不同生长期木薯块根淀粉糊化特性的差异

对木薯品种(系)SC8、南植199、C869、D346和E632在6～11个月生长期的块根淀粉糊化特性进行研究。结果表明,木薯的含粉量随生长期的延长呈先增后减趋势,不同品种的变化拐点各不相同;直链淀粉含量随生长期变化趋势因品种而异,表现出显著的品种效应和生长期差异性;峰值粘度在生长期为8个月后随生长期的延长而增加,其值与鲜薯含粉率、直链淀粉含量呈显著正相关关系;木薯淀粉糊化温度的生长期差异性显著,且变化趋势因品种的差异而略有不同,它与直链淀粉含量呈显著负相关关系。木薯淀粉恩氏粘度与直链淀粉含量呈显著正相关。     

水稻糯性突变对淀粉理化特性的影响

比较了籼、粳两个糯性突变品种与原亲本品种淀粉的理化特性。糯性突变后除了直链淀粉含量显著降低外,淀粉的糊化温度变高、胶稠度增大、RVA谱(rapid viscosity analyzer)参数下降。RVA谱参数降低的幅度从高到低依次是消减值>回复值>冷胶粘度>热浆粘度>最高粘度>崩解值,表明控制直链淀粉含量的Wx位点对淀粉糊化特性和粘滞性是有影响的,存在多效性。同时,两个糯稻品种之间的RVA谱差异较大,其中崩解值和最高粘度差值均大于糯性突变对它们的影响,说明除直链淀粉外,支链淀粉也影响淀粉的理化特性。对Wx位点鉴定的结果显示扬辐糯4号wx基因第一内含子剪切位点＋1位的碱基由原品种的G突变成了T,扬糯2号与其原品种相同(均为T);两个糯稻突变品种wx基因前导区的(CT)n微卫星重复序列与原品种相比都发生了变化。     

青藏高原青稞的淀粉特性

为给优质专用青裸品种的选育提供淀粉特性方面的参考依据,对122份来自青藏高原的青稞品种（系）的总淀粉含量和直链淀粉含量以及淀粉粘度性状进行了测定,并对这些品质性状进行了相关性分析和评价。结果表明,供试材料的淀粉特性差异较大,总淀粉含量变幅为51.26％～66．70％,平均59．89％;峰值粘度变幅为194～1135BU,平均710BU;直链淀粉含量和峰值粘度间存在极显著的相关性。在供试材料中,NB63—1、藏青80、康青3号等5个品种的总淀粉含量都超过了65％;北青三号和阿青4号的直链淀粉含量小于15%;而康青6号、拉萨勾芒等4个品种的直链淀粉含量在29％以上;NB63—1、康青3号、北青6号等4个品种的糊化温度在59℃以下,峰值粘度又都在1000BU以上。这些品种可用作未来优质专用青稞选育的种质材料。     

青藏高原青稞的淀粉特性

为给优质专用青裸品种的选育提供淀粉特性方面的参考依据,对122份来自青藏高原的青稞品种(系)的总淀粉含量和直链淀粉含量以及淀粉粘度性状进行了测定,并对这些品质性状进行了相关性分析和评价.结果表明,供试材料的淀粉特性差异较大,总淀粉含量变幅为51.26%～66.70%,平均59.89%;峰值粘度变幅为194～1135 BU,平均710 BU;直链淀粉含量和峰值粘度间存在极显著的相关性.在供试材料中,NB63-1、藏青80、康青3号等5个品种的总淀粉含量都超过了65%;北青三号和阿青4号的直链淀粉含量小于15%;而康青6号、拉萨勾芒等4个品种的直链淀粉含量在29%以上;NB63 1、康青3号、北青6号等4个品种的糊化温度在59℃以下,峰值粘度又都在1 000 BU以上.这些品种可用作未来优质专用青稞选育的种质材料.     

糯性普通小麦的产生及其淀粉特性研究

以江苏白火麦（缺失Wx-Dl)和关东107（缺失Wx-Al和Wx-Bl）为亲本配制杂交组合，采用花粉和籽粒剖面染色、蛋白质电泳进行筛选和鉴定，人工创造得到自然界不存在的糯性小麦，并对其直链淀粉含量及淀粉品质性状进行研究。结果表明，所得到的两个糯性小麦吕系直链淀粉含量很低（小于1％），其糊化特性、膨胀势特性亦与普通小麦品种不同；RVA高峰粘度明显低于其亲本，其高峰粘度出现较快，而且反弹值不明显；其淀粉膨胀能力远大于亲本。     

一些小麦品种的淀粉特性分析

为了筛选出淀粉品质优良的面条小麦品种,分析了200份国内小麦品种(系)和6份澳大利亚小麦品种的淀粉特性及Waxy蛋白亚基组成.与国外优质面条小麦相比,国内小麦的淀粉品质总体上有一定差距,但主要淀粉特性的变异范围比较广,如直链淀粉含量变幅为17.79%～27.14%,膨胀势为3.77～10.45g/g,峰值粘度为491.50～4 497.00 cP,低谷粘度为74.00～3 042.00 cP,崩解值为584.50～1 986.50 cP.国内小麦品种(系)中有15份缺失Wx-B1蛋白亚基,其直链淀粉含量、峰值粘度和崩解值的平均值优于正常类型品种(系),如花培18-5直链淀粉含量低于19%,峰值粘度高于4000 cP,崩解值高于1 500 cP.河南省小麦品种(系)的淀粉特性优于其他省市.     

两种穗型粳稻穗内粒间直链淀粉含量变异与粒位分布特征

以6个直穗型和4个弯穗型粳稻品种为材料,对两者在相同栽培条件下的穗内粒间直链淀粉含量变异及其频数分布、粒位特征进行了比较分析。结果表明：水稻穗型虽然与品种间的直链淀粉含量高低无直接关系,但对其穗内不同籽粒间的直链淀粉含量差异存在着较大的影响;直穗型粳稻品种单一稻穗内直链淀粉含量的粒间差异明显大于弯穗型品种,其直链淀粉含量的粒间变异系数与离散程度均高于后者;同一稻穗内不同籽粒间的直链淀粉含量变化与其相应的粒位有关,两种穗型粳稻品种均表现为穗顶部籽粒的直链淀粉含量相对较高、穗基部籽粒的直链淀粉含量相对较低这一基本趋势。但与弯穗型粳稻品种相比,直穗型粳稻品种大量低直链淀粉含量籽粒产生的部位是在其稻穗的中部,而不仅仅局限在稻穗基部的3个枝梗上。     

部分亚洲稻品种胚乳直链淀粉含量分析

本研究分析了来自印度、斯里兰卡、中国云南、孟加拉、缅甸和印度尼西亚的204个水稻品种胚乳直链淀粉含量。结果表明:(1)大部分来自印度、斯里兰卡和孟加拉的水稻品种胚乳直链淀粉的含量较高,而来自中国云南、印度尼西亚和缅甸的水稻品种,胚乳直链淀粉的含量变化较大;(2)大部分粳稻品种胚乳直链淀粉含量较低,部分为糯性胚乳;虽然部分籼稻品种为糯性胚乳或低直链淀粉含量,但大部分籼稻品种直链淀粉的含量较高。     

小麦淀粉膨胀体积和直链淀粉含量的研究

为了了解陕西关中小麦品种与澳大利亚西部小数点麦品种间淀粉品质的差异，以参加陕西关中小麦品种区域试验的15个小麦品种（系）、西澳8个面条用小麦品种为材料，通过比较和相关分析的方法研究了小麦淀粉的膨胀体积、直链淀粉含量及春相互间的关系。结果表明，陕西关中和澳大利亚西部小麦品种的淀粉膨胀体积平均值分别为28.91和28.72ml/g，直链淀粉含量平均值分别为26.39%和26.14%；小偃503、小偃137和西农383表现出较高的淀粉膨胀体积（依次为31.90、31.67和29.59ml/g）和较低的直链淀粉含量（依次为20.39%、23.85%和24.25%），已达到了澳大利亚小麦品种的水平；膨胀体积与直链淀粉含量呈极显著负相关。     

水稻糯性的遗传分析

利用１个糯稻品种与４个直链淀粉含量分别为高、中、低及极低的非糯稻品种杂交，以研究直链淀粉含量的遗传。分析了亲本、Ｆ１、Ｆ２、Ｂ１Ｆ１及Ｂ２Ｆ１单粒种子的直链淀粉含量，发现不能合成直链淀粉的糯稻亲本与４个不同在链淀粉含量的非糯亲本之间，直链淀粉含量的差异是由一主效基因所控制。直链淀粉含量的基因剂量效应对分离方式和选择效果有很大影响。早期分离世代，可通过对胚乳外观的选择，提高对直链淀粉含量的选择效果。     

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.     

Mineral composition of some traditional Mexican teas

Teas of plant origin traditionally consumed by the Mountain Pima of Chihuahua, Mexico, were analyzed for mineral nutritional content. Fe, Cu, Zn, Ca, and Mg composition was determined for native teas made from shoots ofTagetes lucida, T. filifolia, Elytraria imbricata, andHolodiscus dumosus, and from root xylem ofCeanothus depressus andPhaseolus ritensis. Native uses of these teas are also described.     

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.     

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.     

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.