The pyrrolidides of a number of fatty acids containing oxygen functions (ether linkage, epoxide ring and hydroxyl group) have been prepared and their mass spectra recorded. Detailed analyses of these, supported by accurate mass measurement, indicate that the presence of the oxygen atom has a profound effect on the normal, sequential, mode of pyrrolidide fragmentation. Cleavage adjacent to the oxygen is enhanced, this being most marked in the spectra of those compounds containing an ether linkage. However, further fragmentation of the carbon chain distal to the pyrrolidide group is minimal and prevents any structural information being obtained. These findings indicate that the usefulness of the pyrrolidide derivative for structural elucidation purposes is severely limited in some cases when an oxygen atom is present in the chain. However, for both the epoxy- and hydroxy-fatty acids, complementary derivatization methods are available.

Chemical Phenomena↗

PubMed1978

Effects of rapeseed meal on laying hens (Gallus domesticus) in relation to fatty liver-haemorrhagic syndrome and egg taint.

Fatty liver-haemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) occurred in the controls and was modified in hens that received a diet containing 10 per cent rapeseed meal. This diet increased the extent and severity of the hepatic haemorrhage without affecting the reticulin content of the liver but decreased the body weight and liver lipid levels and so weakened the correlation between these parameters and haemorrhage score found in FLHS. Plasma aspartate transaminase and beta-glucuronidase activities tended to increase with the score. The rapeseed meal diet also produced thyroid hypertrophy and since this was greater in the hens that produced tainted eggs and was positively correlated with the trimethylamine (TMA) content of the eggs it was postulated that rapeseed meal goitrogens may be involved as secondary factors in producing the disturbance in TMA metabolism that causes the egg taint. This abnormality was associated with a reduction in the soluble protein content of the liver, which reflected a decrease in TMA oxidase activity, but was not related to hepatic haemorrhage, steatosis or reticulolysis, or to lipid levels and the activities of lysosomal enzymes and transaminases in the plasma.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1977

Determination of indole and 3-methylindole in plasma and rumen fluid from cattle with fog fever or after L-tryptophan administration.

A modified gas liquid chromatography method has been developed to analyse the concentrations of indole and 3-methylindole in samples of plasma and rumen fluid from four cows with fog fever together with four control animals and from two cattle given L-tryptophan orally. Satisfactory recoveries of the metabolites were obtained in test samples examined by the gas liquid chromatography procedure and increased levels were found in rumen fluid after tryptophan administration. Absence of abnormal concentrations of the toxic metabolite 3-methylindole in samples from field cases of fog fever was not considered to rule out the metabolite as a possible cause of the disease in view of the rapid restoration of 3-methylindole to normal levels by the second day after loading with L-tryptophan.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Naturally occurring oestrogens in foods--a review.

This review is concerned with the presence of naturally occurring oestrogens in food plants and processed foods. Particular emphasis is placed on isoflavones and coumestans, both of which are true plant oestrogens, and the resorcylic acid lactones, more correctly classified as fungal oestrogens. The metabolism and mode of action of these compounds is discussed and their biological potencies, determined in both in vivo and in vitro studies, described. Current methods of analysis are indicated and the levels of these oestrogens in food plants, processed foods and foodstuffs are presented. Botanical, environmental or technological factors affecting the possible intake of plant and fungal oestrogens are mentioned and the hazard associated with such intake is compared with that originating from other dietary or medicinal hormonally active substances. Indications are given of the wide range of common food plants which have been reported to possess oestrogenic (uterotropic) activity, although it is emphasized that in general further work is necessary to substantiate these claims and to confirm the identities of the biologically active principles which have in some cases been proposed. In the concluding section suggestions are made for additional research considered important or necessary in this interesting area.

Coumarins↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The determination of glycyrrhizin in selected UK liquorice products.

The glycyrrhizin contents of 42 samples of liquorice-containing confectionery, health products and raw materials have been determined by a standard (AOAC) HPLC technique. Confectionery levels ranged between 0.26 and 7.9 mg g-1, whilst contents in health products were 0.30-47.1 mg g-1, the highest values being measured for throat pearls. Six geographically diverse samples of liquorice root contained similar (22.2-32.3 mg g-1) glycyrrhizin contents. Highest levels of glycyrrhizin were found in liquorice block (44-98 mg g-1) and extract powder (79-113 mg g-1). These analyses enable a mean daily intake of glycyrrhizin to be calculated for the UK. The figure (1 mg) is lower than those reported for the US and Belgium (3 and 5 mg, respectively). The significance of the levels of glycyrrhizin in UK confectionery, and the estimated daily exposure thereto, is discussed in the context of existing data on liquorice-induced toxicity.

Anti-Infective Agents↗