PHENOLICS AND ASCORBIC CONTENTS IN TWO SAGE (Salvia sps. L) SPECIES

This work was carried out for the quantitative estimation of phenolic compounds (soluble phenolic compounds, flavonoids such as quercetin, cynaroside, and avicularin) and ascorbic acid level in the aerial plant parts (leaves and stems) of two sage species viz., Salvia tesquicola (dry-steppe sage) and Salvia verticillata (lilac sage) grown in Tatarstan and Crimea, Kazan, Russia respectively. The highest content of phenolic compounds and the ascorbic acid level was reported in the leaves, while the value of these chemical constitutes was lowest in the stems of both species. Further, it has been shown, that these plants are rich in all investigated chemicals but among these Cynaroside and avicularin are the predominated flavonoids (cynaroside, quercetin, and avicularin). The amount of all studied active compounds differed significantly and it depends on the plant organs, species, and place of growth. Further, the results of the study revealed that the content of soluble phenolic compounds in sage plants did not depend on the species and place of growth while the growing conditions had a greater impact on the amount of flavonoids and vitamin C contents.

Effect of Concentration of Pectinase on Clarification and Ascorbic Acid of Lemon Ginger Drink

Lemon ginger drink is a herbal drink which contains many antioxidant and ascorbic acid that good for health. However, the murky appearance of the lemon ginger drink causes a lack of consumer interest especially young people in consuming this beverage. The murky in the lemon ginger drink is due to pectin content. Therefore, clarification is needed with the aid of a pectinase enzyme. The concentration of pectinase used in this study were 0; 0.04; 0.06; 0.08; 0.1; 0.1; and 0.12%; then incubated at 500 oC temperatures for 4 hours. The results showed that the proper concentration of pectinase in the clarification of lemon ginger drink was 0.08%. The concentration of the pectinase does not affect the ascorbic acid level of the lemon ginger drink.

Effect of salinity on growth, survival and biochemical alterations in the freshwater fish Labeo rohita (Hamilton 1822)

Salinity tolerance in Labeo rohita (Hamilton 1822) fingerling was conducted for 96 h using a static, non-renewal system and LC50 determined for 48 and 96 h of exposure were 9.60 and 7.72‰ with standard deviation 9.27-9.93 and 7.41-8.03‰, respectively. For sublethal study, 0, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5‰ were selected to assess the chronic effect of salinity on this species. At the end of 90 days of exposure, it was found that the average weight gain was maximum at 0‰ followed by 2.5‰, then 3.5‰ and the least at 4.5‰. Similarly, highest mortality (43.75%) was recorded in fishes exposed to 4.5‰ salinity and least (12.5%) at 2.5‰ at the end of 90 days of experiment. On termination of the experiment, ascorbic acid level was also found significantly reduced (p<0.05) in brain, liver and muscle tissues in fishes exposed to salinity stress. Oxygen consumption rate of fish was maximum at 2.5‰ salinity which gradually decreased with increase in salinity and the lowest was observed at 4.5‰. From results of the study, it can be concluded that with increase in salinity, the survival rate, growth and tissue ascorbic acid level in L. rohita decreases. These results clearly indicated that L. rohita is vulnerable when exposed to higher salinity for longer duration.

Association of Plasma and Aqueous Humor Ascorbic Acid Level with Morphology Pattern of Age-Related Cataract

Background: Age-related cataract is one of the most important causes of preventable blindness among elderly population in the world. Among various causes of cataract, the level of ascorbic acid in the plasma and aqueous humor is an important parameter that can prevent cataract formation. The level of ascorbic acid in the plasma and aqueous humor is also an indicator of various morphological pattern of cataract. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 136 patients with immature age-related cataract (≥50 years) who underwent Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery in the Ophthalmology Department of BPKIHS for the duration of 1 year. Plasma and aqueous humor ascorbic acid levels were determined by standard competitive ELISA test. Results: Ascorbic acid concentrations in aqueous humor as well as plasma were statistically significant with the nuclear type of cataract (p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between plasma and aqueous ascorbic acid level with r = 0.532 and p<0.001. Conclusion: The finding of the study concludes that nuclear type of cataract has a strong association with both aqueous humor and plasma ascorbic acid level.

Comparison of Vitamin C Content of Commercially Available Fresh Fruits

Aims: The aim of the current paper is to identify the ascorbic acid level in ten commercially available fruits in order to expand the existing database about fruits rich in Vitamin C and to promote their daily consumption. Study Design: Research was conducted experimentally. Place and Duration of Study: University of food technologies, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, October 2019. Methodology: Ascorbic acid levels were determined with the use of two oxidation-reduction titration methods – Dichlorophenoliodophenol (DCPIP) and N-Bromosuccinimide (NBS). Results: All studies samples possessed different amounts of ascorbic acid. Both DCPIP and NBS assay resulted in determining strawberries as the fruit with the highest ascorbic acid levels – 55.1 ± 1.6 mg/100 g and 59.8 ± 2.2 mg/100 g respectively. Lowest values were obtained for fig. All results are commensurable to those obtained in other studies. Ascorbic acid levels were as follows: strawberries > grapefruit > pear > green apple > blueberries > quince > banana > plum > white grapes > fig. Conclusion: In this study, ten commercially available fruits were studied for their ascorbic acid levels. Comparison between two titration methods showed moderate differences in the results confirming that the NBS method is more sensitive. All reported data confirms that differences occur, but fruits can be considered sources of vitamin C.

Development of Whey with Apple Juice and Appraisal of their Nutritional Qualities

This study was conducted at the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Banasthali Vidyapith, Newai, Tonk, Rajasthan, India in 2006. A dairy by-product can be used to enrich fruit juices to enhance their therapeutic and nutritional value. This study was carried out to develop beverages using apple juice and incorporating whey at various percentage level and to conduct nutritional analysis. Protein value was varied between 0.72–1.9. Fat content was 0.50–1.10. The ascorbic acid level in the juices ranged between 2.97–0.85 and it was found to be decreasing with an increasing amount of whey. Acidity ranged was 0.20–0.34, it was increasing with the increasing amount of whey. Ash content level was also increased, the range was 0.20–1.50.

Prolonged starvation effects on ascorbic acid level in the muscles of a freshwater teleost, Clarias batrachus

The effect of prolonged food deprivation on ascorbic acid content of muscles has been observed in both the sexes of the fish. The level of ascorbic acid content was found relatively higher in males than in females. In males, the muscles showed higher value of ascorbic acid in normal condition (12.07mg/100gm) in comparison to that of females (9.66mg/100gm). During starvation, the gradual decrease in ascorbic acid level has been noticed in both the sexes of the fish. After 40 days of starvation, the higher depletion was observed in female (about 84%) and lower depletion in the male (about 81%) of C. batrachus. This shows substantial decline in aerobic and biosynthetic capacity of the fish during starvation period.

Ancient Bruises: a Case of Skin Lesions due to Vitamin C Deficiency

Scurvy was a common 18th century disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. It presents with multiple non-specific symptoms and can lead to capillary fragility due to impaired collagen synthesis. We report the case of a 63-year-old woman who presented with fatigue, nausea and progressive skin lesions consisting of multiple ecchymoses on the legs as also described in the diary drawings of a navy doctor in the 19th century. The ascorbic acid level was undetectable low in the patient’s serum. However, treatment with 500 mg ascorbic acid daily dramatically improved the skin lesions within 5 days.

Studies on Haemoglobin, Serum Calcium and Ascorbic Acid Level in Normal Pregnant, Pre-Eclamptic and Eclamptic Patients

Background: Nutritional status in relation to selected biochemical parameters and also nutrient intakes in the pre-eclampsia and eclampsia was assessed in 52 patients and compared with that of 52 normal pregnant (NP) women. Serum calcium, ascorbic acid and blood Hb levels in the pre-eclamptic and eclamptic patients were significantly lower than the values of NP women. By unpaired t-test demonstrated in our study, the serum calcium, ascorbic acid and blood Haemoglobin (Hb) level were highly significantly different but not correlated with each other when compared among these groups. However, total statistical analysis revealed that among all the factors studied serum calcium level, ascorbic acid level and blood Hb level have effect on nutritional status of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjnut.v24i0.14032 Bangladesh J. Nutr. Vol. 24-25 Dec 2011-2012 pp.7-14