Antioxidants in Sicilian wines: analytic and compositive aspects.

The beneficial effects of wine are associated with the physiological protection conferred by phenolic compounds such as anthocyanins and resveratrol. Levels of these phenolic compounds were quantified in 19 monovarietal wines produced in Sicily. Resveratrol and resveratrol-glucosides were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with an ultraviolet detector, while anthocyanins were determined by micro-HPLC-Electron Spray Ionization-Mass Spectroscopy (ESI-MS) analysis.

Determination of Ni (II) in beverages without any sample pretreatment by adsorptive stripping chronopotentiometry (AdSCP).

The purpose of this paper was to use adsorptive stripping chronopotentiometry for the determination of Ni (II) in worldwide consumed beverages without any sample pretreatment, using dimethilglyoxime (DMG) as complexing agent and a glassy carbon mercury film electrode as the working electrode. Ni (DMG)2 complex is adsorbed onto the mercury film at an electrolysis potential of -500 mV for 60 s and then reduced by a -5 microA constant cathodic current. The sensitivity of the method was studied for certified reference water and black tea in the pH range 6.

Malondialdehyde in benign prostate hypertrophy: a useful marker?

Benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) is the most common benign tumor in men due to obstruction of the urethra and, finally, uremia. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a product derived from peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids and related esters. Evaluation of MDA in serum represents a non-invasive biomarker of oxidative stress.

Influence of different mineral and Organic pesticide treatments on Cd(II), Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) contents determined by derivative potentiometric stripping analysis in Italian white and red wines.

This paper deals with the use of derivative potentiometric stripping analysis (dPSA) as a rapid and precise method to determine Cd(II), Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) levels in red and white wine samples from Sicily, Campania, and Tuscany and to investigate the possible connection between the content of these metals and the pesticide treatments used in vine-growing to control plant diseases and pests. dPSA allowed direct quantitation of heavy metals in acidified wines without any sample pretreatment. Mean recoveries of Cd(II), Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) ranged from 95.

Study of the cultivar-composition relationship in Sicilian olive oils by GC, NMR, and statistical methods.

The aim of this research is to find if there is direct evidence relating the fatty acid composition of olive oils to specific cultivars grown within a well-limited geographical region. To group olive oils according to their own cultivars,(13)C high-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gas chromatography (GC) were used to analyze 60 extra virgin olive oils from the same Italian region (southwestern Sicily) obtained from four monovarietal cultivars. The (13)C NMR spectrum provides information about glycerol triesters of olive oils, i.

Production process contamination of citrus essential oils by plastic materials.

Twelve samples of plastic materials employed in the industrial extraction of citrus essential oils were analyzed for the presence of phosphorated plasticizers, chloroparaffins, and phthalate esters. The samples tested were found to release these contaminants into the essential oils during the production process. Contamination tests were carried out using dichloromethane and uncontaminated samples of citrus essential oils as extractants.

Organochlorine pesticide residues in Italian citrus essential oils, 1991-1996.

Organochlorine pesticide contamination in 148 lemon essential oils, 123 sweet orange oils, 121 mandarin oils, and 147 bergamot oils produced in Italy in the years 1991-1996 was studied by HRGC-ECD. Confirmation analyses were carried out by GC-MS. Tetradifon, dicofol and its decomposition product 4,4'-dichlorobenzophenone were found.

Contamination of Italian citrus essential oils: presence of phthalate esters.

Contamination by phthalate esters of Sicilian and Calabrian citrus essential oils, produced in the crop years 1994-1996, was investigated using a GC-MS system with direct injection of the samples. A total of 35 lemon oils, 31 orange oils, and 21 mandarin oils were analyzed. Diisobutyl phthalate and/or bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate were found in almost all samples, while di-n-butyl phthalate was present in 8.

[A peculiar anomaly of the main biliary duct: choledochal cystic dilatation].

The Authors report a case of choledochal cystic dilatation and examine this particular anomaly of the main biliary duct analysing the complex classification. After a brief review of the embryology of the hepato-pancreatic ring, etiopathogenetic theories, clinic characteristics, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities for this affection are taken into account. It is concluded that the best therapeutic choice should be always based on an accurate evaluation of the anatomo-pathological conditions in each single case.