Structural features of arabinoxylans extracted with water at different temperatures from two rye flours of diverse breadmaking quality

The water extractable (WE) arabinoxylans from two rye flours differing in baking quality were studied following sequential extraction with water at 4, 40, and 100 degrees C. Ammonium sulfate fractionation of the resulting WE fractions and subsequent analysis revealed substantial differences in the structure of the isolated materials. Furthermore, it allowed us to identify the factors contributing to arabinoxylan water extractability. Our results provide compelling evidence for the existence of separate polymers in rye WE arabinoxylans with different substitution degrees, ranging from quantitatively dominating, lowly substituted populations (arabinose to xylose ratio, Ara/Xyl approximately 0.5) to comparatively less abundant, highly substituted analogues (Ara/Xyl approximately 1.3). Generally, arabinoxylan water extractability was governed by the relative proportion of lowly and highly branched structures. A gradually increasing proportion of highly substituted populations was observed from cold to hot WE fractions. This was associated with the lower proportion of monosubstituted xylopyranosyl residues in the backbone, the higher proportion of disubstituted xylopyranosyl residues, and the higher level of substitution with feruloyl residues. Notable differences in the ratio of phenolic compounds to arabinose residues were observed between corresponding polymers isolated from rye flours of high and low baking quality, whereas the differences in their molecular weights were much less pronounced.     

Variability in the structure of rye flour alkali-extractable arabinoxylans

The variability in rye flour alkali-extractable arabinoxylan (AE-AX) structures was examined by extensive fractionation and enzymic degradation studies. AX were isolated from destarched rye water-unextractables by sequential extraction with saturated barium hydroxide solution, water, 1.0 M sodium hydroxide, and water. The isolated AE-AX contained ca. 51% AX with an arabinose to xylose (A/X) ratio of 0.71. Fractionation of the isolated AE-AX by ethanol precipitation yielded a range of AE-AX fractions containing AX molecules with different A/X ratios and substitution patterns. Degradation of these structurally different AE-AX fractions by an Aspergillus aculeatus endoxylanase (XAA) and a Bacillus subtilis endoxylanase (XBS) resulted in AX fragments with various structural features. Further fractionation of the degraded AE-AX fractions by ethanol precipitation showed that a strong correlation exists between the structural features of the AX fragments, that is, average degree of polymerization (DP) of the xylan backbone, A/X ratio, and substitution pattern. Results indicated that the rye flour AE-AX consist of a continuum of structures rather than of two types of AX or two types of regions in the AX molecule.     

Cell wall fractions isolated from outer layers of rye grain by sequential treatment with alpha-amylase and proteinase: structural investigation of polymers in two ryes with contrasting breadmaking quality

Recent studies have indicated that some structural features of arabinoxylans, the major cell wall polysaccharides, might be potential quality markers in the selection of rye breeding materials. To specify the most appropriate characteristics, the differences in the structure of cell wall components were studied in two ryes with high and low breadmaking qualities. Two cell wall fractions were isolated from the outer layers of the grain (pooled shorts and bran fractions) by a consecutive water extraction with alpha-amylase (WE-A) and proteinase K (WE-P). Polysaccharides predominated in the WE-A fraction (approximately 64%, mainly arabinoxylans). By contrast, the WE-P fraction contained mostly protein (approximately 63%), and its level of polysaccharides was relatively low (approximately 18%). The 1H NMR and sugar analysis of the ammonium sulfate precipitated subfractions revealed that the WE-A was built of four arabinoxylan populations with marked structural differences (arabinose-to-xylose ratios, Ara/Xyl, of approximately 0.3, 0.5, 0.8, and 1.2). Instead, the arabinoxylans present in the WE-P were generally enriched in disubstituted xylopyranosyl residues. The ratio of phenolic components to arabinose residues in the WE-P fraction (indicated by 1H NMR) and the proportion of polymers with the highest molecular weights in the WE-A fraction (revealed by HPSEC) distinguished well two ryes with diverse breadmaking qualities. Much less obvious differences between both ryes were observed in the ratio of amide I to amide II band intensities of FTIR spectra for the WE-P and in the level of phenolic acids and ferulic acid dehydrodimers for both cell wall preparations.     

Association and structural diversity of hemicelluloses in the cell walls of rye outer layers: comparison between two ryes with opposite breadmaking quality

Looking for potential quality indicators, which could be used in early selection of breeding materials, the structural features of cell wall arabinoxylans (AX) from outer layers of the grain (pooled shorts and bran fractions) were studied in two ryes with diverse breadmaking quality. The successive alkaline extraction of water-unextractable material with saturated Ba(OH)2, followed by water and 1 and 4 M NaOH, resulted in four purified fractions, Ba, BaH, 1Na, and 4Na, respectively, that became water soluble after their isolation. The AX present in these fractions constituted approximately 43, 12, 14, and 4% of their total amount recovered. Moreover, two xylan-enriched fractions, 1Na.P and 4Na.P (arabinose-to-xylose ratios, Ara/Xyl, of 0.07 and 0.19, respectively), were self-precipitated from both NaOH-extractable fractions. Polysaccharides of these fractions, containing mainly xylose, represented approximately 16 and 1% of AX recovered. In the BaH and 1Na, AX coexisted with beta-glucans, which predominated in the former protein-free fraction. On the contrary, hemicelluloses in the 1Na fraction were associated with protein as well. Further fractionation of the water-soluble materials by ammonium sulfate revealed that the parent AX populations in the Ba, BaH, and 1Na were composed of 3-4 subfractions with different degrees of substitution (Ara/Xyl of approximately 0.4, 0.8, and 1.1), whereas 4Na was almost totally built of highly substituted AX (Ara/Xyl of 1.1). Despite a comparable proportion of un-, mono-, and disubstituted xylopyranosyl residues in the chain of Ba(OH)2-extractable AX isolated from both ryes, the 1H NMR and Fourier transform infrared demonstrated the marked differences in their spectral profiles, suggesting different substitution patterns of these dominating polysaccharides. The high molecular weight population present in the Ba fraction also differentiated well two ryes with opposite breadmaking quality.     

Enzymatic solubilization of arabinoxylans from isolated rye pentosans and rye flour by different endo-xylanases and other hydrolyzing enzymes. Effect of a fungal caccase on the flour extracts oxidative gelation

Water-extractable (WEP) and water-unextractable (WUP) pentosans were isolated from a rye flour. The effect of a commercial enzyme preparation, Grindamyl S 100 (GS100), containing pentosanase activities, was investigated on WEP, WUP, a mix of WEP and WUP, and the rye flour, with the aim to monitor the solubilization and depolymerization of high molecular weight arabinoxylans and the effect on the viscosity of the reaction medium. The effects of other hydrolyzing enzymes were also tested. Three xylanases were used: xylanase 1 (Xyl-1) from Aspergillus niger, the main activity present in GS100; xylanase 2 (Xyl-2) from Talaromyces emersonii; and xylanase 3 (Xyl-3) from Bacillus subtilis. Xyl-3 was used in combination with Xyl-1, (1,4)-beta-D-arabinoxylan arabinofuranohydrolase, endo-beta-D-glucanase, or ferulate esterase from A. niger, but no synergism was observed. GS100 and xylanases increased the arabinoxylan solubilization, Xyl-3 and Xyl-1 being those that presented the best yields of extraction without extensive depolymerization of water-extractable arabinoxylans. Both xylanases were affected by an inhibitor in rye flour. Flour treated with hot ethanol was used to study the oxidative gelation of flour extracts treated with xylanases, in the presence of laccase from Pycnoporus cinnabarinus. Two doses of xylanases were tested (0.5 and 2.5 units). Only the flour extracts treated with 0.5 unit of Xyl-1 thickened.     

Individual contribution of grain outer layers and their cell wall structure to the mechanical properties of wheat bran

The mechanical properties of wheat bran and the contribution of each constitutive tissue on overall bran properties were determined on a hard wheat (cv. Baroudeur) and a soft wheat (cv. Scipion). Manual dissection allowed three different layers to be separated from wheat bran, according to radial and longitudinal grain orientations, which were identified by confocal laser scanning microscopy as outer pericarp, an intermediate strip (comprising inner pericarp, testa, and nucellar tissue), and aleurone layer, respectively. Tissue microstructure and cell wall composition were determined. Submitted to traction tests, whole bran, intermediate, and aleurone layers demonstrated elastoplastic behavior, whereas pericarp exhibited elastic behavior. By longitudinal orientation, pericarp governed 50% bran elasticity (elastic strength and rigidity), whereas, in the opposite orientation, bran elastic properties were mostly influenced by the other tissues. Regardless of test orientation, the linear force required to bran rupture corresponded to the sum of intermediate and aleurone layer strengths. According to radial orientation, the intermediate strip governed bran extensibility, but according to longitudinal orientation, all tissues contributed until bran disruption. Tissues from both wheat cultivars behaved similarly. A structural model of wheat bran layers illustrated the detachment of pericarp from intermediate layer within radial bran strips.     

Relationship between nitrogen and phosphate surplus from agricultural production and river water quality in two types of production structure

Abstract

We examined the relationship between nitrogen (N) and phosphate (P₂O₅) surplus derived from agriculture and river water quality. We selected two river basins; one was a paddy farming area (Omoigawa) and the other was an intensive livestock husbandry area (Nakagawa). Nitrogen and P₂O₅ surpluses, defined as the difference between their input and output on regional farmland, from farmland in Omoigawa were twice those of Nakagawa; the surpluses came mainly from chemical fertilizer use. Although N and P₂O₅ surpluses in Nakagawa were lower, Nakagawa had a large amount of non-utilized livestock excreta, twice the N surplus on farmland in Nakagawa. Residual N and P₂O₅ in the river basin, caused by surplus and non-utilized livestock excreta, were approximately 20% and 40%, respectively, higher in Nakagawa than in Omoigawa. Outflows of N and P₂O₅ to river water were higher in Omoigawa than Nakagawa. By excluding domestic sewage N and P₂O₅ in river water, we calculated the loads of non-point source N and P₂O₅. Non-point source N and P₂O₅ were higher in Omoigawa than Nakagawa. This inverse result might be caused by the different source of residual N (i.e. chemical N fertilizer or livestock excreta).     

Soluble components of sediments and their relation with dissolved arsenic in aquifers from the Hetao Basin,Inner Mongolia

Purpose

High groundwater arsenic (As) and salinity have been detected in aquifers of the Hetao Basin in Mongolia which have caused serious public health concerns. The objective of this study was to characterize the distributions of the soluble components in sediment in different lithologies and depths and to assess the relationship between soluble As in sediments and dissolved As in groundwater.

Materials and methods

One hundred and one sediment samples and 13 groundwater samples were collected from four boreholes at varied depths. In addition to total chemicals and mineralogical phases of sediments, the soluble components (including major ions and As, Fe, and Mn) in sediments and dissolved chemicals in groundwater were analyzed.

Results and discussion

Clay or silty clay had relatively higher EC values (189–805 μS cm^?1) than aquifer sands (approximately 92–261 μS cm^?1). The major soluble components were Na⁺, Ca²⁺, HCO₃ ^?, and SO₄ ^2?, which were more variable in clay samples than fine sand samples. Soluble As concentrations ranged between 2 and 950 μS cm^?1, and high contents generally occurred in clay sediments with high contents of soluble Fe and Mn. A comparison of chemicals between soluble components in sediments and dissolved species in groundwaters at matched depths showed that chemicals were preferentially partitioned into sediments at the mountain front and deep aquifers (>60 m), while partitioned into groundwater in the shallow aquifers (<60 m) of the flat plain. Arsenic was preferentially partitioned into groundwater in aquifers with relatively low dissolved SO₄ ^2?.

Conclusions

Groundwater components were mostly sourced from corresponding sediments. In clay sediments, As was desorbed from the surface sites along with other soluble components. Under reducing conditions, reduction of Fe oxides with high surface sites for As adsorption led to a weak association of As with other phases (such as carbonates), and therefore resulted in high dissolved As concentrations and low As partition between sediments and groundwater in deep aquifers.

     

Dissolution and Plant uptake of P from Ca phosphates with varying particle size in two soils. II. Plant uptake by alfalfa and rye grass

P uptake by rye grass and alfalfa from smaller particle size of DCPD (≦ .18 mm) was larger than that from larger granules (0.4–0.5, 1.0–1.25, and 1.5–1.75 mm). Differences, however, became smaller with increasing time of contact. However powdered MCP was superior to all DCPD particles size fraction in an alluvial clay and a calcareous sandy clay loam indicating that under such alkaline reaction, the rate of dissolution is more limiting than the rate of immobilization. Results also indicate that the phosphate mobility in the highly calcareous was much lower than in the clay soil due to high pH and carbonate content.     

过量铜在两个柑橘品种幼苗中的分布特征及根细胞壁响应机制

  【目的】  探究过量铜在两个柑橘品种幼苗组织水平和亚细胞水平上的分布特征以及根细胞壁对铜毒害的响应机制,以揭示柑橘耐铜毒害机理,为优化不同柑橘品种铜养分管理提供科学依据。  【方法】  以砂培的雪柑(Citrus sinensis)和沙田柚(Citrus grandis)实生苗为试验材料,进行连续18周不同浓度铜处理,即Cu 0.5 μmol/L (对照)和300 μmol/L (过量铜)。处理结束后,分析铜在柑橘幼苗不同组织水平(主根、侧根、茎和叶)、侧根亚细胞水平(细胞壁、细胞器和可溶性部分)以及侧根细胞壁多糖组分(果胶、半纤维素Ⅰ、半纤维素Ⅱ和纤维素)上的分布特征;采用透射电镜(TEM)以及傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR),分析柑橘侧根细胞壁微结构变化(厚度、化学基团构成等)。  【结果】  1) 组织水平上,不论是对照还是过量铜处理的柑橘苗,侧根是铜分布的主要部位,且过量铜处理的沙田柚侧根铜含量显著高于雪柑。对照组的雪柑和沙田柚侧根铜分布率分别为57.32%和51.31%;过量铜处理后,雪柑和沙田柚侧根铜分布率分别提高到90.87%和91.99%。相反,过量铜处理显著降低了两个柑橘品种幼苗茎和叶的铜分布率。2) 在侧根亚细胞水平上,细胞器是铜在对照组柑橘苗的主要分布部位。对照组的雪柑和沙田柚侧根细胞器铜分布率分别为58.61%和39.26%;过量铜处理后,雪柑和沙田柚侧根细胞器的铜分布率分别降低到14.34%和11.49%。与对照相比,过量铜处理显著提高了两个柑橘品种幼苗侧根细胞壁和可溶性部分的铜含量,且过量铜处理的沙田柚侧根细胞壁铜含量显著高于雪柑。3)与对照相比,过量铜处理显著提高了两个柑橘品种幼苗侧根细胞壁各多糖组分的铜含量。其中,对照组的雪柑和沙田柚侧根细胞壁果胶铜分布率分别为44.69%和37.15%;过量铜处理后,雪柑和沙田柚侧根细胞壁果胶铜分布率分别提高到98.45%和98.48%。但过量铜处理的两个柑橘品种幼苗侧根细胞壁上的半纤维素Ⅰ、半纤维素Ⅱ和纤维素中的铜分布率显著降低。4)分级提取细胞壁并结合TEM分析表明,过量铜处理显著提高两个柑橘品种幼苗侧根细胞壁的提取率以及细胞壁厚度,且过量铜处理的沙田柚细胞壁提取率与细胞壁厚度均显著高于雪柑。5) FTIR分析表明,沙田柚侧根细胞壁果胶、纤维素和蛋白质等成分上羟基、羧基和氨基官能团参与了铜的吸附和固定。  【结论】  亚细胞水平上,300 μmol/L过量铜处理的柑橘苗侧根可溶性部分和细胞壁是铜的主要分布部位,细胞壁果胶对铜的固定降低了铜向地上部的运输。提高细胞壁含量、增厚细胞壁以及促进细胞壁对铜的吸附可能是沙田柚幼苗耐铜性强于雪柑的主要原因。     

Formation of phenolic microbial metabolites and short-chain Fatty acids from rye, wheat, and oat bran and their fractions in the metabolical in vitro colon model

Rye bran and aleurone, wheat bran and aleurone, and oat bran and cell wall concentrate were compared in their in vitro gut fermentation patterns of individual phenolic acids and short-chain fatty acids, preceded by enzymatic in vitro digestion mimicking small intestinal events. The formation of phenolic metabolites was the most pronounced from the wheat aleurone fraction. Phenylpropionic acids, presumably derived from ferulic acid (FA), were the major phenyl metabolites formed from all bran preparations. The processed rye, wheat, and oat bran fractions contained more water-extractable dietary fiber (DF) and had smaller particle sizes and were thus more easily fermentable than the corresponding brans. Rye aleurone and bran had the highest fermentation rate and extent probably due to high fructan and water-extractable arabinoxylan content. Oat samples also had a high content of water-extractable DF, β-glucan, but their fermentation rate was lower. Enzymatic digestion prior to in vitro colon fermentation changed the structure of oat cell walls as visualized by microscopy and increased the particle size, which is suggested to have retarded the fermentability of oat samples. Wheat bran was the most slowly fermentable among the studied samples, presumably due to the high proportion of water-unextractable DF. The in vitro digestion reduced the fructan content of wheat samples, thus also decreasing their fermentability. Among the studied short-chain fatty acids, acetate dominated the profiles. The highest and lowest production of propionate was from the oat and wheat samples, respectively. Interestingly, wheat aleurone generated similar amounts of butyrate as the rye fractions even without rapid gas production.     

Short‐term response on the quantity and quality of rhizo‐deposited carbon from Norway spruce exposed to low and high N inputs

The amount and composition of rhizo‐deposition as an important component of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in forest soils is largely unknown. The objective of our study was to examine one component of DOC production in forest soils, namely rhizo‐deposition, under conditions of low, moderate, and high inorganic‐nitrogen (N) input. Two‐year‐old Picea abies saplings were incubated in hydroponic solution for a period of 2 weeks, comprising an adaptation and an experimental period of each 1 week. Treatments included 0 (zero N), 1, 10 (moderate N), and 100 (high N) mg N L^–1 nitrogen addition split equally between nitrate and ammonium. Quantity and quality of dissolved‐organic‐carbon (DOC) production were investigated. Cumulative DOC production ranged between 3.7 and 8.8 mg C (g root dry weight)^–1 (7 d)^–1 and was significantly reduced in zero‐ and high‐N treatments. In turn, the specific UV absorbance as a measure of the aromaticity increased significantly in zero‐ and high‐N treatments, indicating a reduced contribution of microbial products to rhizo‐deposited C. Mineralization of rhizo‐deposited DOC was not significantly different between N treatments at day 1 of the experimental period, but by day 7, 69% of rhizo‐deposition in zero‐N hydroponic solution was mineralizable compared to 37%–49% for the moderate‐ and high‐N treatments. Increasing N input tended to result in decreased degradability. We conclude from this short‐term experiment that rhizo‐deposited DOC from Norway spruce displays a fast response to changes in inorganic N.     

Impact of plants on the microbial activity in soils with high and low levels of copper

Elevated copper (Cu) concentrations have been shown to decrease the microbial activity in soils. Plants can have beneficial effects on the biological activity of soils mainly through their root exudates. In this study we investigated the impact of various plant species with different Cu tolerance levels on the microbial activity in two soils with low (10 mg/kg) and high (180 mg/kg) copper concentrations. The soil was a Kahangi Sandy Loam. Three different plants, Agrostis capillaris ‘Parys’ tolerant for Cu, Agrostis capillaris ‘Highland’ non-tolerant and Helianthus annuus tolerant and a hyper-accumulator for Cu were used. To increase the Cu availability to plants, EDTA was added to some of the pots 20 days after sowing. The effect of Cu contamination on the biological activity of soil in the presence and absence of plant growth was evaluated by measuring the dehydrogenase activity, the microbial biomass, the basal respiration, and the potential nitrification.Results show that plants increased the microbial activity in the low Cu soil. In the high Cu soil the microbial activity seemed to be related to the plant health. With the Cu-tolerant Agrostis capillaris ‘Parys’, the microbial activity increased faster than with the other plant species. Up to 50 days after sowing, the tolerant grass Agrostis capillaris ‘Parys’ had a higher plant biomass and was much healthier than the non-tolerant grass. Later on the growth of the non-tolerant Agrostis capillaris ‘Highland’ recovered, and the microbial activity of the soil reached close to those recorded for the soil treatments with the Cu-tolerant plant species. The addition of EDTA delayed the increase in microbial activity even further. The proportion of microbial biomass carbon in the organic fraction was higher in the low Cu soil than in the high Cu soil, with ratios ranging from 1.3 to 3.3 and from 0.5 to 1.7 respectively. The basal respiration rate in the original soil was significantly lower in the high Cu soil than in the low Cu soil, and was generally increased by the presence of plants.     

1981－2020年黄土旱塬区冬小麦田耗水组分特征及其影响

深入理解农田耗水组分特征对提高干旱地区作物产量和水资源利用效率具有重要意义。该研究利用1981－2020年西峰国家农业气象试验站冬小麦定位观测资料,分析黄土旱塬区冬小麦田耗水组分特征及年代际变化规律,并探究其对叶面积指数（Leaf Area Index,LAI）、干物质积累分配和转运、产量及水分利用效率（Water Use Efficiency,WUE）的影响。结果表明：近40年研究区冬小麦田全生育期耗水量平均为315 mm,生育期降水和休闲期土壤贮水消耗占比分别为69.4% 和30.6%,不同年代、不同生育阶段耗水组分存在差异,起身-开花期是休闲期土壤贮水消耗的主要时期;随着年代际推移,LAI、干物质量、产量及WUE均呈现增加趋势,其中LAI增加主要受年际降水的调控作用,且与耗水组分中生育期内降水增加密切相关,而近10年（2011－2020年）受生育期降水增加及抗旱高产品种影响,冬小麦干物质量、产量及WUE显著增加（P<0.05）。研究成果可为黄土高原旱作农业水资源高效利用提供参考。     

Decomposition and substrate quality of leaf litters and fine roots from three exotic plantations and a native forest in the southwestern highlands of Ethiopia

Substrate quality and decomposition (measured as CO₂ release in laboratory microcosms) of fresh leaf litter and fine roots of Cupressus lusitanica, Pinus patula, Eucalyptus grandis and native forest trees were studied. Changes in litter chemistry in each forest stand were analysed by comparing fresh leaf litter (collected from trees) and decomposed litter from the forest floor. Elemental concentrations, proximate fractions including monomeric sugars, and cross polarisation magic-angle spinning (CPMAS) ¹³C NMR spectra were analysed in leaf litters, decomposed litter and fine roots. Leaf litters and fine roots varied in their initial substrate chemistry with Ca concentration in leaf litters being higher than that in fine roots. In each stand, fine roots had a higher acid unhydrolysable residue (AUR) (except for the Pinus stand), higher holocellulose concentration and lower concentration of water-soluble extractives (WSE) and dichloromethane extractives (NPE) than fresh leaf litter. Likewise, ¹³C NMR spectra of fine roots showed lower alkyl and carboxyl C, and higher phenolic (except P. patula), aromatic and O-alkyl C proportions than leaf litters. Compared with fresh leaf litter, decomposed litter had lower concentrations of potassium, holocellulose, WSE, NPE, arabinose and galactose, similar or higher concentrations of Mg, Ca, S and P, and higher concentrations of N and AUR. CPMAS ¹³C NMR spectra of decomposed litter showed a higher relative increase in signal intensity due to methoxyl C, aromatic C, phenolic C and carboxylic C compared with alkyl C. In a microcosm decomposition study, the proportion of initial C remaining in leaf litter and fine roots significantly fitted an exponential regression model. The decomposition constants (k) ranged between 0.0013 and 0.0030 d⁻¹ for leaf litters and 0.0010-0.0017 d⁻¹ for fine roots. In leaf litters there was a positive correlation between the k value and the initial Ca concentration, and in fine roots there was an analogous positive correlation with initial WSE. Leaf litters decomposed in the order Cupressus>native forest>Eucalyptus∼Pinus, and fine roots in the order Pinus>native forest>Cupressus∼Eucalyptus. In each stand the fine root decomposition was significantly lower than the leaf litter decomposition, except for the P. patula stand where the order was reversed.     

Investigation of the changes in low molecular weight organic acids and other physiological parameters by nitric oxide application in two wheat cultivars exposed to boron stress

Boron (B) is one of the essential nutrients for the growth of plants, but its high concentrations are toxic for plants. Thus, B toxicity is a big challenge in crop cultivation. Nitric oxide (NO) is a small signaling molecule that has cytoprotective roles in plants. We investigated whether exogenous sodium nitroprusside (SNP), which is a NO donor, may succeed to alleviate B-induced toxicity in wheat cultivars. Seedlings were grown for 10 days in a growth chamber at 25°C with 16 hr light–8 hr dark photo cycle. After high B application, the effects of SNP on growth parameters; electrolyte leakage (EL); changes in reactive oxygen species [contents of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline]; the activities of antioxidant enzymes [glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione S-transferase (GST)] and nitrate reductase (NR); and low molecular weight organic acid (LMWOAs) contents and also chlorophyll and total carotenoid contents were investigated in both shoots and roots of two different wheat cultivars. All experiments were carried out in triplicate. 0.2 mM SNP application ameliorated the chlorophyll and total carotenoid contents, and growth parameters such as shoot length, root length, and fresh weight in both wheat cultivars exposed to B stress. SNP reduced the B-induced lipid peroxidation, EL, and proline and H₂O₂ content in wheat cultivars. SNP application also increased the activities of NR and antioxidant enzymes, including GSHPx, GR, and GST in wheat cultivars exposed to B toxicity. All of the tested LMWOAs including succinic, propionic, butyric, oxalic, formic, malic, malonic, and benzoic acids were increased by SNP treatment in the shoots and roots of both wheat cultivars exposed to B toxicity. In conclusion, results obtained from this study have demonstrated that interactive effects of SNP with B considerably reduced the toxic effects of B in wheat cultivars.     

基于川麦冬活性成分高和重金属含量低的有机无机肥最佳配施方案

  【目的】  明确川麦冬[Ophiopogon japonicus (Linn. f.) Ker-Gawl]生产中氮 (N)、磷 (P)、钾 (K) 和生物有机肥 (BF) 最佳配施量,为大田川麦冬的科学种植提供参考。  【方法】  采用L₉ (34) 正交设计,分析9个不同N、P、K与BF组合处理下,川麦冬品质活性成分、代表性活性成分与重金属含量,并基于DTOPSIS法进行了综合选优。  【结果】  合理的N、P、K和BF配施可显著提高川麦冬水溶性浸出物、总皂苷、可溶性多糖、麦冬皂苷D与麦冬皂苷D'的含量,降低Cu、Gd、As、Pb、Hg的含量。其中,以N₁P₃K₃BF₃处理的水溶性浸出物、总皂苷、麦冬皂苷D与麦冬皂苷D'的含量最高,分别为74.52%、0.38%、112.208 μg/mL与56.293 μg/mL;可溶性多糖含量最高的为N₃P₃K₂BF₁处理(42.47%);Cu和Pb含量最低的为N₁P₂K₂BF₂处理,As含量最低的为N₃P₂K₁BF₃处理,Gd含量最低的为N₂P₁K₂BF₃处理,Hg含量最低的为N₂P₂K₃BF₁处理。  【结论】  通过DTOPSIS法进行了综合选优,活性成分高、重金属含量低的最佳施肥组合为N₁P₃K₃BF₃,即N、P₂O₅、K₂O和生物有机肥分别为598、240、595.80和2700 kg/hm2。     

Synthesis and structure determination of covalent conjugates formed from the sulfury-roasty-smelling 2-furfurylthiol and di- or trihydroxybenzenes and their identification in coffee brew

Recent investigations demonstrated that the reaction of odor-active thiols such as 2-furfurylthiol with thermally generated chlorogenic acid degradation products is responsible for the rapid aroma staling of coffee beverages. To get a clear understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying this aroma staling, the existence of putative phenol/thiol conjugates needs to be verified in coffee. The aim of the present study was therefore to synthesize such conjugates for use as reference substances for LC-MS screening of coffee. To achieve this, catechol, 3-methyl-, 4-methyl-, and 4-ethylcatechol, pyrogallol, hydroxyhydroquinone, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, and caffeic acid, respectively, were reacted with 2-furfurylthiol in the presence of iron(III) chloride and air oxygen. After purification, the structures of 25 phenol/thiol conjugates were identified by means of LC-MS/MS and 1D/2D NMR experiments. Using these compounds as reference materials, four conjugates, namely, 3-((2-furylmethyl)sulfanyl)catechol, 3-((2-furylmethyl)sulfanyl)-5-ethylcatechol, 4-((2-furylmethyl)sulfanyl)hydroxyhydroquinone, and 3,4-bis((2-furylmethyl)sulfanyl) hydroxyhydroquinone, were identified for the first time in coffee brew by means of HPLC-MS/MS(MRM). These findings clearly demonstrate catechol, 4-ethylcatechol, and hydroxyhydroquinone as the primary thiol trapping agents involved in the aroma staling of coffee beverages.