Evaluation of basal media for micropropagation of four highbush blueberry cultivars

Murashige and Skoog medium (MS), woody plant medium (WPM), and a mixture of equal parts of MS and WPM (MW) were compared for in vitro shoot proliferation and rooting of four highbush blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) cultivars. During the multiplication stage, the shoots on WPM showed worse growth than the other shoots. The MW produced the best shoot growth. The shoots on MS grew well but tended toward hyperhydricity in the multiplication stage, especially in the case of ‘Bluecrop’ shoots. Rooting was worst in the shoots multiplied on WPM, while the best rooting percentage of ‘Bluecrop’ shoots was obtained on MS, and that of ‘O’Neal’ on MW. The rooted shoots developed a good root system and were easily acclimatized after potting.     

Influence of B-ring hydroxylation on interactions of flavonols with bovine serum albumin

The B-ring substitution pattern of flavonols is a significant structural feature for their function as free radical scavengers and antioxidants. In this paper, four differently substituted B-ring hydroxylation flavonols (galangin, kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin) and a flavonol glycoside (quercitrin) were studied for their ability to bind BSA by quenching the protein intrinsic fluorescence. From the spectra obtained, the biomolecular quenching constants, the apparent static binding constants, and the binding site values were calculated. The B-ring hydroxylation of flavonols significantly affected the binding/quenching process; in general, the binding affinity increased with the number of hydroxyl groups on the B-ring. The binding constants ( Ka) were determined as myricetin (4.90 x 10(8) L/mol) > quercetin (3.65 x 10(7) L/mol) > kaempferol (2.57 x 10(6) L/mol) > galangin (6.43 x 10(5) L/mol). The glycoside substitute at the C-ring position decreased the binding affinity. The chromatographic retention factor ( K') and logarithms of apparent partition coefficient (log Kow) were linear to the logarithms of apparent binding constants (log Ka) for flavonols with increasing hydroxyl groups on the B-ring. These results showed that the hydrogen bond force play an important role in binding flavonols to BSA. These results are also in agreement with the generally accepted structure-dependent free radical scavenger and antioxidant abilities of flavonols.     

The influence of fig proteases on the inhibition of angiotensin I‐converting and GABA formation in meat

The purposes of this research were to use fig protease for texture tenderizing, and to inhibit angiotensin I‐converting enzyme (ACE) action and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) formation of meat. Liberated peptides by the enzymatic action of fig protease in processing meat and free amino acids were determined and ACE inhibitory activity was assayed. Meat treated with fig protease became tender as indicated by shear force value (SFV) which was half of those of non‐fig treated meat during storage even at 5°C. Liberated peptides, free amino acids and GABA increased while extremely low levels of Glu were detected after storage. The optimal temperature of fig protease against meat was 80°C. However, the activity of fig protease decreased after pre‐heating more than 40°C. High ACE inhibitory activity of a mixture of fig and meat was found around 80°C, and the value corresponded to the amount of liberated peptide. A lot of liberated peptides were found at 60–80°C and pasterization of meat product becomes convenient to produce peptides. Production of ACE inhibitory peptides and GABA can be expected as the healthy functional meat product such as antihypertensive activity and improve brain function.     

Genetic dissection of black grain rice by the development of a near isogenic line

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) can produce black grains as well as white. In black rice, the pericarp of the grain accumulates anthocyanin, which has antioxidant activity and is beneficial to human health. We developed a black rice introgression line in the genetic background of Oryza sativa L. ‘Koshihikari’, which is a leading variety in Japan. We used Oryza sativa L. ‘Hong Xie Nuo’ as the donor parent and backcrossed with ‘Koshihikari’ four times, resulting in a near isogenic line (NIL) for black grains. A whole genome survey of the introgression line using DNA markers suggested that three regions, on chromosomes 1, 3 and 4 are associated with black pigmentation. The locus on chromosome 3 has not been identified previously. A mapping analysis with 546 F₂ plants derived from a cross between the black rice NIL and ‘Koshihikari’ was evaluated. The results indicated that all three loci are essential for black pigmentation. We named these loci Kala1, Kala3 and Kala4. The black rice NIL was evaluated for eating quality and general agronomic traits. The eating quality was greatly superior to that of ‘Okunomurasaki’, an existing black rice variety. The isogenicity of the black rice NIL to ‘Koshihikari’ was very high.     

RAPD variation in wild, weedy and cultivated azuki beans in Asia

RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) variation was assessed in 42 accessions of azuki bean (Vigna angularis) including wild, weedy and cultivated races and in three accessions of two related species used as outgroups. A much lower level of genetic variation was observed in cultivated and weedy azuki beans compared to wild azuki bean. Wild azuki bean (V. angularis var. nipponensis) has relatively high genetic variation in subtropical highlands of Asia compared to the Far East. Although cultivated azuki bean has low RAPD variation, accessions from subtropical highlands and Southeast Asia showed different RAPD features compared to those of the Far East. It is hypothesized that the cultivated azuki bean has been derived from wild azuki bean in the Far East; the high variation in wild azuki bean has been created through its natural dissemination; and the relatively low variation in cultivated azuki bean has come about through human dissemination after genetic bottleneck reduced by domestication. In addition, high genetic diversity in wild azuki bean in subtropical highlands of Asia is regarded as an important genetic resource in azuki improvement.     

Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Fowl Adenovirus and Avian Reovirus from Breeder Chickens in Japan in 2019–2021

Fowl adenoviruses (FAdVs) and avian reoviruses (ARVs) are ubiquitous in poultry farms and most of them are not pathogenic, yet often cause damage to chicks. A total of 104 chicken fecal samples were collected from 7 farms of breeder chickens (layers and broilers) in Japan from 2019 to 2021, and yielded 26 FAdV plus 14 ARV isolates. By sequencing, FAdV isolates were classified as FAdV-1, 5 and 8b. ARV isolates were classified as genotype II, IV and V. These results suggest that FAdVs and ARVs are resident in the breeder chicken farms in Japan.     

Purification and characterization of lipovitellin from Pacific saury Cololabis saira

ABSTRACT:   Lipovitellin (Lv), the major yolk protein derived from vitellogenin (Vg), was purified from vitellogenic ovaries of Pacific saury Cololabis saira using hydroxylapatite column chromatography followed by gel filtration. The apparent native mass of purified Lv was approximately 420 kDa, while the tertiary structure of Lv revealed by sodium dodecylsulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was typical of teleost Lvs, consisting of a heavy chain (∼99 kDa) and a light chain (∼34 kDa). Western blot analysis using rabbit antiserum raised against Pacific saury Lv revealed a specific reaction with a polypeptide (∼194 kDa) that is present in serum from female Pacific saury but not in male serum, suggesting the approximately 194-kDa polypeptide to be the Vg monomer. This study describes the first step toward the development of specific immunoassays for Pacific saury Vg, which will be an effective tool for monitoring the reproductive development of this species.     

Synergistic effects of quaternary ammonium compounds and food additive grade calcium hydroxide on microbicidal activities at low temperatures

The microbicidal activities of mixtures of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) and food additive grade calcium hydroxide (FdCa(OH)₂) were evaluated in a suspension test at −20°C using an anti-freeze agent (AFA) containing methanol, or at 1°C, with varying contact time, toward avian influenza virus (AIV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), fowl adenovirus (FAdV), avian reovirus (ARV), Salmonella Infantis (SI) and Escherichia coli (EC). At −20°C, the mixtures could inactivate AIV and NDV within 30 min, FAdV and ARV within 5 sec, and SI and EC within 3 min, respectively. AFA did not inactivate viruses and bacteria within 30 min and 10 min, respectively. At 1°C, the mixtures inactivated FAdV and ARV within 30 sec, AIV within 10 min, and NDV within 30 min. A mixture of slaked lime (SL) and QAC could inactivate FAdV and ARV within 30 sec, but could not inactivate AIV and NDV even after 60 min at 1°C. SL could not substitute FdCa(OH)₂ in order to exert the synergistic effects with QAC. Thus, QACs microbicidal activities were maintained or enhanced by adding FdCa(OH)₂. It is hence recommended to use QACs with FdCa(OH)₂, especially in the winter season.