Polymerisation of gluten proteins in developing wheat grain as affected by desiccation

The breadmaking quality of wheat is affected by the composition of gluten proteins and the polymerisation of subunits that are synthesised and accumulated in developing wheat grain. The biological mechanisms and time course of these events during grain development are documented, but not widely confirmed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to monitor the accumulation of gluten protein subunits and the size distribution of protein aggregates during grain development. The effect of desiccation on the polymerisation of gluten proteins and the functional properties of gluten were also studied. The results showed that the size of glutenin polymers remained consistently low until yellow ripeness (YR), while it increased during grain desiccation after YR. Hence, this polymerisation process was presumed to be initiated by desiccation. A similar polymerisation event was also observed when premature grains were dried artificially. The composition of gluten proteins, the ratios of glutenin to gliadin and high molecular weight-glutenin subunits to low molecular weight-glutenin subunits, in premature grain after artificial desiccation showed close association with the size of glutenin polymers in artificially dried grain. Functional properties of gluten in these samples were also associated with polymer size after artificial desiccation.     

The release and uptake of metals from potential biofilm inhibition products during spiny lobster (Sagmariasus verreauxi,H. Milne Edwards 1851) culture

Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are strong inhibitors of bacterial biofilms in aqueous solutions, but are known toxins of crustaceans. A new metal application method; cold‐sprayed metal embedment, known to modulate metal release, was tested for its applications in crustacean larval culture systems. Cold‐spray technology allows metal particles to bond to plastics, while modulating metal ion release and biocide activity to the substrate boundary. In this study, Eastern spiny lobster (Sagmariasus verreauxi) larvae (phyllosoma) were cultured in the presence of cold‐sprayed Zn and Cu metal surfaces. Metal loss was monitored gravimetrically on embedded surfaces, assessment of water ion concentrations and analysis of phyllosoma body content were undertaken. Phyllosoma moulting, deformity and mortality patterns were monitored. Cold‐sprayed Zn‐ and Cu‐embedded surfaces were depleted with losses of 0.69% and 31.2% noted respectively. Culture water concentrations of these metals were elevated and accumulation by phyllosoma occurred. Water Zn concentrations of 18.5 μg L^?1 were associated with chronic eyestalk moult deformities; the first report of Zn causing a non‐lethal moult deformity in crustacean larvae. The Cu surface lost a third of its metal mass with a water concentration of 40 μg L^?1 causing acute toxicity and localization of composite granules in the midgut gland. Cu associated mortality was noted by Day 2 of culture with a LD 50 experienced by Day 9. Future work on the use of bioactive metals in aquaculture systems will focus on a range of different metal alloys, and improved modulation of ion release mechanisms through increased particle embedment depth and separation.     

张家港市农田土壤重金属含量高光谱遥感监测模型构建

以张家港农田土壤作为研究对象,在实验室测定土壤重金属元素As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Zn、Ni、Pb、Hg的含量,并与土壤可见近红外高光谱数据建立土壤重金属含量的定量估测模型,以快速获取研究区农田的土壤重金属含量。为保证模型预测的精度和稳定性,首先,对原始高光谱数据进行平滑处理,并进行一阶导数、倒数一阶导数、倒数的对数一阶导数、平方根一阶导数和连续统去除等形式的光谱变换;然后,提取不同变换光谱的特征波段进行相关性分析;最后,通过逐步回归法建立重金属含量的定量估算模型。结果表明:张家港市农田土壤中Cd、Hg、Cu、Zn存在一定的污染风险。在高光谱的不同变换形式中,一阶导数和连续统去除与重金属含量的相关系数高于其他变换形式。基于8种土壤重金属含量与高光谱数据建立的定量估算模型具有良好的预测精度。Cd、Hg、Cr、As、Cu、Zn、Ni、Pb估算模型的实际值与验证值的拟合度分别为0.874、0.879、0.800、0.646、0.513、0.655、0.603和0.542,可用于预测张家港市的农田土壤重金属含量。     

Comparative effects of Shirazi thyme and vitamin E on some growth and plasma biochemical changes in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) during cadmium exposure

Phytobiotics include a large number of active components which potentially have a growth‐promoting effects and antioxidant properties. This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of Shirazi thyme and vitamin E on growth and plasma biochemical parameters of common carp exposed to cadmium. Fish (34 ± 3 g) were divided into four groups and fed four distinct diets including commercial diet without any additive (for control and metal only group) and supplemented with either 1% ground Shirazi thyme or 100 mg kg^?1 vitamin E for 45 days. At the end of the feeding trial, all treatments except control group were exposed to sub‐lethal concentration of waterborne cadmium for 15 days and sampling was done on days 0, 7 and 15 after the metal exposure. According to the results, dietary inclusion of thyme prevented the harmful effects of cadmium and also improved fish growth and nutritional indices including weight gain, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate and condition factor. Results also revealed that Shirazi thyme was more effective than vitamin E. Similarly, no changes in the hepatosomatic, viscerosomatic and bile somatic indices were observed. Plasma enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP and LDH) and metabolites were not altered due to thyme supplementation compared to the control. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 1% ground Shiraz thyme improved the growth and health status of fish and showed better hepatorenoprotective properties than vitamin E during waterborne cadmium exposure in common carp juveniles. It might be conceivable to consider Shirazi thyme as a potential phytobiotic for incorporation in fish diet.     

铅(Pb2+)和镉(Cd2+)对火炬树种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

【目的】研究不同浓度重金属铅(Pb^2+)和镉(Cd^2+)对火炬树Rhus typhina种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响,探索火炬树对重金属铅、镉胁迫的耐受程度及机理。【方法】采用培养皿滤纸发芽法,分别用不同浓度Pb^2+(300、600、900、1200、1500 mmol/L)、Cd^2+(140、280、420、560、700 mmol/L)溶液处理火炬树种子,测定种子发芽率、发芽指数、幼苗胚根长和茎长、硫代巴比妥酸(TBARS)含量、可溶性蛋白含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性及过氧化物酶(POD)活性。【结果】与对照相比,不同浓度Pb^2+、Cd^2+均对火炬树种子的发芽率、发芽指数和幼苗生长有抑制作用,但低浓度Pb^2+可促进根长和芽长的伸长。随着Pb^2+和Cd^2+溶液浓度的增加,幼苗叶片中SOD活性和可溶性蛋白含量表现为先增加后降低,POD活性和TBARS含量均逐渐升高。其中,Cd^2+浓度为700 mmol/L时,发芽率、发芽指数、芽长和SOD活性达到最低值,而TBARS含量最高;Pb^2+浓度为1500 mmol/L时,根长达到最低值,POD活性达到最高值;Pb^2+浓度为600 mmol/L时,可溶性蛋白含量最高。【结论】Pb^2+浓度为300 mmol/L时会抑制火炬树种子萌发,但会促进幼苗生长,其余浓度Pb^2+、Cd^2+胁迫下,火炬树种子与幼苗受到一定影响,但是均较好完成了萌发与幼苗生长,并表现出多种积极的适应性特征,未出现无根苗现象,火炬树较其他木本植物对铅、镉2种重金属表现出更强的耐性。本试验结果可为今后选用火炬树作为重金属污染土壤的植物修复材料提供理论参考。     

极端暴雨条件下黄土丘陵沟壑区土壤蓄水能力和入渗规律

黄土高原退耕还林还草工程实施后,下垫面环境条件的变化可能对流域水文过程、水文通量、水量平衡以及生态系统产生十分重要的影响。研究极端暴雨条件下剖面土壤蓄水能力和入渗规律,对于阐明流域产汇流过程和影响机制具有重要的科学价值。采用土壤墒情仪对陕北"7·26"特大暴雨事件下黄土丘陵沟壑区草地剖面土壤水分进行了实时动态监测,分析了极端暴雨条件下剖面土壤水分的动态变化和蓄水过程,利用Horton入渗模型模拟了剖面土壤水分湿润锋的运动过程,揭示了极端暴雨条件下剖面土壤水分的入渗规律。结果表明:(1)极端暴雨条件下,黄土丘陵沟壑区坡面草地不同深度层次土壤水分与降雨过程的响应不同,具有层次性和明显的滞后效应,其中,0～140 cm是影响该地区土壤水文过程的关键层次;(2)土壤水分再分配结束时,湿润锋最深深度达140 cm,土壤蓄水量达225.99 mm,较降雨前95.37 mm增加了1.37倍;(3)极端暴雨过程中湿润锋的运动随时间呈对数递减关系,其稳渗速率随容重增加而减小,呈指数函数递减;(4)极端降雨过程中该地区坡面草地的产流机制仍以超渗产流为主,对于揭示流域的产汇流机制和完善水文预报模型具有重要的科学意义。     

山地校园不同下垫面雨水径流重金属污染特征和健康风险评估

[目的] 了解山地校园不同下垫面雨水径流重金属污染特征及雨水径流中重金属元素对于人体的健康风险，为山地海绵城市建设提供径流污染控制参考和人员健康保护基础数据。[方法] 2019年7月22日在重庆交通大学针对屋顶、道路、停车场和广场4种典型的下垫面进行了雨水径流的取样监测，并统计分析场次降雨平均浓度（EMC）、电导率（EC）、钠吸附率（SAR）、危险商（HQ）和危险指数（HI）。[结果] 广场径流过程中重金属元素整体变化波动较大，道路雨水径流的重金属健康风险最大而屋顶健康风险最小；大多重金属污染物在产流后的10 min内出现了降幅，其中Fe和Mn的降幅较大，Zn的降幅中等，Cu的降幅最低；As和Cr是雨水径流中健康风险最高的重金属污染物。[结论] 山地校园重金属污染物冲刷速度较快，人流大的下垫面雨水径流中重金属元素变化波动较大，但健康风险较低；车流大的下垫面雨水径流中重金属元素波动较为稳定，但健康风险较高。     

Toxicity of cadmium and its competition with mineral nutrients for uptake by plants:A review

Cadmium(Cd)is a toxic heavy metal occurring in the environment naturally and is also generated through various anthropogenic sources and acts as a pollutant.Human health is affected by Cd pollution in farmland soils because food is the main source of Cd intake in the non-smoking population.For crops,Cd toxicity may result from a disturbance in uptake and translocation of mineral nutrients and disturbance in plant metabolism,inhibiting plant growth and development.However,plants have Cd tolerance mechanisms,including restricted Cd uptake,decreased Cd root-to-shoot translocation,enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities,and increased production of phytochelatins.Furthermore,optimal supply of mineral nutrients is one of the strategies to alleviate the damaging effects of Cd on plants and to avoid its entry into the food chain.The emerging molecular knowledge contributes to understanding Cd uptake,translocation,and remobilization in plants.In this review,Cd toxicity and tolerance mechanisms,agricultural practices to minimize Cd accumulation,Cd competition with essential elements(calcium,copper,iron,zinc,and manganese),and genes associated with Cd uptake are discussed in detail,especially regarding how these mineral nutrients and genes play a role in decreasing Cd uptake and accumulation in crop plants.     

基于有效积温的中国水稻生长模型的构建

有效积温是指作物生长至某一生育阶段所需要积累的有效温度,是反映气象条件对作物生长影响的主要指标,研究有效积温对作物生长过程的影响对提高农业生产效率具有重要意义。该文以有效积温作为气象因子,收集中国气象数据网中的气象数据和已发表的学术论文中的水稻生长数据,建立了描述水稻生长过程的叶面积指数和干物质积累量的普适Logistic模型,并研究了水稻最大叶面积指数与最大干物质积累量、收获指数(作物经济产量与生物产量的比值)及降水量之间的关系。结果表明:有效积温为1000℃左右时,水稻叶面积指数最大,且此时干物质增长速率最大;水稻最大叶面积指数与最大干物质积累量之间表现为线性关系;最大叶面积指数和收获指数、降水量之间为二次抛物线关系,当降水量为670.5 mm时,最大叶面积指数为7.93,对应的水稻收获指数达到最大值0.50。该研究对于构建其他作物的生长模型具有一定的参考意义。