Potential angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitory peptides from gluten hydrolysate: Biochemical characterization and molecular docking study

The present study was carried out to characterize ACE inhibitory peptides which are released from the trypsin hydrolysate of wheat gluten protein. In silico proteolitic digestion of a high molecular weight glutenin subunit was performed. Among the resultant fragments, four peptides were selected for chemical synthesis based on the chemoinformatics studies and docking properties. The ACE inhibitory activity and kinetic parameters of the most important peptides were determined. Molecular docking simulation was also performed to predict the sites on ACE in which these peptides bind and displayed inhibition mechanisms. Two peptide sequences of IPALLKR (P4) and AQQLAAQLPAMCR (P6) showed higher ACE inhibitory activity among peptide collection. The IC₅₀ values of P6 and P4 were 43 ± 1.3 μM and 68 ± 2.8 μM, respectively. P6 peptide was proved to be a more potent ACE inhibitor than P4 peptide. Lineweaver-Burk plots revealed that P6 and P4 behaved as non-competitive and competitive ACE inhibitors, respectively. The simulations showed that P4 bound to the active site region. Conversely, P6 bound to the N-terminus entrance of substrate tunnel and obstructed the substrate access into the catalytic site. Overall, the results showed that these peptides would be considered as a model for discovering new bio-compatible ACE inhibitors.     

Comparison of steady- and unsteady-state drainage equations for determination of subsurface drain spacing in paddy fields: a case study in Northern Iran

In Northern Iran paddy fields, waterlogging is a serious problem. Provision of subsurface drainage seems to be a prerequisite for optimal crop production. Considering specific characteristics of the paddies, application of a suitable equation for planning of subsurface drainage systems is of great importance. In this study, five steady-state equations including Hooghoudt, Kirkham, Dagan, Ernst, and Ernst–Hooghoudt; and three unsteady-state equations including Glover–Dumm, Van-Shilfgard, and De-zeeuw–Hellinga were implemented to compute drain spacing. Required field data were obtained from 52 ha of paddy fields of “Haraz Human-Agriculture Resources Development Center,” located in Mazandaran province of Iran. The computed drain spacings were evaluated using dynamic equilibrium concept and DRAINMOD model. The minimum and maximum drain spacings were found to be 26 and 63 m corresponding to Glover–Dumm and Ernst equations, respectively. Based on the dynamic equilibrium concept, the averages of the computed water table depths for the drain spacings obtained by the unsteady-state equations were 0.5–0.63 m as compared with those obtained by the steady-state methods which were in the range of 0–0.43 m. According to the DRAINMOD model simulations, the maximum relative yield was 80.2 % which was obtained when the drain spacing was 26 m and it reduced to 73.5 % when the drain spacing was increased to 63 m. The computed drain spacings suggested by the unsteady-state equations were found to be more suitable than those obtained from the steady-state equations for the study area.     

Electrically conductive paper of polyaniline modified pineapple leaf fiber

This research work reports new electrically conductive paper made of pineapple leaf fiber and polyaniline (PALF/PANI). The conductive paper shows remarkable preservation of mechanical properties while achieving its conductive state. Also it was found that, the amount of PANI needed to achieve the conductivity transformation is as low as 5 wt.%.     

Trait phenotyping and molecular marker characterization of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) germplasm from Western Himalayas

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of the principal cereal crops grown in Western-Himalayas of India. A set of 105 barley genotypes including 38...     

Soil Salinization in Some Irrigated Areas of the Kingdom of Bahrain

Monitoring and assessment of agricultural land degradation is of vital importance for better land and water management planning and reclamation. It requires setting baseline information and basic analysis at specific time and space. About 33 geo-referenced soil sampling spots were selected in two agricultural production locations in the Kingdom of Bahrain to assess the status and preliminary causes of land degradation. Soil samples were taken from 13 sites in Diraz location while 19 samples were taken from Budayyi location. The samples were taken to 90 cm depth at 30 cm intervals. Standard procedures were followed to determine soil physiochemical properties. In addition, field observations on farm condition, distance from the sea, method of irrigation and irrigation water source were taken. Some of the soil samples were deliberately taken from outside the irrigated basins among trees compared with samples taken from inside the actively growing area for comparison. The results indicated that the salinity level was significantly （P 〈 0.001） higher at the 0-30 cm soil depth compared with 30-60 cm or 60-90 cm depths in both locations. The distance from the sea did not show clear correlation with surface soil salinity in Budayyi area compared with Diraz. Both locations showed significantly higher salinity levels on samples taken outside the actively growing areas compared with those taken from within. The effect is more prominent at the 0-30 cm depth. The observed variability on salinity levels may be attributed to farm management practices and deteriorating quality of ground water. Thus, agricultural land degradation in Bahrain cannot be attributed to ground water deterioration alone. The use of tertiary treated sewage water （TSE） may ease the pressure on ground water, but the pH of the TSE should be carefully monitored and managed with proper studies on leaching requirements to avoid further salinity complications.     

Using translational research to enhance farmers’ voice: a case study of the potential introduction of GM cassava in Kenya’s coast

Genetically modified (GM) cassava is currently being developed to address problems of diseases that threaten the food security of farmers in developing countries. The technologies are aimed at smallholder farmers, in hopes of reducing the vulnerability of cassava production to these diseases. In this paper we examine barriers to farmers’ voice in the development of GM cassava. We also examine the role of a translational research process to enhance farmers’ voice, to understand the sources of vulnerability farmers in a group in Kenya’s Coast face, and to determine if their concerns are consistent with those of the scientists in agriculture addressing farmers’ needs. A two-way communication participatory process provided insights into the complex vulnerability context of farmers, their primary concerns with processing and markets of cassava in order to improve livelihoods, the lack of networks with two way communication flows, and the lack of information on GM technologies. The translational research engaged farmers and scientists in an iterative process where scientists are learning what farmers need, and farmers are learning about the potential benefits and risks from GM technologies, while at the same time expressing their concerns.     

Interactive Effect of Sulphur and Nitrogen on the Oil and Protein Contents and on the Fatty Acid Profiles of Oil in the Seeds of Rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.) and Mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern. and Coss.)

In long-term field experiments on loamy sand and sandy loam, legumes (pea and lupine) stimulated microbial activity in the rhizosphere more than cereals (winter rye, winter wheat and spring barley), maize and oil flax. In the rhizosphere of winter wheat and maize, microbial activity and the bacteria species Pseudomonas , Agrobacterium and Xanthomonas were more stimulated by organic manuring than by mineral fertilization. A positive correlation between the stimulated bacteria species and the growth of young plants was found. Various mineral nitrogen applications had no influence on the rhizosphere microflora. The leghemoglobin content of pea nodules – an indicator of nitrogen fixation activity – was reduced by high nitrogen application in crop rotation.     

Post mortem studies on infertile buffalo bulls: anatomical and microbiological findings

Twenty-two buffalo bulls suffering from three different types of infertility were slaughtered and used for this study. Except for the reproductive system, no signs of localised or generalised disease were observed. Microbiological investigations were negative for brucellosis, vibriosis, mycoplasma and other non-specific microorganisms. Nine bulls with type 1 infertility had low bodyweights and underdevelopment of testes, accessory sex glands and endocrine glands. This picture suggests a total dysfunction of the pituitary-growth-gonadal axis. One bull of this type also showed bilateral epididymitis. Four out of 11 bulls with type 2 infertility had low bodyweights and most suffered from underdevelopment of testes, accessory sex glands and endocrine glands. Six bulls of this type had lesions of either epididymitis or orchitis or both. Two of these animals showed adhesions of periorchitis. One also showed seminal vesiculitis. In two bulls with type 3 infertility, bodyweights, reproductive organs and endocrine glands were normal. In later life, they yielded poor quality semen. Semen samples collected a few months before slaughter from nine bulls with type 2 and type 3 infertility were of poor quality and had higher percentages of abnormal spermatozoa in most cases.     

Androgenetic response of heterozygous triticale populations using a greenhouse hydroponic system

Production of haploids, followed by chromosome doubling to produce doubled haploids (DH) represents the most rapid means of achieving complete inbreeding. In order to improve the androgenetic responses and maximize the production of green regenerants from selected plants of twenty-five triticale (× Triticosecale, Wittmack) populations (BC₁F₁, TC₁F₁, and F₂) we used a uniform and optimal growth environment for anther donor plants within a greenhouse hydroponic system. Non-orthogonal analysis of deviance showed highly significant differences (p < 0.001) among populations for both induction and regeneration. The overall induction response of the populations was very high with a mean of 50.4 embryoids per 100 anthers plated. Among all tested-populations, M86-6068/TW179//EP80 (TC₁F₁) was the most responsive for both induction and regeneration which could be associated to its Triticum timopheevii cytoplasm. On the other hand, although populations 80465/II83-194 both as BC₁F₁ and F₂ had a high level of induction response, only a few green plants were regenerated. These populations probably possess a partial Secale montanum genome, which could be contributing to the low regeneration ability. In conclusion, the need for optimization of donor plant growth conditions to effectively assess the androgenetic ability of individual populations/lines would be emphasized. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Radiation-Induced Nullisomy in Hordeum vulgare L.

A plant with drastically reduced vigour was observed in a population of diploid barley (Hordeum vulgare) raised from seeds exposed to gamma radiation. Cytological studies revealed that the plant was nullisomic with 2n = 12. At meiosis, regular formation of 6 bivalents was observed. The plant was totally sterile and produced neither stainable pollen nor seed.