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Three fungal isolates designated as CNUFC-YR329-1, CNUFC-PTS103-1, and CNUFC-PTS2-1 were discovered during a survey of fungal diversity of the order Mortierellales from freshwater and pine tree rhizosphere soil samples in Korea. The strains were analyzed morphologically and phylogenetically based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) of ribosomal DNA gene sequences. Based on their morphology and phylogeny, the three isolates were identified as Mortierella elongata, M. horticola, and M. humilis, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, M. elongata, M. horticola, and M. humilis, belonging to an undiscovered taxon, have not been previously described in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucosinolates are the major bioactive secondary metabolites found in the Brassicaceae family and studied extensively in biosynthetic and application perspectives. Because of their potential applications in the welfare of plants (protection against plant pathogens) and human life (prevention of cancer and other diseases), these compounds attracted much interest in the scientific community. In this review, we presented updates on glucosinolate derivatives in protection against microbial pathogens and endocrine related diseases in human. Further, the mechanism of action of glucosinolate derivatives and the strategies to improve their efficiency through modern approaches were discussed. Finally, the genetic enrichment of their contents in plant systems has also been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onion is one of the most cultivated crops, and its production is increasing worldwide. Proper handling and storage will add huge benefits to the supply of onion to meet the demand of consumers. For storage, it is important to understand onion physiology from the day it was harvested from the field until it reaches the market. This review summarizes the scientific literature related to the physiology of the onion bulb with respect to growth regulators, temperature, and chemical controls. The biochemical changes that occur during dormancy break and sprouting have been discussed in detail. The three main environmental factors that can influence onions during storage are temperature, humidity, and composition of the atmosphere in the storage area. Among these factors, temperature plays a paramount role in the physiology of onion during pre- and postharvest storage. Particular emphasis was given to plant growth hormones (endogenous and exogenous) and their consequent effects with respect to dormancy, sprouting, and biochemical changes that occur in onions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A total of 600 samples of milk from different species [buffalo (150), cow (150), goat (150), and sheep (150)] were analyzed for aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) contamination using high-performance liquid chromatography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. AFM1contamination was found in buffalo (38.6%), cow (45.3%), goat (33.3%), and sheep (36.6%) milk. The mean value of AFM1was 0.026 µg L−1in buffalo, 0.018 µg L−1in cow, 0.014 µg L−1in goat, and 0.017 µg L−1in sheep milk. In all types of milks, the level of AFM1concentration was higher in milk obtained from urban and semi-urban areas, whereas it was found minimal in milk from rural areas. The results of the analysis of AFM1level by the ELISA analysis (ng L−1) was observed in 46.5% of all samples. The amount of AFM1in 16% buffalo, 44% cow, 10% goat, and 12% sheep milk samples was above the maximum tolerance limit accepted by the European Union. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Onion cultivar “Sunpower” has growing popularity in Korea due to high storability. The present study considers changes in flavonols, sugars, and two amino acids in onion bulbs during a long-term storage in the ambient dark storage room and in glasshouse equipped with a climate control system. Flavonol and sugar contents were found to fluctuate noticeably during the storage period. Amino acid content remained relatively unchanged till the onset of inner sprouting, increasing afterward. Visible sprouts appeared at week 22 in the dark storage room and for four weeks later in the glasshouse. The bulbs lost 20–30% of their weight depending on storage conditions at the end of the storage trials. At the same time, the content of nutraceutics in study expressed on the dry weight basis remained of the same order of magnitude. The nature of observed variations in chemical composition of onions as well as relation of this phenomenon to physiological development of stored onion bulbs is discussed. A conclusion is made that the “Sunpower” onion cannot sustain overwinter storage. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Yuzu (Citrus ichangensis×C. reticulate) fruit is an important functional food that possesses several health-promoting properties. It has been widely used in commercial medical products, healthy foods, and cosmetics in many countries. Yuzu is a rich source of wide variety of non-nutritive compounds, such as flavonoids, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, carotenoids, and tannins; as well as nutritive compounds such as sugars, proteins, vitamins, fibers, and minerals. Yuzu fruit (juice, peel, and seeds) and its bioactive compounds have been demonstrated to have numerous functional properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiplatelet, angiogenesis, and antimicrobial properties, both in vitro and in vivo. These diverse applications provided by the yuzu fruit (juice, peel, and seeds) and its bioactive compounds are of great industrial importance. This review summarizes the composition, nutritional values, and functional properties of yuzu fruit, and their biological activity in relation to their potential impact on human health. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Context: Oxidative stress and inflammation are related to several chronic diseases including cancer and atherosclerosis. Arisaema tortuosum (Wall.) Schott (Araceae) is an Indian folk medicinal herb traditionally used for treatment of various diseases related to inflammation and stress. Objective: This study was carried out for HPTLC analysis and evaluation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities of a methanol extract of A. tortuosum tuber. Materials and methods: The antioxidant activities of methanol extract of A. tortuosum tuber (1 mg/mL) were evaluated by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays and anti-inflammatory effects by diene-conjugate and β-glucuronidase assays, with in vitro tumor growth inhibition on HeLa cancer cells. The results for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects were compared using Trolox and salicylic acid as reference compounds, respectively. Results: The TLC and HPTLC analysis showed the presence of quercetin, rutin, luteolin and lectin ( Rf values 0.97, 0.53, 0.59 and 1.58, respectively). The methanol fraction of tuber exhibit higher activity in each antioxidant system with a special attention for DPPH (IC50 = 852 μg/mL), ABTS (IC50 = 532 μg/mL), and FRAP (IC50 = 458 μg/mL), as compared with Trolox as standard, with a remarkable amount of phenolics (86.2 mg/100 g) and flavonoids (175.5 mg/100 g), along with potent anti-inflammatory activity indicated by diene-conjugate (86.20%) and β-glucuronidase (92.92%) inhibition, as compared with salicylic acid as reference compound. The antiproliferative activity at 100 mg/mL was 88% inhibition with HeLa cells. The inhibition of HeLa cell proliferation was greatest ( p < 0.001) with the 100 mg/mL A. tortuosum tuber extract treatments and least with the 25 mg/mL dose. Discussion and conclusion: Our results suggested that A. tortuosum tuber might be used as a promising and potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative agent and might be used for standardization of potential drug after successful isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New blue emitting mixed ligand iridium(III) complexes comprising one cyclometalating, two phosphines trans to each other such as Ir(dppzc)(PPhMe2)2(H)(L) (L = Cl, CN) [dppzc = 1,3-Diphenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxaldehyde] were studied to tune the phosphorescence wavelength to the deep blue region and to enhance the luminescence efficiencies. We investigate the electron-withdrawing capabilities of ancillary ligands using the DFT and TD-DFT calculations on the ground and excited states of the complexes. From these results, we discussed how the ancillary ligand influences the emission peak as well as the metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transition efficiency. The calculated energies of triplets are 3.09 and 3.16 eV, respectively, which are all higher than that of Ir(dfppy)2(acac) and FIrpic known as blue phosphorescence materials with 2.69 and 2.73 eV. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Ficus carica L., its fruits are delicious and can be eaten by human. Its leaves are commonly used to cure hemorrhoid and clear away heart ache. The milky sap of F. carica have a significant toxic effect against early fourth-stage larvae of Aedes aegypti L with an lethal concentration (LC50) value of 10.2 μμg/ml and an LC90 value of 42.3 μμg/ml. Two natural furocoumarins, 5-methoxypsoralen and 8-methoxypsoralen were isolated from the milky sap of F. carica. The LC50 value of 5-methoxypsoralen and 8-methoxypsoralen were 9.4 and 56.3 μμg/ml, respectively. The above indicates that major compounds may play a more important role in the toxicity of the milky sap of F. carica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New blue emitting mixed ligand iridium(III) complexes comprising one cyclometalating, two phosphines trans to each other such as Ir(dFOMeppy)(PPh3)2(H)(Cl), [Ir(dFOMeppy)(PPh3)2(H)(NCMe)]+ and Ir(dFOMeppy)(PPh3)2(H)(CN), [dFOMeppy = 2-(2',4'-difluorophenyl)-4-methoxypyridine] were synthesized and studied to tune the phosphorescence wavelength to the deep blue region and to enhance the luminescence efficiencies. To achieve deep blue emission, the difluoro group substituted on the phenyl ring and the methoxy group substituted on the pyridyl ring increased HOMO-LUMO gap and achieved the hypsochromic shift. To gain insight into the factors responsible for the emission color change and the different luminescence efficiency, we investigate the electron-withdrawing capabilities of ancillary ligands using the DFT and TD-DFT calculations on the ground and excited states of the complexes. From these results, we discuss how the ancillary ligand influences the emission peak as well as the metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transition efficiency. The maximum emission spectra of Ir(dFOMeppy)(PPh3)2(H)(Cl), [Ir(dFOMeppy)(PPh3)2(H)(NCMe)]+ and Ir(dFOMeppy)(PPh3)2(H)(CN) were in the ranges of 438, 433, 432 nm, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]