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Selected AbstractsInvestigation of the anti-fungal activity of coptisine on Candida albicans growth by microcalorimetry combined with principal component analysisJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009W.-J. Kong Abstract Aims:, This study investigated the anti-fungal activity of coptisine on Candida albicans growth. Methods and Results:, The metabolic power-time curves of Candida albicans growth at 37°C affected by coptisine were measured by microcalorimetry using an LKB-2277 Bioactivity Monitor with stop-flow mode. Then, the diameter of inhibitory zones in the agar layer was observed using agar cup method, and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of coptisine on Candida albicans growth was determined by serial dilution method. From the principal component analysis on nine quantitative parameters obtained from the power-time curves, we could easily evaluate the anti-fungal activity of coptisine by analysing the change of values of the main two parameters, growth rate constant k and maximum power output in the log phase Pm, log. The results showed that coptisine had strong anti-fungal activity: at a low concentration (45 ,g ml,1) began to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans and at a high concentration (500 ,g ml,1) completely inhibited Candida albicans growth. Coptisine gave big inhibitory zones with diameters between 11 and 43 mm within test range, and the MIC of it was 1000 ,g ml,1. Conclusions:, Coptisine had strong anti-fungal activity on Candida albicans growth. The method of microcalorimetry applied for the assay of anti-fungal activity of coptisine was quantitative, sensitive and simple. Significance and Impact of the Study:, This work will provide useful information for the development of chemical biology policy in the use of anti-microbials in food and drug production. [source] Simultaneous determination of eight major steroids from Polyporus umbellatus by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry detectionsBIOMEDICAL CHROMATOGRAPHY, Issue 2 2010Ying-yong Zhao Abstract Polyporus umbellatus is a widely used diuretic herbal medicine. In this study, a high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization,mass spectrometric detection (HPLC-APCI-MS) method was developed for qualitative and quantitative analysis of steroids, as well as for the quality control of Polyporus umbellatus. The selectivity, reproducibility and sensitivity were compared with HPLC with photodiode array detection and evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD). Selective ion monitoring in positive mode was used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of eight major components and ,-ecdysterone was used as the internal standard. Limits of detection and quantification fell in the ranges 7,21 and 18,63 ng/mL for the eight analytes with an injection of 10 µL samples, and all calibration curves showed good linear regression (r2 > 0.9919) within the test range. The quantitative results demonstrated that samples from different localities showed different qualities. Advantages, in comparison with conventional HPLC,diode array detection and HPLC-ELSD, are that reliable identification of target compounds could be achieved by accurate mass measurements along with characteristic retention time, and the great enhancement in selectivity and sensitivity allows identification and quantification of low levels of constituents in complex Polyporus umbellatus matrixes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Application of liquid chromatography,electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for analysis and quality control of compound Danshen preparationsBIOMEDICAL CHROMATOGRAPHY, Issue 4 2009Jun Cao Abstract A liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-TOF-MS) method has been developed to evaluate the quality of three formulas of compound Danshen preparations (CDPs), through a simultaneous determination of 22 marker constituents (nine major phenolic acids, eight major saponins and five major diterpenoids). Optimum separations were obtained with a Zorbax C18 column, using a gradient elution with 0.1% aqueous formic acid and acetonitrile. Limits of detection and quantification were in ranges of 1.58,10.10 and 4.85,28.56 ng/mL. All calibration curves showed good linear regression (r2 >p;0.9900) within the test range, and the recoveries were between 78.4 and 103.1% for all analytes. The assay was successfully utilized to analyze the 22 marker components in 26 samples. The overall results demonstrated that this method is sensitive, accurate and reliable for the quality control of CDPs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Silica-based monolithic column with evaporative light scattering detector for HPLC analysis of bacosides and apigenin in Bacopa monnieriJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 15-16 2009Pamita Bhandari Abstract A high performance liquid chromatographic method using a silica-based monolithic column coupled with evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC,ELSD) was developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of bacosides (bacoside A, bacopaside I, bacoside A3, bacopaside II, bacopaside X, bacopasaponin C) and apigenin in Bacopa monnieri. The chromatographic resolution was achieved on a Chromolith RP-18 (100×4.6 mm) column with acetonitrile/water (30:70) as mobile phase in isocratic elution at a flow rate of 0.7 mL/min. The drift tube temperature of the ELSD was set to 95°C, and the nitrogen flow rate was 2.0 SLM (standard liter per minute). The calibration curves revealed a good linear relationship (r2 >0.9988) within the test ranges. The detection limits (S/N = 3) and the quantification limits (S/N = 10) for the compounds were in the range of 0.54,6.06 and 1.61,18.78 ,g/mL, respectively. Satisfactory average recovery was observed in the range of 95.8,99.0%. The method showed good reproducibility for the quantification of these compounds in B. monnieri with intra- and inter-day precision of less than 0.69 and 0.67%, respectively. The validated method was successfully applied to quantify analytes in nine accessions of B. monnieri and thus provides a new basis for overall quality assessment of B. monnieri. [source] Quantification of polyphenols with potential antioxidant properties in wines using reverse phase HPLCJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 12 2008Neuza Paixão Abstract A RP-HPLC method with photodiode array detection (DAD) was developed to separate, identify and quantify simultaneously the most representative phenolic compounds present in Madeira and Canary Islands wines. The optimized chromatographic method was carefully validated in terms of linearity, precision, accuracy and sensitivity. A high repeatability and a good stability of phenolics retention times (< 3%) were obtained, as well as relative peak area. Also high recoveries were achieved, over 80.3%. Polyphenols calibration curves showed a good linearity (r2 >0.994) within test ranges. Detection limits ranged between 0.03 and 11.5 ,g/mL for the different polyphenols. A good repeatability was obtained, with intra-day variations less than 7.9%. The described method was successfully applied to quantify several polyphenols in 26 samples of different kinds of wine (red, rosé and white wines) from Madeira and Canary Islands. Gallic acid was by far the most predominant acid. It represents more than 65% of all phenolics, followed by p -coumaric and caffeic acids. The major flavonoid found in Madeira wines was trans -resveratrol. In some wines, (,)-epicatechin was also found in highest amount. Canary wines were shown to be rich in gallic, caffeic and p -coumaric acids and quercetin. [source] Simultaneous qualification and quantification of eight triterpenoids in Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae by high-performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detection and mass spectrometric detectionJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 6 2007Juan Li Abstract An HPLC with evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) and ESI-MS was established for the simultaneous determination of eight triterpenoids in Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae. The optimal chromatographic conditions were achieved on a Zorbax C18 column by linear gradient elution with 0.08% v/v aqueous formic acid and ACN as the mobile phase at the flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. Temperature for the detector drift tube was set at 101°C and the nitrogen flow rate was 2.8 L/min. The identities of the analytes were accomplished by comparing retention times and mass data with those of reference compounds. The validation of the method included tests of linearity, sensitivity, repeatability, recovery, and stability. All the calibration curves of the eight triterpenoids showed good linear regression (R2 >0.997) within the test ranges. The method provides desirable repeatability with overall intra- and interday variations of less than 4.9%. The obtained recoveries varied between 93.6 and 98.1% while the RSDs were below 3.9% (n = 3). The analysis results indicate that the content of investigated triterpenoids in Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae from different locations was greatly diverse, and the triterpenoids could be used as chemical markers for the discrimination of genuine and ungenuine crude drugs. [source] Simultaneous quantification of three major triterpenoids in radix asteris by high-performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detectionPHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS, Issue 3 2009Yaping Tian Abstract Introduction Radix asteris, with triterpenoids as its main pharmacological effective compounds, has been widely used for moistening the lung, dispersing phlegm and relieving cough. Quantification of the triterpenoids is important for the quality control of Radix asteris. Objective To establish a high-performance liquid chromatography method with evaporative light scattering detection for simultaneous determination of three major triterpenoids, shionone, friedelin and epi-friedelinol, in Radix asteris. Methodology The optimal chromatographic conditions were achieved on an RP18 column with gradient elution by acetonitrile and 0.05% acetic acid in 22 min with ELSD set at an evaporating temperature of 40°C. Validation of the method included tests of linearity, sensitivity, precision, repeatability, stability and accuracy. Results All calibration curves showed good linear regression (r2 > 0.9991) within test ranges. The established method showed good precision and accuracy with overall intra-day and inter-day variations of 1.61,2.97 and 1.74,2.42%, respectively, and overall recoveries of 97.35,101.13% for the three compounds analysed. Conclusion The method developed was successfully applied to quantify the main triterpenoids in 14 Radix asteris samples. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Simultaneous quantitation of three major triterpenoid glycosides in Centella asiatica extracts by high performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detectionBIOMEDICAL CHROMATOGRAPHY, Issue 2 2008Feng-Lun Zhang Abstract A high-performance liquid chromatography method with evaporative light scattering detection was established for simultaneous determination of three major triterpenoid glycosides, i.e. asiaticoside, madecassoside and asiaticoside-B, in Centella asiatica extracts. The optimal chromatographic conditions were achieved on a COSMOSIL 5C18 -MS-II column by constant elution with water (0.01% trifluoroacetic acid, v/v) and acetonitrile (1.0% methyl tert-butyl ether, 0.01% trifluoroacetic acid, v/v) (78:22) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min; the column temperature was 30°C. The evaporative light scattering detector was set at an evaporating temperature of 40°C and nitrogen gas pressure of 3.5 bar. The validation of the method included tests of linearity, sensitivity, precision, repeatability, stability and accuracy. All calibration curves showed good linear regression (r2 > 0.9993) within test ranges. The established method showed good precision and accuracy with overall intra-day and inter-day variations of 1.73,3.06 and 3.89%,4.92%, respectively, and overall recoveries of 97.63,99.39% for the three compounds analyzed. The method developed was successfully applied to quantify the main triterpenoid glycosides in Centella asiatica extracts from different companies. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Rhythms of Mental PerformanceMIND, BRAIN, AND EDUCATION, Issue 1 2008Pablo Valdez ABSTRACT, Cognitive performance is affected by an individual's characteristics and the environment, as well as by the nature of the task and the amount of practice at it. Mental performance tests range in complexity and include subjective estimates of mood, simple objective tests (reaction time), and measures of complex performance that require decisions to be made and priorities set. Mental performance tasks show 2 components, a circadian rhythm and the effects of time awake. The circadian rhythm is in phase with the rhythm of core temperature and there is evidence for a causal link. Increasing time awake results in performance deterioration and is attributed to fatigue. The relative contribution of these 2 components depends upon the task under consideration; simple tasks generally show smaller effects due to increasing time awake. These contributions have been assessed by constant routines and forced desynchronization protocols and have formed the basis of several mathematical models that attempt to predict performance in a variety of field conditions. Mental performance is negatively affected by sleep loss; although short naps are beneficial, sleep inertia limits their value immediately after waking. The processes involved in cognition include attention (tonic and phasic alertness, and selective and sustained attention), working memory (phonological, used for speech, reading, and writing; and visuospatial, used for spatial processing, drawing, and mathematics), and executive function (initiative, decision making, and problem solving). These processes are illuminated by analysis of the regions of the brain involved, the presence of circadian rhythmicity, and the effects of sleep loss. The results from such laboratory- and field-based observations are relevant to the issue of learning in schoolchildren and lead to suggestions for improving their performance. [source] |