Galli Gigerii Endothelium Corneum(GGEC) is commonly used for the clinical treatment of indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, and infantile malnutrition with accumulation. In recent decades, omnivorous domestic chickens, the original source of GGEC, has been replaced by broilers, which may lead to significant changes in the quality of the yielding GGEC. Through subjective and objective sensory evaluation, biological evaluation, and chemical analysis, this study compared the odor and quality between GGEC derived from domestic chickens and that from broilers. The odor intensity between them was compared by odor profile analysis and it was found that the fishy odor of GGEC derived from domestic chickens was significantly weaker than that of GGEC from broilers. Headspace-solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry(HS-SPME/GC-QQQ-MS/MS) suggested that the overall odor-causing chemicals were consistent with the fishy odor-causing chemicals. According to the odor activity va-lue and the orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) result, dimethyl trisulfide, 2-methoxy-3-isobutylpyrazine, and 2-methylisoborneol were responsible for the fishy odor(OAV≥1) and the content of fishy odor-causing chemicals in GGEC derived from broilers was 1.12-2.13 folds that in GGEC from domestic chickens. The average pepsin potency in GGEC derived from broilers was 15.679 U·mg~(-1), and the corresponding figure for the medicinal from domestic chickens was 26.529 U·mg~(-1). The results of pre-column derivatization reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography(RP-HPLC) assay showed that the content of total amino acids and digestion-promoting amino acids in domestic chickens-derived GGEC was 1.12 times and 1.15 times that in GGEC from broilers, and the bitter amino acid content was 1.21 times folds that of the latter. In conclusion, GGEC derived from domestic chickens had weaker fishy odor, stronger enzyme activity, higher content of digestion-promoting amino acids, and stronger bitter taste than GGEC from broilers. This study lays a scientific basis for studying the quality variation of GGEC and provides a method for identifying high-quality GGEC. Therefore, it is of great significance for the development and cultivation of GGEC as both food and medicine and breeding of corresponding varieties.
Animals ; Odorants/analysis* ; Chickens ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Solid Phase Microextraction ; Amino Acids ; Endothelium/chemistry* ; Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis*

Radiotherapy uses high-energy X-rays or other particles to destroy cancer cells and medical practitioners have used this approach extensively for cancer treatment (Hachadorian et al., 2020). However, it is accompanied by risks because it seriously harms normal cells while killing cancer cells. The side effects can lower cancer patients' quality of life and are very unpredictable due to individual differences (Bentzen, 2006). Therefore, it is essential to assess a patient's body damage after radiotherapy to formulate an individualized recovery treatment plan. Exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be changed by radiotherapy and thus used for medical diagnosis (Vaks et al., 2012). During treatment, high-energy X-rays can induce apoptosis; meanwhile, cell membranes are damaged due to lipid peroxidation, converting unsaturated fatty acids into volatile metabolites (Losada-Barreiro and Bravo-Díaz, 2017). At the same time, radiotherapy oxidizes water, resulting in reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can increase the epithelial permeability of pulmonary alveoli, enabling the respiratory system to exhale volatile metabolites (Davidovich et al., 2013; Popa et al., 2020). These exhaled VOCs can be used to monitor body damage caused by radiotherapy.
Breath Tests/methods* ; Exhalation ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Respiratory System/chemistry* ; Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis*

The volatile oil of Chuanxiong Rhizoma(CX) is known as an effective fraction. In order to seek a suitable method for processing CX and its decoction pieces, this study selected 16 volatile components as indices to investigate how different processing methods such as washing/without washing, sun-drying, baking, oven-drying and far-infrared drying at different temperatures affected the quality of CX and its decoction pieces(fresh CX was partially dried, cut into pieces, and then dried) by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS), cluster analysis, principal component analysis and comprehensive weighted scoring. The results showed that the rapid washing before processing did not deteriorate the volatile components of CX. Considering the practical condition of production area, oven-drying was believed to be more suitable than sun-drying, baking, and far-infrared drying. The CX decoction pieces with a thickness of 0.3-0.4 cm were recommended to be oven-dried at 50 ℃. The integrated processing(partial drying, cutting into pieces, and drying) did not cause a significant loss of volatile components. For the fresh CX, the oven-drying at 60 ℃ is preferred. The temperature should not exceed 60 ℃, and drying below 60 ℃ will prolong the processing time, which will produce an unfavorable effect on volatile components. This study has provided the scientific evidence for field processing of CX, which is conducive to realizing the normalization and standardization of CX processing in the production area and stabilizing the quality of CX and its decoction pieces.
Desiccation ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Oils, Volatile ; Principal Component Analysis ; Rhizome/chemistry* ; Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis*

This study adopted headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(HS-GC-MS) and electronic nose to detect volatile components from Myristicae Semen samples with varying degrees of mildew, aiming at rapidly identifying odor changes and substance basis of Myristicae Semen mildew. The experimental data were analyzed by electronic nose and principal component analysis(PCA). The results showed that Myristicae Semen samples were divided into the following three categories by electronic nose and PCA: mildew-free samples, slightly mildewy samples, and mildewy samples. Myristicae Semen samples with different degrees of mildew greatly varied in volatile components. The volatile components in the samples were qualitatively and quantitatively detected by HS-GC-MS, and 59 compounds were obtained. There were significant differences in the composition and content in Myristicae Semen samples with different degrees of mildew. The PCA results were the same as those by electronic nose. Among them, 3-crene, D-limonene, and other terpenes were important indicators for the identification of mildew. Bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane, 4-methylene-1-(1-methylethyl)-, terpinen-4-ol, and other alcohols were key substances to distinguish the degree of mildew. In the later stage of mildew, Myristicae Semen produced a small amount of hydroxyl and aldehyde compounds such as acetaldehyde, 2-methyl-propionaldehyde, 2-methyl-butyraldehyde, and formic acid, which were deduced as the material basis of the mildew. The results are expected to provide a basis for the rapid identification of Myristicae Semen with different degrees of mildew, odor changes, and the substance basis of mildew.
Electronic Nose ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Odorants/analysis* ; Semen/chemistry* ; Solid Phase Microextraction ; Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis*

BACKGROUND: Wood is a valuable material for interiors, and the psychophysiological relaxation effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from wood chips and essential oils have been reported. However, few studies have identified the odors in full-scale wooden environment, and also, differences in gender have not been clarified. In this study, we aimed to confirm the effects of VOCs emitted from interior wood walls in both human male and female participants. METHODS: We used Japanese cedar timber and analyzed VOCs in the experimental rooms with and without Japanese cedar timber by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The physiological effects were measured using neuroendocrinological and immunological parameters in saliva. A questionnaire was used to evaluate the subjective responses to each odor in the experimental rooms. RESULTS: The main compound emitted from Japanese cedar timber was δ-cadinene, and the total volume of VOCs in the wood condition (presence of VOCs emitted from Japanese cedar) was 282.4 (μg/m). Significant differences between genders in salivary parameters were shown that there were decreases of α-amylase in wood condition and increases of cortisol in the control (absence of VOCs) condition in female participants compared to male participants. The results demonstrated that VOCs in the experimental room with Japanese cedar timber tend to suppress the activation of the sympathetic nervous activity and non-VOCs of Japanese cedar in the control room increase cortisol in female participants. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that an indoor environment with wood interior materials has the potential to be useful for health management, especially women's health.
Adult ; Air Pollutants ; analysis ; Air Pollution, Indoor ; adverse effects ; analysis ; Cryptomeria ; chemistry ; Female ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; metabolism ; Male ; Saliva ; chemistry ; Salivary alpha-Amylases ; metabolism ; Sesquiterpenes ; analysis ; Sex Factors ; Volatile Organic Compounds ; adverse effects ; Wood ; chemistry ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVES: To explore the relationship between the change rules of volatile organic compounds （VOCs） in rat muscle and postmortem interval （PMI）. METHODS: A total of 120 healthy rats were divided randomly into 12 groups （10 for each group）. After the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, the bodies were kept at （25±1） ℃. Rat muscle samples were separately obtained at 12 PMI points, including 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 d. The VOCs in rat muscles were collected, detected and analyzed by headspace solid-phase microextraction （HS-SPME） coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometer （GC-MS）. RESULTS: In total, 15 species of VOCs were identified, including 9 aromatic compounds, 3 sulfur compounds, 2 aliphatic acids and 1 heterocyclic compound. The species of VOCs increased with PMI： no species were detected within 1 day, 3 species were detected on day 2, 9 on day 3, 11 on day 4, 14 from day 5 to 7, and 15 from day 8 to 10. Total peak area of 15 species of VOCs was significantly correlated to PMI （adjusted R²=0.15-0.96）： the regression function was y=-17.05 x²+ 164.36 x-246.36 （adjusted R²=0.96） from day 2 to 5, and y=2.24 x+101.13 （adjusted R²=0.97） from day 6 to 10. CONCLUSIONS The change rules of VOCs in rat muscle are helpful for PMI estimation.
Animals ; Autopsy ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Muscles/pathology* ; Rats ; Solid Phase Microextraction ; Volatile Organic Compounds/chemistry*

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the toxic effects of mixture of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on Mice Testis related enzymes and hormones.

METHODSAfter determining the median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of VOCs using the acute toxicity test, 40 male clean inbred Kunming mice were assigned to 1/8 LD₅₀ VOCs exposure group, 1/4 LD₅₀ VOCs exposure group, and 1/2 LD₅₀ VOCs exposure group, as well as positive control group with cyclophosphamide (60 mg/kg) and negative control group with tea oil, with 8 mice in each group. The mice were intraperitoneally injected with respective agents for 5 days. The levels of testis testosterone, estradiol, follicle stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone were determined by ELISA. Meanwhile, the activity of testicular marked enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, acid phosphatase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were examined.

RESULTSCompared with the negative control group, the 1/8 LD₅₀ exposure group had a significantly increased testis coefficient (P<0.05). Both the activity of testicular marked enzymes and the levels of testicular sex hormones in all exposure groups showed significant downward trends with increasing VOC doses compared with those in the negative control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONVOCs have obvious toxicity to mouse testis by changing the levels of testicular sex hormones and the activity of testicular marked enzymes.

Animals ; Estradiol ; chemistry ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; chemistry ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; chemistry ; Luteinizing Hormone ; chemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Testis ; chemistry ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; chemistry ; Volatile Organic Compounds ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo identify the bamboo VOCs (volatile organic compounds) effect on animal physiological indices, which associated with human health.

METHODSGC/MS was used to analyze the volatile organic compounds from Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys heterocyla cv. pubescens). The effect of VOCs on environmental health was evaluated by analyzing the metabolic indices of the type 2 diabetic mouse model.

RESULTSSpectra of VOC generated by GC/MS were blasted against an in-house MS library confirming the identification of 33 major components that were manually validated. The relative constituent compounds as a percentage of total VOCs determined were alcohols (34.63%), followed by ether (22.02%), aldehyde (15.84%), ketone (11.47%), ester (4.98%), terpenoid (4.38%), and acids (3.83%). Further experimentation established that the metabolic incidence of the disease can be improved if treated with vanillin, leaf alcohol, β-ionone and methyl salicylate. The effects of these VOCs on type 2 diabetes were evident in the blood lipid and blood glucose levels.

CONCLUSIONOur model suggests that VOCs can potentially control the metabolic indices in type 2 diabetes mice. This experiment data also provides the scientific basis for the comprehensive utilization of ornamental bamboos and some reference for other similar study of environmental plants.

Animals ; Bambusa ; chemistry ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Environmental Health ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Volatile Organic Compounds ; pharmacology

Gardeniae Fructus contains volatile ingredients, however, the species and proportions in different processed products of Gardeniae Fructus are different. In this experiment, volatile ingredients were separated by steam distillation with content of 1.2, 1.0, 0.9, 0.7 µL · g(-1) in Gardeniae Fructus, fried Gardeniae Fructus, stir-baked Gardeniae Fructus, Gardeniae Fructus fried into carbon respectively. One hundred and twenty-four kinds of volatile components were identified by GC-MS. Fifty-three kinds of volatile ingredients consisted in Gardeniae Fructus accounting for 93.85%, 54 kinds in fried Cardeniae Fructus accounting for 92.01%, 32 kinds in stir-baked Cardeniae Fructus accounting for 91.59% and 43 kinds in Gardeniae Fructus fried into carbon accounting for 90.81%. In this paper, analysis of Gardeniae Fructus by GC-MS provides a scientific basis for elucidating the mechanism of different processed products.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Gardenia ; chemistry ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure ; Volatile Organic Compounds ; chemistry

To investigate the role of volatile components in the compound and to find the substance foundation of Gualou Guizhi decoction (GLGZD) for curing extremities spasticity after stroke. The chemical compositions of essential oil, obtained by hydrodistillation from Gualou Guizhi decoction and its major constituting herbs (Trichosanthis Radix, Paeoniae Alba Radix, Cinnamomi Ramulus, Zingiberis Recens Rhizoma, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Ziziphi Jujubae Fructus) were analyzed by GC-MS to evaluate the correlativity between volatile components of GLGZD and its major constituting herbs, and volatile components after oral administration of GLGZD in the rats' brain. Volatile components of GLGZD are mainly derived from Cinnamomi Ramulus, Zingiberis Recens Rhizoma, Ziziphi Jujubae Fructus, Trichosanthis Radix. The volatile components in the brain is mostly derived from radix trichosanthis. Compared with individual herbs of GLGZD, the dissolution of the components increase or new components appear after compatibility of six herbs. Adminstrated with GLGZD, the results point out that volatile components in the brain play a neuroprotective role through passing the brain.
Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Volatile Organic Compounds ; chemistry ; pharmacology