AIM This study was designed to determine the proximate composition and mineral content of Costus afer leaf and stem, as well as to identify the most active antioxidant fraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS The proximate composition and mineral analysis of C. afer leaf and stem were performed using the standard methods described by Pearson and Association of Official Analytical Chemist while the 1,1...

BACKGROUND We have previously reported several lignin-like activities of the alkaline extract of the leaves of Sasa senanensis Rehder (SE), such as anti-HIV and radical scavenging activity. As an extension, possible SE protection of cells from ultraviolet (UV)-induced injury (referred to "anti-UV activity") was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS HSC-2, human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell...

AIMS To determine the fermentation profiles by human gut bacteria of arabino-oligosaccharides of varying degree of polymerization. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sugar beet arabinan was hydrolyzed with a commercial pectinase and eight fractions, of varying molecular weight, were isolated by gel-filtration chromatography. Hydrolysis fractions, arabinose, arabinan and fructo-oligosaccharides were fermen...

The Glycaemic Index (GI) concept ranks foods according to the postprandial glycaemic responses. The in vivo procedure used to determine GI values of food is very laborious and time consuming. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the in vitro rate of release of glucose from foods of Sri Lankan origin with the intention of identifying the relationships of the in vitro data with the publishe...

Trichilia emetica and Opilia amentacea traditional Burkinabe medicinal plants were investigated to determine their therapeutic potential to inhibit key enzymes in carbohydrate metabolism, which has relevance to the management of type 2 diabetes. In vitro and in vivo antioxidant and antihypertensive potential and antilipidemia and antihyperglycemia activities in an animal model of type 2 diabete...

In this review we discuss the transformation of organic matter during municipal solid waste (MSW) composting and the suitability of chemical and biochemical parameters in defining the stability and maturity of the end product. The dynamics of chemical and biochemical parameters, such as several hydrolase activities and water-soluble fractions (i.e. water soluble carbon, water soluble nitrogen, ...

1. Guanidinium chloride (4M) in the presence of proteinase inhibitors extracted 90% of bovine aorta galactosaminoglycans as proteoglycans that were subsequently purified by ion-exchange and gel chromatography. 2. Fractionation of the calcium salts of the purified proteoglycans with increasing concentration of ethanol yielded fractions PG-25 (28%), PG-35 (45%) and PG-50 (37%). 3. Fraction PG-50 ...

A method has been developed for the rapid large scale isolation of plasma membranes and intact nuclei from RAJI lymphoid cells utilizing hypotonic lysis of cells after intracellular loading with glycerol followed by combined flotation-sedimentation within a discontinuous sucrose gradient. Nuclei may be isolated in about 1 h and plasma membranes in about 6 h from 1 to 20 g of cells. Intact nucle...

1. Mitochondria were isolated from developing endosperm of Ricinus communis and were fractionated into outer membrane and inner membrane. The relative purity of the two membrane fractions was determined by marker enzymes. The fractions were also examined by negative-stain electron microscopy. 2. Membrane fractions were sequentially extracted in the following way. (a) Suspension in 0.5M-potassiu...

SCOPE Berries are an excellent source of dietary flavonoids which have several health benefits. METHODS AND RESULTS We evaluated well-characterized anthocyanins (ANCs) and proanthocyanidins (PACs) from fermented blueberry-blackberry beverages. Wines were produced from highbush blueberries and blackberries grown in Illinois and blended to create ratios ranging from 100% blueberry to 100% black...