Comparative Enzyme Kinetics of Two Allelic Forms of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Beta -amylase

The barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) varieties, Franklin and Schooner, contain two different allelic forms of beta -amylase (EC 3.2.1.2) encoded on chromosome 4H by the Bmy 1-Sd1 and Bmy 1-Sd2L alleles, respectively. The corresponding enzymes, referred to as Sd1 and Sd2L, were purified from both mature barley grain and germinated barley (green malt), and their physical and kinetic properties studied. Approximately 4 kDa were cleaved from both Sd1 and Sd2Lbeta -amylases after germination. The K_mvalue for green malt beta -amylase was less than that of mature grain beta -amylase for both varieties when potato starch was used as a substrate, although V_maxwas similar. This indicated that proteolysis after germination increased the affinity of beta -amylase for potato starch. No significant kinetic differences were observed between beta -amylase from mature grain and green malt of the two barley varieties when amylose (degree of polymerisation 100 and 18) and maltopentaose were used as substrates. Kinetic differences were also observed between the two allelic forms of beta -amylase. Sd1 beta -amylase from green malt exhibited a lower K_mvalue for potato starch than Sd2L beta -amylase, demonstrating that at non-saturating starch concentrations Sd1 beta -amylase is better able to hydrolyse starch than Sd2L beta -amylase. As the degree of polymerisation of the substrates decreased from approximately 740 (potato starch) to 5 (maltopentaose), the K_mvalues for beta -amylase increased, whereas V_maxvalues decreased. Maltose, the hydrolytic product of beta -amylase, was found to be a weak competitive inhibitor of both Sd1 and Sd2L green malt beta -amylases with respect to potato starch and amylose. Taken together the kinetic observations for bet a-amylase suggest that the allelic differences and C-terminal proteolysis might be exploited to improve the efficiency of starch hydrolysis during the mashing stage of the brewing process.     

Variation of Beta -Amylase Activity in Barley as Affected by Cultivar and Environment and its Relation to Protein Content and Grain Weight

The cultivar and environmental variation of beta -amylase activity was studied using two barley cultivars with contrasting growth properties. There was a significant difference in beta -amylase activity between the two cultivars used, 92-11 being significantly higher than Xiumai 3. A significant variation in beta -amylase activity was detected between grains at different positions within a spike. The two cultivars showed the same pattern, with top grains showing the highest and bottom ones the lowest activities. The relative difference within a spike varied between the cultivars, with 92-11 being larger than Xiumai 3. Both seeding rate and timing of N application dramatically affected the beta -amylase activity. With N application at the booting stage, beta -amylase activity increased, mainly due to the significantly increased beta-amylase activity in the topmost grains. The bottom grains showed a lower response to timing of N application. The variation in protein content and grain weight between cultivars and among the various treatments was also examined. The possible influence of these factors on beta -amylase activity are discussed.     

Mechanisms Leading to Excess Alpha -Amylase Activity in Wheat (Triticum aestivum, L) Grain in the U.K.

The frequency and mechanisms of four modes of alpha -amylase enzyme accumulation in U.K. wheat, retained pericarp alpha -amylase activity (RPAA), pre-maturity alpha -amylase activity (PMAA), pre-maturity sprouting (PrMS) and post-maturity sprouting (PoMS), were investigated in field and laboratory experiments. Of 56 cultivar site year combinations (four model cultivars grown at up to four sites from 1994–1997), enzyme activity was detected in 32 cases, in 23 cases sufficient to reduce Hagberg falling number (the usual industry measure of alpha -amylase) below the commercial criterion (250 s). The frequency of occurrence of different modes of enzyme accumulation was in the order PoMS>PMAA>PrMS>RPAA. Both PMAA and PrMS were more common than expected and the most usual pattern was for alpha -amylase to accumulate by several modes. Although green grains are rejected as impurities, study of grain colour in relation to pericarp alpha -amylase activity showed that the enzyme could persist in non-green grains in levels sufficient to affect the Hagberg value. Two factors thought to promote PMAA, grain drying rate and transient changes in temperature in early development, were studied in the field and controlled environment cabinets. No significant difference was found in grain drying rate between samples where PMAA was or was not identified. However, out of 19 transfers from a cool (16/10 °C) to a warm (26/20 °C) temperature regime, six led to significant increases in PMAA. No transfers after 45% grain moisture increased PMAA. PrMS occurred as early as 67% grain moisture and susceptibility usually increased with stage of development, being greatest in the grain dough stage. PrMS susceptibility varied with cultivar (in the same order as PoMS sensitivity) and was affected by environmental factors.     

Protein Inhibitors ofAlpha-amylase in Mature and Germinating Grain of Rye (Secale cereale)

The activities of endogenous (R-type) and exogenous acting (D-type) protein inhibitors ofalpha-amylase and the activities ofalpha- and total amylase were determined in milling fractions of rye. High D-type amylase inhibitor activities were detected in the embryo (255 IU/g) and in the endosperm fraction (64·9 IU/g), low inhibitor activities were found in the aleurone layer fraction (25·9 IU/g). The highest R-typealpha-amylase inhibitor activity was found in the aleurone layer fraction (32·6 IU/g), and the lowest value in the epidermis containing fraction (5·0 IU/g). The D- and R-typealpha-amylase inhibitor activities varied with growing conditions. D-type amylase inhibitor activities were found to be high in those samples which grew under drought conditions and low in samples cultivated under wet and cool weather. Higher R-typealpha-amylase inhibitor activities were found in rye genotypes cultivated under wet conditions and lower values under dry weather. There were small variations inalpha-amylase inhibitor activities between sprout-stable and sprout-sensitive rye genotypes. The D- and R-typealpha-amylase inhibitor activities of all varieties were stable during 72 h of germination. Similar soil conditions will therefore lead to differentialalpha-amylase inhibitor activities depending on weather conditions during growth.     

Physicochemical Studies on Resistant StarchIn VitroandIn Vivo

Resistant starch (RS), producedin vitroby hydrolysis of retrograded pea starch gels and amylose gels by porcine pancreaticalpha-amylase, was characterised by X-ray diffraction, size exclusion chromatography and methylation analysis. These techniques showed that RSin vitroconsisted of semi-crystalline, mostly linear material that was present in two main molecular size subfractions (DP_n>100 andDP_n20–30) with a third, minor subfraction (DP_n≤5). The extent of retrogradation of amylose was found to be of primary importance in determining the RS content of starch. Analysis ofin vivoRS, recovered during an ileostomy study, produced results that were similar to those obtained from RSin vitro. Anin vitromodel for the structure of resistant starch is proposed.     

In VitroDigestion of Wheat Microstructure with Xylanase and Cellulase fromTrichoderma reesei

Resistant starch (RS), producedin vitroby hydrolysis of retrograded pea starch gels and amylose gels by porcine pancreaticalpha-amylase, was characterised by X-ray diffraction, size exclusion chromatography and methylation analysis. These techniques showed that RSin vitroconsisted of semi-crystalline, mostly linear material that was present in two main molecular size subfractions (DP_n>100 andDP_n20–30) with a third, minor subfraction (DP_n≤5). The extent of retrogradation of amylose was found to be of primary importance in determining the RS content of starch. Analysis ofin vivoRS, recovered during an ileostomy study, produced results that were similar to those obtained from RSin vitro. Anin vitromodel for the structure of resistant starch is proposed.     

Alpha-amylase/subtilisin Inhibitor Levels in Australian Barleys

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the bifunctional alpha-amylase/subtilisin inhibitor (BASI) content of barley grain from 11 cultivars grown in six diverse locations in Australia. The inhibitor ranged from 119 to 254 μg/g in 57 barley samples. Genotype had a significant (P<0·05) effect on BASI content but there was no effect due to environment. Total protein varied independently of BASI and was influenced by environment and genotype. BASI content was higher (P<0·05) in malting barley than in feed barley and was correlated positively (r=0·29;P<0·05) with alpha-amylase activity in corresponding malts. The ELISA used monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies raised against purified BASI. In immunoblot analysis the monoclonal antibody showed high specificity for the inhibitor in barley and also detected the inhibitor in wheat. Low levels of inhibitor (mean 3·2 μg/g) were found in 12 Australian wheat cultivars using the ELISA developed for barley. The assay had a linear working range of 5–50 ng/mL with a detection limit of 2 ng/mL. Reproducibility between assays was good (CV=4·9%) but mean recoveries were high, ranging from 116–129% when purified inhibitor was added to barley extracts. The ELISA may have useful applications in brewing research and barley breeding programmes.     

Production of Proteases by Fusarium Species Grown on Barley Grains and in Media Containing Cereal Proteins

The production of proteases by the cereal plant pathogens Fusarium culmorum, F. graminearum and F. poae was followed through seven days of cultivation. The fungi were grown in mineral and in gluten culture media, and on autoclaved barley grains. The proteolytic activities of each sample were analysed at pH 2·2, 5·0 and 8·0 and the pH optima of the most active proteases were determined. All of the fungi grown in the gluten medium produced proteases that were active at pH levels between 6 and 10 and were most active at about pH 9·0. Fusarium poae also produced acid protease(s) with pH optima between 3.0 and 3.5 when grown in the gluten medium. No protease activity was detected in the cultures that were grown in the mineral medium, except that a small amount was formed after the glucose substrate was depleted. When grown on the barley grain medium the Fusarium species produced protease activities that were similar to the neutral and alkaline ones present in the gluten cultures, but no pH 2·2 protease activity was detected. The alkaline proteases had some characteristics that were similar to those of chymotrypsin.     

Beta-amylase degradation by serine endoproteinases from green barley malt

Proteolytic degradation of barley proteins is examined in green (unkilned) malt and germinating seeds from Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Harrington. Zymographic analysis of the Harrington green malt extracts using commercial preparations of barley beta-amylase incorporated as a proteolytic substrate in 2-D SDS gels shows multiple proteolytic activities. A developmental study shows that the several green malt beta-amylase-degrading activities appear at around day 2 of germination. The several activities appear to increase and decrease through 7 days of germination in a coordinated fashion. Gels treated with class-specific proteinase inhibitors show that serine-class proteinase activities are responsible for barley beta-amylase degradation seen on the zymograms. Western blot analysis also shows that proteolytic enzymes recovered from 1-D electrophoretic gels degrade barley beta-amylase, and that the degradation is inhibited by PMSF. This is the first demonstration that malt proteinases are capable of degrading important metabolic enzymes in germinating barley, and the first postulated physiological role for the serine class proteinases in barley malt.     

The Role of Dextrins in the Stickiness of Bread Crumb made from Pre-Harvest Sprouted Wheat or Flour Containing ExogenousAlpha-Amylase

Dextrins were extracted in water from bread made from pre-harvest sprouted wheat or standard flour supplemented with exogenousalpha-amylases. The dextrins were separated by gel permeation chromatography and the dextrin content (% of crumb weight) determined for different degree of polymerisation (DP) size classes; DP 1–2, DP 3–10, DP 11–50, DP 51–200 and DP >200. There were significant correlations between the dextrin content in each size class and crumb stickiness (r=0·84–0·91, 22 df ). The most significant correlation (r=0·96) was between total dextrin content and crumb stickiness. Addition of dextrins of various DP ranges from various sources to standard flour produced bread with sticky crumb. Again, the degree of stickiness was generally related to the amount of total dextrin in the crumb and not to size distribution of dextrins. In this instance, extensive enzymic hydrolysis of starch was not necessary to produce sticky crumb; the dextrins caused crumb stickiness directly. Addition of dextrins to reconstituted gluten–starch flour produced bread with unexpectedly low dextrin levels and correspondingly low stickiness scores. It is concluded that, to produce sticky crumb, high levels of dextrin of any size are necessary in the crumb; a sticky mass is produced when dextrins dissolve in the excess «free» water that is normally «bound» to starch, gluten and other insoluble components of bread crumb.     

冬小麦雪腐病苗期抗病性鉴定方法及抗病种质资源筛选

为了筛选冬小麦雪腐病人工接种抗病性鉴定方法及抗病种质资源,采用正交试验设计,比较了喷雾法、涂抹法和灌根法对冬小麦雪腐病苗期抗病性的鉴定效果以及不同材料的抗病性.结果表明,三种方法比较,采用喷雾法,于冬小麦1叶期,以浓度为105个孢子·mL-1进行接种,为冬小麦雪腐病苗期抗病性鉴定最适宜的方法.利用该鉴定方法以及9株雪腐病菌对8份冬小麦材料进行了抗病性鉴定,发现供试材料间以及同一材料对不同菌株间的抗病性均存在差异.8份冬小麦材料中,冬麦1号抗病性最强,对菌株Gn-rh2免疫,对其他8个菌株均表现为抗病;抗病性最弱的为东农冬麦377;其他品系的抗病性介于两者之间.9个菌株的致病力也存在差异,菌株Gn-rh4毒力最强,Gn-rh2毒力最弱.     

Hydrothermal Processing of Barley (cv. Blenheim): Optimisation of Phytate Degradation and Increase of FreeMyo-inositol

Optimal conditions were developed for hydrothermal processing of whole barley kernels (cv. Blenheim) to degrade phytate (myo-inositol hexaphosphate) and to increase the content of freemyo-inositol. The hydrothermal treatment comprised of two wet steeps, where lactic acid solution of different concentrations was used, and two dry steeps followed by successive drying. Experiments were performed as a central composite design and evaluated by multiple linear regression. The variables in the experiments were temperature in the first wet and dry steep (T₁), temperature in the second wet and dry steep (T₂) and lactic acid solution concentration in both wet steeps (C) and mathematical models were developed in these variables. Optimal conditions for maximal phytate degradation and for maximal increase of freemyo-inositol wereT₁=48 °C,T₂=48–50 °C andC=0·8%, at these conditions the amount of phytate was reduced by 95–96% and the freemyo-inositol concentration was increased from 0·56 to 2·45 μmol/g d.m. We conclude that this hydrothermal process can be used to produce a barley product (cv. Blenheim) with a low phytate content and a high level of freemyo-inositol.     

Distribution of Enzymes in Wheat Flour Mill Streams

The distribution of alpha -amylase, protease, lipoxygenase, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase in wheat roller flour mill streams was studied. Break flours had relatively less alpha -amylase and protease activity than reduction flours both on flour weight and a protein basis. Among the different flour streams, the 5^thand 6^threduction passage had the highest alpha -amylase activity, while the 4^threduction passage had the highest protease activity. The lipoxygenase activity was concentrated mostly in the last break and the reduction streams, whereas polyphenol oxidase activity was highest in break flour streams. Peroxidase activity was distributed unevenly among the different mill streams. The lipoxygenase, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase were highly concentrated in different bran fractions. Except for protease, the other enzymes were concentrated in the «atta», a milling by-product comprising refined flour, bran and shorts; and are least active in semolina (farina).     

新疆伊犁地区小麦条锈菌群体遗传结构分析

新疆伊犁地区是小麦条锈病的常发区和重发区，其年平均发生面积超过100×10⁴ hm²以上。为明确新疆伊犁地区小麦条锈菌群体的遗传结构，2021年，从新疆伊犁地区的新源县、巩留县、察布查尔县和伊宁县共采集到320份小麦条锈菌标样，利用16对小麦条锈菌SSR引物进行了群体遗传研究。结果表明，新疆伊犁地区条锈菌群体遗传多样性水平较高，群体间存在一定的遗传分化。群体间遗传变异仅占总变异的12%，群体内遗传变异占88%，不同群体间存在频繁的菌源交流，其中察布查尔县与新源县群体菌源交流最为频繁（N_m=4.717）。     

4份圆锥小麦-乌拉尔图小麦双二倍体的分子细胞遗传学鉴定

为了给小麦育种提供新的种质资源,对4份圆锥小麦-乌拉尔图小麦双二倍体(AABBA^uA^u)的农艺性状、染色体组成及高分子量谷蛋白亚基组成进行了鉴定。农艺性状调查结果表明,4份双二倍体的株高介于108.45~129.43 cm,分蘖数介于7.3~17.5个,穗长介于10.23~12.17 cm,小穗数介于16.26~22.06,自交结实率介于37.77%~70.46%;4份双二倍体对目前的流行条锈菌混合生理小种(条中31、条中32、条中33、条中34和水源11-4)均表现为高抗。利用寡核苷酸序列探针Oligo-pSc119.2-1、Oligo-pTa535-1、Oligo-pTa71-2、pTa-713和简单重复序列探针(AAC)5进行FISH分析,可区分出圆锥小麦-乌拉尔图小麦双二倍体的42条染色体。花粉母细胞染色体配对观察表明,在这些双二倍体的减数分裂中期I,染色体大多配对成二价体,仅有少量的单价体、三价体和四价体。SDS-PAGE分析表明,来自于乌拉尔图小麦TA#831的1Ay亚基在双二倍体Syn-TAU-2中得到了表达,但其迁移率发生了变化;来自于PI428270和PI428274的1Ax和1Ay亚基分别在双二倍体Syn-TAU-3和Syn-TAU-4中得到了表达。这些双二倍体可作为新的资源材料用于普通小麦的遗传改良。     

Fusarium Species Synthesize Alkaline Proteinases in Infested Barley

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) that is infested with Fusarium head blight (FHB, ‘scab’) is unsuitable for malting and brewing because it may contain mycotoxins and has unacceptable malting quality. Fungal proteinases are apparently often involved in plant-microbe interactions, where they degrade storage proteins, but very little is known about the enzymes that the fungi produce in the infected grain. We have shown previously that one plant pathogenic fungus, Fusarium culmorum, produced subtilisin- and trypsin-like enzymes when grown in a cereal protein medium. To establish whether these proteinases were also synthesized in FHB-infested barley in vivo, field-grown barley was infested as the heads emerged. Extracts were prepared from the grain as it developed and matured and their proteolytic activities were measured with N-succinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe p -nitroanilide and N-benzoyl-Val-Gly-Arg p -nitroanilide. The heavily infested barleys contained both subtilisin- and trypsin-like activities. These enzymes reacted with antibodies prepared against each of the two F. culmorum proteinases, indicating that those produced in the laboratory cultures and in the field-infested barley were the same. The presence of these proteinases correlated with the degradation of specific buffer-soluble proteins in the infested grains. These enzymes readily hydrolyzed barley grain storage proteins (C- and D-hordeins) in vitro. The presence of these Fusarium proteinases in the barley indicates that they probably play an important role in the infestation, but exactly how and when they function is not clear.     

河南省小麦条锈菌特异性SSR标记的筛选

为了简便地进行小麦条锈菌的早期检测,在前期工作的基础上,以小麦条锈病、叶锈病、白粉病的病叶和健康叶片为实验材料,采用来自条锈菌的SSR引物进行河南省小麦条锈菌的分子检测。结果表明, 在所用的条锈菌特异性SSR引物中,发现有4对引物能够将条锈菌和其他的病原菌区分开来。通过对来自河南省不同地区的小麦条锈病和叶锈病病叶的鉴定,其中2对引物 RJ3、RJ21的稳定性和可重复性均较好,表明这2对引物可以用于小麦条锈菌的分子检测。     

顶孢霉菌代谢产物对玉米圆斑病菌生长和发育的影响

利用菌丝生长速率法和孢子萌发法研究顶孢霉代谢产物对玉米圆斑病菌生长的抑制能力。结果表明,顶孢霉发酵液对玉米圆斑病菌分生孢子萌发和菌丝生长均有抑制作用。菌丝生长速率测定表明,含有顶孢霉菌代谢产物的培养基（D+P）圆斑病菌菌丝的生长速率低于含有玉米圆斑病菌代谢产物的培养基（Y+P）和空白对照PDA的生长速率,菌丝生长速率分别为65.0、86.5、87.5 mm/d;以Y+P和PDA为对照,D+P对玉米圆斑病菌在第1天和第2天时抑制率最高,均达58%以上;在1 mL PDA体系中,顶孢霉发酵液添加量为0.5 mL时,抑制率可达100%,不同浓度处理间及其与对照处理间顶孢霉发酵液抑制率差异显著（P=0.05）;同一处理不同培养天数顶孢霉发酵液抑制率也有显著差异（P=0.05）。孢子萌发实验表明,经顶孢霉发酵液处理后的玉米圆斑孢子萌发率降低,在发酵液浓度为0.9 mL/mL时,萌发率仅为24%,抑制率可达66.67%, EC50约为68 mL/100 mL,且孢子经发酵液处理后产生畸形,不能正常发育。     

氟菌唑对大麦白粉病菌侵染过程的影响

为了解氟菌唑类杀菌剂对大麦白粉病的防治效果,采用大麦胚芽鞘表层细胞进行人工接种和连续性显微观察,研究了氟菌唑对大麦白粉病菌(Blumeria graminis f.sp.hordei)分生孢子侵染过程的影响.结果表明,在接菌后0h、2h、5h、8h进行药剂处理,分生孢子的发芽率、附着孢发芽管形成率、附着孢形成率、侵入行动率和感染率均明显下降.该药剂影响病菌吸器形成后的菌丝生长发育,使菌体死亡率最高可达91.5％.接菌后144 h喷药的效果差,故发病后应尽早药剂治疗.     

Prior weakening of Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium propagules for enhancing efficiency of Brassica amendments

In a two year field study, the effect of varying intensities of sub-lethal heating on the efficiency of Brassica amendments in controlling viable populations of Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium oxysporum f sp. cumini was determined in an arid region of India. After 30 d of dry summer exposure of pathogen infested soil, incorporation of mustard residues and oil cake (0.18% and 0.04% w/w) and then applying one irrigation caused significant reduction by 75.3–81.3% in viable counts of M. phaseolina that causes dry root rot of legumes and by 93.9% in counts of F.o. f. sp. cumini causing wilt of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) at 0–15 and 16–30 cm depths. Increasing duration of summer exposure to 60 d improved the reductions in viable propagules of M. phaseolina by 83.6–90.4% and in F.o. f. sp. cumini by 78.2–94.8% at same soil depths. At certain heat levels, reduction in viable population of Fusarium due to amendments and irrigation was greater than that recorded in Macrophomina. Significantly low levels of reduction in pathogenic propagules of Macrophomina (63.9–71.4%) and Fusarium (48.0–57.2%) under shade compared to unshaded conditions indicated that mild heating did not cause discernible weakening effect. In second season also, 89.2–91.5% and 78.5–95.8% reduction in counts of Macrophomina and Fusarium, respectively was achieved by the application of amendments after 60 d of summer exposure at 0–30 cm soil depth. These results suggested a new approach to improve the control of soil-borne plant pathogens in hot arid regions by combining prolonged sub-lethal heating, effective naturally available on-farm wastes as soil amendments and one summer irrigation.