Applied Mechanics and Materials Vols. 675-677

Abstract: The objectives of this study were to study storage characteristics and shelf life of post-harvest kumquats of secondary metabolites from Liquidambar formosana leaves. After pre-impregnation with different concentrations of secondary metabolites from Liquidambar formosana leaves (10, 30, 50 mg/100mL), kumquats were stored at room temperature (14-16°C). Over the storage period, mass loss rate, decay rate, firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acid (TA), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), Ascorbic acid (VC) were measured at 3-day intervals. Results from the study showed that secondary metabolites from Liquidambar formosana leaves reduced decay rate, mass loss and MDA content, delayed the decrease of firmness and TSS, TA, VC content, enhanced the activity of SOD. These results indicate that secondary metabolites from Liquidambar formosana leaves have promising applications in postharvest preservation of kumquats.

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of polysaccharides from the root of Codonopsis pilosula (PCP) on physical fatigue induced by forced swimming in mice. The mice were divided into five groups, i.e., one control group and four PCP-treated groups. The control group was given distilled water and four PCP-treated groups were given different doses of PCP (100, 200, 400, 800 mg/kg). After 28 days, anti-fatigue effects of PCP were assessed using the forced swimming test, and the exhaustive swimming times, blood lactic acid (BLA), serum urea nitrogen (SUN), liver glycogen and muscle glycogen were measured. The data showed that PCP could prolong exhaustive swimming time of mice by decreasing BLA and SUN levels, and by improving the liver and muscle glycogen contents. The results clearly demonstrate that PCP had anti-fatigue effects.

Abstract: This study focused on the improvement of Schisandra polysaccharide on the learning and memory in D-galactose-induced brain aging mice, to lay the foundation for the prevention and treatment of brain aging and related diseases. D-galactose was used to establish a mice brain aging model, Morris water maze and passive avoidance test were used to observe effects of Schisandra polysaccharide on the learning and memory ability of D- galactose-induced brain aging mice. The results showed that Schisandra polysaccharide could prolong the time of target qundrant, increase the number to cross the original platform in the Morris water maze test, and prolong the latency and reduce the number of errors of mice in the passive avoidance test. It is believed that Schisandra polysaccharide could improve the learning and memory ability of mice with brain aging.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the optimal extraction conditions of polysaccharides from Achyranthes bidentata Blume (ABs) and evaluate its analgesic effects. Extraction conditions of ABs were optimized by the orthogonal experiment design, and analgesic effects of ABs were assessed by the acetic acid writhing reflex test. The results show that the optimal conditions ABs: extraction temperature is 90°C, extraction time is 3.5 h. and ratio of water to raw is 40:1 ml/g. Under these conditions, the extraction yield of ABs was 5.48%. Furthermore, ABs decreased number of writhing reflex and increased writhing reflex incubation period in mice, which indicated that ABs had analgesic effects. Acute toxicity test have already proved that the ABs did not show any toxic reactions.

Abstract: In present study, in vitro antioxidant activities of polysaccharide from Agaricus bisporus mycelia (PABM) were evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazy (DPPH), hydroxyl (ˑOH) and superoxide anion (ˑO₂^-) radicals scavenging activities. The results indicated that PABM could significantly scavenge DPPH, hydroxyl and superoxide anion radicals. Thus, PABM can be used as natural antioxidants in functional foods or medicine.

Abstract: The present study was carried out to investigate anti-hypoxia and anti-fatigue activities of flavonoids from bark of Eucommia ulmoides (FEU) in mice. The animal were divided into four groups: control (C) group, low-dose FEU treated (LF) group, intermediate dose FEU treated (IF) group and high-dose FEU treated (HF) group. The treated groups received FEU (5, 15, 45mg/kg), while the control group received saline solution for 28 days. After 28 days, anti-hypoxia activity of FEU was assessed by the normobarie hypoxia test and anti-fatigue activity of FEU was assessed by the forced swimming test. The data showed that FEU could prolong survival time of oxygen deprivation and exhaustive swimming time by reducing BLA and BUN levels and increasing liver glycogen and muscle glycogen contents. Therefore, FEU had anti-hypoxia and anti-fatigue activities.

Abstract: The effects of extraction solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone, ethyl-acetate and n-hexane) on the content of phytochemicals including total polyphenols, flavonoids and condensed tannins, as well as antioxidant activities of cumin seeds were investigated. The results showed that, the acetone extract had the highest total polyphenols, flavonoids and condensed tannins content, and it exhibited stronger antioxidant activities and protective effect of plasmid DNA damage, followed by methanol and ethanol extracts. N-hexane extract is the lowest. Correlation analysis revealed that the content of phytochemicals was well correlated with antioxidant activities of extracts from cumin seeds, which indicates that different solvents had a great influence on the level of total polyphenols, anthocyanins and antioxidant activities of extracts from cumin seeds. Therefore, selective extraction from cumin seeds, by an appropriate solvent, is important for obtaining fractions with high antioxidant activity, which will be useful for the developing and application of cumin seeds.

Abstract: Deproteinized calf blood extractive was bioactive components, including natural amino acids, small peptides, glycolipids, nucleosides and carbohydrates, extracted from calf serum. The main pharmacological activities of deproteinized calf blood extractives contained several vital processes, such as enhancing the uptake and utilization of oxygen and glucose, boosting the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate, promoting the transport of nutrients, facilitating the tissue repair and regeneration. In this article, from the review of the researches on the clinical application of deproteinized calf blood extractives, we concluded that it was worth on clinical promotion.

Abstract: To investigate effect of secondary metabolites from Liquidambar formosana Hance on loquat fruits storage, macroporous resin extracts from Liquidambar formosana Hance leaves were used. Loquat fruits were dipped in macroporous resin extracts of different mass concentration(10, 30, 50 mg/mL) for 10 minutes, then stored in 6°C for 30 days. Membrane permeability, peroxide(POD) activity, phenylalanine ammonia lyase(PAL) activity, lignin, decay index, hardness, total soluble solid(TSS) and titratable acid(TA) were determined per 5 days to show quality and physiological character of loquat fruits during storage. The results show that macroporous resin extracts from Liquidambar formosana Hance leaves can significantly reduce decay index, slow down the increase of hardness and membrane permeability, the decrease of TSS and TA content and the accumulation of lignin content, and inhibit the increase of POD and PAL activity.

Abstract: In this experiment black soybeans as raw materials,different factor on black beans polyphenol extraction yield influence,and studied the polyphenols antioxidant activity through establishing DPPH· system,·OH system and reducing power system,and compared with Vc. The result showed that:the optimum extraction conditions were the ratio of liquid to Solid was 32:1,ethanol concentration 48%,time 95min,temperature 90 °C.In these conditions, the yield of polyphenols was 8.953mg/g. The scavenging effects of polyphenols and Vc on DPPH·, ·OH force increased with increasing concentration,and the scavenging effects of polyphenols on DPPH· and ·OH higher than Vc when between in 11~31 μg/mL.When concentration is more than 12μg/mL,the scavenging effects of polyphenols on ·OH is higher than Vc.