Comparison of leaf proteomes of potato (<Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Solanum tuberosum</Emphasis> L.) genotypes with ER- and HR-mediated resistance to PVY infection

The Ny-1 and Ry-fsto genes of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) confer hypersensitive response (HR) and extreme resistance (ER), respectively, to Potato virus Y (PVY). ER-type resistance was also observed in potato plants with both alleles (Ny-1 and Ry-fsto). Using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), quantitative differences between PVY-infected and non-infected control plants were found for 35, 32 and 15 protein spots identified in leaves of potato cultivar Rywal (possessing Ny-1), and potato tetraploid clones PW 363 (with Ry-fsto) and PB 08–137 (with Ny-1 + Ry-fsto), respectively. We recognized 29, 12 and 21 PVY-induced protein spots involved in qualitative changes in Rywal, PW 363 and PB 08–137 plants, respectively, which were processed and analysed using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) system. A database search indicated that these 62 proteins belong to various functional categories. Their expression was genotype-specific. In the case of cultivar Rywal with HR-mediated resistance, proteins involved in photosynthesis and primary metabolism were the most abundant. For PW 363 and PB 08–137, both with ER–mediated resistance, stress-responsive proteins were the most numerous. Only two proteins – glutamate–glyoxylate aminotransferase 2 (GGAT2) and monodehydroascorbate reductase 5 (MDHAR5) – were identified in all three genotypes. These two proteins are components of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) defence mechanism against pathogens in plants. The present study showed that the differences in PVY-induced proteins in the leaves of Ny-1, Ry-fsto and Ny-1 + R-fsto genotypes do not correspond to the type of gene conferring the resistance or to the observed phenotype.     

The HEALTHGRAIN Cereal Diversity Screen: concept, results, and prospects

One hundred and fifty bread wheat lines and 50 other lines of small-grain cereals (spelt, durum wheat, Triticum monococcum, Triticum dicoccum, oats, rye, and barley) were selected for diversity in their geographical origin, age, and characteristics. They were grown on a single site in Hungary in 2004-2005, harvested, milled, and analyzed for a range of phytochemicals (tocols, sterols, phenolic acids, folates, alkylresorcinols) and fiber components that are considered to have health benefits. Detailed analyses of these components in the different species are reported in a series of accompanying papers. The present paper discusses the comparative levels of the bioactive components in the different species, showing differences in both ranges and mean amounts. Furthermore, detailed comparisons of the bread wheat lines show that it is possible to identify lines in which high levels of phytochemicals and dietary fiber components are combined with good yield and processing quality. This means that commercially competitive lines with high levels of bioactive components are a realistic goal for plant breeders.     

Silicon pools and fluxes in soils and landscapes—a review

Silicon (Si) is the second‐most abundant element in the earth's crust. In the pedosphere, however, huge spans of Si contents occur mainly caused by Si redistribution in soil profiles and landscapes. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on the different pools and fluxes of Si in soils and terrestrial biogeosystems. Weathering and subsequent release of soluble Si may lead to (1) secondarily bound Si in newly formed Al silicates, (2) amorphous silica precipitation on surfaces of other minerals, (3) plant uptake, formation of phytogenic Si, and subsequent retranslocation to soils, (4) translocation within soil profiles and formation of new horizons, or (5) translocation out of soils (desilication). The research carried out hitherto focused on the participation of Si in weathering processes, especially in clay neoformation, buffering mechanisms for acids in soils or chemical denudation of landscapes. There are, however, only few investigations on the characteristics and controls of the low‐crystalline, almost pure silica compounds formed during pedogenesis. Further, there is strong demand to improve the knowledge of (micro)biological and rhizosphere processes contributing to Si mobilization, plant uptake, and formation of phytogenic Si in plants, and release due to microbial decomposition. The contribution of the biogenic Si sources to Si redistribution within soil profiles and desilication remains unknown concerning the pools, rates, processes, and driving forces. Comprehensive studies considering soil hydrological, chemical, and biological processes as well as their interactions at the scale of pedons and landscapes are necessary to make up and model the Si balance and to couple terrestrial processes with Si cycle of limnic, fluvial, or marine biogeosystems.     

Effect of fluazifop-p-butyl treatment on pigments and polyamines level within tissues of non-target maize plants

Fluazifop-p-butyl (FL) is one of the most popular graminicides from arylophenoxypropionate group. These herbicides act as inhibitors of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) that catalyzes the formation of malonyl-CoA during metabolism of lipids and/or of some secondary compounds. On the other hand arylopropionates and cyclohexanediones cause phytotoxic effects by stimulating free-radicals generation and causing oxidative stress in susceptible plants. However, the importance of disturbances in plant pigments and polyamines accumulation for this effect is not clear. The aim of this work is to quantify the phytotoxicity of FL to non target maize plant and to explain how photosynthetic pigments, anthocyanins (ANC) and polyamines participate in this interaction.     

Chemical composition of natural and polyphenol-free apple pomace and the effect of this dietary ingredient on intestinal fermentation and serum lipid parameters in rats

Unprocessed pomace containing 61% of dietary fiber (DF) and 0.23% of polyphenols (PP) and ethanol- or ethanol/acetone-extracted pomaces containing 66% DF and 0.10% PP and 67% DF and 0.01% PP, respectively, were subjected to a 4 week study in rats. The aim of the study was assessing the advantages of dietary supplementation with the above pomaces. To measure the animal response to dietary treatments, parameters describing cecal fermentation and lipoprotein profile were assessed. The dietary use of 5% unprocessed pomace caused an increase in cecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production and a decrease in blood triacylglycerols, leading to a drop in serum atherogenic index. Ethanol-extracted pomace increased the glycolytic activity of cecal microbiota and decreased cecal branched-chain fatty acid production, whereas acetone extraction led to lower cecal ammonia concentration, decreased colonic pH value, and higher HDL/total cholesterol ratio. The variations in the atherogenic index indicate flavonoids as the key pomace component in relation to blood lipid profile benefits.     

Chromosomal location of factors affecting content and composition of non-starch polysaccharides in wheat-rye addition lines

Summary Content of dietary fibre (DF) as well as content and composition of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) were evaluated in disomic wheat-rye addition lines and octoploid triticale compared to their parental species — wheat (Grana) and rye (Dakowskie Zote). Large variation in the contents of NSP and DF were observed in the wheat-rye addition lines, especially in the soluble fractions. The double addition of rye chromosomes led to important transgression effects on content and composition of DF in wheat grain. Chromosomes 2R and 5R increased SDF content above the rye level, whereas the 3RS arm decreased SDF content below the wheat level. The octoploid triticale demonstrated the highest content of total arabinoxylan (AX), exceeding that of rye, while the double addition of chromosomes 4R, 6R and 6RL had an impact on high expression, comparable to that of rye content of total AX in wheat grain. Chromosomes 2R and 5R notably increased the proportion of soluble non-cellulosic glucose in the NSP fraction, in contrast to the rest of wheat-rye addition lines, octoploid triticale, wheat and rye, where AX was found to be predominant among NSP constituents. The effects of single chromosome pairs on content and composition of NSP proved to be higher than the effect of the whole rye genome in octoploid triticale. The most remarkable effect, especially considering the direction of changes, was of a 3R chromosome short arm addition. The obtained data might be of interest in breeding rye or triticale with lower viscous AX content as well as rich in soluble non-starch glucose polymers, regarded as a corrective factor in modern diseases.Abbreviations AX arabinoxylan - CV coefficient of variation - DF dietary fibre - IDF insoluble dietary fibre - NSP non-starch polysaccharides - SDF soluble dietary fibre - TDF total dietary fibre - TFA trifluoroacetic acid     

Effect of Boiling in Water of Barley and Buckwheat Groats on the Antioxidant Properties and Dietary Fiber Composition

In recent years, there has been an ever-increasing interest in the research of polyphenols obtained from dietary sources, and their antioxidative properties. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of boiling buckwheat and barley groats on the antioxidant properties and dietary fiber composition. Antioxidative properties were investigated using methyl linoleate model system, by assessing the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity and metal chelating activity. The results were compared with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Raw barley and buckwheat groats extracts showed higher DPPH scavenging ability compared to boiled barley and buckwheat groats extracts. Raw barley groats extract exhibited higher antioxidant activity than boiled groats extract in the methyl linoleate emulsion. Higher chelating ability in relation to Fe (II) ions was observed for boiled groats extracts as compared to raw groats extracts. BHT showed small antiradical activity and metal chelating activity, while showing higher antioxidative activity in emulsion system. The analysis of groats extracts using HPLC method showed the presence of rutin, catechin, quercetin, gallic, p-hydroxybenzoic, p-coumaric, o-coumaric, vanillic, sinapic, and ferulic acids. Differences in the content of dietary fiber and its fractions were observed in the examined products. The highest total dietary fiber content was detected in boiled buckwheat groats, while the lowest - in boiled barley groats. The scientific achievements of this research could help consumers to choose those cereal products available on the market, such as barley and buckwheat groats, which are a rich source of antioxidative compounds and dietary fiber.     

Micromorphology, chemistry, and mineralogy of bog iron ores from Poland

The influence of different land use history on the chemistry, mineralogy, and micromorphology of bog iron ores was studied in the vicinity of Warsaw, Poland. At three Holocene terraces of the Vistula River, eight profiles were chosen, which represent three different types of bog iron ore: (i) continuous hard layers (meadow, fallow at Wilanow), (ii) horizons with small ore fragments (arable land at Northern Praga), and (iii) soft bog iron ore (exploitation area at Brwinow). Chemical analyses of all bog iron horizons show a high content of Fe_d (up to 51%) with a Fe_o/Fe_d ratio from 0.19 to 0.58, indicating a mixture of crystalline iron and amorphous iron compounds. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses confirm the presence of ferrihydrite and goethite. The micromorphology of the bog ore at Wilanow shows a porous (vugh and channel) microstructure. The groundmass consists mainly of fine iron hydroxides. Compound coatings of radial distributed goethite needles and isotropic (“amorphous”) iron hydroxides line the pores. In many cases, several coatings of isotropic iron hydroxides, differing in colour intensity, fill the pores. Ploughing and draining at Northern Praga changed the continuous bog iron ore into small fragments embedded into an aggregate structure. It comprises of amorphous as well as crystalline iron compounds (large number of coatings of radial fibrous goethite in pores and channels). In some cases, a single pore can contain several generations of crystalline goethite. The higher crystallinity of the iron oxides fits very well to the lower Fe_o/Fe_d ratios compared to Wilanow. The differences can be attributed to the drainage, subsequent lower groundwater level, and better aeration, respectively, at Northern Praga. No hard bog iron ore is present at Brwinow because of exploitation, sporadically fragments of hard bog ore may be encountered in the topsoil. However, soft bog ore is still developing in subsoils. It shows a vughs microstructure. Besides goethite, manganese impregnations on the crystalline forms of goethite, and isotropic iron compounds, its groundmass also contains vivianite as well as siderite. The latter can be attributed to a more reductive environment.     

Composition and end-use quality of 150 wheat lines selected for the HEALTHGRAIN Diversity Screen

The HEALTHGRAIN program is focused on developing new healthy food products based on wholegrains of wheat and other cereals, by combining enhanced nutritional quality with good agronomic performance and processing quality. A sample set comprising 130 winter and 20 spring wheat varieties was therefore selected to identify the range of variation in a number of phytochemical and dietary fiber components. These lines were also analyzed for their technological properties (protein and gluten contents, Zeleny sedimentation, bran yield, kernel hardness, etc.), using samples grown on adjacent sites for two successive seasons (2004-2005, 2005-2006). On the basis of the frequency distribution and principal component analysis it was concluded that significant variation for technological quality traits is present in the 150 wheat lines and that it is possible to combine enhanced nutritional quality with good agronomic performance and processing properties.     

Variation in the content of dietary fiber and components thereof in wheats in the HEALTHGRAIN Diversity Screen

Within the HEALTHGRAIN diversity screening program, the variation in the content of dietary fiber and components thereof in different types of wheat was studied. The wheat types were winter (131 varieties) and spring (20 varieties) wheats (both Triticum aestivum L., also referred to as common wheats), durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf., 10 varieties), spelt wheat (Triticum spelta L., 5 varieties), einkorn wheat (T. monococcum L., 5 varieties), and emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccum Schubler, 5 varieties). Common wheats contained, on average, the highest level of dietary fiber [11.5-18.3% of dry matter (dm)], whereas einkorn and emmer wheats contained the lowest level (7.2-12.8% of dm). Intermediate levels were measured in durum and spelt wheats (10.7-15.5% of dm). Also, on the basis of the arabinoxylan levels in bran, the different wheat types could be divided this way, with ranges of 12.7-22.1% of dm for common wheats, 6.1-14.4% of dm for einkorn and emmer wheats, and 10.9-13.9% of dm for durum and spelt wheats. On average, bran arabinoxylan made up ca. 29% of the total dietary fiber content of wheat. In contrast to what was the case for bran, the arabinoxylan levels in flour were comparable between the different types of wheat. For wheat, in general, they varied between 1.35 and 2.75% of dm. Einkorn, emmer, and durum wheats contained about half the level of mixed-linkage beta-glucan (0.25-0.45% of dm) present in winter, spring, and spelt wheats (0.50-0.95% of dm). All wheat types had Klason lignin, the levels of which varied from 1.40 to 3.25% of dm. The arabinoxylan contents in bran and the dietary fiber contents in wholemeal were inversely and positively related with bran yield, respectively. Aqueous wholemeal extract viscosity, a measure for the level of soluble dietary fiber, was determined to large extent by the level of water-extractable arabinoxylan. In conclusion, the present study revealed substantial variation in the contents of dietary fiber and constituents thereof between different wheat types and varieties.