A Prospective Non-Randomized Open-Label Comparative Study of The Effects of Matcha Tea on Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Pilot Observational Study

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Matcha tea has been used as an adjunct in weight loss programs. The weight loss effects of matcha tea were evaluated in a prospective non-randomized open-label...     

甜菜EST-SSR引物的开发与应用

利用NCBI公共数据库现有的甜菜(Beta vulgaris L.)表达序列标签(expressed sequence tags,EST)数据信息,开发了甜菜EST-SSR标记。在所有的29830条甜菜EST序列中共确认得到20109条非冗余EST序列,总长为11287.6kb。在含有微卫星重复的6951条EST序列中按照SSR引物设计要求,最终获得了2845个EST-SSR,平均每3.96 kb含有1个SSR。EST-SSR的分布频率和特征分析表明,A/T单碱基重复最多,其次是AAG/CTT三核苷酸重复,AG/CT二核苷酸重复,ACCTCC/AGGTGG等六核苷酸重复最少。随机合成了100对SSR引物,并分别选用6个甜菜品种进行多态性检验,将其按遗传相似性分为两组,多态信息含量(polymorphism information content,PIC)平均值为0.47。本研究证实这种全新的开发甜菜SSR标记的方法具有高效、多态性较高的特点,在甜菜遗传多样性分析、功能基因定位、遗传图谱构建以及比较基因组等研究方面有广阔的利用前景。     

氮素对甜菜硝酸还原酶活性的调控

利用营养液培养方法，研究了不同氮素形态对甜菜硝酸还原酶活性的影响。研究表明，生育期间硝酸还原酶活性在内外源基质条件下的变化规律是一致的，出现两个高峰期；甜菜硝酸还原酶的活性首先受氮素水平的影响；在氮素水平一致的条件下，又受铵态氮和硝态氮比例的影响，并且随着铵态氮比例的增加，硝酸还原酶活性降低。     

Accumulation and distribution of free folic acid content in red beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

Among vegetable plants, red beet contains a relatively high level of the B vitamin folic acid. Although many leafy green vegetables contain high levels of folic acid, red beet is consumed primarily as a root vegetable. Folic acid levels have been quantified in various vegetable plants, but little information exists regarding the accumulation and distribution of this vitamin in plant tissues. The objective of this study was to characterize free folic acid content (FFAC) in shoot and root tissue during growth of two red beet inbreds. Experiments were conducted in a greenhouse during 1993, 1994 and 1995. Two inbreds, W384 and W357, were planted in randomized complete blocks and shoot and root tissues were separately harvested at 60, 80, and 100 days after planting (DAP). Significant differences between years, tissue portions, and among harvest dates were detected, however, similar patterns in FFAC accumulation and distribution were observed between inbreds and years. FFAC in shoot tissue was significantly greater than root tissue for both inbreds. Accumulation of FFAC was linear for both inbreds across harvest dates for root tissue but not for shoot tissue. FFAC accumulation in shoot tissue increased sharply from 60 to 80 DAP but decreased sharply from 80 to 100 DAP. These results demonstrate that FFAC accumulates differentially in root and shoot tissue in a red beet plant. Maximum folic acid levels in shoot tissue are achieved prior to those in root tissue.     

S-ABA对甜菜氮代谢关键酶活性的影响

采用盆栽试验探讨植物生长调节剂S-ABA对甜研7号和双丰319氮代谢相关酶活性的影响.结果表明,从全生育期来看,功能叶片的NR和叶片及块根的GS活性均表现为苗期至块根增长初期酶活性呈逐渐增加趋势,而后酶活性又逐渐降低,生育后期稍有回升;低浓度的S-ABA对NR和GS活性有促进作用,30 mg/kg的促进作用最强,当浓度达到40 mg/kg时对酶活性产生抑制作用,其顺序为30 mg/kg＞20 mg/kg＞35 mg/kg＞对照＞40 mg/kg;S-ABA为35 mg/kg时块根产量最高,30 mg/kg时含糖率最高.     

甜菜硝酸还原酶基因编码氨基酸偏好及功能预测分析

利用同源序列克隆方法从标准偏高糖型甜菜二倍体纯系Ty7中获得氮素诱导甜菜硝酸还原酶基因片段,通过RACE技术克隆基因全长序列;该基因ORF长度2718 bp,编码905个氨基酸,分子量大小为102kD(ExPaSy的分子量分析),等电点为6.12,含有147bp的5'UTR和382 bp的3'UTR,Genbank上的...     

Effects of steckling weight and planting density on sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) monogerm seed yield and qualitative traits

In order to determine the effects of steckling weight and planting density on sugar beet monogerm (Cv. 9597) seed quantitative and qualitative characteristics, this experiment was carried out in Ardabil Agricultural Research Station-Iran (38 degrees 30'N and 48 degrees 30'E) during 2 years (2002-2003). In the study, steckling weight (main-plot) in three levels including 100, 100-200 and 200-300 g and planting density (sub-plot) in three levels including 40, 50 and 60 cm were used in a split-plot experiment based on the RCBD (Randomized Complete Blocks Design) with 5 replications. The measured characteristics were morphological and qualitative (velocity and uniformity of germination) characters, seed size distribution and monogerm seed percentage. According to the results of the experiment, the effect of planting density on the auxiliary branches No. and seed yield was significant at the probability levels of 1 and 5%, respectively. Seed yield increased by 43% as planting density was increased from 65 x 40 to 65 x 60 cm. The increase in steckling weight led to the increase in standard seed portion (with 3.5-4.5 mm in diameter), germinable standard seed yield (11%) and decrease in germination velocity and germination uniformity; and increase in planting density was accompanied by increase in > 4.5 mm seed percentage, velocity and uniformity of germination and decrease in germinable standard seed yield. Eventually, the highest seed yield (1208 kg ha(-1)) was obtained by using steckling weight of 200-300 g and planting density of 65 x 60 cm.     

Effects of beet yellows virus and beet mild yellowing virus on leaf area dynamics of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

Field experiments were conducted over three years to investigate the effects of beet yellows virus (BYV) and beet mild yellowing virus (BMYV) on leaf area dynamics in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). Plants infected with BMYV showed normal leaf area growth and the leaf area index (LAI) was not significantly affected by virus infection. Up to 1.4 m² (leaf) m⁻² (soil) of leaf area was yellow, resulting in a maximum proportion of yellow leaf area of ca. 35%. Yellowing symptoms were only found on mature leaves. Plants infected with BYV showed a reduced formation of leaf area compared to healthy or BMYV-infected plants; leaves appearing after infection remained smaller than in healthy or BMYV-infected plots. As for BMYV, only mature leaves developed yellowing symptoms. The total amount of yellow leaf area on BYV-infected plants was similar to that induced by BMYV, but due to the smaller total leaf area index, the proportion of yellow leaf area was greater, up to ca. 50%. Infection with BYV substantially reduced the life span of infected leaves. Both viruses caused a ±20% decrease of specific leaf area in mature yellow leaves, compared to healthy leaves. As a result of a lower LAI and a greater proportion of yellow leaf area, BYV causes a greater reduction of crop light interception on green leaves than BMYV. In BMYV-infected plots, proportion of soil cover by yellow leaves was generally similar to the proportion of yellow leaf area, but significant differences from this pattern were observed for BYV.     

继代培养中离体甜菜的倍性变化与增殖

用卡宝品红法检测了不同来源离休甜菜的不同器官在不同年度间细胞焙性的变化。并统计分析了年度间变化的差异显著性及不同倍性优势细胞比率与增殖能力之间的相关性，结果表明，甜菜离休植株茎尖细胞倍性在继代培养中相对稳定，而根尖细胞倍性在年度间有显著变化。由未授粉胚珠培养再生的胚性细胞团，其细胞染色体容易自然加倍；再生的单倍体植株，其茎尖细胞为单倍体，而根尖细胞为二倍体。在所测年度内，离体甜菜细胞倍性的变化对其增殖能力无明显影响。通过茎尖和不断选择培养是离休甜菜保持遗传稳定性的有效手段。     

The response of autumn and spring sown sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) to irrigation in Southern Italy: Water and radiation use efficiency

The Apulia region in Southern Italy is an important area for sugar beet cultivation. It is characterised by clay soils and a hot-arid and winter-temperate climate. The capability of sugar beet to exploit solar radiation, water use and irrigation supply in root yield, total dry matter and sucrose production was studied and analysed in relation to two experimental factors: sowing date – autumn (October–December) and spring (March) – and irrigation regime – optimal and reduced (respectively with 100 and 60% of actual evapotranspiration). Data sets from three experiments of spring sowing and three of autumn sowing were used to calculate: (1) water use efficiency in the conversion in dry matter (WUE_dm, plant dry matter at harvest versus seasonal water use ratio), in sucrose (WUE_suc, sucrose yield versus seasonal water use ratio); (2) irrigation water use efficiency in the conversion in dry matter (IRRWUE_dm), in sucrose (IRRWUE_suc) and fresh root yield (IRRWUE_fr); and (3) radiation use efficiency (RUE, plant dry matter during the crop cycle and at harvest versus intercepted solar radiation ratio).Autumnal beet was more productive than spring for fresh root, plant total dry matter, sucrose yield and concentration; also WUE_suc and IRRWUE_s were higher in the autumnal sugar beet, but no difference was observed in WUE_dm (on average, 2.83 g of dry matter kg⁻¹ of water used). An average saving of about 26% of seasonal irrigation supply (equivalent to about 100 mm) was measured in the three years with the earliest sowing time. The optimal irrigation regime produced higher root yield, plant total dry matter and sucrose yield than the reduced one; on the contrary the IRRWUE_fr and IRRWUE_dm were higher in the reduced irrigation strategy. WUE_s and IRRUWE_s correlated positively with the length of crop cycle, expressed in growth degree days and, in particular, to the length of the period from full soil cover canopy to crop harvest, the period when plant photosynthetic activity and sucrose accumulation are at maximum rates. Seasonal RUE was higher in the spring than in the autumn sowing (1.14 μg J⁻¹ versus 1.00 μg J⁻¹). The RUE values during the crop cycle reached the maximum in the period around complete canopy soil cover. The results showed the importance for better use of water and radiation resources of autumnal sowing time and of reduced irrigation regime in sugar beet cropped in a Mediterranean environment.     

Effect of Acid Aluminous Soil on Photosynthetic Parameters of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Potato is grown worldwide, in some cases in very acid soils. Aluminum (Al) is a major limiting factor for crop productivity in acid soils. Al toxicity was studied mainly on plant roots, while less attention was given to its effects on leaves. Al tolerance observed in solution cultures has rarely been correlated with Al tolerance in acid soils. Al tolerance was assessed in 12 potato cultivars grown in nutrient solutions containing 0, 25, and 50 μmol Al L^?1 by its relative root elongation (RRE). The effect of acid soil with high level of exchangeable Al on leaf mineral content, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO₂ concentration, water use efficiency (WUE), and light use efficiency (LUE) was studied on cultivars, with the greatest differences in RRE (cv. Tresor, 63.1 and 42.5% and cv. Canberra, 23.3 and 19.2%, for the 25 and 50 μmol Al L^?1 treatments, respectively), grown for 49 days after planting (DAP) in acid and limed soil. Growth in acid soil significantly reduced concentrations of nitrogen (?18.51%) and magnesium (?27.17%) in the leaves in cv. Canberra and concentrations of potassium and copper in both cultivars. Canberra grown in acid soil showed a significant decrease in chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate, from 28 to 49 DAP, and in transpiration rate and LUE when averaged across all measurements, while cv. Tresor was not affected. Physiological disorders observed on leaves of plants grown in acid soil can be correlated with the differences in Al tolerance observed in nutrient solutions.     

低温胁迫对胡椒叶片生理生化及显微结构的影响

以胡椒主栽品种热引 1 号胡椒（Piper nigrum c.v. Reyin-1）和野生近缘种石南藤（Piper wallichii）为材料,经过 4 ℃低温胁迫处理,研究其在胁迫条件下植株的伤害情况、叶片解剖结构和生理生化指标变化。结果表明：低温胁迫条件下,石南藤比热引 1 号胡椒具有明显的耐寒表型,胡椒叶片厚度变化与叶片受害程度相一致;胁迫 72 h时,热引 1 号胡椒保护酶系统被破坏,石南藤则仍然表现活跃;热引 1 号胡椒的可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量呈现升降趋势,石南藤则维持上升;胡椒的丙二醛和脯胺酸含量与其抗寒性呈现负相关。研究结果表明,石南藤为抗寒性种质,其抗寒性比热引 1 号胡椒强,为开展胡椒抗寒育种和胡椒抗寒分子机理研究提供了材料基础。     

Effect of sowing date on the growth and seed yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in highland environments

Evaluations of common bean cultivars in the highlands of Mexico indicated that land races from that region experience less reduction in seed yield and seed size in late sowings than do lines from other regions. Introduced materials are of interest as sources of increased disease and pest resistance and tolerance to edaphic constraints, however. To quantify effects of sowing date and determine possible underlying causes, germplasm of diverse origins was evaluated at two sites in the highlands using multiple sowing dates. In all trials, seed yield, seed weight, harvest index and canopy dry weight decreased with late sowings. Large effects of sowing date, cultivar and their interaction were found for the four traits. The possible importance of phenology per se and of weather conditions was first examined using regression analyses. Variation in seed yield, seed weight, harvest index and canopy dry weight was more closely associated with time to maturity than with time to flowering. Of three weather variables examined, minimum temperature during seed filling revealed the strongest relations with the four traits. Few interactions of any parameter with line were significant, indicating that the cultivars did not have a strong differential response to a specific weather condition such as night temperature. Simulation analyses comparing photoperiod-sensitive and day-neutral cultivars indicated that radiation and temperature explained part of the yield reduction with late sowings. Daylength also had an influence, however, even in the day-neutral cultivar. Given that phenology had a strong effect on yield and that its inheritance is better understood than that of other physiological traits, priority should be given to understanding the genetic basis of the response of cultivar phenology to sowing date in the region.     

三裂叶蟛蜞菊对花生化感作用的生理生化机理

三裂叶蟛蜞菊(WedeliatrilobataL.)是华南地区的重要杂草和园林绿化植物。本文研究了三裂叶蟛蜞菊水提液对花生种子萌发和幼苗生长过程中一些生理过程的影响。结果表明,三裂叶蟛蜞菊各器官水提液浸种显著降低了萌发花生种子过氧化物酶活性和脂肪酶活性,提高了质膜透性,进而使萌发花生种子的活力和呼吸速率显著降低。其中三裂叶蟛蜞菊根、茎、叶和全植株水提液使萌发花生种子过氧化物酶活性分别降低了32.80%、39.48%、32.37%和34.40%,使脂肪酶活性分别降低了21.19%、26.69%、24.15%和22.88%。在花生植株幼苗生长过程中,喷淋三裂叶蟛蜞菊各器官水提液极显著地降低了花生根系干物重、单株根瘤数、叶片叶绿素含量、净光合速率和单株干物重;其中三裂叶蟛蜞菊叶水提液分别使花生叶片叶绿素含量、净光合速率和单株干物重降低31.95%、32.65%和37.93%。喷淋三裂叶蟛蜞菊各器官水提液还极显著地抑制了花生氮素代谢中两种关键酶—硝酸还原酶和谷氨酰胺合成酶的活性,使叶片全氮含量有所下降。三裂叶蟛蜞菊各部分水提液对萌发花生种子化感作用的大小顺序是:茎>叶>全株>根系;而对花生幼苗,化感作用的大小顺序则是:叶>茎>全株>根系。     

Effects of Silicon on Transpiration and Leaf Conductance in Rice Plants (Oryza sativa L.)

Summary

To characterize the protection effect of silicon against excessive transpiration in rice plants (Oryza sativa L.), we investigated the factors responsible for transpiration, such as cuticular conductance (gc), leaf surface wax content (WC), and stomatal movement in response to environmental stimuli, using leaves of plants grown in nutrient solution with silicon (+Si) and without silicon (–Si). The rate of transpiration of whole plants (E) under field conditions was clearly reduced by application of silica. The gc of –Si leaves under precisely regulated conditions was 33% higher than that of +Si leaves, reflecting higher adaxial gc. Silicon has little effect on WC, a factor responsible for regulation of cuticular resistance to water flux in rice leaves. These results suggest that silicon is one of the main factors responsible for regulation of gc, but that its effect was not due to an increase in the WG. Leaf conductance (gl) of –Si leaves tended to decrease more slowly than that of +Si leaves over time after changes from high to low light intensity. Moreover, it was always higher over the entire duration of the experiment, irrespective of irradiation intensity. The gl of –Si leaves was higher at lower relative humidity (RH) and the initial response to a subsequent increase in RH was slower than that of +Si leaves. A comparison of gl and gc between +Si and –Si leaves showed that the higher gl of –Si leaves was due to higher stomatal conductance. These results indicated that the reduction in E by application of silica was mainly attributable to reduction in the rate of transpiration through stomatal pores.     

Antimutagenic and Antioxidant Activity of a Selected Lectin-free Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Two Cell-based Models

Legumes and particularly beans are a key food of Mediterranean diet representing an important source of proteins, fiber, some minerals and vitamins and bioactive compounds. We evaluated the antioxidant and anti-mutagenic effects of a new fermented powder of a selected lectin-free and phaseolamin-enriched variety of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), named Lady Joy. Lady Joy lysate (Lys LJ) was studied in human erythrocytes and in Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells. The antioxidant and anti-hemolytic properties of Lys LJ, studied in an ex vivo erythrocytes system using the cellular antioxidant assay (CAA-RBC) and the hemolysis test, evidenced a dose-dependent antioxidant activity as well as a significant hemolysis inhibition. Besides, results evidenced that Lys LJ treatment significantly decreased the intracellular ROS concentration and mutagenesis induced by hydrogen peroxide in S. cerevisiae D7 strain. In conclusion, Lys LJ showed both an antimutagenic effect in yeast and a strong scavenging activity in yeast and human cells.

     

Spatial and Temporal Variation in Photon Flux Density on Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Leaf Surface

Abstract

Spatial and temporal variations of photosynthetic photon flux density (PFD) measured using small photodiodes (Hamamatsu, model G1118) attached on the leaf surface of rice (Oryza sativa L.) differed with the orientation and inclination even at the same height of the canopy. Under sunny conditions, the fluctuation pattern of PFD was mainly determined by the orientation and inclination of the leaf surface, and not by the daily change of PFD in the open, e. g., high peaks of PFD were observed in the morning on east-oriented leaves, but only low peaks on north-oriented leaves. Under overcast conditions, however, the PFD on the leaf surface depended highly on the PFD in the open irrespective of the leaf orientation and inclination. The present study suggests that the orientation and inclination should be considered as the major factors influencing the PFD regime (spatial variation and daily total PFD) within the rice canopy. To determine the effects of spatial and temporal variations of PFD on crop productivity, the daily net assimilation of each leaf was estimated from the obtained data and the light-photosynthesis curve.     

Effect of Flavonoids and Saponins Extracted from Black Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Seed Coats as Cholesterol Micelle Disruptors

Strategies for reducing plasma cholesterol have been focused on reducing the absorption or synthesis of cholesterol. The aim of this study was to correlate the content of flavonoids and saponins in black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seed coats extracts with a potential effect in lowering cholesterol absorption by the inhibition of cholesterol micellar solubility. Extracts with different flavonoids and saponins concentration were obtained from a Box-Behnken design used to optimize extraction temperature, stirring time and solvent composition. Major flavonoids and saponins were quantified by HPLC-PDA-ELSD and confirmed through mass spectrometry. Contrary to the flavonoid content, saponins were correlated to the inhibitory effect of cholesterol micelle solubility as an approach to a potential reduction of cholesterol absorption. Extracts with the highest saponin content strongly inhibited cholesterol micellization with values of 55.4?±?1.9 %, while stigmasterol used as control, only reached 12?±?2.3 % at the same concentration (5 mg/ml). The optimal extracting conditions for saponins were 25 °C, during 3 h in 85 % aqueous-methanol. Correlations of inhibitory effect of cholesterol micellar solubility with the content of each identified saponin suggested that the reduction of cholesterol micellization depends on the C-22 substitution of saponins.     

Mapping of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Beta -amylase Alleles in which an Amino Acid Substitution Determines Beta -amylase Isoenzyme Type and the Level of Free Beta -amylase

The three beta -amylase genes (Bmy1, 2 and 3) in cultivated barley were mapped to chromosomes 4HL, 2HL And 4HL respectively using RFLP analysis. No recombinants between Bmy1 andBmy3 were detected among 264 DH lines. Polymorphism of the Sd1 and Sd2 isoenzymes of beta -amylase co-segregated with the Bmy loci on chromosome 4HL in a doubled-haploid population of the cross Chebec (Sd2)×Harrington (Sd1). This locus also explained 90·5% of the variation in the level of free enzyme between the two parents. Two cDNAs ofbeta -amylase were isolated by RT-PCR from the developing grains of Harrington (Sd1) and Galleon (Sd2). Alignment of the deduced amino acid sequences identified three amino-acid substitutions between the Sd2 and Sd1 forms of beta -amylase (Arg115 – Cys, Asp165 – Glu, and Val430 – Ala). Three allele-specific PCR primer pairs based on the three amino acid substitutions were used to amplify the beta -amylase genes in genomic DNA of sixteen barley cultivars/lines. Only the Arg115(Sd2)/Cys(Sd1) substitution was consistent with the isoenzyme form. This amino acid replacement reduced the pI of the Sd1 beta -amylase consistent with the fact that the Sd2 form is more basic than the Sd1 form when separated by IEF. The mutation from Arg115 to Cys in the Sd1 form also provides one more -SH group to form S-S-bridges. As bound beta -amylase is linked to the insoluble proteins of the endosperm and its inhibitor via disulphide bridges this could explain the higher level of binding exhibited by Sd1 vs Sd2. Thus a single amino acid substitution determines both the isoenzyme type and beta -amylase binding.