Deactivation of triplet-excited riboflavin by purine derivatives: important role of uric acid in light-induced oxidation of milk sensitized by riboflavin

The reactivity of purine derivatives (uric acid, xanthine, hypoxanthine, and purine) toward triplet-excited riboflavin in aqueous solution at pH 6.4 is described on the basis of kinetic (laser flash photolysis), electrochemical (square-wave voltammetry), and theoretical data (density functional theory, DFT). Direct deactivation of triplet-excited riboflavin in aqueous solution, pH 6.4 at 24 degrees C, in the presence of uric acid, xanthine, and hypoxanthine strongly suggests a direct electron transfer from the purine to the triplet-excited riboflavin with k = 2.9 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) (DeltaH(++) = 14.7 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(++) = -15.6 J mol(-1) K(-1)), 1.2 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) (DeltaH(++) = 34.3 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(++) = +45.3 J mol(-1) K(-1)), and 1.7 x10(8) M(-1) s(-1) (DeltaH(++) = 122 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(++) = +319 J mol(-1) K(-1)), respectively. From the respective one-electron oxidation potentials collected in aqueous solution at pH 6.4 for uric acid (E = +0.686 vs normal hydrogen electrode, NHE), xanthine (E = +1.106 vs NHE), and hypoxanthine (E = +1.654 vs NHE), the overall free energy changes for electron transfer from the quencher to the triplet-excited riboflavin are as follows: uric acid (DeltaG(o) = -114 kJ mol(-1)), xanthine (DeltaG(o) = -73.5 kJ mol(-1)), hypoxanthine (DeltaG(o) = -20.6 kJ mol(-1)), and purine (DeltaG(o) > 0). The inertness observed for purine toward triplet-excited riboflavin corroborates with its electrochemical inactivity in the potential range from 0 up to 2 V vs NHE. These data are in agreement with the DFT results, which show that the energy of the purine highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) (-0.2685 arbitrary unit) is lower than the energy of the semioccupied molecular orbital (SOMO) (-0.2557 a.u.) of triplet-excited riboflavin, indicating an endergonic process for the electron-transfer process. The rate-determining step for deactivation by purine derivatives can be assigned to an electron transfer from the purine derivative to the SOMO orbital of the triplet-excited riboflavin. The results show that uric acid may compete with oxygen and other antioxidants to deactivate triplet-excited riboflavin in milk serum and other biological fluids leading to a free radical process.     

Assessment of genetic diversity in Galega officinalis L. using ISSR and SRAP markers

Goat’s rue is well known for its traditional medicinal importance. In the present study, inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and sequence related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) molecular markers were employed for the first time to access the genetic diversity and relationships of 35 wild goat’s rue accessions obtained from Russia and part of Europe countries. A total of 100 bands were amplified by ten ISSR primers, of which 77(77%) were polymorphic, and 59 polymorphic bands (67.1%) were observed in 88 bands amplified by seven SRAP primers. Polymorphic information content (PIC?=?0.426), Shannon’s information index (I?=?0.432), and average expected heterozygosity (He?=?0.292) generated by ISSR primer were higher than that of SRAP analysis (PIC?=?0.422, I?=?0.380, and He?=?0.257,). The study indicated that ISSR were more effective than SRAP markers for assessing the degree of genetic variation of goat’s rue. UPGMA cluster analysis revealed inconsistencies in the clustering patterns, as the Mantel’s test between the dendrograms for ISSR and SRAP data indicated a poor fit for the ISSR and SRAP data types (r?=?0.358). Whereas the pattern of clustering of the genotypes remained more or less the same in SRAP and combined data of ISSR and SRAP. The results of principal coordinates analysis also supports their UPGMA clustering. These results have an important implication for goat’s rue germplasm characterization, improvement, and conservation.     

Steady-state kinetics and thermodynamics of the hydrolysis of beta-lactoglobulin by trypsin

Hydrolysis of beta-lactoglobulin (in an equimolar mixture of the A and B variant) by trypsin in neutral aqueous solution [pH 7.7 at 25 degrees C, ionic strength 0.08 (NaCl)] was followed by capillary electrophoresis and thermodynamic parameters derived from a Michaelis-Menten analysis of rate data obtained at 10, 20, 30, and 40 degrees C for disappearance of beta-lactoglobulin. Enthalpy of substrate binding to the enzyme and the energy of activation for the catalytic process were found to have the values, DeltaH(bind) = -28 +/- 4 kJ mol(-)(1) and E(a) = 51 +/- 18 kJ mol(-)(1), respectively. Thus, beta-lactoglobulin shows an enthalpy of activation for free substrate reacting with free enzyme of about 21 kJ mol(-)(1), corresponding to a transition state stabilization of 60 kJ mol(-)(1) when compared to acid-catalyzed hydrolysis. The catalytic efficiency of trypsin in hydrolysis of beta-lactoglobulin is increased significantly by temperature; however, this effect is partly counteracted by a weaker substrate binding resulting in an increase by only 25%/10 degrees C in overall catalytic efficiency.     

Genetic diversity and relationships among safflower (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Carthamus tinctorius</Emphasis> L.) analyzed by inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs)

Genetic diversity and relationships among 48 safflower accessions were evaluated using 22 inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) primers. A total of 429 bands were amplified, and 355 bands (about 82.7%) were polymorphic. Five to forty-one polymorphic bands could be amplified by each primer, with an average of 16.1 polymorphic bands per primer. The results showed that the polymorphism of the safflower germplasm was higher at the DNA level. All the 48 accessions could be distinguished by ISSR markers and were divided into 9 groups based on ISSR GS by using UPGMA method. The genetic relationships among the accessions from different continents were closer. Comparatively, the genetic diversity of the accessions originated from Asia was higher, from Europe assembled. The results also showed that the genetic variation of accessions from Indian and Middle Eastern safflower diversity centers were relatively higher. ISSR is an effective and promising marker system for detecting genetic diversity among safflower and give some useful information on its phylogenic relationships.     

Analysis of Genetic Diversity and Relationships in Waxy Rice (Oryza sativa L.) using AFLP and ISSR Markers

Opaque endosperm is the main phenotypic indicator for waxy rice, but other phenotypic and genotypic variation among waxy rice accessions has largely been ignored. Previous studies showed that wide diversity in starch physiochemical properties exists in both indica and japonica waxy rices, especially for starch gelatinization temperature (GT) which could be divided into a high- and a low-GT group. In the present study, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) molecular markers were employed to examine genetic diversity and relationships of 56 waxy rice accessions. A total of 358 AFLP fragments were amplified with five primer combinations, showing a high level of polymorphism (78.3%). A total of 190 ISSR bands were generated with a single primer and a primer pair, showing a very high level of polymorphism (92.2%). The genetic distance matrices obtained from the two sets of markers were significantly correlated (r = 0.731, P = 0.004). The dendrogram generated with combined AFLP and ISSR markers could clearly differentiate the indica and japonica groups. Newly released varieties and breeding lines within each subspecies tended to be clustered together, whereas landraces were more distantly placed in the dendrogram. Only one AFLP band was found specific to the indica type, while no specific bands were found for starch GT. The implications for the conservation and breeding of waxy rice are discussed.     

Analysis of genetic diversity of Ruthenia Medic (Medicago ruthenica (L.) Trautv.) in Inner Mongolia using ISSR and SSR markers

Ruthenia Medic is tolerant to drought, cold, high salinity, resistance to trampling and high quality features. Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) molecular markers were employed for the first time to access the genetic diversity and relationships of 30 wild Ruthenia Medic accessions obtained from Inner Mongolia in the present study. A total of 94 bands were amplified by ten ISSR primers, of which 83 (88.5 %) were polymorphic, and 57 polymorphic bands (80.4 %) were observed in 69 bands amplified by ten SSR primers. Shannon’s information index (I = 0.487), and average expected heterozygosis (He = 0.329) generated by ISSR primer were higher than that of SSR analysis (I = 0.372, He = 0.231). The study indicated that ISSR were more effective than SSR markers for assessing the degree of genetic variation of Ruthenia Medic. UPGMA cluster analysis revealed inconsistencies in the clustering patterns, as the Mantel’s test between the dendrograms for ISSR and SSR data indicated a poor fit for the ISSR and SSR data types (r = 0.0970). Whereas the pattern of clustering of the genotypes remained relatively the same in ISSR and combined data of ISSR and SSR. The results of principal components analysis also supports their UPGMA clustering. These results have an important implication for Ruthenia Medic germplasm characterization, improvement, and conservation.     

均匀设计在枇杷ISSR-PCR反应体系优化中的应用

本实验通过U255（5^4）均匀设计实验研究,对枇杷ISSR—PCR分子标记体系中模板DNA、dNTPs、TaqDNA聚合酶、Mg^2＋、引物5个组分的浓度进行优化。获得25μL反应体系中各成分的适宜浓度或用量分别是：模板DNA为10ng、dNTPs为0．5mmol／L、TaqDNA聚合酶为1U、Mg^2＋为2．5mmol／L,引物为0．4μmol／L。与单因素梯度优化体系相比,操作简便,简化了实验步骤,获得的实验结果可靠,从100条ISSR引物中筛选出27条扩增良好的引物,并获得了这些引物的最佳退火温度,经琼脂糖凝胶电泳获得了清晰的图谱。这一优化体系的建立为进一步利用ISSR标记技术进行枇杷种质鉴定及遗传多样性分析提供了一个标准化程序。     

Assessment of genetic diversity in Solanum trilobatum L., an important medicinal plant from South India using RAPD and ISSR markers

Solanum trilobatum L. is an Indian medicinal plant containing rich amount of steroidal glyco-alkoloids that can be used as precursor for commercial steroid production. Two efficient marker systems such as Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) were used for the first time to assess the genetic diversity across 14 S. trilobatum accessions obtained from five South Indian states. Twenty out of 60 RAPD primers generated 189 distinct bands of which 160 were polymorphic with an average of 8 polymorphic bands per primer. A maximum of up to 15 fragments were amplified with an average of 9.45 bands per primer and the amplicons varied in size between 100 and 3,000 bp. The percentage of polymorphism ranged from 55.5 to 100, with an average of 84.6. ISSR profiling using 7 out of 20 primers amplified 83 bands and the number of amplified fragments varied from 2 to 16 with a size range of 200–1,800 bp. Totally 72 polymorphic bands were obtained using 7 ISSR primers at an average of 10.28 polymorphic bands per primer. Polymorphism percentage varied from 50 to 100 among the selected accessions resulting in an average percentage of polymorphism of 86.7. The PIC values ranged from 0.49 to 0.93 for RAPD and 0.16 to 0.90 for ISSR primers. The study pointed out that ISSR markers were more efficient than RAPD markers in evaluating the degree of genetic variation in S. trilobatum. The UPGMA cluster analysis grouped all Tamil Nadu accessions in one cluster and other state accessions in another cluster. The Principal component analysis also substantiates this clustering pattern. Thus the phylogenetic relationship and a high genetic variation revealed in the present study could provide a baseline data for conservation and improvement of this plant in future. Also the molecular markers identified in this study will be helpful in authentication of this species to prevent adulteration in herbal medicine.     

Effects of succinylation on the structure and thermostability of lysozyme

The influence of succinylation on lysozyme is studied using circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The spectroscopic data reveal that at room temperature the structures of succinylated lysozyme and native lysozyme are similar. However, the calorimetric results show that the thermal stability of succinylated lysozyme is lower than that of native lysozyme. For succinylated lysozyme, the denaturation temperature (Td) varies in the range of 325-333 K (52-60 degrees C) and the associated denaturation enthalpy (DeltadenH) varies between 225 and 410 kJ/mol. For lysozyme, Td is 342-349 K (69-76 degrees C) and DeltadenH is 440-500 kJ/mol. From these data, the change in the heat capacity (DeltadenCp) upon thermal denaturation is derived. For lysozyme, DeltadenCp is 7.5 kJ/mol/K, and for succinylated lysozyme, it is 16.7 kJ/mol/K. The value of DeltadenCp for lysozyme is comparable to previously reported values. The high value of DeltadenCp for succinylated lysozyme is explained in terms of an extended degree of unfolding of the secondary structure and exposure of the apolar parts of the succinyl groups. Furthermore, the Gibbs energy of denaturation, as a function of temperature, derived from the thermodynamic analysis of the calorimetric data, indicates a cold-denaturated state of succinylated lysozyme below 20 degrees C. However, because a denatured state at low temperatures could not be detected by CD or fluorescence measurements, the native state may be considered to be metastable at those conditions.     

Kinetics of chlorophyll degradation and color loss in heated broccoli juice

Degradation of chlorophyll in broccoli juice occurred at temperatures exceeding 60 degrees C. Chemical analysis revealed that degradation of chlorophyll a and b to pheophytin a and b, respectively, followed first-order kinetics and that chlorophyll a was more heat sensitive than chlorophyll b. Temperature dependencies of chlorophyll a and b degradation rate constants could be described by Arrhenius equations with activation energies (E(a)) of 71.04 +/- 4.89 and 67.11 +/- 6.82 kJ/mol, respectively. Objective greenness measurements, using the -a value as the physical property, together with a fractional conversion kinetic analysis, indicated that green color degradation followed a two-step process. Kinetic parameters for the first degradation step were in accordance with the kinetic parameters for pheophytinization of the total chlorophyll content, as determined by chemical analysis (E(a) approximately 69 kJ/mol). The second degradation step, that is, the subsequent decomposition of pheophytins, was characterized by an activation energy of 105.49 +/- 4.74 kJ/mol.     

利用ISSR揭示不同类型月季遗传多样性

本研究应用正交设计法对ISSR反应体系中的各个主要影响因子进行了优化筛选,确立了适合月季ISSR-PCR反应的最佳体系。结果表明,25μL的ISSR反应体系中各组分的最适浓度分别为：1×PCR缓冲液、1U Taq DNA聚合酶、800pmol／L 引物、0.16mmol／L dNTPs、Mg^2＋ 1.5mmol／L。筛选了33个ISSR引物,共得到了11个多态性比较高的ISSR引物,占所筛引物的33.33％。利用筛选出的11条ISSR引物对3种月季类型的23份月季材料进行遗传多样性分析,共扩增出477条DNA带,其中多态性位点有14个,平均每条引物可以检测到4.5个多态性位点。用NTSYS软件对样品进行了UPGMA聚类分析,聚类结果表明丰花月季基本能聚为一类,切花月季与藤本月季交叉聚在一起。这表明月季种质的遗传差异与其应用分类的相关性不紧密。     

苦瓜ISSR扩增条件优化的研究

本文对ISSR-PCR扩增苦瓜基因组DNA的主要影响因子进行了筛选和分析。试验结果表明,25μl的反应体系中采用20~30ng的模板DNA、1μmol/L ISSR引物1、U Tag DNA聚合酶,以及48℃~52℃的复性温度为苦瓜ISSR-PCR扩增条件的最佳选择。苦瓜ISSR-PCR扩增条件的优化为进行苦瓜种群间遗传分化的研究奠定了基础。     

杨树ISSR反应体系的建立及正交设计优化

采用正交设计的方法,对杨树ISSR-PCR反应中5个因素(Taq酶、Mg2+、模板DNA、dNTP和引物)在4个水平上进行优化试验。建立了适合杨树的既稳定又能扩出最多数量谱带的ISSR-PCR最佳反应体系,即25μl的反应体系中含有1×buffer,0.12mmol/L dNTP,0.4μmol/L引物,3.5 mmol/L Mg2+,1.5UTaqDNA聚合酶和40ng模板DNA。对杨树ISSR-PCR最佳反应体系的退火温度进行梯度试验,发现引物W95142的最适退火温度为56.1℃,且最适退火温度因引物而异。这一优化的ISSR-PCR反应体系的建立为今后利用ISSR技术进行杨树种质资源分类、遗传图谱构建和基因定位奠定了技术基础。     

Assessment of genetic diversity in Amomum tsao-ko Crevost & Lemarié, an important medicine food homologous crop from Southwest China using SRAP and ISSR markers

Amomum tsao-ko Crevost & Lemarié is an important crop that has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and daily diets for a long time. In this study, the genetic diversity and relationships of eight cultivated populations of A. tsao-ko grown in Southwest China were examined using sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. The results showed that 139 (99.29%) of 140 and 185 (99.46%) of 186 bands were polymorphic by SRAP and ISSR primers amplification, respectively. The polymorphic information content of detected bands were 0.270 (SRAP) and 0.232 (ISSR), respectively. The average Nei’s gene diversity (H?=?0.217) and Shannon’s information index (I?=?0.348) at the species level generated by SRAP primer were higher than those by ISSR analysis (H?=?0.158, I?=?0.272). Genetic differentiation coefficients and molecular variance analysis (AMOVA) indicated that the genetic variance of A. tsao-ko mainly occurred within populations rather than among populations. The high genetic identity among populations was revealed by SRAP (0.937) and ISSR (0.963). Using UPGMA cluster analysis, principal coordinate analysis, and population structure analysis, the accessions were categorized into two major groups. Overall, results obtained here will be useful for A. tsao-ko germplasm characterization, conservation, and utilization.

     

Thermal stability of alpha-amylase from malted jowar (Sorghum bicolor)

Malted cereals are rich sources of alpha-amylase, which catalyzes the random hydrolysis of internal alpha-(1-4)-glycosidic bonds of starch, leading to liquefaction. Amylases play a role in the predigestion of starch, leading to a reduction in the water absorption capacity of the cereal. Among the three cereal amylases (barley, ragi, and jowar), jowar amylase is found to be the most thermostable. The major amylase from malted jowar, a 47 kDa alpha-amylase, purified to homogeneity, is rich in beta structure ( approximately 60%) like other cereal amylases. T(m), the midpoint of thermal inactivation, is found to be 69.6 +/- 0.3 degrees C. Thermal inactivation is found to follow first-order kinetics at pH 4.8, the pH optimum of the enzyme. Activation energy, E(a), is found to be 45.3 +/- 0.2 kcal mol(-)(1). The activation enthalpy (DeltaH), entropy (DeltaS*), and free energy change (DeltaG) are calculated to be 44.6 +/- 0.2 kcal mol(-)(1), 57.1 +/- 0.3 cal mol(-)(1) K(-)(1), and 25.2 +/- 0.2 kcal mol(-)(1), respectively. The thermal stability of the enzyme in the presence of the commonly used food additives NaCl and sucrose has been studied. T(m) is found to decrease to 66.3 +/- 0.3, 58.1 +/- 0.2, and 48.1 +/- 0.5 degrees C, corresponding to the presence of 0.1, 0.5, and 1 M NaCl, respectively. Sucrose acts as a stabilizer; the T(m) value is found to be 77.3 +/- 0.3 degrees C compared to 69.6 +/- 0.3 degrees C in the control.     

铝诱导大豆根系有机酸分泌的能量消耗的定量研究

铝诱导大豆根系有机酸分泌是其解铝毒的一种重要机制,该过程需要消耗能量,然而有关能量消耗的定量研究还未见报道。本文比较了铝胁迫条件下,两个大豆品种根尖有机酸分泌、 腺苷酸、 无机磷、 细胞质pH值等指标的变化。结果表明,铝处理（25 mol/L）明显诱导大豆根系苹果酸和柠檬酸的分泌。与对照相比,铝胁迫条件下中豆32和本地2号的根尖ATP含量分别降低40.1%和13.2%,根系细胞质子跨膜电化学势差分别增加1711.8和570.6 J/mol,然而,根尖无机磷浓度变化差异不大。运用Nernst-Gibbs方程定量计算自由能变化,发现中豆32和本地2号根尖细胞自由能分别消耗16.13 kJ/mol和14.59 kJ/mol, 中豆32分泌单位苹果酸和柠檬酸的能量消耗分别为0.96 kJ/mol和3.15 kJ/mol,本地2号则为2.01 kJ/mol和5.68 kJ/mol。这表明不同耐铝性大豆品种分泌有机酸消耗的能量存在差异,该结果为筛选耐铝作物品种提供了新思路。     

Thermal stability of anthocyanin extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. in the presence of beta-cyclodextrin

The thermal stability of anthocyanin extract isolated from the dry calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. was studied over the temperature range 60-90 degrees C in aqueous solutions in the presence or absence of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD). The results indicated that the thermal degradation of anthocyanins followed first-order reaction kinetics. The temperature-dependent degradation was adequately modeled by the Arrhenius equation, and the activation energy for the degradation of H. sabdariffa L. anthocyanins during heating was found to be approximately 54 kJ/mol. In the presence of beta-CD, anthocyanins degraded at a decreased rate, evidently due to their complexation with beta-CD, having the same activation energy. The formation of complexes in solution was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance studies of beta-CD solutions in the presence of the extract. Moreover, differential scanning calorimetry revealed that the inclusion complex of H. sabdariffa L. extract with beta-CD in the solid state was more stable against oxidation as compared to the free extract, as the complex remained intact at temperatures 100-250 degrees C where the free extract was oxidized. The results obtained clearly indicated that the presence of beta-CD improved the thermal stability of nutraceutical antioxidants present in H. sabdariffa L. extract, both in solution and in solid state.     

用ISSR分析四川苎麻品种(系)间的遗传关系及雄性不育分子标记的建立

本文从100条ISSR引物中筛选出21条引物,对8个四川苎麻品种(系)间的遗传关系进行了分析。PCR扩增结果表明,21条引物在8份材料中共扩增出86条带,平均每条引物扩增出4.1条,其中多态性位点71个,各引物扩增出的位点数3~8个不等,平均每条引物可以检测到3.4个多态性位点。聚类分析和遗传距离分析结果表明,供试品种川7、川8与其亲本遗传距离较远。3个杂交品种(川7、川8、川9)均表现特有的偏父本遗传现象。此外,本研究用ISSR引物U835筛选到了1个雄性不育分子标记,并将其扩增产物克隆测序,结果表明该序列大小为658bp。根据该序列,此标记被转化成稳定的SCAR标记,可用于苎麻雄性不育分子标记辅助育种。     

Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat fingerprints to assess genetic diversity in Tunisian fig (Ficus carica L.) germplasm

The genetic diversity of 18 Tunisian fig cultivars was investigated at the DNA level using the Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) associated with the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Using a set of primers, the most informative ones were selected that were characterized by an important Resolving power value of 29.6. A total of 47 discernible fragments were scored from samples, with a mean of 11.7 fragments per primer. The 90.4% of sample that were polymorphic were scored as molecular markers to examine the Tunisian fig germplasm polymorphism at DNA level. A large genetic diversity as related to ISSR patterns was found within the local Tunisian fig germplasm. An UPGMA dendrogram exhibits the unstructured variability in this crop. Moreover, the principal component analysis shows that the observed diversity was typically continuous. Our data provide a large number of ISSR markers that are useful in the fingerprinting of Ficus carica L. cultivars, and in the understanding of the genetic relationships among these accessions.