Identification of products formed by a fructan:fructan fructosyltransferase activity from Lolium rigidum

The products formed by a fructan:fructan fructosyltransferase (FFT) activity purified from Lolium rigidum Gaudin were identified after gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of partially methylated alditol acetates, electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The FFT activity synthesized oligofructans up to degree of polymerization (DP) 6, but did not synthesize fructans of DP > 6 even when assayed with (1,1,1)-kestopentaose for up to 10 h. The FFT activity when assayed with 1-kestose or 6(G)-kestose synthesized fructan with fructosyl residues almost exclusively linked by beta-2,1-glycosidic linkages. When assayed with 1-kestose, the FFT activity synthesized tetrasaccharides and pentasaccharides with an internal glucosyl residue. The predominant tetrasaccharide was (1&6(G))-kestotetraose and the predominant pentasaccharide was (1&6(G),1)-kestopentaose. By comparison, tetrasaccharides and pentasaccharides extracted from L. rigidum also contained predominantly beta-2,1-glycosidic linked fructans with an internal glucosyl residue. The only exception was that one of the pentasaccharides contained beta-2,1- and beta-2,6-glycosidic linked fructosyl residues. This pentasaccharide was not synthesized by the FFT activity. The role of this FFT activity in formation of oligofructans in L. rigidum is discussed.

How can and do Australian doctors promote physical activity?

Background. Physical inactivity is recognized as an important public health issue. Yet little is known about doctors' knowledge, attitude, skills, and resources specifically relating to the promotion of physical activity. Our survey assessed the current practice, perceived desirable practice, confidence, and barriers related to the promotion of physical activity in family practice, Methods. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to all 1,228 family practitioners in Perth, Western Australia. Results. We received a 71% response (n = 789). Family practitioners are most likely to recommend walking to sedentary adults to improve fitness and they are aware of the major barriers to patients participating in physical activity. Doctors are less confident at providing specific advice on exercise and may require further skills, knowledge, and experience, Although they promote exercise to patients through verbal advice in the consultation, few use written materials or referral systems, Conclusions. There are significant differences between self-reports of current practice and perceived desirable practice in the promotion of physical activity by doctors, Future strategies need to address the self-efficacy of family physicians and involve resources of proven effectiveness. The potential of referral systems for supporting efforts to increase physical activity by Australians should be explored. (C) 1997 Academic Press.