台湾释迦的离体培养与植株再生

选取台湾释迦实生苗的不同部位为外植体进行离体培养与植株再生研究。结果表明：诱导台湾释迦愈伤组织的最佳外植体为下胚轴,最适愈伤组织诱导培养基为MS＋6．BA0．5mg／L＋2,4．D2mg／L;愈伤组织分化培养基为MS＋6．BA2mg／L＋NAA0．1mg／L;增殖培养基为MS＋6-BA0．5mg／L＋NAA0．1mg／L;生根培养基为1/2MS＋NAA0．2mg／L。     

番木瓜叶片、叶柄胚性愈伤组织的诱导及其体胚植株的发生

以“漳红”番木瓜组培苗的叶片和叶柄为外植体,在改良MS＋0．5mg／LKT＋1．0mg／L2,4-D＋0．5mg／L BA＋0．1mg／L NAA＋400mg／L Glu＋30g/L蔗糖的固体培养基上诱导出了胚性愈伤组织。其中,CⅡa型胚性愈伤在一定条件下能够继代增殖,并能向CⅡb型转变,CⅡb型胚性愈伤则容易发生体胚。采用两步生根法,将体胚再生植株先接种于1／2 MS＋0．5mg／L IBA＋1．0g/L AC＋30g／L蔗糖的固体培养基中暗培养7d后,转移至1／2 MS＋1．0g/L AC＋25μmol／L VB2＋30g/L蔗糖的固体培养基上光照培养,生根效果最好。移栽后,成活率可达45％以上。     

海南龙血树的组织培养与快速繁殖

以海南龙血树的顶芽和侧芽作为外植体,把其接种于MS＋BA1mg/L＋NAA0．1mgg/L＋PVP100 mg/L＋蔗糖30g／L培养基上培养40-50d可诱导其腋芽萌发,再把萌发后所形成的新芽切割下来接种于MS＋BA 2mg／L＋KT 0．5mg／L＋蔗糖30g／L的培养基上培养25-30d可诱导形成丛生芽,丛生芽在继代培养过程中每25-30d可增殖3～5倍。把丛生芽分割成单株并接种于MS＋BA3mg厂L＋GA,1mg／L＋蔗糖30g／L培养基上培养4周后使其壮苗后再接种于MS＋NAA0．5～1．0mg／L＋蔗糖30g／L培养基上培养4周可诱导小芽形成完整的根系,小植株移栽成活率可达98％。该体系的建立为海南龙血树的工厂化育苗奠定了坚实的基础。     

安祖花的离体培养及快速繁殖

以安祖花（Anthurium andraeanum Lind)无菌苗叶，叶柄及茎段为外植体，在附加1mg/L的6－BA的改良MS培养基上经经光培养可诱导愈伤组织形成；在1／2MS＋NAA0.1mg/L 6-BA0.5mg/L的培养基上增殖其愈伤组织及诱导丛生芽；在1/2MS NAA0.05mg/L 6-BA0.5mg/L＋水解乳蛋白400mg/L上壮苗；在1／2MS＋NAA0.05mg/L 400mg/L活怀炭0．4％上生根，小苗移栽成活率高且生长良。     

斑马水塔花的组织培养和快速繁殖

试验筛选出斑水塔花的诱导愈伤组织培养基MS＋6－BA1.0mg.L^-1＋NAA0．2V，愈伤组织诱导率达96．7％；继代增殖培养基MS＋6－BA2．0mg.L^-1＋NAA0．2mg.L^-1，增殖倍数达8－9倍；生根培养基MS＋KT0．5mg.L^-1＋NAA0．5mg.L^-1，生根率达100％，幼苗经炼苗后，移栽到经菌肥处理的甘蔗渣：泥岩土：珍珠岩＝6：3：1的基质上，成活率达95％以上。     

油茶叶片脱分化后的再分化技术研究

在选定 MS 基本培养基的基础上，通过改变 NAA 与 BA 两种植物生长调节剂的浓度与添加量，展开了针对“湘林1号”油茶叶片脱分化后得到的愈伤组织或胚状体细胞进行的植株形态再分化试验。试验结果表明：将呈白色、黄白色或浅黄绿色、凹凸不平、质地疏松的愈伤组织块接种在 MS ＋NAA（0.3 mg／L）＋BA（2.0 mg／L）＋蔗糖（30 g／L）＋琼脂（7 g／L）培养基中30 d 后，在白色突起部位分化出了丛生芽且生长良好。利用油茶的再生芽接种时，其增殖系数为6.50。     

桂竹香花器离体培养的研究

以桂竹香花柄，花瓣，花丝为外植体，研究不同激素对诱导愈伤组织和不定芽的影响，研究结果表明，4种外植体均能形成愈伤组织，但愈伤组织的发生率，发生部位及形态等表现差异，花柄愈伤组织继代MS＋2，4－D＋BA培养基，可分化产生不定芽，出芽率78％－82％，再生小苗在1／2MS＋NAA 0．5mg/L培养基中生根形成再生植株。     

扎米叶的离体培养和快速繁殖

以扎米叶的小叶片切块为外植体进行离体培养和快速繁殖试验。结果表明，外植体在MS＋6－BA2.0mg/L NAA0.2mg/L培养基中能诱导出愈伤组织，诱导率达86.7%；愈伤组织在MS＋6－BA15mg/L NAA0.1mg/L培养基中，不定芽分化率达315％，继代50d平均繁殖系数4.2；无根小苗在1／2MS＋6－BA1.0mg/L NAA0.5-1.0mg/L培养基中，生根率均达100%。有根苗移栽到混有30％珍珠岩的椰糠中，成活率达97%以上。采用此法可在短时间内繁殖大量种苗。     

荔枝"妃子笑"品种花药培养及其体胚发生

以荔枝(LitchichinesisSonn.)品种“妃子笑”为试材,研究其花药离体培养及植株再生的影响因素。结果表明,荔枝花药在MS 2,4-D2mg/L NAA0.2mg/L以及含50g/L蔗糖的培养基上诱导胚性愈伤组织效果较好,把胚性愈伤组织转移到MS BA1mg/L NAA0.5mg/L,谷氨酰胺500mg/L,蔗糖50g/L分化培养基上培养1个月后,体胚大量萌发,再将成熟体胚转移到附加500mg/L谷氨酰胺的MS无激素培养基上,培养1￣2个月后,能再生成完整植株。     

仙人球的组织培养与快速繁殖

以全盛球种仙人球的茎切段和整个子球为外殖体进行试管培养，结果表明，在外殖体的切口处可诱导形成愈伤组织，在其刺座上的疣突处可直接产生小球体，经试验筛选出最适宜的培养基为：不定芽（小球体诱导，MS＋6－BA 8mg/L KT 1mg/L NAA 0.1mg/L；从生芽分化和继代，MS＋6－BA 3．5mg/L KT 0.5mg/L NAA 0.1mg/L；生根，1／2MS＋NAA0．1mg/L IBA 0.1mg/L 活性炭0．5％。     

Comparative Assessment of the Efficacy of Various Nitrogen Fertilizers

Summary

The efficiency of N fertilizers is usually poor; often less than 50% of the applied N is taken up by the crop. This review focuses on various N fertilizers with respect to the significance of different N loss pathways, namely (i) ammonia volatilization, (ii) dinitrogen and nitrogen oxide emissions, and (iii) nitrate leaching. Further, the significance of biological N immobilization, ammonium fixation and, finally, the impact of nitrate vs. ammonium uptake on crop yield are also discussed. The reviewed literature shows that N fertilizers may differ markedly in their susceptibility to losses. There is, however, considerable scope to improve N efficiency of each N source by proper N management practices.     

Studies on natural repellents against potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella Zeller) in country stores

Summary The effects of the leaves of five plant species, one from each of the generaAmbrosia, Anemone, Eupatorium, Eucalyptus andLantana, on potato tuber moth were investigated under indigenous storage conditions at the Central Potato Research Station, Shillong (1800 m above sea level). Their action was compared with that of a biological insecticide (spores ofBacillus thuringiensis), a chemical insecticide (carbaryl), and an untreated control. The data collected after six months storage on tuber damage, sprout damage and the rotting indicated that the leaves ofLantana aculeata provided most protection to the tubers, reducing damage from over 70% in the check to below 5%, and sprout damage from over 45% to below 3%. Next best wasEucalyptus globulus followed byB. thuringiensis. They may be used on tubers stored for table use or for seed as they had no adverse effect on germination or on the yield of a subsequent crop.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of different accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. from Uruguay

Summary The in vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts from accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. collected in the south of Uruguay was investigated against five microorganisms including the pathogenRalstonia solanacearum. A total of 30 extracts corresponding to organic and aqueous extracts were studied. Interestingly, most of the positive results for growth inhibition were againstR. solanacearum. The extracts were also analyzed for the presence of glycoalkaloids and lectins. Six of the ten aqueous extracts showed lectin presence and a wide variation in the type and amounts of glycoalkaloids, was found. Results indicate that there is no clear relationship between the antimicrobial activity against the five microorganisms screened and the presence or amounts of lectins and glycoalkaloids, traditionally regarded as possible antimicrobial metabolites in theSolanum genus, which indicates the presence of as yet unidentified antimicrobial compounds.     

Novel food and non-food uses for sorghum and millets

Sorghum and millets have considerable potential in foods and beverages. As they are gluten-free they are suitable for coeliacs. Sorghum is also a potentially important source of nutraceuticals such antioxidant phenolics and cholesterol-lowering waxes. Cakes, cookies, pasta, a parboiled rice-like product and snack foods have been successfully produced from sorghum and, in some cases, millets. Wheat-free sorghum or millet bread remains the main challenge. Additives such as native and pre-gelatinised starches, hydrocolloids, fat, egg and rye pentosans improve bread quality. However, specific volumes are lower than those for wheat bread or gluten-free breads based on pure starches, and in many cases, breads tend to stale faster. Lager and stout beers with sorghum are brewed commercially. Sorghum's high-starch gelatinisation temperature and low beta-amylase activity remain problems with regard to complete substitution of barley malt with sorghum malt . The role of the sorghum endosperm matrix protein and cell wall components in limiting extract is a research focus. Brewing with millets is still at an experimental stage. Sorghum could be important for bioethanol and other bio-industrial products. Bioethanol research has focused on improving the economics of the process through cultivar selection, method development for low-quality grain and pre-processing to recover valuable by-products. Potential by-products such as the kafirin prolamin proteins and the pericarp wax have potential as bioplastic films and coatings for foods, primarily due to their hydrophobicity.     

Extreme resistance to infection by potato virus X in genotypes of wild tuber-bearingSolanum species

Summary Clones derived from thirty-one different accessions (nineteen of Argentine origin) belonging to eightSolanum species were screened for resistance to infection by potato virus X strain cp (PVX cp) by mechanical inoculation of plantlets that had been micropropagated in vitro. Estimates of PVX multiplication obtained by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and slot blot nucleic acid hybridization allowed the identification of resistant clones derived from five accessions belonging toS. commersonii S. oplocense, S. sparsipilum andS. tuberosum andigena. Resistant genotypes supported PVX concentrations 5 to 15 times smaller than did the susceptible control cultivar Spunta. Graft inoculation test confirmed the presence of extreme resistance similar to that conferred by the ‘immunity’ gene X¹ (also called RX_act).     

Cyanobacteria Secondary Metabolites as Biotechnological Ingredients in Natural Anti-Aging Cosmetics: Potential to Overcome Hyperpigmentation,Loss of Skin Density and UV Radiation-Deleterious Effects

The loss of density and elasticity, the appearance of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation are among the first noticeable signs of skin aging. Beyond UV radiation and oxidative stress, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) assume a preponderant role in the process, since their deregulation results in the degradation of most extracellular matrix components. In this survey, four cyanobacteria strains were explored for their capacity to produce secondary metabolites with biotechnological potential for use in anti-aging formulations. Leptolyngbya boryana LEGE 15486 and Cephalothrix lacustris LEGE 15493 from freshwater ecosystems, and Leptolyngbya cf. ectocarpi LEGE 11479 and Nodosilinea nodulosa LEGE 06104 from marine habitats were sequentially extracted with acetone and water, and extracts were analyzed for their toxicity in cell lines with key roles in the skin context (HaCAT, 3T3L1, and hCMEC). The non-toxic extracts were chemically characterized in terms of proteins, carotenoids, phenols, and chlorophyll a, and their anti-aging potential was explored through their ability to scavenge the physiological free radical superoxide anion radical (O₂^•−), to reduce the activity of the MMPs elastase and hyaluronidase, to inhibit tyrosinase and thus avoid melanin production, and to block UV-B radiation (sun protection factor, SPF). Leptolyngbya species stood out for anti-aging purposes: L. boryana LEGE 15486 presented a remarkable SPF of 19 (at 200 µg/mL), being among the best species regarding O₂^•− scavenging, (IC₅₀ = 99.50 µg/mL) and also being able to inhibit tyrosinase (IC₂₅ = 784 µg/mL), proving to be promising against UV-induced skin-aging; L. ectocarpi LEGE 11479 was more efficient in inhibiting MMPs (hyaluronidase, IC₅₀ = 863 µg/mL; elastase, IC₅₀ = 391 µg/mL), thus being the choice to retard dermal density loss. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the data allowed the grouping of extracts into three groups, according to their chemical composition; the correlation of carotenoids and chlorophyll a with MMPs activity (p < 0.01), O₂^•− scavenging with phenolic compounds (p < 0.01), and phycocyanin and allophycocyanin with SPF, pointing to these compounds in particular as responsible for UV-B blockage. This original survey explores, for the first time, the biotechnological potential of these cyanobacteria strains in the field of skin aging, demonstrating the promising, innovative, and multifactorial nature of these microorganisms.     

Marine Pharmacology in 2009–2011: Marine Compounds with Antibacterial,Antidiabetic, Antifungal,Anti-Inflammatory,Antiprotozoal, Antituberculosis,and Antiviral Activities; Affecting the Immune and Nervous Systems,and other Miscellaneous Mechanisms of Action ?

The peer-reviewed marine pharmacology literature from 2009 to 2011 is presented in this review, following the format used in the 1998–2008 reviews of this series. The pharmacology of structurally-characterized compounds isolated from marine animals, algae, fungi and bacteria is discussed in a comprehensive manner. Antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antituberculosis, and antiviral pharmacological activities were reported for 102 marine natural products. Additionally, 60 marine compounds were observed to affect the immune and nervous system as well as possess antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. Finally, 68 marine metabolites were shown to interact with a variety of receptors and molecular targets, and thus will probably contribute to multiple pharmacological classes upon further mechanism of action studies. Marine pharmacology during 2009–2011 remained a global enterprise, with researchers from 35 countries, and the United States, contributing to the preclinical pharmacology of 262 marine compounds which are part of the preclinical pharmaceutical pipeline. Continued pharmacological research with marine natural products will contribute to enhance the marine pharmaceutical clinical pipeline, which in 2013 consisted of 17 marine natural products, analogs or derivatives targeting a limited number of disease categories.     

Recent Modifications of Chitosan for Adsorption Applications: A Critical and Systematic Review

Chitosan is considered to be one of the most promising and applicable materials in adsorption applications. The existence of amino and hydroxyl groups in its molecules contributes to many possible adsorption interactions between chitosan and pollutants (dyes, metals, ions, phenols, pharmaceuticals/drugs, pesticides, herbicides, etc.). These functional groups can help in establishing positions for modification. Based on the learning from previously published works in literature, researchers have achieved a modification of chitosan with a number of different functional groups. This work summarizes the published works of the last three years (2012–2014) regarding the modification reactions of chitosans (grafting, cross-linking, etc.) and their application to adsorption of different environmental pollutants (in liquid-phase).