Chemical composition and antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of essential oil of Artemisia annua L. from Bosnia

Hydrodistilled volatile oil obtained from the aerial parts of Artemisia annua L., cultivated near Sarajevo, Bosnia, was analyzed by GC-MS. More than one hundred compounds were identi?ed, representing 95.5% of the total oil. The major constituents of essential oil were oxygenated monoterpenes, artemisia ketone (30.7%) and camphor (15.8%). Isolated essential oil was tested for radical-scavenging ability using the stable DPPH radical, the ABTS radical, for reducing power ability with a test based on the reduction of ferric cations, for reducing ability of hydroxy radical in ORAC assay, and for metal chelating ability using the ferrozine assay. In all tests oil did not show a prominent antioxidant activity, but still comparable with thymol, an already known antioxidant. The screening of antimicrobial activity of oil was individually evaluated against representatives of Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi, using the agar diffusion method. All tested microorganisms were inhibited by essential oil. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of antimicrobial activity of essential oil of A. annua against Haemophilus influenzae, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Micrococcus luteus and Candida krusei microbial strains. The antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal activity of essential oil of A. annua from Bosnia is presented here for the first time and extends our knowledge in the range of valuable biological activities and possible roles in therapy associated with this medicinal herb.     

Chemical composition and nutritional potential of yam bean seeds (Pachyrhizus erosus L. Urban)

Pachyrhizus erosus seeds were analysed for proximate composition, minerals, protein fractions, antinutritional factors, and rotenoids. The seeds showed a high content of proteins, lipids, Fe and Ca, in comparison to other legumes. Glutelins constitute the highest protein fraction, followed by globulins. Antinutritional substances detected as tannins, hemagglutinating activity and trypsin inhibitory activity, were in low concentrations. Seeds were also processed to obtain a flour which showed proper characteristics, good in vitro digestibility, significant rotenoid reduction level and amino acid composition rich in essential amino acids, except methionine.     

Glands,essential oils and in vitro establishment of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don ssp. microphyllum (Willd.) Nyman

In this work, two Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don ssp. microphyllum (Willd.) Nym. genotypes (genotype 1 and genotype 12) collected from different areas of Corsica were used. After the taxonomic identification based on several specific morphological characters, the two genotypes were subjected to microscopic studies. The precise structure of the glandular trichomes, secreting essential oils, on the flower heads and leaves of H. italicum (Roth) G. Don ssp. microphyllum (Willd.) Nym. are described here for the first time. Volatile constituents from both field-grown genotypes 1 and 12 were analyzed and their composition compared: monoterpenes were the most abundant class of compounds with nerol and its esters as the main metabolites. Genotype 12 was used to establish an efficient micropropagation protocol. For proliferation, different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) alone or in combination with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) were tested adding sucrose (20% or 30%). To define the optimal conditions for in vitro rooting, the shoots obtained were divided and transferred to the culture medium without growth regulators or enriched by different auxins in combination with sucrose (20% or 30%). Acclimatization, carried out in different conditions was easy, registering high survival percentages. The results achieved in this study allowed to obtain selected and standardized plants suitable for the exploitation in industrial sectors of this interesting species.     

大豆种子发育过程中差异表达蛋白的蛋白质组分析

采用蛋白质组学技术研究了大豆N2899种子发育过程中蛋白质的差异表达。运用PDQuest软件比较分析不同发育时期（15,20,30,40,50 DAF和成熟种子）大豆种子蛋白的双向电泳图谱,在考染的2-D胶上共检测到337个蛋白点。有些蛋白质在整个发育过程中都出现,而另外一些只出现在发育早期或成熟的种子中。利用基质辅助-激光解吸／电离-飞行时间-质谱（MALDI-TOF-MS）技术,分析了不同发育时期30个差异表达蛋白,并用Pro-found（http：／／www．prowl．rockefeller．edu）工具,对质谱产生的肽质量指纹（PMF）数据进行NCBInr数据库检索,结果鉴定了18个蛋白质。比较发现,这些蛋白主要参与种子的成熟（如伴豆球蛋白）、逆境胁迫反应（如抗坏血酸过氧化酶）、细胞分裂（如Skp1）和蛋白运输（如钙网蛋白）等。研究表明,种子发育过程十分复杂,所鉴定的蛋白质,可为从分子水平上研究大豆种子发育进程中蛋白的积累和调控奠定基础。     

Chemical composition,rumen degradability and crude protein fractionation of some commercial and improved cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) haulm varieties

Seasonal chemical composition, in sacco organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) degradabilities and CP fractions of haulms of three improved (ITA2, ITA6 and ITA8) and three commercial (Oloyin, Peu and Sokoto) cowpea varieties harvested in wet and dry seasons were evaluated in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Effective degradation of OM and CP was estimated at assumed outflow rates of 2 and 4% h^?1. Commercial haulms (all the other parts of the cowpea minus the grains) had greater (P < 0·001) CP than improved varieties, whereas neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre were greater (P < 0·001) in improved vs. commercial haulms. Interactions between variety group (improved vs. commercial) and season were observed for CP (P = 0·002), lignin (P = 0·003) and hemicellulose (P = 0·030) contents of the haulms. Similarly, a group × season interaction was observed for effective degradation of OM at an outflow rate of 2%. The proportion of substrate degraded in the samples harvested in the wet season was generally less (P < 0·001) than in the dry season. Effective degradability values of OM at the assumed passage rates were greater (P < 0·001) for improved vs. commercial cowpea haulms. Interactions between group and season were observed for all but one of the CP fractions. Seasonal differences in the quality of haulms showed that attention must be given to handling of haulms to minimize the amount of leaves lost during the wet season.     

Chemical composition and pasting properties of einkorn (Triticum monococcum L. subsp. monococcum) whole meal flour

Einkorn (Triticum monococcum L. subsp. monococcum) is an ancient wheat appreciated for its high proteins, carotenoids and tocols content. To better understand its potential for human consumption and food preparation, composition and pasting properties of 65 einkorn accessions, of different geographical origin but cultivated at S. Angelo Lodigiano (Italy), were evaluated. Eight Triticum turgidum and seven Triticum aestivum cultivars, belonging to different subspecies, were assessed as controls.On average, the einkorn samples had light seeds (25.0 mg/kernel), extra-soft texture (238.3 g), high protein content (18.2%), high ash content (2.35%), low SDS sedimentation volume (25.6 ml), high carotenoids (8.36 μg/g) and high yellow pigments (8.46 μg/g). The pasting parameters studied were peak viscosity (average: 2426 cP), breakdown (765 cP), final viscosity (2788 cP) and setback (1126 cP). Total amylose (25.7%) and total starch (65.5%) were also measured. Significant differences from the controls and a broad variation for all the traits analysed were observed. Einkorns from diverse geographical areas showed different mean values for all characters, apart from ash content.The good pasting properties, coupled with high proteins and carotenoids content, suggest that einkorn is particularly suited for the production of baby and specialty foods.     

茶树甜菜碱醛脱氢酶基因(CsBADH1)的全长cDNA克隆与表达分析

甜菜碱是一种能在逆境下大量积累的无毒性渗透相溶物质,而甜菜碱醛脱氢酶(BADH)是甜菜碱合成途径中的关键酶之一。本实验采用SMART-RACE技术获得了茶树甜菜碱醛脱氢酶基因的全长cDNA序列,命名为CsBADH1(GenBank登陆号:JX050145),并对其进行相关的生物信息学分析。结果表明:CsBADH1的cDNA序列全长1 972 bp,其开放阅读框(ORF)为1 518 bp,编码505个氨基酸,预测分子量为54.8 kD,理论等电点(PI)为5.652,是疏水性很强的蛋白,且具有BADH基因典型的高度保守十肽基序(VTLELGGKSP)和与醛脱氢酶(ALDHs)功能有关的半胱氨酸残基(C)。系统进化树分析表明,茶树BADH氨基酸序列与人参(Panax ginseng)的亲缘关系最近,相似度达87%,其余相似性也大部分在80%以上。实时荧光定量PCR分析结果显示:该基因在经历一定时间的冷驯化后表达量升高,说明CsBADH1基因可能参与茶树的冷驯化作用。     

Proximate composition, extraction, characterization and comparative assessment of coconut (Cocos nucifera) and melon (Colocynthis citrullus) seeds and seed oils

Proximate composition, extraction, characterization and comparative assessment of Cocos nucifera and Colocynthis citrullus seeds and seed oils were evaluated in this work using standard analytical techniques. The results showed the percentage (%) moisture, crude fibre, ash, crude protein, lipids and total carbohydrate contents of the seeds as 7.51 and 4.27, 7.70 and 5.51, 1.02 and 2.94, 10.57 and 11.67, 47.80 and 50.42 and 32.84 and 29.47 while the calorific values were 553.99 and 567.32 Kcal/100 g for C. nucifera and C. citrullus, respectively. The two seed oils were odourless and at room temperature (30 degrees C) liquids, with a pale yellow to yellowish colouration. Lipid indices of the seed oils indicated the Acid Values (AV) as 2.06-6.36 mg NaOH g(-1) and 2.99-6.17 mg NaOH g(-1), Free Fatty Acids (FFA) as 1.03-3.18 and 1.49-3.09%, Saponification Values (SV) as 252.44-257.59 and 196.82-201.03 mg KOH g(-1), Iodine Values (IV) as 9.73-10.99 and 110.93-111.46 mg of I2 g(-1) of oil and Peroxide Values (PV) as 0.21-0.21 and 1.53-2.72 mg O2 kg(-1) for soxhlet-mechanical extracted C. nucifera and C. citrullus seed oils, respectively. The studied characteristics of the oil extracts in most cases compared favourably with most conventional vegetable oils sold in the Nigeria markets; however, there were some observed levels of significant differences in the values at p < or = 0.05. These results suggest that the seeds examined may be nutritionally potent and also viable sources of seed oils judging by their oil yield. The data also showed that the seed oils were edible inferring from their low AV and their corresponding low FFA contents. Industrially, the results revealed the seed oils to have great potentials in soap manufacturing industries because of their high SV. They were also shown to be non-drying due to their low IV which also suggested that the oils contain few unsaturated bonds and therefore have low susceptibility to oxidative rancidity and deterioration as confirmed by their low PV which also serves as indicators of the presence or high levels of anti-oxidants in the oils.     

Natural infraspecific variation in fatty acid composition of Cuphea (Lythraceae) seed oils

Fatty acid analyses of seed lipids were performed for 28 populations representing three widely distributed Cuphea species. Locality and climatic data for all samples were also compiled. The objectives of this study were to examine the extent of variation in seed oil composition among the wild populations, and to discover any patterns of relationship between fatty acid composition of seed oils and environmental factors. While we found the dominant fatty acid in the oil of each species remained consistent over the environmental and geographical ranges of the samples in the present study, variation as high as 30.6% in the amount of the dominant fatty acid produced was observed. Correlation analysis between fatty acid composition and the individual environmental factors of latitude, elevation or temperature showed no consistent pattern of influence. However, when considered together, the interaction of all three, and especially latitude and elevation, contributed significantly to the variation among populations. Environmental data at microhabitat level and through controlled environmental experiments will be needed for more precise understanding of factors affecting Cuphea seed oil composition at the population level.     

Chemical,sensory and rheological properties of porridges from processed sorghum (Sorghum bicolor,bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) flours

The chemical, sensory and rheological properties of porridges made from blends of sprouted sorghum, bambara groundnuts and fermented sweet potatoes were examined. Sorghum and bambara groundnuts were sprouted for 48 h while sweet potatoes were fermented for the same period. Blends were formulated from the processed ingredients in the ratio of 60:40:0, 57:42:1, 55:44:1 and 52:46:2 (protein basis) of sorghum, bambara groundnuts and sweet potatoes. Porridges were prepared from the composite flours and the traditional sorghum complementary food. Standard assay methods were used to evaluate the flours for nutrient composition. The porridges were also tested for sensory properties and viscosity. Processing increased the levels of most of the nutrients evaluated. Relative to the sorghum traditional complementary food, thecomposite flours had higher levels of lipids, protein, ash, crude fiber and minerals (p<0.05). The porridges from the composite flours were generally liked slightly by the panelists and were about seven times less viscous than the porridge from the traditional sorghum complementary food. Use of the composite flours, particularly the 52:46:2 blend, as a traditional complementary food should be encouraged in Nigeria especially with the increasing cost of commercial complementary foods.     

Chemical analysis and nutritional assessment of Teramnus labialis (L.) Spreng. (Fabaceae)

Seeds of Teramnus labialis (L.) Spreng.(Fabaceae), used as food by Malayali tribals in theKollihills of Salem District, Tamil Nadu in SouthIndia, were investigated for their nutritional value. These seeds were analyzed for proximate composition,total (true) seed proteins, seed proteinfractions, amino acid composition, fatty acidcomposition, minerals and antinutritional factors. Crude protein, crude fat, ash, and nitrogen freeextracts constituted 22.86%, 6.10%, 4.62%, and,58.15%, respectively, of the seed weight. The caloricvalue of 100 g dry matter of seed material was 378.94kcal. The essential amino acids lysine, leucine +isoleucine, arginine, valine and histidine werepresent in relatively large quantities. Theunsaturated fatty acids constituted more than 60% ofthe crude fat. Concentrations of minerals such aspotassium, magnesium, calcium, and, phosphorus werehigh. Antinutritional factors such as total freephenols, tannins, L-DOPA, hydrogen cyanide andphytic acid were present in minute quantities. Theseantinutritional factors are potentially eliminated using the conventional method of soaking the seeds in water,boiling with water and decanting prior to consumption.     

Effect of mycorrhizae, Thiobacillus and sulfur nutrition on the chemical composition of soybean [Glycine max (L.)] Merr. seed

A field experiment carried out in a calcareous soil with a low available phosphorus to evaluate effectiveness of biofertilizers, mycorrhizae (Glomus intraradices) and Thiobacillus sp. inoculation individually or in combination on seed yield, oil, protein and some elements (P, Fe, Mn, Zn) concentration in two soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivars. The applied treatments were different fertilizers with 6 levels (including: NP (control, 12 kg N ha(-1) as urea, 46 kg P2O5 ha(-1) as triple super phosphate); NPK (NP + 75 kg K2O ha(-1) as potassium sulphate); NPKS [NPK+ S (100 kg S ha(-1))]; NPKST (NPKS + seed inoculation with Thiobacillus bacteria); NPKM (NPK + Seed inoculation with mycorrhizae fungi) and NPKSTM (NPKS + seed inoculation with Thiobacillus and mycorrhizae) and two cultivars (JK and 032). Before planting, soybean seeds were inoculated by Bradyrhizobium japonicum in all treatments. Results showed that combined inoculation of biofertilizers increased yield, however the highest yield was observed in treatment NPKST. Increasing oil content (percentage) was more pronounced in treatments NPKM, while most protein content (percentage) increasing was observed in NPKS and NPKM. Fe and Zn concentrations were unaffected significantly by fertilizer treatments, but NPKSTM showed significantly higher value of seed's Mn concentration compared to treatments NP and NPK. Although no significant difference was observed in terms ofP concentration of 032 line among fertilizer treatments, JK cultivar and NPKSTM caused a significant increasing in P concentration compared to NP, NPKS and NPKM. Present results suggested that applying biofertilizers i.e., mycorrhizae and Thiobacillus increased soybean yield compared to control (NP). Overall, this study demonstrated that soybean seed yield and its chemical composition could be affected by biofertilizer inoculation.     

Chemical composition of the essential oil and antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts from fruits and flowers of Hypericum lydium Boiss.

This study was conducted to evaluate the essential oil composition and antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts from fruits and flowers of Hypericum lydium Boiss., a wild growing species of the Turkish flora. The antioxidant activities were determined through several biochemical assays. Both extracts showed an inhibitory effect against the formation of TBARS in a phosphatidylcholine liposome model system, moderate scavenging effect on DPPH and superoxide radicals, prominent reducing power and inhibitory effect on deoxyribose degradation in both the nonsite and site-specific assay, but a greater hydroxyl radical scavenging activity was observed in the non-site specific assay, suggesting that the extracts were better at scavenging hydroxyl radicals than at chelating iron. Correlation analysis indicated that there was a linear relationship between antioxidant potency, free-radical scavenging activity, reducing power and the content of flavonoids of fruits and flowers extracts. The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. In total forty-three compounds were identified. The most abundant components were monoterpenes hydrocarbons represented principally by α-pinene. The tested oil showed no antioxidant activity.     

Variability in essential oil content and composition of Origanum hirtum L., Origanum onites L., Coridothymus capitatus (L.) and Satureja thymbra L. populations from the Greek island Ikaria

Plants belonging to four “oregano” plant species (Origanum hirtum L., Origanum onites L., Coridothymus capitatus L., and Satureja thymbra L.) were collected during flowering from 33 sites located in the eastern part of the Greek island of Ikaria in the Eastern Aegean during April, May and July 2008. C. capitatus and O. hirtum were mostly observed in higher altitudes, whereas O. onites and S. thymbra in lower ones. The spatial distribution of all species was depicted on a GIS map. All four species exhibited essential oil concentrations higher than those reported in earlier literature, namely O. onites 3-4.3%, S. thymbra 4-6.5%, C. capitatus 3.7-5.6% and O. hirtum 5.5-10.0% (v/w). Carvacrol was the main constituent of the essential oils of all species, followed by γ-terpinene, p-cymene and caryophyllene, while thymol was not detected. All constituents varied remarkably among the four species, with carvacrol exhibiting the lowest variation. Carvacrol content varied between 72.3 and 89.2% in O. onites; 46.5 and 58.0% in S. thymbra; 82.9 and 90.9% in C. capitatus; and 84.4 and 93.8% in O. hirtum. By applying hierarchical cluster analysis on the basis of the essential oil constituents two main groups, divided into four subgroups of the taxa were evident. The first group consisted of O. onites and S. thymbra, while the second one of C. capitatus and O. hirtum. The results are discussed in terms of topography and climatic variation.     

The composition of pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan (L. Millsp.) grown in Botswana

This study investigated the composition of pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan),grown at Sebele, Botswana. The raw seeds of six varieties were analyzed fordry matter, crude fat, protein, fiber, and ash, using Association of OfficialAnalytical Chemists procedures. Major minerals, Ca, K, P, Mg, Na and traceminerals, Cu, Fe and Zn were also assessed. The range of nutrient contentsobtained were: dry matter 86.6–88.0%, crude protein 19.0–21.7%, crudefat 1.2–1.3%, crude fiber 9.8–13.0%, and ash 3.9–4.3%. Minerals ranges(mg/100 g dry matter) were: K 1845–1941, P 163–293, Ca 120–167, Mg 113–127, Na 11.3–12.0, Zn 7.2–8.2, Fe 2.5–4.7 and Cu 1.6–1.8. There wereno significant differences in Na among the six varieties (p>0.05). For the other components, varietal differences (p < 0.05) were observed. The valuesobtained for the dry matter, crude protein, fat, ash, Ca, Cu, Fe, and Mg weresimilar to those in pigeon peas grown elsewhere, while those for crude fiber and Zn were higher. In general, the composition of pigeon peas compared favorably with those of other legumes such as Bambara groundnut (Vignasubterranea). The levels of crude protein, crude fiber, K, Ca, P and Mgindicated that pigeon peas could be valuable in the diet of the people of Botswana. This crop would positively contribute protein in the diet and thediversification of agricultural produce.     

Taxocoenosis and distribution of nektonic fauna in the rice fields of Kashmir (J and K) India

Present study attempts to identify the taxocoenosis and distribution of nektonic fauna harbouring the rice field ecosystems of Kashmir. The main objective of the study was to provide an overview of the nektonic community composition and physicochemical characteristics of flood waters. 6 sites were selected in Kupwara, Bandipora, Budgam, Srinagar, Pulwama and Anantnag districts of valley Kashmir. A total of 26 taxa belonging to 13 different orders were reported during the study which commenced through 2 consecutive crop cycles. The taxocoenosis was dominated by Coleoptera (10 taxa) followed by Hemiptera (3 taxa), Diptera (2 taxa), Diplostraca (2 taxa), Acarina, Anostraca, Anura, Amphipoda, Basommatophora, Cypriniformes, Cyprinodontiformes, Odonata and Pulmonata (1 taxa each). Diversity was calculated using Simpsons Index (D), Simpsons Index of Diversity (1-D), Simpsons Reciprocal Index (1/D), Shannon-Weiner Index (H'), Margalef Richness Index (d) and Evenness Index (e). Kupwara (34 degrees 02'N; 74 degrees 16'E) formed the most diverse site registering a total of 2384 individuals belonging to 24 taxa. A perusal of the primary data related to the physicochemical attributes of flood waters exhibited that average water temperature varied between 19-30 degrees C, average air temperature varied between 21 and 33 degrees C. pH depicted a variation between 6.0 and 9.0, Dissolved Oxygen varied between a minimum of 1.0 mg L(-1) and a maximum of 10 mg L(-1). Free CO2 ranged between 0 mg L(-1) and 6.1 mg(-1). The results pressed the need for recognizing and preserving rice fields as potential habitats for organisms that have successfully adapted to the highly manipulated and eutrophic conditions of rice paddies.     

大豆油分含量位点主要等位基因挖掘

应用241份国内外大豆资源和18个SSR引物,卡方检验及t检验鉴定出3个与大豆油分含量正向相关的重要位点,分别为Satt343,Sat_ 295和Satt598,每一位点各含1个与油分相关的重要等位基因,分别为Satt343_3,Sat_295_6和Satt598_7,这3个等位基因对油分含量呈正效应,并在分别在引物Satt343和Sat_295附近发现已定位的与油分含量相关的基因.     

茶树花青素还原酶的酶学特性研究

茶树花青素还原酶(CsANR)作为原花青素生物合成途径中的关键酶,催化花青素为相应的2,3-顺式-黄烷-3-醇。为了研究该酶的酶学特性,本文采用原核表达及钴离子亲和柱纯化技术,表达并纯化出目的蛋白;重点对CsANR1酶学特性进行研究分析。结果表明,CsANR1的最适反应温度为40℃,最适pH值为6.5;对底物矢车菊色素的亲和力高于飞燕草色素。Cu2+、Co2+、Fe2+、Mn2+、Zn2+和Hg2+等金属离子对酶有抑制作用,存放15d后酶活下降50%。