A microsatellite sequence closely linked to the Waxy gene of Oryza sativa

Summary A polymorphic microsatellite locus has been located closely linked to the Waxy gene of rice. Primers were designed to allow detection of the microsatellite by utilising the polymerase chain reaction. In screen of 13 commercial rice varieties, four different alleles were found, demonstrating the potential of this marker in commercial rice breeding for starch quality.Abbreviations RFLP Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism - PCR Polymerase Chain Reaxtion     

A xenia effect on number and volume of cotyledon cells and on seed weight in faba bean (Vicia faba L.)

The female line 1709, carrying the recessivecharacter green cotyledon, marker of the embryogenotype, was cross-pollinated by bees in the presenceof either male line HG115 or male line Dial63. In thecomparison of seeds which resulted either fromintercrossing or from selfing, a xenia effect wasobserved on volume and number of cotyledon cells andon individual seed weight which was dependent on themale line. The increase of hybrid seed weight inducedby the small-seeded male line Dial63 was larger thanthe one induced by the large-seeded male line HG115.The xenia effect on seed weight was correlated withthe level of heterosis in the F1 plant's growth.     

Sulfated beta-glucan derived from oat bran with potent anti-HIV activity

China is a major producer of oats; the annual harvested area of 350,000 ha yields approximately 465,000 tons, giving an average yield of 1.33 tons/ha. The bran is not used for animal feed as it is of poor digestibility and low nutritive content and is considered a waste byproduct. Therefore, it is advantageous to produce a value-added product from the bran. We extracted the native polysaccharide, a linear (1-3)-, (1-4)-linked beta-glucan (OBG) from the oat bran and synthesized a sulfated derivative OBGS containing 36.5% sulfate. OBGS had potent activity against a primary isolate of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells at a concentration (EC(50)=5.98 x 10(-4) microM) approximately 15,000 times below its cytotoxic concentration. OBGS was also active postinfection (EC(50)=5.3 x 10(-4) microM) and protected pretreated peripheral mononuclear cells (EC(50)=5.2 x 10(-2) microM) washed free of the compounds prior to infection. Thus, OBGS has potential as a vaginal microbicide and is the first such report for oat bran derived sulfated beta-glucan.     

An assay to estimate tannins added to postmortem Turkey meat

A method for quantification of tannins in wine was adapted to determine tannins added to turkey meat. Standard curves containing varying amounts of GSE [0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 5.0%, (w/w)] as a source of tannins were developed. The R(2) value of the mean standard curve was 0.9992. The overall percent recovery of GSE in meat was determined to be 54.78%. Results showed that estimation of GSE in four out of five of the spiked samples was less than or equal to 10%. It is unclear as to why spiked samples at 0.048 mg of GSE were always underestimated (25.0%). Overall, the method seems applicable for estimation of tannins in poultry meat and is probably applicable to estimation of tannins in other meat products.     

Long-term continuous cropping in the Pacific Northwest: Tillage and fertilizer effects on winter wheat, spring wheat, and spring barley production

Conventional tillage winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) (WW)–summer fallow reduces soil productivity and increases soil erosion. Conservation tillage management, together with intensive cropping may have the potential to reverse these sustainability concerns. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT) systems on grain yield of long-term annual cropping of monoculture WW, spring wheat (SW), and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) (SB) grown with or without fertilizer, in the Pacific Northwest region of the USA. In unfertilized crops, grain yield of WW, SW, and SB was 15%, 25%, and 50% higher, respectively, in CT than in NT plots, an indication of the involvement of yield limiting factors under the NT cropping system. When fertilized, there were no significant differences in grain yield of WW. Yields of SW and SB, however, remained 21% and 15% higher, respectively, in CT than in NT, an indication that factors other than fertility were involved. These results suggest that in order for NT management to be widely adopted by area growers, the yield-limiting factors need to be addressed.     

In vitro digestibility of α-casozepine, a benzodiazepine-like peptide from bovine casein, and biological activity of its main proteolytic fragment

α-Casozepine is a peptide, corresponding to the sequence 91-100 of the bovine α(s1)-casein, displaying anxiolytic activity in the rat. The α(s1)-casein tryptic hydrolysate containing this peptide decreases stress effects after oral administration in various species including man. Therefore, the stability of this peptide toward gastric and pancreatic proteases has been assessed by using pepsin, chymotrypsin/trypsin, Corolase PP, pepsin followed by chymotrypsin/trypsin or pepsin followed by Corolase PP. α-Casozepine was slowly degraded by chymotrypsin, much more sensitive to pepsin and Corolase PP but not completely destroyed after 4 h kinetics. The bonds in the region 91 to 95 of the α-casozepine were totally resistant to hydrolysis by all studied proteases. Surprisingly, a fragment, corresponding to the sequence 91-97 and found in all the hydrolysis media in significant amount, possessed an anxiolytic activity in three behavioral tests measuring this parameter. This peptide could participate in the in vivo activity of α-casozepine.     

Rheological properties of concentrated skim milk: influence of heat treatment and genetic variants on the changes in viscosity during storage

Heat treatment during manufacturing of milk powder is one of the most important tools for manipulation of its functional properties, and it is the basis of the classification of these proteins into low-, medium-, and high-heat types. Slight differences in the sequences of the major proteins in milk (genetic variants) seem to have also a significant effect in milk powder processing (U.S. patent). Therefore, the effects of high-temperature storage and heat treatment on skim milk of defined genetic variants of beta-lactoglobulin (beta-LG) were measured. The samples had 45% total solids, the temperature of aging was 50 degrees C, and the heat treatment was 90 degrees C for 10 min prior to evaporation. Measurements on shear rate and on apparent viscosity were determined for each sample. During storage of the concentrated milk, the apparent viscosity and yield values increased markedly, and the age-dependent increase in viscosity in heat-treated concentrated skim milks was much more pronounced than in those prepared from unheated skim milks. The increase in apparent viscosity and yield value with storage time was notably different for milks containing different genetic variants. Unheated concentrated milks containing the B variant of beta-LG showed the most rapid increase in apparent viscosity with storage time, whereas the viscosity increase was slowest in the concentrate containing the A variant. In contrast, heat-treated concentrated milks containing the A variant of beta-LG showed the most rapid increase in viscosity with storage time, whereas the viscosity increase was slowest in the concentrate containing the AB variant. The changes in apparent viscosity of concentrated milk were largely reversible under high shear during the early stages of storage, but samples stored for a long time showed irreversible changes in apparent viscosity. Particle size analysis confirmed irreversible aggregation and fusion of casein particles during storage.     

Phytoremediation of Pb in the sediment of a mangrove ecosystem

Purpose

Coal-fuelled power plants can discharge hazardous materials, particularly heavy metals such as lead (Pb). An alternative way of reducing Pb concentration from contaminated sediments is through phytoremediation. Presently, there are few research findings on the phytoremediation potential of mangroves on metals like Pb. The study was conducted to survey and identify mangroves that thrive near the coal-fired power plant and to assess the phytoremediation potential of mangroves on Pb in sediment.

Materials and methods

The study sites were located in the mangrove ecosystems of Sitio Oyon and Sitio Asinan in Masinloc, Zambales, Philippines. The first stage of our study was to survey and identify the mangrove species. The second stage was to assess the levels of Pb in the sediments, water, and tissues of mangrove trees. The diversity assessment of the mangrove species was done through the use of 10?×?12 m quadrat technique. Water and sediment samples from each mangrove ecosystem were collected using composite sampling methods.

Results and discussion

Three mangrove species were identified in the study sites: Avicennia marina, Rhizophora stylosa, and Sonneratia alba. The order of importance of the mangrove trees in the two sampling locations, based on an importance value index (IVI), were as follows: SA (IVI?=?171.20)?>?AM (77.79)?>?RS (51.01). The total uptake of Pb from sediments near the power plants varied significantly (p?≤?0.001) among the three mangrove species. S. alba had the highest Pb uptake of 48.4 kg ha^?1 followed by A. marina (23.1 kg ha^?1), and R. stylosa (2.4 kg ha^?1). These three mangrove species have the potential to phytoremediate Pb in the sediment.

Conclusions

The three mangrove species present in the coastal ecosystem near the electric power plant—A. marina, R. stylosa, and S. alba—were potential phytoremediators of sediment Pb. The present study indicated that the mangroves possess beneficial characteristics that remove Pb from contaminated sediments in areas directly affected by coal-fired power plants, and thus have potential phytoremediation properties.