Determination of α-solanine content in two varieties of potatoes by the densitometric method

Solanine is a glycoalkaloid found in the Solanaceae family, such as the potato. It is very poisonous even in small quantities because it has pesticide and fungicide effects and represents a natural plant defense mechanism. Its concentration increases when the plant is exposed to the agents that can cause plant stress (fertilization, insecticide use, etc.). This paper aims to examine the influence of three cultivation systems (conventionally, organically and naturally) on the biosynthesis of α-solanine (αS) through his quantification in young potatoes using densitometry. Two varieties of potatoes were analyzed: Aladdin (Ala) and Mona Lisa (MoL). For statistical analysis, the Student\u27s t-test was used. The results showed that the use of artificial insecticides caused a very intense biosynthesis of αS in the conven-tionally grown Ala variety (1.19 mg/100 g of fresh tubers (f.t.)) in comparison to the average α-solanine content (AαSC) by the organically grown Ala (0.62 mg/100 gf.t.) (it is close to the statistical significance, (p=0.08)). It is difficult to explain the very high AαSC of natural Ala cultivation (1.62 mg/100 gf.t.). Analysis of potatoes of the MoL variety showed that the AαSC of conventionally grown potatoes (1.35 mg/100 gf.t.) was statistically higher than the AαSC of naturally grown potatoes (0.59 mg/100 g of f.t.) (p*0.05). Concentrations of αS founded in the case of conventionally, organically and naturally grown potatoes are considered safe and such potatoes are suitable for consumption. However, because of a slight reduction in toxic αS, it is recommended to consume organically grown potatoes (Ala variety), and naturally grown potatoes (MoL variety)

Antioxidant Capacity in the Lipophilic Fraction of Alzheimer’s Brain Tissues

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant capacity (AC) in the lipophilic fraction of postmortem motorcortex (MC), nucleus caudatus (NC) and gyrus temporalis (GT) from controls (C) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. The initial samples consisted of 50 human brain tissues of AD and C. AC of the different region of human brain were measured by using the fluorescent method of the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Peroxyl and hydroxyl radical generators were used in the analysis. All ORAC analysis were carried out on the Perkin-Elmer spectrofluorometer LS 55 with fluorescent filters, Ex: 485 nm; Em 520 nm. Final results were calculated using the differences between area under the quenching curve of fluorescein (FL), blank and analyzed biological samples. AC against peroxyl radicals (ORAC-ROO°) of lipophilic fraction in MC of AD was statistically significantly lower in comparison with MC of C (p < 0,008). No changes in the AC against hydroxyl radicals (ORAC-°OH) of lipophilic fraction of AD were found in comparison with C. Reduction of total protein in GT of AD (p < 0,03) was found. The results showed that in the MC of AD brain the balance between production of free radicals and the neutralization by a complex antioxidant system is disturbed. The manual fluorescent method for AC measurements proved to be sufficiently appropriate and sensitive for the AC measurements of lipophilic fraction of postmortem brain tissues from different patologica! conditions

Inhibition of Neutral Red Photolysis with Different Antioxidants

Neutral red is a dye the azine structure which has been used as an acido-base indicator and a dye in histochemistry. In 1960 Goldhaber introduced Neutral red into the medium of resorbing bone cultures to localize the osteoclast in the living cultures. Using time-lapse microcinematography in order to follow the osteoclasts, he reported excellent contrast could be obtained with Neutral red due to the avidity of osteoclasts for this dye. Unfortunately, however, the photodynamic effect resulting from subsequent exposure of these cultures to light precluded this approach, and again in 1963. it was observed that the death of the osteoclasts was probably due to a photodynamic effect related to the dye in the cell, the presence of oxygen and the frequent exposure of light by our time-lapse photography. VIS and UV irradiation induced photolysis of Neutral red, and from Neutral red cation produced with photons a Neutral red radical. This Neutral red radical can be inhibited with action of an antioxidant, such as melatonin, glutathione, ascorbic acid, E vitamin, etc. We developed an assay with Neutral redphotolysis which utilizes a VIS and UV irradiation technique for quantification the inhibition of photolysis with action of an antioxidant. In this method Neutral red acts double, as a free radical generator and as a photosensitizer

Daily Fluctuation of Cortisol in the Saliva and Serum of Healthy Persons

The objective of this study was to evaluate cortisol in the saliva and serum of healthy persons and its daily fluctuations by using immunochemical method on a autoanalyzer. Biological samples: Serum from 14 healthy persons and saliva from 18 healthy persons were taken two times at 8 a.m. and at 4 p.m. Immunochemical assay: The principle of this method is the competitive binding of cortisol present in the analyzed sample and cortisol marked with peroxides on binding parts with specific antibodies. Statistical analysis: Student t-test. Cortisol in saliva in the morning: 21,2 ± 16,2 nmol/l and in the afternoon 12,7 ± 8,1 nmol/l. Cortisol in serum in the morning: 459, 6 ± 235,2 nmol/l, and in the afternoon 340,5 ± 207,5 nmol/l. The concentrations of cortisol in saliva are lower than in serum. Cortisol in the serum in the morning is about twenty times higher than cortisol in the saliva at the same time. Cortisol in the serum at afternoon is about twenty-seven times higher than cortisol in the saliva. Individual variabilities of cortisol in the saliva and serum were found during the day

Urinary Hippuric Acid after Ingestion of Edible Fruits

Aim of this study was to evaluate the biotransformation of simple phenols after ingestion of edible fruits and mixed food. It was analyzed hippuric acid in urine as biomarker of conjugation in the liver cells of glycine with aromatic phenolic acids such benzoic and salicylic acid from ingested food. Measurement of hippuric acid in urine samples of 10 healthy individuals: 5 female and 5 male with a mean age 51,5 years were recruited to participate in this study. Urine samples were collected for 24 hours. The additional meals 300 g of fruits: blueberry, cherry, raspberry, melon, blackberry and mixed food were given immediately before the 24 hr urine sampling. Otherwise, the meals given during 24 hr was a usually food. Biotransformation of phenols in edible fruits, that are together with liver glycins precursors of hippuric acid biosynthesis, was evaluated by direct spectrophotometric measurement of excreted hippuric acid in urine at 410 nm. It was established that the highest quantity of hippuric acid was after ingestion of 300g of bilberry fruits (p< 0,003), and same quantity of cherries (p< 0,003). Concentration of excreted hippuric acid was twice higher after ingestion of these fruits in comparison with hippuric acid concentrations in urine after ingestion of common - mixed food. Quantity of biosynthesised hippuric acid was in direct correlation with the concentrations of its precursors, primarily phenol acids and other simple aromatic acids ingested with food