Genetic characterization of a collection of chayote, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sechium edule</Emphasis> (Jacq.) Swartz,in Costa Rica by using isozyme markers

We established protocols for the analysis of genetic diversity in chayote (Sechium edule) by using isozyme markers, thereby determining the level of genetic diversity present in 42 accessions of chayote from Costa Rica. We obtained clear and reproducible zymograms for eight enzyme staining systems: PGM, 6-PGD, PGI, IDH, MDH, SOD, SKD, and EST, and were able to score 14 putative loci. Eight of the 14 loci examined were polymorphic. We found 35 distinct multilocus genotypes among these accessions. Five of these multilocus genotypes were homozygous for all loci. In addition, our data also revealed that most of the multilocus genotypes (24) were heterozygous for only one of the eight loci, and the rest were heterozygous for two or three loci (9 and 4 accessions, respectively). Seven multilocus genotypes were found in two different accessions. Dice similarity coefficient was used to study the relationship between accessions. This analysis, based on the presence and absence of alleles, revealed that accessions collected in the same location seldom shared the same multilocus genotype. The value of isozyme polymorphisms as tools to continue studies on the characterization of chayote is discussed.     

Potential Anti-Obesity,Anti-Steatosis,and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Extracts from the Microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Chlorococcum amblystomatis under Different Growth Conditions

Microalgae are known as a producer of proteins and lipids, but also of valuable compounds for human health benefits (e.g., polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs); minerals, vitamins, or other compounds). The overall objective of this research was to prospect novel products, such as nutraceuticals from microalgae, for application in human health, particularly for metabolic diseases. Chlorella vulgaris and Chlorococcum amblystomatis were grown autotrophically, and C. vulgaris was additionally grown heterotrophically. Microalgae biomass was extracted using organic solvents (dichloromethane, ethanol, ethanol with ultrasound-assisted extraction). Those extracts were evaluated for their bioactivities, toxicity, and metabolite profile. Some of the extracts reduced the neutral lipid content using the zebrafish larvae fat metabolism assay, reduced lipid accumulation in fatty-acid-overloaded HepG2 liver cells, or decreased the LPS-induced inflammation reaction in RAW264.7 macrophages. Toxicity was not observed in the MTT assay in vitro or by the appearance of lethality or malformations in zebrafish larvae in vivo. Differences in metabolite profiles of microalgae extracts obtained by UPLC-LC-MS/MS and GNPS analyses revealed unique compounds in the active extracts, whose majority did not have a match in mass spectrometry databases and could be potentially novel compounds. In conclusion, microalgae extracts demonstrated anti-obesity, anti-steatosis, and anti-inflammatory activities and could be valuable resources for developing future nutraceuticals. In particular, the ultrasound-assisted ethanolic extract of the heterotrophic C. vulgaris significantly enhanced the anti-obesity activity and demonstrated that the alteration of culture conditions is a valuable approach to increase the production of high-value compounds.     

Comparison between vegetation indices for detecting spatial and temporal variabilities in soybean crop using canopy sensors

Precision Agriculture - Crop monitoring through remote sensing techniques enable greater knowledge of average variability in crop growth. Canopy sensors help provide information on the variability...     

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction for the Recovery of Carotenoids from Guava’s Pulp and Waste Powders

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - In this work, lycopene- and β-carotene-rich extracts were obtained from guava’s pulp and waste powders using maceration (ME), ultrasonic bath (BUAE,...     

Prediction of Genetic Gain in Sweet Corn using Selection Indexes

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - The cultivation of sweet corn is expanding in Brazil, but there are serious constraints about the availability of commercial cultivars. The selection of...     

抗犬细小病毒的单克隆抗体的制备

CPV YZ株的细胞培养液经蔗糖密度梯度离心纯化后作为免疫原免疫BALB/C小鼠 ,应用杂交瘤技术筛选出 8株能稳定分泌单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞 ,分别命名为F5G10、3F11F4、F11G6、6C5C2、6E4G3、6C2B11、F11D6、3D9C4株 ,各株单抗均为IgG型 ;中和试验表明 :F11G6、3D9C4、6E4G3、6C5B114株单抗有中和作用 ,Dot ELISA试验证明了 8株单抗仅针对病毒抗原决定簇的空间结构。     

不同降雨强度下滨海盐渍土水盐运动规律模拟实验研究

采用原状土柱 ,对滨海盐渍土的水盐运动进行了室内模拟研究。结果表明 :7,14和 2 8mm的雨量下 ,滨海盐渍土土壤剖面的水分运动规律基本相似 ,水分运动的整个过程可分为两个阶段 ,即入渗控制阶段和蒸发控制阶段。第 1阶段经历的时间很短 ,第 2阶段经历的时间较长 ,其水吸力随时间变化趋势符合对数方程 ,达到极显著水平。剖面上盐分运动规律却具有明显的差异性 :小雨时土体中的盐分再分布十分缓慢 ,甚至基本没有变化 ;中雨和大雨时土体中的盐分明显发生再分布 ,且也可以分成两个阶段 ,即盐分迅速下降阶段和盐分缓慢上升阶段。中雨和大雨第 2阶段盐分随时间的变化趋势也符合对数方程 ,达到极显著水平。就脱盐效果而言 ,小雨很难使土体脱盐 ;中雨能使土体在短时间内部分脱盐 ,但长期而言 ,整个剖面脱盐效果不理想 ;大雨能使整个土壤剖面长期处于脱盐状况 ,因此脱盐效果好     

Chitosan-Based Films with 2-Aminothiophene Derivative: Formulation,Characterization and Potential Antifungal Activity

In this study, films of chitosan and 2-amino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene-3-carbonitrile (6CN), a 2-aminothiophene derivative with great pharmacological potential, were prepared as a system for a topical formulation. 6CN-chitosan films were characterized by physicochemical analyses, such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Additionally, the antifungal potential of the films was evaluated in vitro against three species of Candida (C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. parapsilosis). The results of the FTIR and thermal analysis showed the incorporation of 6CN in the polymer matrix. In the diffractogram, the 6CN-chitosan films exhibited diffraction halos that were characteristic of amorphous structures, while the micrographs showed that 6CN particles were dispersed in the chitosan matrix, exhibiting pores and cracks on the film surface. In addition, the results of antifungal investigation demonstrated that 6CN-chitosan films were effective against Candida species showing potential for application as a new antifungal drug.