Reduction of selected betacyanins

Betacyanins are conjugates of betalamic acid and glycosylated cyclo-DOPA which bring about the creation of a specific chromophoric system, the 1,7-diazaheptamethin chain. Betanin, a betacyanin pigment from red beet (Beta vulgaris L.), as well as its decarboxylated derivatives were subjected to reduction with the use of NaBH4. The pigment structures contain a vinyl linker which is postulated to be protonated during reaction with NaBH4. In this study, 17-decarboxybetanin and 2,17-bidecarboxy-betanin were obtained from betanin, which had been previously isolated from red beet root (Beta vulgaris L.). Purified pigments were tested in the presence of the reduction reagent while looking for the products of the reaction identified by LC-MS

Mass spectrometric detection of new betalains in Mammillaria flowers

Betacyanins are natural, red-violet betalain pigments which can be found in plenty of plants of the Cactaceae family. The Mammillaria is the widest genus of the Cactaceae family of which fruit was examined for betacyanins contents. As a result of the investigation, a new pigment structure, mammillarinin, was identified. Heretofore, no betacyanins of Mammillaria coronata flowers has been extensively studied. In this report, the results of betacyanin analysis by LC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS in the flower extract are presented

Anti-Hypochlorite and Catalytic Activity of Commercially Available Moringa oleifera Diet Supplement

Aiming at the assessment of the pro-health, and especially anti-hypochlorite properties of Moringa oleifera species a representative, commercially available Moringaoleifera dietary supplement was used as a substrate for the preparation of aqueous Moringa extract. The anti-hypochlorite activity of the extract was assessed using the hypochlorite-specific coumarin-based fluorescence turn-off sensor, namely 7-diethylamino-coumarin-3-carboxylic acid (7-DCCA). This compound was synthesized via the Knoevenagel condensation of 4-diethylamino-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde with Meldrum’sacidandtheMoringaextractwasemployedasamediumandcatalyst. Moreover,thetotal phenoliccontent(TPC)aswellasthereactiveoxygenspecies(ROS)–scavengingabilityoftheaqueous Moringa extract were determined. The results obtained demonstrated the applicability of Moringa extract as an anti-hypochlorite agent. Additionally, the satisfactory yield of the 7-DCCA obtained suggests the usefulness of the extract as a catalyst and the reaction medium. The antioxidative potentialoftheextractwasnotablylowerthanthatofthestandard(TROLOX).DeterminationofTPC in 100 g of the dry weight (DW) of studied material revealed a high number of polyphones present

Anti-Hypochlorite, Antioxidant, and Catalytic Activity of Three Polyphenol-Rich Super-Foods Investigated with the Use of Coumarin-Based Sensors

The anti-hypochlorite activity of açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.), goji (Lycium barbarum L.) and schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) fruit extracts were assessed by determining the reactive chlorine species (RCS)-scavenging ability of these three “super-food” berries. In addition, the aqueous extracts obtained were employed as both the media and the catalyst in a green chemistry approach to the synthesis of a coumarin-based fluorescence turn-off sensor, which was then used for anti-hypochlorite activity testing. The aqueous extracts were also assessed for total phenolic content (TPC), using the Folin–Ciocalteu method, and the antioxidant activity using the ABTS+• assay. Moreover, the main water-soluble polyphenolic constituents of the extracts were identified by the HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS technique. Among the extracts tested, açaí demonstrated the highest anti-hypochlorite and antioxidant activities, while the highest TPC value was found for the goji extract. All extracts demonstrated modest catalytic activity as Knoevenagel condensation catalysts

Fluorescence Quenching-Based Mechanism for Determination of Hypochlorite by Coumarin-Derived Sensors

A fluorescence quenching-based mechanism for the determination of hypochlorite was proposed based on spectroscopic and chromatographic studies on the hypochlorite-sensing potency of three structurally similar and highly fluorescent coumarins. The mode of action was found to rely upon a chlorination of the coumarin-based probes resulting from their reaction with sodium hypochlorite. Importantly, the formation of chlorinated derivatives was accompanied by a linear decrease in the fluorescence intensities of the probes tested. The results obtained suggest the applicability of a coumarin-dependent hypochlorite recognition mechanism for the detection of, as well as for quantitative determination of, hypochlorite species in vitro

Structural Features of 1,3,4-Thiadiazole-Derived Ligands and Their Zn(II) and Cu(II) Complexes Which Demonstrate Synergistic Antibacterial Effects with Kanamycin

Classical synthetic protocols were applied for the isolation of three novel 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives which were then complexed with the biologically important Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions. All free ligands and their corresponding complexes were characterized using a number of spectroscopic techniques including Ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis), Fluorescence, Infrared (FT-IR), tandem liquid chromatography-mass (LC-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (1H, 13C, HSQC, HMBC). The results obtained are consistent with the formation of dihydrate complexes, in which the chelation of the metal ion occurs via one of the thiadiazole nitrogen atoms and the deprotonated hydroxyl group of the neighboring resorcynyl moiety. The Zn(II) complexes utilize a 1:1 ligand–metal ratio, while in the Cu(II) complexes the ligand–metal ratio is 2:1. Although the antibacterial testing identified moderate activity of the compounds against the tested bacterial strains and additionally modest antioxidant activity, a strong synergistic antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus, using concomitant treatment of thiadiazole derivatives with the commercial antibiotic kanamycin, was observed. The most active thiadiazole derivative demonstrated a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 500 μg/mL while it was 125 μg/mL in the presence of kanamycin. Moreover, in the presence of few thiadiazole derivatives the MIC value of kanamycin decreased from 0.39 μg/mL to 0.5 μg/mL. The antioxidant activity (IC50) of the most active thiadiazole derivative was determined as 0.13 mM which was nearly three-fold lower compared to that of TROLOX (0.5 mM)

Non-typical fluorescence effects and biological activity in selected 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives : spectroscopic and theoretical studies on substituent, molecular aggregation, and pH effects

The below article presents the results of spectroscopic research, theoretical (time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT)), microbiological, and antioxidative calculations for three compounds from the group of 1,3,4-thiadiazoles: 2-amino-5-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole (TB), 2-amino-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole (TS), 2-amino-5-(2-hydroxy-5-sulfobenzoyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole (TSF). In the fluorescence emission spectra (TS) of solutions with varying concentrations of hydrogen ions, a particularly interesting effect of dual fluorescence was observed. The aforementioned effect was observed even more clearly in the environment of butan-1-ol, relative to the compound’s concentration. Depending on the modification of the resorcylic substituent (TS and TSF), we observed the emergence of two separate, partially overlapping, fluorescence emission spectra or a single emission spectrum. Interpretation of the obtained spectra using stationary and time-resolved spectroscopy allowed the correlation of the effect’s emergence with the phenomenon of molecular aggregation (of a particular type) as well as, above all, the structure of the substituent system. The overlap of said effects most likely induces the processes related to the phenomenon of charge transfer (in TS) and is responsible for the observed fluorescence effects. Also, the position of the –OH group (in the resorcylic ring) is significant and can facilitate the charge transfer (CT). The determinations of the changes in the dipole moment and TD-DFT calculations further corroborate the above assumption. The following paper presents the analysis (the first for this particular group of analogues) of the fluorescence effects relative to the changes in the structure of the resorcylic group combined with pH effects. The results of biological studies also indicate the highest pharmacological potential of the analogue in the case where the effects of dual fluorescence emission are observed, which predisposes this particular group of fluorophores as effective fluorescence probes or potential pharmaceuticals with antimycotic properties

Novel Coumarin-Thiadiazole Hybrids and Their Cu(II) and Zn(II) Complexes as Potential Antimicrobial Agents and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors

A series of coumarin-thiadiazole hybrids and their corresponding Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized with the use of spectroscopic techniques. The results obtained indicate that all the coumarin-thiadiazole hybrids act as bidentate chelators of Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions. The complexes isolated differ in their ligand:metal ratio depending on the central metal. In most cases, the Zn(II) complexes are characteristic of a 1:1 ligand:metal ratio, while in the Cu(II) complexes the ligand:metal ratio is 2:1. All compounds were tested as potential antibacterial agents against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacterial strains demonstrating activities notably lower than commercially available antibiotics. The more promising results were obtained from the assessment of antineurodegenerative potency as all compounds showed moderate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition activity

The morality of people practicing martial arts and combat sports in comparison with persons not training hand-to-hand fight

Background. The purpose of the study was to analyze the level of acceptance of particular ethics scales of people practicing martial arts and combat sports. Material and methods. The research was conducted in Jastrzębie-Zdrój and Wodzisław Śląski among 134 respondents divided into two groups: practitioners (N = 66) and control group (N = 68). The diagnostic questionnaire method, the questionnaire technique, was used. The Ethics Questionnaire developed by Wojciszke and Baryła (2000) served as the research tool. Results. It was proved that, regardless of gender and group membership, Productivity Ethics was the least accepted and the Autonomy Scale was the most accepted out of all the Ethics Questionnaire variables. It was found that, regardless of their gender, people practicing martial arts and combat sports are characterized with a higher level of faith that is statistically significant as compared to the control group in relation to the Common Good Scale (p < 0.04) and the Dignity Scale (p < 0.03). It was discovered that in comparison to men, women significantly stronger accept all of the ethics codes. Conclusions. The study can contribute to the development of pedagogy, psychology, sociology, ethics. What is more, it can help make the coaches and masters aware how important it is to pass moral values, propagate principles and philosophies, and nurture appropriate group relations among the practitioners, especially young people

Anxiety and social support among people taking part in marathons

Cel badań. Celem badań było ustalenie, w jaki sposób czynniki demograficzne, treningowe i społeczne wiążą się z odczuwaniem przez biegaczy startujących w maratonach symptomów lęku przedstartowego, a także z jego oceną na skali mobilizujący-deprymujący. Materiał i metody. Przebadano metodą ankietową 240 uczestników trzech największych maratonów w Polsce. Wykorzystano polskie wersje The Revised Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2RD) oraz Social Support for Physical Activity Scale. Wyniki. Wśród wymiarów intensywności lęku wartości lęku poznawczego i somatycznego były wyższe u kobiet i młodszych biegaczy, natomiast wartości pewności siebie – u mężczyzn. Przewidywany czas bieżącego maratonu korelował z intensywnością lęku pozytywnie, natomiast staż treningowy – negatywnie. Po przeprowadzeniu serii analiz regresji prostej ze wsparciem społecznym rodziny oraz przyjaciół jako potencjalnymi predyktorami poszczególnych wymiarów lęku (zmienne zależne) stwierdzono, że jedynie dwa z testowanych modeli były istotne statystycznie – intensywność lęku somatycznego (wsparcie rodziny i przyjaciół) i intensywność lęku poznawczego (wsparcie rodziny). Niespodziewany okazał się jedynie dodatni kierunek tej zależności oznaczający, że poziom lęku odczuwanego przez osoby biegające w maratonach rośnie wraz z poziomem otrzymywanego wsparcia społecznego. Wnioski. Pewne grupy osób są szczególnie narażone na stres przedstartowy. Konieczność sprostania oczekiwaniom rodziny i przyjaciół może generować stres związany z nadmiernym jej zaangażowaniem w aktywność sportową biegacza. Uzasadniony wydaje się optymalny stopień zaangażowania oraz wyczulenie środowiska rodzinnego i przyjaciół na stan zawodnika. Określenie, w jaki sposób wsparcie rodziny i przyjaciół oceniane jest przez osoby uprawiające sport wymaga dalszych badań.Background. The purpose of the study was to examine how demographic, training, and social factors were related to pre-performance cognitive and somatic anxiety symptoms and their interpretation among runners taking part in marathon races. Material and methods. A total of 240 participants of the three biggest marathons in Poland were surveyed by using the Polish adaptations of the Revised Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2RD) and the Social Support for Physical Activity Scale. Results. The intensity scores for cognitive and somatic anxiety were higher for female and younger runners, while the self-confidence scores – for males. The expected time of the current marathon was positively correlated with the anxiety intensity; in the case of experience, the correlation turned out negative. Linear regression analyses with social support from family and friends as potential predictors of particular dimensions of anxiety revealed that only two of the tested models were significant: somatic anxiety intensity (support from family and friends) and cognitive anxiety intensity (support from family). Surprisingly, the marathon runners’ anxiety increased along with the level of social support. Conclusions. Certain groups of people are particularly vulnerable to pre-competitive anxiety. The need to meet the expectations of the supportive environment and its excessive involvement may be a cause of stress. It seems appropriate to provide a moderate degree of support and sensitize the family and friends to the condition of the runner. An important line of future research would focus on determining how social support is assessed by people practising sport