Method and kit for the measurement of neutrophil cell activation

publication date: 2006-10-18; filing date: 2005-02-07The present invention is related to methods and kits (or devices) for the measurement of equine myeloperoxidase (MPO), a specific enzyme of equine neutrophils, either in total [first method], or specifically in its active form [second method]. Said methods and kits (or devices), used independently or in combination, find improved applications in the veterinary field and can be adapted for application in human health care. The concept of the second method is applicable to any other enzyme

Kit for the sequential measurement of (1) the enzymatically active fraction and (2) the total amount of an enzyme

publication date: 2010-03-31; filing date: 2008-06-02The present invention is related to a combined kit for sequential measurement of the enzymatically active fraction and total amount of an enzyme [(such as myeloperoxidase (MPO)] in a sample, and that find improved applications in veterinary and human health fields

Procédé combiné pour la mesure séquentielle de (1) la fraction active enzymaticalle et (2) la quantité totale d’une enzyme

publication date: 2009-01-21; filing date: 2007-07-20The present invention is related to a combined method and kit (or device) for the sequential measurement of the enzymatically active fraction and the total amount of an enzyme [(such as myeloperoxidase (MPO)] in a sample, and that find improved applications in veterinary and human health fields

Tuning the molar mass and substitution pattern of complex xylans from corn fibre using subcritical water extraction

Glucuronoarabinoxylan (GAX) is a structurally complex hemicellulose abundant in the cell wall of corn kernels that constitutes a valuable target for its valorisation from corn processing side streams. However, the crosslinked and recalcitrant nature of corn cell walls hinders its fractionation through mild green processes. In this study, we propose the extraction of GAX using subcritical water, where temperature, pH and time have been optimised to tune the extraction performance (yields and purity of the GAX) and the molecular structure of the extracted GAX (molar mass distribution, substitution pattern and presence of covalently bound phenolic moieties). Higher temperatures under unbuffered conditions caused a prominent drop in pH and autohydrolysis, resulting in a decrease of the molar mass (∼104 Da) and the cleavage of arabinose substitutions. Mitigating the pH drop using mild buffered neutral and alkaline conditions provided higher molar masses of the extracted GAX (∼105 Da), protecting as well the labile arabinose substitutions and resulting in a higher abundance of more complex glycan side chains. Subcritical water extraction preserved the phenolic acid moieties (mainly ferulic acid) covalently bound to polymeric GAX. Several forms of ferulic acid dehydrodimers (di-FA) were detected and identified by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-LC-MS2) and these di-FAs were particularly enriched in the mild alkaline extracts. We demonstrate that solely by carefully adjusting the operational parameters during subcritical water extraction we can tune the molar mass and complex substitutions of GAX, i.e. the degree and pattern of monomeric and oligomeric glycan side chains and ester-linked phenolic acid substitutions, without the use of additional catalysts. This molecular control over the production of corn GAX can invaluably benefit subsequent development of agroindustry-based biorefineries towards their conversion into novel bio-based materials for food and biomedical applications

Characterization of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) heartwood extractives : identification of resveratrol and piceatannol.

Robinia pseudoacacia L. heartwood is characterized by a very high natural durability. However, a significant difference was observed between the mature and juvenile heartwood, the latter presenting less durability against fungi decay, which could be attributed to lower extractive content. In order to elucidate this idea, extractives from mature and juvenile heartwoods of black locust trees were investigated. Results showed that extractive and phenolic contents were higher in mature than in juvenile heartwoods. The identification of phenolic compounds by UPLC–DAD–MS/MS revealed, for the first time, the presence of resveratrol and piceatannol. These two stilbenes as well as the flavonoid dihydrorobinetin were present at the highest level in mature heartwood, and as they are known antifungals, they could account for the great durability of mature heartwood. The stilbenes were detected in significant amounts particularly in mature heartwood where piceatannol reached a level tenfold higher than that reported for Japanese knotweed roots, the primary natural source of these stilbenes, whereas resveratrol level was comparable with reported values. As resveratrol and piceatannol receive increasing demand for nutraceutical, cosmetic and, possibly, pharmaceutical purposes, due to their beneficial health effects, this study underlines the use of R. pseudoacacia as a promising sustainable and economical source of resveratrol and piceatannol.WALEXTRAC

Cultivation and characterisation of Salicornia europaea, Tripolium pannonicum and Crithmum maritimum biomass for green biorefinery applications

Salt-tolerant halophytes have shown potential for biorefinery and agricultural use in salt-affected soils, increasing the value of marginal lands. They could provide a bio-based source for compounds obtained from the petrochemical industry or an alternative for biomass currently imported overseas. Salicornia europaea, Tripolium pannonicum and Crithmum maritimum were cultivated in hydroponic systems under various salinity conditions, harvested green but not food-grade, and fractionated to green juice and fibre residue. Obtained fractions were characterised for contents of carbohydrates, Klason lignin, crude protein, organic acids, lipids, and minerals to evaluate the biomass’ suitability for biorefinery. Significant differences were observed in the biomass yield and the composition of the biomass fractions from different cultivation salinities. High concentrations of crude protein were found. Thus, these species could have the potential for green protein production. Fractions rich in carbohydrates could be used for lignocellulose processing and processes utilising micro-organisms