Relationship between color (instrumental and visual) and chlorophyll contents in soybean seeds during ripening

The correlation between chlorophyll content and quantitative color parameters was investigated in order to find an indirect method for predicting green pigment in ripening soybean seeds. Five Brazilian soybean varieties harvested at different maturity stages (R(6) to R(8) according to the scale of Fehr & Caviness) and dried under two conditions (in oven at 40 degrees C with circulating air and at ambient temperature around 25 degrees C) were analyzed in two consecutive years. The slow-dried seeds at 25 degrees C lost chlorophyll faster, whereas drying at 40 degrees C did not result in yellowing of seeds. High and significant linear correlations between a value and total chlorophyll were obtained over the whole maturation period and on both conditions of drying. From an industrial point of view it appears that a value, obtained by the CIE-L*a*b* method, seems to be a good tool to be applied for quality control and classifying soybean seeds for different purposes.     

The effect of soil fertility and harvesting stage on maize seed quality under rain-fed conditions

Abstract

Management practices during seed development are crucial for boosting seed quality and establishment. This study determined the interactive effect of soil fertility and maturity stage on maize seed quality. The cultivar SC701 were harvested at milk, dent, and physiological maturity stages and dried to <12% moisture content. Field trials were split plots replicated four times. Seed quality was evaluated using standard germination test, vigor indices and electrical conductivity test. Highly significant interactions (p?相似文献   

Influence of critical storage temperatures on degradative pathways of pigments in green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris cvs. Perona and boby)

In this work a study of critical storage temperatures on pigment degradation of green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris, cvs. Perona and Boby) was conducted. In this way, green beans kept better quality at 4 degrees C than either 8 or 12 degrees C, maintaining a bright green color and good texture. Nevertheless, temperatures of 4 degrees C induced chilling injury (CI) after eight days of storage, which became evident when the pods were transferred to 20 degrees C. Cold storage temperatures, 12, 8, and 4 degrees C, produced different changes on the green beans chlorophyll profile. Green beans of both cultivars, Perona and Boby, stored at 4 and 12 degrees C showed a continuous degradation of chlorophyll pigments during storage, while samples stored at 8 degrees C showed an increase of chlorophyll content at the first 15 days. Carotenoid pigments also suffered different changes during cold storage. Perona was the green beans cultivar which maintained the higher level of lutein, mainly when samples were stored at the most suitable temperature (8 degrees C).     

Changes in the chemical composition of basil caused by different drying procedures

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) leaves were dried using a microwave oven at atmospheric pressure or two traditional methods: air-drying at 50 degrees C and freeze-drying. The microwave-drying was carried out at different powers and times on raw basil leaves, while for air and freeze-drying techniques, both raw and blanched leaves were used. The raw and dried basil was analyzed for selected aroma compounds by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry-selected-ion-monitoring, the chlorophyll a and b by HPLC and the color by a reflected-light colorimeter. For dried samples microwaved for 1 min at 270, 2 min at 440, 1 min at 650, and 1 min at 1100 W, the percentage retentions of the characteristic volatile compounds (eucalyptol, linalool, eugenol, and methyl eugenol) were higher than in the samples dried by traditional methods, with the exception of freeze-dried unblenched basil. Microwave drying allowed a larger retention of chlorophyll pigments than air-drying and freeze-drying (with or without blanching) and preserved the color of the raw basil. Microwave drying requires a much shorter treatment and implied the simultaneous blanching of the material.     

Retention of caffeic acid derivatives in dried Echinacea purpurea

Different drying methods were applied to fresh Canadian-grown Echinacea purpurea flowers to determine optimal drying procedures for preserving caffeic acid derivatives. Fresh flowers of E. purpurea were dried by freeze-drying (FD), vacuum microwave drying with full vacuum (VMD), and air-drying (AD) at 25, 40, and 70 degrees C. Using HPLC, chicoric acid and caftaric acid levels were quantitated in dried flowers. These acids were significantly affected by the drying method conditions used. Although significant (p < 0.05) loss of chicoric acid was observed when flowers were stored at high moisture, VMD flowers with a low moisture content retained the highest levels of chicoric acid and caftaric acid similar to FD flowers. Flowers that were AD at 25 degrees C retained about 50%, while those dried by AD at 70 degrees C resulted in the lowest retention of these acids. Although flowers dried by AD at 40 degrees C retained relatively high amounts of chicoric acid and caftaric acid, the time (55 h) required to reach optimal drying was considerably longer than that (47 min) for VMD.     

莲子热风干燥过程对其淀粉热特性及凝胶化的影响

为解决莲子干燥过程中淀粉形态结构变化造成莲子结壳、硬化,不利于干燥以及复水难、易返生问题,该文利用差示扫描量热技术(differential scanning calorimetry,DSC)对新鲜莲子以及不同热风干燥(70、80、90℃)莲子的淀粉热特性与凝胶化过程进行了研究.研究发现,莲子淀粉在低水分环境(42.2%,以质量比计)时存在2个明显的吸热峰,高水分环境(71.1%,以质量比计)时存在1个明显的吸热峰;莲子在干燥过程中不断失水,并伴随着淀粉凝胶化.方差分析(analysis of variance,ANOVA)表明,高温干燥显著影响莲子淀粉的热特性,其淀粉凝胶化温度(峰起温度To、峰顶温度Tp以及峰止温度Te)部分显著升高.相同干燥条件下,莲子淀粉糊化焓ΔH受水分显著影响,但干燥温度、升温速率对其影响不显著(P>0.01).采用Kissinger、Crane方程获得了淀粉凝胶化动力学参数(活化能Ea、指前因子Z以及反应级数n).莲子淀粉的非等温凝胶化反应可近似为一级反应,高温干燥后其Ea值出现增加,并随着水分增加呈现降低趋势.研究结果可为确定莲子高品质干燥工艺以及干莲子、莲子淀粉后续加工过程提供技术支持.     

Identification of volatile compounds in soybean at various developmental stages using solid phase microextraction

Soybean (Glycine max) seed volatiles were analyzed using a solid phase microextraction (SPME) method combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Thirty volatile compounds already reported for soybean were recovered, and an additional 19 compounds not previously reported were identified or tentatively identified. The SPME method was utilized to compare the volatile profile of soybean seed at three distinct stages of development. Most of the newly reported compounds in soybean seed were aldehydes and ketones. During early periods of development at maturity stage R6, several volatiles were present at relatively high concentrations, including 3-hexanone, (E)-2-hexenal, 1-hexanol, and 3-octanone. At maturity stage R7 and R8, decreased amounts of 3-hexanone, (E)-2-hexenal, 1-hexanol, and 3-octanone were observed. At maturity stage R8 hexanal, (E)-2-heptenal, (E)-2-octenal, ethanol, 1-hexanol, and 1-octen-3-ol were detected at relatively high concentrations. SPME offers the ability to differentiate between the three soybean developmental stages that yield both fundamental and practical information.     

玉米-大豆带状间作对大豆生长、光合荧光特性及产量的影响

为了探究玉米-大豆间作对大豆生长策略、光合荧光特性及产量的影响,以大豆品种中黄39为试材,采用玉米-大豆带状间作和大豆净作2种不同的种植模式,研究间作下大豆的形态、物质分配及光合荧光参数的变化规律。结果表明,间作大豆植株的株高在四节期(V4期)、始荚期(R3期)和鼓粒期(R6期)分别比净作增加22.47%、47.33%和32.72%。在V4期,间作大豆除株高显著高于净作外,大豆茎粗、主茎节数、茎叶柄生物量和叶绿素含量在净作和间作下均差异不显著。在R3和R6期,间作大豆植株的茎、柄生物量显著增加,但叶生物量、叶绿素a含量、叶绿素总含量及净光合速率(Pn)显著低于净作大豆。对于叶绿素荧光参数,间作大豆叶片非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)在V4、R3和R6期分别显著高出净作大豆12.2%、5.04%和7.2%,而间作大豆叶片的PSII实际的光化学量子效率(F'q/F'm)、光化学淬灭系数(q P)和PSII反应中心潜在的激发能捕获效率(F_v/F_m)与净作大豆相比差异不显著。在产量构成因素中,间作大豆的单株荚数、单株粒数、百粒重及单株产量均显著低于净作,分别降低27.78%、12.33%、20.72%。间作下玉米对大豆生育后期的生长、光合特性的影响直接导致大豆产量及构成因素的下降。因此,在玉米-大豆带状间作种植模式下,要提高间作大豆产量,需降低大豆生育后期玉米荫蔽程度。本研究结果为间作大豆栽培及高产提供了一定的依据。     

Effect of drying temperature and air flow on the production and retention of secondary metabolites in saffron

Safranal is the compound most responsible for the aroma of saffron spice and is, together with the suite of crocin pigments, the major determinant of the product quality. The content of safranal and pigments in saffron is determined by the method of postharvest treatment of the Crocus stigmas. A range of drying treatments involving different temperatures, with or without air flow, was applied to stigmas from three harvest dates. Dual solvent extractions combined with quantitative measurement using GC and HPLC-UV-vis techniques were used to analyze the secondary metabolite contents of the products. It was demonstrated that these methods overcame the previously reported problems in measuring the concentration of both pigments and safranal in saffron caused by the very different polarities and thus solubilities of these compounds. The results showed that a brief (20 min) initial period at a relatively high temperature (between 80 and 92 degrees C) followed by continued drying at a lower temperature (43 degrees C) produced saffron with a safranal content up to 25 times that of saffron dried only at lower temperatures. Evidence was provided suggesting that drying with significant air flow reduced the safranal concentration. The results, moreover, indicated that high-temperature treatment had allowed greater retention of crocin pigments than in saffron dried at intermediate temperatures (46-58 degrees C). The biochemical implications of the various treatments are discussed in relation to the potential for optimizing color and fragrance quality in the product.     

玉米种子超干燥方法及超干适应性研究

超干贮藏能在常温下长期保持种子发芽力,方便易行、高效低耗,但大粒种子超干燥困难.该试验以玉米杂交种农大108和自交系黄C为材料,用真空冷冻干燥机和烘箱干燥的方法进行超干处理,并对超干后的种子进行发芽测定,旨在探讨玉米一类大粒种子的超干适应性,筛选适宜的超干燥方法.结果表明,冷冻干燥机干燥较烘箱干燥速度快,能在较短时间内达到超干水平,且超干种子具有强的抗高温老化能力.但超干种子直接进行发芽,发芽率较低, 缓湿后发芽率明显提高.说明玉米种子可以进行超干贮藏,但必须进行缓湿处理后再播种.     

Role of the waxy skin layer in moisture loss during dehydration of prunes

Permeability studies of water through the skin and flesh of d'Agen plums have been carried out by radiotracer and PGSE NMR techniques as a function of moisture content. The results have shown that the diffusion coefficient of water through the skin layer increases as the fruit is dried at 70 degrees C or above. By contrast, the water diffusion through the fruit becomes more hindered as moisture is lost and structural collapse of the cell layers takes place. Values for diffusion coefficients of water at 21 degrees C through the fruit of 1 x 10(-)(9) m(2) s(-)(1) for fresh plums and 2.0 x 10(-)(10) m(2) s(-)(1) for fruit dried to 50% moisture content (wet basis) were found. Structural studies using scanning electron microscopy techniques were also performed. These showed that drying induces marked changes to the waxy skin layer of the fruit as well as the fruit flesh. These results are discussed in terms of the important role that the plum skin has in modulating the moisture loss process during dehydration, particularly at early stages of drying.     

Dynamic chloroplast pigments concentration in leaves of soybean ( Glycine max [L.] Merr.) under reduced tillage

The objectives of this experiment were to determine the chloroplast pigments dynamics of soybean leaves during the growth stages under different tillage systems, which can be a major factor limiting yield of soybean. The greatest differences between the photosynthetic productivity parameters of the investigated soybean were determined from reproductive stages (R2 and R3?–?4). The chlorophyll a, chlorophyll a/b and carotenoids content under CT, DH and NT were greater in the reproductive stages (R2 and R3?–?4) than in the early stages (V3?–?4 and R1). The concentration dynamics of chlorophyll b and chlorophyll a/b was very similar in all growth stages and under all tillage systems in the 2-yr average. The increased drought stress in 2003 was likely critical in the observed lower seed yields in 2003. The yield of soybean was significantly lower under NT than CT and DH treatments in both years. The relationship between the soybean yield and chloroplast pigments concentration is strongly influenced by external factors. In the 2-yr average the soybean yield was considerably affected by the years and tillage systems. Statistical analysis showed a very significant relationship between chlorophyll pigments content, but photosynthetic parameters investigated did not correlate with soybean yield.     

EFFECT OF MATURITY STAGES FOR WINTER- AND SPRING-SOWN CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM L.) ON SEED MINERAL CONTENT

Two-year field experiments were conducted to study the effect of two planting dates and seed maturity on mineral content of chickpea seeds. In 2003 and 2004, chickpea ‘Jubiha-2’ seeds were planted in late December (winter-sown) and early March (spring-sown). For both planting dates, pods were harvested at five maturity stages: 1) beginning of seed fill (BS), 2) full-size seed (FS), 3) greenish-yellow pod (GY), 4) yellow pod (Y), and 5) brown pod (B). The concentrations of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and zinc (Zn) on a dry weight basis significantly decreased as the seeds developed from the BS to the FS stage, then did not change significantly at the Y and B stages. Nutrient content (mg seed^?1) increased as the seed dry weight increased. Seeds from spring-sown plants had higher concentrations of N and manganese (Mn) than winter-sown plants. The maximum mineral content of chickpea was achieved at seed physiological maturity.     

Chemical Composition and Mineral Content of Common Vetch Seeds during Maturation

ABSTRACT

Common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) is an important legume cultivated for feed grain and forage in the Mediterranean and Central Asia regions. Little information is available about the changes in seed mass, chemical composition, and mineral concentration in the developing seeds of common vetch. Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to study the changes in seed mass, moisture content, fat, fiber, proteins, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, and macro- and microelements in common vetch seeds sampled at four pod developmental stages described based on pod color. Common vetch pods were harvested at four pod developmental stages: 1) full-size seed (FS), 2) greenish-yellow pods (GY), 3) yellow pods (Y), and 4) brown pods (B). Common vetch seeds attained maximum mass accumulation when pod color turned to yellow (the Y stage), which was a good indication of seed physiological maturity in common vetch. Results showed that ash, fat, fiber, protein, and carbohydrate content increased between the FS and GY stage. There was no significant change in the accumulation of these components at the Y stage as compared with the GY stage. During the desiccation phase (the Y to B stage), there was an increase in carbohydrate and reducing sugars and a decrease in proteins. Seed content (μg seed^?1) of macro- and microelements levels increased as the seed matured, reaching the maximum level by the GY stage [for phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn)], the Y stage [for copper (Cu)], and the B stage [for potassium (K) and iron (Fe)]. These results suggest that the majority of seed chemical composition was accumulated by the GY stage where farmers can harvest common vetch seed without reducing seed mass and nutrient loss. These data serve as a useful characterization of changes in chemical composition based on pod developmental stages for further studies.     

Structural changes in apple rings during convection air-drying with controlled temperature and humidity

The structure of heat pump dried apple slices, developed as a function of air temperature and constant humidity, was studied by measuring porosity and using electron microscopy. The porosity of the apple rings increased linearly when the moisture content decreased during drying and then reached a constant value. In all dried apple slices, a degree of cellular collapse occurred. Case hardening occurred in the surface of the dried tissue when the apple slices were dried at 40-45 and 60-65 degrees C, and in the extreme case (at 60-65 degrees C) cracks were formed on the surface.     

Effect of maturity on chlorophyll, tannin, color, and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity of sugarcane juice (Saccharum officinarum Var. Yellow Cane)

A study was conducted to determine the effect of sugarcane maturation on the contents of chlorophyll, tannin, and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and on color change of sugarcane juice. The maturation period of the cane studied was between 3 and 10 months after planting. Different parts of the cane, namely, the top, middle, and bottom portions, were analyzed. Results obtained indicated that there were significant (P < 0.01) decreases in total chlorophyll a and b and tannin contents during maturity followed by slower rates of decrease of both parameters at the end of maturity stages. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in chlorophyll and tannin contents between the middle and bottom portions. On the other hand, the top portion of the stem had a significantly (P < 0.01) lower concentration of chlorophyll and a significantly (P < 0.01) higher content of tannin. PPO activity of sugarcane juice was determined using chlorogenic acid as a substrate. There was a highly significant difference (P < 0.01) in PPO activity of cane juice during maturity. PPO activity was high at the early development stage, decreased during maturation, and then remained relatively constant at the end of maturity. PPO activity was higher when chlorogenic acid was used as substrate. There were also significant differences (P < 0.01) in juice color (L*, a*, b* values) from different portions at different maturity stages. At the early stages, the color of extracted juice was dark, and then the juice turned to yellowish green during maturity. The decrease in green color or the increase in the yellow color could be associated with the decline in chlorophyll. The overall color change (DeltaE) at maturity indicated that the color of the middle and bottom portions was lower than that of the top portion.     

玉米干湿粮混合干燥过程中水分传递规律的初步研究

本文用氚水为示踪剂,研究了玉米湿粮与干粮在混合加热、缓苏、冷却等一系列过程中水分的传递。测定结果表明,干湿粮混合干燥工艺能加速湿谷粒水分的蒸发,节省蒸发内部水分所耗的能量,缩短加热时间,降低能耗,从而提高了生产率。     

Foliar analysis of sulphur in different soybean cultivar stages and its relation to yield

Abstract

Six soybean cultivars (maturity group V) were sown in a Typic Argiudoll. Experimental plots were arranged in a randomized block design with three replications. Sampling dates were at different stages: V, R2, R4, and R55. All the varieties showed that the greatest sulfur (S) concentrations were in stage V and the lowest in stage R55. No significant differences were found between the means of the S concentrations during the V, R4, and R55 stages. In the R2 stage, there was a poor correlation with the weight of 1,000 seeds.     

深松对三江平原春玉米田土壤水分和产量的影响

为探明不同方式深松对三江平原春玉米田土壤水分及产量的影响,在黑龙江省农业科学院佳木斯分院试验基地开展田间深松试验。试验设置2个深松深度(30 cm, 40 cm),3个深松时期(上年秋季,QS;当年春季,CS;和当年夏季,XS),以常规旋耕处理为对照(CT15)共7个深松处理,比对分析了不同深松方式对土壤水分、玉米农艺性状及玉米产量的影响。结果表明：40 cm深松效果优于30 cm, 0—10 cm土层中XS40和QS40土壤含水量在播种(VE)和吐丝期(R1)显著高于CT15,分别高29.17%和9.25%,21.02%和12.94%;20—35 cm土层中,QS40在拔节期(V6)和R1分别较CT15高11.76%和7.82%。深松对株高、穗位高和绿叶期具有积极作用,但不同深松处理间差异较小。与CT15相比,QS30植株高度降低5.53%;CS40和XQS40与CT相比,其穗位高分别降低6.67%和10.98%;成熟期各处理绿叶数出现差异,以QS30,QS40和XS30作用效果显著,较CT分别高34.85%,48.02%和15.12%。深松可降低秃尖长度,增加穗粒数以提高玉米产量;...     

Retention of alkamides in dried Echinacea purpurea

Different drying methods, such as freeze-drying (FD), vacuum microwave drying (VMD), and air-drying (AD), were applied to fresh roots and leaves of Canadian-grown Echinacea purpurea to determine the optimal method for preserving alkamide levels. Using HPLC, six alkamide fractions (alkamides 1, 2, 3, 6a/6, 7, 8/9) were quantitated in dried roots, whereas four alkamide fractions (alkamides 1, 2, 3, 8/9) were measured in dried leaves. Different elution conditions used in HPLC for alkamide analysis did not affect the eluted fractions nor the quantitation of different alkamides. Individual alkamide concentrations in roots and leaves were affected by the drying methods used. To preserve higher levels of total alkamides, FD was found to be the best method, VMD was a superior method for drying roots than AD at 70 degrees C, while AD at 50 degrees C was the preferred method for drying leaves of E. purpurea.