Trade-off between oil and protein in rapeseed at high latitudes: Means to consolidate protein crop status?

Crop-derived feed protein production is alarmingly low in Europe. Finland represents the northernmost growing region in the world and consequently lacks wide-ranging alternatives to improve crop-based protein production. Spring rapeseed, both turnip rape (Brassica rapa L.) and oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), are adapted to such northern conditions. This study examines the potential for genotype and environment induced trade-off between oil and protein in rapeseed in order to enhance further the status of rapeseed as a protein crop for northern areas. Datasets on advanced breeding progenies (including cultivars) were provided by Boreal Plant Breeding Ltd., while environment-induced variability in combinations of protein and oil content was studied by using long-term, multi-location datasets of MTT Official Variety Trials. Oilseed rape has more potential as a protein producer than turnip rape, with some 100 kg/ha difference in protein yields. Selecting lines superior in seed protein content at the expense of oil was not a potential means to consolidate protein production capacity per hectare: seed and protein yields were higher the better the capacity of the line to store oil. This can only mean that obviously the lower energy demand for oil synthesis was not alternatively used to boost protein production, but actually vice versa. In the case of environment-induced variation, the highest protein yields were produced in experiments where relatively high protein content was associated with modest oil content, but such conditions were characterised as inefficient in general production capacity and thereby, excessive in applied nitrogen fertiliser. Hence, we were not able to identify promising opportunities for prompt and energy-efficient trade-off between protein and oil in rapeseed.     

Effects of 4PU-30 on leaf senescence and degration of protein and nucleic acid in rice

4PU—30[N—phenyl—'N—(2—chloro—4—pyridyl) urea] is a new type of plant growth regulator with cytokinin properties. It has been confirmed to delay rice leaf senescence effectively. In order to elucidate the physiological role of 4PU—30 in delaying senescence, the changes of protein, nucleic acid contents, and the related activities of degradative enzymes were studied. Shanyou 63, an indica hybrid rice was used for this experiment. In the in vitro experiment, two full—developed leaves from the top during heading stage were collected and cut into 5.0cm segments, They were floated on the surface of distilled water containing 0.1mg/14PU—30 and incubated in darkness at 30 C. The leaves floated on distilled water were used as control.It was observed that chlorophyll content in controlled leaves declined rapidly started from the second day and dropped by 93.4% on the 6th day while that in leaves treated with 4PU—30 declined by 41.4% only. During senescence, specific activities of hemoglobin—digesting     

Effect of fibre–protein additions and process parameters on microstructure of corn extrudates

A study was conducted on the application of high-fibre components (everlasting pea wholemeal, oat bran) for the modification of microstructure and physical properties of corn extrudates. The extrusion was conducted using a single screw extruder type S-45 (Metalchem, Poland). The effect of the material blend composition and of the variable process parameters: material blend moisture (11, 13.5, 16%), barrel temperature distribution profile (120/145/115, 130/155/115, 140/165/115 °C) on the microstructure and the physical properties of the extrudates was analysed. All extrudates obtained were characterised by typical cellular structure and “crunchy” texture characteristic of the “ready to eat” type products. The microstructure of the products obtained was determined both by the material composition of the blend and by the process parameters. The differences observed in the size, number of shapes of air cells and in the cell wall thickness indicate extensive possibilities of modification of the physical properties and sensory traits of extrudates.     

Isolation,identification,and antagonism protein analysis of B34 against Thanatephorus cuc-umeris

A strain B34 against Thanatephorus cucumeris was screened from rice plants. Lab and field experiments showed that the control effects of this fungal strain were better than that of Jinggangmycin on PDA plate. Based on the chemical components of cell wall and physiological and biochemical characters of B34, the fungal was named as Pseudomonas aureofaciens. It was a new antagonistic strain against Thanatephorus cucumeris.     

Puccinia triticina effector protein Pt＿21 interacts with wheat thaumatin-like protein TaTLP1 to inhibit its antifungal activity and suppress wheat apoplast immunity

Puccinia triticina(Pt), as the causal agent of wheat leaf rust, employs a plethora of effector proteins to modulate wheat immunity for successful colonization. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying Pt effector-mediated wheat susceptibility remains largely unexplored. In this study, an effector Pt＿21 was identified to interact with the apoplast-localized wheat thaumatin-like protein TaTLP1 using a yeast two-hybrid assay and the Pt＿21-TaTLP1 interaction was characterized. The interacti...     

Endogenous redox agents and enzymes that affect protein network formation during breadmaking – A review

During breadmaking, wheat gluten proteins form a continuous network which is stabilized by disulfide bonds and modified by thiol/disulfide interchange reactions. This gluten network results in visco-elastic dough that holds together the other dough components and assists in retaining carbon dioxide. Wheat flour contains several components, enzyme co-factors and enzymes which can affect the formation and properties of the gluten network and, hence, the dough and bread characteristics. We present a brief overview of our current knowledge of the fate of gluten proteins during breadmaking, and how they are affected by endogenous wheat components (e.g. glutathione, cysteine and NAD(P)(H)) and enzyme systems (e.g. tyrosinase, peroxidase, the NADP-dependent thioredoxin and glutathione enzyme systems, protein disulfide isomerase, lipoxygenase, catalase and dehydrogenases).     

In vitro protein digestibility of developing and mature sorghum grain in relation to α-, β-, and γ-kafirin disulfide crosslinking

Sorghum (P721N, 1992) was harvested at selected days after half-bloom (DAHB) and at maturity, and analyzed for protein and moisture contents, protein digestibility, α-, β-, and γ-kafirin contents, and unextractable disulfide-bound complexes. α-Kafirin synthesis began before 10 DAHB, and β- and γ-kafirin at 20 DAHB. All the kafirins were as abundant at 40 DAHB as at maturity. Protein digestibilities of uncooked flour were about 90%, and dropped to 73% at maturity. Digestibilities of cooked flour dropped markedly at 35 DAHB, 40 DAHB and maturity. A comparison of 1992 and 1987 data indicates that digestibility decreases with moisture content, not days of development. The amount of disulfide “crosslinked” β- and γ-kafirins was insignificant at the earlier stages, though increased as the grain matured. Since kafirin synthesis is complete by 40 DAHB, we suggest that the decrease in digestibility in maturing grain is due to the drying effect and formation of disulfide-bound complexes involving β- and γ-kafirins. Cooking the flour may further promote protein interactions, particularly after kafirin synthesis has ceased.     

Relationships between Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab protein expression in field-grown Bollgard II® cotton and efficacy against Helicoverpa armigera and Helicoverpa punctigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Seven-day laboratory bioassays with first-instar Helicoverpa armigera and Helicoverpa punctigera larvae were conducted using leaves from field-grown Bollgard II^® cotton during the 2009/10 season and larval mortality and development recorded. Leaves were from three farms in the St George region and two fields on one farm at Emerald in eastern Australia. The Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab content of leaves from the same samples was determined (see Knight et al., 2013) and the relationships between Cry protein content and larval mortality and development were examined. The Cry1Ac protein content was between 3.98 and 12.08 μg/g during the growing season, while Cry2Ab content ranged between 300.6 and 953.3 μg/g. Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab content of leaves were highly correlated (r = 0.8276, P < 0.001). Seven-day mortality of H. punctigera larvae was close to 100% throughout the season. H. armigera mortality was close to 100% early in the season, but fell to ∼65% by mid-to late February in the laboratory bioassays. Fitting three-dimensional non-linear models associating Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab content with H. armigera and H. punctigera mortality elucidated the relative importance of the two proteins in determining larval mortality; for this analysis, data were pooled with data from an isoline study to provide better sampling of the three-dimensional surface being modelled. For both Helicoverpa species, the fitted mortality response to the Cry1Ac protein was close to its maximum at protein concentrations above ∼3 μg/g Cry1Ac. For H. punctigera, response to the Cry2Ab protein was close to maximal once Cry2Ab was greater than ∼200 μg/g. In contrast, the fitted H. armigera mortality response to Cry2Ab increased steadily with concentration up to ∼1200 μg/g Cry2Ab. These responses led to markedly different response surfaces for the two species; H. punctigera mortality was close to 100% at most places on the response surface, while for H. armigera the response surface showed stronger increases in mortality with concentration for Cry2Ab than for Cry1Ac. These results can be interpreted as meaning that at the plant-expressed range of concentrations in Bollgard II cotton the two proteins are approximately equally important for H. punctigera but that changes in Cry2Ab content more strongly influences changes in larval mortality in H. armigera than does Cry1Ac, with Cry1Ac contributing a consistent 40–45% mortality for concentrations above 3 μg/g. For H. armigera, there was no evidence of either synergism or antagonism between Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab proteins (P > 0.05) but this aspect was not testable for H. punctigera because mortality was mostly close to 100%.     

How does protein supplementation affect the selectivity and performance of Charolais cows on extensively grazed pastures in late autumn?

Management of beef cows grazing extensively grazed semi-natural pastures in temperate regions in late autumn can require supplements to be offered. The effects of supplementation with soya bean meal on the diet selected by Charolais cows and on their subsequent performance were examined for an 8-week period in late autumn in 2 years. Three groups of eight cows were compared: non-supplemented dry cows (D), non-supplemented (L) and supplemented (LS) lactating cows. The amount of soya bean meal supplement offered per cow was 250 g d⁻¹ in year 1 and 800 g d⁻¹ in year 2. Dietary choices were measured by direct observations and herbage intake was estimated in year 2. Supplementation affected neither diet selection (L: 0·42 vs. LS: 0·43 for the proportion of bites on green patches in year 1; 0·24 vs. 0·22 in year 2) nor daily organic matter intake of herbage (L: 15·6 vs. LS: 15·9 kg d⁻¹), which may have resulted from an adequate crude protein concentration of herbage. The higher total dry matter intake by cows offered the supplement reduced losses in live weight (L: −1212 vs. LS: −828 g d⁻¹; P  < 0·01) rather than increased milk production (L: 5·1 vs. LS: 5·0 kg d⁻¹). This may be linked to the low milk yield potential of the Charolais cows. The use of lactating cows rather than dry cows for pasture management in late autumn would increase the utilization of herbage but a reduction in liveweight losses of cows by supplementation is unlikely to be economic.     

Cultivar discrimination of Portuguese Lupinus albus by seed protein electrophoresis: the importance of considering “glutelins” and glycoproteins

The Osborne protein fractions of seeds of 17 Lupinus albus cultivars from different regions in Portugal (obtained from plants grown at the same location) were analysed. The objective of this work was to examine the variability in the seed protein fractions of such a L. albus germplasm sample in order to disclose existing genetic relationships and to obtain information useful for a breeding program. Globulins and, interestingly, the fraction extracted with NaOH (“glutelins”) were the major seed protein constituents. The several protein fractions were separated by electrophoresis (reducing SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) and the patterns examined by multivariate analysis. Bands of “glutelins” together with those of glycosylated polypeptides were found to have the highest discriminating capacity. Lupin populations were grouped according to their clinal geographical distribution from north (small-seeded, higher plant architecture and later flowering type) to south (large-seeded, shorter and early flowering type). It is also possible that polypeptide patterns could reflect microclimatic specificities related with altitude and temperature. In fact, one cultivar from the south but from high altitude was grouped with the north plant types adapted to colder and wetter weather, whereas two cultivars from a warmer north region were grouped with the southern types. The results show, in addition, that a general correlation exists between cultivar early flowering characteristics and higher amounts of both total seed protein and glutelins, and lower glutelin glycosylation. Since high seed protein content and early flowering are important aims of lupin breeding programs, these findings on the seed protein fractions could stimulate and direct future research in lupin improvement.     

Some preliminary observations on treatments which increase and decrease the stability of β-carotene in preserved,moist leaf protein

-carotene in leaf protein extracted from some species is destroyed in a few days when incubated with salt as a preservative. Its shelf-life can be greatly extended by pretreatment with oxalate, ascorbate mercaptans, phenolic substances, extracts made from leaves in which carotene is more stable, and by tight compaction. Treatment with alum reverses the protective effect of these chemical pretreatments, it also increases the lability of carotene in leaf protein extracted from species which usually give a relatively stable product. In these preparations of leaf protein, which were heated to 90 °C during preparation, carotene is only partially extractable into some solvents which are miscible with water. It seems therefore to be present in more than one state, but differences in extractability could not be correlated with differences in lability.     

Changes of carbohydrate and protein metabolism in seedling leaves of a temperature-induced greenable albino mutant line W25 of rice

W25 is a low-temperature sensitive albino mutant line, Temperature not only controls the albino phenotype expression of W2o, but also determines whether it could survive, When the temperature is lower than 25℃. the leaves of W25 shows complete albino, but they exhibits normal green when temperature is higher than 30℃     

Genetic analysis of grain protein content,grain hardness and dough rheology in a hard×hard bread wheat progeny

Kernel texture (hard vs soft grain) and more subtle within-class variations are known to have a large influence on end-use properties, mostly through the proportion of damaged starch and subsequent water requirement. In this study, quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting kernel texture and dough rheology in a progeny from a cross between two ‘medium-hard’ wheat cultivars were identified and compared to the QTL locations for both traits. One hundred and sixty-five F₇ recombinant inbred lines were studied in three environments in 1999. Kernel texture was estimated by both near infrared reflectance (NIR: Hard_NIR) and the single-kernel characterisation system (SKCS: Hard_SKCS). Dough rheology, taken as a predictor of end-use quality, was estimated by the empirical parameters measured by Chopin alveograph. The genetic map for this population consisted of 254 loci quite evenly distributed over the wheat genome. Considering only the QTL which were stable (detected in the three locations) and robust (through bootstrap resampling), five genomic regions were found to influence Hard_NIR, but only two of them are significant for Hard_SKCS, which was probably due to a less representative measure of the phenomenon. Eight QTLs were found for rheological traits. Some QTLs for dough rheology co-located with those for hardness or grain protein content, particularly on chromosomes 3A and 5B and close to the unlinked marker Xgwm130. According to trait, individual QTLs explained from 5.4 to 26.6% of the phenotypic variation and when taken together up to 46.0% of the variation.     

Factors affecting β carotene destruction in moist preserved leaf protein

Leaves are, and will probably remain, an important dietary source of carotene (provitamin A). There is enough of it in extracted leaf protein (LP) to make that a useful source. carotene is rapidly destroyed when LP, especially from young leaves, is preserved with salt. Destruction can be partly prevented by avoiding contamination with iron during preparation, by coagulating LP by heating rather than acidification, and by treatment with chelating agents. The unsaturated fatty acids in leaf lipids seem not to be involved in the destruction.     

Expression of a barley ABA-responsive protein gene in transgenic rice

A cDNA clone encoding an ABA-responsive protein HVA1, was isolated by differential screening from barley aleurone layers (Hong et al.), Expression of the HVA1 gene is shown to be developmentally regulated, organ specif ic, and ABA and stress-induced (Hong et al.). Transgenlc tobacco plants constitutively expressing HVA1 protein displayed a 4-day delay of leave wilting under drought conditions and a lower water content threshcdd (39% vs 47.6%) at the time point of first wilting. These data indicate that HVA1 protein may play a role in plant tolerance to drought     

Changes in the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber at the onset of dormancy and during storage at 23°C and 3°C. II. Evaluation of protein patterns

Summary The changes in polypeptide profiles (2D-PAGE) occurring in the soluble and microsomal fractions of parenchymatic tissue of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers were studied during the last 30 d of maturation and during storage at 23°C and 3°C. The major changes were observed in the last period of tuber maturation, when several polypeptides disappeared and new ones appeared. At both 23°C and 3°C specific polypeptides disappeared in dormant tubers and new polypeptides appeared during storage. At 3°C specific changes in protein composition occurred, particularly in the microsomal fraction. The changes in polypeptide profiles are discussed in relation to the transition from “sink” to “source” of the tuber, the onset of dormancy and of sprouting ability and the activation of cold acclimation responses. The results are also discussed on the basis of the physiological and biochemical changes that occur in the parenchymatic tissue.     

Effect of alkaline treatment (‘akanwu’) and supplementary value of corn or crayfish on the protein quality of breadfruit (Treculia Africana)

The effect of treatment and supplementary value of corn (C) or crayfish (CR) on the protein quality of breadfruit (Treculia Africana) flours were studied in eighteen young rats. The 7030 or 701515 (Protein basis) combinations of breadfruit flours and corn or crayfish or both provided 1.6g N/100 g diet for the 35 day study. The addition of akanwu to the cooking water reduced cooking time and crude protein and saved fuel. The addition of akanwu and replacement of CR with C was not beneficial as judged by the parameters tested except for the wt. gain and PER. On the other hand, when crayfish was the only source of supplementary protein (30%) to breadfruit cooked without akanwu there were increases in all parameters tested over those with added akanwu except for the N intake, wt. gain, and PER.These results appear to suggest that addition of akanwu to TA was detrimental to its protein utilization and that TA appears to be an economic source of N in areas where it is a staple. Based on the results of this study, one would suggest that the use of akanwu as a tenderizer should be seriously looked into before further use.     

Regulation of GAs-binding protein on dwarfism of rice （Oryza sativa L.）

The levels of endogenous hormones (GAs and ABA) in rice seedlings (7d) were measured by gas-liquid chromatography with flame ionization detoctor (GLC-FID) and the GAs-binding protein on meanbrane of young rice shoot was also analysed as dascribed by Chiharu.     

Characterization of Amaranthus cruentus L. seed proteins by 2-DE and LC/MS–MS: Identification and cloning of a novel late embryogenesis-abundant protein

Amaranth is taking great attention as an important cereal crop that could fulfill food requirements for the growing population, especially in developing countries. However, the protein composition of these seeds is not well known yet. We have used the proteomics tools to characterize amaranth seed proteome. About 400 proteins spots were resolved on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and protein spots were analyzed by LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry). Identified proteins were related to stress and defense responses, metabolic, respiratory, and oxide-reduction processes. One abundant spot was identified as a Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) protein and the gene was cloned and characterized. The AcLEA cDNA contains a 418 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a polypeptide of 139 amino acids. Bioinformatics analysis showed that AcLEA belongs to LEAs Group 5. Proteomics is a powerful technique that could be used even in non-sequenced organisms such as amaranth. The obtained information reveals that amaranth seed, beyond the classical seed storage proteins, contains proteins related to protection against stress. The identification of these proteins opens the door to the application of new strategies to improve the quality of amaranth production.     

α and β-galactosidase activities and oligosaccharide content in peanuts

Thirty-three peanut cultivars were examined for their alpha-1,6 and beta-1,4 galactosidase activities and oligosaccharide contents along with proximate compositions. The average moisture, protein, fat, ash, and carbohydrate contents were: 4.9%, 26.6%, 43.1%, 2.3% and 23.1%, respectively. The corresponding coefficients of variation were: 5.2%, 10.1%, 7.2%, 7.8% and 15.7%, respectively. Raffinose and stachyose contents (%) ranged from 0.05 to 0.12 and 0.31 to 0.61, respectively. The specific activity (micromol product/min/mg protein) of crude preparation of alpha-galactosidase for the 33 cultivars ranged from 1.096 to 2.784 for the non-germinated seeds and from not being detected in some samples up to 2.432 for the germinated seeds; the mean values for non-germinated and germinated seeds were: 1.781 and 1.410, respectively. The specific activity of beta-galactosidase ranged from 0.101 to 1.727 in the non-germinated seeds and from not being detected in some samples up to 0.898 in the germinated seeds. Germination decreased the activity of both galactosidases significantly (p < or = 0.05).