Polysaccharides from Basidiocarps of the Polypore Fungus Ganoderma resinaceum: Isolation and Structure

In this study, we focused on the isolation and structural characterization of polysaccharides from a basidiocarp of polypore fungus Ganoderma resinaceum. Polysaccharide fractions were obtained by successive extractions with cold water at room temperature (20 °C), hot water under reflux (100 °C), and a solution of 1 mol L−1 sodium hydroxide. The purity of all fractions was controlled mainly by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and their composition and structure were characterized by organic elemental analysis; neutral sugar and methylation analyses by gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detector (GC/FID) and mass spectrometry detector (GC/MS), respectively; and by correlation nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The aqueous extracts contained two main polysaccharides identified as a branched O-2-β-d-mannosyl-(1→6)-α-d-galactan and a highly branched (1→3)(1→4)(1→6)-β-d-glucan. Mannogalactan predominated in the cold water extract, and β-d-glucan was the main product of the hot water extract. The hot water soluble fraction was further separated by preparative anion exchange chromatography into three sub-fractions; two of them were identified as branched β-d-glucans with a structure similar to the corresponding polysaccharide of the original fraction. The alkaline extract contained a linear (1→3)-α-d-glucan and a weakly branched (1→3)-β-d-glucan having terminal β-d-glucosyl residues attached to O-6 of the backbone. The insoluble part after all extractions was identified as a polysaccharide complex containing chitin and β-d-glucans.

Potential of Industrial Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merrill) By-Products as Aromatic and Antioxidant Sources

Pineapple is meanly commercially processed. However, it is a fruit that generates a high proportion of nonedible wastes, which are rich in antioxidant compounds and have a varied aromatic profile. These characteristics turn these by-products into potential agri-food waste that can be revalued and applied in different fields such as medical, pharmaceutical, or food applications. The aim of the present work was the characterization and extraction of the volatile compounds present in two pineapple by-products (peel and core) and the subsequent evaluation of their antioxidant capacity. For this purpose, the analysis of the aromatic profile of both by-products has been carried out using the headspace solid-phase microextraction technique coupled to gas chromatography with a mass spectrometry detector (HS-SPME-GC-MS). The optimization of the extraction conditions of the volatile compounds has been validated using a Box–Behnken experimental design. In addition, a quantitative analysis was carried out to determine the contents of two important volatiles in pineapple wastes, isopentyl, and ethyl acetate. Moreover, the estimation of the antioxidant capacity of the subproducts extracts was carried out using different methods All the antioxidant assays demonstrated that pineapple subproducts are rich in easily extractable antioxidants with possible applications in the food industry.

Study on the Potential Application of Impatiens balsamina L. Flowers Extract as a Natural Colouring Ingredient in a Pastry Product

Flowers of the genus Impatiens are classified as edible; however, their inclusion in the human diet is not yet a common practice. Its attractive colours have stirred great interest by the food industry. In this sense, rose (BP) and orange (BO) I. balsamina flowers were nutritionally studied, followed by an in-depth chemical study profile. The non-anthocyanin and anthocyanin profiles of extracts of both flower varieties were also determined by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array and mass spectrometry detector (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS). The results demonstrated that both varieties presented significant amounts of phenolic compounds, having identified nine non-anthocyanin compounds and 14 anthocyanin compounds. BP extract stood out in its bioactive properties (antioxidant and antimicrobial potential) and was selected for incorporation in “bombocas” filling. Its performance as a colouring ingredient was compared with the control formulations (white filling) and with E163 (anthocyanins) colorant. The incorporation of the natural ingredient did not cause changes in the chemical and nutritional composition of the product; and although the colour conferred was lighter than presented by the formulation with E163 (suggesting a more natural aspect), the higher antioxidant activity could meet the expectations of the current high-demand consumer.

Comparison of Carbonaceous Compounds Emission from the Co-Combustion of Coal and Waste in Boilers Used in Residential Heating in Poland, Central Europe

In this study, the effect of the addition of waste on the emissions from coal co-combustion was investigated. Coal was co-combusted with different additions of medium-density fiberboard and polyethylene terephthalate plastic (10 and 50%), in a low-power boiler (18 W). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols, alkylphenols, phthalates, and biomass burning markers emissions were determined. Gas chromatography, coupled with a mass spectrometry detector, was used to analyze these compounds in particulate matter and gas phase, after extraction and derivatization. The emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were the highest among all the compounds determined. The total emission of these compounds was 215.1 mg/kg for coal, and 637.7 and 948.3 mg/kg for a 10 and 50% additive of polyethylene terephthalate plastic, respectively. For the 10 and 50% additive of medium-density fiberboard, the total emission was 474.2 and 464.0 mg/kg, respectively. The 50% addition of PET also had the highest emissions of phenols (638.5 mg/kg), alkylphenols (246.5 mg/kg), and phthalates (18.1 mg/kg), except for biomass burning markers, where the emissions were the highest for the 50% addition of medium-density fiberboard (541.3 mg/kg). In our opinion, the obtained results are insufficient for the identification of source apportionment from household heating.

Volatile Profile in Different Aerial Parts of Two Caper Cultivars (Capparis spinosa L.)

This research presents, for the first time, full volatile profiles of four aerial parts of caper plants (Capparis spinosa L.) from southeastern Spain. Volatile compounds in caper leaves and stems (together), flowers, flower buds, and fruits from two cultivars were identified and quantified using headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography with a mass spectrometry detector (GC-MS). Forty-three volatile compounds were identified in the caper shoots, 32 in caper flowers, with only 18, 10, and 6 compounds being found in flower buds, leaves, and fruits, respectively. The predominant compound in all studied materials was methyl isothiocyanate, with nerolidol, trans-2-hexenal, and nonanal playing key roles in flowers, leaves, and flowers buds, respectively. The two studied cultivars had the same volatile compounds but at very different concentrations, although the two studied cultivars are cultivated under the same climatic and agronomic conditions. Additionally, the predominant compounds, especially methyl isothiocyanate (6882 mg·kg−1 fw in flower buds of ORI 3 cultivar), can be separated and concentrated for future applications in food technology.

Terpenic Compounds in Chilean Species of the Genus Blechnum (Pteridophyta: Blechnaceae) with Neuroprotective Potential

The genus Blechnum L. includes a large variety of species native to central and southern continental Chile: B. arcuatum, B. asperum, B. blechnoides, B. chilense, B. corralense, B hastatum, B. magellanicum, B. microphyllum, B. mochaenum and B. penna-marina, containing compounds such as flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acids, lignans, and phytoecdysteroids. In this examination, terpenic compounds of the phytoecdysone type with pharmacological potential on the central nervous system are detailed. These compounds are characterized by a C27, C28 or C29 structure that possesses a 14-alpha-hydroxy-7-en-6-one chromophore and an A/B-cis (5beta-H) ring fusion that can be extracted from the plant with organic solvents, such as hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and ethanol, is concentrated in a reduced pressure rotary evaporator and are identified by gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometry detector (GC-MS) or a tandem ionization electrospray network detector UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. Phytoecdysteroids applied in vitro and in vivo models of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s at concentrations between 100 and 500 µg/mL, can modulate the enzymatic inhibition of monoamine oxidases (MAO-A and MAO-B) and cholinesterases (AChE and BChE), with zero toxicity effects and satisfactory results in cell viability.

Terpenes/Terpenoids in Cannabis: Are They Important?

Cannabis sativa plant has not only cannabinoids as crucial compounds but also the other compounds that play important role as synergistic and/or entourage compound. Cannabis/hemp plant materials and essential oils were analyzed with the help of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry detector for the content of terpenes and terpenoids. The main terpenes/terpenoids and their abundance in the samples were evaluated. Results of this study will be helpful in the next evaluation of these compound in mixture with cannabinoids and their importance in medical treatment.

New Advances in the Determination of Free and Bound Phenolic Compounds of Banana Passion Fruit Pulp (Passiflora tripartita, var. Mollissima (Kunth) L.H. Bailey) and Their In Vitro Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic Capacities

Banana passion fruit (Passiflora tripartite L.H. Bailey) is a lesser known species of the genus Passiflora. This fruit typically grows in the Andean region of Ecuador and it is locally known as tumbo, taxo or curuba. The juice of this fruit is highly appreciated in South America. Extracts of banana passion fruit were characterized for their content levels of free and bound phenolic compounds by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry detector (HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS). A total of 82 polar compounds classified as phenolic acid derivatives, organic acids, benzophenones, flavan-3-ols, flavonols and flavones were detected in the extracts. The total phenolic content was 2356 mg 100 g−1 dry matter, with the bound phenolic fraction representing 37.7% of total amounts. Flavan-3-ols, such as (epi)catechin, (epi)azfelechin and their derivatives, were the main phenolic compounds in the free phenolic fraction; however, phenolic acids represented the most abundant class of bound phenolic extracts. The antioxidant and hypoglycemic capacities reported for banana passion fruit were higher than for other fruits. To our knowledge, this is the first time that bound phenolic compounds have been described in banana passion fruit pulp.

Method Validation and Investigation of the Levels of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Sludge of Wastewater Treatment Plants and Soils of Irrigated Golf Course

The validation of a sensitive and reliable analytical procedure for the determination of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) in solid environmental samples is reported in this study. Initially, two types of derivatization were used for the identification of the 13 target PPCP standards (acylation and silylation), but silylation proved to be better in sensitivity as it detected all of the analytes under investigation. Samples were extracted using an ultrasonicator, concentrated and re-dissolved in 100 mL water, then cleaned-up using C18 cartridges before silylation that preceded the Gas chromatography-mass Spectrometry detector (GC–MS) analyses. The optimized method provided a linear response over the range of 10–400 ng·g−1 with r2 > 0.992 and satisfactory recoveries (>45.6%) for the 13 compounds of interest. In this study, the variation of the sonication temperature, type of organic solvent for extraction, and types of cartridge were used to optimize the extraction procedure. A good repeatability (within day) and reproducibility (between days) with a relative standard deviation (RSD) that was equal or less than 13% for all the PPCPs were achieved with the developed extraction procedures for the irrigated soil and sewage sludge samples. The limits of detection (LODs) of the tested compounds varied from 0.1 ng·g−1 (aspirin) to 1.4 ng·g−1 (doxycycline) and from 0.1 ng·g−1 (codiene) to 1.7 ng·g−1 (doxycycline) for soils and sewage sludge samples, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the sludge of wastewater treatment plants and soils of an irrigated golf course. Among the tested emerging pollutants, paracetamol showed the highest concentration value of 98.9 ng·g−1 in the sludge, and for the irrigated soil (0 to 10 cm), the concentration ranged from 1.16 ng·g−1 (aspirin) to 8.57 ng·g−1 (ibuprofen).