Both dioscorin,the tuber storage protein of yam (Dioscorea alata cv. Tainong No. 1), and its peptic hydrolysates exhibited angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activities

Dioscorin, the tuber storage protein of yam (Dioscorea alata cv. Tainong No. 1), was purified to homogeneity by DE-52 ion-exchange chromatography. This purified dioscorin was shown by spectrophotometric methods to inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in a dose-dependent manner (12.5-750 microg, respectively, 20.83-62.5% inhibitions) using N-[3-(2-furyl)acryloyl]-Phe-Gly-Gly (FAPGG) as substrates. The 50% inhibition (IC(50)) of ACE activity was 6.404 microM dioscorin (250 microg corresponding to 7.81 nmol) compared to that of 0.00781 microM (0.0095 nmol) for captopril. The commercial bovine serum albumin and casein (bovine milk) showed less ACE inhibitory activity. The use of qualitative TLC also showed dioscorin as ACE inhibitors. Dioscorin showed mixed noncompetitive inhibitions against ACE; when 31.25 microg of dioscorin (0.8 microM) was added, the apparent inhibition constant (K(i)) was 2.738 microM. Pepsin was used for dioscorin hydrolysis at 37 degrees C for different times. It was found that the ACE inhibitory activity was increased from 51.32% to about 75% during 32 h hydrolysis. The smaller peptides were increased with increasing pepsin hydrolytic times. Dioscorin and its hydrolysates might be a potential for hypertension control when people consume yam tuber.     

Water yam (Dioscorea alata L.) diversity pattern in Brazil: an analysis with SSR and morphological markers

Substantial progress was made in the last decade in understanding the diversity in Dioscorea species. However, most of the studies so far concentrated in the ‘yam belt in Africa’. We present a genetic diversity and structure analysis among commercial and local varieties of water yam (Dioscorea alata L.) in Brazil using microsatellite and morphological markers. Twelve microsatellite primers were used to generate DNA profiles of 72 local varieties and 17 commercial accessions of water yam collected in four different regions in Brazil. Also, four morphological traits were evaluated on individual plants under field conditions. The morphological characterization showed considerable diversity. High polymorphism was found with 100 % polymorphism observed for 11 primers and a discriminating power value of 0.92, on average. We did not observe a strong population structure among sampling regions, while most of the genetic diversity was concentrated within regions (95.9 %). Analysis of the relationship between accessions did not clearly separate the local and commercial genotypes. However, the molecular analyses of D. alata showed high intraspecific diversity in local accessions from different regions in Brazil, with the highest Shannon index value (H′ = 0.41) for the Southeast region. These results confirmed an admixture of accessions in all sampling regions, consistent with the lack of a significant correlation between geographic and genetic distances, suggesting that farmers exchanged water yam materials extensively. The genetic diversity can be explained by the result of a continuous exchange of accessions by farmers throughout Brazil.     

Characterizing diversity based on phenotypes and molecular marker analyses of purple yam (Dioscorea alata L.) germplasm in southern China

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Purple yam (Dioscorea alata L.), which is widely distributed in southern China, is characterized by great purple to red flesh or skin, as well as nutritional...     

Application of bubble separation for quantitative analysis of choline in Dioscorea (yam) tubers

A modified assay based on the AACC official method 86-45 (AACC, 2000) for the determination of choline in three cereals and three varieties of Dioscorea (yam) tubers was developed. When tested in wheat, rice, and oat flour, choline estimated by the modified method was 34.0-45.3% higher than that of the original AACC method. In a system with higher contents of starch and mucilage, such as Dioscorea (yam) tubers, extra procedures in sample preparation needed to be carried out to separate starch and mucilage. The choline contents of the following Dioscorea (yam) tubers using the original AACC method and the present modified AACC method through coupling an additional bubble separation procedure, respectively, were (mean +/- SD, mg/g solid) Keelung yam (D. pseudojaponicaY.) 0.92 +/- 0.09 and 2.21 +/- 0.12, Yangmingshan yam (D. alata L.) 0.77 +/- 0.09 and 1.78 +/- 0.28, and Ming-Chien yam (D. purpurea) 0.44 +/- 0.09 and 1.35 +/- 0.19. Choline was 231-306% higher than when the original AACC method was used. Dioscorea (yam) tubers were much higher in choline content than they were in cereals. Bubble separation is an appropriate procedure in the practice for the maximum assay of choline in yams. It is accurate, rapid, easy to handle, and especially good for recovering choline from a starch and polysaccharide-protein-containing system.     

Isolation and identification of steroidal saponins in Taiwanese yam cultivar (Dioscorea pseudojaponica Yamamoto)

A new furostanol pentaoligoside and spirostanol tetraoligoside were isolated for the first time from yam tubers (Dioscorea pseudojaponica Yamamoto) from Taiwan, together with four known yam saponins, methyl protodioscin, methyl protogracillin, dioscin, and gracillin. Their structures were characterized as 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-22alpha-methoxyl-(25R)-furost-5-en-3beta,26-diol, 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-([alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)])-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and (25R)-spirost-5-en-3beta-ol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-([alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)])-beta-D-glucopyranoside. The structural identification was performed using LC-MS and 1H and 13C NMR. The methanol extract of yam tubers was fractionated by XAD-2 column chromatography using a methanol/water gradient elution system to yield furostanol and spirostanol glycoside fractions. Preparative high-performance liquid chromatography, employing a C18 column and a mobile phase of methanol/water (69:31, v/v), was used to separate each furostanol glycoside, whereas a mobile phase of methanol/water (79:21, v/v) was used to resolve the individual spirostanol glycosides. The conversions from steroid saponins to diosgenin after acid hydrolysis were around 68 and 90% for furostanol and spirostanol glycosides, respectively.     

Effects of domestic processing on steroidal saponins in Taiwanese yam cultivar (Dioscorea pseudojaponica Yamamoto)

The effects of domestic processing on steroidal saponins and furostanol and spirostanol glycosides in Taiwanese yam cultivar (Dioscorea pseudojaponica Yamamoto) were studied. The baking or frying of yam slices was conducted at 150, 180, and 200 degrees C for 3, 5, and 10 min. Yam slices were steamed or microwave cooked at 2450 MHz with an output power of 850 W for 3, 5, and 10 min. The various saponins were quantified by HPLC with an evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD). Results showed that the contents of saponins were decreased along with increasing cooking temperature and time except for the steaming treatment. None of the steamed yam slices significantly change their initial compositions or quantities of furostanol and spirostanol glycosides. Fried yam slices had the highest loss of saponins, especially at 200 degrees C for 10 min (93 and 97% reductions for total furostanol and spirostanol glycosides, respectively). After baking for 10 min at 200 degrees C, the total furostanol and spirostanol glycosides were reduced by 67 and 74%, respectively. There were 12, 44, and 84% decreases for total furostanol glycosides and 10, 35, and 75% reductions for total spirostanol glycosides in yam slices after microwave cooking for 3, 5, and 10 min, respectively. Diosgenin, the aglycone of these saponins, could be found in yams after microwave cooking and baking, but not in steamed and fried yams.     

Continuous hot pressurized solvent extraction of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging compounds from Taiwan yams (Dioscorea alata)

This study investigates a semicontinuous hot pressurized fluid extraction process and the scavenging activity on the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical of the extract from Taiwan yams (Dioscorea alata). Liquid-liquid extractions were preliminarily employed to generate six fractions, initially extracted by ethanol. Then, the aqueous solution of dried crude ethanol extract was sequentially fractionated by hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol. The EC50 value was defined as the UV absorption of DPPH concentrations sufficiently decreased to 50% of the original value. It was found that all peel portions have a better effect on scavenging of the DPPH free radical than meat portions, especially for the ethyl acetate partition of the peel portion of Tainung #2 yam. Its EC50 value (14.5 microg mL(-1)) was even lower than that of ascorbic acid (21.4 microg mL(-1)). Furthermore, semicontinuous hot pressurized ethanol was superior to hot pressurized water in extracting the compound scavenging the DPPH radical from the Purpurea-Roxb peel. The recovery of four unknown compounds corresponded to the scavenging ratio of DPPH free radical in the hot pressurized ethanol extract. Finally, three-level and four-factor experimental design revealed that ethanol ratio and temperature were the most effective factors in order. Conditions of 80% of aqueous ethanol, 20.0 kg/kg solid ratio, 180 psig (1.342 MPa), and 100 degrees C were preferred to extract those antioxidants from the yam peel.     

Decrease of plasma glucose by allantoin, an active principle of yam ( Dioscorea spp.), in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The effect of allantoin, an active component of yam, on plasma glucose of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (STZ-diabetic rats) is investigated. Allantoin decreased plasma glucose levels in a dose-related manner, which was reduced by pretreatment with naloxone or naloxonazine. A concomitant increase in plasma β-endorphin, detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, was observed. Moreover, allantoin enhanced β-endorphin release from the isolated adrenal medulla of STZ-diabetic rat in a dose-related manner. However, its plasma glucose lowering action was reduced but not totally abolished by bilateral adrenalectomy. Furthermore, allantoin directly increased radioactive glucose uptake in isolated skeletal muscle, and repeated administration for 3 days increased GLUT4 mRNA and protein levels in muscle. This effect was markedly reduced in STZ-diabetic rats with bilateral adrenalectomy. This study suggests that allantoin increases GLUT4 gene expression in muscle by increasing β-endorphin secretion from the adrenal gland in STZ-diabetic rats.     

Nutrient deficiencies in lesser yam (Dioscorea esculenta) characterized using constant–water table sand culture

Nutritional deficiencies in Dioscorea esculenta (Lour.) Burk were studied using a novel culture system, applying a constant water table in acid‐washed sand, and a demand‐driven nutrient supply schedule. This system provided a stable growth environment and was highly efficient with respect to resources and labor. Yam plants (cv. Balbal) were propagated from 30 g tuber head setts and grown for 12 or 20 weeks, with nutrients supplied in the water reservoir to meet demand according to weekly leaf counts. Deficiencies of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur were induced by reducing supply of the relevant nutrient to one tenth of normal. Deficiencies of iron, boron, manganese, zinc, copper, and molybdenum were induced by omitting the relevant nutrient from the culture medium. After 12 weeks, leaf blades of the main stem were sampled from four positions (immature, young expanded, mid, and old) weighed and analyzed for nutrient concentration, and dry weight of plant parts was recorded. Significant growth reduction was achieved for each deficiency except Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mo, which nonetheless developed some foliar symptoms. Effects on nutrient concentrations in leaves are reported, providing concentrations indicative of adequate and deficient status. Dioscorea esculenta was found to be particularly sensitive to Mn deficiency, although symptom presentation was atypical. Unusually low translocation of phloem‐mobile nutrients was also observed, paralleling reported observations on D. alata.     

Dioscorin, the major tuber storage protein of yam (Dioscorea batatas decne) with carbonic anhydrase and trypsin inhibitor activities.

Dioscorin, the tuber storage protein of yam (Dioscorea batatas Decne), was purified successively by ammonium sulfate fractionation, DE-52 ion exchange chromatography, and Sephadex G-75 column. Two protein bands (82 and 28 kDa) were found under nonreducing conditions after SDS-PAGE; but only one band (32 kDa) was detected under reducing conditions. The first 21 amino acids in the N-terminal region of the 28 kDa form were VEDEFSYIEGNPNGPENWGNL, which was highly homologous to deductive sequence of dioscorin from cDNA of another yam species (Dioscoreacayenensis Lam) reported by Conlan et al. (Plant Mol. Biol. 1995, 28, 369-380). Hewett-Emmett and Tashian (Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 1996, 5, 50 -77) mentioned that, according to DNA alignments, dioscorin from yam (D. cayenensis) was alpha-carbonic anhydrase (alpha-CA) related. In this report, we found that the purified dioscorin showed both CA dehydration activity using sodium bicarbonate as a substrate and CA activity staining after SDS-PAGE. A polyclonal antibody, which was raised against trypsin inhibitor (TI), a storage protein of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam var. Tainong 57), cross-reacted with dioscorin, which also showed TI activity determined by both activity staining after SDS-PAGE and trypsin inhibition determination.     

蚯蚓粪益生菌肥对铁棍山药不同生长时期 共生微生物群落及其品质的影响

蚯蚓粪富含有机质、腐殖酸及微生物菌群,可作为植物养分供应和土壤理化性质改善的常用有机肥基质,然而,其对山药的生长和品质的影响尚不清楚。以木质纤维素饲喂的赤子爱胜蚓得到的蚯蚓粪为基质配施益生菌剂开展山药施用效果的研究,统计分析蚯蚓粪益生菌肥添加对山药生长和品质的变化,探究其对于山药共生微生物群落的影响。结果表明:蚯蚓粪益生菌肥的使用促进了铁棍山药的株高及单株重,提高了山药的产量,收获期铁棍山药中黄酮含量升高了2.48 mg/g,增长约37.48%,可溶性糖、蛋白质及皂苷等营养成分分别提高0.26、0.14、0.31 倍;通过对铁棍山药不同生长时期根际微生物和内生微生物群落结构的分析表明,施肥后根际土壤中链霉菌、鞘氨醇单胞菌、芽孢杆菌明显增多,绿僵菌等明显减少,并且这些丰度明显改变的微生物也与土壤理化性质之间有着明显的相关性。内生微生物中泛菌、枝孢菌明显增多,青枯菌、Cyphellophora 等病原微生物丰度明显减少。蚯蚓粪益生菌肥的施用改善了山药根际微生态健康状况,减少了发病率,提高了山药品质。     

中蔬四号番茄高效再生体系的建立

本试验建立了中蔬四号番茄的再生频率高、所需时间短、试管苗状态好的高效再生体系。具体培养流程如下:以下胚轴为外植体,在Murashige和Skoog(MS) 1.0mg/L玉米素(ZT) 0.1mg/L3-吲哚乙酸(IAA)或MS 2.0mg/L6-苄基腺嘌呤(BA) 0.2mg/L IAA上进行不定芽诱导培养21天后,继代一次,转接到MS 0.1mg/L IAA中进行生根;炼苗2～3天,转栽至蛭石中,最后移栽到菜园土中培养。     

Physicochemical, functional, and macromolecular properties of waxy yam starches discovered from "Mapuey" (Dioscorea trifida) genotypes in the Venezuelan Amazon

"Mapuey" tubers in Venezuela are staple food for indigenous peoples from the Caribbean coast and Amazon regions. Noticeable differences between genotypes of yam starches were observed. Granules were large, triangular, or shell-shaped with monomodal particle size distribution between 24.5 and 35.5 μm. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses revealed onset gelatinization temperatures from 69.1 to 73.4 °C with high gelatinization enthalpy changes from 22.4 to 25.3 J g(-1). All X-ray diffractograms of starches exhibit B-type crystallinity. Crystallinity degrees varied from 24% to 40%. The highest crystallinity was found for the genotype having the highest amylose content. Iodo-colorimetric, amperometric, and DSC amylose determinations varied from 1.4 to 8.7%, 2.2 to 5.9%, and 1.4 to 3.5% for Amazonian genotypes, in comparison with commercial Mapuey starches: 12.0, 9.5, and 8.7%, respectively. Solubility and swelling power at 90 °C varied from 2.1 to 4.4% and 20.5 to 37.0%, respectively. Gel clarity fluctuated from 22.4 to 79.2%, and high rapid visco analyzer (RVA) viscosity was developed at 5% starch suspension (between 1430 and 2250 cP). Amylopectin weight average molar mass M(w), radius of gyration R(G), hydrodynamic coefficient ν(G), and apparent molecular density d(Gapp) were determined using high-performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) and asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation (A4F) techniques coupled with multiangle laser light scattering (MALLS) on the Dioscorea trifida genotypes exhibiting the lowest and highest amylose contents. Amylopectins showed very similar molecular conformations. M(w) values were 1.15 × 10(8) and 9.06 × 10(7) g mol(-1) using HPSEC and A4F, respectively, thus, 3-5 times lower than those reported with the same techniques for other yam species, and very close to those of potato and cassava amylopectins. This discovery of a new natural amylose-free starch in the neglected yam "Mapuey" could present some potential for the food industry.     

DNA damage and effects on antioxidative enzymes in earthworm (Eisenia foetida) induced by atrazine

To evaluate atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1, 3, 5-triazine) ecotoxicology in soil, the effect of atrazine on the activity of antioxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; and guaiacol peroxidase, POD) and DNA damage induced by atrazine were investigated in earthworms. Atrazine was added to artificial soil at rates of 0, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg per kg of soil. Earthworm tissues exposed to each treatment were collected on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th day of the treatment. Compared to the controls, the CAT activity was stimulated at 2.5 mg kg⁻¹ treatment except on the 14th day, and inhibited at 5, 10 mg kg⁻¹ atrazine except 5 mg kg⁻¹ on the 28th day and 10 mg kg⁻¹ on the 21st day; the overall SOD activity was inhibited, while the POD activities were stimulated by all atrazine concentrations in 28 days. The olive tail moments of single-cell gel electrophoresis of coelomocytes, as an indication of DNA damage, were increased after treatment with different doses of atrazine on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th day, and significant differences were found compared to the controls. In conclusion, atrazine induces oxidative stress and DNA damage on earthworms, and the adverse effects may be the important mechanisms of its toxicity to earthworms.     

A study to determine effects of simulated acidic rain on yield of field-grown soybeans (Glycine max. cv. Hodgson)

A field study was conducted in 1985 and 1986, using a fully automated rain exclusion canopy system, to investigate the impact of simulated acidic rain (SAR) on yield of soybean (Glycine max cv. Hodgson). Treatment effects were determined for various yield components: seed yield (kg ha^?1), pod number per plant, seed number per pod, seed weight (g 100 seeds^?1). Plant height (cm) was also measured. Results of the 1985 fields study showed that increased acid content of SAR had a slight stimulatory effect on soybean seed yield. However, the 1986 study results did not show significant treatment effects on seed yield (kg ha^?1) or other components of yield. For each of five SAR treatments, soybean yield (kg ha^?1) obtained in 1985 was significantly greater than the 1986 yield. The yield results can be attributed to differences in seed weight caused by environmental conditions specific to the two growing seasons.