Root zone selenium reduces cadmium toxicity by modulating tissue-specific growth and metabolism in maize (Zea mays L.)

The effects of selenium (Se) cadmium (Cd) interactions on plant growth and metabolism are not fully clear. In the present study, we assessed whether Se could alleviate the toxic effects of Cd on growth and metabolism of maize. Seeds of maize variety FH-985 were sown in pots filled with sand treated with CdCl₂ (0, 50 and 100 µM) and Se (0, 2 and 4 mg L^?1) through Hoagland’s nutrient solution. Low Se (2 mg L^?1) increased germination percentage and rate, while high Se (4 mg L^?1) increased fresh and dry biomass under Cd stress. Interestingly, all Se concentrations were effective in alleviating the toxic effects of Cd on photosynthetic pigments, whereas higher Se mitigated the Cd-induced oxidative stress and increased flavonoids both in the shoots and roots while phenolics in the roots. The results demonstrated that root zone Se altered tissue-specific primary metabolism in maize. Furthermore, low Se mitigated the Cd-induced decrease in total proteins in the root. Overall, Se-mediated decrease in the oxidative stress in the shoots while increase of secondary metabolites in the roots helped the plants to grow faster at early growth stage and caused increase in the biomass under different Cd regimes.     

Antioxidant activity and soluble sugars of African ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus) in response to irrigation regimen and nitrogen levels

African ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus), as a medicinal plant, is known for its medicinal properties, containing various antioxidant compounds and carbohydrates. Rhizome yield is improved by water regimens and fertilizers applied at plant phenological stages. However, the rhizomatous herb, which is traditionally used for the treatment of asthma, inflammation and malaria has limited information on water and nitrogen requirements for its production. This study assessed the effect of irrigation regimens (30%, 50% and 70% allowable depletion level (ADL) and nitrogen (N) levels (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200?kg?ha^?1) on antioxidant activity and carbohydrates on plant leaf, root and rhizome. The interaction treatment effect of severely stressed (70% ADL) with the N application of 100?kg?ha^?1 had significant effect on leaf phenolic concentration (87.02?±?2.51?mg?g^?1 gallic acid equivalent). Interaction effect of moderately stressed (50% ADL) and severely stressed (70% ADL) treatment with N application rate of 0?kg?ha^?1 had significant effect on plant flavonoids and phenolics in all plant parts. In plant carbohydrates, root had high sucrose content (47.68?±?9.0?mg?g^?1 dry weight) with the application of low N (0?kg?ha^?1) grown under severely stressed treatment. In conclusion, this implies that different S. aethiopicus parts can produce substantial amount of antioxidants and carbohydrates, as exhibited under low N and reduced water supply applied during the phenological cycle.     

夹竹桃内生真菌J14次生代谢产物的分离和抑菌活性

为进一步开发、利用和保护夹竹桃植物资源,对从秦岭山区夹竹桃茎中分离得到活性较高的内生真菌J14进行鉴定,并对其次生代谢产物的化学成分进行研究。采用形态学特征和ITS序列分析对菌株J14进行鉴定,利用硅胶柱色谱、Sephadex LH-20柱色谱、重结晶等方法对该菌株的发酵产物进行分离、纯化,根据化合物的理化性质和1 H-NMR、13C-NMR数据鉴定其结构,利用金黄色葡萄球菌、乳酸链球菌、大肠杆菌、绿脓杆菌以及小麦赤霉病菌、番茄灰霉病菌、烟草枯萎病菌、白菜黑斑病菌对所得化合物进行抑菌活性测试。结果表明:经形态学特征和ITS序列分析,鉴定菌株J14为链格孢霉(Alternariasp.SPS-04)。从其发酵产物中分离得到8个化合物,分别鉴定为交链孢甲醚(1)、交链孢酚(2)、malformin A1(3)、胸腺嘧啶(4)、尿嘧啶(5)、黄嘌呤(6)、赤藓醇(7)和甘露醇(8)。化合物3、4、5、6、7首次从链格孢属真菌发酵产物中得到。化合物1对金黄色葡萄球菌的最小抑菌浓度为1.95μg/mL,对番茄灰霉病菌的最小抑菌浓度为3.91μg/mL。     

初始pH对嗜线虫致病杆菌YL001菌株抑菌活性及代谢的影响

【目的】研究初始培养pH对Xenorhabdus neamatophila YL001发酵液抑菌活性的影响,为进一步提高YL001的抑菌活性提供理论依据。【方法】采用生长速率法、琼脂扩散法、活体组织法,分别测定了初始pH 4.5,5.5,6.5,7.0,7.5和8.5培养条件下,X.neamatophila YL001发酵液及其乙酸乙酯提取物的抑菌活性;同时采用HPLC、LC-MS分析了乙酸乙酯提取物中代谢物的差异。【结果】随着初始pH的升高,共生菌发酵液及其乙酸乙酯提取物的抑菌活性也逐步提高。pH8.5时,YL001发酵液对水稻瘟疫病菌(Magnaporthe grisea)、辣椒疫霉病菌(Phytophthora capsici)、番茄灰霉病菌(Botrytis cinerea)、苹果轮纹病菌(Physalospora piricola)、番茄早疫病菌(Alternaria solani)、甘蓝黑斑病菌(Alternaria brassicae)以及枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)均具有最强的抑制作用,发酵液乙酸乙酯提取物对番茄灰霉病的EC50为1.29mg/mL,对枯草芽孢杆菌的抑菌圈直径为14.65mm。随着初始培养pH的升高,YL001发酵液及乙酸乙酯提取物对番茄灰霉病的治疗和保护作用也逐渐提高,保护作用明显优于治疗作用。HPLC和LC-MS代谢分析表明,pH8.5、pH 7.0及pH 4.5培养条件下发酵液乙酸乙酯提取物中代谢物含量存在显著差异。【结论】初始培养pH可以显著影响X.neamatophila YL001的抑菌活性及代谢能力,碱性条件更有利于活性物质的产生及其稳定性的保持。     

改良CTAB法提取核桃总RNA试验

从植物组织中提取高质量的RNA是进行基因克隆和基因表达分析的基础。不同植物的组织由于组成成分的差别,其RNA的提取有不同的难点。本试验针对核桃嫩叶内含物复杂的典型特点,在对比各种提取方法的特点及总结他人研究的基础上改良了CTAB法。此方法提取的核桃嫩叶总RNA的电泳结果可见清晰完整的条带,表明改良CTAB法能有效去除多糖和多酚以及色素等次生代谢物的污染,提取RNA纯度较高、完整性好,易于进行RT-PCR和cDNA文库的构建。此方法简单易行而且所用试剂成本较低。     

The relationship between carcass characteristics,plasma hormones and metabolites in young fattening bulls

Six Belgian Blue bulls (double-muscled type) and six Friesian bulls were offered a fattening diet for 34 weeks. Plasma samples were obtained once a week and also every 20 min over a 24 h period, 7 weeks before slaughter.No differences were observed between the breeds in plasma glucose, urea and free amino nitrogen concentrations, while creatinine was significantly higher in the Belgian Blue bulls. Tri-iodothyronin, tetra-iodothyronin, insulin-like growth factor 1, insulin and testosterone concentrations were higher in the Holstein group. In contrast, the Belgian Blue bulls appeared to produce more growth hormone. The slaughter weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage and proportion of lean meat were significantly higher in the Belgian Blue group. The characteristics of muscle mass (carcass weight, dressing percentage and proportion of lean meat) were positively correlated with creatinine and with the total peak area or peak amplitude of growth hormone. The insulin concentration was positively correlated with the proportion of adipose tissue in the carcass and negatively correlated with the proportion of muscle. There were no correlations between the carcass characteristics and insulin-like growth factor 1 or testosterone. No further information was provided when the ratios of the hormones were correlated with carcass characteristics.     

东海水产养殖区七种海鞘优势种相关活性物质研究进展与利用前景

海鞘是主要海洋污损生物之一,对海洋生物多样性、海水养殖和生态环境都有不利影响。本文简述了中国东海几个主要水产养殖区7种海鞘优势种生物量、相关的次生代谢产物及其生物活性的研究进展,并对其利用前景进行了展望,为进一步研究开发提供依据。     

化学调节剂诱导转Bt基因棉花杀虫蛋白和主要抗虫次生物的变化

初步探讨了水杨酸和缩节胺处理转 Bt基因棉花后顶端嫩叶中 Bt杀虫蛋白和主要抗虫次生物发生的变化。结果发现 ,水杨酸和缩节胺处理不能明显影响转 Bt基因棉花顶端嫩叶中 Bt杀虫蛋白的表达量 ;适宜浓度的水杨酸和缩节胺处理能够明显提高转 Bt基因棉花顶端嫩叶中缩合单宁和芸香苷的含量 ;适宜浓度的水杨酸处理还能够明显提高转 Bt基因棉花顶端嫩叶中总抗虫萜烯类物质的含量 ;而缩节胺处理对转 Bt基因棉花顶端嫩叶中总抗虫萜烯类物质的含量影响不大。水杨酸和缩节胺能够在一定程度诱导棉花抗虫次生物的表达     

Plant secondary metabolites, biphenyl, and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin effects on aerobic polychlorinated biphenyl removal and microbial community structure in soils

Biphenyl and several plant secondary metabolites (PSM) (carvone, isoprene, limonene, naringin, and coumarin) and surfactant (hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, (HP-β-CD)) have been shown to improve aerobic polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) removal by several bacterial species. The objective of this study was to determine whether these treatments also affect PCB removal and microbial community structure in a high organic matter soil (Pahokee soil series with 67% organic matter) and low organic matter soil (Woolper soil series with 6% organic matter), as determined by monitoring changes in PCB levels and phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) profiles in laboratory microcosms amended with these compounds. Biphenyl enhanced di-chlorinated and tri-chlorinated biphenyl removal in both soils, but PSM did not improve removal of these congeners. On the contrary, HP-β-CD decreased PCB removal when used in combination with biphenyl. Two-way analysis of variance indicated that HP-β-CD significantly increased tetra- and penta-chlorinated biphenyl removal from the high organic matter soil, but not from the low organic matter soil. Principal components analysis of PLFA data indicated that HP-β-CD increased proportions of 18:1ω7c associated with Gram-negative bacteria, but decreased 10me16 and 10me17 lipid associated with Gram-positive bacteria, while biphenyl and PSMs had no detectable effects on soil microbial communities. PCB removal was not correlated to any PLFA. In conclusion, PSM previously shown to enhance PCB removal in soil-free systems were not effective in two divergent soils evaluated in this study, and HP-β-CB had increase, decrease, or no effect on PCB removal depending on types of PCB congeners, soils, and co-amendments.     

Methods and Techniques to Enhance the Production of Secondary Metabolites in Hairy Roots

Hairy roots culture is a new means to gain the plant secondary metabolites. How to enhance the production of secondary metabolites in hairy roots becomes a new hotspot recently. The authors summarize recent trends and results about the increase of the production of secondary metabolites in medicinal plant hairy roots. The change of culture conditions and the application of biotechnologies can enhance the production of secondary metabolites in hairy roots.