Phylogenetic analysis of complete 5′ external transcribed spacers of the 18S ribosomal RNA genes of diploid Aegilops and related species (Triticeae, Poaceae)

PCR systems were designed to amplify the entire 5 external transcribed spacer (ETS) region of the 18S rRNA gene of all the diploid species of Aegilops and several other taxa closely related to domesticated wheat. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on the complete ETS sequences using the neighbor-joining, maximum parsimony, and maximum likelihood methods. Among the individual taxa studied, speciation in Secale is very recent. In the case of the A genome diploids, the results support the theory that the A genomes of wheat have experienced reticulate evolution owing to introgression. The B and G genomes of tetraploid domesticated wheats form a clade with Ae. speltoides in which the B genome diverged first and the G genome more recently. It was demonstrated that the complete ETS sequences of the Triticeae yield coherent phylogenetic information. The ETS is a useful tool for studying the phylogeny of closely related species.     

Assessment of the diversity of comfrey (Symphytum officinale L. and S. × uplandicum Nyman)

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Comfrey Symphytum officinale L. (true comfrey) and S.?×?uplandicum Nyman (a hybrid between S. asperum Lepech?×?S. officinale...     

Effects of processing and of storage on the stability of pantothenic acid in sea buckthorn products (Hippophaë rhamnoides L. ssp. rhamnoides) assessed by stable isotope dilution assay

A stable isotope dilution assay for quantification of pantothenic acid in sea buckthorn berries, juice, and concentrate using a four-fold labeled isotopologue of vitamin B5 as the internal standard was adopted using reversed phase liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization. Because of a rapid sample clean up procedure without the necessity of external calibration, this methodology permits the accurate analysis of a high number of samples within a short time. Sea buckthorn juice was stored at 25 and 40 degrees C for up to 7 days to determine the effects of storage temperature on the stability of pantothenic acid. Analysis of kinetic data suggested that the degradation follows a first-order model. The results of the experiments showed that storage of sea buckthorn juice for 7 days at ambient temperature (25 degrees C) already resulted in a significant degradation of pantothenic acid of about 18%. The processing effects of juice production and subsequent concentration revealed a decrease of about 6-7% in the juice and of 23% in the juice concentrate.     

‘Ladakhi tea’ <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bidens pilosa</Emphasis> L. (Asteraceae): a cultivated species in the cold desert of Ladakh Himalaya,India

Bidens pilosa L., a less-known cultivated tea species was collected from cold desert of Ladakh Himalaya, Jammu and Kashmir, India during 2004. The freshly harvested leaves are used in preparation of ‘Ladakhi tea’ locally known as ‘Saja’ or ‘Soljaa’ in cold desert of Ladakh Himalaya, Western Himalaya, Jammu and Kashmir. The local inhabitants were growing this species in their kitchen garden for this use. In the present communication, the method of preparation of this beverage is also discussed.