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[Action of the steroid glycoside deltonin on the bacterial membranes of Micrococcus lysodeikticus].

A slight detergent-like effect of steroid glycoside deltonine from Dioscorea deltoidea on the bacterial membranes of Micrococcus lysodeikticus was detected which resulted in the breaking of the osmotic barrier of protoplasts and in the loss from the membranes of small fragments containing the dehydrogenases of the respiratory chain but without cytochromes. These small fragments still retained the membrane structure.

Cell Membrane↗
PubMed1982

[Properties of beta-glucosidase from the cellulolytic fungus Geotrichum candidum 3c].

beta-Glucosidase (beta-D-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.21) splitting p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucosidase was isolated from cellular preparation of the fungus Geotrichum candidum 3c "cellocandine G10x" and purified 38-fold. The enzyme was homogeneous during ultracentrifugation, gel-filtration, isoelectrofocusing and disc-electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel and had a pI of 4.2, sedimentation coefficient of 2.6S and molecular weight of 120 000. The enzyme had maximal activity at pH 5.6, 45 degrees and retained up to 45% of its activity under optimal conditions (pH, t degrees) after 48 hr incubation. beta-Glucosidase did not split disaccharides, e. g. lactose cellobiose, laminaribiose, gentibiose as well as o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactoside, methyl-beta-D-xyloside. The enzyme hydrolyzed p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (Km = 0.18 mM) and some plant beta-glucosides, such as phenylethyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside from rose petals and diosgenine tetrasaccharide from deltoid dioscorea (Km = 0.26 mM).

Cellulase↗
PubMed1994

[Preliminary clinical study on prevention of bone loss in postmenopausal women with kidney invigoration].

The effect of Bushen Migu Ye (BSMGY) on preventing the bone loss in postmenopausal women was observed. 43 healthy women with the menopause within 5 years were randomly divided into the treated and control groups, which were basically similar in age and menopausal time. BSMGY and Rhizoma Dioscoreae decoction was given orally in two groups. Some biochemical parameters related to bone metabolism, serum estradiol and forearm bone density were taken before and after treatment. The results showed that 5 months after BSMGY treatment, the ulnar and radial bone mineral content was higher than that of pretreatmental value (P < 0.05), while in control group this index was continually decreased. The change in bone density were also significant different (P < 0.05). It seems that BSMGY is able to prevent the bone loss in postmenopausal women. In the treated group, ratio of fasting urinary calcium and hydroxyproline to creatinine was lower than that of before treatment and the control group (P < 0.05); the concentration of serum alkaline phosphatase had no significant difference (P < 0.05). This preliminary study suggested that one of the therapeutic mechanism of BSMGY was probably due to declining of bone resorption, without affecting the bone formation in postmenopausal women.

Bone Density↗
PubMed1996

[Studies on nutritional effects of traditional Chinese tonics with strengthened nutrients on pregnant women and rats].

Clinical and Experimental studies on a mixture made of traditional Chinese tonics (such as Fructus Lycii, Rhizoma Dioscoreae and Arillus Longannae, etc.) and strengthened nutrients (such as iron, zinc and Calcium, etc.) were conducted in order to explore its nutritional and health promoting effects. (1) One hundred and three primiparous women were divided randomly into observed group and control group, results showed that the serum levels of iron, zinc, hemoglobin of observed group were all raised after treatment, these parameters and the concentration of iron in umbilical cord blood as well as body weight of new-born baby of the observed group were higher than that of control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). (2) Results of experimental rats showed that the utilization rate, hemoglobin level, fetal growth and developing parameters of test group were all higher than that of control group significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). These results suggested that the nutrient mixture has a good nutritional and health promoting effect on pregnancy.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Separation and determination of epinephrine and dopamine in traditional Chinese medicines by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography with laser induced fluorescence detection.

A micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography method with laser-induced fluorescence detection was developed for the analysis of epinephrine and dopamine after derivatization with 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole. The optimum derivatization conditions were: 30 mM sodium borate (pH adjusted to 8.0 with 1.0 M HCl), reaction time 30 min at 60 degrees C. Baseline separation was achieved within 14 min with a running buffer composed of 10 mM sodium borate + 25 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (pH adjusted to 9.5 with 0.1 M NaOH) and an applied voltage of 15 kV. Good linearity relationships (correlation coefficients: 0.9991 for epinephrine and 0.9985 for dopamine) between peak areas and concentrations of the analytes were obtained. The detection limits and quantification limits for epinephrine and dopamine were 0.0038 mg/L and 0.013 mg/L, and 0.065 mg/L and 0.020 mg/L, respectively. The method was applied to the analysis of the two compounds in two Chinese medicines with recoveries in the range of 92.6-108.7%.

Amphibian Venoms↗
PubMed2003

Detection of Japanese yam mosaic virus by RT-LAMP.

Arapid and simple procedure is described to detect the genomic RNA molecule of Japanese yam mosaic potyvirus (JYMV). This method, named RT-LAMP, allows direct detection of RNA from infected plants without careful RNA extraction, rapid thermal cycling and gel electrophoresis. RT-LAMP was successfully applied to leaves, propagules and roots of Japanese yam infected with JYMV. One of the characteristics of the RT-LAMP method is its ability to synthesize an extremely large amount of DNA. Accordingly, a large amount of by-product, pyrophospate ion, is produced yielding a white precipitate of magnesium pyrophosphate in the reaction mixture. The presence or absence of this white precipitate allows easy detection of the amplification of JYMV genomic RNA without gel electrophoresis.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2001

The 3'-terminal sequence of chinese yam necrotic mosaic virus genomic RNA: a close relationship with macluravirus.

The nucleotide sequence of the 3'-terminal 1,905 residues of the Chinese yam necrotic mosaic virus (ChYNMV) RNA genome was determined. It contains one long open reading frame, which consists of 1,671 nucleotides encoding a protein of 557 amino acid residues. A partial amino acid sequence of the coat protein determined from purified ChYNMV particles was identical to the portion of the amino acid sequence deduced from the determined nucleotide sequence, which suggests that the nucleotide sequence includes the coat protein gene. Surprisingly, a homology search using the deduced amino acids sequence of the coat protein revealed that ChYNMV is closely related to the genus Macluravirus within the family Potyviridae, although the virus has long been considered to be a carlavirus. Identification of cylindrical cytoplasmic inclusions, which are characteristic of the family Potyviridae, in ChYNMV-infected Chinese yam cells, as well as the morphology and length (660 nm) of the purified virus particles, support including the virus as a tentative new member of the genus Macluravirus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Improved production of an enzyme that hydrolyses raw yam starch by Penicillium sp. S-22 using fed-batch fermentation.

A newly isolated strain, Penicillium sp. S-22, was used to produce an enzyme that hydrolyses raw yam starch [raw yam starch digesting enzyme (RYSDE)]. The enzyme activity and overall enzyme productivity were respectively 16 U/ml and 0.19 U/ml h in the batch culture. The enzyme activity increased to 85 U/ml by feeding of partially hydrolyzed raw yam starch. When a mixture containing partially hydrolyzed raw yam starch and peptone was fed by a pH-stat strategy, the enzyme activity reached 366 U/ml, 23-fold of that obtained in the batch culture, and the overall productivity reached 3.4 U/ml h, which was 18-fold of that in the batch culture.

Bioreactors↗
PubMed2004

Prediction of sensorial properties (color and taste) of amala, a paste from yam chips flour of West Africa, through flour biochemical properties.

Color and taste are permanent features of amala, a traditional thick paste obtained from yam chips flour. To assess these attributes, 23 yam chips presenting various quality attributes were processed. The sensory attributes of their derived amala were determined and some biochemical characteristics of yam flours measured. A panel defined five main taste attributes for amala: sweetness, bitterness, acidity, fermented, and roasted tastes. Amala color was measured instrumentally and sensory scores were highly correlated with flour biochemical analyses; amala sweetness was positively correlated with glucose and fructose content of the flour, whereas amala acidity and fermented taste were linked to organic acids and lactic acid contents of flour, respectively. In addition, darkness, bitterness, and roasted tastes of amala could be tightly predicted by multiple regression analysis from phenolic compound and glucose-fructose contents. Phenolic content of yam flour plays thus a key role on sensorial quality of amala. However, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities were almost null in yam flours and their specific role on yam flour phenolic content needs to be clarified.

Africa, Western↗
PubMed2005

Increased IgA and IgG serum levels using a novel yam-boxthorn noodle in a BALB/c mouse model.

To determine whether yam-boxthorn noodle, a newly developed functional noodle, has immunomodulatory effects in vivo, we measured the changes in visceral organ weight, immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgE, IgG, IgM serum level and IgA level in the intestinal lavage fluid of female BALB/c mice after continuously consuming the test diet for 5 weeks. We found that body weights and absolute and relative organ weights (lung, heart, liver, spleen and kidney) in female BALB/c mice did not significantly change compared with those from the control group. The IgA and IgG serum levels in the experimental group significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner when the yam-boxthorn noodle concentration in the AIN 76 diet rose from 3% to 30%. However, the IgE and IgM level in the serum and the IgA level in the intestinal lavage fluid did not significantly change. These experiments demonstrate that the functional noodle, yam-boxthorn noodle, exhibits immunomodulatory effects in vivo with increasing serum antibody levels, especially in IgA and IgG. These results are valuable for future nutraceutical and immuno-pharmacological use.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2005

Uncommon trajectories: steroid hormones, Mexican peasants, and the search for a wild yam.

This article analyzes how evolving pharmaceutical technology, chemical advances, and world politics created the need for an abundant and cheap supply of steroids, and how decisions made in faraway laboratories ultimately determined that a Mexican yam, barbasco, was the best possible raw material. Following this discovery, this article explores how barbasco's exploitation impacted on the Mexican countryside and specifically the men and women hired to gather wild yams. In analyzing, for example, the peasant organizations that emerged, the use of chemical terms by barely literate peasants, and the Mexican government's political strategy to control rural unrest by controlling barbasco production one begins to understand the unexpected consequences of the global search for medicinal plants. In this particular case, the merging of science and peasant life reshuffled social hierarchies in the countryside, granted monetary value to an erstwhile 'weed', and gave a novel reinterpretation to laboratory knowledge and its (social) uses.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2003

Effects of yam starch films on storability and quality of fresh strawberries (Fragaria ananassa).

Yam starch films, formulated with yam starch (4.00 g/100 g of solution) and glycerol (1.30 and 2.00 g/100 g of solution) in filmogenic solution, were employed as packaging to extend storage life of strawberries stored at 4 degrees C and 85% RH. The effects of yam starch films on fruits were compared to the effect of PVC (poly(vinyl chloride)) packaging. Starch and PVC films significantly reduced decay of the fruits compared to control. Compared to starch films, PVC presented the better behavior on weight and firmness retention of fruits, especially in the last 7 days of storage. Considering microbiological counts, the shelf life of control fruits was 14 days, and of all packaged samples, stored at same conditions, was 21 days. Two different formulations of yam starch film were tested and had different mechanical properties as a function of glycerol content (1.30 and 2.00 g/100 g of solution) but showed no difference when employed as strawberries packaging.

Dioscorea↗
PubMed2004

Relationships among the composition and physicochemical properties of starches with the characteristics of their films.

The physical, molecular, and functional properties of corn, cassava, and yam starches were related to the film properties of these starches. Corn, cassava, and yam starches contained 25%, 19%, and 30% amylose, respectively. Amylose from yam starch showed the smallest molecular weight among the starches and amylopectin from corn starch the smallest molecular weight. Cassava starch presented a higher amylopectin content, and its gels and films were less strong, more transparent, and more flexible than corn and yam films. Plasticized films of the three starches were more flexible, with a higher strain and lower stress at break when the glycerol content increased. Unplasticized films were brittle and had water vapor permeability values ranging from 6.75 x 10(-10) to 8.33 x 10(-10) g m(-1) s(-1) Pa(-1). These values decreased when the glycerol content reached 20 g/100 g of starch because a more compact structure was formed. Then, at a glycerol content of 40 g/100 g of starch, the WVP increased because the film matrixes became less dense.

Amylopectin↗
PubMed2004

Mycoflora and occurrence of aflatoxin B1 in dried yam chips from markets in Ogun and Oyo States, Nigeria.

Seventy-six samples of dried yam chips locally called elubo isu were purchased in 2000 from markets in Ogun and Oyo States of southwestern Nigeria. The samples were assessed for pH, moisture content, associated fungi and aflatoxin B1 contamination. The pH of samples ranged from 5.6 to 6.1,while the moisture contents varied from 6.8 to 14.5% in Ogun samples, and 7.1 to 13.6% in samples from Oyo. Aspergillus and Penicillium were the two prevalent genera of fungi, and the number of colony forming units per gram of these two genera in the yam chips studied exceeded the tolerance limit in foodstuffs. The other fungal genera isolated included Botryodiplodia, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Rhizopus, Mucor, Aureobasidium and Paecilomyces. The two most frequent fungal species were A. niger and A. flavus. Thin layer chromatographic analysis showed that 17 samples or 22% contained aflatoxin B1 beyond the detection limit (5 ppb), but only three samples or 4% had toxin level above 30 ppb, the tolerance level in food for human consumption. The mean concentration of aflatoxin B1 in positive samples was 27.1 ppb.

Aflatoxin B1↗
PubMed2003

Metabolic and hormonal effects of five common African diets eaten as mixed meals: the Cameroon Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate glycaemic and insulinaemic index and in vitro digestibility of the five most common Cameroonian mixed meals consisting of rice+tomato soup (diet A), bean stew+plantains (B), foofoo corn+ndolé (C), yams+groundnut soup (D), and koki beans+cassava (E). SUBJECTS: Ten healthy non-obese volunteers, aged 19-31 y, with no family history of diabetes or hypertension. INTERVENTIONS: A 75 g oral glucose tolerance test followed by the eating of the test diets with carbohydrate content standardized to 75 g every 4 days with blood samples taken at 0, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min. In vitro digestion of each diet according to Brand's protocol. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, insulin and C-peptide, with calculation of glycaemic and insulinaemic index defined as the area under the glucose and insulin response curve after consumption of a test food divided by the area under the curve after consumption of a control food containing the same amount of carbohydrate, and digestibility index. RESULTS: Glycaemic index (GI) varied from 34.1 (diet C) to 52.0% (diet E) with no statistical difference between the diets, and insulinaemic index varied significantly from 40.2% (C) to 70.9% (A) (P=0.03). The digestibility index varied from 18.9 (C) to 60.8% (A) (P<0.0001), and did not correlate with glycaemic or insulinaemic indices. However, carbohydrate content correlated with GI (r=0.83; P=0.04), digestibility index (r=-0.70; P<0.01), and insulinaemic index (r=0.91; P<0.01). Plasma C-peptide and plasma lipids showed little difference over 180 min following the ingestion of each meal. CONCLUSIONS: Glycaemic index of these African mixed meals are relatively low and might not be predicted by in vitro digestibility index.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Removal of potassium from tuberous root vegetables by leaching.

OBJECTIVES: To determine analytically the amount of potassium in raw tuberous root vegetables (TRV); to estimate the amount of potassium that can be leached from raw TRV by soaking in water; and to determine whether the duration of soaking and the cooking method selected affect potassium extraction. DESIGN: Fresh TRV (ie, fresh and sweet batata, cocomalanga, dasheen, eddo, black yam, white yam, yellow yam, yampi, malanga, red yautia, white yautia, and yuca) were obtained from an ethnic market. Five experimental conditions with variations in soak time and cooking method were applied. Potassium was extracted from the ash of dried samples. The potassium content of aqueous extractions was determined through atomic absorption spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Mean potassium content was highest in raw cocomalanga and lowest in raw dasheen. All of the raw TRV, except for dasheen, had a potassium content >200 mg (5.1 mEq)/100 g sample. Soaking was not effective in the leaching of significant amounts of potassium from most TRV. The double cooking (DC) method (ie, boil, rinse, boil again) leached more potassium from most TRV than did the normal cooking (NC) method (ie, boil), except with dasheen and yellow yam. More vegetables retained a potassium content >200 mg (5.1 mEq)/100 g following NC versus DC (92% versus 54%). CONCLUSIONS: The potassium content of raw TRV varied considerably, with most tubers retaining a moderate or high potassium content following the leaching procedures. However, this study showed that DC appears to be more effective than NC for leaching potassium from TRV.

Chronic Disease↗