Abstract: Changes were studied in the bulk protein of tobacco leaves, lucerne shoots and sunflower-seed kernels subjected to aerobic autolysis at room temperature. Bulk-protein fractions from cigar and from commercial sunflower-seed meal were also examined. Quinic acid, released by cold alkaline hydrolysis, was used as a measure of binding of chlorogenic acid residues to the proteins. On aerobic autolysis, the proteins of the leafy materials underwent some proteolysis; chlorogenic acid residues became bound to the protein, with concomitant diminution of free chlorogenic acid. The proteins showed browning, increased ultraviolet absorption and diminished content and “chemical availability” of lysine. However, during aerobic autolysis, the bulk protein of sunflower-seed kernels did not couple appreciably with the chlorogenic acid congeners present; the above accompanying phenomena were also largely absent. It is concluded that, when protein-rich plant materials are to be fed to monogastric animals, and particularly when their lysine content is critical, more attention should be paid to effects of the polyphenols and polyphenol oxidases present in the original plant.

Abstract: Methanolic extracts of cranberries were evaporated and reextracted with ethyl acetate. Residues from the dried ethyl acetate extract were isolated by thin-layer, column, and paper chromatography. A large diffuse area indicated the presence of high molecular weight polymeric polyphenols. In addition, seven discrete spots were identified as: (a) catechin; (b) epicatechin; (c) a dimeric epicatechin with a C4-C8 linkage; (d) an unknown polymer which degraded on acid hydrolysis to three compounds, of which one was cyanidin; (e) an unknown polymer which degraded to at least four compounds of which one was cyanidin and one was the compound described above as (d). Compounds (f) and (g) were present in very small amounts. These compounds may contribute to the astringency of cranberries.

Abstract: In the course of our studies on the polyphenol components of the cultured cells of amacha, seven polyphenol compounds were isolated as pure crystals. The chemical structures of these compounds were determined by analytical methods (IR, UV, NMR and MS spectra) and colour reactions, and the compounds were identified as phyllodulcin, hydrangenol, daphnetin-8-monomethylether, umbelliferone, phyllodulcin-8-β-D-glucoside, hydrangenol-8-β-D-glucoside and skiminin (umbelliferone-7-β-D-glucoside). This is the first report of the isolation of phyllodulcin-8-β-D-glucoside and daphnetin-8-monomethylether from a natural source and of the other compounds from the cells of higher plants in suspension culture.

Abstract: . To study the biochemical action of different betel nut constituents, aqueous extract and polyphenolic fraction of dried Mangalore betel nut were injected i. p. to Swiss mice and different biochemical parameters viz. nucleic acids, protein, sialic acid and glycogen were measured in liver, lung, kidney and muscle tissues. Arecoline and tannic acid were injected in the same manner for comparison. It was observed that polyphenolic fraction and tannic acid decreased nucleic acid and protein content in almost all the tissues. Both of them decreased glycogen and increased sialic acid in lung and kidney tissues. Many carcinogens behave similarly but the above reported changes may be merely a manifestation of the subtle toxic effects exerted by these extracts. In-depth studies on the various metabolic parameters may help to locate their precise mode of action.