Response of Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) Growth, Yield, Oil Content and Its Fatty Acids to Nitrogen Rates and Application Times

A steady and progressive increase in rapeseed yield was observed with each increment in applied nitrogen rates up to 213 kg/ha in both seasons. As for nitrogen application times, the analyzed data showed that adding a split dose (either 1/2 or 1/3) before the third irrigation was a common part between high yielding treatments in 1985/86 season. Nitrogen rates X application times interaction affected rapeseed yield significantly during the first winter season. The highest seed yield of 2.5 t/ha was obtained by adding 213 kg N/ha in two split doses at sowing and just before the third irrigation. The second yield value of 2.47 t/ha was produced under the same N rate when applied in two split doses before second and third irrigation. However, in the second season (1986/87), rapeseed plants did not exhibit significant responses to nitrogen rates X application times interaction.
Chemical analyses showed that rapeseed oil content and its fatty acids (Palmetic, Stearic, Oleic, Linoleic, Linolenic, Arachidic and Erucic) percentages were not significantly affected by either nitrogen rates or application times in both seasons. A very low content of Erucic acid (0.1–0.9 %) in all tested sample was noticed.     

Liquid chromatographic determination of cinnamic and benzoic acids in benzoin preparations

A liquid chromatographic method for the individual determination of benzoic and cinnamic acids in 2 benzoin preparations is presented. The method specifies a reverse phase column and 0.01M KH2PO4-methanol (85 + 15) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.8 mL/min, with detection at 254 nm. The method has been applied to 2 benzoin preparations and the results were compared with those from the British Pharmacopoeia method.     

Improvement of functional properties of egg white protein through phosphorylation by dry-heating in the presence of pyrophosphate

Egg white protein (EWP) was phosphorylated by dry-heating in the presence of pyrophosphate at pH 3.0-7.0 and 85 degrees C for 1 and 5 days, and the functional properties of the phosphorylated EWP (PP-EWP) were investigated. The phosphorylation was accelerated with a decrease of pH from 7.0 to 3.0 and for heating times from 1 to 5 days. The phosphorus content of EWP increased approximately 1.05% by dry-heating at pH 4.0 and 85 degrees C for 5 days in the presence of pyrophosphate, which was higher than that of casein. The electrophoretic mobility of EWP increased with an increase in the phosphorylation level. The surface hydrophobicity of EWP increased by phosphorylation. The heat stability, emulsifying properties, and digestibility of EWP were improved by phosphorylation. The calcium phosphate-solubilizing ability of EWP was enhanced by phosphorylation. A firmer and transparent heat-induced gel of PP-EWP was obtained, and the water-holding capacity of heat-induced PP-EWP gel was higher that that of the control. These results suggest that phosphorylation by dry-heating in the presence of pyrophosphate is a useful method for improving the functional properties of EWP.     

Anti-inflammatory activities of cucurbitacin E isolated from Citrullus lanatus var. citroides: role of reactive nitrogen species and cyclooxygenase enzyme inhibition

The in vivo and in vitro mechanistic anti-inflammatory actions of cucurbitacin E (CE) (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides) were examined. The results showed that LPS/INF-γ increased NO production in RAW264.7 macrophages, whereas L-NAME and CE curtailed it. CE did not reveal any cytotoxicity on RAW264.7 and WRL-68 cells. CE inhibited both COX enzymes with more selectivity toward COX-2. Intraperitoneal injection of CE significantly suppressed carrageenan-induced rat's paw edema. ORAC and FRAP assays showed that CE is not a potent ROS scavenger. It could be concluded that CE is potentially useful in treating inflammation through the inhibition of COX and RNS but not ROS.     

Genetic diversity of Syrian pistachio (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pistacia vera</Emphasis> L.) varieties evaluated by AFLP markers

Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) is a strategic nut tree species in the Middle East which holds comparative advantage over other fruit trees in view of its hardiness, income generation opportunities and benefits for the ecosystem. Yet pistachio cultivation depends on a very narrow genetic base, in spite of the existence of many varieties still marginally exploited. Syria is an important center of diversity for pistachio. A country wide ecogeographic survey in this country was carried out to determine the extent of pistachio genetic diversity and its use. As a whole, 114 accessions were collected from 37 farms to assess diversity at morphological and molecular level. Molecular evaluation was carried out using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) technique and performed using seven primer pair combinations. Results from the studies allowed the identification of 25 pistachio female varieties in Syria, some of which unique and described for the first time. Three groups of pistachio diversity were identified by cluster analysis which provides useful information about the distribution of genetic diversity in Syria for enhanced use and sustainable conservation.     

Phosphorylation of egg white proteins by dry-heating in the presence of phosphate

Food proteins were phosphorylated by heating in a dry state in the presence of phosphate. When casein, whey protein isolate (WPI), and egg white proteins (EWP), which were lyophilized from their solutions in a phosphate buffer, were dry-heated at various temperatures and pH levels for 1-5 days, EWP was more highly phosphorylated than casein and WPI. Phosphorylation of EWP was promoted with a decrease of pH from 7.0 to 3.0 when the incubation temperature was raised from 55 to 100 degrees C. The phosphorus content of EWP increased from 0.08 to 0.64% by dry-heating at pH 3.0 and 85 degrees C for 5 days in the presence of phosphate. The electrophoretic mobility of EWP increased with an increase in the phosphorylation level. The heat-induced polymerization of EWP by dry-heating was not affected by the presence of phosphate. Although the solubility of EWP decreased by dry-heating at pH 3.0-5.5, the phosphorylation depressed the insolubilization at low pH. The phosphate bonds in phosphorylated EWP (P-EWP) were stable at pH 2.0-10.0 and were more acid-labile and base-stable than phosphoesters of egg riboflavin-binding protein (RfBP). (31)P NMR spectral data suggested that besides phosphoesters, phosphodiester and polyphosphate bonds were introduced in P-EWP. Heat stability of EWP was improved, and calcium phosphate-solubilizing ability of EWP was enhanced by phosphorylation.     

“三定”栽培对双季超级稻养分吸收积累及氮肥利用率的影响

为探讨南方双季超级稻对氮、磷、钾养分的吸收积累及利用规律,于2008—2010年在湖南长沙和浏阳以超级早稻陆两优996、陵两优268和超级晚稻丰源优299、天优华占为材料进行大田定位试验,比较了“三定”栽培、免耕摆栽和传统栽培条件下双季超级稻不同生育期植株体内氮、磷、钾吸收积累特点及氮肥利用率。与传统栽培相比,“三定”栽培双季超级稻生长前期(分蘖中期)氮、磷、钾的吸收量较低,幼穗分化期差异甚小,而齐穗期(早季平均为10.71、2.23和11.82 g m^-2,晚季平均为12.25、2.69和16.37 g m^-2)和成熟期(早季平均为13.61、3.01和13.71 g m^-2,晚季平均为17.16、3.31和18.31 g m^-2)较高;氮肥的偏生产力(平均为53.40 kg kg^-1)、吸收利用率(平均为55.98%)、农学利用率(平均为22.27 kg kg^-1)较高,分别提高29.00%、88.92%和46.67%。免耕摆栽双季超级稻不同生育时期氮、磷、钾的吸收特点与“三定”栽培相似,但其氮肥的偏生产力、吸收利用率和农学利用率(平均为50.24 kg kg^-1、52.75%、19.33 kg kg^-1)分别比“三定”栽培降低6.29%、6.12%和15.19%。由此可见,双季超级稻生产采用“三定”栽培技术有利于提高氮肥利用率。     

“三定”栽培对双季超级稻产量形成及生理特性的影响

为探讨南方双季稻区超级稻高产栽培技术,于2008—2010年在湖南长沙和浏阳以超级早稻陆两优996、陵两优268和超级晚稻天优华占、丰源优299为材料进行大田定位试验,比较了“三定”栽培、免耕摆栽和传统栽培下双季超级稻的产量形成特点和生理特性。与传统栽培相比,“三定”栽培齐穗期的颖花伤流量、根系氧化力、根冠比、叶面积指数及籽粒结实期剑叶的光合速率较高,齐穗后剑叶SPAD值下降缓慢、干物质积累量大,有效穗数和每穗粒数多,早季平均产量为7.18 t hm^-2,增产11.68%,晚季平均产量为8.39 t hm^-2,增产7.41%;免耕摆栽干物质积累量大、有效穗数多,但其收获指数、每穗粒数和结实率居劣势,使其单季增产效果不显著。由此可见,南方双季超级稻在“三定”栽培下后期生理优势明显,产量构成因子协调,增产效果显著。     

旱作技术对水稻中期群体结构的影响

利用三因素二次回归旋转组合设计探索水稻旱种的施氮量、基肥施氮比例及点播密度对水稻抽穗期群体的有效穗、单茎重的影响。结果表明:适宜的施氮量、基肥施氮比例及点播密度将形成抽穗期群体适宜的有效穗、较高的单茎重和茎鞘重/叶重比值。通过改进旱作技术,可使旱作水稻群体形成适宜的有效穗,个体充分生长,并促进抽穗前群体合成的净光合物质由叶流向茎,形成壮蘖、大穗,并控制叶的生长而实现高产。     

Changes in chemical composition of Phoenix canariensis Hort. Ex Chabaud palm seed oil during the ripening process

The aim of this investigation is to compare the physicochemical properties and chemical composition of Phoenix canariensis seed oil at different stages of seed date ripening. It was demonstrated that the saponification number of the oil increases during the maturation from 179.24 to 191.28 (mg KOH/g of oil), whereas the seed oil yield, the iodine number, the p-anisidine value, the peroxide value, the acidity and the unsaponifiable matter decrease from 14.73% to 10.36%, from 89.37 to 76.66 (g/100 g of oil), from 5.51 to 3.67, from 17.66 to 3.62 (mequiv. O₂/kg of oil), from 1.49% to 0.59% and from 2.72% to 1.77%, respectively. The tocol content increases as the maturity advanced. The percentages of sterols show continuous changes during ripening. The saturated fatty acid content increases throughout the ripening process. The oleic fatty acid content decreases during the seeds maturation, but increases at the end, whereas linoleic acid content initially shows an increase, and then a decrease. The total phosphorus content decreases during the period of ripening. The three samples of the seed oil show a high kinetic stability during the heating and cooling, as characterised by the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The DSC curves reveal an increase in the melting point from −7.73 °C to 3.71 °C but the melting enthalpy remains the same, 62.06 J/g, during the ripening of the dates.