Effects of cooking on anthocyanin concentration and bioactive antioxidant capacity in glutinous and non-glutinous purple rice

Purple rice is a source of bioactive antioxidants for rice consumers. Loss of the major antioxidant compounds after a range of cooking processes was evaluated by measuring the change in anthocyanin concentration (ATC) and antioxidant capacity (DPPH activity) of four non-glutinous and four glutinous genotypes. However, soaking in water prior to cooking generally decreased ATC and DPPH activity more in non-glutinous than in glutinous genotypes. Wet cooking (WC) and soaking before wet cooking (S-WC) led to almost all the ATC and DPPH activity being lost with only slight variation between genotypes. In the glutinous genotype PES, which had the highest raw rice ATC, the highest ATC remained when cooked by the WC method. By contrast, almost no ATC remained after WC and S-WC in the low ATC genotypes such as KDK. Overall, the loss of ATC on cooking was greater in non-glutinous than glutinous genotypes for both WC and S-WC, but the reverse occurred for DPPH activity. Wet cooking using electric rice cooker retained higher ATC than the pressure cooking. Thus, for genotypes with high ATC and antioxidant capacity, the selection of cooking method is critical for retaining and stabilizing rice quality

Easy and rapid detection of iron in rice grain

In this study, we show how a preliminary determination of grain Fe in rice may be made with reaction to Perls’ Prussian blue, a stain for Fe (III). Differential localization of Fe in grain parts was indicated by the intensity of reaction of tissue Fe to the dye. The blue colour reaction was most intense in the embryo, weak in the aleurone layer of the pericarp and invisible in the endosperm. The staining intensity also varied with the region of the embryo, generally being strongest in the scutellum, intermediate in the coleorhiza and weakest in the coleoptile. Variation in the reaction to Perls’ Prussian blue was observed among eleven rice genotypes with varying grain Fe contents. The intensity of the blue colour reaction in the embryo of different rice genotypes was indicative of their grain Fe contents for both brown and white (polished) rice. Those with high grain Fe, >14 mg Fe kg-1, were clearly distinguishable from those with <10 mg Fe kg-1 with Perls’ Prussian blue. We suggest that this simple staining procedure may be used to quickly screen for high Fe contents in large germplasms containing hundreds of rice entries, using reactions in genotypes with known grain contents as standards

Variation of milling and grain physical quality of dry season Pathum Thani 1 in Thailand

Pathum Thani 1 (PTT1) is a photoperiod-insensitive, aromatic Thai rice variety that is grown year-round. The rice from some locations is often priced lower than others due to sub-standard grain quality. This study sought to determine the limiting grain quality characteristic(s) in dry season PTT1 and their distribution across Thailand’s irrigated rice regions. To do so, we evaluated the milling and physical quality of milled rice grain of dry season PTT1 from 24 provinces in 5 regions in Thailand. Sixty-seven paddy rice samples were collected and evaluated for head rice yield, chalkiness, whiteness, and translucency. Head rice yield varied by region, with the highest (48.1%) found in samples from the Central region, compared to 34.5-39.7% elsewhere. Head rice chalkiness was the physical quality that varied more widely among the provinces within each region than among regions, with chalkiness at a level that would adversely affect price in more than one-half of the samples. Contrary to the general perception that chalky grain is less resistant in milling, head rice yield actually increased with total chalkiness, expressed as % chalky grain by weight. The total chalkiness correlated negatively with translucency, while the head rice chalkiness correlated positively with whiteness. Grain chalkiness was identified as the grain quality attribute of PTT1 rice that varied with location; this directly affected the price of milled rice grain, as well as indirectly through its relationship with head rice yield and visual appearance of the milled rice grai

Responses of milling quality to nitrogen and water management in modern long grain rice varieties

This study determined how nitrogen (N) fertilizer and water management affect grain yield and milling quality of 9 modern rice varieties with long, slender grain in two field experiments. The effect of N on rice grown in wetland culture was evaluated at 0, 60 and 120 kg N ha-1. In a second experiment the rice in aerobic and wetland culture were compared. The rice in both experiments were grown to maturity and evaluated for yield, head rice yield and chalkiness. Grain yield increased with increasing N application, head rice yield increased with increasing N in 8 varieties, while chalkiness was more than halved in 7 varieties. Grain N also increased with increasing N fertilizer, but high head rice yield in several varieties was associated with relatively low grain N. Under aerobic cultivation, all 9 varieties yielded less than in wetland culture, the head rice yield was lower and chalkiness was higher except in 2 varieties. In both experiments, grain yield was associated positively with head rice yield and negatively with chalkiness. Head rice yield and chalkiness were negatively associated in the water experiment but not in the N experiment. This study has shown that modern high yielding rice varieties generally respond positively to nitrogen fertilizer in better milling quality as well as in yield. Grain chalkiness of the varieties was more stable against variation in the environment than head rice yield

Simultaneous Quantification of Anthocyanins and Phenolic Acids in Pigmented Rice (Oryza sativa) using UPLC-PDA/ESI-Q-TOF

Anthocyanins and phenolic acids are the major antioxidants in purple rice. The method conditions were specified and not coved for both anthocyanins and phenolic acids. The objective of this study was to adopt the UPLC coupled with ESI-MS method for determination of the major anthocyanins and phenolic acids under the same condition in purple, red and white rice varieties. A UPLC-PDA/ESI-Q-TOF method was optimized with a high linearity for all analyzed compounds with regression coefficients greater than 0.99. Repeatability was good with the relative standard deviation values generally less than 5.5%. The limit of detection and quantification ranged from 1.9-36.6 and 5.0-123.1 mu g kg(-1), respectively. Spike recoveries were between 81-116%. Mass spectroscopy was used to confirm identity in the positive ion mode for all analyzed compounds Cyanidin-3-glucoside and ferulic acid were the most abundant anthocyanins and phenolic acids, respectively. Bound ferulic acid was higher in purple rice than in red and white rice flours. This developed procedure can be used to facilitate the rapid screening of rice seed banks for anthocyanins and phenolic acids of interest for rice pre-breeding

Grain zinc and yield responses of two rice varieties to zinc biofortification and water management

Zinc (Zn) biofortification can improve grain yield and nutritional quality in rice, but its effectiveness is subject to agronomic practices and other factors. In a previous study, the application of Zn to soil enhanced grain Zn in lowland rice in well-drained and waterlogged soil, whereas grain Zn in upland rice increased only in well-drained soil. This new study explores the hypothesis that the application of foliar Zn can enhance grain Zn in upland and lowland rice grown under waterlogged and well-drained conditions. Two rice varieties, CNT1 (wetland rice) and KH CMU (upland rice) were grown in containers in waterlogged or well-drained soil with three Zn treatments (no Zn, soil Zn and foliar Zn). For the soil Zn treatment, 50 kg ZnSO4 ha−1 was applied to the soil before transplanting. For the foliar treatment, 0.5% ZnSO4 (equivalent to 900 L ha−1) was applied at booting and repeated at flowering and milky growth stages. Grain yield in CNT1 was 15.9% higher in the waterlogged than in the well-drained plants, but the water regime had no effect on grain yield in KH CMU. Grain Zn concentration in CNT1 increased from 19.5% to 32.6% above the no Zn control when plants were applied with soil or foliar Zn. In KH CMU, there was an interaction between the water regime and Zn treatment. Application of foliar Zn increased grain Zn by 44.6% in well-drained and 14.7% in waterlogged soil. The results indicate strong interaction effects between variety, water regime and Zn fertilizer application on Zn biofortification in rice. Thus, the selection of rice varieties and growing conditions should be considered in order for producers to achieve desirable outcomes from high grain Zn concentrations

Impact of loss of high-molecular-weight von Willebrand factor multimers on blood loss after aortic valve replacement

Background Severe aortic stenosis is associated with loss of the largest von Willebrand factor (vWF) multimers, which could affect primary haemostasis. We hypothesized that the altered multimer structure with the loss of the largest multimers increases postoperative bleeding in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement. Methods We prospectively included 60 subjects with severe aortic stenosis. Before and after aortic valve replacement, vWF antigen, activity, and multimer structure were determined and platelet function was measured by impedance aggregometry. Blood loss from mediastinal drainage and the use of blood and haemostatic products were evaluated perioperatively. Results Before operation, the altered multimer structure was present in 48 subjects (80%). Baseline characteristics and laboratory data were similar in all subjects. The median blood loss after 6 h was 250 (105-400) and 145 (85-240) ml in the groups with the altered and normal multimer structures, respectively (P=0.182). After 24 h, the cumulative loss was 495 (270-650) and 375 (310-600) ml in the groups with the altered and normal multimer structures, respectively (P=0.713). Multivariable analysis revealed no significant influence of multimer structure and platelet function on bleeding volumes after 6 and 24 h. After 24 h, there was no obvious difference in vWF antigen, activity, and multimer structure in subjects with and without the altered multimer structure before operation or in subjects with and without perioperative plasma transfusion. Conclusions The altered vWF multimer structure before operation was not associated with increased bleeding after aortic valve replacement. Our findings might be explained by perioperative release of vWF and rapid recovery of the largest vWF multimer

Myrtle Seeds (Myrtus communis L.) as a Rich Source of the Bioactive Ellagitannins Oenothein B and Eugeniflorin D2

The increasing popularity of "Mirto" liqueur, produced from Myrtus communis berries, has led to the planting of domesticated cultivars, expanding myrtle berry production. To promote the use of cultivated berries, the content in the nutraceutical compounds ellagitannins has been investigated both in spontaneous and cultivated fruits. Oenothein B and eugeniflorin D2, characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, were isolated and quantified using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-DAD-MS/MS). The antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities of oenothein B were assayed in vitro. Large amounts of oenothein B and eugeniflorin D2 were detected in seeds (12 \ub1 2.4 and 5.8 \ub1 1.2 mg/g). The oenothein B concentration in liqueurs was 194 \ub1 22 mg/L. This macrocyclic ellagitannin dimer showed anti-Candida (minimal inhibitory concentration &lt;8-64 \u3bcg/mL) and anti-inflammatory properties. Cultivated myrtle berries are a source of nutraceutical compounds. The high concentration of oenothein B in liqueur suggests a possible contribution to the organoleptic and biological properties of the beverage

Iron and zinc variation along the grain length of different Thai rice varieties

ABSTRACT: This study examined the distribution of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) along the grain length of seven rice varieties. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with two factors (variety and grain fraction) and three independent replications. Samples of brown and white rice of six common Thai rice varieties and a high Fe and Zn variety, IR68144, were transversely cut into three fractions per grain (basal, middle, and distal) with approximately the same length in each fraction. The concentration of Fe and Zn was determined by the dry ashing method and quantified using atomic absorption spectrometry. The middle grain fraction of brown rice was found to have the lowest Fe and Zn with greater concentration of Fe and Zn in the basal (embryo end) than the other fractions. The rice varieties differed in the amount of Fe and Zn allocated to different fractions of the endosperm (white rice). The potential for loss of Fe and Zn during milling due to their uneven distribution along the grain length will become more significant when higher nutrient concentrations are involved, such as those achieved by biofortification efforts. Micronutrient distribution needs to be taken into consideration to ensure that rice consumers benefit from Fe and Zn biofortification

Regulatory Interplay between miR-181a-5p and Estrogen Receptor Signaling Cascade in Breast Cancer

he efficacy and side effects of endocrine therapy in breast cancer (BC) depend largely on estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) expression, the specific drug administered, and treatment scheduling. Although the benefits of endocrine therapy outweigh any adverse effects in the initial stages of BC, later- or advanced-stage tumors acquire resistance to treatments. The mechanisms underlying tumor resistance to therapy are still not well understood, posing a major challenge for BC patient care. Epigenetic regulation and miRNA expression may be involved in the switch from a treatment-sensitive to a treatment-resistant state and could provide a valid therapeutic strategy for ERα negative BC. Here, a hybrid lysine-specific histone demethylase inhibitor, MC3324, displaying selective estrogen receptor down-regulator-like activities in BC, was used to highlight the interplay between epigenetic and ERα signaling. MC3324 anticancer action is mediated by microRNA (miRNA) expression regulation, indicating an innovative function for this molecule. Integrated analysis suggests a crosstalk between estrogen signaling, ERα interactors, miRNAs, and their putative targets. Specifically, miR-181a-5p expression is regulated by MC3324 and has an impact on cellular levels of ERα. A comparison of breast tumor versus healthy mammary tissues confirmed the important role of miR-181a-5p in ERα regulation and points to its putative predictive function in BC therapy