C. Y. Hopkins

Bio: C. Y. Hopkins is an academic researcher from National Research Council. The author has contributed to research in topics: Fatty acid & Polyunsaturated fatty acid. The author has an hindex of 20, co-authored 49 publications receiving 1018 citations.

Conjugated fatty acids of tragopogon and calendula seed oils

Abstract: The seed oil of Tragopogonporrifolius L. was found to contain about 4% of conjugated diene hydroxy fatty acids, identified as 9-hydroxy-10,12- and 13-hydroxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acids. On dehydrat...

A survey of the conjugated fatty acids of seed oils.

Abstract: Fatty acids with conjugated unsaturation occur in many seed oils. Thirty of these acids are reviewed with emphasis on their detection, isolation, and structure determination. Their distribution among plant families is shown, and a botanical source of each acid is given. Some reactions, derivatives, and methods of determining configuration are described. Current theories of their biosynthesis in the seed, involving oxygenated precursors, are summarized.

11-octadecenoic acid and other fatty acids of asclepias syriaca seed oil

Abstract: The seed oil of Asclepiassyriaca L., family Asclepidaceae, was examined by gas chromatography and distillation of the methyl esters. The fatty acids were found to include a considerable proportion ...

Fatty acid composition of some cucurbitaceae seed oils

Abstract: Seed oils of nine species of Cucurbitaceae were analyzed by gas chromatography and other techniques. The oil of Ecballiumelaterium yielded 22% of punicic acid; Cucumisdipsaceus and Cucurbitaficifol...

Occurrence of octadeca-trans-2,cis-9,cis-12-trienoic acid in pollen attractive to the honey bee.

Abstract: Mixed pollen, gathered by honey bees, contained a free fatty acid which was isolated and identified as octadeca-trans-2,cis-9,cis-12-trienoic acid. The acid was shown to be an attractant for the ho...

Biology and biochemistry of glucosinolates

Abstract: Glucosinolates are sulfur-rich, anionic natural products that upon hydrolysis by endogenous thioglucosidases called myrosinases produce several different products (e.g., isothiocyanates, thiocyanates, and nitriles). The hydrolysis products have many different biological activities, e.g., as defense compounds and attractants. For humans these compounds function as cancer-preventing agents, biopesticides, and flavor compounds. Since the completion of the Arabidopsis genome, glucosinolate research has made significant progress, resulting in near-complete elucidation of the core biosynthetic pathway, identification of the first regulators of the pathway, metabolic engineering of specific glucosinolate profiles to study function, as well as identification of evolutionary links to related pathways. Although much has been learned in recent years, much more awaits discovery before we fully understand how and why plants synthesize glucosinolates. This may enable us to more fully exploit the potential of these compounds in agriculture and medicine.

Nutrition and health in honey bees

Abstract: Adequate nutrition supports the development of healthy honey bee colonies. We give an overview of the nutritional demands of honey bee workers at three levels: (1) colony nutrition with the possibility of supplementation of carbohydrates and proteins; (2) adult nutrition and (3) larval nutrition. Larvae are especially dependant on protein and brood production is strongly affected by shortages of this nutrient. The number of larvae reared may be reduced to maintain the quality of remaining offspring. The quality of developing workers also suffers under conditions of larval starvation, leading to slightly affected workers. Larval starvation, alone or in combination with other stressors, can weaken colonies. The potential of different diets to meet nutritional requirements or to improve survival or brood production is outlined. We discuss nutrition-related risks to honey bee colonies such as starvation, monocultures, genetically modified crops and pesticides in pollen and nectar.

Plant triacylglycerols as feedstocks for the production of biofuels

Abstract: Triacylglycerols produced by plants are one of the most energy-rich and abundant forms of reduced carbon available from nature. Given their chemical similarities, plant oils represent a logical substitute for conventional diesel, a non-renewable energy source. However, as plant oils are too viscous for use in modern diesel engines, they are converted to fatty acid esters. The resulting fuel is commonly referred to as biodiesel, and offers many advantages over conventional diesel. Chief among these is that biodiesel is derived from renewable sources. In addition, the production and subsequent consumption of biodiesel results in less greenhouse gas emission compared to conventional diesel. However, the widespread adoption of biodiesel faces a number of challenges. The biggest of these is a limited supply of biodiesel feedstocks. Thus, plant oil production needs to be greatly increased for biodiesel to replace a major proportion of the current and future fuel needs of the world. An increased understanding of how plants synthesize fatty acids and triacylglycerols will ultimately allow the development of novel energy crops. For example, knowledge of the regulation of oil synthesis has suggested ways to produce triacylglycerols in abundant non-seed tissues. Additionally, biodiesel has poor cold-temperature performance and low oxidative stability. Improving the fuel characteristics of biodiesel can be achieved by altering the fatty acid composition. In this regard, the generation of transgenic soybean lines with high oleic acid content represents one way in which plant biotechnology has already contributed to the improvement of biodiesel.

Pollen and Stigma Structure and Function: The Role of Diversity in Pollination

Abstract: The ornate surfaces of male and female reproductive cells in flowering plants have long attracted attention for their variety and evolutionary significance. These structures, and the molecules involved in sexual interactions, remain among the most rapidly evolving and diverse characteristics known.