Isolation and seasonal variation of fruticin in fruits of false indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa L. Fabaceae) from Serbia

Fruticin (amorphin) is a constituent of the fruit of the false indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa L.), which belongs to the class of rotenoid glycosides, and shows several interesting pharmacological activities. The aim of this study was to isolate and chemically characterize this natural product, as well as to determine the optimal period of the year for A. fruticosa fruits collection. Fruticin was obtained by re-crystallization of the precipitate that formed after partial evaporation of the extract, prepared by 3fold extraction of powdered plant material by chloroform - ethanol (1:1, v/v). The structure of the final product was determined by various techniques of instrumental analysis (NMR, UV and MS), and confirmed by comparing the obtained spectra with corresponding data in available literature. The content of fruticin in A. fruticosa fruit was determined by LC-DAD-MS, using the external standard method based on the constructed calibration curve. Limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were also determined. A substantial increase in fruticin content was observed during the ripening period (>50 %). It has also been established that the optimal time for fruit collection is mid-December. Obtained results indicate that the content of fruticin in the A. fruticosa fruit is highly dependable on the time of collection. Since the biosynthesis of secondary plant metabolites is influenced not only by the time of collection, but by numerous other factors as well, additional studies are needed to define, with greater certainty, the conditions that are necessary for design of prospective efficient and sustainable production process.

Detection of tar brown carbon with the single particle soot photometer (SP2)

We investigate the possibility that the refractory, infrared-light-absorbing carbon particulate material known as tar balls or tar brown carbon (tar brC) generates a unique signal in the scattering and incandescent detectors of the single particle soot photometer (SP2). As recent studies have defined tar brC in different ways, we begin by reviewing the literature and proposing a material-based definition of tar. We then show that tar brC results in unique SP2 signals due to a combination of complete or partial evaporation, with no or very little incandescence. Approximately 70 % of tar particles incandesced. At the time of incandescence the ratio of light scattering to incandescence from these particles was up to twofold greater than from soot black carbon (BC). In our sample, where the mass of tar was threefold greater than the mass of soot, this led to a bias of

Кинетика внедрения высокоскоростного ударника при взаимодействии с экранной защитой

Screen protection of spacecraft from a high-speed elongated striker, which is equivalent to the most dangerous pieces of space debris, has been investigated. The kinetics of the penetration of an elongated striker into the barrier after passing through the screen protection has been analyzed. It has been shown that the efficiency of destabilization of an elongated high-speed striker on metal screens is determined by the partial evaporation of the striker and the screen interacting at speeds of 7–8 km/s.

Changes in the Composition of AromatherapeuticCitrusOils during Evaporation

The composition of some commercialCitrusoils, lemon, sweet orange, and tangerine, designated for aromatherapy, was examined before and after partial evaporation in a stream of nitrogen. The intact oils contained the expected mixtures of mono- and sesquiterpenes, with hydrocarbons dominating and lesser amounts of oxygenated analogues making up the remainder. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to follow alterations in the relative amounts of the various components present as evaporation proceeded. Changes were marked, and in particular more volatile components present in the intact oils rapidly disappeared. Thus the balance of content was shifted away from monoterpene hydrocarbons towards the analogous alcohols and carbonyl compounds. The results of this differential evaporation are discussed and possible consequences for aromatherapy use are noted. The case of lemon oil was especially interesting as the relative amount of citral, a known sensitizer, remaining as time elapsed represented an increasing percentage of the total oil.