Analysis of native carotenoid composition of sweet bell peppers by serially coupled C30 columns.

Serial coupled columns reversed-phase separations in high-performance liquid chromatography can be a useful tool for the analysis of complex real samples. The great difficulties found when analyzing complex carotenoid samples, due to the high natural variability of these compounds, as well as to the presence of carotenoid esters, are well documented. In the present contribution, the applicability of connecting two C30 columns to increase significantly the separation power, resolution and peak capacity for the analysis of carotenoids in a complex carotenoid sample, like sweet bell peppers, has been shown for the first time. By using LC coupled to PDA/APCI-MS detectors, 56 different carotenoids have been detected in red sweet bell peppers. By using two serial coupled C30 columns a peak capacity of 95.4 was obtained, compared with 73 achieved using a single column. Moreover, resolution greatly improved between different critical peaks when using two serial coupled C30 columns, compared with a single column. Interestingly, free carotenoids, mono-esters and diesters were quantitatively equally represented (around 33% for each different class) in red sweet bell pepper, showing, therefore, a value for the ratio of mono-esters/di-esters of around 1, which could be considered a parameter of typicality. Free β-carotene (12.6%), capsanthin-C14:0 (8.4%), and capsanthin-C12:0-C14:0 (8.9%) were the most abundant carotenoids in the three different classes of red sweet bell pepper. No carotenoid esters were detected in either yellow or green sweet bell peppers. The application of such methodology in the analysis of other complex carotenoid matrices could be a future objective of research

Determination of bioactive compounds in the juice of pummelo (Citrus grandis Osbeck).

The juice of pummelo (Citrus grandis Osbeck) was analyzed to determine its composition of flavonoids, polymethoxyflavones, coumarins and psoralens. The analyses were carried out by HPLC using columns packed with small diameter Fused-Core® C18 particles to achieve high resolution in short analysis time. In addition, the profile of the native carotenoids present in the juice was determined using a C30 column. Identification of flavonoids was achieved by MS with ESI in negative mode; the MS acquisition of oxygenated heterocyclic compounds was performed in positive APCI; carotenoids were detected with a PDA detector. Nineteen native carotenoids were determined in pummelo juice for the first time. The composition of this juice is also discussed in comparison with other Citrus juices, especially grapefruit

Oral azacitidine maintenance therapy for acute myeloid leukemia in first remission

Background: Although induction chemotherapy results in remission in many older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), relapse is common and overall survival is poor. Methods: We conducted a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the oral formulation of azacitidine (CC-486, a hypomethylating agent that is not bioequivalent to injectable azacitidine), as maintenance therapy in patients with AML who were in first remission after intensive chemotherapy. Patients who were 55 years of age or older, were in complete remission with or without complete blood count recovery, and were not candidates for hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation were randomly assigned to receive CC-486 (300 mg) or placebo once daily for 14 days per 28-day cycle. The primary end point was overall survival. Secondary end points included relapse-free survival and health-related quality of life. Results: A total of 472 patients underwent randomization; 238 were assigned to the CC-486 group and 234 were assigned to the placebo group. The median age was 68 years (range, 55 to 86). Median overall survival from the time of randomization was significantly longer with CC-486 than with placebo (24.7 months and 14.8 months, respectively; P<0.001). Median relapse-free survival was also significantly longer with CC-486 than with placebo (10.2 months and 4.8 months, respectively; P<0.001). Benefits of CC-486 with respect to overall and relapse-free survival were shown in most subgroups defined according to baseline characteristics. The most common adverse events in both groups were grade 1 or 2 gastrointestinal events. Common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were neutropenia (in 41% of patients in the CC-486 group and 24% of patients in the placebo group) and thrombocytopenia (in 22% and 21%, respectively). Overall health-related quality of life was preserved during CC-486 treatment. Conclusions: CC-486 maintenance therapy was associated with significantly longer overall and relapse-free survival than placebo among older patients with AML who were in remission after chemotherapy. Side effects were mainly gastrointestinal symptoms and neutropenia. Quality-of-life measures were maintained throughout treatment

Determination of the carotenoid profile in peach fruits, juice and jam

Introduction. Carotenoids have been described as possessing several important functional properties and health benefits. These properties make these compounds ideal for the always increasing functional food industry as well as for promoting the consumption of the natural products in which they are contained. Here, we report the first characterisation of the non-saponified carotenoid composition in fresh peach fruits and commercial peach juice and jam. Materials and methods. Fully mature yellow-fleshed peach fruits produced in Sicily were purchased at a local market; they were peeled and the pulp was analysed. Commercial peach juice and commercial peach jam from three different known manufacturers were also purchased at the local market. Both the juice and jam analysed were produced by local manufacturers from the same kind of fresh fruit studied in this work. After carotenoid extraction with organic solvents, the samples were analysed by a direct HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS methodology. Results and discussion. Three free carotenoids (zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene) and three monoesters of β-cryptoxanthin were identified and detected in all the samples analysed. Interestingly, the carotenoid profile remained the same in all the samples, and it was not affected by the peach processing occurring during the production of the peach juice and jam. Moreover, small differences were observed in the relative contents of the identified components among the samples investigated

From βαλανεῖα to thermae: unveiling the transition from Greek to Roman architectural models of baths by technological and provenance archaeometric studies on bricks and tiles

So far unexplored, the introduction and the spread of the Roman thermal buildings in the prima provincia (Sicily) are widely debated in the current archeological studies. Mainly due to the lack of systematic excavations and intensively technological studies, the assessment of thermae in the Hellenistic-Roman Sicily has been thus far interpreted as a new social and architectural experience. However, a more careful archeological investigation would suggest a gradual transformation of the architectural landscape from the purely Greek bath tradition to the canonical thermae types. The aim of this paper is therefore to study the classical hot bath culture and, in particular, the transition from Greek to Roman architectural models (from βαλανεῖα to thermae) by applying an archaeometric approach on brick and tile samples from three Sicilian archaeological sites - Solunto, Taormina, Tindari - recently proved to be among the first towns in Sicily in which Roman thermae were established in the Early Empire. Petrographic, mineralogical (XRD), micromorphological (SEM) and geochemical (XRF) analyses has been performed on a selection of bath building remains (comprising suspensurae, tiles, bricks) to explore technology and production issues. The obtained results allowed to identify local productions and to distinguish them from imports, redrawing some aspects of the historical, economic, social and technological construction context of Roman Sicily.Jusqu'à présent inexploré, l'introduction et la diffusion des bâtiments thermaux romains dans la prima provincia (Sicile) sont largement débattues dans les études archéologiques actuelles. Principalement en raison du manque de fouilles systématiques et d'études technologiques détaillées, les thermes dans la Sicile hellénistique-romaine ont été jusqu'ici interprétés comme une nouvelle réalité sociale et architecturale. Cependant, une étude archéologique plus attentive suggérerait une transformation graduelle du paysage architectural de la tradition du bain purement grec aux types thermae canoniques. Le but de cet article est donc l’étude de la culture traditionnelle du bain chaud et en particulier la transition entre les modèles architecturaux grecs et romains (de βαλανεῖα à thermae), en appliquant une approche archéométrique sur des échantillons de briques et de tuiles de trois sites archéologiques siciliens – Solunto, Taormina, Tindari – qui se sont récemment avéré être parmi les premières villes en Sicile dans lesquelles les thermes romains ont été établis au début de l'Empire. Nous avons réalisé des analyses pétrographiques, minéralogiques (XRD), micromorphologiques (SEM) et géochimiques (XRF) sur une sélection de vestiges de bâtiments de bain (suspensurae, tuiles, briques) pour explorer les questions de technologie et de production. Les résultats obtenus ont permis d'identifier les productions locales et de les distinguer des importations, en redessinant certains aspects du contexte historique, économique, social et technologique de la construction de la Sicile romaine

From βαλανεῖα to thermae: unveiling the transition from Greek to Roman architectural models of baths by technological and provenance archaeometric studies on bricks and tiles

So far unexplored, the introduction and the spread of the Roman thermal buildings in the prima provincia (Sicily) are widely debated in the current archaeological studies. Mainly due to the lack of systematic excavations and intensively technological studies, the assessment of thermae in the Hellenistic-Roman Sicily has been thus far interpreted as a new social and architectural experience. However, a more careful archaeological investigation would suggest a gradual transformation of the architectural landscape from the purely Greek bath tradition to the canonical thermae types. The aim of this paper is therefore to study the classical hot bath culture and, in particular, the transition from Greek to Roman architectural models (from βαλανεῖα to thermae) by applying an archaeometric approach on brick and tile samples from three Sicilian archaeological sites – Solunto, Taormina, Tindari – recently proved to be among the rst towns in Sicily in which Roman thermae were established in the Early Empire. Petrographic, mineralogical (XRD), micromorphological (SEM) and geochemical (XRF) analyses has been performed on a selection of bath building remains (comprising suspensurae, tiles, bricks) to explore technology and production issues. e obtained results allowed to identify local productions and to distinguish them from imports, redrawing some aspects of the historical, economic, social and technological construction context of Roman Sicily

Evaluation of carotenoid and capsaicinoid contents in powder of red chili peppers during one year of storage

The color and the pungency of red chili pepper powder, depending on the carotenoid and capsaicinoid contents, are important properties for this food ingredient. In this study the patterns of these two classes of compounds have been analyzed in samples of red chili powder during one year of storage at room temperature (20–24 °C) and at low temperature (−18 °C), in order to investigate the eventual chemical changes occurring during storage, and to find a possible correlation between the behavior of the two groups of molecules. During storage at roomtemperature, both carotenoid and capsaicinoid amountswere found to decrease progressively following a linear kinetics. After 12 months free carotenoids decreased to 20% of the initial value, and total capsaicinoids to 75%. All classes of carotenoids were found to be highly correlated with total capsaicinoids, thus showing that the molecules as the object of the study were subjected to similar kinetics. During storage at low temperature carotenoids decrease with lower rate (free carotenoids reached 66% of the initial value after 12 months) and capsaicinoids were almost unaltered

Determination of the carotenoid profile in peach fruits, juice and jam

Introduction. Carotenoids have been described as possessing several important functional properties and health benefits. These properties make these compounds ideal for the always increasing functional food industry as well as for promoting the consumption of the natural products in which they are contained. Here, we report the first characterisation of the non-saponified carotenoid composition in fresh peach fruits and commercial peach juice and jam. Materials and methods. Fully mature yellow-fleshed peach fruits produced in Sicily were purchased at a local market; they were peeled and the pulp was analysed. Commercial peach juice and commercial peach jam from three different known manufacturers were also purchased at the local market. Both the juice and jam analysed were produced by local manufacturers from the same kind of fresh fruit studied in this work. After carotenoid extraction with organic solvents, the samples were analysed by a direct HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS methodology. Results and discussion. Three free carotenoids (zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene) and three monoesters of β-cryptoxanthin were identified and detected in all the samples analysed. Interestingly, the carotenoid profile remained the same in all the samples, and it was not affected by the peach processing occurring during the production of the peach juice and jam. Moreover, small differences were observed in the relative contents of the identified components among the samples investigated

Emile Driant/Capitaine Danrit. La warfiction francese tra revanche ed orientalismo

Emile Driant/Capitaine Danrit. La warfiction francese tra revanche ed orientalism