Pedogenesis of plinthite during early Pliocene in the Mediterranean environment: Case study of a buried paleosol at Podere Renieri, central Italy

A complex buried paleosol at Podere Renieri at Montalcino (central Italy) formed during a series of continental episodes within an interval of Pliocene marine sediments from about 4.1 to 4.8 My BP. The aim of this work was to document the kind of pedogenesis which occurred throughout this time and, in particular, the plinthite formation. Plinthite (soft and hard) is poor in organic carbon, neutral or subalkaline, dominated by illite, and enriched in iron and chromium. The main differences between soft and hard plinthite are attributed to soil structure, which is absent in hard plinthite, and to the abundance of iron depleted zones, which are much larger in soft plinthite. Variations in mineralogy, chemistry and genesis of soft and hard plinthite can be ascribed to the specific environment of plinthite formation, close to the Pliocene sea. Pedogenetic evidence indicates that plinthite evolved in a hot and humid paleoclimate, showing a progressive increase in seasonality, and that low-grade plinthite formation occurred in a time span of a few hundred thousand years. Soils with low-grade plinthite have agronomic value in their suitability for the production of high quality Brunello di Montalcino wine.     

Pedogenesis of plinthite during early Pliocene in the Mediterranean environment: Case study of a buried paleosol at Podere Renieri,central Italy

A complex buried paleosol at Podere Renieri at Montalcino (central Italy) formed during a series of continental episodes within an interval of Pliocene marine sediments from about 4.1 to 4.8 My BP. The aim of this work was to document the kind of pedogenesis which occurred throughout this time and, in particular, the plinthite formation. Plinthite (soft and hard) is poor in organic carbon, neutral or subalkaline, dominated by illite, and enriched in iron and chromium. The main differences between soft and hard plinthite are attributed to soil structure, which is absent in hard plinthite, and to the abundance of iron depleted zones, which are much larger in soft plinthite. Variations in mineralogy, chemistry and genesis of soft and hard plinthite can be ascribed to the specific environment of plinthite formation, close to the Pliocene sea. Pedogenetic evidence indicates that plinthite evolved in a hot and humid paleoclimate, showing a progressive increase in seasonality, and that low-grade plinthite formation occurred in a time span of a few hundred thousand years. Soils with low-grade plinthite have agronomic value in their suitability for the production of high quality Brunello di Montalcino wine.     

土壤以及景观中赤铁土及其形态演变的研究进展

At elevated temperature regimes and abundant precipitation, mobilization and accretion of weathered iron oxides are promoted especially in a reduced environments in the tropics. This may lead to the formation of plinthite, which hardens irreversibly upon repeated wetting and drying to form petroplinthite. The need for this review stems from the seemingly dearth of information on the subject and a need to clarify different terms used in describing plinthite. We review various research works on plinthite and its associated pedogenic forms in the tropics. Furthermore, we proffer recommendations as to the most appropriate land use management practices that could help minimise the environmental and agronomic problems associated with plinthite and its related pedogenic forms. Parent material, temperature, seasonality and geomorphology are critical factors that influence soil water regime which in turn affect the pedogenesis of plinthite. Soil pH and mineralogy are additional factors that could also promote plinthite formation. Fossil plinthic soils are potential proxies for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. Measures used in the management of plinthic soils include mechanically breaking the hardpans and the use of organic and inorganic amendments to modify the structure and chemistry of the soils. Avoidance of practices that would predispose soils to erosion would also prevent plinthization. We call for the relinquishment of the term ＂[aterite＂ which is a generM term for all forms of iron oxide-enriched earthy materials as used for plinthite. Plinthic horizon should also be incorporated into the United States Department of Agriculture Soil Taxonomy in view of its growing importance in soils.     

典型网纹红土结构土壤细菌群落及其生态网络特征

我国亚热带地区红壤下部的网纹红土通常被认为是第四纪古气候和古环境变化的记录载体。迄今为止，对土壤细菌群落在土壤结构体尺度上的分异特征及其影响因素了解甚少。作为红壤关键带地下结构的重要组成部分，网纹红土独特的红-白相间的土体结构可能引起土壤细菌群落在其上的差异分布。阐明网纹红土结构土壤细菌群落特征对探索红壤关键带深部生态系统的生物多样性和多功能性具有重要的生态学意义。本研究以典型网纹红土结构体为研究对象，将其拆分为红色基质和白色网纹两部分，利用16S rRNA高通量测序分析红/白部分细菌群落与细菌生态网络的特征。结果表明，网纹结构体红白部分细菌群落结构差异显著，红色基质部分放线菌门和厚壁菌门等细菌显著富集；白色网纹部分酸杆菌门、硝化螺旋菌门等细菌相对丰度显著富集。细菌生态网络分析结果表明，白色网纹部分的细菌网络节点和连线较多，聚类系数较低，说明白色网纹部分细菌之间相互作用关系更复杂。典范对应分析表明，网纹结构体环境异质性造成了细菌群落在网纹红白部分的差异分布。其中质地是决定细菌群落及其生态网络差异最重要的环境因子.此外,在网纹的红色基质部分，矿质养分的含量与细菌群落的组成密切相关。     

Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Pinus caribaea growth in relation to soil physico-chemical properties in plantation forests in Northern Nigeria

The present study described the relationship between growth and soil physico-chemical properties in Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Myrtaceae) and Pinus caribaea (Pinaceae), two important species in Nigerian forest recovery programs. The study sites were located in a 17-year-old plantation in a Northern Nigeria forest reserve. The soils at the study sites were nutrient poor compared with other plantations. Growth of E. camaldulensis was positively correlated with exchangeable K content in soils 0–20 cm deep, and negatively correlated with total N and exchangeable Na in soils 20–150 cm deep. Growth of P. caribaea was positively correlated with available P in soils 0–20 cm deep, and volumetric water content in soils 20–150 cm deep. Soils in the top layers were very hard and plinthite layers were well developed at shallow soil depths at most sites. E. camaldulensis exhibited a comparatively high survival rate, and its growth was comparable to that in other plantations. However, the survival rates of P. caribaea were low and its growth was lower than that in other plantations. The survival rate of E. camaldulensis was lower at sites where plinthite layers were found within 50.8 cm of the surface. These results indicated that E. camaldulensis is suitable for afforestation in Northern Nigeria. However, it is not recommended for sites where the plinthite layer occurs at shallow soil depths.     

From Plinthic Acrisols to Plinthosols and Gleysols: iron and groundwater dynamics in the tertiary sediments of the upper Amazon basin

Topography has been reported to be the major factor ruling the spatial distribution of Acrisols, Plinthosols and Gleysols on the seasonally flooded, low elevation plateaux of the upper Amazon basin occupied by Tertiary (Iça & Solimões) sediments. In this study, detailed morphological and mineralogical investigations conducted in a representative 25‐ha site were combined with hydro‐geochemical data to relate the vertical and lateral soil differentiations observed to the hydro‐geological history of that part of the basin. As a result of the uplift of the Andes, several cuts in the extensive Tertiary marshlands have formed, at first, slightly incised plateaux of low elevation. There, weathering under hot and humid climates would have generated a reddish, freely drained and bioturbated topsoil layer and the vertical differentiation in subsoil sediments of a plinthite over an iron‐depleted mottled clay. The second episode of soil differentiation is linked to the replacement of the forest by a savannah under the drier climates of the late Pleistocene, which favours surface runoff and the infill of the incisions by fine particles. This infill, combined with the return to the present humid climate, has then enabled the local groundwater to rise on the plateaux and to generate episaturation at the topsoil/subsoil transition close to the depressions. Nowadays, ferrous iron is released from the partly iron‐depleted topsoil weathering front at high water levels during the rainy seasons. It moves from footslope to low‐lying positions and from top to bottom in the soil profile according to the groundwater dynamics. The present general trend is thus to the lateral export of iron at high water levels due to subsurface and overland flows, its vertical transfer during the recession of the groundwater and accumulation in a nodular plinthite. In the latter, ferrous iron is adsorbed onto its softest iron masses where it feeds the neoformation of ferrihydrite that rapidly dehydrates into haematite.     

Micromorphology, chemistry, and mineralogy of bog iron ores from Poland

The influence of different land use history on the chemistry, mineralogy, and micromorphology of bog iron ores was studied in the vicinity of Warsaw, Poland. At three Holocene terraces of the Vistula River, eight profiles were chosen, which represent three different types of bog iron ore: (i) continuous hard layers (meadow, fallow at Wilanow), (ii) horizons with small ore fragments (arable land at Northern Praga), and (iii) soft bog iron ore (exploitation area at Brwinow). Chemical analyses of all bog iron horizons show a high content of Fe_d (up to 51%) with a Fe_o/Fe_d ratio from 0.19 to 0.58, indicating a mixture of crystalline iron and amorphous iron compounds. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses confirm the presence of ferrihydrite and goethite. The micromorphology of the bog ore at Wilanow shows a porous (vugh and channel) microstructure. The groundmass consists mainly of fine iron hydroxides. Compound coatings of radial distributed goethite needles and isotropic (“amorphous”) iron hydroxides line the pores. In many cases, several coatings of isotropic iron hydroxides, differing in colour intensity, fill the pores. Ploughing and draining at Northern Praga changed the continuous bog iron ore into small fragments embedded into an aggregate structure. It comprises of amorphous as well as crystalline iron compounds (large number of coatings of radial fibrous goethite in pores and channels). In some cases, a single pore can contain several generations of crystalline goethite. The higher crystallinity of the iron oxides fits very well to the lower Fe_o/Fe_d ratios compared to Wilanow. The differences can be attributed to the drainage, subsequent lower groundwater level, and better aeration, respectively, at Northern Praga. No hard bog iron ore is present at Brwinow because of exploitation, sporadically fragments of hard bog ore may be encountered in the topsoil. However, soft bog ore is still developing in subsoils. It shows a vughs microstructure. Besides goethite, manganese impregnations on the crystalline forms of goethite, and isotropic iron compounds, its groundmass also contains vivianite as well as siderite. The latter can be attributed to a more reductive environment.     

Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Pinus caribaea growth in relation to soil physico-chemical properties in plantation forests in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

The present study described the relationship between growth and soil physico-chemical properties in Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Myrtaceae) and Pinus caribaea (Pinaceae), two important species in Nigerian forest recovery programs. The study sites were located in a 17-year-old plantation in a Northern Nigeria forest reserve. The soils at the study sites were nutrient poor compared with other plantations. Growth of E. camaldulensis was positively correlated with exchangeable K content in soils 0–20 cm deep, and negatively correlated with total N and exchangeable Na in soils 20–150 cm deep. Growth of P. caribaea was positively correlated with available P in soils 0–20 cm deep, and volumetric water content in soils 20–150 cm deep. Soils in the top layers were very hard and plinthite layers were well developed at shallow soil depths at most sites. E. camaldulensis exhibited a comparatively high survival rate, and its growth was comparable to that in other plantations. However, the survival rates of P. caribaea were low and its growth was lower than that in other plantations. The survival rate of E. camaldulensis was lower at sites where plinthite layers were found within 50.8 cm of the surface. These results indicated that E. camaldulensis is suitable for afforestation in Northern Nigeria. However, it is not recommended for sites where the plinthite layer occurs at shallow soil depths.     

Soil formation in the coast aeolianites and sands of Natal

The morphological, physical, chemical and mineralogical properties of eight prominent classes of soil developed in the coast aeolianites and sands of Natal are presented. These data and information on soil geography lead to the conclusion that: (i) losses of silica and bases and relative accumulation of iron (the ferrallitic process) have given rise to red and yellow kaolinitic materials; (ii) clay eluviation has given rise to coarse textured topsoils and to B2t horizons; and (iii) the hydromorphic process has caused grey colours in many sandy topsoils, plinthite development at some E/B horizon interfaces and gleying of some B2 horizons. In the soils on the older aeolianites, there is no evidence of either podzolization or the coarser textured topsoil being a younger geological deposit. The development of yellow soils in younger aeolianites may indicate a cooler climate than existed when red materials developed from the older aeolianites.     

拟穴青蟹软壳蟹与硬壳蟹营养品质和风味差异综合比较分析

为明确在最佳收集时间段内不同时间点的软壳蟹和硬壳蟹营养与风味物质的差异,本试验采用顶空固相微萃取(SPME)、气质联用(GS-MS)方法比较了拟穴青蟹硬壳蟹与蜕壳后0~48 h软壳蟹肌肉和肝胰腺2种组织中水分、灰分、氨基酸、矿物质元素、脂肪酸及挥发性物质含量。结果表明,软壳蟹2种组织在蜕壳0 h水分含量最高,硬壳蟹灰分含量显著(P<0.05)高于各时间点软壳蟹。除肝胰腺中胱氨酸和丙氨酸外,2种组织硬壳蟹其他氨基酸含量均高于软壳蟹,其中亮氨酸含量差异显著(P<0.05);在肌肉和肝胰腺组织中,分别有12和14种氨基酸含量均在蜕壳后6 h最高。软壳蟹2种组织Ca、Mg和Fe含量高于硬壳蟹,但差异不显著;蜕壳0 h 软壳蟹肝胰腺组织中Ca含量显著高于其他时间点(P<0.05)。蜕壳后24 h软壳蟹肌肉和0 h肝胰腺组织中∑PUFA均高于其他时间点。2种组织中挥发性物质包括烷烃类、醛类、酮类、醇类、芳香烃类、酯类、酚类和醚类化合物,总体相对含量有差异,但差异不显著。综上比较,拟穴青蟹软壳蟹蜕壳后0~6 h肝胰腺和肌肉比其他时间点更具营养、风味更加,是制取软壳蟹最佳时间。本研究结果为软壳蟹生产、营养和风味评价、市场价值评估提供了一定的参考。     

Effects of Water Hardness and Metal Concentration on a Freshwater Tubifex Tubifex Muller

The present investigation was designed to determine the effectsof water hardness and heavy metals concentrations on a freshwaterTubifex tubifex. Very few data concerning the effect of water hardness on the acute toxicity of heavy metals are available on T. tubifex, which has been proposed as a testorganism for ecotoxicological studies. The effect of water hardness on the toxicity of heavy metals is discussed. The acutetoxicity of selected heavy metals to a freshwater T. tubifex Muller was determined in very soft, soft, hard and veryhard (12, 45, 170 and 300 mg CaCO₃ L^-1 total hardness,respectively) water. Percentage mortality of T. tubifex as influenced by heavy metals was studied in water of variable hardness. Water hardness had a significant effect on heavy metalstoxicity. The concentrations of metals necessary to immobilize 50% of the test animals at 24, 48, 72, 96 hr were significantlydifferent in soft and hard water. The 96 hr EC₅₀ valuesfor T. tubifex were higher in hard and very hard watercompared with soft and very soft water. Median effectiveconcentrations (EC₅₀) and their 95% confidence limits weredetermined for cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, and zinc during exposure for 24, 48,72 and 96 hr in four different water hardness. Hardness has a muchsmaller effect upon the acute toxicity of mercury than the otherheavy metals tested. The results indicate that Cu, Cd, Hg and Zninduced autotomy of the caudal region and mucus production. It isconcluded that water hardness parameters should be considered inestablishing appropriate water quality criteria and standards forthe protection of aquatic fauna and flora, and ultimately human health.     

Structural Modifications of Gluten Proteins in Strong and Weak Wheat Dough During Mixing

The network‐forming attributes of gluten have been investigated for decades, but no study has comprehensively addressed the differences in gluten network evolution between strong and weak wheat types (hard and soft wheat). This study monitored changes in SDS protein extractability, SDS‐accessible thiols, protein surface hydrophobicity, molecular weight distribution, and secondary structural features of proteins during mixing to bring out the molecular determinants of protein network formation in hard and soft wheat dough. Soft wheat flour and dough exhibited greater protein extractability and more accessible thiols than hard wheat flour and dough. The addition of the thiol‐blocking agent N‐ethylmaleimide (NEM) resulted in similar results for protein extractability and accessible thiols in hard and soft wheat samples. Soft wheat dough had greater protein surface hydrophobicity than hard wheat and exhibited a larger decrease in surface hydrophobicity in the presence of NEM. Formation of high‐molecular‐weight (HMW) protein in soft wheat dough was primarily because of formation of disulfides among low‐molecular‐weight (LMW) proteins, as indicated by the absence of changes in protein distribution when NEM was present, whereas in hard wheat dough the LMW fraction formed disulfide interaction with the HMW fraction. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated formation of β‐sheets in dough from either wheat type at peak mixing torque. Formation of β‐sheets in soft wheat dough appears to be driven by hydrophobic interactions, whereas disulfide linkages stabilize secondary structure elements in hard wheat dough.     

稻田改为茶园后土壤铁形态与磁学性质演变特征

以四川省名山区稻田及由稻田改造的茶园土壤为研究对象,采用铁形态连续分级提取与环境磁学技术相结合的方法,分析铁氧化物与磁学特征随土壤利用方式及植茶时间变化而变化的特征。结果表明,稻田及不同植茶年限(3、6、10年)茶园土壤110cm土体均表现为可还原铁(Red-Fe)>可氧化态铁(Oxi-Fe)>酸溶态铁(Acid-Fe)；稻田改为茶园以及随着植茶年限延长,表层(0-10cm)及亚表层(10-20cm)土壤Acid-Fe、Oxi-Fe明显增加,而整个土体Red-Fe降低。稻田改为茶园3年后, 0~30cm土壤表现出质量磁化率(MS)、饱和等温剩磁(SIRM)、软剩磁(IRMs)升高,而硬剩磁(IRMh)降低；随着植茶年限的延长,土体总体表现出各磁性参数均降低的趋势,亚铁磁性矿物主导土壤磁性特征变化。稻田改为茶园后土壤逐渐酸化且有机质积累,使亚铁磁性矿物不稳定,进一步导致Red-Fe溶解并向Acid-Fe、Oxi-Fe转化,且随植茶年限的延长,部分铁氧化物结晶度会增加。     

Magnetic depletion and enhancement in the evolution of paddy and non‐paddy soil chronosequences

The objective of this study was to understand the rates and controlling factors of magnetic depletion and enhancement during anthropogenic soil evolution. To this end, the study compared the dynamic changes in magnetic properties as well as iron oxide species of paddy and non‐paddy soil chronosequences with the same parent materials. A two‐way analysis of variance (anova ) showed that paddy management resulted in significant (P < 0.01) decreases in magnetic susceptibility (χ) and other magnetic properties. Paddy management‐induced χ losses increased gradually from 24 to 55% as the cultivation history increased from 50 to 700 years. The rates of χ decrease were most rapid within the first 50 years of paddy cultivation, after which the rate slowed. The rapid decline in χ is probably caused by accelerated depletion of fine‐grained maghemite and ultrafine magnetite by iron‐reducing bacteria during soil waterlogging and consequent reducing conditions. By contrast, a significant decrease in hard isothermal remanent magnetization (HIRM) occurred only after 700 years of paddy cultivation, which matches the time taken to leach CaCO₃ from the profile. In contrast, although magnetic enhancement was observed in the non‐paddy surface horizon, there was no increasing trend at the millennium time‐scale, probably because of the large CaCO₃ content of the soil. We show that magnetic properties of paddy and non‐paddy soil derived from calcareous sediments are mainly controlled by the changing soil moisture regime and soil carbonate status along different paths of soil development. Our study suggests that differences in soil moisture regime caused by land use are substantially more important than the period of cultivation.     

Effect of Groundwater Inorganics on the Reductive Dechlorination of TCE by Zero-Valent Iron

Although permeable reactive barriers (PRB) technology appears to be a very suitable and cost effective option, the extent to which remediation results will be realized, greatly depends on the long-term integrity of the system. The formation of mineral precipitates is possibly a major factor in the long-term performance of PRB. Precipitates may passivate reactive surfaces by blocking electron-transfer sites, and thereby reduce the long-term reactivity of the granular iron to degrade groundwater contaminants. To evaluate the potential passivation impacts of inorganic groundwater chemistry, column experiments containing zero-valent iron (Fe⁰) were performed under anoxic conditions to treat two contrasting Danish groundwater types spiked with trichloroethylene (TCE). For most of the experiments using Danish groundwater types, a soft low alkalinity groundwater produced slightly higher TCE dechlorination rate than did a hard high alkalinity groundwater. Compared to a soft low alkalinity baseline groundwater, it was also found the dechlorination of TCE in the column was enhanced in the presence of 1 mM CaCO₃ and 1 mM NaHCO₃. The dechlorination of TCE in the presence of 1 mM KNO₃ and 1 mM Na₂SiO₃ was found to decrease considerably compared with the baseline solution. The results suggest that the composition of field groundwater is likely to strongly affect the ability of Fe⁰ barriers to degrade TCE.     

Grain yield and mineral composition of corn as influenced by endosperm type and nitrogen

Abstract

Corn (Zea mays L.) is a major source of nutrition for humans and animals. Chemical and physical properties of corn endosperm vary among hybrids, are influenced by genotype and environment, and may affect the crop's response to nitrogen (N) fertilization. The objective of the study was to measure the responses of grain yield and grain N, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), boron (B), zinc (Zn,) and copper (Cu) concentration of different endosperm types to N fertilization. The study was conducted at two Ohio locations in 1988, where six endosperm types and two N rates (34 and 200 kg N/ha) were combined in a split plot arrangement. Nitrogen rate (main plots) had little effect on yield at either location, and the soft endosperm hybrid was the only hybrid to respond to N fertilizer. Within fertilizer level, hybrids differed in grain yield with the waxy hybrid out yielding the normal endosperm hybrid, and the hard endosperm hybrid out yielding the soft one at the 200 kg N/ha rate. Application of N fertilizer increased the grain N concentration of all hybrids. Grain of the waxy hybrid contained an equal or greater N concentration than the normal hybrid. In contrast, no difference in N level was found between hard and soft endosperm hybrids at either fertilizer level. Climatic conditions and soil fertility differences might have been partly responsible for location effects. Genetic make‐up could have been a factor in differing hybrid response since grain concentration of nutrients Varied by location, endosperm type, and N treatment.     

Quantitative and Qualitative Role of Added Gluten on White Salted Noodles

A commercial gluten and glutens isolated from four soft and four hard wheat flours were incorporated into a hard and a soft white flour by replacement to directly determine the quantitative and qualitative role of gluten proteins in making noodles. Gluten incorporation (6%) decreased water absorption of noodle dough by 3%, shortened the length of the dough sheet by 15 and 18%, and increased the thickness of the dough sheet by 18 and 20% in soft and hard wheat flour, respectively. Noodles imbibed less water and imbibed water more slowly during cooking with gluten incorporation, which resulted in a 3‐min increase in cooking time for both soft and hard wheat noodles. Despite the extended cooking time of 3 min, noodles incorporated with 6% gluten exhibited decreases in cooking loss by 15% in soft wheat. In hard wheat flour, cooking loss of noodles was lowest with 2% incorporation of gluten. Tensile strength of fresh and cooked noodles, as well as hardness of cooked noodles, increased linearly with increase in gluten incorporation, regardless of cooking time and storage time after cooking. While hardness of cooked noodles either increased or showed no changes during storage for 4 hr, tensile strength of noodles decreased. There were large variations in hardness and tensile strength of cooked noodles incorporated with glutens isolated from eight different flours. Noodles incorporated with soft wheat glutens exhibited greater hardness and tensile strength than noodles with hard wheat glutens. Tensile strength of cooked noodles incorporated with eight different glutens negatively correlated with SDS sedimentation volume of wheat flours from which the glutens were isolated.     

不同品种小麦籽粒中戊聚糖含量分析

从全国小麦主产区收集弱筋小麦品种19份、强筋品种24份,对小麦籽粒中的戊聚糖含量以及籽粒基本品质特性进行了测定与统计分析。结果显示,不同类型与品种的小麦籽粒中总戊聚糖(TP)和水溶性戊聚糖(WSP)含量存在极显著差异（P<0.01）;强筋小麦的TP和水不溶性戊聚糖（WUP）平均值较弱筋小麦的偏高,但二者的WSP平均值基本一致。对籽粒的戊聚糖含量与其品质特性进行相关性分析发现,强筋小麦籽粒的WSP含量与籽粒蛋白质含量、湿面筋含量、zel沉降值、面团稳定时间存在正相关关系;弱筋小麦籽粒WSP含量与籽粒蛋白质含量、湿面筋含量、硬度、zel沉降值、形成时间存在负相关关系。通径分析结果显示,蛋白质与湿面筋含量对戊聚糖含量的影响更为显著。由本研究得出结论,强筋与弱筋类型小麦的品质指标对戊聚糖含量的影响有明显不同,建议未来戊聚糖的研究按小麦类型区别对待。     

Importance of insoluble-bound phenolics to antioxidant properties of wheat

Two commercial samples of soft (70% Canadian Eastern soft red spring and 30% Canadian Eastern soft white winter) and hard (90% Canadian western hard red spring and 10% Canadian Eastern hard red winter) wheats were used to obtain different milling fractions. Phenolics extracted belonged to free, soluble esters and insoluble-bound fractions. Soluble esters of phenolics and insoluble-bound phenolics were extracted into diethyl ether after alkaline hydrolysis of samples. The content of phenolics was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu's reagent and expressed as ferulic acid equivalents (FAE). The antioxidant activity of phenolic fractions was evaluated using Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, reducing power, oxygen radical absorbance capacity, inhibition of oxidation of human low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and DNA, Rancimat, inhibition of photochemilumenescence, and iron(II) chelation activity. The bound phenolic content in the bran fraction was 11.3 +/- 0.13 and 12.2 +/- 0.15 mg FAE/g defatted material for hard and soft wheats, respectively. The corresponding values for flour were 0.33 +/- 0.01 and 0.46 +/- 0.02 mg FAE/g defatted sample. The bound phenolic content of hard and soft whole wheats was 2.1 (+/-0.004 or +/-0.005) mg FAE/g defatted material. The free phenolic content ranged from 0.14 +/- 0.004 to 0.98 +/- 0.05 mg FAE/g defatted milling fractions of hard and soft wheats examined. The contribution of bound phenolics to the total phenolic content was significantly higher than that of free and esterified fractions. In wheat, phenolic compounds were concentrated mainly in the bran tissues. In the numerous in vitro antioxidant assays carried out, the bound phenolic fraction demonstrated a significantly higher antioxidant capacity than free and esterified phenolics. Thus, inclusion of bound phenolics in studies related to quantification and antioxidant activity evaluation of grains and cereals is essential.     

A possible mechanism for humic acid action on cell elongation in root segments of Pisum sativum under aseptic conditions

At low concentrations (up to 50 mg/l) humic acid enhances cell elongation in excised pea root segments, but at higher concentrations it is inhibitory. At concentrations stimulating cell elongation humic acid has no effect on protein metabolism but does inhibit the formation of cell-wall bound hydroxyproline from proline. Humic acid does not stimulate cell elongation or inhibit the formation of cell-wall bound hydroxyproline in the presence of ferrous iron. Results similar to those of humic acid were obtained using the iron chelator αα'-dipyridyl, but γγ'-dipyridyl. which does not chelate iron. was without effect on cell elongation.The cessation of cell elongation corresponds to the time at which there is a substantial increase in cellwall bound hydroxyproline, this latter process requiring ferrous iron. Thus humic acid may enhance growth by virtue of its ability to complex ferrous iron within the plant tissues.