The aim of this study was to compare crocins in the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides and Gardenia jasminoides var. radicans. Acchrom XCharge C_(18) column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) was used for separation, with mobile phase of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid for gradient elution. The detection wavelength was set at 440 nm with a flow rate of 1.0 mL·min~(-1), and the column temperature was 30 ℃. The high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) fingerprint of crocin in Gardenia species was established by testing 20 batches of G. jasminoides and 8 batches of G. jasminoides var. radicans samples from different sources, and UHPLC-ESI-Orbitrap-MS/MS technology and reference substances were used to predict and identify the common peaks. The results showed that 20 common chromatographic peaks from the samples were selected and the structures of 16 common peaks were predicted by mass spectrum. Four common peaks(crocin Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ) were identified by the comparison with reference substances. The content of crocin Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ was determined simultaneously under the same chromatographic condition, and both the system suitability and the methodological investigation results met the requirements of content determination. The relative similarity of HPLC fingerprint of 28 samples to the reference fingerprint was above 0.98. The results of cluster analysis(CA) showed that G. jasminoides and G. jasminoides var. radicans were separately grouped into one group. In the 20 batches of G. jasminoides, the content of crocin Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅳ, and Ⅲ was between 3.58-9.58, 0.230-1.452, 0.014 5-0.135, and 0.301-1.12 mg·g~(-1), respectively, and the total content was between 4.12-12.25 mg·g~(-1). In the 8 batches of G. jasminoides var. radicans, the content of crocin Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅳ, and Ⅲ was between 5.84-11.48, 0.308-0.898, 0.010 6-0.025 5, and 0.675-1.34 mg·g~(-1), respectively, and the total content was between 6.97-13.72 mg·g~(-1). The existing results showed that there is a certain similarity between G. jasminoides and G. jasminoides var. radicans in the composition of crocin, which needs further proved by more batches of samples. The method established in this paper provides references for the quality control of G. jasminoides, G. jasminoides var. radicans, and related products.
Carotenoids/analysis* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Fruit/chemistry* ; Gardenia/chemistry* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

The flower color of Dendrobium catenatum(D. officinale) tends to fade during storage. In order to clarify the influence of storage conditions on the pigment components in flowers, two conditions were applied:temperature and illumination. The contents of pigments in the D. catenatum flower were determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry and HPLC, and the changes of them during storage were analyzed. The results showed that illumination and temperature had an effect on the pigments of D. catenatum flower during sto-rage. Illumination significantly promoted the degradation of pigments. The contents of total chlorophyll, carotenoids and anthocyanins in the light samples were significantly lower than those in the dark. The total chlorophyll, carotenoids and anthocyanins in the light samples were decreased by 46.5%, 63.4%, and 69.2% respectively. Illumination had a greater effect on fat-soluble pigments than water-soluble pigments. Among the three temperature treatments, the contents of chlorophyll, carotenoid and anthocyanin were as follows:-20 ℃>4 ℃>room temperature, it is indicated that-20 ℃ was the best temperature to maintain the stability of pigment composition. The contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, β-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin in the light samples decreased by 34.8%, 69.0%, 72.5%, 61.6%, 36.1%, respectively. After storage for 5 months, the contents of chlorophyll, carotenoid and anthocyanin constituent at-20 ℃ was significantly higher than those at 4 ℃ and room temperature. The results show that light avoiding and low-temperature can effectively slow down the degradation of pigment components. Therefore, it is suggested that D. catenatum flower should be stored in light avoiding and low-temperature conditions in actual production and processing, which can prolong the usable time.
Anthocyanins/analysis* ; Carotenoids/analysis* ; Chlorophyll/analysis* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dendrobium/chemistry* ; Drug Storage ; Flowers/chemistry* ; Light ; Pigments, Biological/analysis* ; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry* ; Spectrophotometry ; Temperature

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze risk factors for positional vertigo (PV) and the influence thereof on daily life and subjective quality-of-life (QoL). SUBJECT ANDMETHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data of the 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The study population consisted of 1,274 individuals aged >40 years for whom complete dizziness-related data were available. Blood and urine tests were performed, and nutritional intake, QoL, and subjective health status were measured using a questionnaire. The associations between PV and blood/urine test data and nutritional intake were evaluated via multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A history of PV within the previous year was reported by 98 individuals (7.7%). Advanced age and female gender were both significantly associated with such a history. Serum hemoglobin, creatinine, and triglyceride levels correlated significantly with a history of PV. Carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin B2 intakes were significantly lower in individuals with PV. Multivariate analysis revealed that only age was significantly associated with a history of PV (p=0.003). Although subjective health status score was not significantly lower in subjects with PV, subjective impairments in mobility, self-care, the performance of usual activities, and anxiety/depression were more prominent in individuals with PV. A fall history and limitations of activity were also significantly higher in individuals with PV (p < 0.001 and p=0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Age was a risk factor for PV, which affected most QoL parameters, fall frequency, and the performance of normal activities.
Carotenoids ; Creatinine ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Dizziness ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nutrition Surveys ; Riboflavin ; Risk Factors ; Self Care ; Triglycerides ; Vertigo ; Vitamin A

To optimize the technology of Gardeniae Fructus processed with ginger juice,establish fingerprints and simultaneously determine seven compounds( geniposidic acid,chlorogenic acid,genipin-1-β-D-gentiobioside,geniposide,rutin,crocin Ⅰ,and crocin Ⅱ) by using ultra high performance liquid chromatography( UPLC). Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18( 2. 1 mm×50 mm,1. 7μm) column was used with acetonitrile and 0. 1% formic acid solution as mobile phase for gradient elution at the flow rate of 0. 4 m L·min-1. The data was comprehensively processed and analyzed with similarity evaluation,principal component analysis( PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis( PLS-DA) methods. Twenty common peaks were identified in this study,and the similarity of samples was over 0. 97. The results of PCA and PLS-DA showed that there were differences in chemical compositions and contents between the raw Gardeniae Fructus and those processed with ginger juice,with 9 potential differentiated chromatographic peaks. After being processed with ginger juice,the contents of chlorogenic acid,crocin Ⅰ and crocin Ⅱ were less than before and the contents of other four compositions were higher than before. The optimized preparation for Gardeniae Fructus processed with ginger juice was stable and feasible. The methods of UPLC fingerprints and simultaneous determination of seven components can be effectively carried out to distinguish Gardeniae Fructus and Gardeniae Fructus processed with ginger juice.
Carotenoids/analysis* ; Chlorogenic Acid/analysis* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Fruit/chemistry* ; Gardenia/chemistry* ; Zingiber officinale ; Technology, Pharmaceutical/methods*

OBJECTIVETo explore whether the intake of dietary carotenoids could protect against skeletal fluorosis in Guizhou province in which coal-burning fluorosis is endemic.

METHODSA case-control study of 196 patients with skeletal fluorosis and 196 age and gender-matched controls was conducted in Zhijin, Guizhou Province. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to assess habitual dietary intake using a 75-item food frequency questionnaire and various covariates with structured questionnaires. Urinary fluoride was measured using an ion-selective electrode method. The genotype of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) rs11968525 was detected by TaqMan method.

RESULTSWe observed significant dose-dependent inverse associations of skeletal fluorosis with intake of β-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, lycopene, and total carotenoids (P-trend = 0.002 to 0.018), whereas α-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin intakes were not found to be related to skeletal fluorosis, after adjustment for potential confounders. The adjusted ORs and 95% CI of skeletal fluorosis for the highest versus lowest quartile were 0.30 (0.10, 0.86) for β-carotene, 0.23 (0.08, 0.66) for lycopene, 0.26 (0.10, 0.75) for lutein/zeaxanthin and 0.34 (0.14, 0.74) for total carotenoids (all P-trend < 0.05). Stratified analyses showed that the protective effects of lutein/zeaxanthin and total carotenoids on skeletal fluorosis were more evident for individuals with the AG+AA genotypes of SOD2 (rs11968525).

CONCLUSIONIncreased intakes of β-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, lycopene, and total carotenoids are independently associated with a lower risk of coal-burning skeletal fluorosis. SOD2 (rs11968525) polymorphisms might modify the inverse associations between dietary carotenoids and skeletal fluorosis.

Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; genetics ; prevention & control ; urine ; Carotenoids ; administration & dosage ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Coal ; Energy Intake ; Environmental Exposure ; analysis ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Fluoride Poisoning ; genetics ; prevention & control ; urine ; Fluorides ; urine ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Superoxide Dismutase ; genetics ; Surveys and Questionnaires

High price and poor stability of both crocin-1 and crocin-2 reference substance have become obstacles to HPLC assay of Croci Stigma. A new method based on reference extract was proposed. In this study, the reference extract was prepared from gardenia yellow which is cheap and easy to get The content of crocin-1 and crocin-2 in reference extract was determined and factors affecting stability of reference extract were investigated. Twelve batches of Croci Stigma were analyzed with reference extract and reference substance respectively. The results showed no difference. The presented method is feasible for quality control of Croci Stigma and reference extract is suitable to replace reference substances in assay.
Carotenoids ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; standards ; Crocus ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Quality Control ; Reference Standards

To explore the influence of low light on the synthesis of carotenoids, chlorophyll and the adaptability of transgenic plants with tomato Solanum lycopersicon L. GGPS2 gene, we constructed a vector containing a GGPS2 gene with green fluorescent protein (GFP) as report gene under the control of a cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter and introduced it into tobacco Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Wisconsin 38 by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. PCR analysis of the DNA from kanamycin resistant tobacco indicated that the transgenic tobacco containing the nptII gene, SlaGGPS2 gene and without contamination of Agrobacterium. We also detected the root tip of kanamycin resistant tobacco showing characteristic fluorescence. The contents of carotenoid, chlorophyll and photosynthesis of transgenic tobacco increased in comparison with wild tobacco after low light treatment. In addition, leaf mass per unit area, total dry weight, ratio of root to shoot in transgenic tobacco were all higher than that of the wild tobacco, which proved that the transgenic tobacco could increase the accumulation of biomass and promote it transport to root. The transgenic tobacco with SlaGGPS2 gene can increase the contents of carotenoid, chlorophyll, enhance the photosynthetic rate, promote the biomass accumulation and its distribution to root. Hence, the transgenic tobacco with SlaGGPS2 gene had increased low light tolerance and the SlaGGPS2 gene maybe can be used in other crops.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens ; Carotenoids ; analysis ; Chlorophyll ; analysis ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Genetic Vectors ; Light ; Lycopersicon esculentum ; genetics ; Photosynthesis ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Tobacco ; metabolism ; radiation effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of lycopene against cryopreservation injury of post-thawing human sperm and its mechanism.

METHODSSemen samples were collected from 25 volunteers, each sample equally divided into four parts to be cryopreserved with cryoprotectant only (Ly0 control) or cryoprotectant + lycopene at the concentrations of 2 (Ly2), 5 (Ly5), and 10 µmol/L (Ly10), respectively. Before and after thawing, the semen samples were subjected to computer-assisted semen analysis ( CASA) for sperm kinematics, flow cytometry for sperm apoptosis, thiobarbituric acid assay for malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, and JC-1 fluorescent staining for the sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).

RESULTSAfter cryopreservation, sperm motility was markedly decreased in all the groups (P < 0.01). The rate of sperm apoptosis was significantly lower in the Ly5 group than in the Ly0 control ([25.68 ± 4.36]% vs [33.26 ± 4.78]%, P < 0.05), while sperm MMP remarkably higher in the former than in the latter ([66.18 ± 14.23]% vs [55.24 ± 12.31]%, P < 0.05). The Ly2, Ly5 and Ly10 groups showed no statistically significance differences in the MDA level from the Ly0 control (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAddition of lycopene at a proper concentration to cryoprotectant may reduce oxidative damage to sperm mitochondria in the freezing-thawing process, attenuate oxidative stress injury induced by reactive oxygen species to sperm plasma membrane, and improve the anti-apoptosis ability of sperm.

Apoptosis ; Carotenoids ; pharmacology ; Cryopreservation ; Cryoprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; Oxidative Stress ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Semen Analysis ; Semen Preservation ; adverse effects ; methods ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo compare the contents of the main chemical compositions in Gardenia jasminoids before and after being roasted with ginger juice.

METHODFour diterpenoid pigments constituents (C-1, C-2, C-3, crocetin) were determined simultaneously by UPLC on an Agilent Poroshell 120 EC-C18 column at 35 degrees C with the methanol-0.5% formic acid anhydrous in gradient elution as the mobile phrase. The detection wavelength was set at 440 nm and the flow rate was 0.4 mL x min(-1). Two iridoids constituents (G-1, G-2) were determined simultaneously by HPLC on an Agilent TC-C18(2) column at 35 degrees C with acetonitrile-0.5% formic acid anhydrous (18:82) as the mobile phrase. The detection wavelength was set at 238 nm and the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1).

RESULTAfter being processed with ginger juice, the contents of the diterpenoid pigments constituents decreased slightly and the contents of the iridoids constituents increased slightly.

CONCLUSIONThe contents of the main chemical compositions in G. jasminoids roasted with ginger juice increased slightly with some regularity, but there were no significant differences.

Carotenoids ; analysis ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Gardenia ; chemistry ; Ginger ; chemistry ; Iridoids ; analysis ; Pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo compare the contents of diterpenoid pigments among the fruit, seed, and pericarp from Gardenia jasminoides.

METHODThe separation of Crocin 1, Crocin 2, Crocin 3 were carried out simultaneously on a Kromasil C18 column at 35 degrees C with the methanol-acetonitrile-0.3% formic acid anhydrous in gradient elution as the mobile phrases. The detection wavelength was set at 440 nm and the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1).

RESULTThe obtained linearity of the three components was better over 0.999 5 and the average recoveries were 97.50%, 98.76%, 97.67%, respectively. The results exhibited the remarkable variation among the different parts of the fruit.

CONCLUSIONThe contents of three constituents in seed were higher than in pericarp.

Carotenoids ; analysis ; Diterpenes ; analysis ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Gardenia ; chemistry ; Pigments, Biological ; analysis