The synthesis of astaxanthin esters, independent of the formation of cysts, highly correlates with the synthesis of fatty acids in Haematococcus pluvialis

The compositions and contents of astaxanthin esters and fatty acids in four types of Haematococcus pluvialis cells were studied by HPLC and GC-MS. Results showed that the synthesis and accumulation of astaxanthin was independent of the formation of cysts, but was highly correlated with the synthesis and accumulation of fatty acids, though it is an well known phenomenon that the accumulation of astaxanthin is usually accompanied by the formation of cyst. The red cysts contain more than 30% of fatty acids, with 81% of the unsaturated fatty acids. Taken together, besides a resource of astaxanthin, H. pluvialis would be a good resource of valuable fatty acids.

Headspace solid-phase microextraction with novel sol-gel permethylated-beta-cyclodextrin/hydroxyl-termination silicone oil fiber for determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in soil

A simple, sensitive, and accurate method for determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in soil has been developed based on headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Permethylated-beta-cyclodextrin/hydroxyl-termination silicone oil (PM-beta-CD/OH-TSO) fiber was first prepared by sol-gel technology and employed in SPME procedure. By exploiting the superiorities of sot-gel coating technique and the advantages of the high hydrophobic doughnut-shaped cavity of PM-beta-CD, the novel fiber showed desirable operational stability and extraction ability. After optimization on extraction conditions like water addition, extraction temperature, extraction time, salts effect, and solvents addition, the method was validated in soil samples, achieving good linearity (r>0.999), precision (R.S.D. < 10%), accuracy (recovery>78%), and detection limits (S/N =3) raging from 13.0 to 78.3 pg/g. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Allelopathic interactions between Potamogelon maackianus and Microcystis aeruginosa

The allelopathic interactions between Potamogeton maackianus and toxic cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa) were studied. P maackianus inhibited the growth of M. aeruginosa, both in a coexistence culture system and in exudates experimental culture system. M. aeruginosa also showed effects on the secondary metabolic biosynthesis and secreting behavior of P maackianus. The main lipophilic components of the hexane extracts and the exudates from the macrophyte were analyzed through GC-MS determination. The lipophilic components of the hexane extracts and the exudates from P. maackianus were influenced by M. aeruginosa or their released chemicals. Comparing the lipophilic constituents of the hexane extracts with those in the exudates, the results showed that weak polar compounds contained in the macrophytes can be secreted into the surrounding water. Many compounds, such as N-phenyl-2-naphthalenamine and isopropyl myristate, were detected both in the hexane extracts and the exudates. The changes of lipophilic components in the hexane extracts would be a response to the stress of toxic cyanobacteria or their released toxins. Those changes of exudates, especially the increased content of N-phenyl-2-naphthalenamine, might also be an induced defensive behavior mediated by the released toxins from M aeruginosa. The study results about reciprocal allelopathic responses between macrophytes and cyanobacteria can help in the management of eutrophic waters, and is also important information concerning strategies for recovering eutrophic waters.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) vitellogenin and comparison of vitellogenin responses in rare minnow and zebrafish (Danio rerio)

A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to determine vitellogenin (Vtg) in rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) based on the separation and purification of rare minnow Vtg (r-Vtg) as well as the production of polyclonal antibody against r-Vtg in rabbits. Three different ELISAs for measuring r-Vtg were then compared: (1) indirect ELISA with the antibody against carp (Cyprinus carpio) Vtg (c-Vtg) (IC-ELISA); (2) competitive ELISA with the antibody against c-Vtg, and using r-Vtg for coating the plates and preparing standard curve (CC-ELISA); (3) competitive ELISA with the antibody against r-Vtg, and using r-Vtg for coating the plates and preparing standard curve (CR-ELISA). The result showed that the homologous CR-ELISA was the most sensitive among the three assays for quantifying r-Vtg. The sensitivities to 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2) Of rare minnow and zebrafish (Danio rerio) were compared upon the establishment of homologous competitive ELISA. The lowest observed effect concentrations (LOECs) to induce Vtg were found to be 0.8 ng EE2 l(-1) for rare minnow and 4 ng EE2 l(-1) for zebrafish respectively. Afterwards, CR-ELISA was applied to measure Vtg concentration in whole body homogenate (WBH) of juvenile rare minnow fed by three diets (tubifex from wastewater treatment plant, Artemia nauplii and commercial pellet food), and the agreements between bioassay and GC-MS analysis demonstrated that rare minnow was a sensitive fish model for assessing estrogenic effects of endocrine disrupting compounds in aquatic environment. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Determination of odorous compounds in water by headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Three major odorous compounds are 2-methylisoborneol ( 2-MIB), geosmin and beta-cyclocitral, which in water were determined by coupling headspace solid-phase microextraction ( HS-SPME) with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The operating conditions of HS-SPME, such as fibre type, salt concentration, water temperature, stirring, absorption time and desorption time were studied and discussed.The highest absorption of the odorous compounds were obtained under the following operating conditions as the addition of 30% ( m/V) NaCl, stirring at 60 degrees C for 40 min, using 65 mu m polydimethyl siloxane/divinylbenzene coated fibre. After the odorous compounds had been absorbed in the fibre under the optimal conditions of HSSPME, they were desorbed at 250 degrees C and determined by GC-MS. The limits of detection for geosmin, beta-cyclocitral and 2-MIB in water were 1. 0, 1. 3, 1. 7 ng/L, and the relative standard deviations for them were 4. 9%, 8. 4%, 6. 2%,respectively. There were good linear correlation (the calibration coefficients were all above 0. 997) for the three odorous compounds in the range of 5 similar to 1000 ng/ L. Therefore, trace levels of the odorous compounds at ng/L in water could be quantified by the simple method with satisfactory result.

Evaluation of soot particles of biomass fuels with endocrine-modulating activity in yeast-based bioassay

Exposure to indoor air pollution (IAP) from the combustion of biomass fuels is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. In the work discussed in this paper we evaluated the endocrine activity of soot particles from biomass fuels by using yeast bioassay. These pollutants could have beta-galactosidase activity with a relative potency (RP) about 10(-7)-10(-9) that of estradiol. Soot particles from wood and straw combustion only partially induced beta-galactosidase activity whereas others produced fully inductive activity in the yeast assay system. These pollutants did not have estrogen antagonist and progesterone agonist activity within the defined concentration range. However, these pollutants require 2-4 orders of magnitude higher IC50 to inhibit the activity of progesterone in a similar dose-response manner to mifepristone. We therefore propose that the endocrine activity of some environmental pollutants may be because of inhibition of the progesterone receptor (hPR). GC-MS results showed that substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds, substituted phenolic compounds and derivatives, aromatic carbonyl compounds, and phytosteroids in these soot particles may be mimicking endogenous hormones.

Nonylphenol, bisphenol-A and DDTs in Lake Donghu, China

A preliminary survey was carried out in April 2003 to estimate the levels of nonylphenol (NP), bisphenol-A (BPA) and residual DDTs in Lake Donghu. After then, the sediments of some areas of the lake were moved out for clearing the lake by the local government. Therefore, the variance of NP and BPA after the clearance of sediment in the surface water was determined from December 2003 to May 2004. Sediments, surface water and fish were collected from four sub-lake areas and the analytes were qualified by GC/MS in SIM mode after concentration onto an Oasis solid phase extraction cartridge. NP and BPA values ranged between 5.46-119.10 and 0.9913.42 mg/kg dw, respectively, in sediments, 75.2-179.6 and 15.1-62.5 mu g/L in surface water. Meanwhile, the bioaccumulation factors (BCFs) of NP and BPA were calculated in fish livers. Plasma vitellogenin (VTG), a sensitive biomarker showing oestrogenicity was detected in the captured male Wuchang bream (Megalobrama amblycephala Yih) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio). After sediment clearance, the concentrations of NP and BPA decreased to 0.65-25.04 and 0.04-21.32 mu g/L. The results indicate the presence of high-dose xenoestrogenic NP and BPA, probably major contributors which associate with VTG induction in Lake Donghu male fish.

Differing estrogen activities in the organic phase of air particulate matter collected during sunny and foggy weather in a Chinese city detected by a recombinant yeast bioassay

Total air suspended particles (PM 100) collected from an urban location near a traffic line in Wuhan, China, were examined for estrogen using a recombinant yeast bioassay. Wuhan, located at the central part of China, is the fourth biggest city in China with 7 million populations. Today, Wuhan has developed into the biggest city and the largest traveling center of central China, becoming one of the important bases of industry, education and research. Wuhan is right at the confluent point of Yangzi River, the third longest river in the world, and its largest distributary Hanjiang, with mountains and more than 100 takes in downtown area. Therefore, by its unique landscape, Wuhan has formed clear four seasons with relatively long winter and summer and short spring and autumn. Foggy weather usually happen in early spring. The yeast line used in this assay stably expresses human estrogen receptor-alpha. Weak but clear estrogenic activities were detected in the organic phase of crude extracts of air particle materials (APM) in both sunny and foggy weather by 0.19-0.79 mug E2/gPM(100) which were statistically significantly elevated relative to the blank control responding from 20% to 50% of the maximum E2 response, and the estrogenic activity was much higher in foggy weather than in sunny weather. The estrogenic activities in the sub-fractions from chromatographic separation of APM sampled in foggy days were also determined. The results indicated that the responses of the fractions were obviously higher than the crude extracts. Since there is no other large pollution source nearby, the estrogenic material was most likely from vehicle emissions, house heating sources and oil fumes of house cooking. The GC/MS analysis of the PM100 collected under foggy weather showed that there were many phenol derivatives, oxy-PAHs and resin acids which have been reported as environmental estrogens. These results of the analysis of estrogenic potency in sunny and foggy weather in a subtropical city of China indicate that further studies are required to investigate the actual risks for the associated health and atmospheric system. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Presence of estrogenic activity from emission of fossil fuel combustion as detected by a recombinant yeast bioassay

Estrogenic activities of emission samples generated by fossil fuel combustion were investigated with human estrogen receptor (ER) recombinant yeast bioassay. The results showed that there were weak but clear estrogenic activities in combustion emissions of fossil fuels including coal, petroleum, and diesel. The estrogenic relative potency (RP) of fossil fuel combustion was the highest in petroleum-fired car, followed by coal-fired stove, diesel-fired agrimotor, coal-fired electric power station. On the other hand, the estrogenic relative inductive efficiency (RIE) was the highest in coal-fired stove and coal-fired electric power station, followed by petroleum-fired car and diesel-fired agrimotor. The estrogenic activities in the sub-fractions from chromatographic separation of emitted materials were also determined. The results indicated that different chemical fractions in these complex systems have different estrogenic potencies. The GC/MS analysis of the emission showed that there were many aromatic carbonyls, big molecular alcohol, PAHs and derivatives, and substituted phenolic compounds and derivatives which have been reported as environmental estrogens. The existence of estrogenic substances in fossil fuel combustion demands further investigation of their potential adverse effects on human and on the ecosystem. The magnitude of pollution due to global usage of fossil fuels makes it imperative to understand the issue of fossil fuel-derived endocrine activities and the associated health risks, particularly the aggregated risks stemmed from exposure to toxicants of multiple sources. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Persistent organic pollutants in water and surface sediments of Taihu Lake, China and risk assessment

Organic pollutants, especially persistent organic pollutants were examined in the water and surface sediments of Taihu Lake, China. Both 12 water and 12 sediment samples were collected over the lake. C-18 solid-phase extraction technique was applied to extract organic pollutants in collected water samples. Soxhlet extraction procedure was used to extract organic pollutants in sediment samples. The analysis was performed by GC-MS controlled by a Hewlett Packard chemstation. Two hundred and seventy-three kinds of organic chemicals in water were examined, 200 more than that detected in 1985; 188 kinds of chemicals in sediments were detected as well. Among them 21 kinds of chemicals belong to priority pollutants as well as 17 kinds to be the endocrine disruptors. The concentrations of the pollutants were more than 2 times higher than that in 1985. The possible source and relation to anthropogenic activity were discussed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Composition of volatile oil of Primula obconica in Central China

Primula obconica was introduced to Europe from Hubei, China in 1880, and has been cultivated worldwide as one of popular ornamental plants. The volatile oil of wild P. obconica collected from its original place, Yichang, Hubei was first investigated. A total of 43 compounds constituting 93.49% of the oil were identified by using GC and GC-MS. The major compounds were methyl 2,4-dihydroxy-5-methyl benzoate (30.41%), methyl 2,6-dihydroxy-4-methyl benzoate (29.27%), and hypnone (8.92%) etc. In comparison with the published data of some European cultivars, the native P. obconica seems to be allergen-free due to absence of primin and miconidin.

Upgrading of liquid fuel from the vacuum pyrolysis of biomass over the Mo-Ni/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts

High amounts of acid compounds in bio-oil not only lead to the deleterious properties such as corrosiveness and high acidity, but also set up many obstacles to its wide applications. By hydrotreating the bio-oil under mild conditions, some carboxylic acid compounds could be converted to alcohols which would esterify with the unconverted acids in the bio-oil to produce esters. The properties of the bio-oil could be improved by this method. In the paper, the raw bio-oil was produced by vacuum pyrolysis of pine sawdust. The optimal production conditions were investigated. A series of nickel-based catalysts were prepared. Their catalytic activities were evaluated by upgrading of model compound (glacial acetic acid). Results showed that the reduced Mo-10Ni/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst had the highest activity with the acetic acid conversion of 33.2%. Upgrading of the raw bio-oil was investigated over reduced Mo-10Ni/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst. After the upgrading process, the pH value of the bio-oil increased from 2.16 to 2.84. The water content increased from 46.2 wt.% to 58.99 wt.%. The H element content in the bio-oil increased from 6.61 wt.% to 6.93 wt.%. The dynamic viscosity decreased a little. The results of GC-MS spectrometry analysis showed that the ester compounds in the upgraded bio-oil increased by 3 times. it is possible to improve the properties of bio-oil by hydrotreating and esterifying carboxyl group compounds in the bio-oil.

Isolation and Characterization of a Methomyl-Degrading Paracoccus sp mdw-1

Methomyl, an extremely toxic pesticide, is widely used in agriculture. A strain named mdw-1 capable of degrading methomyl rapidly was successfully isolated from activated sludge in this study. It could utilize methomyl as the sole carbon or nitrogen source. The optimal temperature and medium pH for its growth and methomyl biodegradation were 30 degrees C and 7.0, respectively. It was identified as a Paracoccus sp. according to its morphological features, physiological and biochemical characteristics, and phylogenetic analysis based on the sequence of 16S rDNA. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed that methomyl could be completely transformed to S-methyl-N-hydroxythioacetamidate in 10 h of incubation with the isolate mdw-1.

四氟乙烯等离子体聚合反应的基础研究

[I] 等离子体聚四氟乙烯的ESCA表征 本研究采用外部电容耦合式聚合装置，频率为13.56MHz，合成了等离子体聚四氟乙烯（PPTFE）。应用ESCA表征了辉光压和非辉光压产物的结构，同时应用CNDO进到了理论计算。结果表明，在辉光压上非辉光压中制得的PPTFE结构差别很大。非辉光内淀积物结构亦现差异。辉光压内的PPTFE是高度支化交联的，在本实验的典型反应条件下，PPTFE的F/C比为1.42，Gs区五个峰确定归属后，各主要对应基团的相对组成约为：CF_3－21%、CF_2－32%、CF－22%、－C from | to | of — 20%，其余为少量的CFH、CH_2（II）、CH_2（I）。在非辉光压内可得到近於线线型的PPTFE，其F/C为2.08，端基CF_3约占15%，CF_2占78%，代表支化交联的基团CF、－C from | to | of －皆为零，另外应用X射线衍射法证实，在非辉光压中形成的PPTFE具有类似于聚四氟乙烯的（PTFE）结晶，这一实验结果至今未见文献报导。深入分析这一结果，并运用ESR、MS、~(19)F－NMR等表征手段，进一步提出四氟乙烯等离子体聚合反应机理。这方面在[II]中论述。本工作提出五类十三种模型化合物，并运用Siegbahn的电荷电位模型同时结合使用CNDO/2电子计算机程序；还运用Pauling价键模型，分别应用这两种理论方法，计算了PPTFE中ClS结合能位移（ΔEi），所得结果相近，从而为ClS区五个峰的归属提供理论依据。五个峰归属为：(1) 284.7(ev) － CH_2(I)，(2) 287.0(ev) － －C from | to | of －、CH_2(II)，(3) 289.0(ev) －CF、CFH，(4) 291.5(ev) － CF_2，(5) 293.6(ev) － CF_3。通过对模型化合物中ClS的ΔEi计算结果，推导出F作为α、β、γ位碳上的取代基对α位碳上IS电子结合能位移影响所产生的效应值，并初步总结出表达这种效应的经验式：ΔEi ＝ aα ＋ bβ ＋ cγ式中α、β、γ分别为2.23 ± 0.08(ev)、0.27 ± 0.02(ev)、0.20 ± 0.02(ev)，a、b、c为取代基F的个数。实验结果还证明，淀积位置、功率、压力、等离子气体如Ar、He、N_2等反应条件对PPTFE膜结构有影响，并应用能量梯度解释这种影响；另外发现，同功率、同压力但不同淀积位置上以及同淀积位置但不同功率或不同压力时的PPTFE膜结构所受能量梯度的影响。本工作根据等离子体聚四氟工烯结构的表征结果，并结合ESR、MS等有关分析数据，提出了PPTFE的结构模型。[II] 等郭子体聚四氟乙烯的反应机理 鉴于等离子体聚合反应的复杂性，目前对等离子体聚合反应机理争论较大，其焦点是：反应的活性中心是离子还是自由基；反应地点是在气相还是在反应体系的固体表面。本工作通过对等离子体聚四氟乙烯气相产物的研究证实：等离子体聚合反就是通过自由基历程，引发和初级链增长主要在气相，脱F和支化交联反应在表面上进行。聚合反应装置同[I]中所述，聚合条件是功率60瓦，压力1 * 10~(-1)乇。通过液氟冷阱收集气相生成物，然后制备成有机溶液和本体溶液。气相生成物的ESR分析结果表明，PPTFE膜中存在自由基浓度约在10~(18)自旋数／克，峰形为一条反对称吸收线，宽为175G，g值是2.005。气相生成物的丙酮、苯、环已烷、已烷等有机溶液的ESR谱相同，皆为20条精细结构分裂谱线。另外，通过一系列实验，检测了桔黄色本体溶液的ESR谱，终于得到具有160条超精细结构的分裂谱线，自由基浓度高达10~(20)自旋数／克。初步认为是几种自由基的混合物，固谱图十分复杂，目前解谱尚有困难，需进一步研究。等高子体气相生成物中有大量自由基并且得到其精细和超精细分裂谱线，这一实验结果至今未见文献报导。这个结果进一步证实了聚合反应的活性中心主要是自由基。考察了PPTFE膜的自由基在90 ℃时随时间变化的ESR谱，发现一开始衰减很快；研究了PPTFE膜的自由基在不同气氛下常温衰减情况，结果指出：辉光压和非辉光压的PPTFE膜中自由基在空气中衰减快，辉光压的PPTFE膜中自由基在真空中及单体气氛中衰减缓慢。气相生成物的有机溶液在90 ℃时随时间变化的ESR谱表明，各峰衰减速率不同，证实并非一种自由基，溶液的自由基能与吡啶反应生成棕红色物质，可能是吡啶盐。本实验用GC－MS联用对气相冷凝物本体溶液进行了分析，比文献上只用MS与聚合反应体系联用分析气相混合物的方法，对分析反应机理提供更为有说服力的实验结果。结果表明，四氟乙烯等离子体聚合的气相生成物是直链的全氟烷烃（分子中碳原子数为C_3－C_8），还有含碳原子数为C_4、C_5、C_6、C_8全氟环烷烃，也可能是括分子链两端是自由基的直链全氟烷烃，还有二氟卡宾。从TFE等离子体聚合的气相中产生齐聚物及其结构特征，可以推断气相中发生了链引发反应和初级增长反应，引发反应的历程首先是TFE单体分子中π键断裂，其次是C~σ-C的σ键均裂，然后通过自由基的复合或诱导反应进行链的初级增长反应。还进行了气相生成物有机溶液的~(19)F－NMR分析，其结果初步看来与GC－MS的结果相一致。还探索了不同条件下在非辉光压内得到的PPTFE膜，进一步表明，在顺着气流方向的淀积位置上的膜结构是接近线型的。这个结果与用质谱、核磁的表征结果相符：从不用方面证实了上述反应历程。此外，通过对PPTFE及PTFE在Ar等离子体系中的刻蚀实验，表明了聚合膜上发生六量脱F反应。由这个结果并结合PPTFE膜及气相产物的结构表征，可以推测到PPTFE膜的支化，交联是通过表面反应进行的。综合四氟乙烯等离子体聚合反应机理的讨论，本论文建议了TFE的等离子体聚合反应历程模型。