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Capillary electrophoresis for the analysis of short-chain organic acids in coffee.

A simple and rapid capillary electrophoresis method for low-molecular mass carboxylic acids measurement in coffee has been optimised and validated. Regarding separation conditions, phosphate concentration in the background electrolyte, surfactant type [cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), tetradecyltri methylammonium bromide (TTAB) and hexadimethrine bromide (HDB)], percentages of organic modifier and pH were assayed. The best conditions were: 500 mM phosphate buffer at pH 6.25 with CTAB 0.5 mM. The separation was carried out with an uncoated fused-silica capillary (57 cm x 50 microm i.d.) which was operated at -10 kV potential. Detection was performed at 200 nm. In such conditions 17 short-chain organic acids: oxalic, formic, fumaric, mesaconic, succinic, maleic, malic, isocitric, citric, acetic, citraconic, glycolic, propionic, lactic, furanoic, pyroglutamic, quinic acids plus nitrate were separated, identified and measured. Validation parameters of the method allow us to consider it lineal, accurate and precise and, therefore, reliable for its employment in food composition studies or for quality control. Results in coffees with different industrial treatment allow the detection of important differences in the organic acid profile.

Acids↗

Manganese deficiency of silver fir trees (Abies alba) at a reforested site in the Jura mountains, Switzerland: aspects of cause and effect.

We examined manganese uptake and translocation in 30-year-old silver fir trees (Abies alba Mill.) showing severe symptoms of needle chlorosis by analyzing both xylem and phloem sap of shoots and an extract of root sap originating from both xylem and phloem elements. Manganese concentrations in shoot xylem and phloem sap were significantly lower in chlorotic trees than in neighboring healthy trees. The Mn concentration of root sap was also lower in these Mn-deficient trees than in healthy trees, indicating reduced Mn uptake by Mn-deficient trees. Although Mn deficiency had no effect on the Mn concentration of whole roots, separation of root tissue into root cortex and stele (wood) suggested impaired translocation of Mn from the cortex to the stele in Mn-deficient trees. Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) tests indicated that there was no decrease in reducing capacity of the fine roots (< 1 mm in diameter) of Mn-deficient trees. Fine roots of Mn-deficient trees contained significantly more organic acids than fine roots of healthy trees, including increased concentrations of malic, quinic, trans-acontic and formic acid; however, concentrations of pyruvic and acetic acid were lower than in fine roots of healthy trees. The total amounts of organic acids in the rhizospheric soil were similar for healthy and Mn-deficient trees. Pyruvic acid concentration was significantly increased in the rhizospheric soil of Mn-deficient trees, and concentrations of simple aliphatic acids like formic and acetic acid also tended to be higher in the rhizospheric soil of Mn-deficient trees. Both pH and water content were higher in bulk soil and rhizospheric soil around Mn-deficient trees compared with soil around healthy trees. Although lower concentrations of exchangeable Mn were found in the soil around Mn-deficient trees, the active Mn concentration (sum of exchangeable and reducible Mn) did not differ between healthy and Mn-deficient trees. A considerable proportion of manganese was in an oxidized form in the soil around Mn-deficient trees.

Journal Article↗

Nutritional and hormonal regulation of the gene for malic enzyme.

In vivo, refeeding starved chickens stimulates transcription of the avian gene for malic enzyme in liver; in hepatocytes in culture, triiodothyronine (T3) and insulin stimulate transcription of this gene. In vivo, starvation, and in hepatocytes in culture, glucagon, medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) and long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) inhibit transcription of the malic enzyme gene. We have defined a T3-response unit in the 5'-flanking DNA of the malic enzyme gene; it contains one major T3 response element and several minor ones; maximum responsiveness is dependent on the presence of all of these elements. LCFA probably act by inhibiting binding of T3 to its nuclear receptor. MCFA appear to act by a different mechanism. Inhibitory MCFA have chain lengths of six, seven or eight carbons; a common feature of other inhibitory compounds is that they can be metabolized to MCFA. Eight-carbon fatty acids with a hydroxyl on the 2- or 3-carbon are more potent inhibitors than octanoate, whereas 2-bromo-fatty acids and 2-hydroxy hexanoate are not inhibitory. In transfection experiments with a large variety of constructs derived from the malic enzyme 5'-flanking DNA, the ability of fatty acids to inhibit promoter function localizes to regions of DNA that contain T3REs. Promoter function of artificial T3REs also is inhibited by MCFA. Inhibition of promoter function using malic enzyme DNA is relatively constant in magnitude irrespective of the size of the T3 response. We postulate that MCFA directly regulates one of the functions of the T3 receptor.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

[Effect of organic acids on the biosynthesis of carotenes by an Actinomyces chrysomallus strain].

Synthesis of carotenes by Actinomyces chrysomallus var. carotenoides was stimulated by citric, acetic, oxalacetic, fumaric, succinic, malic, alpha-ketoglutaric, tartaric, pyruvic, and propionic acids. Acetic acid acts as a precursor of carotene synthesis and also has another stimulating mechanism of action on carotenogenesis of the actinomycete. Acetic, furmaric, malic, succinic, and alpha-ketoglutaric acids stimulate cyclization of lycopene yielding beta-carotene.

Acids↗

Quantitative histochemical studies of the hypothalamus. Dehydrogenase enzymes during the estrous cycle.

Three enzymes selected as representative of major metabolic pathways (malic dehydrogenase, of the citric acid cycle, lactic dehydrogenase, of glycolysis and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, of the pentose pathway) were measured by quantitative histochemical methods in individual hypothalamic nuclei during the 5-day estrous cycle of adult rats. Malic dehydrogenase increases significantly from low proestrous levels to a peak at estrus and then declines during diestrus in the following nuclei and areas of the anterior hypothalamus: medial and lateral preoptic, suprachiasmatic, supraoptic, and anterior. Significant peaks of lactic dehydrogenase occur more often during diestrus-3 in hypothalamic nuclei of the middle and posterior hypothalamus, Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase has a biphasic pattern with peaks usually occurring during the diestrous period.

Animals↗

Regulation of carbon flux from amino acids into sugar phosphates in Xenopus embryos.

Xenopus laevis oocytes and embryos are glycogenic cells, metabolizing sugar phosphates into glycogen. These cells have very low pyruvate kinase activity in vivo and, consequently, make little pyruvate and lactate through glycolysis. Nevertheless, oocytes and embryos do contain significant pyruvate and lactate levels. To determine the source of carbon for sugar phosphates and pyruvate, 14C-labeled intermediary metabolites were injected into fertilized eggs and their metabolism examined by thin-layer chromatography. Alanine, pyruvate, and lactate form a pool of carbon that fluxes into sugar phosphates. Cytosolic (nonmitochondrial) aspartate, oxaloacetate, and malate form a pool of carbon which is largely blocked in the short-term from entering the smaller alanine/pyruvate/lactate pool. The data indicate that the major source of carbon for sugar phosphates in fertilized eggs and rapidly cleaving embryos is the alanine/pyruvate/lactate pool. Pyruvate from this pool is converted in the mitochondria to phosphoenolpyruvate, which in turn is metabolized outside the mitochondria to sugar phosphates. A key enzyme in regulating flux from amino acid carbon to pyruvate is malic enzyme. Three malic enzyme isozymes, one soluble and two mitochondrial, were partially isolated and kinetically characterized from total ovarian tissue. Full-grown oocytes and eggs, however, have very low soluble malic enzyme activity, which results in the separation of the cytosolic aspartate/oxaloacetate/malate and alanine/pyruvate/lactate pools.

Amino Acids↗

Effects of some antitumor agents on growth and glycolytic enzymes of the flagellate Crithidia.

Some antitumor agents known to specifically inhibit certain tumor cell enzymes were examined for activity against glycolytic enzymes and growth of the insect trypanosomatid, Crithidia fasciculata. The cytoplasmic enzymes hexokinase, alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, malic dehydrogenase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were tested. Agaricic acid (2-hydroxy-1,2,3-nonadecane tricarboxylic acid) was highly inhibitory (50 to 100%) to malic and alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenases at approximately 3 x 10(-5)m; 2-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-phenylpropane (2 x 10(-4)m), and 5,6-dichloro-2-benzoxazolinone (5 x 10(-4)m) were less effective (50% inhibition) against them. The antiprotozoal agents primaquine (4 x 10(-4)m) and Melarsoprol (8 x 10(-4)m) were 30 to 40% inhibitory. Agaricic acid, 2-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-phenylpropane, and 5,6-dichloro-2-benzoxazolinone inhibited growth of Crithidia at less than 10(-4)m. Eight other test compounds from the Cancer Chemotherapy National Service Center (CCNSC) were not toxic to cell growth, although two (4-biphenylcarboxylic acid and 1-[p-chlorobenzyl]-2-ethyl-5-methyl-indole-3-acetic acid) inhibited Crithidia alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase below 1 mm. All of the compounds used specifically inhibited cancer cell alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase. The corresponding enzyme in pathogenic African trypanosomes is important in their terminal respiration. C. fasciculata may be useful in preliminary evaluation of chemotherapeutic agents as potential trypanocides.

Acetates↗

Quantitative histochemical studies of the hypothalamus: dehydrogenase enzymes following androgen sterilization.

Four enzymes, selected as representative of major metabolic pathways (malic dehydrogenase, of the citric acid cycle, lactic dehydrogenase, of glycolysis, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, of the pentose pathway and glutamic dehydrogenase, of glutamate metabolism), were measured by quantitative histochemical methods in individual hypothalamic nuclei of adult neonatally androgenized female rats. Malic dehydrogenase (MDH) was significantly reduced in nuclei of the anterior hypothalamus: the suprachiasmatic, supraoptic and anterior. Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) increased significantly in the lateral preoptic area. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase G-6-PDH was also significantly elevated in anterior hypothalamic nuclei: medial preoptic, lateral preoptic, supraoptic and paraventricular. Glutamic dehydrogenase (GDH) was generally elevated throughout the hypothalamus with significant increases of activity occurring in the paraventricular, lateral ventromedial, arcuate, medial mamillary and posterior nuclei.

Animals↗

Regulation of the action of steroid/thyroid hormone receptors by medium-chain fatty acids.

Triiodothyronine (T3) causes a 30-fold increase in transcription of the malic enzyme gene in chick embryo hepatocytes; medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) inhibit this increase. T3 action is mediated by T3 receptors (TRs) that bind to T3 response elements (T3REs) in this gene's 5'-flanking DNA. In transiently transfected hepatocytes, fragments of 5'-flanking DNA of the malic enzyme gene or artificial T3REs that conferred T3 stimulation also conferred MCFA inhibition to linked reporter genes. Thus, MCFA inhibition may be mediated through cis-acting T3REs and trans-acting TRs, distinguishing MCFA action from that of other fatty acids which act through unique sequence elements. Using binding assays and overexpression of TR, we showed that MCFAs inhibited the transactivating but not the silencing function of TR and did not alter binding of T3 to TR or of TR to T3RE. The C-terminal ligand-binding domain of TR was sufficient to confer stimulation by T3, but not inhibition by MCFA. Inhibition of transactivation by MCFA was specific: ligand-stimulated transcription from T3 or estrogen response elements was inhibited, but that from glucocorticoid or cyclic AMP response elements was not. We propose that MCFAs or metabolites thereof influence the activity of a factor(s) that interacts with the T3 and estrogen receptors to inhibit ligand-stimulated transcription.

Animals↗

Determination of aliphatic organic acids by high-performance liquid chromatography with pulsed electrochemical detection.

A new ion exclusion HPLC procedure accomplished with a pulsed electrochemical detection for the determination of several common aliphatic acids is described. A triple-step waveform of the applied potentials, based on the formation/inhibition of PtOH species on the electrode surface, is successfully used for sensitive detection of several aliphatic acids in flowing systems avoiding pre- or postcolumn derivatization and/or cleanup procedures. Under optimal chromatographic conditions (i.e., 50 mM HClO(4)) the proposed method allowed detection limits between 0.5 and 7 microM for all investigated acids, and the dynamic linear range spanned generally over 1 or 2 orders of magnitude. Determination of citric, malic, tartaric, lactic, formic, and acetic acids in several foods and beverages was performed, in approximately 15 min, without the necessity of any sample pretreatment.

Beverages↗

Chimeric structure of the NAD(P)+- and NADP+-dependent malic enzymes of Rhizobium (Sinorhizobium) meliloti.

Malic enzymes catalyze the oxidative decarboxylation of malate to pyruvate in conjunction with the reduction of a nicotinamide cofactor. We determined the DNA sequence and transcriptional start sites of the genes encoding the diphosphopyridine nucleotide-dependent malic enzyme (DME, EC 1.1.1.39) and the triphosphopyridine nucleotide-dependent malic enzyme (TME, EC 1.1.1. 40) of Rhizobium (Sinorhizobium) meliloti. The predicted DME and TME proteins contain 770 and 764 amino acids, respectively, and are approximately 320 amino acids larger than previously characterized prokaryotic malic enzymes. The increased size of DME and TME resides in the C-terminal extensions which are similar in sequence to phosphotransacetylase enzymes (EC 2.3.1.8). Modified DME and TME proteins which lack this C-terminal region retain malic enzyme activity but are unable to oligomerize into the native state. Data base searches have revealed that similar chimeric malic enzymes were uniquely present in Gram-negative bacteria. Thus DME and TME appear to be members of a new class of malic enzyme characterized by the presence of a phosphotransacetylase-like domain at the C terminus of the protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Conversion of cassava starch to biomass, carbohydrates, and acids by Aspergillus niger.

The filamentous fungus, Aspergillus niger, efficiently converted cassava polysaccharides to mycelial mass, simple sugars, and acids during the course of its growth. A typical 70-ml culture broth containing 2% cassava polysaccharides yielded 0.38 g dry mycelial mass, 1.14 mmol reducing sugars, and 1.17 meq acids at the end of 42 h. About 70% of the initial total carbohydrate in the medium was degraded during the same period. The sugars and acids in the culture broths were analyzed by HPLC on a single Aminex HPX-87 column at 55 degrees C, using 0.013 N H2SO4 as the eluting solvent. Cassava polysaccharides were degraded to oligosaccharides, maltotriose, maltose, and glucose beyond the 20-h growth periods, with maltotriose emerging as the major simple sugar. The appearance of citric, malic, gluconic, succinic, and fumaric acids accounted mostly for the decreasing pH in the growth media. Formation of carbohydrate species in the culture broths was closely related to the biosynthesis and secretion of several carbohydrases by A. niger. The extracellular carbohydrases were separated and identified by chromatofocusing and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to be amyloglucosidase (EC 3.1.2.3), alpha-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1), and alpha-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.20), respectively.

Acids↗

Synthesis and secretion of lipids by long-term cultures of female rat hepatocytes.

The objective of this work was to characterize lipid metabolism in long-term cultures of adult rat hepatocytes from female rats and explore the potential use of this culture system to study the effect of hormones, drugs and toxic chemicals on it. Hepatocytes, seeded on a feeder layer of 3T3 cells, maintained for 2 weeks their typical morphology. The cultures were able to take up [14C]acetic and [14C]oleic acid from the culture medium and incorporate them into lipids. The synthesis and secretion of lipids by [14C]acetic acid-labeled cultures had a maximum value after 11 and 13 days in culture. Triacylglycerols were the main lipidic species synthesized and secreted by hepatocytes (up to 67% of the total lipids); they also synthesized and secreted phospholipids, cholesterol and cholesterol esters from [14C]acetic acid. Similarly, [14C]oleic acid-labeled cultures synthesized and secreted mostly triacylglycerols (up to 60-70% of the total lipids), but they were also able to incorporate the labeled precursor into both cellular and secreted phospholipids and cholesterol esters. The activity of glycerol-phosphate-dehydrogenase, marker enzyme of glycerolipid synthesis, decreased slightly during the culture time whereas the activity of malic enzyme, marker of fatty acid synthesis, increased. Our results show that long-term cultures of female rat hepatocytes are able to synthesize and secrete several lipids, specially triacylglycerols, from both [14C]acetic and [14C]oleic acid for at least 2 weeks and that they maintain enzyme activities related with the synthetic pathways of glycerolipids and fatty acids.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetates↗

Malic enzyme activity in adult and newborn rat lung.

Using a sensitive technique measuring 14CO2 production from radiolabeled malate, we examined malic enzyme activity in both adult and newborn rat lung tissue and in L2 cells, a cell culture line of type II pneumocytes. Malic enzyme was present in both cytosolic and mitochondrial fractions. Time course experiments demonstrated a linear rate after the initial 10 min, up to 30 min. The optimal pH in the cytosolic fraction was 8.0, whereas maximal mitochondrial malic enzyme activity occurred at pH 7.0. The mitochondrial fraction exhibited biphasic kinetics over the 200-fold range of concentrations examined. The high-affinity Km was 0.16 mmol with Vmax of 7.11 nmol/mg protein/min. The low-affinity Km was 6.95 mmol, with Vmax of 31.82 nmol/mg protein/min. In the cytosol there was a single Km of 0.30 mmol and Vmax of 5.95 nmol/mg protein/min. In paired experiments examining differences between 1-d-old and adult rat lung, significantly higher total and mitochondrial malic enzyme activity occurred in the newborn as compared with the adult. Malic enzyme activity was also present in the L2 cells. The finding of malic enzyme activity in the lung suggests that cytosolic malic enzyme may play a role in generating NADPH needed in the lung for fatty acid synthesis. These findings of developmental differences in malic enzyme activity suggest that alternate substrates such as anaplerotic amino acids may be used in the young animal as energy substrates by way of the tricarboxylic acid cycle.

Animals↗

Rapid liquid chromatography-ultraviolet determination of organic acids and phenolic compounds in red wine and must.

A reversed-phase liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (LC-UV) method is proposed for the rapid simultaneous analysis of the main carboxylic acids and polyphenols in must and wine. Good resolution was obtained for citric, tartaric, malic, lactic, acetic, caffeic, ellagic and gallic acids, (-)-epicatechin, quercetin and resveratrol. A novel silica-based column containing ether-linked phenyl groups, with polar end-capping and suitable for low-pH aqueous mobile phases was used and found to be superior to others tested. The method employed a mixture of 0.2% TFA in water and acetonitrile as eluents, showed linearity and precision, and was applied to samples of must and wine.

Acids↗

Development of a turbidimetric assay to study the effect of urinary components on calcium oxalate precipitation.

The pharmacological treatment of calcium urinary stones, most of which are made of calcium oxalate (CaOx), is only prophylactic. The causes of nephrolithiasis are often unclear, and a number of patients were found to be deficient in physiological inhibitors, e.g. citrate, pyrophosphate, magnesium, and specific proteins. The identification and characterization of these inhibitors can be performed in vitro by a number of methods, most of which are complex and time-consuming. Thus, we developed a simple turbidimetric method based on the precipitation of CaOx from a supersaturated solution. Using this approach, we determined that ionic strengths > 0.2 and pH < 5 inhibited the precipitation of CaOx. The first observation is of interest if one considers that the osmolarity of urine varies in the range of 50-1,400 mmol/kg, while the effect of pH is not usually seen in vivo because of the influence of other phenomena, such as the precipitation of uric acid. The activity of sodium chloride, magnesium and citrate was displayed at concentrations not far from their normal urinary level. Among several mono-, di- and tricarboxylic acids, like acetic, ascorbic, citric, isocitric, formic, fumaric, gluconic, glutaric, alpha-ketoglutaric, maleic, malic, malonic, propionic, pyruvic, succinic, and tartaric acid, only isocitric acid was more potent than citric acid. Pyrophosphate was a potent inhibitor in vitro, but its urinary level may not be sufficient for a significant effect in vivo. Amino acids like Ala, Arg, Asp, Glu, Gly, and Ser which are known to bind calcium, showed little activity. Work is in progress to search for new compounds potentially useful in the treatment of nephrolithiasis.

Calcium Oxalate↗

Light-stimulated synthesis of NADP malic enzyme in leaves of maize.

Illumination of etiolated maize plants for 80 h brings about a 15-20-fold increase in activity of NADP malic enzyme (EC 1.1.1.40). Increases in NADP malic enzyme protein and in the level of translatable mRNA for this protein occur simultaneously with the activity increase. Radiolabeled amino acids are also incorporated into NADP malic enzyme during this time. These results are consistent with the conclusion that an increase in NADP malic enzyme activity during greening results from de novo synthesis of NADP malic enzyme protein. Polyadenylated RNA extracted from greening maize leaves directs the synthesis in vitro of a protein 12,000 daltons larger than NADP malic enzyme purified from corn leaves. This protein is a precursor of NADP malic enzyme because 1) both the precursor and mature NADP malic enzyme are immunoprecipitated by antibody made against NADP malic enzyme purified from corn leaves, 2) both NADP malic enzyme protein and the level of mRNA for the precursor increase during greening, and 3) peptide maps of the precursor and of mature NADP malic enzyme are very similar. Mature NADP malic enzyme and its precursor (synthesized in vitro) both migrate on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gradient gels as doublet bands. Peptide analyses show all bands to be structurally related.

Kinetics↗

Determination of organic acids in wine by zone electrophoresis on a chip with conductivity detection.

An appropriate combination of separation mechanisms (simultaneous use of differences in pK values, host-guest complexations, and the ionic strength dependences of the actual ionic mobilities) provided zone electrophoresis (ZE) resolution of 22 organic and inorganic acids expected in wines on a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) chip with integrated conductivity detection. These separating conditions offered a framework for the ZE determination of organic acids responsible for some important organoleptic characteristics of wines (tartrate, malate, succinate, acetate, citrate, and lactate). The ZE procedure developed in this context is simple and rapid (ca. 10 minutes' analysis time), while affording reproducible migration and quantitation data for the acids. For example, 0.8-2.0% RSD values characterized the migration times of the acids for 25 repeated ZE runs with the same sample carried out in 5 days in the background electrolyte solution prepared freshly on a daily basis, while 3-5% RSD values were typical for the accompanying peak area data. The concentration ranges within which the acids of analytical interest could be determined in one ZE run covered all wine samples included in our study (100-400-fold sample dilutions were needed to work under the conditions corresponding to the validities of the calibration data). 90-110% recoveries of the acids as obtained repeatedly for one of the reference wine samples used in our experiments indicate a good predisposition of the present method to provide accurate analytical results. This statement also supports the results from the determination of the acids in reference wine samples with claimed concentrations of malic (five samples), tartaric (one sample), and lactic (one sample) acids.

Acids↗