干旱胁迫下外源海藻糖对糯玉米幼苗生理特性的影响

以苏玉糯5号为供试材料,研究干旱胁迫条件下外源海藻糖对糯玉米幼苗根系和叶片抗氧化系统及渗透调节物质的影响。结果表明,干旱胁迫显著降低叶片叶绿素含量和根系活力,喷施外源海藻糖后这两类物质含量增加。干旱胁迫下喷施外源海藻糖增加玉米根系和叶片中可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖、抗坏血酸(AsA)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量,增强糯玉米幼苗根系和叶片的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)等活性,降低超氧阴离子产生速率(O2-)、丙二醛(MDA)等含量。外源海藻糖处理下叶片中可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白、AsA和GSH含量增加幅度大于根系,叶片中丙二醛含量降幅大于根系。表明喷施外源海藻糖缓解干旱胁迫对叶片伤害效果大于根系。干旱胁迫下喷施外源海藻糖能够增强糯玉米抗旱能力,减小干旱伤害。     

外源腐胺对干旱胁迫下冬小麦幼苗叶片膜脂过氧化的调节效应

为了研究外源物质对小麦抗旱性的诱导作用,水培条件下研究了外源腐胺对干旱胁迫(15%PEG-6000)条件下冬小麦幼苗叶片膜脂过氧化及抗氧化酶活性的影响.结果表明,干旱胁迫48 h后冬小麦幼苗叶片含水量下降了27.43%, O_2(÷)的产生速率、丙二醛(MDA)和H_2O_2含量随时间的推移均呈增加的趋势,SOD、POD、CAT活性分别下降了23%、37%、70%.外源腐胺处理下叶片含水量仅下降了7.62%;叶片 MDA含量降低80%左右,H_2O_2的含量下降50%左右,O_2(÷)的产生速率降低了1/3,而叶片SOD、POD、CAT活性分别提高了41%、165.8%、246%.因此认为,外源腐胺可通过抑制活性氧(O_2,H_2O_2)的产生,降低MDA含量,提高抗氧化酶(SOD、POD、CAT)的活性,缓解干旱胁迫造成的冬小麦幼苗叶片细胞膜脂过氧化损伤,提高冬小麦的抗旱性.     

O3浓度升高和UV-B辐射增强对大豆叶片抗氧化酶活性及POD同工酶的影响

以大豆品种铁丰29为材料,利用开顶式气室(OTCs)研究了O3浓度升高和UV-B辐射增强单独胁迫及复合胁迫下大豆叶片抗氧化酶(SOD、POD和CAT)活性及POD同工酶谱带的变化.结果表明:O3处理大豆叶片SOD、CAT和POD活性均低于对照;UV处理下,大豆叶片SOD、CAT、POD活性也均低于对照,但基本高于O3处理;O3及UV复合处理下,加剧了SOD、CAT、POD活性的减弱.对POD同工酶研究发现,在分枝期,O3处理产生Ⅰ条新谱带,开花期和结荚期均比分枝期多2条谱带,并且受胁迫处理的POD酶谱带与对照相比颜色较浅,说明在整个生育期,胁迫处理下的大豆叶片POD同工酶活性受到抑制.     

外源NO对低温胁迫下龙眼幼苗生理特性的影响

研究外源一氧化氮(NO)对5℃低温胁迫下龙眼幼苗生理特性的影响。结果表明:低温胁迫下,龙眼幼苗叶片中的SOD、POD和CAT活性降低,叶绿素、可溶性糖和蛋白质含量下降,丙二醛含量升高。喷施硝普钠(SNP、NO供体)显著提高龙眼幼苗的叶绿素、可溶性糖和蛋白质含量,提高净光合速率,增强SOD、POD和CAT活性,降低丙二醛含量和电解质渗透率;其中150μmol/L SNP处理效果最好。可见,外源NO通过刺激抗氧化酶活性来清除活性氧,减轻膜脂过氧化作用,缓解低温胁迫对龙眼幼苗的伤害作用,提高龙眼的抗低温胁迫能力。     

外源褪黑素对低温胁迫下大豆V1期幼苗光合荧光及抗氧化系统的影响

为缓解东北春大豆产区大豆苗期低温冷害，通过研究外源褪黑素（melatonin，MT）处理对低温胁迫下大 豆耐冷性的影响，明确MT提高大豆耐冷能力的作用途径及适宜浓度。以绥农26为供验试材，设置盆栽培养，在大 豆V1期（一节期）叶面喷施不同浓度MT（0、50、100、200 μmol·L-1），3 d后进行4℃低温处理，5 d后取样分析低温胁迫 下喷施不同浓度MT对V1时期大豆光合特性、活性氧代谢、渗透调节物质的影响。结果表明，较低温胁迫不喷施MT 相比，喷施MT处理能增强低温胁迫下叶片光合作用，Pn、Gs、Tr及光合色素含量均显著提高，且随着外源MT浓度增 加呈先上升后下降趋势，Chl a/b显著下降；保护酶SOD（超氧化物歧化酶）、POD（过氧化物酶）、CAT（过氧化氢酶）、 APX（抗坏血酸过氧化物酶）活性、Pro（脯氨酸）含量及植株根冠比显著上升，且在100 μmol·L-1浓度处理时作用效 果最明显；MDA（丙二醛）含量、叶片相对电导率显著下降。综上可知，在低温迫下施加外源褪黑素可以提高大豆V1 期光合速率、增加抗氧化酶活性，减轻膜脂过氧化反应并调节渗透物质含量，从而有助于缓解胁迫伤害，提高大豆 幼苗耐冷能力。     

水稻幼苗对干旱和高温交叉逆境的适应机制研究

利用水培的方法,通过比较水稻幼苗在干旱、高温单一和交叉逆境下渗透调节物质含量和活性氧清除系统的变化,研究了水稻幼苗对干旱和高温交叉逆境的适应机制。结果表明,与对照相比,高温、干旱单一逆境下,水稻幼苗可溶性糖含量、脯氨酸含量、相对电导率、O-2.产生速率和H2O2含量均显著提高,保护酶(SOD、POD、CAT)活性和GSH、ASA含量显著降低;与单一逆境处理相比,交叉逆境处理可溶性糖、脯氨酸含量进一步提高,而相对电导率、O-2.产生速率和H2O2含量降低,保护酶活性和GSH、ASA提高。说明逆境预处理可通过促进水稻叶片渗透调节物质的积累,提高活性氧的清除能力,进而增强水稻幼苗对其它逆境的适应能力。     

外源NO对NaCl胁迫下玉米幼苗脂质过氧化和抗氧化酶活性的影响

采用营养液培养法,以硝普钠（SNP）为外源NO供体,分析不同浓度外源NO对NaCl胁迫下玉米幼苗叶片电解质渗出率、叶片和根系中MDA含量和SOD、POD、CAT活性的影响。研究结果表明,盐胁迫下不同浓度SNP处理可以降低玉米幼苗叶片的电解质渗出率,使叶片和根系中MDA含量降低,不同程度增加玉米叶片和根系中SOD、POD、CAT活性;对玉米叶片和根系中3种保护酶活性的影响具有不同的剂量效应。适量外源NO能够缓解NaCl胁迫带来的伤害,增强叶片和根系抗氧化能力。     

外源钙对镍胁迫下水稻幼苗抗氧化酶活性及膜脂过氧化的影响

研究了外源钙（Ca2+）对镍胁迫下水稻叶片组织超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、过氧化物酶（POD）和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶（APX）的活性、H2O2和丙二醛（MDA）含量以及质膜电解质渗透的影响,以探讨钙缓解植物镍毒性的生理机制。0.1 mmol/L镍（Ni2+）胁迫下水稻叶片组织SOD、CAT和APX活性明显下降,POD活性明显上升,H2O2和MDA含量、电解质渗漏率显著增大,说明镍诱导了细胞发生明显的氧化损伤和膜脂过氧化;钙提高了镍胁迫下叶片组织中SOD、CAT、POD和APX活性,显著降低了H2O2、MDA含量和电解质渗漏率,且10 mmol/L Ca2+处理的抗氧化酶活性上升的程度和H2O2、MDA含量和电解质渗漏率下降的程度比5 mmol/L Ca2+处理的大。提示钙通过促进镍胁迫下水稻叶片组织抗氧化酶活性,增强活性氧清除能力,维持细胞膜结构的稳定,是钙减轻镍对水稻毒性的生理机制之一。     

pH缓冲液对不同水分状态下冬小麦幼苗抗氧化酶活性的影响

为了解外源pH缓冲液对冬小麦幼苗抗旱性的影响,在温室条件下,采用负水头供水控水盆栽装置,测定和分析了不同供水(正常水分、轻度干旱和中度干旱)和叶片喷施不同pH磷酸缓冲液(以喷施清水为对照)条件下小麦叶片的相对电导率、活性氧代谢能力及抗氧化酶活性。结果表明,干旱胁迫使膜系统受到伤害,导致叶片相对电导率增加。在干旱胁迫下喷施pH缓冲液降低了叶片相对电导率、O2-产生速率及H2O2含量,其中pH 6.0和pH 7.5缓冲液处理效果最明显。说明在干旱条件下喷施适宜的pH缓冲液能增强小麦的抗氧化能力,减轻干旱引起活性氧增多对细胞膜的伤害,提高植株抗旱能力。     

水分胁迫下外源褪黑素对大豆苗期抗氧化特性和产量的影响

为探究大豆苗期干旱外源褪黑素对其抗氧化性和产量的影响,以干旱敏感型大豆品种绥农26为试验材料,分析水分胁迫下叶面喷施和根施褪黑素对大豆叶片和根系抗氧化酶(SOD、POD、CAT)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量以及产量的影响。结果表明:与水分胁迫(CK)相比,施用褪黑素显著提高大豆叶片抗氧化酶活性,处理后第4天,叶面喷施和根施处理与CK相比,SOD活性在V5期分别提高6.3%和19.5%,POD、CAT活性在V1期分别提高7.5%、12.7%和5.6%、9.9%(P<0.05),MDA含量在V3期分别降低了9.4%、10.3%(P<0.05);处理后第7天,叶面喷施褪黑素与对照相比,在V1期SOD、POD、CAT活性分别提高了6.3%、9.5%、4.9%(P<0.05),而根施褪黑素处理较对照分别提高了6.9%、20.9%、11.1%(P<0.05),MDA含量叶面喷施和根施褪黑素处理与CK相比分别降低了6.9%、10.3%(P<0.05);V1、V3和V5期叶面喷施褪黑素处理的产量与CK相比分别提高了31.6%、29.8%、12.6%(P<0.05),而根施褪黑素处理的产量较对照分别提高了43.3%、31.8%、24.9%(P<0.05)。结果表明:外源褪黑素通过降低MDA含量,提高抗氧化酶活性、维持细胞水分平衡、提高大豆的抗旱能力,最终提高其产量,而且根施褪黑素效果要显著优于叶施。     

Studies on natural repellents against potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella Zeller) in country stores

Summary The effects of the leaves of five plant species, one from each of the generaAmbrosia, Anemone, Eupatorium, Eucalyptus andLantana, on potato tuber moth were investigated under indigenous storage conditions at the Central Potato Research Station, Shillong (1800 m above sea level). Their action was compared with that of a biological insecticide (spores ofBacillus thuringiensis), a chemical insecticide (carbaryl), and an untreated control. The data collected after six months storage on tuber damage, sprout damage and the rotting indicated that the leaves ofLantana aculeata provided most protection to the tubers, reducing damage from over 70% in the check to below 5%, and sprout damage from over 45% to below 3%. Next best wasEucalyptus globulus followed byB. thuringiensis. They may be used on tubers stored for table use or for seed as they had no adverse effect on germination or on the yield of a subsequent crop.     

Comparative Assessment of the Efficacy of Various Nitrogen Fertilizers

Summary

The efficiency of N fertilizers is usually poor; often less than 50% of the applied N is taken up by the crop. This review focuses on various N fertilizers with respect to the significance of different N loss pathways, namely (i) ammonia volatilization, (ii) dinitrogen and nitrogen oxide emissions, and (iii) nitrate leaching. Further, the significance of biological N immobilization, ammonium fixation and, finally, the impact of nitrate vs. ammonium uptake on crop yield are also discussed. The reviewed literature shows that N fertilizers may differ markedly in their susceptibility to losses. There is, however, considerable scope to improve N efficiency of each N source by proper N management practices.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of different accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. from Uruguay

Summary The in vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts from accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. collected in the south of Uruguay was investigated against five microorganisms including the pathogenRalstonia solanacearum. A total of 30 extracts corresponding to organic and aqueous extracts were studied. Interestingly, most of the positive results for growth inhibition were againstR. solanacearum. The extracts were also analyzed for the presence of glycoalkaloids and lectins. Six of the ten aqueous extracts showed lectin presence and a wide variation in the type and amounts of glycoalkaloids, was found. Results indicate that there is no clear relationship between the antimicrobial activity against the five microorganisms screened and the presence or amounts of lectins and glycoalkaloids, traditionally regarded as possible antimicrobial metabolites in theSolanum genus, which indicates the presence of as yet unidentified antimicrobial compounds.     

Novel food and non-food uses for sorghum and millets

Sorghum and millets have considerable potential in foods and beverages. As they are gluten-free they are suitable for coeliacs. Sorghum is also a potentially important source of nutraceuticals such antioxidant phenolics and cholesterol-lowering waxes. Cakes, cookies, pasta, a parboiled rice-like product and snack foods have been successfully produced from sorghum and, in some cases, millets. Wheat-free sorghum or millet bread remains the main challenge. Additives such as native and pre-gelatinised starches, hydrocolloids, fat, egg and rye pentosans improve bread quality. However, specific volumes are lower than those for wheat bread or gluten-free breads based on pure starches, and in many cases, breads tend to stale faster. Lager and stout beers with sorghum are brewed commercially. Sorghum's high-starch gelatinisation temperature and low beta-amylase activity remain problems with regard to complete substitution of barley malt with sorghum malt . The role of the sorghum endosperm matrix protein and cell wall components in limiting extract is a research focus. Brewing with millets is still at an experimental stage. Sorghum could be important for bioethanol and other bio-industrial products. Bioethanol research has focused on improving the economics of the process through cultivar selection, method development for low-quality grain and pre-processing to recover valuable by-products. Potential by-products such as the kafirin prolamin proteins and the pericarp wax have potential as bioplastic films and coatings for foods, primarily due to their hydrophobicity.     

Extreme resistance to infection by potato virus X in genotypes of wild tuber-bearingSolanum species

Summary Clones derived from thirty-one different accessions (nineteen of Argentine origin) belonging to eightSolanum species were screened for resistance to infection by potato virus X strain cp (PVX cp) by mechanical inoculation of plantlets that had been micropropagated in vitro. Estimates of PVX multiplication obtained by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and slot blot nucleic acid hybridization allowed the identification of resistant clones derived from five accessions belonging toS. commersonii S. oplocense, S. sparsipilum andS. tuberosum andigena. Resistant genotypes supported PVX concentrations 5 to 15 times smaller than did the susceptible control cultivar Spunta. Graft inoculation test confirmed the presence of extreme resistance similar to that conferred by the ‘immunity’ gene X¹ (also called RX_act).     

Marine Pharmacology in 2009–2011: Marine Compounds with Antibacterial,Antidiabetic, Antifungal,Anti-Inflammatory,Antiprotozoal, Antituberculosis,and Antiviral Activities; Affecting the Immune and Nervous Systems,and other Miscellaneous Mechanisms of Action ?

The peer-reviewed marine pharmacology literature from 2009 to 2011 is presented in this review, following the format used in the 1998–2008 reviews of this series. The pharmacology of structurally-characterized compounds isolated from marine animals, algae, fungi and bacteria is discussed in a comprehensive manner. Antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antituberculosis, and antiviral pharmacological activities were reported for 102 marine natural products. Additionally, 60 marine compounds were observed to affect the immune and nervous system as well as possess antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. Finally, 68 marine metabolites were shown to interact with a variety of receptors and molecular targets, and thus will probably contribute to multiple pharmacological classes upon further mechanism of action studies. Marine pharmacology during 2009–2011 remained a global enterprise, with researchers from 35 countries, and the United States, contributing to the preclinical pharmacology of 262 marine compounds which are part of the preclinical pharmaceutical pipeline. Continued pharmacological research with marine natural products will contribute to enhance the marine pharmaceutical clinical pipeline, which in 2013 consisted of 17 marine natural products, analogs or derivatives targeting a limited number of disease categories.     

Recent Modifications of Chitosan for Adsorption Applications: A Critical and Systematic Review

Chitosan is considered to be one of the most promising and applicable materials in adsorption applications. The existence of amino and hydroxyl groups in its molecules contributes to many possible adsorption interactions between chitosan and pollutants (dyes, metals, ions, phenols, pharmaceuticals/drugs, pesticides, herbicides, etc.). These functional groups can help in establishing positions for modification. Based on the learning from previously published works in literature, researchers have achieved a modification of chitosan with a number of different functional groups. This work summarizes the published works of the last three years (2012–2014) regarding the modification reactions of chitosans (grafting, cross-linking, etc.) and their application to adsorption of different environmental pollutants (in liquid-phase).     

Cyanobacteria Secondary Metabolites as Biotechnological Ingredients in Natural Anti-Aging Cosmetics: Potential to Overcome Hyperpigmentation,Loss of Skin Density and UV Radiation-Deleterious Effects

The loss of density and elasticity, the appearance of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation are among the first noticeable signs of skin aging. Beyond UV radiation and oxidative stress, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) assume a preponderant role in the process, since their deregulation results in the degradation of most extracellular matrix components. In this survey, four cyanobacteria strains were explored for their capacity to produce secondary metabolites with biotechnological potential for use in anti-aging formulations. Leptolyngbya boryana LEGE 15486 and Cephalothrix lacustris LEGE 15493 from freshwater ecosystems, and Leptolyngbya cf. ectocarpi LEGE 11479 and Nodosilinea nodulosa LEGE 06104 from marine habitats were sequentially extracted with acetone and water, and extracts were analyzed for their toxicity in cell lines with key roles in the skin context (HaCAT, 3T3L1, and hCMEC). The non-toxic extracts were chemically characterized in terms of proteins, carotenoids, phenols, and chlorophyll a, and their anti-aging potential was explored through their ability to scavenge the physiological free radical superoxide anion radical (O₂^•−), to reduce the activity of the MMPs elastase and hyaluronidase, to inhibit tyrosinase and thus avoid melanin production, and to block UV-B radiation (sun protection factor, SPF). Leptolyngbya species stood out for anti-aging purposes: L. boryana LEGE 15486 presented a remarkable SPF of 19 (at 200 µg/mL), being among the best species regarding O₂^•− scavenging, (IC₅₀ = 99.50 µg/mL) and also being able to inhibit tyrosinase (IC₂₅ = 784 µg/mL), proving to be promising against UV-induced skin-aging; L. ectocarpi LEGE 11479 was more efficient in inhibiting MMPs (hyaluronidase, IC₅₀ = 863 µg/mL; elastase, IC₅₀ = 391 µg/mL), thus being the choice to retard dermal density loss. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the data allowed the grouping of extracts into three groups, according to their chemical composition; the correlation of carotenoids and chlorophyll a with MMPs activity (p < 0.01), O₂^•− scavenging with phenolic compounds (p < 0.01), and phycocyanin and allophycocyanin with SPF, pointing to these compounds in particular as responsible for UV-B blockage. This original survey explores, for the first time, the biotechnological potential of these cyanobacteria strains in the field of skin aging, demonstrating the promising, innovative, and multifactorial nature of these microorganisms.