Changes in soluble carbohydrates, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities in the embryo during ageing in wheat grains

Soluble sugar contents and antioxidant enzyme activities were measured in the embryo of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv Charger) seeds throughout their storage under two conditions (45 °C and 100% relative humidity (RH), and 30 °C and 75% RH) to investigate whether grain deterioration during ageing was related to lipid peroxidation resulting in a decrease in the efficiency of the antioxidant defence system, and in changes in sugar metabolism. The half-viability period (P₅₀) was only 6 d at 45 °C and 100% RH against about 3.75 months at 30 °C and 75% RH. However, sensitivity of grains to accelerated ageing carried out at 45 °C and 100% RH increased during their pre-storage at 30 °C and 75% RH. Loss of grain viability at 45 °C and 100% RH was associated with an accumulation of H₂O₂ which was concomitant with a progressive decrease in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and with an increase in glutathione reductase (GR) activity. However, malondialdehyde content did not change, suggesting that there was no lipid peroxidation during such an ageing. In return, ageing of grains at 30 °C and 75% RH was not associated either with strong changes in CAT, SOD and GR activities or with an accumulation of H₂O₂. When there was no correlation between CAT, SOD and GR activities and seed viability, there was a linear correlation between CAT activity and seed vigour evaluated by the T₅₀ during ageing at 45 °C and 100% RH. Sugar metabolism in wheat embryo largely depended on ageing conditions. Loss of grain viability at 45 °C and 100% RH was associated with a marked decrease in sucrose (Su) and a slight increase in raffinose (Ra), and subsequently in the Ra/Su ratio. At 30 °C and 75% RH, seed ageing was associated with an increase in both sugars but with no strong increase in Su/Ra ratio. Our results suggest that ageing was associated with various mechanisms depending on the conditions of ageing, and that accelerated ageing at 45 °C and 100% RH was not the only model to consider in order to understand the mechanisms involved in seed deterioration.     

不同年代大豆品种苗期叶片保护酶活性及膜脂过氧化作用的研究

对吉林省1923年以来主栽的28个大豆品种苗期叶片保护酶活性及膜脂过氧化作用的研究表明，随着品种进化，过氧化物酶和超氧化物歧化酶活性呈上升趋势，分别提高了18.03％和21.20％。而丙二醛含量则呈下降趋势，降低了26.20%。这些特性可能与现代大豆品种抗逆性增强有关。     

低钾胁迫对大豆叶片膜脂过氧化及保护酶活性的影响

以在大田筛选的钾高效型大豆品种沈农6号和钾低效型品系铁95068-5为试材,研究了不同供钾水平对大豆膜脂过氧化作用及保护酶活性的影响。试验结果表明,随着钾浓度的降低,2个品种在各生育时期的相对电导率和MDA含量均有所增加,但沈农6号增加幅度不大,而铁95068-5则增幅较大。在每个生育时期,2个品种各保护酶活性均随着钾浓度的降低而增强,说明适度低钾胁迫会激发大豆的保护酶活性;不同钾浓度下,沈农6号和铁95068-5叶片SOD活性均随着大豆的生长发育逐渐下降;CAT和POD活性先逐渐增强,随后下降:2个品种CAT活性到开花盛期(R2)达到峰值,POD活性分别在鼓粒期(R6)和盛荚期(R4)达到峰值。沈农6号各生育时期SOD、CAT和POD活性均高于同期的铁95068-5,表明大豆钾效率的高低与其体内保护酶系统对活性氧的清除能力直接相关。     

花生苗期不同程度干旱胁迫 对叶片某些酶活性的影响

在人工控水条件下,研究了花生苗期不同程度干旱胁迫对叶片某些酶活性的影响,结果表明:随着干旱 程度的增加,花生叶片光合速率逐渐下降,叶中丙二醛(MDA)含量增加;适当干旱(灌水60～80mm) ,可增加叶片 中超氧化物歧化酶( SOD) 、过氧化物酶( POD) 、过氧化氢酶(CAT)的活性,提高叶片可溶性蛋白质( Pr)含量;充分 灌水后,叶中SOD、POD、CAT活性和Pr、MDA含量显著降低,而光合速率显著升高。要保持花生叶片较好的生理特 性,苗期灌水量不能低于60～80mm。     

Changes in wheat seed germination ability,soluble carbohydrate and antioxidant enzyme activities in the embryo during the desiccation phase of maturation

Soluble sugar contents and antioxidant enzyme activities were measured in the embryo of wheat (Triticum aestivum) seeds throughout the desiccation phase of maturation in 2003 and 2004 to investigate whether they were related to seed quality. Whatever the date of harvest after the end of filling, seeds tolerated artificial drying in the ears, and almost all of them germinated at 10 °C whereas they were dormant at 30 °C. Their sensitivity to 5 day accelerated ageing treatment (45 °C, 100% relative humidity) slightly decreased during desiccation. This phase of development was associated with an accumulation of sucrose and raffinose, and an increase in the raffinose/sucrose ratio in the embryo. Artificial drying in the ears resulted in an increase in both sugars, but especially raffinose, and in the maintenance of a high value (around 0.6–0.7) of the raffinose/sucrose ratio. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione reductase activities did not change markedly in the embryo after mass maturity. They were sufficiently active to maintain malondialdehyde and H₂O₂ contents at very low levels. No clear relationship existed between the antioxidant enzyme activities and seed quality, whereas seed tolerance to ageing seemed to be related to a high value of the raffinose/sucrose ratio.     

The effect of timed water stress on quality,total solids and reducing sugar content of potatoes

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) solids and reducing sugars were examined before, just after, and two weeks after transient water stress to gain an understanding of tuber changes that occur directly associated with water stress. Russet Burbank and A082260-8 potatoes were grown on Owyhee silt loam at the Malheur Experiment Station, Ontario, Oregon. Potatoes were subjected to a single episode of transient water stress by omitting furrow irrigation in either late June, July, or in early August of 1988 and 1989 to examine variety differences in the short term effects of water stress on changes in solids and reducing sugars in tuber stem ends. Irrigation was managed to maintain soil water potential above -65 kPa at 20 cm depth during tuber initiation through bulking except during transient stress when the soil water potential reached -82 to -110 kPa. Tuber samples were taken from plots and minimally stressed check treatments before stress, at the peak of stress, two weeks after the transient stress period, and after harvest. Tubers were sectioned longitudinally and the percent solids and reducing sugars were determined for samples from the tuber stem end, center, and apical end. Longitudinal tuber strips were fried after harvest to determine fry color. Tuber stem-end fry color did not darken in A082260-8 potatoes subjected to water stress. The line A082260-8 had higher stem-end solids and lower stem-end reducing sugars than Russet Burbank. Neither variety responded to transient water stress or recovery from transient stress with an immediate increase in reducing sugars in any tuber part. Reducing sugars were elevated in harvested tubers, particularly in the stem-ends of Russet Burbank potatoes subjected to water stress. Increases in tuber reducing sugars related to transient water stress were not found during the stress period or immediately after stress, but were present in harvested tubers.     

外源多胺和硼对油菜苗期 生长和膜质过氧化的影响

溶液培养条件下研究外源多胺和硼对油菜苗期生长、膜透性、保护酶活性的影响。试验结果表明,缺硼 显著降低油菜根长、株高、根和地上部干重,增加细胞膜透性,抑制保护酶SOD和CAT活性。喷施外源腐胺和亚精 胺可以提高油菜叶片SOD、CAT活性,增加细胞膜的稳定性,亚精胺作用效果优于腐胺,缺硼条件下比正常供硼时 表现更明显。外源多胺在一定程度上可以缓解缺硼对油菜幼苗叶片细胞膜的伤害,维持其稳定性。     

The effect of water stress on potato growth,development, and yield

The effect of water stress on plant morphology, production rate and marketable yield is discussed based on the literature. Compared to other species the potato is a drought sensitive plant. The reduction of yield as a result of water stress can be caused by reduced leaf area and/or reduced photosynthesis per unit of leaf area. Water shortage during the tuber bulking period decreases yield to a larger extent than drought during other growth stages. The relationship between the stress parameters relative water content (RWC), leaf water potential (LWP) and stomatal diffusion resistance on the one hand and photosynthesis on the other is discussed. Further it is shown how the amount of water needed by the potato crop depends on climate, soil and plant characters. Finally the effect of water stress on marketable yield and varietal differences to shortage of moisture are discussed.     

Cd胁迫对草莓叶片膜脂质过氧化和脱落酸含量的影响

采用土壤盆栽试验,研究了Cd胁迫对草莓叶片膜脂质过氧化和脱落酸（ABA）含量的影响。结果表明,Cd胁迫下草莓叶片中的活性氧积累,丙二醛（MDA）含量升高,细胞膜透性增大,K＋渗透率增加,过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性降低。Cd浓度较高时,过氧化物酶（POD）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性降低,说明Cd胁迫下草莓细胞活性氧清除系统的功能降低,可能是导致细胞内活性氧积累,进而引起膜脂质过氧化加快和膜系统受损的重要原因。此外,Cd胁迫下草莓叶片中的ABA含量也提高。     

高铁胁迫对大豆叶片体内保护系统及膜脂过氧化的影响

以2个大豆(Glycine max(L.)Merrill)品种(浙春3号和1601)为材料,研究了不同浓度Fe2 对初花期大豆叶片体内保护系统和膜脂过氧化的影响.结果表明,高Fe2 胁迫使细胞内丙二醛(MDA)含量和质膜透性(MP)增大,体内保护系统中的过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性及脯氨酸(Pro)含量的变化出现先升后降的趋势.不同大豆品种对高铁胁迫的反应存在差异,与抗氧化系统(酶类和非酶类)的整体活力相关.     

铝胁迫对大豆幼苗根系形态和生理特性的影响

采用砂培法研究了不同铝浓度条件下, 2个大豆品种(浙春3号和华春18)幼苗根系形态特征和生理特性的变化.结果表明:低浓度(50mg/L)的铝促进大豆根系长度、根系体积、根系表面积和根系活力的增加,降低根系细胞质膜透性,对大豆生长有一定的促进作用;高浓度的铝(5000mg/L)明显抑制根系长度的增长,使根系直径显著增大,降低大豆根系活力,使根系细胞质膜透性大大增加,明显不利于大豆的生长发育.2个大豆品种对铝胁迫存在着一定的差异,浙春3号对铝毒胁迫的耐受能力要强于华春18.     

Effects of region and cultivar on alkylresorcinols content and composition in wheat bran and their antioxidant activity

This study evaluated the effects of cultivar and region on the composition of alkylresorcinols (ARs) of 24 wheat bran samples from 6 cultivars grown in four locations (Bath, Nairn, Palmerstone and Ridgetown) in Ontario (ON), Canada, using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Total phenolic content (TPC) of wheat bran extracts was determined by the Folin–Ciocalteau method and the antioxidant activity of wheat bran extracts was measured by 2, 2-Dipheny-1-picryhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging activity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). The highest ARs content (μg/g) was found in cultivars Emmit (1522), Harvard (1305), Warthog (1170), and Superior (853), grown in Ridgetown. The relative saturated and unsaturated ARs (%) were 89 and 11, respectively. Total ARs content, their composition, TPC and antioxidant activity of wheat bran extracts were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by location and cultivar and their interaction. TPC, %DPPH_dis, and ORAC values for different wheat bran sample extracts ranged from 3 to 58 (mg FAE/g), 5 to 68 (%), and 6 to 94 (μmol TE/g), respectively. Our work provides a detailed examination of region and cultivar effects on potential of ARs in wheat bran and the results can be used for screening and breeding purposes.     

尖孢镰孢菌毒素对大豆防御酶系活性的影响

以大豆幼根为材料,研究了尖孢镰孢菌（Fusarium oxysporium）毒素对不同大豆抗性品种PAL、POD和PPO酶活性的影响。结果表明,大豆幼根用尖孢镰孢菌毒素处理后,抗病和感病品种的PAL、POD和PPO活性增加,随着处理时间延长,逐渐下降,抗病品种出现酶峰时间晚,且活性高于感病品种。     

Applicability of lignins from different sources as antioxidants based on the protective effects on lipid peroxidation induced by oxygen radicals

Increasing evidence suggest that excessive concentrations of reactive oxygen species in the human body are involved in a number of pathological events and that oxidative damage to cell components may play an important pathophysiological role in many types of human diseases. Several studies have shown the possible benefits of antioxidants from plant sources in altering, reversing or forestalling the negative effects of oxidative stress.The study was designed to evaluate whether lignins prevent H₂O₂-induced lipid peroxidation. The protective effect of industrial lignins obtained from different sources against hydrogen peroxide induced oxidation was investigated in normal human red blood cells (RBCs). RBCs, preincubated with different amounts of lignins and challenged with hydrogen peroxide were analyzed for lipid peroxidation. The high molecular weight can be considered as one of the main factors decreasing the radical scavenging activity. When comparing different lignins the inhibitory effects against lipid peroxidation were notably related to their molecular weights. In this sense bagasse with the lowest Mn was the greatest antioxidant and lignosulfonate with the highest Mn was the lowest antioxidant lignin.These results open the possibility of new applications of lignins. The potential health benefits and industrial applications of lignins make them a promising research resource.     

Physiological responses of Brassica napus to fulvic acid under water stress: Chlorophyll a fluorescence and antioxidant enzyme activity

The ameliorative effect of fulvic acid(0, 300, and 600 mg L-1) on photosystem II and antioxidant enzyme activity of the rapeseed(Brassica napus L.) plant under water stress(60, 100, and 140 mm evaporation from class A pan) was studied using split plots in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results indicated that application of fulvic acid(FA) improved the maximum quantum efficiency of PSII(Fv/Fm)and performance index(PI) of plants under both well-watered and limited-water conditions. The time span from Foto Fmand the energy necessary for the closure of all reaction centers was significantly increased, but the size of the plastoquinone pool was reduced with increasing water stress levels. Plants treated with FA had higher peroxidase and catalase activities under all irrigation conditions. Activities of ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in plants increased with increasing water stress. Malondialdehyde increased under severe water stress, but application of FA significantly decreased lipid peroxidation. Production of reactive oxygen species(ROS) is a common phenomenon in plants under stress. Under this condition, the balance between the production of ROS and the quenching activity of antioxidants is upset, often resulting in oxidative damage. In this study, application of FA significantly increased fluorescence of chlorophyll a, inhibiting ROS production and enhancing antioxidant enzymes activity that destroyed ROS. Thus, ROS in plant cells was reduced under water stress by application of FA and consequently lipid peroxidation was reduced.     

Effect of defoliation and drought stress on yield components and chlorophyll content of wheat

In order to examine the effects of source restriction and drought stress on yield components, flag leaf chlorophyll content and Relative Water Content (RWC) of wheat cultivars, a greenhouse experiment was carried out at Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran, during 2009-2010. The wheat cultivars including Shiraz, Bahar, Pishtaz, Sistan and Yavaros were sown in 5 kg plastic pots. The source manipulation treatments including control (C), defoliation of all leaves (D1), defoliation of all leaves except the flag leaf (D2) and defoliation of all leaves except the flag leaf and penultimate leaf (D3), were imposed at anthesis. Results showed that source restriction decreased number of grain per spike significantly in Shiraz cultivar under drought stress condition. Maximum 100-grain weight was observed in C treatment of Yavaros and Shiraz under well-watered condition. Among the defoliation treatments under drought stress condition, D2 in Pishtaz and D1 in Shiraz had the highest (3.66 g) and lowest (2.71 g) 100 grain weight, respectively. In all cultivars drought stress decreased main shoot yield significantly but in Pishtaz and Sistan decreasing rate was less than the other cultivars. RWC in Shiraz decreased sharply from 92.1% in well-watered to 66.7% (27.5% reduction) under drought stress at 10 DAA. After anthesis, Pishtaz and Sistan maintained higher content of flag leaf chlorophyll (from 49.4 to 56.8 SPAD unit) under drought stress condition. Generally, selection and culture of cultivars that had small responses to defoliation might be a useful strategy in yield improvement of wheat in areas where the water availability is low.     

Effects of Fusarium culmorum and water stress on durum wheat in Tunisia

The effects of water stress on Fusarium foot and root rot in durum wheat were investigated in growth chamber, greenhouse and field tests in Tunisia. In the seedling stage, emergence of six durum wheat cultivars in the growth chamber was significantly reduced by inoculation with Fusarium culmorum and water stress (P<0.0001), with more disease under drier conditions. Additionally, the tiller number per mature plant, the 1000 grain weight and disease severity in mature stage were reduced by inoculation in greenhouse studies. In a field test, inoculation with F. culmorum significantly reduced the yield (P<0.001), by more than 17% for Om Rabiaa and 38% for Karim, the two cultivars tested. Yield was also significantly affected by precipitation and irrigation levels. The severity of the disease, estimated by the percentage of white heads, was separately affected by the cultivar (P<0.001) and inoculation (P = 0.0004). Percentage of white heads was 1.5 and 2 × higher in inoculated plants than non-inoculated for Om Rabiaa and Karim cultivars, respectively. Disease severity was highest in treatments with the greatest water stress. This is the first detailed study of water stress and F. culmorum on durum wheat in Tunisia, and indicates that cultivar resistance and irrigation management may be important in the management of Fusarium foot rot.     

Benzoxazinoid and alkylresorcinol content,and their antioxidant potential,in a grain of spring and winter wheat cultivated under different production systems

The health-promoting properties of the grains of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are associated with the presence of unique phytochemicals. This study determines the profile of alkylresorcinols (ARs) and benzoxazinoids (BXs) in T. aestivum spring and winter cultivars grown in Poland under the two different production systems: conventional and organic. Wheat grain extracts were subjected to qualitative and quantitative UPLC-UV-MS/MS analyses. The ARs profile consisted of five 5-n-alkylresorcinol derivatives, among which 5-n-heneicosylresorcinol (C21:0) and 5-n-nonadecanylresorcinol (C19:0) predominated; while six different BXs were determined in hydrothermally treated grains. Our research shows significant differences in the contents of ARs and BXs among wheat cultivars, as well as the two production systems used. Organically grown varieties had their total contents of ARs and BXs significantly higher than those grown conventionally. Another aim of the study was to determine the antioxidant capacity of alkylresorcinol extracts from tested wheat cultivars. The quantitative TLC-DPPH• method for determining the antiradical capacity of wheat ARs extracts was developed. We observed a positive relationship between the free radical scavenging activity of extracts and the total amount of ARs. The biological activity research is important for developing value-added wheat cultivars, having an improved profile and composition of nutritional substances.     

Impact of water content on the solubilisation of arabinoxylan during xylanase treatment of wheat bran

Arabinoxylan (AX) has a major impact on the functional properties of wheat bran, and it has been shown that technological properties of bran can be improved by using endoxylanases. Enzymatic treatments are typically conducted at high water content. However, in industrial applications, low water content may be advantageous, especially when targeting dry end products. The aim of the study was to examine the impact of water content, ranging from 20 to 90%, on the efficiency of endoxylanase treatment of wheat bran. Interestingly, AX solubilisation was highest at the water contents of 40 and 90%. At water contents 50–80%, AX solubilisation was lower than at 40 and 90%. Furthermore, at low water content, less depolymerisation was detected. At water content of 40%, the bran-water mixture was transformed from powder-like into compact mass. Probably the compact consistency of the material enhanced AX solubilisation by increased breakdown of bran cell walls due to shear forces or via enhanced enzyme binding to the substrate. The results show that solubilisation of bran AX can also be efficiently performed at low water content.     

The impact of emmer genetic diversity on grain protein content and test weight of hexaploid wheat under high temperature stress

High temperature has a negative impact on wheat grain quality and reduces market value. Emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccon Schrank), one of the earliest domesticated wheat species, is a source of genetic diversity for the improvement of heat and drought tolerance in modern wheat. However, the potential of emmer wheat for the improvement of grain physical quality under high temperature stress is little studied. A diverse set of 184 emmer-based hexaploid lines was developed by crossing emmer wheat with hexaploid wheat and backcrossing once to hexaploid wheat. These materials, seven hexaploid recurrent parents and seven commercial cultivars, were evaluated at two times of sowing (E1 and E2) in the field, in 2015–2016. The materials were genotyped using a 90 K SNP platform and these data were used to estimate the contribution of emmer wheat to the progeny. Significant phenotypic and genetic variation for grain physical quality traits including protein content and test weight was observed. High temperature significantly increased protein content and decreased test weight. Large scale field phenotyping identified emmer progenies with improved grain characteristic compared to their respective parents and commercial cultivars in both environments. A few families consistently produced higher trait means across environments compared to their recurrent parents. The emmer wheat parent contributed between 1 and 37% of the genome in emmer-based genotypes. Selected emmer derived lines with superior protein content and test weight, tended to have a greater genetic contribution from the emmer parent, ranging from 12 to 37% and 7–37% in E1 and E2, respectively. It was concluded that new genetic variation for seed traits, such as protein content and test weight, can be introduced to hexaploid wheat from emmer wheat. The newly developed emmer derivatives identified with enhanced grain quality under high temperature stress can potentially be used to improve grain quality through breeding.