Phenolics content and antioxidant capacity of commercial red fruit juices

The content of phenolics: total phenols (TP), flavonoids (TF), anthocyanins (TA) and hydroxicinnamic acid as well as the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in nine commercial red fruit juices (sour cherry, black currant, red grape) produced in Serbia were evaluated. The total compounds content was measured by spectrophotometric methods, TAC was determined using DPPH assays, and individual anthocyanins and hydroxycinnamic acids was determined using HPLC-DAD methods. Among the examined fruit juices, the black currant juices contained the highest amounts of all groups of the phenolics and exhibited strong antioxidant capacity. The amount of anthocyanins determined by HPLC method ranged from 92.36 to 512.73 mg/L in red grape and black currant juices, respectively. The anthocyanins present in the investigated red fruit juices were derivatives of cyanidin, delphinidin, petunidin, peonidin and malvidin. The predominant phenolic acid was neoclorogenic acid in sour cherry, caffeic acid in black currant, and p-coumaric acid in black grape juices. Generally, the red fruit juices produced in the Serbia are a rich source of the phenolic, which show evident antioxidant capacity

Polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of sour cherries from Serbia

The aim of this study is to evaluate the content of phenolics: the total phenols (TP), flavonoids (TF), anthocyanins (TA), as well as the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in three sour cherry cultivars (Prunus cerasus L.) introduced to the southeast Serbia climate conditions. Among the researched sour cherries, ‘Oblacinska’ cultivar contained the highest amounts of all groups of phenolics, followed by ‘Cigancica’ > ‘Marela’. A significant difference were observed in the phenolic content among different cultivars and growing seasons (p<0.05), and the phenolic compounds were significantly higher in the growing season 2009. The examined cultivars possess a high antioxidant capacity, and all phenolics of highy correlation with TAC. The following compounds were identified and quantified using HPLC-DAD: 4 anthocyanins, the most abundant of which was cyaniding-3-glucoside in ‘Marela’ and ‘Oblacinska’, and cyanidin-3-glucosylrutinoside in ‘Cigancica’, and 4 hydroxycinnamic acids, the most abundant of which was neochlorogenic acid in all sour cherry cultivars. The growing and ripening process on the tree of sour cherry cv. Oblacinska was evaluated, also. The results showed significant increases in total phenols during the ripening, the total anthocyanins and total antioxidant capacity and 4 quantified anthocyanins, however the neochlorogenic acid decreased during the ripening. The study indicated that the growing and climate conditions in southeast Serbia are convenient for introducing sour cherry cultivars

The process of globalization: Good and bad sides

The purpose of the paper is to point out the factual state of the globalization process, the positive and negative aspects of this process, which relate to the aspirations of world powers to shape the world in technological, economic, informational, political and cultural terms. Globalization encourages the spread of integration, market openness, capital transfer, but at the same time the emergence of spiritual and material superficialities and gaps. Therefore, many point out the downsides of this process. On the other hand, globalization has a multiple impact on the economy of all countries, and it concerns foreign direct investment and the movement of people and capital from country to country. As production at the global level is rationalized and new technologies spread, countries can increase production, and thus the level of wages and living standards, and due to the unification of various regulations between countries, trade becomes easier and more useful for all participating countries. For this and similar reasons, some authors point out the advantages of globalization over disadvantages. The aim of the paper is to point out that the advantages should not be denied, but the greater presence of disadvantages should be noticed

Crystallographic investigation of the iron phosphate tungsten bronze (Fe-PWB)

In this paper, 12-tungstenphosphoric acid (PWA) was synthesized in combination with FeCl3 at room temperature (25 °C). At such manner, Fe3+ ion exchange gave new 12-tungstenphosphoric salt of the transition metal iron (FePW12O40×nH2O; Fe-PWA). Thermal analysis determined the temperature of about 596 °C of the phase transition, i.e., the temperature at which the structure of the Kegin anion is disturbed. Therefore, it was chosen temperature above the breakdown of the Kegin anion of 650 °C, and which is required to obtain phosphate tungsten bronzes (PWB) doped with iron (Fe-PWB). The sample was kept in the oven for 10 min. Such obtained new Fe-PWB doped bronze was further investigated by the X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and Rietveld methods. The XRPD patterns of Fe-PWA and Fe-PWB were taken in the 3–90° 2θ angle range, and clearly reveal crystallographic and structural differences between these two phases. Determined unit-cell parameters of Fe-PWB obtained by the Rietveld method in the monoclinic crystallographic system are as following: a0 = 7.53(2) Å; b0 = 7.51(1) Å; c0 = 7.64(1) Å; β0 = 89.7(2)° and V0 = 431(2) Å3. These unit-cell parameters were compared with PWB, as well as other previously characterized doped bronzes (LiPWB and Ca-PWB). It can be concluded that inserting of the Fe3+ ion into the PWB’s structure was undoubtedly proven, and have the most influence to the axis a0 (i.e. it significantly increased), angle β0 (i.e., it significantly decreased), and volume V0 (i.e., it significantly increased). On the other hand, influence to the axis c0 is quite smaller (i.e. it slightly decreased), whereas influence to the axis b0 is minor. Such behavior is also very different in comparison to the Li-PWB and Ca-PWB

Finger Length Ratios in Serbian Transsexuals

Atypical prenatal hormone exposure could be a factor in the development of transsexualism. There is evidence that the 2nd and 4th digit ratio (2D : 4D) associates negatively with prenatal testosterone and positively with estrogens. The aim was to assess the difference in 2D : 4D between female to male transsexuals (FMT) and male to female transsexuals (MFT) and controls. We examined 42 MFT, 38 FMT, and 45 control males and 48 control females. Precise measurements were made by X-rays at the ventral surface of both hands from the basal crease of the digit to the tip using vernier calliper. Control male and female patients had larger 2D : 4D of the right hand when compared to the left hand. Control male’s left hand ratio was lower than in control female’s left hand. There was no difference in 2D : 4D between MFT and control males. MFT showed similar 2D : 4D of the right hand with control women indicating possible influencing factor in embryogenesis and consequently finger length changes. FMT showed the lowest 2D : 4D of the left hand when compared to the control males and females. Results of our study go in favour of the biological aetiology of transsexualism

Variations of Common Riverine Contaminants in Reservoir Sediments

Organic molecules in reservoir sediments can be used as tracers of contaminant inputs into rivers. Vertical variations in the molecular records can be ascribed to pre-depositional alteration within the water column, or in situ post-depositional alteration. We report the molecular stratigraphy of four common riverine contaminant groups in sediment of the largest reservoir on the Danube River, the Iron Gate I Reservoir. Sediments were rapidly deposited, with little variation in texture and, as revealed by analytical pyrolysis, in the concentration and composition of natural sedimentary organic matter. However, a detailed molecular inspection did reveal differences in distribution and organic carbon (OC)-normalized concentrations of contaminants.The OC-normalized concentrations of nonylphenol increased by one order of magnitude with depth down the 70cm sediment core. There is a strong correlation between sediment depth and the ratio of nonylphenol to its precursor (nonylphenol monoethoxylate). This indicated that nonylphenol was produced in situ. While the relative proportions of C10-C14 linear alkylbenzenes remained constant with increasing depth, they exhibited variations in isomer distribution. These variations, which are due to different degrees of degradation, appear to have occurred within the water column prior to sedimentation of suspended solids.The distribution of 40 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons revealed origins from both pyrogenic and petrogenic sources. The differences in their compositions were not depth-related, but rather were associated with variations in the sorption capacities of texturally different sediments. Perylene showed slightly higher concentrations at greater depths, while the OC-normalized concentration of retene systematically increased with sediment depth. This is consistent with formation of retene and perylene via very early diagenetic transformation. The presence of petroleum biomarkers indicated minor contamination by fossil fuels. Molecular stratigraphy in sediment core from the Iron Gate I Reservoir is explored. Geochronology indicates a high sedimentation rate. Bacterial reworking of sediments produce nonylphenol, perylene, and retene in situ. Changes in PAH composition reflect different sorption capacity of sediments. Compositional variations of LABs and petroleum biomarkers are pre-depositional

Natural, Anthropogenic and Fossil Organic Matter in River Sediments and Suspended Particulate Mattera Multi-Molecular Marker Approach

Different classes of organic matter (OM) have been systematically investigated in sediments and suspended particulate matter (SPM) along the Danube River in order to understand causes of compositional changes. Analytical pyrolysis revealed the dominance of natural organic matter (NOM) in most of the samples. The predominance of aquatic biomass is evident mainly from the abundance of organonitrogen compounds and phenol distributions. As the river enters a forested gorge, the terrestrial component of the NOM in sediments is more significant. This is reflected in abundant methoxyphenols and a very high carbon preference index. SPM sample from a tributary shows a unique geochemical signature. It contains abundant carboxylic acids, amines, isoprenoids in the pyrolyzate, and is dominated by phytol and 24-methyl-cholesta-5,24(28)-dien-3β-ol in the extract, produced by a diatom bloom. Wax esters with a relatively high proportion of short, methyl-branched alkyl-chains appear together with abundant phytadienes and n-C17 alkane in some samples, suggesting a microbial origin. Anthropogenic OM from runoff and atmospheric deposition was evident from a minor input of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) originating from mixed combustion sources. Multivariate analysis using PAH data led us to define simple molecular ratios to distinguish the PAH composition in sand and silty sediments. The newly defined ratios are the alkylated phenanthrenes and anthracenes ratio (APA; C1-C3/C0-C3 phenanthrenes and anthracenes) and the PAH ring number ratio (RN; 5-6 ring parent PAHs/all parent PAHs). This demonstrates that alkylated, as well as 5-6 ring PAHs are better preserved in the finer than in coarser grained sediments. A ubiquitous, but minor input of petroleum-related contamination with a uniform composition was evident in all samples as revealed by the analysis of petroleum biomarkers. This study demonstrates that the investigation of different classes of riverine OM requires a detailed molecular analysis, applying a series of analytical techniques and adequate statistical data treatment

Alterations of pituitary immunocytochemical and morphometric parameters in juvenile female rats following estradiol and hCG treatment

Immunocytochemical and morphometric changes of pituitary FSH and LH cells in juvenile (17th day of life) female rats neonatally (4th day of life) treated with five 0.25 mg doses of estradiol dipropionate (EDP) or human chorionic gonadotrophin (14th and 16th day of life) and with the combination of both were studied using rabbit antirat beta-follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and beta-luteinising hormone (LH) sera and a peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) immunohistochemical procedure. Morphometry and stereology were applied to evaluate the changes in FSH- and LH-producing cells, number and volume densities of the cells and the nuclei. In EDP-treated females significantly increased pituitary mass and the number of chromophobes and PRL cells were observed while all morphometric parameters of FSH/LH cells were decreased in comparison with the corresponding controls. This difference was much more prominent in FSH-beta- than in LH-beta cells. Treatment with hCG led to an increase in the number of FSH and LH cells, but it was much more pronounced in the latter cells. In the group receiving EDP and hCG in combination, the effect of EDP was predominant in FSH cells and that of hCG in LH cells

Thyroid C cells of middle-aged rats treated with estradiol or calcium

The structure and function of C cells of middle-aged female rats (14-months old) treated with estradiol dipropionate (EDP), calcium (Ca) or a combination of EDP+Ca were studied. A stereological method was used to determine the volume of calcitonin (CT)-immunoreactive C cells and their nuclei, and the relative volume density and mean number of the C cells per section were calculated. Serum levels of CT, osteocalcin, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and beta-estradiol were also measured. A significant decrease in body weight of the rats treated with EDP or EDP+Ca was observed. These treatments led to a significant decrease in cellular and nuclear volumes, relative volume density, and mean number of C cells per section, in comparison with the corresponding controls. A reduction of the serum level of CT, PTH, and osteocalcin was also recorded in EDP-and EDP+Ca-treated animals. No statistically significant differences between Ca- and vehicle-injected rats, with regard to all morphometric C cell parameters and biochemical values determined, were seen. However, a conspicuous degranulation of the C cells and decreased immunoreactivity for CT in the Ca-receiving group, which could be interpreted as the signs of increased activity of these cells, were noticed. This effect of Ca was also observed in rats injected with EDP and Ca in combination, when the inhibitory effect of EDP on C cell function was less noticeable than in the group treated with EDP alone