Degradation of Carotenoids in Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) During Drying Process

Carotenoids are natural compounds whose nutritional importance comes from the provitamin A activity of some of them and their protection against several serious human disorders. The degradation of carotenoids was investigated during apricot drying by microwave and convective hot-air at 60 and 70 °C. Seven carotenoids were identified: antheraxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, 13-cis-β-carotene, all-trans-β-carotene and 9-cis-β-carotene; among these, all-trans-β-carotene was found to be about 50 % of total carotenoids. First-order kinetic models were found to better describe all-trans-β-carotene reduction during drying, with a degradation rate constant (k₁) that increased two folds when temperatures increased by 10 °C, in both methods. No differences were found in k₁ between apricots dried by hot air at 70 °C (k₁?=?0.0340 h^?1) and by microwave at 60 °C. The evolution of total carotenoids (117.1 mg/kg on dry basis) during drying highlighted a wider decrease (about 50 %) when microwave heating was employed, for both set temperatures. Antheraxantin was found to be the carotenoid most susceptible to heat, disappearing at 6 h during both trials with microwave as well as during convective hot-air at 70 °C. For this reason, antheraxanthin could be a useful marker for the evaluation of thermal damage due to the drying process. Also the degree of isomerization of all-trans-β-carotene could be a useful marker for the evaluation of the drying process.     

籼型杂交水稻杂种与亲本的稻米品质比较

 以具广泛代表性的7个不育系和9个恢复系及其配制的63个组合为材料,对籼型杂交水稻11个稻米品质性状的杂种与亲本的表现进行了比较研究。就全部杂交组合各品质性状相对优势而言，无论是超亲优势、完全显性还是部分显性，都表现为负向的几率远大于正向。 组合间杂种品质表现的差异因性状而异,无论是中亲优势指数、超高亲优势指数，还是超低亲优势指数，均以垩白大小、垩白粒率、胶稠度和整精米率等性状组合间变异为大。全部性状杂种平均值都显著或极显著低于高亲值。除精米长和直链淀粉含量杂种值极显著高于中亲值外，其余性状都与中亲值接近或极显著低于中亲值。除糙米率、精米率和胶稠度杂种值低于低亲值外，其余性状都显著或极显著高于低亲值。     

Carotenoids,Phenolic Profile,Mineral Content and Antioxidant Properties in Flesh and Peel of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus persica</Emphasis> Fruits during Two Maturation Stages

Carotenoids and phenolic profile, antioxidant activity as well as concentrations of selected macronutrients (K, N, Mg, Ca and Na) and micronutrients (Zn, Cu and Mn) in flesh and peel of peach fruit were recorded at two harvest dates. Predominant mineral was potassium, followed by calcium, magnesium and sodium. The concentration of most micronutrients was greater in the peel than in the flesh especially in early season. The concentration of most elements in flesh and peel decreased during fruit maturation. Total carotenoids content varied with respect to the cultivar. β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene were the major carotenoids in both tissues and flesh contain the lowest amounts. Neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, catechin, epicatechin, gallic acid, rutin, quercetin-3-O-galactoside, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, were detected in both peel and flesh, with chlorogenic acid and catechin being the predominant components. Peel extracts showed markedly higher antioxidant activities, when estimated by ABTS or DPPH assays, than the flesh counterparts, consistent with the observed higher phenolic content. Overall, total phenolics levels increased at full ripening stage in both peel and flesh. The results found herein provide important data on carotenoids, phenolic and macro- and micronutrient changes during fruit growth, and emphases peach fruit as a potential functional food.     

Tocols and carotenoids of einkorn,emmer and spring wheat varieties: Selection for breeding and production

Einkorn (Triticum monococcum L., subsp. monococcum), emmer (Triticum dicoccum Schuebl [Schrank], subsp. dicoccum) and spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) may be rich in lipophilic antioxidants (tocols and carotenoids), and therefore potential food sources with good nutritional properties. The aim of the present study was to determine the contents of major lipophilic antioxidants beneficial for human health in wheat varieties and landraces for breeding and production. In field experiments over two years, fifteen einkorn, emmer and spring wheat varieties were analysed for the contents of tocols and carotenoids in grain. A high carotenoid content (lutein, zeaxanthin, β-carotene) was typical for the selected einkorn genotypes. Among the analysed wheat species, the highest content was of β-tocotrienol, especially in the einkorn accessions. α-Tocotrienol was abundant in einkorn and emmer wheat species. Higher contents of α- and β-tocopherols were characteristic of spring and emmer wheats. δ-Tocotrienol has been detected for the first time in einkorn and some emmer accessions, although in low concentrations. Significant effects of genotype on the contents of carotenoids and tocols were found with einkorn differing from emmer and spring wheats. The year of cultivation had less effect on the contents of carotenoids and tocols. Selected accessions of einkorn with high contents of carotenoids and tocotrienols as well as spring and emmer wheats with higher contents of tocopherols are good sources of antioxidants with potential health promoting benefits for the production of nutritionally enhanced foods.     

Antarctic Thraustochytrids as Sources of Carotenoids and High-Value Fatty Acids

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and carotenoids are needed as human dietary supplements and are essential components in commercial feeds for the production of aquacultured seafood. Microorganisms such as thraustochytrids are potential natural sources of these compounds. This research reports on the lipid and carotenoid production capacity of thraustochytrids that were isolated from coastal waters of Antarctica. Of the 22 isolates, 21 produced lipids containing EPA+DHA, and the amount of these fatty acids exceeded 20% of the total fatty acids in 12 isolates. Ten isolates were shown to produce carotenoids (27.4–63.9 μg/g dry biomass). The isolate RT2316-16, identified as Thraustochytrium sp., was the best producer of biomass (7.2 g/L in five days) rich in carotenoids (63.9 μg/g) and, therefore, became the focus of this investigation. The main carotenoids in RT2316-16 were β-carotene and canthaxanthin. The content of EPA+DHA in the total lipids (34 ± 3% w/w in dry biomass) depended on the stage of growth of RT2316-16. Lipid and carotenoid content of the biomass and its concentration could be enhanced by modifying the composition of the culture medium. The estimated genome size of RT2316-16 was 44 Mb. Of the 5656 genes predicted from the genome, 4559 were annotated. These included genes of most of the enzymes in the elongation and desaturation pathway of synthesis of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Carotenoid precursors in RT2316-16 were synthesized through the mevalonate pathway. A β-carotene synthase gene, with a different domain organization compared to the gene in other thraustochytrids, explained the carotenoid profile of RT2316-16.     

Development of introgression lines with 18 alleles of glutenin subunits and evaluation of the effects of various alleles on quality related traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

In this report, we present a set of 104 ILs with 18 alleles for five glutenin loci. They were developed from crossing and backcrossing 64 varieties as donor parents to Yanzhan 1 as recurrent parent. The effects of the 18 alleles on nine dough quality parameters were evaluated in a similar background using these lines. The results showed that Glu-A1a produced the highest SDS-sedimentation volume (Ssd), midline time x=8 width (MTxW), mixing tolerance (MT) and the lowest weakening slope (WS). At the Glu-B1 locus, Glu-B1f produced the highest values for all quality parameters but WS. At the Glu-D1 locus, Glu-D1d was the best for Ssd, grain hardness (GH), midline peak width (MPW), MTxW and MT. The positive effects of Glu-B1f on GH and Glu-B3b on Ssd were mainly from the effect of GPC. Overall, 5 interactive loci and 13 interactive alleles were found to be significant. No negative interaction between high quality glutenin alleles was detected. The preferred allele combinations for breeding were recommended based on the additive and interactive effects. Our results suggest that the ILs with multiple alleles are ideal genomic stocks for evaluating the effects of alleles on some traits and for pyramiding favorable alleles in breeding wheat varieties.     

Carotenoid accumulation during grain development in durum wheat

Yellow pigment (YP) concentration is an important quality trait in durum wheat and is comprised primarily of carotenoids. The main objective of our study was to measure the accumulation of carotenoids during the grain fill period to improve our understanding of the physiological basis for differences among durum wheat cultivars. Thirteen genotypes with large variation in total YP concentration were studied. Spikes were sampled from replicated field plots in 2007 and 2008 at 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after heading (DAH). The remainder of each plot was harvested at grain maturity for analysis. trans-Lutein was the predominant carotenoid at maturity and was detected at 14 DAH in all genotypes. The rate and duration of lutein accumulation was variable among genotypes expressing high, intermediate and low YP. The accumulation of all carotenoids was lowest in genotypes expressing low YP, and suggests rate limitations early in the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. The ratio of trans-zeaxanthin to trans-lutein was inversely correlated with total YP and suggests that the β,? branch of lycopene cyclization leading to α-carotene and thus lutein, synthesis may also be limiting in low-YP genotypes. These results provide insights into the regulation of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway in durum wheat grain.     

玉米F1、F2代穗粒性状的遗传效应分析和适宜群体筛选

利用2个优良爆裂玉米自交系与6个Reid类群普通玉米自交系杂交组配12个杂交组合,研究穗长、穗粗、穗行数、行粒数、百粒重、穗重、穗粒重和出籽率8个穗粒性状的F1表现、杂种优势和F2群体表现、分离特征及其与亲本的相关性。结果表明,不同组合F1表现、中亲优势(MH)、超高亲优势(HH)和F2群体的平均值(F2M)、变幅、变异系数、优势衰退(HDR)等均存在不同程度差异,各穗粒性状杂交早代的遗传背景效应突出;F2群体各性状均呈连续正态分布,存在超双亲分离,为多基因控制的复杂数量性状;杂种优势较小的穗行数、出籽率和穗粗可以根据两类亲本或其均值初步预测其组合F1和F2M值的表现,对于杂种优势较大的穗重、穗粒重和百粒重不宜进行预测;除穗行数和出籽率外,其余性状F1表现与F2M、MH和HH以及F2M、MH、HH间多呈显著或极显著正相关,HDR与F1、F2M、MH和HH均呈显著或极显著负相关;R2×N04、R4×N10和R5×N10组合为进一步开展遗传作图和改良爆裂玉米自交系穗粒性状的最佳群体。     

Genetic analysis of important antioxidant compounds in cabbage (Brassiaca oleracea var. capitata L.)

The paucity of research on development of antioxidant-rich hybrids in cabbage by utilizing combining ability estimates, gene action, and heterosis motivated us to undertake this study. We made 60 crosses between 5 cytoplasmic male-sterile lines and 12 male-fertile testers during the summer of 2015, as per the line × tester design. The seedlings of all the parents and 60 F₁ crosses, along with three checks, were transplanted during the Rabi (winter) season of 2015–2016 and evaluated using a randomized complete-block design. Combining ability, gene action, and heterosis were determined for different antioxidant compounds. Experimental results revealed that the range of cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) [parents = 1.26–7.33 and hybrids = 0.04–6.54 μmol trolox/g], ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) [parents = 1.65–4.76 and hybrids = 0.16–4.67 μmol trolox/g], β-carotene (parents = 0.44–2.29 and hybrids = 0.04–1.89 μg/100 g), and chlorophyll-a (parents = 0.71–4.08 and hybrids = 0.19–3.08 mg/g f.w.) for hybrids was lower than that of the parents because of outbreeding depression. The parental lines 6A, 208A, 83-5-8, and Sel-5-83-6 were found to be good general combiners for most of the antioxidant compounds studied. Based on the mean performance, specific combining ability effects and heterosis, five hybrid combinations viz., 9A × KIRC-8 for CUPRAC and FRAP; 208A × C-122 for ascorbic acid; 6A × Chhaki-2 for total carotenoids and β-carotene; 831A × Chhaki-2 for chlorophyll-a; and 6A × 83-5-8 for chlorophyll-b and total chlorophyll content, were most promising. The ratio of general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) variances, i.e., [2 σ²g/(2σ²g + σ²s)], which reflects the relative importance of GCA versus SCA, was less than unity for different antioxidant compounds, which implied that for these traits, nonadditive gene effects were more important than additive effects. The numerical values of range for contribution of lines × testers interaction for different traits (41.47–70.18%) were found to be higher than the individual contribution of lines (11.24–47.22%) and testers (8.31–21.76%). Hence, heterosis could be exploited for developing antioxidant-rich hybrid cabbage.     

Determination of Heterotic Groups and Heterosis Analysis of Yield Performance in indica Rice

To compare the heterosis levels among various groups of parental lines used extensively in China, identify foundational heterotic groups in parental pools and understand the relationship between genetic distance and heterosis performance, 16 parental lines with extensive genetic variation were selected from various sub-groups, and 39 hybrid combinations were generated and evaluated in Fujian and Hainan Provinces of China. The main results were as follows:(1) The 16 parental lines can be grouped into 7 sub-groups consisting of 1 maintainer sub-group and 6 restorer sub-groups;(2) Mean grain yield of the restorer lines was higher than that of the maintainer lines, and mean yield of parental lines was higher than that of the hybrid combinations;(3) The two best heterotic patterns were II-32A × G5 and II-32A × G6, moreover, the order of restorer sub-groups according to grain yield, from the highest to lowest, was G7, G6, G5, G4, G3 and G2; High specific combining ability values were observed for combinations of II-32A × G5, II-32A × G6 and Tianfeng A × G7;(4) Hybrid combinations derived from II-32A crossed with 13 restorer lines had higher yield trait values(mid-parent heterosis, better-parent heterosis, standard heterosis over check and specific combining ability) than any other combinations;(5) Genetic distance was positively correlated with panicle number, grain length and length-to-width ratio(P 0.05) and negatively correlated with grain width, grain yield, seed-setting rate, as well as mid-parent heterosis, standard heterosis over check, and specific combining ability for grain yield(P 0.01). These heterotic groups and patterns and their argonomic traits will provide useful information for future hybrid rice breeding programs.     

Microstructure and In Vitro Beta Carotene Bioaccessibility of Heat Processed Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato

Orange fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) has been identified as a good source of β-carotene but the β-carotene bioaccessibility is affected by processing. In this study, the effect of traditional heat processing methods on the microstructure and in vitro bioaccessibility of β-carotene from OFSP were investigated. Bioaccessibility was determined using simulated in vitro digestion model followed by membrane filtration to separate the micellar fraction containing bioaccessible β-carotene. Processing led to decrease in the amount of all-trans-β-carotene and increase in 13-cis-β-carotene. Processed OFSP had significantly higher (P?<?0.05) bioaccessible β-carotene compared to the raw forms. Bioaccessibility varied with processing treatments in the order; raw < baked < steamed/boiled < deep fried. Light microscopy showed that the microstructure of OFSP was disrupted by the processing methods employed. The cell walls of OFSP were sloughed by the traditional heat processing methods applied. The findings show that heat processing improves bioaccessibility of β-carotene in OFSP and this was probably due to disruption of the tissue microstructure.     

Quantitative trait loci for yellow pigment concentration and individual carotenoid compounds in durum wheat

A defining factor for the commercial value of durum wheat pasta is its amber colour, which depends on the semolina yellow pigment concentration and on the oxidative enzymatic activity. Among carotenoids controlling yellow colour, the presence of β-carotene is also important as precursors of vitamin A. The aim of the present study was to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) for yellow pigment concentration, yellow index and individual carotenoid compounds (lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene and β-carotene) in a durum segregant population. Total carotenoid concentration amounted to 37% of the yellow pigments, indicating unknown colour-producing compounds in the durum extracts. Lutein was the most abundant carotenoid, followed by zeaxanthin, α-carotene and β-carotene, while β-cryptoxanthin was a minor component. Phytoene synthase marker Psy-A1, 150 SSR and EST-SSR markers, and 345 DArT^® markers, were used to construct the linkage map for subsequent QTL analysis. Clusters of QTL for total and/or one or more carotenoid compounds were detected on the same chromosome regions (2A, 3B, 5A and 7A) where QTL for yellow pigment concentration and yellow index were identified. The molecular markers associated to major QTL would be useful for marker-assisted selection programs to facilitate high carotenoid concentration with high nutritional carotenoid compounds in wheat grain.     

GA3处理对木薯类胡萝卜素生物合成的影响

木薯(Manihot esculenta Crantz)属大戟科木薯属热带作物,具有耐干旱贫瘠等特性,木薯叶片富含蛋白质,块根富含淀粉但是缺乏类胡萝卜素,是热带低收入人口的主粮.国家木薯产业技术体系"十三五"期间关于木薯产业问题指出,类胡萝卜素是粮饲化的重要指标,类胡萝卜素也是维生素A的前体物质.本文在前期研究中筛选到...     

Selection of Culture Conditions and Cell Morphology for Biocompatible Extraction of β-Carotene from Dunaliella salina

Biocompatible extraction emerges recently as a means to reduce costs of biotechnology processing of microalgae. In this frame, this study aimed at determining how specific culture conditions and the associated cell morphology impact the biocompatibility and the extraction yield of β-carotene from the green microalga Dunaliella salina using n-decane. The results highlight the relationship between the cell disruption yield and cell volume, the circularity and the relative abundance of naturally permeabilized cells. The disruption rate increased with both the cell volume and circularity. This was particularly obvious for volume and circularity exceeding 1500 µm³ and 0.7, respectively. The extraction of β-carotene was the most biocompatible with small (600 µm³) and circular cells (0.7) stressed in photobioreactor (30% of carotenoids recovery with 15% cell disruption). The naturally permeabilized cells were disrupted first; the remaining cells seems to follow a gradual permeabilization process: reversibility (up to 20 s) then irreversibility and cell disruption. This opens new carotenoid production schemes based on growing robust β-carotene enriched cells to ensure biocompatible extraction.     

Improving Rice Blast Resistance by Mining Broad-Spectrum Resistance Genes at Pik Locus

Magnaporthe oryzae is known for its genetic diversity and pathogenic variability, leading to rapid breakdown of resistance in rice. Incorporating multiple broad-spectrum blast resistance genes into rice cultivars would extend disease resistance longevity. Effective resistance breeding in rice therefore requires continual enrichment of the reservoir of resistance genes and alleles. We conducted a large-scale screen of rice blast resistance in about 2 000 rice accessions. Among them, 247 accessions showed at least medium resistance to the natural infection of rice blast and 7 novel Pik alleles were identified from them. Variations in gene sequences were then correlated with the phenotypic trait to enable the identification of favorable alleles. Among the seven novel Pik alleles, the resistant rate of Pik-R0/ME/7017 donors was greater than 80%, and the disease score was less than 3. Through molecular marker-assisted backcross breeding, we successfully transferred the three Pik alleles, Pik-R0/ME/7017, into an elite cultivated line Kongyu 131 to obtain BC₃F₂ lines, which showed enhanced resistance to rice blast compared with the recurrent parent. Assessment of these near-isogenic lines in the greenhouse using 31 isolates of M. oryzae from Heilongjiang Province of China revealed that the resistant levels of the BC₃F₂ lines with Pik-R0/ME/7017 were significantly higher than those of the established cloned resistance genes Pik-m and Pi1. Exploring such alleles will enrich our gene library for resistance to rice blast.     

Stability of Carotenoids, Total Phenolics and In Vitro Antioxidant Capacity in the Thermal Processing of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam.) Cultivars Grown in Brazil

Intervention strategies regarding the biofortification of orange-fleshed sweet potato, which is a rich source of carotenoids for combating vitamin A deficiency, are being developed in Brazil. This study was conducted to evaluate the concentrations of individual carotenoids, total phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity in the roots of four biofortified sweet potato cultivars that were raw or processed by four common heat treatments. HPLC, Folin-Ciocalteu, DPPH and ABTS assays were used. All cultivars showed high levels of carotenoids in raw roots, predominantly all-trans-β-carotene (79.1-128.5?mg.100?g(-1) DW), suggesting a high estimated vitamin A activity. The CNPH 1194 cultivar reported carotenoids values highest than those of other cultivars (p?相似文献   

Marker assisted backcross breeding to improve cooking quality traits in Myanmar rice cultivar Manawthukha

Several components contribute to rice grain quality, and among these, fragrance and taste qualities are the most important to consumers. Manawthukha, an elite non-fragrant cultivar with high amylose content (AC), intermediate gel consistency (GC) and gelatinisation temperature (GT), occupies the largest number of acres in Myanmar. To improve fragrance and intermediate AC in Manawthukha, Basmati370 was used as a donor parent to introgress the Basmati alleles of genes conferring fragrance and intermediate AC into Manawthukha by Marker Assisted Backcrossing (MAB). Four backcrosses and one selfing were conducted to transfer positive alleles of badh2 and Wx from Basmati into Manawthukha. Twelve BC₄F₂ selected lines that carried the homozygous Basmati alleles were planted in multi-location trials (four in Myanmar and one in Thailand) and examined for their agronomic performance and cooking quality. The seeds of the improved lines and their parents, harvested from Kamphaeng Saen, Kuaukse, Kyauktada and Latpatan, were investigated for fragrance and AC. All improved lines had fragrance and intermediate AC similar to the donor parent Basmati, whereas their agronomic performances were the same as the original Manawthukha. All improved lines had medium plant heights, high tiller numbers, dense panicles, non-lodging phenotypes and high yielding potentials. Simultaneous improvement of fragrance and intermediate AC indicated that badh2 and Wx genes had major effects on the fragrance and AC, respectively. We show here the success of improving fragrance and intermediate AC by MAB and the high efficiency of selection in early generations. In the present study, MAB accelerated the development of superior qualities in the genetic background of Manawthukha. The improved Manawthukha should be immediately useful for Myanmar farmers and will help farmers to increase their incomes.     

Studies on β-carotene and lycopene content in the fruits of lycopersicon esculentum mill. X L. Chilense dun. Hybrids

Data are reported from breeding work in the progeny of the cross (L. chilense x Ace)F₁ x Ace as a result of which stabilized lines have been obtained with different β-carotene/lycopene ratio. In some lines possessing very good morphological and economic properties the fruits contained up to 8–9 mg% of β-carotene and were also distinguished by high vitamin C content (about 50 mg%). No determinate plants with high β-carotene content in the fruits were observed. It is suggested that the same B factor determining high β-carotene content inL. hirsutum is present inL. chilense. Therefore, it is in close relation with the sp⁺ gene in the sixth chromosome.     

Effect of an Introduced Phytoene Synthase Gene Expression on Carotenoid Biosynthesis in the Marine Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum

Carotenoids exert beneficial effects on human health through their excellent antioxidant activity. To increase carotenoid productivity in the marine Pennales Phaeodactylum tricornutum, we genetically engineered the phytoene synthase gene (psy) to improve expression because RNA-sequencing analysis has suggested that the expression level of psy is lower than other enzyme-encoding genes that are involved in the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. We isolated psy from P. tricornutum, and this gene was fused with the enhanced green fluorescent protein gene to detect psy expression. After transformation using the microparticle bombardment technique, we obtained several P. tricornutum transformants and confirmed psy expression in their plastids. We investigated the amounts of PSY mRNA and carotenoids, such as fucoxanthin and β-carotene, at different growth phases. The introduction of psy increased the fucoxanthin content of a transformants by approximately 1.45-fold relative to the levels in the wild-type diatom. However, some transformants failed to show a significant increase in the carotenoid content relative to that of the wild-type diatom. We also found that the amount of PSY mRNA at log phase might contribute to the increase in carotenoids in the transformants at stationary phase.