Polyacylated anthocyanins from Hebe

Four acylated anthocyanins were isolated from flowers of Hebe spp. On the basis of LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry) and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) techniques, they were identified as (1) cyanidin 3-O-[2-O-(6-O-(E-caffeoyl)-beta-glucopyranosyl)-6-O-(E-p-coumaroyl)-beta-glucopyranoside]-5-O-beta-glucopyranoside, (2) cyanidin 3-O-[2-O-(6-O-(E-p-coumaroyl)-beta-glucopyranosyl)-6-O-(E-p-coumaroyl)-beta-glucopyranoside]-5-O-beta-glucopyranoside, (3) cyanidin 3-O-[2-O-(6-O-(E-caffeoyl)-beta-glucopyranosyl)-6-O-(E-p-coumaroyl)-beta-glucopyranoside]-5-O-[6-O-(malonyl)-beta-glucopyranoside], and (4) cyanidin 3-O-[2-O-(6-O-(E-p-coumaroyl)-beta-glucopyranosyl)-6-O-(E-p-coumaroyl)-beta-glucopyranoside]-5-O-[6-O-(malonyl)-beta-glucopyranoside]. Pigments 2 and 4 are novel compounds.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologi

Inhibition of enzymes important for Alzheimer’s disease by antioxidant extracts prepared from 15 New Zealand medicinal trees and bushes

Alzheimer’s disease is characterised by progressive mental deterioration, related to ageing and senility. Thirty methanol and ethyl acetate extracts from 15 native New Zealand trees and bushes were produced and tested for the inhibition of three enzymes related to neurotransmission: acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and beta-secretase (BACE). In addition the IC50 for the antioxidant potential of the extracts was determined. Weinmannia racemosa and Kunzea ericoides were effective inhibitors of AChE-BChE and beta-secretase, respectively. The IC50 for W. racemosa extracts against AChE and BChE ranged between 8.09 μg/mL and 37.07 μg/mL. The ethyl acetate extract of Schefflera digitata was also an effective inhibitor of BChE (IC50 = 25.38 μg/mL). K. ericoides IC50 for beta-secretase were 29.05 μg/mL and 36.40 μg/ml. The highest radical scavenging activity (RSA) was detected in the methanol extract of Aristotelia serrata (IC50 = 2.34 μg/mL), followed by both extracts of Hebe stricta and W. racemosa, and last the methanol extracts of K. ericoides and Pomaderris kumeraho, which presented higher RSA than the reference antioxidant (IC50 <12.0 μg/mL). W. racemosa showed inhibitory activity against AChE and BChE enzymes and antioxidant activity, which suggests these extracts may have potential for application in patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other dementias

Ecological study of Hickford Park and coastal walkway route options

An ecological study of Hickford Park, (New Plymouth) was conducted by the Environmental Research Institute, University of Waikato, for the New Plymouth District Council. The main ecological features of the park were mapped and described and recommendations were made for the future management of the site. Hickford Park encompasses significant wetland habitat (Waipu Lagoons and oxidation ponds), sections of planted native species, an extensive duneland system, exotic plantation forest, grazed pasture, sports playing fields and the recently completed Taranaki Velodrome. The Waipu Lagoons represent a rare coastal lagoon ecosystem type in Taranaki, and host a diverse range of native wetland flora and fauna. The acclaimed coastal walkway currently extends half way through Hickford Park to St Andrews Drive. The environmental impacts of several proposed routes for the extension of the coastal walkway through the remainder of the park to Bell Block beach were assessed and recommendations made for the preferred route from an ecological perspective. In summary: • Indigenous vegetation and habitats of indigenous fauna should not be disturbed if an alternative option is available. Possible ecological impacts of the walkway development may include removal of native vegetation, impact on dune system, alteration to land contours and slope, soil disturbance and sediment input to waterways. • Construction of the coastal walkway along the originally proposed route option (1.1) would require both vegetation removal and re-contouring and would result in a decrease or degradation of natural dune habitat. • Route option 1.2 appears to be the most feasible option, as the Waitara sewer line has previously been installed in the same location and no vegetation removal would be required. • Route options 1.2, 1.3 and the proposed walkway links, provide an opportunity to enhance the public’s appreciation of the ecology within Hickford Park. • In all cases, the ecological effects of the preferred walkway route should be offset via enhancement and restoration plantings

Ambrose Harris v. Michelle Ricci

USDC for the District of New Jerse

Lincoln University campus: a guide to some of the shrubs currently growing there

As with the first book “Lincoln University campus – a guide to some of the trees currently growing there” (April 2008) the purpose of this guide is primarily to increase the awareness for those people who are interested in plants of the Lincoln University campus. For some people shrubs can also be a learning resource, much like a library of books is for others. In a library, books of course have a title and are classified in order that they can easily be found. From there it is up to the individual as to what they may wish to find out from the contents. Currently plants at Lincoln are known by some at different levels of correctness, but for the majority providing the equivalent of a title and where you might find them may be a useful starting point, from there people can choose to learn what they may want to know about the plants. Labelling shrubs is another option, but for now, this should be seen for what it is - a starting point for those who wish to find out more

Competitiveness as the factor of settlements terms forming at the market of chocolate producers

The relevance of the investigated problem is caused by increasing levels of competition in the industry markets of chocolate producers in Russia and the need to maintain the profitability of the companies’ activities in the unstable macroeconomic conditions. The aim of the article is to assess the impact of competitive forces on settlements terms between the participants of supply chain, taking into account relative financial and industrial competitiveness of suppliers and buyers. The leading method of this problem is the research analysis of the market situation in the industry based on the model of five forces of competition by M. Porter (2004), as well as assessment of individual indicators of financial condition of chocolate products manufacturing companies using the analysis of some indicators. The article defines the conditions of optimization of financing sources for current payments based on relative financial and industrial competitiveness of suppliers and buyers. Article Submissions are of practical value to chocolate producers operating in Russian and international markets. © 2016 Arman, Syamsul Bachri Thalib, Darman Manda