Polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities of apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) as affected by cultivar,location, and year of harvest

A total of 22 samples of apricots belonging to ten cultivars from two locations and picked in the years 1975–78 were assayed for polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and partly for peroxidase (POD) activities, heat resistance of these enzymes,o-dihydroxy phenol (ODP) content, and initial rate of enzymatic browning (BA). Of these characteristics, ODP content showed the greatest and BA the least variation. PPO activity relative to fresh weight was found to depend on the year of harvest rather than on the cultivar, while POD activity relative to fresh weight was cultivar dependent. The values of BA and ODP content were markedly influenced by both cultivar and year. For a given cultivar, PPO and POD activities relative to fresh weight as well as BA were higher in the samples picked in 1976 at one location than in those picked in the other years at the other location.The initial rate of browning of apricots was primarily dependent on the ODP content as shown by linear regression analysis with two independent variables. The relative influence of ODP content as compared with that of PPO activity related to fresh weight was the stronger the higher the value of the ratio of PPO-ODP, i.e. the smaller the values of the endogenous substrate available to the enzyme in the tissues. This suggests substrate depletion to be the limiting factor in the enzymatic browning of apricots.Heat inactivation of PPO was found to be a simple exponential process, while that of POD a biphasic one. PPO was less heat resistant than POD: total inactivation occurred after 10-min heat treatment at 75°C and 85°C, respectively.     

Detecting local establishment strategies of wild cherry (Prunus avium L.)

Backround  

P. avium, a pioneer tree species that colonizes early forest successional stages, is assumed to require an effective strategy allowing stably repeatable rounds of local establishment, dispersal and local extinction. Consequently, the early replacement of cherry by climax tree species makes the establishment of several local generations very unlikely, especially in central European continuous cover forests. This has to be seen in connection with the mixed reproduction system involving asexual reproduction as a complementary adaptational strategy. Tests of the local establishment of wild cherry must therefore consider the possibility of first generation establishment via seedling recruitment potentially followed by an asexual generation (root suckering). Successful establishment can therefore be determined only among adult individuals with the option of detecting vegetative reproduction at these stages. To test the implied suggestion about local establishment strategies of wild cherry, nuclear microsatellites were used to analyse patterns of asexual propagation among adult stages that have been subjected to one of two major types of forest management. These management types, the historical "coppice with standards system" (CWS) and the "high forest system" (HFS), can be reasonably assumed to have affected the reproduction system of P. avium.     

Antioxidant Capacity and Phenolics Content of Apricot (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus armeniaca</Emphasis> L.) Kernel as a Function of Genotype

Fourteen apricot genotypes grown under similar cultural practices in Trans-Himalayan Ladakh region were studied to find out the influence of genotype on antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content (TPC) of apricot kernel. The kernels were found to be rich in TPC ranging from 92.2 to 162.1 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g. The free radical-scavenging activity in terms of inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) ranged from 43.8 to 123.4 mg/ml and ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) from 154.1 to 243.6 FeSO₄.7H₂O μg/ml. A variation of 1–1.7 fold in total phenolic content, 1–2.8 fold in IC₅₀ by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and 1–1.6 fold in ferric reducing antioxidant potential among the examined kernels underlines the important role played by genetic background for determining the phenolic content and antioxidant potential of apricot kernel. A positive significant correlation between TPC and FRAP (r = 0.671) was found. No significant correlation was found between TPC and IC₅₀; FRAP and IC₅₀; TPC and physical properties of kernel. Principal component analysis demonstrated that genotypic effect is more pronounced towards TPC and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) content in apricot kernel while the contribution of seed and kernel physical properties are not highly significant.     

龙眼高温热泵干制过程中主要活性成分变化研究

以干燥过程中龙眼酚类物质及多糖为研究对象,考察其含量和抗氧化活性在热泵干燥过程中的变化规律。结果表明,干燥过程中,龙眼游离酚、总酚和多糖的含量显著下降,分别下降了27.61%、23.94%和73.17%。结合酚含量显著升高,升高了111.11%。指数衰减模型能有效地拟合干燥过程中龙眼游离酚、总酚和多糖的含量变化曲线,S曲线则更适合于描述结合酚含量的变化规律。龙眼游离酚、结合酚和多糖的DPPH自由基清除能力在干燥过程中分别呈现下降、上升和下降的趋势。其中多糖的DPPH自由基清除能力的下降主要集中在干燥24 h和30 h之间。干燥过程中,龙眼中游离酚、结合酚、总酚及多糖的含量与其对应的抗氧化性均呈显著正相关。     

Chitosan boehmite-alumina nanocomposite films and thyme oil vapour control brown rot in peaches (Prunus persica L.) during postharvest storage

Brown rot (Monilinia spp.) affects the shelf life, fruit quality and marketability of peaches (Prunus persica L.). Increasing consumer concern regarding food safety makes it necessary to search for natural environmentally friendly alternative products for postharvest disease control. In this investigation, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) punnets containing thyme oil (TO sachets) and sealed with chitosan/boehmite nanocomposite lidding films significantly reduced the incidence and severity of brown rot caused by Monilinia laxa in artificially inoculated peach fruits (cv. Kakawa) held at 25 °C for 5 days. Furthermore, PET punnets containing TO sachets and sealed with chitosan/boehmite nanocomposite lidding films significantly reduced the brown rot incidence to 10% in naturally infected fruits stored at 0.5 °C, 90% RH for 7 days and at the simulated market shelf conditions for 3 days at 15 °C, 75% RH. The chitosan/boehmite nanocomposite lidding films maintained the active components of thyme oil, thymol (56.43% RA), caryophyllen (9.47% RA) and β-linalool (37.6% RA) within the (head space volatiles) punnet. Panellists preferred fruits packed from commercial punnet containing thyme oil (sachets) and sealed with chitosan/boehmite nanocomposite lidding films due to overall appearance, taste, and natural peach flavour.     

Almond (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus dulcis</Emphasis> L.) Protein Quality

Three marketing varieties of almonds; Carmel, Mission, and Nonpareil; were analyzed for proximate composition and protein nutritive quality. Moisture, lipids, protein, ash, sugars, and tannins ranges were 3.05-4.33%, 43.37-47.50%, 20.68-23.30%, 3.74-4.56%, 5.35-7.45%, and 0.12-0.18%, respectively. No detectable hemagglutinating and trypsin inhibitory activities were present in Carmel, Mission, and Nonpareil almonds. Amino acid analyses indicated the sulfur amino acids (methionine + cysteine), lysine, and threonine to be the first, second, and third limiting amino acids in almonds when compared to the recommended amino acid pattern for children 2-5-year old. However, compared to the recommended amino acid pattern for adults, sulfur amino acids were the only limiting amino acids in almonds tested. True Protein Digestibility (% TPD) values for Carmel, Mission, and Nonpareil were 88.55 +/- 1.26, 92.25 +/- 1.05, and 82.62 +/- 1.47, respectively. Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Scoring (PDCAAS) values suggested almond proteins to be of poor nutritional quality.     

Physicochemical Composition and Characterization of Bioactive Compounds of Mulberry (Morus indica L.) Fruit During Ontogeny

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Mulberry fruit is well recognized as one of the richest sources of bioactive compounds. We investigated the physicochemical composition and characterized the...     

Competitiveness of rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars against Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. in water-seeded production systems

Developing more competitive rice cultivars could help improve weed management and reduce dependency on herbicides. To achieve this goal, an understanding of key traits related to competitiveness is critical. Experiments were conducted at Gelemen and Bafra districts of Samsun province in Turkey between 2008 and 2009 to measure the competitiveness of rice cultivars against Echinochloa crus-galli, a problematic weed in rice fields. Five rice cultivars (Osmancık, Kızılırmak, Karadeniz, Koral and Neğiş) and five E. crus-galli densities (0, 5, 10, 20, and 30 plants m⁻²) were used. Koral produced significantly more tillers than the other cultivars irrespective of E. crus-galli densities and reduced E. crus-galli tiller production by about 29.5% at Gelemen and 15.8% at Bafra at the highest weed density. E. crus-galli interference reduced rice height and there was a density dependent relationship. Koral was the most competitive cultivar; it maintained high biomass accumulation in early growth stages and suffered smaller reductions in plant height in the presence of E. crus-galli, compared to the other cultivars. In the absence of weed competition, Koral and Neğiş produced the highest yields at both locations. Stepwise regression analyses of the combined data from both years showed tillering capacity, early growth crop biomass, and plant height were critical traits related to competitiveness. These traits should be considered by plant breeders in their efforts to develop rice cultivars with enhanced competitiveness against weeds. Development of such cultivars could substantially reduce herbicide and labor inputs for rice production.     

百香果贮藏过程中香气成分及其相关酶活性的变化特征

为阐明采后百香果香气品质的变化特征,本研究采用顶空-固相微萃取(HS-SPME)结合气相色谱-质谱联用技术(GC-MS),研究了常温(25℃)、低温(6℃)贮藏期间百香果香气物质主要成分及其含量,酯类化合物代谢关键酶脂氧合酶(LOX)、醇酰基转移酶(AAT)、乙醇脱氢酶(ADH)和氢过氧化物裂解酶(HPL)活性的变化规...     

分子标记在菠萝研究中的应用

介绍了分子标记技术在菠萝上的应用,主要包括种质鉴别、遗传多样性、亲缘关系、连锁图谱构建以及与优良农艺性状相关的分子标记的获得等方面的情况,并对存在的问题和应用前景进行了讨论。     

利用RAPD技术鉴定花生种质资源的差异

利用RAPD技术对 7个不同植物学类型的花生种质资源进行了分析 ,在所用的 83个随机引物中 ,1 3个引物的扩增产物显示出不同品种间的多态性 ,能显示花生品种间DNA多态性的引物占1 5 .7%。这 1 3个引物共扩增出 1 2 1条DNA带 ,其中具多态性的片段 2 6条 ,占 2 1 .48%。根据本实验结果 ,利用RAPD技术鉴定花生种质资源的多态性是有效的     

花生水分胁迫研究Ⅱ.荚果生长

本文探讨了水分胁迫对结荚期花生荚果发育的影响.为期两年(1997/98和1998/99)的试验是在农牧学院(国立Río Cuarto大学)试验场开展的.目的是量化与水分胁迫有关的物候因子的变化与花生荚果发育的关系.试验采用的是生育期为150 d的兰娜型花生品种.荚果发育水平分别通过成熟度和荚果干重两方面来定性和定量衡量.水分胁迫对荚果发育的影响表现为改变发育起始阶段时间、荚果发育速率和生育期、成熟度和最终产量.两年的试验结果相似,主要结果取自处理S2(开花下针期进行干旱处理),包括花期延长,下针结果期延迟11～13d,降低荚果发育速率(11.5～12.6 mg·d-1,对照为17.0 mg·d-1),以及降低荚果最终产量.     

花生（Arachis hypogaea L.）水分胁迫的研究——I．开花与成针

为量化水分胁迫引起的花生物候学变化及其对开花和果针生长的效应，在阿根廷科尔多瓦省农牧学院试验农场开展了本研究。试验分两年(1997／98，1998/99)实施，随机区组设计，重复3次。试点为典型的Hapludol土，品种为Florman INTA，行株距分别为0．7和0．08m。在不同的生长时期(Rl—R3，R3—R4，R4—R6，R6—R7)施以干旱处理(人工遮雨)，持续时间为18—22d不等。测量土壤含水量并统计单株花朵数和果针数。结果证实了先前关于花生开花量和果针数对水分胁迫的反应的报道，也支持生殖生长延迟以及荚果发育和种子充实后期易受霜害的假说。     

甘薯(Ipomoea batatas(L.) Lam.)试管苗种质保存技术研究进展

甘薯种质资源的大田种植保存面临着严重的病毒感染以及病虫害、自然灾害的影响.由茎尖分生组织培养成无病毒苗并进行试管保存,是当前既经济又实用的方法.     

Sequential application of soil-incorporated and post-emergence herbicides for controlling wild oat (Avena fatua L.) and green foxtail (Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.) in spring wheat

The effects of shallow-soil-incorporated tri-allate or trifluralin, applied alone or in sequence with three post-emergence herbicides (barban, difenzoquat or flamprop-methyl), for controlling wild oat (Avena fatua L.) and green foxtail (Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.) in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Neepawa) were investigated at Brandon, Manitoba in 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1981. All herbicide treatments, except trifluralin alone in 1981, gave good wild-oat control compared with the untreated control. Tri-allate applied alone did not control green foxtail. With tri-allate, subsequent applications of post-emergence herbicides did not further improve wild-oat control and produced a wheat yield similar to that of tri-allate applied alone. The addition of barban in 1981 did provide a significant yield increase. All treatments involving trifluralin gave equal foxtail control superior to that of tri-allate, but the post-emergence herbicides had no activity on green foxtail. Subsequent applications of barban and flamprop-methyl to trifluralin in 4 years and difenzoquat in 3 years improved wild-oat control. As a result, significant increases in yield were recorded from the addition of barban, difenzoquat, and flamprop-methyl in 1981 and in the mean values for 4 years. In one (1979) of the four years, difenzoquat application to tri-allate or trifluralin tended to reduce wheat tolerance based on visual ratings of plant height and growth vigour, but this did not affect wheat yield. Overall, herbicide treatments in 4 years resulted in significant wheat yield increases over the untreated control.     

Competition between white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) in binary mixtures in the field

White clover, (cv. Haifa) and subterranean clover (cv. Seaton Park) were grown in binary replacement series mixtures in the field at proportions of 100:0, 90:10, 50:50. 10:90 and 0:100, and cut every four weeks over three growing seasons from 1985 to 1987 at Scone, New South Wales (NSW) (32°S).
Relatively low plant densities minimized competition in 1985, but in subsequent seasons Haifa and Seaton Park competed vigorously for the same resource;.; usually having relative crowding coefficients greater than 1.0, and relative yield totals greater than 1.0 in spring of 1986 and 1987, and autumn 1987. This over-yielding appeared to be due to some complementarity of leaf morphology and canopy architecture.
Haifa severely depressed seed production of Seaton Park in mixtures. Haifa regenerated as an annual in 1986, but as a perennial, from surviving stolons, in 1987 owing to lower maximum temperatures and better rainfall distribution in late summer and autumn of 1987.
It is concluded that white clover can survive severe competition from subterranean clover as a seedling, and if moisture allows, may severely depress seed production from subterranean clover, regardless of whether plants are annual or perennial in origin. Spatial separation may minimize competition in average years but competition effects may be severe in seasons with sufficient summer rainfall for perennation of white clover, and seasonal autumn rainfall for germination of subterranean clover.     

Preferences of lambs offered Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) herbage as choices

Partial preference for feeds in ruminants is a well-documented phenomenon although their explanation can be elusive. The hypothesis was tested that sheep offered herbage of two annual grass species differing in chemical composition free-choice would select a diet that would maximize the nutritive value of the diet compared with sheep offered each herbage separately through a greater nutrient balance and synchronization of nutrient release for efficient ruminal microbial function. Fifteen male lambs were placed into metabolic cages, and randomly assigned to three treatments ( n  = 5): Italian ryegrass fresh herbage (treatment R), barley fresh herbage (treatment B) or free-choice Italian ryegrass and barley fresh herbage (treatment RB). Both herbages had similar crude protein concentrations but Italian ryegrass herbage had higher concentration of water-soluble carbohydrates and lower concentration of fibre than barley herbage. Lambs were exposed to the treatments for 15 d. Lambs on treatment RB showed a partial preference of 0·82 (s.e. 0·031) for Italian ryegrass. Lambs on treatment RB had higher intakes of digestible dry matter and higher values for nitrogen retention than lambs on treatment B although similar to that of lambs on treatment R. The results for the dietary choices were not always consistent with maximizing the nutritive value of the diet. Other explanations, such as lambs needed to sample and track the nutritive value of dietary options or there was the development of transient food aversions, were also possible.