Molecular Confirmation of the Position of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gossypium trifurcatum</Emphasis> Vollesen

Taxonomic understanding is a necessary prerequisite for intelligent germplasm maintenance and evaluation. Here, we use molecular evidence to address the generic position of the poorly known and morphologically unusual taxon Gossypium trifurcatum Vollesen. This species possesses dentate leaves, a feature not otherwise found in Gossypium L. but one that is common in Cienfuegosia Cav., a related genus in the small Malvaceous tribe Gossypieae. G. trifurcatum is a rare plant, restricted to deserts of Eastern Somalia and known from only two collections, the last in 1980. Using DNA extracted from an herbarium specimen, we amplified and sequenced the chloroplast gene ndhF. Phylogenetic analysis reveals G. trifurcatum to be cladistically nested within Gossypium. These data diagnose dentate leaves as an autapomorphy within a genetically diverse assemblage of African–Arabian species, which remain the least well-represented cottons in germplasm collections.     

Identification of the Major ACE-Inhibitory Peptides Produced by Enzymatic Hydrolysis of a Protein Concentrate from Cuttlefish Wastewater

The aim of this work was the purification and identification of the major angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of a protein concentrate recovered from a cuttlefish industrial manufacturing effluent. This process consisted on the ultrafiltration of cuttlefish softening wastewater, with a 10 kDa cut-off membrane, followed by the hydrolysis with alcalase of the retained fraction. Alcalase produced ACE inhibitors reaching the highest activity (IC₅₀ = 76.8 ± 15.2 μg mL⁻¹) after 8 h of proteolysis. Sequential ultrafiltration of the 8 h hydrolysate with molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) membranes of 10 and 1 kDa resulted in the increased activity of each permeate, with a final IC₅₀ value of 58.4 ± 4.6 μg mL⁻¹. Permeate containing peptides lower than 1 kDa was separated by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Four fractions (A–D) with potent ACE inhibitory activity were isolated and their main peptides identified using high performance liquid chromatography coupled to an electrospray ion trap Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance-mass spectrometer (HPLC-ESI-IT-FTICR) followed by comparison with databases and de novo sequencing. The amino acid sequences of the identified peptides contained at least one hydrophobic and/or a proline together with positively charged residues in at least one of the three C-terminal positions. The IC₅₀ values of the fractions ranged from 1.92 to 8.83 μg mL⁻¹, however this study fails to identify which of these peptides are ultimately responsible for the potent antihypertensive activity of these fractions.     

Compatibility with killer explains the rise of RNAi-deficient fungi

The RNA interference (RNAi) pathway is found in most eukaryotic lineages but curiously is absent in others, including that of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We show that reconstituting RNAi in S. cerevisiae causes loss of a beneficial double-stranded RNA virus known as killer virus. Incompatibility between RNAi and killer viruses extends to other fungal species in that RNAi is absent in all species known to possess double-stranded RNA killer viruses, whereas killer viruses are absent in closely related species that retained RNAi. Thus, the advantage imparted by acquiring and retaining killer viruses explains the persistence of RNAi-deficient species during fungal evolution.     

Stimulatory effect on pea of Typha Angustifolia L. extracts and their chemical composition

In this study, the influence of aqueous and organic extracts of different plant parts (flowers, leaves, and stems) of Typha angustifolia on the germination and early seedling growth of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) was evaluated. Chemical composition of extracts of different plant parts of Typha was also determined. Aqueous (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 g L^?1) and organic extracts (at 0.5, 1, and 2 mg mL^?1) were applied to the seeds of two pea cultivars, Douce de Provence and Lincoln, placed in Petri dishes. Application of extracts had a beneficial effect on germination and early seedling growth of both pea cultivars. However, aqueous extract of leaves showed the most beneficial effect at 60 and 40 g L^?1 for the cultivars Douce de Provence and Lincoln, respectively. The effect could be attributed to the allelochemicals present in the aqueous extracts. Petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of leaves had the most stimulating effect on the germination and early seedling growth of pea. Analysis of Typha extracts indicated the presence of vitamin E in leaves, which could be responsible forthis stimulation. Moreover, Typha leaves also had substantial amount of flavonoids. In conclusion, the allelopathic activity of of Typha was dependent on the plant part, the solvent nature, the concentration of the extracts tested, and on the pea cultivar. Application of leaf extract was the most effective in improving the germination rate and early seedling growth of pea.     

Hypocholesterolemic effects of phenolic extracts and purified hydroxytyrosol recovered from olive mill wastewater in rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet

In our previous studies, a phenolic-rich extract of olive mill wastewaters (OMW) was prepared under optimal conditions, using a continuous countercurrent extraction unit, and hydroxytyrosol was purified from the obtained OMW extract. The antioxidant activity of OMW extract and hydroxytyrosol was determined by a series of models in vitro. In this study, the hypocholesterolemic effects of hydroxytyrosol and OMW extract in rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet were tested. Wistar rats, fed a standard laboratory diet or a cholesterol-rich diet for 16 weeks, were used. Serum lipid levels, as well as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in liver were examined. Cholesterol-rich diet-induced hypercholesterolemia was manifested in the elevation of serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Administration of a low-dose (2.5 mg/kg of body weight) of hydroxytyrosol and a high-dose (10 mg/kg of body weight) of OMW extract significantly lowered the serum levels of TC and LDL-C while increasing the serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Furthermore, the TBARS contents in liver, heart, kidney, and aorta decreased significantly after oral administration of hydroxytyrosol and OMW extract as compared with those of rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet. In addition, OMW phenolics increased CAT and SOD activities in liver. These results suggested that the hypocholesterolemic effect of hydroxytyrosol and OMW extract might be due to their abilities to lower serum TC and LDL-C levels as well as slowing the lipid peroxidation process and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity.     

Chernozem—Soil of the Year 2005

The proclamation of the “Soil of the Year” was made for the first time in Germany in 2005 on occasion of the World Soil Day. Chernozems were selected for this purpose. In this paper an overview of these groups of soils is given. Chernozems are concentrated in the drought region of Central Germany. A standard profile from the core area of Chernozems developed from loess is presented with comprehensive laboratory analysis. Chernozems developed primarily upon carbonatic loess substrates under summer‐dry climatic conditions in an open park‐like landscape with isolated forest stands. The development of Chernozems began as early as the late glacial period, and they were fully developed by the Atlantikum age. The far‐reaching, uniformly thick humus horizons indicate substrate differences in the loess cover, which are partly the result of bioturbation. Within Germany, Chernozems and Chernozem‐like soils make up approx. 3% of the surface area and 5% (approx. 11,000 km²) of the arable land. The results of the Static Fertilization Experiment in Bad Lauchstädt, founded in 1902, clarify the high value of Chernozem for biomass production and the environment. Each loss due to erosion or decrease in surface area reduces the fulfillment of soil ecological functions of the soils and is comparable to a loss of animal and plant species. Therefore, soil scientists and the results of soil research must be more comprehensively implemented for soil preservation, protection, and politics. For acceptance of these goals among the general public and the political‐decision makers, the campaign “Soil of the Year” should give some thought‐provoking impulses.     

Limited enzymatic hydrolysis can improve the interfacial and foaming characteristics of beta-conglycinin

In this contribution, we have determined the effect of limited enzymatic hydrolysis on the interfacial (dynamics of adsorption and surface dilatational properties) and foaming (foam formation and stabilization) characteristics of a soy globulin (beta-conglycinin, fraction 7S). The degree of hydrolysis (DH = 0, 2, and 5%), the pH of the aqueous solution (pH = 5 and 7), and the protein concentration in solution (at 0.1, 0.5, and 1 wt %) were the variables studied. The temperature and the ionic strength were maintained constant at 20 degrees C and 0.05 M, respectively. The rate of adsorption and surface dilatational properties (surface dilatational modulus, E, and loss angle) of beta-conglycinin at the air-water interface depend on the pH and DH. The adsorption decreased drastically at pH 5.0, close to the isoelectric point of beta-conglycinin, because of the existence of a lag period and a low rate of diffusion. The interfacial characteristics of beta-conglycinin are much improved by enzymatic treatment, especially in the case of acidic aqueous solutions. Hydrolysates with a low DH have improved functional properties (mainly foaming capacity and foam stability), especially at pH values close to the isoelectric point (pI), because the protein is more difficult to convert into a film at fluid interfaces at pH approximately equal to pI.