Simulation of salt and water movement and estimation of water productivity of rice crop irrigated with saline water

The HYDRUS-ID model was experimentally tested for water balance and salt build up in soil under rice crop irrigated with different salinity water (ECiw) of 0.4, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 dS m⁻¹ in micro-lysimeters filled with sandy loam soil. Differences of means between measured (M) and HYDRUS-1D predicted (P) values of bottom flux (Q _o) and leachate EC as tested by paired t test were not found significant at P = 0.05 and a close agreement between RMSE values showed the applicability of the HYDRUS-1D to simulate percolation and salt concentration in the micro-lysimeters under rice crop. Potential ET values of rice as obtained from CROPWAT matched well with model predicted and measured one at all ECiw treatments. The model predicted root water uptake varied from 66.1 to 652.7 mm and the maximum daily salt concentration in the root zone was 0.46, 2.3, 4.5, 6.7, 8.4 and 10.2 me cm⁻³ in 0.4, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 dS m⁻¹ ECiw treatments, respectively. The grain production per unit evapotranspiration ( \textWP_{\textET\texta} {\text{WP}}_{{{\text{ET}}_{\text{a}} }} ) value of 2.56 in ECiw of 0.4 dS m⁻¹ treatment declined to 1.31 with ECiw of 2 dS m⁻¹. The \textWP_{\textET\texta} {\text{WP}}_{{{\text{ET}}_{\text{a}} }} reduced to one-fifth when percolation was included in the productivity determination. Similarly, the water productivity in respect of total dry matter production (TDM) was also reduced in different treatments. Therefore, the model predicted values of water balance can be effectively utilized to calculate the water productivity of rice crop.     

Prediction of potato yield using temperature and insolation data

A linear polynomial model is presented $$Y = \beta _0 + \beta _1 X_1 + \beta _2 X_2 + \beta _3 X_3 + \xi $$ where Y = plant yield of tubers > 1 cm diameter, X₁ = revised growing degree days $$\begin{gathered} RGDD = \frac{{max temp \left( { \leqslant 30^ \circ C} \right) + \min temp \left( { \geqslant 4.4^ \circ C} \right)}}{2} - 4.4^ \circ C \hfill \\ - \frac{{min temp \left( { > 4.4^ \circ C} \right) - 4.4^ \circ C}}{2} \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ X₂ = total insolation in cal cm^-2 at 350 to 1150 nm and X₃ = mean daily air temperature range in °C. The β₀ and ξ, (Y intercept and error term) and β₁, β₂ and β₃ coefficients are derived from fitting the experimental data. The model was developed by growing ‘Kennebec’ in large containers at sites ranging from 1533 m to 3198 m elevation under shaded (48% insolation reduction) and unshaded conditions at 39° to 41° N latitude. Mean maximum and minimum temperatures and insolation ranged from 29°C to 19°C, 14°C to 6°C, and 200 cal cm^?2 day^?1 to 530 cal cm² day^?1 respectively. Soil matric potential and soil fertility were not included as variables in the model since they were physically controlled. The model does not include the period from planting to emergence since environment was not permitted to vary differentially. A highly significant multiple linear model with a coefficient of determination of 0.93 was obtained. It is suggested that including the revision $$ - \frac{{min temp \left( { > 4.4^ \circ C} \right) - 4.4^ \circ C}}{2}$$ in the heat input estimation (GDD) as well as air temperature range, emphasizes the influence of respiration on productivity. The model should be tested further and adapted as a practical method for predicting potato yield under “grower” conditions.     

玉米光温敏雄性不育系CB1208-82的生理生化代谢研究

自交系"CB1208-82"是浙江大学新发现的玉米光温敏雄性不育材料,探究其雄性不育的生理生化机制,测定其不育株/可育株在雄穗不同发育时期叶片中的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)的活性和O~(2-)产生速率、丙二醛(MDA)、过氧化氢(H_2O_2)、叶绿素、可溶性糖和游离脯氨酸含量。结果表明,从整体上看,不育株叶片中的抗氧化酶活性总是低于同期可育株,并且不育株叶片中的MDA和H_2O_2含量、O~(2-)产生速率高于同期可育株,说明叶片中抗氧化酶活性低、活性氧积累多可能是引起雄性不育的原因之一。不育株叶片中的叶绿素、脯氨酸和可溶性糖的含量均低于同时期的可育株,特别是在雄穗发育初期可溶性糖含量显著低于可育株,说明光合效率低及营养物质缺乏可能会导致雄穗发育异常。     

Antioxidative and Anticancer Activity of Extracts of Cherry (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus serrulata</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">spontanea</Emphasis>) Blossoms

Organic solvent (methanol, ethanol, and acetone) extracts and water extracts of cherry (Prunus serrulata var. spontanea) blossoms were prepared, and antioxidant activities of the extracts were evaluated. Methanolic CBE (100 μg/ml) showed the highest total phenol content (104.30 μM), radical scavenging activity (34.2%), and reducing power (0.391). The effect of CBE on DNA damage induced by H₂O₂ in human leukocytes was evaluated by Comet assay. All CBE was a potent dose dependent inhibitor of DNA damage induced by 200 μM of H₂O₂, methanolic CBE showed the most strong inhibition activity. The methanolic CBE of 500 μg/ml showed 38.8% inhibition against growth of human colon cancer cell line HT-29. These results indicated that cherry blossoms could provide valuable bioactive materials.     

Phenolics and Antioxidative Activities in Narrow-Leafed Lupins (Lupinus angustifolius L.)

Eight lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) genotypes grown at four locations in south central Alberta in 2004 were evaluated for variability in phenolic constituents and antioxidant activity measured by a photochemiluminescence assay. Genotype was the main source of variation for content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities. Phenolic compounds in genotypes varied minimally from 11.9 to 14.7 mg catechin equivalent and 4.15 to 4.95 mg rutin equivalent g⁻¹ lupin for total phenolic and flavonoid contents, respectively. Lupin genotypes exhibited weak antioxidant activity based on water–soluble substances (ACW) of 0.54 to 1.07 μmole Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacities (TEAC)/g with lag time ranging from 70 to 153 s and an antioxidant index of 6.7 to 14.5 and 1.9 to 3.3 μmole TEAC/g based on measurements of lipid-soluble substances (ACL). Antioxidant activity of lupin genotypes was not related to phenolic contents of seeds.     

The Cytoprotective Effect of Petalonia binghamiae Methanol Extract against Oxidative Stress in C2C12 Myoblasts: Mediation by Upregulation of Heme Oxygenase-1 and Nuclear Factor-Erythroid 2 Related Factor 2

This study was designed to examine the protective effects of the marine brown algae Petalonia binghamiae against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. P. binghamiae methanol extract (PBME) prevented hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced growth inhibition and exhibited scavenging activity against intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by H₂O₂ in mouse-derived C2C12 myoblasts. PBME also significantly attenuated H₂O₂-induced comet tail formation in a comet assay, histone γH2A.X phosphorylation, and annexin V-positive cells, suggesting that PBME prevented H₂O₂-induced cellular DNA damage and apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, PBME increased the levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a potent antioxidant enzyme, associated with the induction of nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2). However, zinc protoporphyrin IX, a HO-1 competitive inhibitor, significantly abolished the protective effects of PBME on H₂O₂-induced ROS generation, growth inhibition, and apoptosis. Collectively, these results demonstrate that PBME augments the antioxidant defense capacity through activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.     

Bioactivity of Different Enriched Phenolic Extracts of Wild Fruits from Northeastern Portugal: A Comparative Study

Arbutus unedo, Prunus spinosa, Rosa micrantha and Rosa canina are good sources of phenolic compounds, including anthocyanins. These compounds have potent antioxidant properties, which have been related to anticancer activity. Herein, the in vitro antioxidant and antitumor properties of enriched phenolic extracts (non-anthocyanin phenolic compounds enriched extract- PE and anthocyanins enriched extract- AE) of the mentioned wild fruits were evaluated and compared. PE gave higher bioactive properties than the corresponding AE. It was observed a high capacity of A. unedo phenolic extract to inhibit lipid peroxidation in animal brain homogenates (EC₅₀?=?7.21 μg/mL), as also a high antitumor potential against NCI-H460 human cell line (non-small lung cancer; GI₅₀?=?37.68 μg/mL), which could be related to the presence of galloyl derivatives (exclusively found in this species). The bioactivity of the studied wild fruits proved to be more related to the phenolic compounds profile than to the amounts present in each extract, and could be considered in the design of new formulations of dietary supplements or functional foods.     

Chia Sprouts Elicitation with Salicylic Acid and Hydrogen Peroxide to Improve their Phenolic Content,Antioxidant Capacities In Vitro and the Antioxidant Status in Obese Rats

Elicitation is a biotechnological approach to improve phenolic compounds content and antioxidant properties of ready-to-eat functional foods. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical elicitation effects using salicylic acid (SA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in optimized-germination conditions on seedling vigor, phenolic content, and their antioxidant capacities in vitro and serum and urine of Wistar obese rats. Optimized-germination conditions of 26.5 °C and 178 h produced a 64% of germination and a sprout length of 56 mm. Only, the elicitation with H₂O₂ (20 mM) enhanced the germination (75%) and H₂O₂ (10 and 20 mM) the sprout length (69 and 59 mm, respectively). In contrast, both elicitors enhanced phenolic contents, being more significant total phenolic compounds content for SA (1 and 2 mM), up to 65.5–73.5%. SA and H₂O₂ improved total flavonoids content (36.5–64.1%), ABTS (19.3–61.1%), and DPPH capacities (51–86%), depending on SA and H₂O₂ concentration, compared with non-elicited chia sprouts. The QUENCHER antioxidant capacities of elicited chia sprouts increased up to three times more than extracts capacities, principally Q-ABTS, which could be attributed to phenolic bounds to dietary fiber. Rats fed with a high-fat and fructose diet (HFFD) and supplemented with chia sprouts, especially 1-mM SA, improve the obesity-related oxidative stress through an increase of antioxidant capacities, using DPPH and ABTS test, on serum (70–118%) and urine samples (80–116%). These results suggest that chia sprouts elicited with 1-mM SA are a source of antioxidant compounds that can be used to decrease obesity related oxidative stress.

     

Antioxidant Activities of Four Edible Seaweeds from the Southern Coast of Thailand

The aqueous extracts of four marine algae, Caulerpa racemosa var. macrophysa, Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. tenuistipitata, Sargassum sp., and Ulva lactuca, from the coastal areas in Southern Thailand, were prepared by boiling dried seaweed powder in water for 3 h, and by autoclaving each sample at 120 °C for 3 h. They were then freeze-dried and evaluated for their antioxidant activities using DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), hydroxyl radical (OH^•) and superoxide anion (O₂^•−) scavenging assays. Boiling extracts of the seaweeds, except C. racemosa, were found to have higher total phenolic contents (TPC) than those obtained from the autoclave method. The antioxidant results also showed that O₂^•− scavenging activity existed only in the boiling extracts of C. racemosa, G. tenuistipitata, and U. lactuca. In DPPH and OH^• assays, however, almost all the boiling extracts were less active than the autoclave ones. Among the four alga species, Sargassum sp. was the most active. Both extracts of this seaweed had the highest TPC and also displayed the strongest DPPH^• and OH^• inhibitory activities. A strong positive-correlation between the antioxidant potency and TPC of the autoclave extracts was found, while for the boiling extracts such relation was very weak. This result thus reflected that in addition to the phenolic compounds, there might be some other active components present in these extracts involved in the antioxidant activity.     

Physiological Roles of Betacyanin in a Halophyte,Suaeda japonica Makino

Abstract: Halophytes can be used as a crop on salinized agricultural land. Suaeda japonica Makino is an annual highly salt-tolerant plant, that inhabits salt marshes in the Ariake Sea, Japan. Accompanying growth, leaves of S. japonica change from green to red with accumulation of a red pigment, betacyanin. To elucidate the physiological roles of betacyanin in S. japonica, we tested the antioxidant capacity of purified betacyanin and leaf extracts containing different levels of betacyanin under oxidative-stress conditions. The assay with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) showed that the purified betacyanin had antioxidant activity. H₂O₂-induced protein oxidation of the leaf extracts was prevented by the addition of betacyanin. The antioxidant enzyme activity decreased in the red leaves, but the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), an oxidative stress marker in the red leaves was nearly the same as that in the green leaves. Betacyanin synthesis was induced under photoinhibition-inducible conditions of low temperature and high-intensity light. These results indicate that betacyanin serves as an antioxidant in S. japonica and that the leaf reddening of this species is a key adaptive strategy for coping with the harsh environmental conditions in salt marshes of the Ariake Sea.     

Change in Colour and Antioxidant Content of Tomato Cultivars Following Forced-Air Drying

Three New Zealand grown tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) cultivars, Aranka, Encore, and Flavourine, were analysed for colour (CIELAB L^∗ a^∗ b^∗ values), ascorbic acid, total phenolics, lycopene, and total antioxidant activity (ABTS assay). Colour analyses of the air-dried tomatoes showed that the colour degradation as measured by the L^∗ a^∗ b^∗ values was minimal, and the colour was not significantly different (p < 0.05) between each of the dried cultivars. In general, there was no significant difference (p < 0.01) between the fresh cultivars in terms of antioxidant components or total antioxidant activity. The average values obtained for antioxidant components in the three fresh cultivars were: ascorbic acid, 276 mg/100 g DM, total phenolics, 613 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g dry matter (DM) and lycopene 38 mg/100 g DM. Total antioxidant activity of the fresh cultivars was 2917 μmole Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC)/100 g DM. Following forced air-drying treatment at 42 ^∘C for 48 hr, all cultivars showed significant decreases in ascorbic acid, total phenolics and total antioxidant activity, and increases in extractable lycopene contents. This study was undertaken to identify cultivars that would provide the best colour and nutrient contents after commercial air drying.     

Comprehensive Analysis of Polyphenols in 55 Extra Virgin Olive Oils by HPLC-ECD and Their Correlation with Antioxidant Activities

In this study, we analyzed eight phenolic compounds (tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, pinoresinol, and caffeic, ferulic, vanillic, and p-coumaric acid) in 55 mono- and multivarietal extra virgin olive oil samples by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to a coulometric electrochemical array detector (ECD). The phenolic profile of olive oil samples differed depending on the geographical origin and olive variety. The total reducing capacity (total phenolics) of olive oils ranged from about 40 to 530 mg gallic acid equivalents/kg oil. Tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol and pinoresinol were the most abundant phenolic compounds in olive oils. The antioxidant capacity of the olive oil extracts was determined by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. Total reducing capacity was significatly correlated with FRAP (R ² ?=?0.91, p?<?0.001) and TEAC (R ² ?=?0.92, p?<?0.001) values. Total reducing capacity, TEAC and FRAP values were significantly correlated with tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol as well as oleuropein concentrations. Hydroxytyrosol, comprising over 40 % of total olive oil phenolics, mainly contributed to the antioxidant activity of olive oils. The present study provides a comprehensive database of polyphenols in olive oils from 9 different countries and four continents.     

二氧化硫胁迫对玉米幼苗叶片膜脂过氧化和抗氧化酶的影响

利用NaHSO₃处理玉米幼苗模拟水相SO₂胁迫,比较分析了BT-1(抗)、N6(感)自交系经NaHSO₃胁迫后细胞膜脂过氧化和几种抗氧化酶活性的动态变化。结果表明：随着水相SO₂胁迫时间的延长,高感系N6叶片中丙二醛(MDA)含量和H₂O₂积累量比高抗系BT-1显著增加;抗、感系中抗氧化酶超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性都有明显的增强,而过氧化氢酶(CAT)的活性呈显著下降趋势。说明H₂O₂的积累导致玉米叶片膜脂过氧化加剧,SOD和APX在玉米遭受SO₂胁迫中起着重要的保护作用。     

Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Diospyros lotus</Emphasis> L. Extract and Isolated Compounds

The object of the study was to determine the chemical composition of Diospyros lotus L. extract and their antioxidant and antiproliferative properties. Eight compounds were isolated from D. lotus and identified as gallic acid, methylgallate, ellagic acid, kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin, myricetin 3-O-β-glucuronide, and myricetin-3-O-α-rhamnoside. D. lotus extract tested in different in vitro systems (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and Fe²⁺ chelating activity assay) showed significant antioxidant activity. The potential antiproliferative properties of D. lotus extract and isolated compounds against nine human cancer cell lines such as COR-L23, CaCo-2, C32, ACHN, A375, A549, Huh-7D12, MCF-7, and LNCaP were investigated in vitro by SRB assay. D. lotus extract demonstrated the highest inhibitory activity against COR-L23 with an IC₅₀ value of 12.2 μg/ml. Among identified hydrolysable tannins, ellagic acid evidenced strong antiproliferative activity against both C32 and A375 cells with IC₅₀ values of 0.8 and 4.1 μg/ml, respectively. Interesting results were observed, also, with gallic acid that showed the highest cytotoxic activity against CaCo-2 (IC₅₀ 2.6 μg/ml). Overall, the results of this study suggest that D. lotus displays a good antioxidant activity and has antiproliferative effects. Both activities are related to identified phenolic compounds.     

Fatty Acids, Sterols, Phenols and Antioxidant Activity of Phoenix theophrasti Fruits Growing in Crete, Greece

In the present study we report the chemical composition of the Cretan Phoenix theophrasti Gr. fruits, in comparison with dates, from its close relative Phoenix dactylifera L. for their nutritional value and their potential exploitation as a source of bioactive components such as phytosterols, lipids and polyphenols. The non polar dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂) extract of the fruits was analysed by several techniques (TLC, CC, GC and GC-MS) and was found to consist mainly from fatty acids, hydrocarbons and phytosterols. Palmitic acid was the most abundant fatty acid, 12.49% of total saponifiables, while β-sitosterol was the most prevalent phytosterol, 29.46% of total unsaponifiable lipid fraction. The polar methanolic extract was examined for its total phenolic content, by the Folin–Ciocalteu assay, as well as for its antioxidant activity through DPPH assay, in comparison with previous studies on the fruits of several Phoenix dactylifera varieties. This fraction was found to possess strong antioxidant activity despite its lower content of phenolic compounds in comparison with previously studied Phoenix dactylifera specimens.     

Antioxidative and Antigenotoxic Activity of Extracts from Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) Flowers

The Cosmos bipinnatus has been used in a traditional herbal remedy for various diseases such as jaundice, intermittent fever, and splenomegaly. The present study describes the preliminary evaluation of antioxidant activities and antigenotoxic effect of Cosmos bipinnatus flowers according to four different colors (white, pink, orange, and violet). The antioxidants properties were evaluated by determining TPC, DPPH RSA, ABTS RSA, and RP. The highest TPC of methanolic CFE (at concentration of 1 mg/ml) showed in violet colored CF (1,013 μM), and IC₅₀ of DPPH RSA, ABTS RSA, and RP were also the lowest in violet colored CFE with values of 0.61, 1.48, and 0.82 mg/ml, respectively. The antigenotoxic effect of the CFE on DNA damage induced by H₂O₂ in human leukocytes was evaluated by Comet assay. Pretreatments with CFE produced significant reductions in oxidative DNA damage at the concentration of 500 μg/ml, except for violet colored CFE. The ED₅₀ value of white colored CFE has shown the highest inhibition (0.40 mg/ml) on H₂O₂ induced DNA damage, followed by orange > pink > violet color. These results suggested that Cosmos bipinnatus has significant antioxidant activity and protective effect against oxidative DNA damage.     

Effects of fabric surface energy on human thermophysiological responses during exercise and recovery

The present paper reports a study on influences of fabric surface energy of cotton and polyester garments on clothing microclimates and human thermophysiological responses during intermittent exercise and recovery. Eight healthy males wearing the garments prepared performed exercises and rest according to the following protocol: rest for 30 min, run on treadmill for total 60 min of three sessions with different intensity and duration, and then sit quietly for 30 min for recovery, all at 30 °C and relative humidity of 30 %, while the microclimate humidity (H _mc ) and temperature (T _mc ), the clothing outside surface humidity (H _co ) and temperature (T _co ), the skin temperatures and ear canal temperature (T _{ear_canal} ) were measured. The garments are made of: (a) hydrophilic and hydrophobic cotton knitted fabrics, and (b) hydrophilic and hydrophobic polyester knitted fabrics. During and after exercise, for cotton, hydrophilic garment resulted in significant lowerΔH _mc , ΔH _co , ΔT _mc during recovery, higher , lowerΔT _{ear_canal} andΔT _forehead . For polyester, hydrophilic garment resulted in significantly lowerΔH _co , ΔT _co , higher , higherΔT _forehead during E1, E2 and recovery session but lower during E3. In summary, surface energy of cotton garments had significant influences on human thermophysiological responses during exercise and recovery, and hydrophilic cotton garment was better than hydrophobic one to reduce heat stress. Surface energy of polyester garments had influences of lower significance, and hydrophilic garment appeared better than hydrophobic garment.     

Antioxidant Capacity and Damages Caused by Salinity Stress in Apical and Basal Regions of Rice Leaf

Abstract

We investigated the mechanisms of increased sensitivity to Na⁺ in the apical and basal regions of the rice leaf under salinity. Three-week-old plants were treated with 200 mM NaCl in hydroponic culture for 3 d. Segments 6 cm in length were obtained from the apical and basal regions of the fully expanded uppermost leaves (6th leaf blades) as old and young tissues, respectively. In the plants exposed to 200 mM NaCl, Nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) reducing activity, and H₂O₂ and Malondialdehyde (MDA) contents significantly increased, accompanied by the swelling of thylakoids and destruction of thylakoid membranes in the apical regions. However, no indication of oxidative damages was observed in the basal region, even though the Na⁺ content in the basal region was comparable to that in the apical region. In the apical region, the capacity to scavenge H₂O₂ was lower than that in the basal region due to decrease in the constitutive levels of ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase. In addition, the activities of antioxidant enzymes except superoxide dismutase and guaiacol peroxidase decreased drastically after 48 hr of exposure to NaCl. By contrast, the activities of catalase and glutathione reductase in the basal region increased compared with those in the control, and other antioxidant enzymes did not decrease under salinity during the experimental period. These results suggest that the capacity to scavenge reactive oxygen species decreased with age, and thus the apical region of the leaf blade suffered severer damage by Na⁺ than the basal region.     

Phenolics,Sugars, Antimicrobial and Free-Radical-Scavenging Activities of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melicoccus bijugatus</Emphasis> Jacq. Fruits from the Dominican Republic and Florida

Edible fruits of the native South American tree Melicoccus bijugatus Jacq. are consumed fresh or in traditional food, drink and medicinal preparations. Some therapeutic effects of these fruits may be due to phenolics and sugars. Aqueous acetone, methanol or ethanol tissue extracts of different cultivars or collections of M. bijugatus fruits from the Dominican Republic and Florida were analyzed for total phenolics and free radical scavenging activity by UV-vis spectroscopy, sugars by gas chromatography, and antimicrobial activity by the disc diffusion assay. Total phenolics and free radical scavenging activities ranked: seed coat > embryo > pulp extracts. Montgomery cultivar fruits had the highest total phenolics. For sugars: pulp > embryo and highest in Punta Cana fruit pulp. In all extracts: sucrose > glucose and fructose. Glucose:fructose ratios were 1:1 (pulp) and 0.2:1 (embryo). Pulp extracts had dose-response antibacterial activity and pulp and embryo extracts had antifungal activity against one yeast species. Phenolics and sugars were confirmed with thin-layer chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance. Sugar-free pulp fractions containing phenolics had slightly more antimicrobial activity than H₂O-soluble pulp fractions with sugars. Results indicate M. bijugatus fruits contain phenolics, sugars and other H₂O-soluble compounds consistent with therapeutic uses. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Induction of Freezing Tolerance by the Application of Hydrogen Peroxide and Salicylic Acid as Tuber-Dip or Canopy Spraying in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum tuberosum</Emphasis> L. Plants

Low temperature stress is a current challenge to plants that is associated with climate change. In plants, exposure to extreme temperatures is followed by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, such as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), leading to oxidative stress. Salicylic acid (SA) and H₂O₂ mediate the tolerance responses to stress and have been reported to induce freezing tolerance in potato microplants. The objectives of the present investigation were (1) to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of H₂O₂ and SA treatments on freezing tolerance in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants grown from tubers and (2) to analyse the relationship between catalase (CAT) activity and H₂O₂ concentration associated with freezing tolerance responses. We observed the lowest freezing survival rates in 45-day-old potato plants (cv. Granate) compared to younger plants. The two treatments consisted of (1) the tuber-dip (long-term) treatment in which sprouted minitubers were saturated for 1 h in SA 10^?5 M or H₂O₂ 1 mM and planted in soil under greenhouse conditions and (2) the crop-spray (short-term) treatment in which plants 5–8 cm high were sprayed twice a week with SA 10^?5 M or H₂O₂ 1 mM until 45 days of age. In all treatments, 45-day-old plants were then exposed to ? 6?±?1 °C for 4 h. The survival rate was measured 15 days after freezing. CAT and H₂O₂ measurements were performed 1 h before and after the freezing treatment. The results showed that SA and H₂O₂ induced freezing tolerance in both the short- and long-term treatments. Survival was significantly higher in SA- and H₂O₂-treated plants than in control plants. In both the long- and short-term treatments this higher survival was associated with lower internal H₂O₂ concentrations after freezing compared with control plants and decreasing oxidative stress. SA and H₂O₂ induced different levels of CAT activity after freezing compared to that found in the control plants in the long- and the short-term treatments. These results suggest the SA and H₂O₂ function in independent pathways in terms of their induction of freezing tolerance that depends on the method the treatment was applied, by spraying the canopy or by immersion of the sprouted seed tuber.