Fractionation of Stable Zinc Isotopes in the Field-Grown Zinc Hyperaccumulator Noccaea caerulescens and the Zinc-Tolerant Plant Silene vulgaris

Stable Zn isotope signatures offer a potential tool for tracing Zn uptake and transfer mechanisms within plant-soil systems. Zinc isotopic compositions were determined in the Zn hyperaccumulator Noccaea caerulescens collected at a Zn-contaminated site (Viviez), a serpentine site (Vosges), and a noncontaminated site (Sainte Eulalie) in France. Meanwhile, a Zn-tolerant plant ( Silene vulgaris ) was also collected at Viviez for comparison. While δ(66)Zn was substantially differentiated among N. caerulescens from the three localities, they all exhibited an enrichment in heavy Zn isotopes of 0.40-0.72‰ from soil to root, followed by a depletion in heavy Zn from root to shoot (-0.10 to -0.50‰). The enrichment of heavy Zn in roots is ascribed to the transport systems responsible for Zn absorption into root symplast and root-to-shoot translocation, while the depletion in heavy Zn in shoots is likely to be mediated by a diffusive process and an efficient translocation driven by energy-required transporters (e.g., NcHMA4). The mass balance yielded a bulk Zn isotopic composition between plant and soil (Δ(66)Zn(plant-soil)) of -0.01‰ to 0.63‰ in N. caerulescens , indicative of high- and/or low-affinity transport systems operating in the three ecotypes. In S. vulgaris , however, there was no significant isotope fractionation between whole plant and rhizosphere soil and between root and shoot, suggesting that this species appears to have a particular Zn homeostasis. We confirm that quantifying stable Zn isotopes is useful for understanding Zn accumulation mechanisms in plants.     

Effect of heat treatment of rennet skim milk induced coagulation on the rheological properties and molecular structure determined by synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy and turbiscan

Heat treatment applied to milk induces denaturation of whey proteins, leading to a complex mixture of whey protein and whey protein coated casein micelles. The present paper investigates the effects of heat treatment (60 and 80°C during 20min) and rennet-induced coagulation temperature (30 and 40°C) determined by rheology, synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS) and turbiscan measurements. The gelation times determined by rheology and SFS increased with the increase of heat treatment applied to milk. The rise in temperature induced a decrease in the maximum curd firming rate and an increase in the viscosity of the investigated milk samples. The principal component analysis (PCA) applied, separately, to the SF and turbiscan spectra showed a clear discrimination between: (i) raw milks and heated milks; and (ii) milks renneted at 30°C from those renneted at 40°C. The results showed the ability of SFS as a rapid and non-destructive technique for the: (i) monitoring network structure and molecular interaction during the coagulation process; and (ii) determination of gelation time of rennet-induced coagulation of studied milk samples.     

Novel Streptococcus infantarius subsp. infantarius variants harboring lactose metabolism genes homologous to Streptococcus thermophilus

Streptococcus infantarius subsp. infantarius belongs to the Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus complex (SBSEC) commonly associated with human and animal infections. We elucidated the lactose metabolism of S. infantarius subsp. infantarius predominant in African fermented milk products. S. infantarius subsp. infantarius isolates (n = 192) were identified in 88% of spontaneously fermented camel milk suusac samples (n = 24) from Kenya and Somalia at log₁₀ 8.2–8.5 CFU mL⁻¹. African S. infantarius isolates excreted stoichiometric amounts of galactose when grown on lactose, exhibiting a metabolism similar to Streptococcusthermophilus and distinct from their type strain. African S. infantarius subsp. infantarius CJ18 harbors a regular gal operon with 99.7–100% sequence identity to S. infantarius subsp. infantarius ATCC BAA-102^T and a gal-lac operon with 91.7–97.6% sequence identity to S. thermophilus, absent in all sequenced SBSEC strains analyzed. The expression and functionality of lacZ was demonstrated in a β-galactosidase assay. The gal-lac operon was identified in 100% of investigated S. infantarius isolates (n = 46) from suusac samples and confirmed in Malian fermented cow milk isolates. The African S. infantarius variant potentially evolved through horizontal gene transfer of an S. thermophilus-homologous lactose pathway. Safety assessments are needed to identify any putative health risks of this novel S. infantarius variant.     

First extraction of polyphenol oxidase from edible desert truffle (Terfezia leonis Tul.) and its thermal behavior

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) is a common enzyme with large applications in food processing and analysis, especially based on their monophenolase activity. In this context, extraction and surfactant-mediated activation of PPO from desert truffle Terfezia leonis Tul. were successfully achieved. In the presence of l-tyrosine, the cresolase activity was optimal in the pH 5–6 domain and in the 35–45 °C temperature range. In the presence of pyrocatechol, the catecholase activity was optimal at neutral pH and 30 °C. Kinetics studies revealed higher affinity of PPO for l-tyrosine than for pyrocatechol. Both enzyme–substrate complexes were structurally robust, and their thermosensitivity was mainly related to entropy changes. These properties may reflect the adaptation to desert conditions where T. leonis grows and should be useful for the development of enzymatic catalysts and sensors.     

Formation of γ‐gluconolactone in a wine‐like model system

By experiments performed in wine‐like and must‐like model solutions, we have shown that intramolecular gluconic acid esterification leads to the formation of not only the well‐known δ‐gluconolactone (glucono‐5‐lactone) but also γ‐gluconolactone (glucono‐4‐lactone). To our knowledge, the presence of the latter is reported for the first time under conditions similar to those in grape musts and wines. Equilibrium between these lactones and gluconic acid was reached within 24 h of preparing a solution of gluconic acid, and in both wine‐like and must‐like model solutions the concentrations of γ‐ and δ‐gluconolactone represented the same proportions of the acid, ie about 60 and 40 mg g^?1 gluconic acid respectively. Owing to their chemical structures, not only δ‐gluconolactone but also γ‐gluconolactone could certainly contribute to sulphur dioxide binding in musts and wines containing gluconic acid. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Instant coffee with high chlorogenic acid levels protects humans against oxidative damage of macromolecules

Scope: Coffee is among the most frequently consumed beverages. Its consumption is inversely associated to the incidence of diseases related to reactive oxygen species; the phenomenon may be due to its antioxidant properties. Our primary objective was to investigate the impact of consumption of a coffee containing high levels of chlorogenic acids on the oxidation of proteins, DNA and membrane lipids; additionally, other redox biomarkers were monitored in an intervention trial. Methods and results: The treatment group (n=36) consumed instant coffee co‐extracted from green and roasted beans, whereas the control consumed water (800 mL/P/day, 5 days). A global statistical analysis of four main biomarkers selected as primary outcomes showed that the overall changes are significant. 8‐Isoprostaglandin F2α in urine declined by 15.3%, 3‐nitrotyrosine was decreased by 16.1%, DNA migration due to oxidized purines and pyrimidines was (not significantly) reduced in lymphocytes by 12.5 and 14.1%. Other markers such as the total antioxidant capacity were moderately increased; e.g. LDL and malondialdehyde were shifted towards a non‐significant reduction. Conclusion: The oxidation of DNA, lipids and proteins associated with the incidence of various diseases and the protection against their oxidative damage may be indicative for beneficial health effects of coffee.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 9‐Oxo‐9H‐indeno[1,2‐b]pyrazine‐2,3‐dicarbonitrile Analogues as Potential Inhibitors of Deubiquitinating Enzymes

High‐throughput screening highlighted 9‐oxo‐9H‐indeno[1,2‐b]pyrazine‐2,3‐dicarbonitrile ( 1 ) as an active inhibitor of ubiquitin‐specific proteases (USPs), a family of hydrolytic enzymes involved in the removal of ubiquitin from protein substrates. The chemical behavior of compound 1 was examined. Moreover, the synthesis and in vitro evaluation of new compounds, analogues of 1 , led to the identification of potent and selective inhibitors of the deubiquitinating enzyme USP8.