Genetic variation in pea seed globulin composition

A quantitative characterization of seeds from 59 pea (Pisum sativum L.) lines and relative taxa with various external characteristics and wide geographical origin was performed to explore the genetic variation of pea concerning its starch and protein contents and globulin composition. Pea lines, which produce round, wrinkled, flat, and round-dimpled seeds, have starch as the major reserve, with an average content of 46%. Protein content varied from 13.7 to 30.7% of the seed dry matter, with an overall average of 22.3%. Densitometric quantification of the individual globulins (legumin, vicilin, convicilin, and globulin-related proteins) based on SDS-PAGE gels showed no lines lacking any particular globulin. Among the lines tested, variation was shown in both their total globulins content and their globulin composition. The total globulin content ranged from 49.2 to 81.8% of the total pea protein extract (TPPE). Legumin content varied between 5.9 and 24.5% of the TPPE. Vicilin was the most abundant protein of pea, and its content varied between 26.3 and 52.0% of the TPPE. Both processed and nonprocessed vicilins occurred. The processed vicilin was the predominant one, with values between 17.8 and 40.8%, whereas the nonprocessed ones constituted between 3.1 and 13.5% of the TPPE. Convicilin was the least abundant globulin, and its content ranged from 3.9 to 8.3%. Finally, the globulin-related proteins were present in amounts ranging from 2.8 to 17.3%. They were less abundant in comparison with legumin and vicilin, but they showed the largest relative variation of the four globulin classes. Correlations between the different external characteristics and globulin composition were determined. Comparison with soybean showed that pea lines show more variety in the abundance of globulin proteins, enabling a wider range of food application.     

Land-use and socio-economic correlates of plant invasions in European and North African countries

Biological invasions are causing significant ecological impacts and economical costs world-wide. Human activities are the primary cause of this conservation and environmental problem. We conducted a stepwise regression analysis between several land-use and socio-economic parameters and the density of alien species in European and North African countries. We found that the parameters that best explained the density of alien plants were the Human Development Index and imports. The extent of terrestrial transport networks and the percentage of protected areas were the land-use variables that best accounted for the density of alien plants. If we are going to influence policies dealing with biological invasions, more emphasis should be placed on the analysis of land-use and socio-economic determinants at different spatial scales and their changes throughout time.     

Effects of fish heme protein structure and lipid substrate composition on hemoglobin-mediated lipid oxidation

Hemoglobin (Hb) promoted lipid oxidation more effectively in washed tilapia as compared to washed cod in spite of a 2.8-fold higher polyenoic index in the washed cod. This suggested that increasing the fatty acid unsaturation of the substrate did not accelerate the onset of lipid oxidation. Substantial phospholipid hydrolysis in the washed cod was observed, which has the potential to inhibit lipid oxidation. MetHb formation and lipid oxidation occurred more rapidly at pH 6.3 as compared to pH 7.4. Trout Hb autoxidized faster and was a better promoter of lipid oxidation as compared to tilapia Hb. The greater ability of trout Hb to promote lipid oxidation was attributed in part to its lower conformational and structural stability based on secondary and tertiary structure, acid-induced unfolding, and thermal aggregation measurements. It is suggested that the structural instability and lipid oxidation capacity of trout Hb were at least partly due to low hemin affinity. Trout and tilapia Hb were equivalent in their ability to cause lipid oxidation in washed cod muscle heated to 80 degrees C. Apparently, these high temperatures denature both trout and tilapia Hb to such an extent that any differences in conformational stability observed at lower temperatures were negated.     

我国马铃薯产量和化肥利用率区域特征研究

【目的】本研究汇总马铃薯(Solanum tuberosum L.)田间试验数据,分析中国马铃薯产区施用氮、磷和钾肥的马铃薯产量(可获得产量、产量反应和相对产量)及肥料利用率特征,以期为优化马铃薯养分管理奠定理论基础。【方法】本试验数据来源于:1)国际植物营养研究所(International Plant Nutrition Institute, IPNI)1992—2012年间在我国马铃薯主产区开展的117个田间试验;2)采用字段或字段组合(马铃薯,马铃薯+产量,马铃薯+利用率,等)在中国知网数据库(China National Knowledge Infrastructure, CNKI)检索的2000—2016年间407篇马铃薯田间试验中文文献。将我国马铃薯种植区分为东北(NE)、西北(NW)、华北(NC)、长江中下游(MLYR)、东南(SE)和西南(SW)产区。试验处理包括氮磷钾肥优化处理(OPT)、不施氮(OPT-N)处理、不施磷(OPT-P)处理和不施钾(OPT-K)处理,研究我国马铃薯不同种植区优化施肥下马铃薯可获得产量,氮、磷和钾肥产量反应,相对产量,农学效率,偏生产力和养分回收率特征。【结果】我国马铃薯施用氮、磷和钾产量反应平均分别为8.6、5.9和6.6 t/hm^2,氮素是马铃薯产量的首要限制因子,东北地区产量及施氮产量反应平均值显著高于其他地区(P <0.05)。马铃薯施氮、磷、钾相对产量平均值分别为71.0%、79.4%、77.2%,其中,华北地区施氮相对产量平均值最高,东南地区施磷相对产量平均值最高,西北地区施钾相对产量平均值最高。马铃薯氮、磷和钾肥用量平均分别为N 164.2 kg/hm^2、P_2O_5 100.3 kg/hm^2和K_2O 188.0 kg/hm2,东南地区氮和钾肥用量平均值显著高于其他地区(P <0.05),东北地区施氮量和施钾量较低,东北、西南和西北施磷量高于其他地区,长江中下游施磷量最低。马铃薯氮、磷和钾素农学效率平均值分别为52.2 kg/kg N、58.5 kg/kg P_2O_5和42.3 kg/kgK_2O,东北地区氮和钾素农学效率平均值显著高于其他地区(P <0.05)。马铃薯氮、磷和钾素偏生产力平均值分别为205.7 kg/kg N、339.0 kg/kg P_2O_5和209.2 kg/kg K_2O,东北地区氮和钾素偏生产力平均值分别显著(P <0.05)高于其他地区。马铃薯氮、磷和钾素养分回收率平均值分别为36.4%、18.5%和27.6%,东南地区磷素回收率平均值显著高于其它地区(P <0.05)。【结论】我国马铃薯不同产区产量、施肥量和肥料利用率差异较大,氮素是马铃薯产量的第一限制因子,华北地区氮素、东南地区磷素和西北地区钾素土壤基础养分供应能力相对较高,不同地区马铃薯需要因地制宜,制定有针对性的马铃薯优化施肥方案。     

Genetic variation of high-molecular-weight glutenin subunit composition in Asian wheat

To clarify the genetic properties of the HMW glutenin subunit composition of Asian endemic wheats, SDS–PAGE analysis was conducted using 1,139 bread wheat accessions that were originally collected in Asia. The samples were divided into six regional groups, Western Asia, Caucasia, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Southern Asia, and Eastern Asia. The genotype Glu-A1c, Glu-B1b, and Glu-D1a encoding subunits null, 7+8, and 2+12 had an overall frequency of 55.2%. Thus, we conclude that it is the typical genotype of the HMW glutenin subunits that characterize Asian endemic wheat. The frequency of the typical Asian genotype was relatively high in the central belt of Asia (Western Asia, Afghanistan, and Eastern Asia) and low in the marginal regions (Caucasia, Central Asia, and Southern Asia). In Southern Asia, the frequency of Glu-B1i, which encodes subunit 17+18, was the highest at the Glu-B1 locus. In Caucasia and Central Asia, the frequency of Glu-D1d, which encodes subunit 5+10 (which is considered to be the most useful for making bread), was high. The level of genetic variation, as estimated using the frequencies of the various alleles, was relatively low in the central belt of Asia and high in the marginal regions. Among the three Glu-1 loci, the highest number of alleles was detected at the Glu-D1 locus. This result was caused by the presence of rare Asian specific alleles at the Glu-D1 locus, in which a newly found allele, Glu-D1bs, encoding subunit 2.1+12 was included.     

Status of contaminated marine sediments in four Nordic countries: assessments,regulations, and remediation approaches

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Since the 1960s, pollution of the marine environment has been observed around the world, and a general awareness of the potential environmental hazards from...     

Patterns of solanidine glycoalkaloid variation in four gene pools of the cultivated potato

Patterns of variation for the solanidine-based glycoalkaloids have been determined for tuber material of genebank accessions of landraces of the cultivated potato and three closely-related wild species. Total levels were low in the cultivated taxa investigated,S. phureja, S. stenotomum, and the tetraploidS. tuberosum in its two formsS. tuberosum ssp.tuberosum andS. tuberosum ssp.andigena. The only solanidine-based glycolkaloids found in the tubers investigated in this study were-solanine and-chaconine, with one additional related compound, dehydrocommersonine, found in tubers of an accession ofS. canasense. The ratio of chaconine : solanine differed markedly from a mean of 0.98 inS. phureja to 2.28 in ChileanS. tuberosum ssp.tuberosum. The chaconine : solanine ratio was relatively constant within these two taxa, reflecting their relatively narrow genetic bases, but was much more variable within the taxa regarded as ancestral,S. stenotomum andS. tuberosum ssp.andigena. The wild speciesS. sparsipilum has been implicated in the origin of the tetraploid potato,S. tuberosum, but there was no support for this from the patterns of variation in chaconine : solanine ratio. The cline of chaconine : solanine ratios in cultivated potatoes along the spine of S. America does not appear to relate to the influence of local wild species through introgression, but may instead reflect differing selective pressures acting in different parts of the native range of the cultivated potato.     

Changes in the lipid composition of powdered infant formulas during long-term storage

Changes in the lipid composition of two standard infant formulas induced by 4 years of storage were determined. Lipids were thoroughly analyzed using different gas-liquid and liquid-liquid chromatographic techniques. Oleic acid and linoleic acid, which accounted for almost the total monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, respectively, showed slight but significant decreases (P < 0.05) during the 4 years of storage (from 41.52 to 39.83% for oleic acid and from 17.35 to 15.99% for linoleic acid). Total trans fatty acid isomers showed low initial level (0.22% of total fatty acids), and such level remained unchanged during the storage period. Nonvolatile oxidation compounds including oxidized, dimeric, and polymeric triglycerides did not significantly increase during the storage period, although a significant loss of tocopherols was found in the surface oil fraction (10-15%). In general, the results obtained indicate that, although small losses of oleic and linolenic acid as well as tocopherols were found, the 4 year storage period did not lead to relevant changes in the lipid fraction of infant formulas.     

Natural variation of folate content and composition in spinach (Spinacia oleracea) germplasm

Breeding to increase folate levels in edible parts of plants, termed folate biofortification, is an economical approach to fight against folate deficiency in humans, especially in the developing world. Germplasm with elevated folates are a useful genetic source for both breeding and direct use. Spinach is one of the well-know vegetables that contains a relatively high amount of folate. Currently, little is known about how much folate, and their composition varies in different spinach accessions. The aim of this study was to investigate natural variation in the folate content and composition of spinach genotypes grown under controlled environmental conditions. The folate content and composition in 67 spinach accessions were collected from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (AVRDC) germplasm collections according to their origin, grown under control conditions to screen for natural diversity. Folates were extracted by a monoenzyme treatment and analyzed by a validated liquid chromatography (LC) method. The total folate content ranged from 54.1 to 173.2 μg/100 g of fresh weight, with 3.2-fold variation, and was accession-dependent. Four spinach accessions (PI 499372, NSL 6095, PI 261787, and TOT7337-B) have been identified as enriched folate content over 150 μg/100 g of fresh weight. The folate forms found were H(4)-folate, 5-CH(3)-H(4)-folate, and 5-HCO-H(4)-folate, and 10-CHO-folic acid also varied among different accessions and was responsible for variation in the total folate content. The major folate vitamer was represented by 5-CH(3)-H(4)-folate, which on average accounted for up to 52% of the total folate pool. The large variation in the total folate content and composition in diverse spinach accessions demonstrates the great genetic potential of diverse genotypes to be exploited by plant breeders.     

Cholesterol oxides,cholesterol, total lipid,and fatty acid composition in turkey meat

The contents of cholesterol oxides, cholesterol, and total lipid, and the fatty acid composition were determined in frozen turkey meat. The 7-ketocholesterol content varied from 33 microg/100 g in the breast to 765 microg/100 g in the skin, and the levels of 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol varied from not detected in the leg, breast, and skin to 370 microg/100 g in the skin. The values for total lipid (g/100 g) in the wings, legs, breast, and skin were 0.9 +/- 0.4, 1.1 +/- 0.2, 0.5 +/- 0.1, and 12 +/- 3, respectively. The contents for cholesterol (mg/100 g) were 46 +/- 5, 35 +/- 2, 27 +/- 3, and 81 +/- 6 in the wing, legs, breast, and skin, respectively. The main fatty acids identified in all cuts were C18:2n6, C18:1n9, C16:0, C18:0, and C20:4n6.     

Characterization of cocoa butter and cocoa butter equivalents by bulk and molecular carbon isotope analyses: implications for vegetable fat quantification in chocolate

The fatty acids from cocoa butters of different origins, varieties, and suppliers and a number of cocoa butter equivalents (Illexao 30-61, Illexao 30-71, Illexao 30-96, Choclin, Coberine, Chocosine-Illipé, Chocosine-Shea, Shokao, Akomax, Akonord, and Ertina) were investigated by bulk stable carbon isotope analysis and compound specific isotope analysis. The interpretation is based on principal component analysis combining the fatty acid concentrations and the bulk and molecular isotopic data. The scatterplot of the two first principal components allowed detection of the addition of vegetable fats to cocoa butters. Enrichment in heavy carbon isotope ((13)C) of the bulk cocoa butter and of the individual fatty acids is related to mixing with other vegetable fats and possibly to thermally or oxidatively induced degradation during processing (e.g., drying and roasting of the cocoa beans or deodorization of the pressed fat) or storage. The feasibility of the analytical approach for authenticity assessment is discussed.     

Spatial and temporal variation in the elemental composition of soil solution from gleyic peaty-podzolic soils

The behavior of different elements in solutions from gleyic peaty-podzolic soils was described by four types of fluctuations (from weak to strong ones). With account for the spatial and temporal variation, chemical elements were divided into groups with stable (Si, Al, Na, and C_wso) and variable (Co, Mo, Ni, Sb, and Pb) concentration levels. The spatial variation component of the solution composition was lower than its time dynamics. The intratype variability of the composition of the solutions was insignificant within a season, but it was significantly affected by the contrasting climatic conditions of different years. The solutions from the upper soil horizons had different specific features. The F, H, and AE horizons were similar in their solution composition, and the solutions from the E horizon and litter differed in the concentrations of most macro-and microelements and their pH values.     

Chemical composition and protein quality comparisons of soybeans and soybean meals from five leading soybean-producing countries

Soybeans (SBs) were obtained from five leading SB-producing countries (Argentina, Brazil, China, India, and the United States), imported to the United States, and processed into soybean meal (SBM) under uniform conditions in the United States. SBs from China had the highest crude protein (CP) content while SBs and the resultant SBM from Argentina had the lowest. Additional differences in the quality of the SB and resultant SBM samples collected were noted. An additional set of SBM produced in these five countries and subjectively evaluated to be of low, intermediate, and high quality also were obtained and evaluated. Overall, SBM quality affected amino acid and mineral concentrations with differences existing both among and within countries. SBM produced in the United States had a higher CP content than SBM produced in other countries. Amino acid concentrations generally increased, and antinutritional factors decreased with increasing subjective quality assessment.     

Effects of soil-cation composition on reactions of four herbicides in a candler fine sand

Sorption, persistence and transport of herbicides in soils depend on the relative saturation of soils with cations from various soil amendments. Current research was conducted to study the effect of preequilibration of a Candler fine sand (Hyperthermic uncoated typic Quartzipsamments; 0–30 cm depth) with AlCl₃, CaCl₂, CuCl₂, FeCl₃, or KCl salt solutions on sorption in bromacil, simazine, norflurazon, and diuron herbicides commonly used in Florida citrus groves. Preequilibration of the soil with either FeCl₃, or AlCl₃ significantly decreased the sorption and therefore increased internal leaching potential, of all four herbicides as compared to their sorption in untreated soil. This decrease in sorption was much greater for bromacil and simazine (24 to 35%) than for norflurazon and diuron (7 to 8%). The desorption of bromacil and diuron in 1M NH₄OAc was also significantly lower in soils preequilibrated with FeCl₃ or AlCl₃ than the untreated soil. However, the reverse was true in the case of simazine and norflurazon. Preequilibration of the soil with CuCl₂, KCl, and CaCl₂ resulted in a significant decrease in sorption of norflurazon, diuron, and simazine but did not affect bromacil sorption. Accordingly, the species of adsorbed cation had varying effects on the sorption/desorption of each of the herbicides and varied their leaching potential.     

Seasonal changes in crude and lipid composition of herring fillets,byproducts, and respective produced oils

Crude and fatty acid composition analyses were performed on fillets, byproducts, and oil originating from herring (Clupea harengus) caught off the North Sea from June 1999 to January 2001. Monthly statistical differences were found in the fat content, the range of variation being larger in fillets than in byproducts. The most consistent change observed in fillets was an increase of unsaturation from May to September reflected in a reduced percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids, whereas for byproducts and oil this trend was not so well defined. The results indicated that the lowest values of the total amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the oil were found from January to March (approximately 14%), coinciding with the postspawning and starvation period. In contrast, the highest values were found from June to August (approximately 23%). Thus, the herring byproducts are all year an adequate raw material for fish oil production; however, during the summer they are richer in PUFAs.     

Stability evaluation of selected polyphenols and triterpene glycosides in black cohosh

Black cohosh ( Actaea racemosa L., syn. Cimicifuga racemosa L.) is rich in both triterpene glycosides and polyphenols, which have various biological activities that may be important to its medical use. To evaluate the stability of the polyphenolic constituents and triterpene glycosides of black cohosh, experiments were conducted using three sample types: plant material, extracts of black cohosh, and encapsulated commercial extract. The samples were stored at various temperatures and humidity conditions. Three triterpene glycosides and six major polyphenols in black cohosh were quantitatively measured with an HPLC-PDA method at 0, 3, 6, and 9 weeks. The triterpene glycosides were stable at the tested conditions, whereas the polyphenols were stable only at room temperature and low humidity and not stable at higher temperature and/or humidity due to hydrolysis and/or oxidation. The rate of compound decomposition depended upon the chemical structure of the individual polyphenols. Polyphenols in the extracts decomposed more readily than those in plant material.     

Antioxidant activity and phenolic composition of wild, edible, and medicinal fennel from different Mediterranean countries

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) is a typical aromatic plant of the Mediterranean area, long used as a medicinal and spice herb. Fennel is also well-known for its essential oil, which has been extensively studied for many years owing to its commercial importance. In this work, the antioxidant activity and the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as the quantitative determination of individual flavonoids and phenolic acids of wild, edible, and medicinal fennel from different Mediterranean countries, have been determined. The antioxidant activity was measured as the free radical (DPPH), hydroxyl radical, and superoxide anion scavenging activities. Wild fennel was found to exhibit a radical scavenging activity, as well as a total phenolic and total flavonoid content, higher than those of both medicinal and edible fennels.