of cherry tomatoes and in the wash solution. Thus, PAW could be used as an alternative wash solution in the fresh produce industry without cross-contamination during washing and environmental contamination by foodborne pathogens or potential risks to human health.

Analysis of Vaccenic and Elaidic acid in foods using a silver ion cartridge applied to GC × GC-TOFMS.

Background: Trans fatty acids (TFAs) are unsaturated fatty acids, with vaccenic acid (VA) and elaidic acid (EA) being the major constituents. While VA has been associated with beneficial effects on health and anti-cancer properties, EA is found in hardened vegetable oils and is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a novel method for the quantitative measurement of VA and EA, aiming to accurately analyze individual TFA and apply it for the assessment of products containing TFAs. Methods: The ratio of VA to EA (V/E ratio) was evaluated using a silver ion cartridge (SIC) solid phase extraction method removing cis-fatty acids (cis-FAs). Additionally, comparative analysis of the V/E ratio was conducted by the two methods (SIC treatment and untreated) using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography combined with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS). Results: The removal efficiency of cis-FAs was greater than 97.8%. However, the total TFA contents were not so different from SIC treatment. Moreover, this approach not only allowed for a more precise determination of the V/E ratio but also revealed a significant distinction between natural trans fatty acids (N-TFAs) and hydrogenated trans fatty acids (H-TFAs). Conclusion: Therefore, the SIC coupled to the GC × GC-TOFMS presented in this study could be applied to discriminate N-TFA and H-TFA contents in dairy and fatty foods.

Synthesis of a New Glycoconjugate with Di-á´ -Psicose Anhydride Structure.

Demand for healthy diets has led researchers to explore new saccharide as sucrose alternatives. ᴅ-Psicose, the C-3 epimer of ᴅ-fructose, has a similar sweetness intensity to sucrose but contributes fewer calories. This study proposes a disaccharide with a stable structure derived from ᴅ-psicose. The compound with a spiro-tricyclic core was generated at 32% conversion via caramelization of ᴅ-psicose under acidic anhydrous conditions. The compound was identified by high-resolution mass spectrometry and multi-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The molecular formula was established as C12H20O10 from the molecular weight of m/z 324.1055. Twelve signals were observed by the 13C NMR spectrum. This compound, denoted di-ᴅ-psicose anhydride (DPA), exhibited a lower water solubility (40 g/L) and higher thermal stability (peak temperature = 194.7 °C) than that of ᴅ-psicose (peak temperature = 126.5 °C). The quantitatively evaluated metal ion scavenging ability of DPA was the best in magnesium (average 98.6 ± 1.1%). This synthesis methodology can provide disaccharides with high stability-reducing heavy metals.

Identification and quantification of multi-class veterinary drugs and their metabolites in beef using LC-MS/MS.

The practice of abusing antibiotics to improve livestock growth poses a threat to food safety. To prevent and regulate this, accurate monitoring of residual veterinary drugs (VDs) is required. A method based on QuEChERS with dispersive solid-phase extraction for the determination of multi-class VDs was investigated using selected product ions under optimized multiple reaction monitoring conditions. During the clean-up procedure, chitosan, octadecyl silica, primary-secondary amine, and enhanced matrix removal (EMR)-lipid were evaluated for simultaneous analysis of multi-class VDs in beef matrix. The EMR sorbent was most advantageous (113/115) compared to others, and showed a satisfactory recovery range (70.7-117.9%) except cefquinome (67.3%) and cefalonium (69.8%). This methodology can be used to detect oxolinic acid and ractopamine (27.4% and 88.0% of maximum residue limit, respectively) in real beef samples. We thus study propose a simple and fast analytical method for multi-class VDs for the future health of humans and animals.

Simultaneous determination of trichothecene mycotoxins in cereals by LC-MS/MS.

This study was designed to determine the residual trichothecene mycotoxins in cereal samples. The optimal solvent for extraction was 84% (v/v) aqueous acetonitrile with 1% (v/v) formic acid. The best performing clean-up method was dispersive-solid phase with a mixture octadecyl silica and primary-secondary amine. The recoveries for the studied mycotoxins ranged from 83.3 to 92.8%. The methodology was successfully applied for monitoring 100 cereal samples obtained from a Korean market. The bean sample were found to be co-contamination with deoxynivalenol and HT-2 toxin. Deoxynivalenol possessed the highest detection freauency (4/100) and amount (727.38 µg/kg) among the trichothecene mycotoxins. The hazard index was less than 1.0 for all the observed mycotoxins in all cereal samples except one white rice sample (1.2681). This results indicated that periodic risk assessments of trichothecene mycotoxin through cereal intake are necessary for the health and safety.

Optimization and validation for quantification for allulose of jelly candies using response surface methodology.

A simple, rapid and reliable extraction method for allulose content in jelly were optimized using response surface methodology. The extraction method was selected based on preliminary experiments, with a three-factor, three-level central complex design including 20 experimental runs to optimize the extraction parameters. The optimum extraction factors predicted were temperature of 66 °C, solvent of 74% (v/v) ethanol, and extraction time of 24 min under shaking water bath extraction. The measured parameters were in accordance with the predicted values. The developed analytical method was validated with regard to linearity, accuracy and precision presenting recovery level from 90.79 to 95.18% and detection limits varying from 0.53 to 1.62 mg/mL. Finally, the method will be potentially applicable to a commercial jelly food using optimum extraction.

Benzoic and propionic acids in fishery products on the Korean market.

A new pretreatment technique for the sensitive and accurate determination of benzoic and propionic acids in fishery products by HPLC-DAD and GC-MS was established to address the regulatory problem posed by the natural metabolic production of preservatives during food processing. A total of 786 samples (332 raw fish and 454 processed fish products) were investigated. Benzoic acid was detected in 2.4% of raw fish samples, 9.7% of processed product samples, while the corresponding numbers for propionic acid equalled 88.3% and 94.7% respectively. As are result of monitoring the samples obtained from the Korean market, propionic acid was detected in most samples, but benzoic acid was detected in some fish. These results provide fundamental data regarding naturally occurring preservatives in fishery. As a result of these databases in fishery could be used as important data for the judgement that they are naturally originated preservatives.

Dispersive Solid-Liquid Extraction Coupled with LC-MS/MS for the Determination of Sulfonylurea Herbicides in Strawberries.

The monitoring of food quality and safety requires a suitable analytical method with simultaneous detection in order to control pesticide and herbicide residues. In this study, a novel analytical method, referred to as "dispersive solid-liquid extraction", was applied to monitor seven sulfonylurea herbicides in strawberries. This method was optimized in terms of the amount of C18 and the volume of added water, and it was validated through satisfactory linearities (R2 > 0.99), recoveries of 70% to 84% with acceptable precisions, and limits of quantification lower than the maximum residue limits for the seven sulfonylurea herbicides in strawberries. The cleanup efficiency of the dispersive solid-liquid extraction technique was compared to that of the QuEChERS- ("quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe") based method with dispersive solid phase extraction. The recoveries of the former were found to be comparable to those involving QuEChERS C18 cleanup (recoveries of 74%-87%). The method was used to determine sulfonylurea herbicide residues in ten strawberry samples. None of the samples had herbicide residues higher than that of limit of quantifications (LOQs) or maximum residue limits (MRLs). The results suggest that the dispersive solid-liquid extraction method combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is effective for the analysis of sulfonylurea herbicide residues in strawberries.

Determination of 60 pesticides in hen eggs using the QuEChERS procedure followed by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS.

An analytical method involving QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) sample preparation, followed by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS was developed and validated for the determination of 60 pesticides in eggs. Recoveries of 70-120% were achieved for selected pesticides and relative standard deviations <20% were obtained for most analytes at three concentrations. The limit of quantification was <10 µg kg-1 for 83% of the total pesticides. This method was used to analyze 58 egg samples and the residues of seven pesticides (disulfoton, fipronil sulfone, cyromazine, o,p-DDT, p,p-DDD, p,p-DDT, and permethrin) were quantified in 16 egg samples at levels of 5-10 µg kg-1, which was below the corresponding the maximum residue levels, as established by Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. We demonstrated that LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS in combination with QuEChERS can be used to routinely monitor multiple pesticide residues in egg samples.

Determining pesticide residues in wheat flour by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry with QuEChERS extraction.

Pesticides are used to increase crop yields and preserve quality by protecting crops against pests; however, their overuse can adversely affect human health and the environment. Herein, we report the development of a multi-pesticide screening method using optimized QuEChERS coupled with liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) mass spectrometry for the analysis of 13 pesticides in wheat flour. Mass accuracies with errors of less than 2.4 ppm were obtained for all analysed pesticides, and the method provided satisfactory recovery and linearity. Repeatabilities of 0.3-12.7% and reproducibilities of 2.5-15.2% were observed in full-scan TOF mode. The performance of the developed full-scan TOF method was compared to that obtained in high-resolution multiple reaction monitoring (MRM-HR) mode. The limits of quantification for the full-scan TOF and MRM-HR modes ranged from 2 to 10, and 3 to 9 µg kg-1, respectively. The two quantification methods exhibited high sensitivities (limit of detections: 1-3 µg kg-1 in full-scan TOF, and 1-3 µg kg-1 for MRM-HR mode). No pesticide residues were detected when the developed method was applied to 22 real wheat flour samples.

Optimizing the ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvent extraction of flavonoids in common buckwheat sprouts.

In this study, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) coupled with ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) were evaluated and optimized for the extraction of major flavonoids from common buckwheat sprouts. Initially, 18 different choline chloride (CC)-based DESs were evaluated as potential extraction solvents, and 80% CCTG (CC-based DES composed of triethylene glycol and 20 vol% water) extracted significantly higher (p < 0.05) amounts of flavonoids than other DESs studied. The extraction efficiency of 80% CCTG was even higher (p < 0.05) than that of methanol for the extraction of vitexin and quercetin-3-O-robinobioside. Procedure using 80% CCTG and UAE were optimized; an extraction temperature of 56 °C and extraction time of 40 min were considered optimal. The optimized extraction procedure was reliable and efficient for the extraction of major flavonoids from common buckwheat sprouts. In addition, flavonoids could be efficiently recovered from DES extracts with high recovery yields (>97%) by using a C18 solid-phase extraction.

Leaf extracts from Dendropanax morbifera Léveille mitigate mercury-induced reduction of spatial memory, as well as cell proliferation, and neuroblast differentiation in rat dentate gyrus.

BACKGROUND: The brain is susceptible to methylmercury toxicity, which causes irreversible damage to neurons and glia and the leaf extract Dendropanax morbifera Léveille (DML) has various biological functions in the nervous system. In this study, we examined the effects of DML on mercury-induced proliferating cells and differentiated neuroblasts. METHODS: Dimethylmercury (5 µg/kg) and galantamine (5 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally and/or DML (100 mg/kg) was orally to 7-week-old rats every day for 36 days. One hour after the treatment, novel object recognition test was examined. In addition, spatial probe tests were conducted on the 6th day after 5 days of continuous training in the Morris swim maze. Thereafter, the rats were euthanized for immunohistochemical staining analysis with Ki67 and doublecortin and measurement for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. RESULTS: Dimethylmercury-treated rats showed reduced discrimination index in novel object recognition test and took longer to find the platform than did control group. Compared with dimethylmercury treatment alone, supplementation with DML or galatamine significantly ameliorated the reduction of discrimination index and reduced the time spent to find the platform. In addition, the number of platform crossings was lower in the dimethylmercury-treated group than in controls, while the administration of DML or galantamine significantly increased the number of crossings than did dimethylmercury treatment alone. Proliferating cells and differentiated neuroblasts, assessed by Ki67 and doublecortin immunohistochemical staining was significantly decreased in the dimethylmercury treated group versus controls. Supplementation with DML or galantamine significantly increased the number of proliferating cells and differentiated neuroblasts in the dentate gyrus. In addition, treatment with dimethylmercury significantly increased AChE activity in hippocampal homogenates, while treatment with dimethylmercury+DML or dimethylmercury+galantamine significantly ameliorated this increase. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that DML may be a functional food that improves dimethylmercury-induced memory impairment and ameliorates dimethylmercury-induced reduction in proliferating cells and differentiated neuroblasts, and demonstrates corresponding activation of AChE activity in the dentate gyrus.

Occurrence of emerging mycotoxins in cereals and cereal-based products from the Korean market using LC-MS/MS.

The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence of emerging mycotoxins in cereals (n = 61) and cereal-based products (n = 36) collected from Korean market. First of all, using the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) extraction method, and ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography (UPLC) with triple quadruple tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), we developed a simple and fast method for quantitative determination of eight emerging mycotoxins including alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), tentoxin (TEN), beauvericin (BEA) and enniatins (ENs; ENA, ENA1, ENB and ENB1). The developed analytical method was validated in parameters of linearity, precision and accuracy. For UPLC-MS/MS analysis, the recoveries of emerging mycotoxins from spiked samples at three concentration levels ranged from 82.7% to 108.8% with RSDs between 0.4% and 14.7%. Analytical methods were applied to determine the contamination of mycotoxins in cereal and cereal-based product samples. Sixty-three of the total 97 samples were contaminated with at least one emerging mycotoxin. The maximum number of emerging mycotoxins observed in a single sample was six out of eight analytes. The highest level of contamination was detected in cereal at 70.9 µg/kg for alternariol monomethyl ether (AME). However, currently there is no international standard for emerging mycotoxins in food. Accordingly, it is necessary to establish a database of emerging mycotoxins contamination through continuous monitoring.

Metabolomics Analysis of the Lipid-Regulating Effect of Allium hookeri in a Hamster Model of High-Fat Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemia by UPLC/ESI-Q-TOF Mass Spectrometry.

Hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and is a major public health concern. Allium hookeri (AH) is an Allium species containing high levels of bioactive organosulfur compounds such as methiin and cycloalliin. AH exerts hypolipidemic effects in animals fed a high-fat diet. However, there exists little information on the mechanisms underlying these effects. To address this issue, we used a metabolomic approach based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry to identify factors mediating the lipid-lowering effects of AH. Principal component and partial least-squares discriminant analyses of serum metabolome profiles revealed 25 metabolites as potential biomarkers for the effects of AH on lipid levels. These compounds were predominantly phospholipids, including phosphatidylcholines (PCs), lysoPCs, and lysophosphatidylethanolamines. Glycerophospholipid metabolism was identified as a significantly enriched pathway. These results provide mechanistic insight into the antihyperlipidemic effects of AH and evidence for its efficacy as a therapeutic agent.

Analysis of Arsenic Species in Processed Rice Bran Products Using HPLC-ICP-MS.

The purpose of this study was to compare the content of arsenic species (As(V), monomethylarsonic acid [MMA], As(III), and dimethylarsinic acid [DMA]) in products, such as bran powder and tablets, using high-performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and to determine the risk of human exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs). The products presented As(III) > As(V) > DMA > MMA, at 241.03 to 579.35, 43.41 to 271.91, 15.16 to 30.43, and limit of quantification to 14.31 µg/kg, respectively. The contents of arsenic species tended to differ among the products (P < 0.05). When the maximum level (0.2 mg/kg) of iAs in white rice was applied to products, it exceeded 1.4 to 3.3 times as 284.43 to 767.10 µg/kg. Also, if more than 109.42 g/day of rice bran powder product containing 767.10 µg/kg as iAs was ingested, the provisional tolerable weekly intake (9.0 µg/kg body weight/wk) was exceeded. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study could provide analysis necessary of As for defining an accurate risk assessment of products and tablets containing rice bran powder. In addition with this study, the regulations for As contents in rice bran power products would be set.

Sorbic, benzoic and propionic acids in fishery products: a survey of the South Korean market.

This study was conducted to provide basic data as part of a project to distinguish naturally occurring organic acids from added preservatives. Accordingly, we investigated naturally occurring levels of sorbic, benzoic and propionic acids in fish and their processed commodities. The levels of sorbic, benzoic and propionic acids in 265 fish and their processed commodities were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode detection array (HPLC-PDA) of sorbic and benzoic acids and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) of propionic acid. For propionic acid, GC-MS was used because of its high sensitivity and selectivity in complicated matrix samples. Propionic acid was detected in 36.6% of fish samples and 50.4% of processed fish commodities. In contrast, benzoic acid was detected in 5.6% of fish samples, and sorbic acid was not detected in any sample. According to the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA), fishery products and salted fish may only contain sorbic acid in amounts up to 2.0 g kg-1 and 1.0 g kg-1, respectively. The results of the monitoring in this study can be considered violations of KFDA regulations (total 124; benzoic acid 8, propionic acid 116). However, it is difficult to distinguish naturally generated organic acids and artificially added preservatives in fishery products. Therefore, further studies are needed to extend the database for distinction of naturally generated organic acids and added preservatives.

Comparative studies of bioactive organosulphur compounds and antioxidant activities in garlic (Allium sativum L.), elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum L.) and onion (Allium cepa L.).

We evaluated organosulphur compounds in Allium vegetables, including garlic, elephant garlic and onion, using high-performance liquid chromatography. Among organosulphur compounds, elephant garlic had considerable γ-glutamyl peptides, and garlic had the highest alliin content. Onion had low level of organosulphur compounds than did elephant garlic and garlic. In addition, antioxidant capacities were evaluated by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assay. The results showed that garlic had the highest antioxidant capacity, followed by elephant garlic and onion. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between antioxidant activities and organosulphur compounds (R > 0.77). Therefore, our results indicate that there was a close relationship between antioxidant capacity and organosulphur compounds in Allium vegetables.

Development and Method Validation of Analysis of Urushiol in Sumac and Food Ingredients in Korea.

This study developed an analytical method to determine the urushiol content in sap and several foods. The full process for urushiol analysis consists of extraction, trimethylsilyl silylation, analysis, and identification via GC-MS, with each step optimized to attain the required accuracy and precision. Urushiol was separated from sap via liquid-liquid extraction and was derivatized via silylation. The components were analyzed using a polar capillary column and identified using GC-MS. The deviations of relative retention times and retention time windows were within 0.001 and 0.02 min, which satisfied the criteria of 0.06 and 0.03 min, respectively. The response of the urushiol standards tested was found to be linear in the investigated concentration range, with a correlation coefficient of 0.998. The LODs were between 1.74 and 2.67 µg/mL.

Comparison of Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Flavonoid-Rich Common and Tartary Buckwheat Sprout Extracts in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW 264.7 and Peritoneal Macrophages.

Buckwheat sprouts have been widely consumed all around world due to their great abundance of bioactive compounds. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of flavonoid-rich common buckwheat sprout (CBS) and tartary buckwheat sprout (TBS) extracts were evaluated in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages and primary peritoneal macrophages from male BALB/c mice. Based on the reversed-phase HPLC analysis, the major flavonoids in CBS were determined to be C-glycosylflavones (orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, and isovitexin), quercetin-3-O-robinobioside, and rutin, whereas TBS contained only high amounts of rutin. The TBS extract exhibited higher inhibitory activity as assessed by the production of proinflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide and cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin- (IL-) 6, and IL-12 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages than CBS extract. In addition, TBS extract suppressed nuclear factor-kappa B activation by preventing inhibitor kappa B-alpha degradation and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Moreover, the TBS extract markedly reduced LPS-induced cytokine production in peritoneal macrophages. Taken together, these findings suggest that TBS extract can be a potential source of anti-inflammatory agents that may influence macrophage-mediated inflammatory disorders.