Capillary electrophoretic analysis of dimethylsulfoniopropionate in sugarcane and marine algal extracts.

A simple and high-resolution analytical method for the determination of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) in sugarcane and marine algae is described. Effective extraction of DMSP from plant samples was also investigated using organic solvents, 5% perchloric acid or deionised water. To increase the sensitivity, DMSP in the extracts was first converted to a phenacyl ester, and the reaction mixture was applied directly to capillary electrophoresis without any pretreatment.

Analytical approach to the discoloration of edible laver "nori" in the Ariake Sea.

To understand the cause of discoloration of the sea laver "nori," which is found in the Ariake Sea, the concentrations of pigments and elements in the normal and discolored laver samples were determined. In the discolored samples, a decrease in all of the pigments, chlorophyll a and carotenoids, and proteinous pigments, phycobiliproteins, was clearly observed. This was accompanied by a decrease in the content of Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, and P.