Canola (Brassica napus) oil from Australian cultivars shows promising levels of tocopherols and carotenoids,along with good oxidative stability

A total of 156 commercial canola seed samples were collected from two growing seasons and tested for oil and protein content, glucosinolate concentration and kernel weight. Extracted oil samples were tested for the bioactive compounds: β-carotene (mean = 2.03 mg/kg), lutein (64.7), α-tocopherol (263), γ-tocopherol (378) and δ-tocopherol (8.94). A subset of 52 oil samples were analyzed for fatty acid profile (FAP) and oxidative stability. Canola cultivar was found to be the dominant influence on many traits, particularly carotenoids and tocopherols, indicating potential breeding opportunities. Previously unreported significant correlations were discovered between the two major carotenoids, lutein and β-carotene. Additionally, significant (p < 0.01) negative correlations existed between oil content and: β-carotene (r = −0.33), lutein (r = −0.23), α-tocopherol (r = −0.49), γ-tocopherol (r = −0.22), and δ-tocopherol (r = −0.30). Polyunsaturated fatty acid content was significantly (p < 0.01) positively correlated with carotenoid (r = 0.48) and tocopherol (r = 0.60) concentrations. Oxidative stability showed a weak negative correlation with total tocopherols (r = −0.38, p = 0.01) likely due to the over-riding influence of fatty acid profile on oxidative stability, indicating tocopherols may be more influential from a nutritional perspective rather than oil functionality.     

Higher levels of greenness and biodiversity associate with greater subjective wellbeing in adults living in Melbourne,Australia

Natural environments may be important for subjective wellbeing, yet evidence is sparse and measures of nature are unspecific. We used linear regression models to investigate the relationship between greenness, biodiversity and blue space and subjective wellbeing in 4,912 adults living in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Greenness (overall, private and public) and biodiversity associated with subjective wellbeing. In particular, we highlight the importance of the private greenness-subjective wellbeing association. Our work has implications for urban policy and planning in the context of increased urban densification.     

Distribution of phenolic compounds and antioxidative activities in parts of sweet potato (Ipomoea batata L.) plants and in home processed roots

We measured six phenolic compounds by HPLC, the total phenolic content by Folin-Ciocalteu, and antioxidative activities by three methods in the sweet potato plant and in home processed roots. Total phenolic content was highest in the leaves. Eight root varieties were partitioned and analyzed for phenolics. The stem end of the root had significantly more phenolics. In all samples the predominant chlorogenic acids were 5-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA) and 3,5-diCQA. 3,4-diCQA was present in significant amounts in the leaves and the flower, and 4,5-diCQA in the leaves. Six home-processing/cooking techniques reduced phenolic content from 7% (baking) to ∼40% (deep frying/boiling). High correlations were observed between phenolic compounds determined by HPLC and Folin-Ciocalteu, radical scavenging activity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and oxidative activity by ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) methods. The results show that there is a large variation in phenolics among sweet potato varieties and different parts of the plant and that high-phenolic sweet potato leaves, widely consumed in Asian countries as a vegetable, should be considered for diets of other countries.     

云南省小型兽类区系与多样性的研究概况

小型兽类由于种类多,分布广,迁移性较小,不同种类的组成及空间分布特征又多与地理环境、气候条件、生态适应性能力和疾病的关系密切,因此对小型兽类区系与多样性的调查研究具有重要意义。云南省地势北高南低,地形和气候环境复杂多样,复杂奇异的自然地理条件孕育了丰富而独特的动植物区系,哺乳动物非常丰富,现已知300多种,其中包括不少稀有种,其数量约为中国已知种数（约642种）的47%。目前,云南省小型兽类已知达6目19科82属201种。现就云南省小型兽类的区系分布、物种多样性及与重要环境因素和疾病关系等方面的研究现状进行介绍,并对今后的发展趋势和面临的挑战进行展望。     

结核分枝杆菌感染对痰液菌群结构的影响

目的 探索健康人、结核分枝杆菌潜伏感染者和活动性肺结核患者痰液菌群的差异。方法 搜集2016年11月至2017年12月深圳市慢性病防治中心健康体检者53名作为A组,登记确诊的结核分枝杆菌潜伏感染(LTBI)者41例作为B组,初治活动性肺结核患者54例作为C组。研究对象均于清晨空腹状态下收集下呼吸道痰液样本(以干酪痰和黏液痰为佳)3~5ml,共148份。痰液样本提取总DNA,对16S rRNA V4~V5区基因进行高通量测序,并对测序结果进行生物信息学分析。结果 通过对148份痰液样本进行高通量测序分析,获得有效序列14136502.0条,获得操作分类单元(operational taxonomic units,OTU)21712.00个。Alpha多样性分析显示,A组Pielou_e指数为0.85(0.82,0.88),明显高于C组[0.83(0.78,0.86)],差异有统计学意义(H=4.462,P=0.035)。Beta多样性分析发现,三组人群痰液菌群组成存在差异(H=2.027,P=0.002)。菌群组间差异物种分析发现,三组人群在3个门(厚壁菌门、梭杆菌门、螺旋体门)、3个纲(黄杆菌纲、梭杆菌纲、螺旋体纲)、5个目(黄杆菌目、乳杆菌目、梭杆菌目、伯克霍尔德菌目、螺旋体目)、6个科(紫单胞菌科、黄杆菌科、梭杆菌科、纤毛菌科、伯克菌科、螺旋体科)、5个属(二氧化碳噬纤维菌属、卟啉单胞菌属、梭杆菌属、纤毛菌属、密螺旋体属)和2个种(Nanceiensis和Parvula)水平上均存在差异;其中,C组中伯克霍尔德菌目(Burkholderiales)[0.01(0.00,0.02)]和伯克菌科(Burkholderiaceae)[0.01(0.00,0.01)]的丰富度较A组[丰富度分别为0.00(0.00,0.01)和0.00(0.00,0.00)]和B组[丰富度分别为0.00(0.00,0.01)和0.00(0.00,0.00)]明显增加,差异均有统计学意义(C组与A组比较:H值分别为9.733和4.799,P值分别为0.002和0.028;C组与B组比较:H值分别为12.134和8.152,P值均<0.01)。结论 结核分枝杆菌感染未改变人痰液菌群的丰富度,但造成菌群结构组成上产生差异。     

Comparison of kava (Piper methysticum Forst.) varieties by UV absorbance of acetonic extracts and high-performance thin-layer chromatography

The development of quality standards to regulate the trade of kava (Piper methysticum) in the Pacific necessitates new analytical techniques for routine control of high-quality raw material. In the present study, varieties and parts of the plant were compared for their kavalactone and flavokavin (FK) profiles. Three hundred and eight samples corresponding to 25 noble, 25 two-days and five wichmannii varieties were collected from 203 different plants. Commercial samples were also analysed to test the technique. Overall, 353 samples were prepared (221 roots, 114 stumps, nine basal stems and nine stem peelings). Their acetonic extracts were measured for UV absorbance and analysed by HP-TLC. Two ratios were computed after scanning the plates at 245 nm (K/KL = kavain/total kavalactones) and 366 nm (FK/KL = flavokavins/kavalactones). The results indicate that noble varieties suitable for daily consumption of kava are characterised by high K/KL and low FK/KL. At 400 nm, the mean UV absorbance of acetonic extracts from noble, two-days and wichmannii varieties are 0.69, 0.94 and 1.04, respectively. The significant (+0.757**) correlation between the total FK content and the extracts absorbance at 400 nm indicates that a simple colorimeter can be used to detect poor-quality raw material.     

Phenotypic, agronomic and nutritional characteristics of seven varieties of Andean potatoes

Potatoes are part of the staple food of Andean populations. Although there are more than 200 Andean potato varieties, only a few are cultivated at present, which endangers the biodiversity of the region. The objective of this paper was to characterize seven varieties of Andean potatoes (Collareja, Runa, Churqueña, Señorita, Imilla Colorada, Imilla Negra and Revolución) and to determine their phenotypic, functional and nutritional properties. The different varieties of Andean potatoes show differences in their agronomic properties, such as area of production and altitude yield per hectare, pest resistance and sowing and harvesting seasons. They are adapted to different altitudes, which influence their agronomic characteristics. Yield varies between 8000 and 18,000 kg/ha according to the variety. They present a diversity of forms, sizes and colors. The energy content ranges from 315 to 424 kJ/100 g, with these values being higher than those of the reference variety (239 kJ/100 g). Vitamin C content ranges from 10.5 mg/100 g found in Revolución varieties to 15.6 mg/100 g in Collareja potatoes; the vitamin C content in Spunta lies within this range (13.3 mg/100 g of potato). Increased knowledge of the nutritional, agronomic and functional properties of Andean potato varieties will contribute to the preservation of a biodiversity that is part of Argentina's regional heritage.     

Nutrients, bioactive non-nutrients and anti-nutrients in potatoes

Globally, potatoes account for only about 2% of the food energy supply, yet they are the predominant staple for many countries. In developed countries, potatoes account for 540 kJ (130 kcal) per person per day, while in developing countries, it is only 170 kJ (42 kcal) per person per day. In addition to energy, which is derived almost entirely from their carbohydrate content, many varieties of potatoes contribute nutritionally important amounts of dietary fibre (up to 3.3%), ascorbic acid (up to 42 mg/100 g), potassium (up to 693.8 mg/100 g), total carotenoids (up to 2700 mcg/100 g), and antioxidant phenols such as chlorogenic acid (up to 1570 mcg/100 g) and its polymers, and anti-nutrients such as α-solanine (0.001–47.2 mg/100 g); and lesser amounts of protein (0.85–4.2%), amino acids, other minerals and vitamins, and other beneficial and harmful bioactive components. Nutrient content depends on a number of factors, with variety being among the most important. Potato biodiversity is vast, with more than 4000 known varieties. Most belong to the species Solanum tuberosum, but another 10 species are cultivated and 200 wild species have been identified. Modern agricultural practices and climate change are contributing to the loss of potato biodiversity, and thus the loss of the genes coding for nutrient biosynthetic pathways. Knowledge of differences in nutrient composition of potatoes related to their genetic diversity will help guide strategies that may contribute to reducing biodiversity loss and improving food and nutrition security.     

圆形分布法及生物多样性指标在蚊蝇等监测中的应用

蚊蝇等病媒生物不仅可以通过叮咬或污染食物而影响和危害人类的正常生活,还可以通过多种途径传播一系列的重要传染病。到目前为止,国内对蚊蝇等病媒生物监测的分析方法主要有卡方检验、月频数(密度)图以及立体构成图等,为制定科学的病媒生物防控策略提供了可靠的数据支持;然而对于蚊蝇等病媒生物监测的分析方法仍需进一步研究和探讨。现就圆形分布法及生物多样性指标在蚊蝇等病媒生物监测中的应用进行综述,希望能为病媒生物的防控提供更多的科学数据。