Protein,calcium, iron,and amino acid content of selected wild and domesticated cultivars of finger millet

Two wild and eight domesticated cultivars of finger millet were analyzed to determine their proximate composition and calcium, iron, and amino acid content. Wide variations were observed in the protein (mean values ranged from 7.5 to 11.7%), calcium (376 to 515 mg/100 g), and iron (3.7 to 6.8 mg/100 g) content of the wild and domesticated cultivars. A wild progenitor of finger millet, Ecoracana subsp.africana was significantly higher in protein than four of the six domesticated accessions analyzed. The calcium and iron content of the wild progenitor was also significantly greater than that of two domesticated cultivars. The wild species was also found to be higher in lysine and five other essential amino acids. These results indicate that the nutritional value of finger millet may be significantly improved by selective crossbreeding of the cereal's wild and domesticated cultivars.     

Proximate Analysis and Some Antinutritional Factor Constituents in Selected Varieties of Jamaican Yams (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dioscorea</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rajana</Emphasis> spp.)

Two wild (Dioscorea polygonoides and Rajana cordata) and seven cultivated varieties of Jamaican yams (Dioscorea spp.) were analyzed for their proximate composition and the levels of antinutritional factors. The protein level range was 47.8 ± 2.6 to 88.0 ± 2.5 g/kg dry weight. The lowest level was seen in D. cayenensis. The range for the dietary fiber content in the tubers was 16.3 ± 0.7 to 63.5 ± 0.4 g/kg dry weight. The wild yam varieties recorded higher levels. Saponins level was < 600 mg/kg dry weight in all the tubers analyzed except for bitter yam (2962.5 ± 60.5 mg/kg dry weight). Total phenol content ranged from 1.3 ± 0.1 to 79.3 ± 6.1 g/kg while total condensed tannin content ranged from 0.1 ± 0.0 to 26.7 ± 3.8 g/kg dry weight. Samples that showed high levels of phenols also had high levels of condensed tannins. All the samples analyzed contained low levels of lectins and no alkaloids were detected. The levels of antinutritional factors did not clearly delineate the wild varieties from the edible varieties.     

以色列野生燕麦物候及农艺性状与起源生态地理因素的相关性

为探讨起源地生态地理因素对野生燕麦物候期和农艺性状的影响,对种植于成都金堂试验地的源自以色列不同地区7个野生燕麦群体70个基因型的19个物候和农艺性状进行了测定,并用单因素方差(One-Way ANOVA)、相关性网络(Correlation-based network analysis,CNA)、斯皮尔曼秩相关(Spearmanp’s Rho Correlation)等方法进行数据分析。结果表明,不同群体和基因型间的物候期和农艺性状差异明显。其中,全生育期最短的群体是Sede Boqer,来自该群体的SB14-07的生育期仅170.0d;最大单株生物产量出现在Caesarea群体中,达268.1g;而千粒重最大的是来自Tabigha群体的Tg-09,为28.8g。起源地水分、温度、地理等因素对野生燕麦的物候及农艺性状起不同程度的关键性影响。以上结果说明,野生燕麦物候及农艺性状差异的实质是其长期与环境相互作用,在自然选择压力下进化形成的遗传多样性。     

Investigation of the stripping process of the reactive dyes using organic sulphur reducing agents in alkali condition

This paper focuses on the stripping application of the reactive dyes using different recipes set up with different reducing agents and working parameters. We tried to develop alternative stripping methods using two kinds of thioureadioxide because of several disadvantages of sodium dithionite. The pretreated woven fabrics were dyed at 0.25%, 1%, 4% owf% using five commercial reactive dyes by exhaust method. Totally, 180 specimens were dyed. Then, these specimens were stripped using alternative recipes. In these recipes, we investigated the effects of types of the reducing agents, the concentration of the reducing agents and caustic, process temperature and the presence of leveling agent on the stripping efficiency. In order to examine the efficiency of the stripping processes, we measured the colorimetric values (L*, ΔL, ΔE) of pretreated, dyed and the stripped samples using commercial spectrophotometer and international measurement method. The experimental results were statistically evaluated using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with significance level ofα=0.05. According to the measured and calculated spectral results, we achieved to develop alternative methods using thioureadioxide instead of sodium dithionite. In terms of ANOVA, we found out that only concentration of caustic itself did not have significant effects on the efficiency of stripping.     

Nutritive value ofSauropus androgynus leaves

From the proximate composition ofSauropus androgynus leaf it was observed that its nutritive value is superior to other commonly consumed leafy vegetables in India. In an attempt to popularise this vegetable for human consumption, certain preparations (traditional recipes in Andhra Pradesh, India) were made with the leaf and palatability tests conducted. These tests showed that the leaf was quite acceptable to the consumer. Sauropus androgynus leaf was previously reported to contain considerable amounts of the alkaloid papavarine (580 mg per 100 gm fresh leaf [2]). Excessive consumption of the leaf reportedly caused dizziness, drowsiness, constipation, etc. [6]. Before it could be recommended for wide and frequent use, further work on the subject is necessary to set safe levels for its consumption.A thesis submitted to the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) by P. Padmavathi for her M.Sc. (Foods & Nutrition) at the College of Home Science, Hyderabad, India.     

Synthesis, characterization, and protonation of poly(2-N,N-dimethylamino-4,6-bis(2-furan)-pyrimidine)

A new monomer (2-N,N-dimethylamino-4,6-bis(2-furan)-pyrimidine) was synthesized and its homopolymer was successfully prepared by using ferric trichloride as an oxidant. The structure of monomer and polymer were fully characterized by ¹H-NMR, FT-IR, UV, fluorescent spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The N,N-dimethylformamide solution of the polymer showed a UV-Vis peak at 387 nm and the PL spectrum gave a peak at 517 nm. We have observed that the polymer was sensitive to inorganic acids and the protonation behavior was investigated applying inorganic acids such as HCI and H₂SO₄. The corresponding UV-Vis peaks were observed at 464 and 357 nm, respectively. X-ray diffraction data shows that polymer had a certain crystalline region. The polymer exhibited an [η] value of 0.21 dl/g at 25 °C in H₂SO₄ (w=98 %).     

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Zingiberaceae Plants in Taiwan

The rhizomes of the Zingiberaceae family are a vegetable widely used in many Asian countries, and their medicinal functions have been broadly discussed and accepted in many traditional recipes. In this study, 18 species of five genus of Zingiberaceae plants from Taiwan area were collected and analyzed for their functional properties. Methanolic extracts of the plants were analyzed for their total phenol compounds, α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, and reducing power. Antimicrobial activity of these samples was also determined. The results showed that the total phenol compounds of the Alpinia genus averaged 17, 30 mg/g for Curcumas, and the highest, 36.5 mg/g for Vanoverberghia sasakiana. Antioxidant performances were best observed in Vanoverberghia and Hedychium, both 89%, and DPPH scavenging activity followed similar trends. Particularly, Zingiber oligophyllum, considered as a traditional medicinal plant used in Taiwan exhibited low DPPH scavenging activity and reducing power. Most Zingiberaceae plant extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity against all tested food microorganisms. Hedychium and Vanoverberghia, did not show antimicrobial activities on Escherichia coli and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. This study is a positive demonstration of the utility of screening Taiwan’s endemic Zingiberaceous plants for their food and medicinal uses.     

Optimization of enzymatic hydrolysis of waste cotton fibers for nanoparticles production using response surface methodology

A Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used for optimization of enzymatic hydrolysis of waste cotton fibers in order to obtain finest cellulose particles. The effect of three factors including hydrolysis time (h), substrate concentration (g/l) and enzyme loading (%) were investigated. The median size of the hydrolyzed particles was defined as the response function of the design. Results of BBD were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a quadratic polynomial equation was developed for predicting the particle size. According to the fitted model, the optimal conditions i.e. hydrolysis time, substrate concentration and enzyme loading were suggested as 175 h, 5 g/l and 2.3 %, respectively. The suspension prepared under optimum conditions was subjected to ultrasonic treatment, and the resulted stable suspension of cellulose nanoparticles was characterized. It was found that these nanoparticles are spherical and most of them are in the range of 40–90 nm. The enzymatic and ultrasonic treatments caused an increase in the crystallinity and a decrease in the degree of polymerization of cotton.     

寒地冬小麦TaEXPA7同源基因的遗传转化及其功能分析

膨胀素是一类具有非酶活性的细胞壁松弛蛋白,广泛参与植物生长的各个阶段,其表达受非生物胁迫如低温等调控。为了探究寒地冬小麦(Triticum aestivum)膨胀素基因 TaEXPA7-A/B/D的功能,本研究将 TaEXPA7-A/B/D三个基因分别转入拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)中,利用抗性筛选和PCR鉴定,分别获得了过表达 TaEXPA7-A/B/D三个基因的转基因拟南芥植株,分别观察并测定了 TaEXPA7-A/B/D三个基因对转基因拟南芥生长和低温胁迫下生理指标的影响。结果表明,转基因拟南芥的根长、侧根数目、株高、开花后2周内的花序和角果数目均显著高于野生型;4℃低温处理后,转基因植株中抗氧化酶SOD、POD和CAT的活性及可溶性糖的含量相比于野生型均维持在较高的水平,且MDA的积累量较低。以上结果表明, TaEXPA7-A/B/D三个基因的过表达显著促进了转基因拟南芥的生长,并使植株在低温条件下维持更好的抗氧化和渗透调节能力。     

Amino acid composition, available lysine content and in vitro protein digestibility of selected tropical crop seeds

As the search for alternative sources of food to alleviate hunger continues, this study was undertaken to determine nitrogen and amino acid content, chemical score, protein digestibility corrected amino acid score, available lysine and in vitro digestibility of 8 lesser known, wild tropical seeds, gathered in Nigeria. Results were contrasted with a tropical soybean variety (Glycine max, TGX 1660-15F). The investigated seeds wereMillettia thonningii, Gliricidia sepium, Lonchocarpus sericeus, Albizia zygia, Daneillia ogea andAfzelia bella from the family of Leguminosae,Diospyros mespiliformis (Ebenaceae) andEntandrophragma angolense (Meliaceae). The crude protein content, based on nitrogen determination, was found to be lower in the wild seeds compared to soybean, which was partly due to the relatively high content of non-protein nitrogen. With reference to amino acid requirement and digestibility in most seed samples, lysine, followed by sulphur amino acids and threonine, were the limiting amino acids. It was concluded, that these less familiar wild seed plants may be used as valuable food or feed complements. However, further investigation is necessary to elucidate potential toxic and antinutritional factors.     

Potency of microbial inocula from bovine faeces and rumen fluid for in vitro digestion of different tropical forage substrates

In vitro ruminal fermentation techniques rely on the availability of fistulated ruminants for rumen fluid (RF), a major constraint for resource‐poor institutions. An alternative would be to use faecal microbes. This study was therefore designed to compare the potency of fresh bovine faeces against RF as sources of microbial inocula for fermenting six contrasting tropical forages using the Tilley and Terry (Journal of British Grassland Society, 18 , 104–111) technique. Faecal inocula were prepared at concentrations of 250 g (Faec250), 300 g (Faec300), 350 g (Faec350), 400 g (Faec400) and 450 g (Faec450) fresh cow faeces per litre bicarbonate buffer. In vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) increased with increasing concentration of faeces at 12‐, 24‐ and 48‐h incubation intervals. All faecal inocula except Faec450 had lower potency when compared with RF at all incubation intervals. Digestibility of forage substrates with Faec450 (533 ± 23 g kg^?1 DM IVOMD) was comparable to RF (566 ± 5 g kg^?1 DM IVOMD) after 48‐h incubation. Faec450 showed greater potency on more fibrous and low‐protein substrates than RF. The coefficient of determination of the regression models for predicting 12‐, 24‐ and 48‐h RF IVOMD from Faec450 were 0·914, 0·75 and 0·756 respectively. It was concluded that inocula prepared from 450 g cow faeces demonstrated great potential as a substitute and predictor for RF in 48‐h IVOMD assays of tropical forages.     

Effect of legume flours on baking characteristics of gluten-free bread

The objective of this work was to study the characteristics of four gluten-free bread formulations and the possibility of substituting soya protein with other legume proteins. Four bread recipes were prepared with chickpea flour, pea isolate, carob germ flour or soya flour. Carob germ flour batter structure was thicker compared with the other batters, probably due to the different protein behaviour and the residual gums present in carob germ flour. However, carob germ flour bread obtained the lowest specific volume values (2.51 cm³/g), while chickpea bread obtained the highest (3.26 cm³/g). Chickpea bread also showed the softest crumb. Confocal scanning-laser microscopy results showed a more compact microstructure in carob germ flour bread compared with soya and chickpea formulations. Chickpea bread exhibited the best physico-chemical characteristics and, in general, good sensory behaviour, indicating that it could be a promising alternative to soya protein.     

Nutrient and antinutrient composition of Amaranthus muricatus

The chemical and nutritional composition of theaerial parts of Amaranthus muricatus wasassessed. This is a wild plant growing well in aridand poor soil, which are not suitable for cereals. Thematerial under study was boiled, dried and ground andthen evaluated for chemical, nutritional andantinutritional properties. Protein concentration ofthe amaranth flour was 15.74 g/100 g and total dietaryfiber content was high (53.81 g/100 g), with 79%coming from insoluble dietary fiber. The calciumcontent was 1533 mg/100 g and the Ca/P ratio (5.94)was markedly higher than the value suggested in the1989 Recommended Dietary Allowances. Fifty-ninepercent of the fatty acids present were unsaturatedwith linoleic acid accounting for 40% of the totalfatty acid content. Nitrate, hemagglutinin, trypsininhibitor and saponin contents were within thenon-critical values. Net protein utilization (NPU),true digestibility (tD) and biological value (BV)measurements indicated a nitrogen gain of 74% that ofcasein. The results of this study indicate a nutritivepotential for the A. muricatus leaves, therefore,domestication of this plant is suggested along withassessment of its chemical and nutritionalproperties.     

Analysis of Flavonoids from Leaves of Cultivated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lycium barbarum</Emphasis> L.

Leaves of Lycium barbarum are widely used as medicine vegetables and functional tea in China. The main flavonoids present in the leaves were separated and identified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (LC-(APCI) MS) and ultraviolet-visible spectra with shift additives. The predominant flavonoid was identified as rutin. Leaves are the rutin-rich parts (16.03–16.33 mg/g). In the wild and cultivated L. barbarum fruits, contents of rutin were determined very low (0.09–1.38 mg/g). The contents of total flavonoids (21.25 mg/g) of cultivated L. barbarum leaves were much higher than those in the wild L. barbarum leaves (17.86 mg/g), so cultivated barbarum leaves are a suitable source for medicine vegetables and functional tea.     

Use of 1,6-diaminohexane-functionalized glycidyl methacrylate-g-poly(ethylene terephthalate) fiber for removal of acidic dye from aqueous solution

In this study, removal of Congo red (CR) from aqueous solution by 1,6-diaminohexane-functionalized glycidyl methacrylate-g-poly(ethylene terephthalate) (HMDA-GMA-g-PET) fiber was investigated. A new aminated fibrous adsorbent was prepared by a reaction between amine and epoxy group in GMA-g-PET fiber prepared by grafting GMA monomer onto poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fiber. Effects of various parameters such as pH, treatment time, initial, dye concentration, and reaction temperature on the adsorption amount of dye onto reactive fiber were investigated. The adsorption rates of CR were much higher on the HMDA-GMA-g-PET fiber than on GMA-g-PET and ungrafted PET fiber. The effective pH was 2.0 for adsorption on grafted PET fiber. It was found that the sufficient time to attain equilibrium was 60 min. The maximum adsorption capacity of the reactive fiber for CR is 16.6 mg/g fiber. The rates of adsorption were found to conform to the pseudo-second order kinetics with good correlation. It was found that the adsorption isotherm of CR fitted Freundlich type isotherm.     

小麦TaKLU基因调控植物株型的研究

为了解小麦TaKLU基因对植物株型的影响,对拟南芥功能缺失突变体klu和过表达TaKLU转基因拟南芥进行了表型观察,并对相关性状进行了统计。结果表明,过表达TaKLU基因导致拟南芥分枝数目减少,顶端优势增强,但不影响产量;相反,拟南芥klu突变体分枝数目增加,顶端优势减弱,单株产量减少。进一步对拟南芥klu突变体进行回补试验,发现用拟南芥klu基因自身启动子驱动TaKLU基因在拟南芥klu突变体中表达后,能恢复突变体的顶端优势,而且其株高、分枝数目与野生型没有明显差异;用强启动子35S和特异启动子pINO驱动TaKLU基因在拟南芥klu突变体中表达后,突变体的顶端优势增强,株高升高,而且其分枝数目明显多于野生型,表明小麦TaKLU基因具有调控植株株型的功能,为小麦株型育种提供了新的研究思路。     

一株对玉米螟高毒力的苏云金芽孢杆菌的鉴定及其杀虫活性

从田间土壤中收集并分离获得野生菌株,进行菌体、伴孢晶体形态学观察及分子生物学鉴定,测定其对玉米螟及水稻二化螟的室内生物活性。结果表明,该菌株革兰氏染色阳性,产生的伴孢晶体形状多为不规则形。16S rDNA序列与苏云金芽孢杆菌属的BMB 171同源性达99%,鉴定为苏云金芽孢杆菌,命名为JN002。该菌株对亚洲玉米螟具有较高毒力,对水稻二化螟毒性不及玉米螟,对黏虫几乎无毒力。该菌株是1株对亚洲玉米螟具有较强毒力的苏云金芽孢杆菌新菌株,同时也具备防治水稻二化螟的潜力。     

小麦乙烯响应转录因子基因 wfzp突变体颖果发育的研究

小麦WFZP基因编码的乙烯响应因子是植物中特有的转录因子，参与果实成熟、花叶器官衰老、脱落和种子发育等过程。为探明 wfzp基因突变对小麦颖果发育的影响，以甲基磺酸乙酯诱变的两个 wfzp基因突变体（ wfzp1和 wfzp2）和野生型小麦品种济麦22为材料，运用树脂超薄切片和显微观察技术观察小麦WFZP基因突变体颖果的形态结构发育特征。结果显示， wfzp突变体颖果发育有如下特征：（1）在颖果发育早期，两个突变体的外果皮发育进程较快，中果皮降解时间提前； wfzp1内果皮管细胞消失较快，与 wfzp1突变体相比， wfzp2突变体的管细胞发育缓慢；（2）两个突变体胚乳细胞的分化和发育明显较快，细胞中淀粉和蛋白体的积累量明显增多，细胞的充实度高，尤其在 wfzp2突变体中表现较为明显；（3）两个突变体胚乳传递细胞与糊粉层传递细胞的生长分化进程加快。研究结果为进一步探究乙烯响应转录因子调控小麦颖果发育提供了形态学参考。     

Anti-nutrient analysis of 30 Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) accessions in South Africa

Bambara groundnut is a leguminous crop that originated in West Africa. It is a drought-tolerant crop and has the potential to provide improved food and nutritional security in the dry areas of Africa. However, the plant contains anti-nutritional factors that affect its food value chain. The objective of this study was to assess the content of four major anti-nutritional factors in 30 bambara groundnut accessions in South Africa. The seeds of the bambara groundnut landraces were ground to make a fine powder and assessed for condensed tannins (CTs), phytic acid phosphate (PAP), polyphenol, and trypsin inhibitor content. Each assay was done in triplicate. The content of the four anti-nutritional compounds varied widely among the bambara groundnut accessions. The mean values for CTs ranged between 0.2 and 6.2 mg/g of prodephinidin equivalent, whereas that of the PAP was between 1.4 and 4.9 mg/g. A low mean polyphenol content of 0.4 mg/g of GA (gallic acid) equivalent was observed among the accessions. The level of trypsin inhibitor ranged from 5.3 to 73.4 TI/mg. With the exception of CTs and trypsin inhibitor, no significant correlation was observed among the four anti-nutritional factors assessed in this study. Generally, higher levels of anti-nutrients were observed in this study compared with certain studies reported earlier.     

基因型和环境对以色列野生二棱大麦籽粒营养品质的影响

为探讨基因型和生长环境对野生二棱大麦营养性状的影响,对源自以色列不同地区的9个群体60个基因型野生二棱大麦材料在3个环境条件下的籽粒可溶性蛋白质、氨基酸、植酸、无机磷和淀粉含量及粒重进行测定,并对检测数据进行了单因素方差分析(One-Way ANOVA)、相关性网络分析(correlation-based network analysis,CNA)和斯皮尔曼秩相关分析(Spearmanp’s Rho Correlation)。结果表明,野生二棱大麦各被测性状与生长地土壤成分存在显著相关性(P0.01);以色列野生二棱大麦籽粒中无机磷、总淀粉含量和粒重受生长环境和基因型的共同影响,而植酸、可溶性蛋白质、氨基酸含量等性状则主要受生长地环境的影响。