Metabolic characterization of newly isolated Pseudomonas nitroreducens Jin1 growing on eugenol and isoeugenol

Newly isolated soil bacterium strain Jin1 was able to grow on both eugenol and isoeugenol each as sole source of carbon and energy. Based on bacterial 16S rDNA analysis, Jin1 belongs to Pseudomonas nitroreducens with a similarity of 98.92% (14/1297). P. nitroreducens Jin1 was found to biotransform eugenol and isoeugenol to vanillin by different pathways. Eugenol was biotransformed to vanillin through coniferyl alcohol and ferulic acid similarly to the pathway shown previously by Pseudomonassp. HR199 and vanillin produced from eugenol was rapidly metabolized to vanillic acid. Contrastively, Pseudomonas nitroreducens Jin1 did not appear to produce metabolic intermediates during the biotransformation of isoeugenol to vanillin which was finally biotransformed to vanillic acid with much slower rate. These results indicate that there seems to be different metabolic regulation systems for the biotransformation of eugenol and isoeugenol by this bacterium. Herein, we report on Pseudomonas nitroreducens Jin1, a novel bacterium that produces vanillin from eugenol and isoeugenol by two different metabolic pathways.     

Comparison of Quality‐Related Alleles Among Australian and North American Wheat Classes Exported to Japan

Grain hardness, amylose content, and glutenin subunit composition are critical determinants for end‐use properties of wheat. To improve the end‐use properties of domestic wheats, we studied these traits between the Australian and North American wheat classes exported to Japan in 2009 and 2011 by analyzing the corresponding alleles. Most hard classes had Pina‐D1b or Pinb‐D1b. A partial waxy allele (Wx‐B1b) was found in all Australian Standard White (ASW) seeds in 2009 and two‐thirds of ASW seeds in 2011. All or most American hard wheat seeds had Glu‐D1d. Most U.S. Western White (WW) seeds had a null allele (Glu‐A1c) or alleles that lacked one of the two Glu‐B1 subunits. Most hard red winter (HRW) seeds had Glu‐B3b or Glu‐B3g. Quality characteristics of these classes seemed to be consistent with these results. In addition, we also found new Glu‐1 and Glu‐3 alleles in HRW and WW. These results suggested that although there are variations in its allelic composition from year to year, each class has unique quality‐related alleles corresponding to its end use. We proposed two matrices for classification of starch properties on the basis of Pin and Wx allelic combinations and for classification of gluten strength on the basis of glutenin allelic combinations.     

Effects of radiation from P32 on development of rice seedlings

Since the discovery of radioactivity, its effects upon living organisms have attracted many people's interest and attention, and paticularly, since the appearance of the atomic bomb, it has raised very important problems in various fields¹). In connection with this, radioactive isotopes have been found to be very useful and important tools for investigation and research in the fields of Biology and Agriculture.     

Oxidative dimers produced from protocatechuic and gallic esters in the DPPH radical scavenging reaction

DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging reactions of protocatechuic and gallic acids, and their methyl esters, have been investigated by NMR. In acetone, methyl protocatechuate was gradually converted to a Diels-Alder adduct of two molecules of the intermediate quinone in the reaction with DPPH radical, whereas methyl gallate rapidly gave a symmetrical dimer via a putative quinone precursor. Both dimers are rather unstable and their structures have been deduced by in situ NMR measurements of the reaction mixtures. Gallic acid also gave a corresponding symmetrical dimer in the same reaction as methyl gallate, although protocatechuquinone produced from protocatechuic acid did not yield a Diels-Alder adduct, unlike its methyl ester. Interestingly, these dimer formations were not observed in methanol solution.     

A phylogeographic study of the Japanese earthworm,Metaphire sieboldi (Horst, 1883) (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae): Inferences from mitochondrial DNA sequences

To clarify the historical phylogeography of a Japanese earthworm, nucleotide sequence variations of Metaphaire sieboldi were investigated with respect to its geographic distribution. Sequencing of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), including the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) region and the 16S rDNA region, of 72 samples including 4 outgroup taxa, and phylogenetic analyses using neighbour-joining (NJ) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods indicated that M. sieboldi forms a monophyletic group. This monophyletic group was divided into seven subgroups; most subgroups comprised individuals from several areas, except for southern Shikoku and southern Kyushu. The phylogenetic tree demonstrated that the Shikoku and Kinki populations were paraphyletic at the basal node, and individuals from Kyushu and western Shikoku were positioned at the advanced group. Estimated phylogeographic events based on mtDNA analyses include (1) M. sieboldi originated in Shikoku and/or Kinki, (2) individuals from Chugoku and Kyushu have a common ancestor from Shikoku, and (3) individuals from western Shikoku originated from Kyushu progenitors (about 0.4–0.5 mya) after separation by rising sea levels.     

Thermal behavior of beta-1 subunits in lignin: pyrolysis of 1,2-diarylpropane-1,3-diol-type lignin model compounds

1,2-Diarylpropane-1,3-diol-type lignin model compounds, 1,2-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-diol (1) and 1-(3,4-diethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-diol (2), were pyrolyzed at 500 degrees C for 4 s to clarify the thermal behavior of beta-1 subunits in lignin. Products were monitored by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The cleavage of the Calpha-Cbeta bond to produce benzaldehydes such as 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (9) and phenylethanals as the counterparts such as 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylethanal (10) occurred in pyrolyses of both 1 and 2. In pyrolysis of 1, an oxetane pathway leading to the formation of Z/E-stilbenes without the gamma-CH2OH group such as Z/E-4,4'-dihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxystilbene (3) was predominant. In pyrolysis of 2, the oxetane pathway was minor, while pathways producing a dimer with a =CgammaH2 group by loss of water and a dimer with an alpha-carbonyl group were predominant. Pyrolysis of Japanese cedar wood provided 3 and 10 in approximately 0.8% and 0.6% yields, respectively, based on the Klason lignin content, while pyrolysis of a guaiacyl bulk dehydrogenation polymer gave them in a very small amount.     

Stepwise extraction of proteins and carbohydrates from soybean seed

The stepwise hot water extraction of soybeans, which were extractions in a series of procedures of whole soybean seeds, dehulled and sliced ones, and pressed ones carried out by autoclaving, was investigated to study the localization in the seed and their characteristics. The characteristics of each extraction were studied by HPLC, SDS-PAGE, components analysis, microscopic observation, and effect for some enzymes. Carbohydrates were easier to extract than protein. In the extractions, the ratio of uronic acid per total sugar was constantly about 0.3. A comparison of these extracts, soybean milk, extraction from defatted soybean meal, and soybean milk residues was also carried out, and the characteristics and the localization were investigated. Mid-sized proteins in soybean milk were easy to extract. However, hardly any high molecular weight proteins or high molecular weight carbohydrates were extracted. The proteins and carbohydrates were considered to be localized in the middle lamella and in the protein and/or oil bodies of the cell, and the proteins and carbohydrates were gradually extracted through seed and cell breaking. Gelation was observed only in the boiled extracts from whole seeds. Pepsin and trypsin digests of the high molecular weight protein had inhibitory activity against the angiotensin I converting enzyme.     

Evaluation of fresh pasta-making properties of extra-strong common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The relationship between characterictics of flour of common wheat varieties and fresh pasta-making qualitites was examined, and the fresh pasta-making properties of extra-strong varieties that have extra-strong dough were evaluated. There was a positive correlation between mixing time (PT) and hardness of boiled pasta, indicating that the hardness of boiled pasta was affected by dough properties. Boiled pasta made from extra-strong varieties, Yumechikara, Hokkai 262 and Hokkai 259, was harder than that from other varieties and commercial flour. There was a negative correlation between flour protein content and brightness of boiled pasta. The colors of boiled pasta made from Yumechikara and Hokkai 262 grown under the condition of standard manuring culture were superior to those of boiled pasta made from other varieties. Discoloration of boiled pasta made from Yumechikara grown under the condition of heavy manuring culture was caused by increase of flour protein content. On the other hand, discoloration of boiled pasta made from Hokkai 262 grown under the condition of heavy manuring culture was less than that of boiled pasta made from Yumechikara. These results indicate that pasta made from extra-strong wheat varieties has good hardness and that Hokkai 262 has extraordinary fresh pasta-making properties.     

Synthesis and herbicidal activity of optically active cinmethylin,its enantiomer,and C3-substituted cinmethylin analogs

We investigated the synthesis and herbicidal activity of optically active cinmethylin, its enantiomer, and C3-substituted cinmethylin analogs. Optically active cinmethylin could be obtained in seven steps with the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation of α-terpinene. The synthesized cinmethylin and its enantiomer showed similar herbicidal activity, which was independent of the stereochemistry. Next, we synthesized cinmethylin analogs with various substituents at the C3 position. We found that analogs with methylene, oxime, ketone, or methyl groups at the C3 position show excellent herbicidal activity.     

Development of spermatogenic function in the sex maturation process in male cats

The spermatogenic function and plasma testosterone (T) level in the sex maturation process were investigated as to 180 mixed breed cats ranging from 4 months to 2 years in age to be castrated. Testis/epididymis weights reached a peak at 10 and 8 to 9 months of age, respectively. In the testis, sperm appeared at 5 months of age. At 7 months of age, sperm were observed in 96.2% of the cats. In the tail of the epididymis, sperm appeared in 46.9% of the cats at 6 months of age and in all cats at 8 or more months of age. Furthermore, the mean plasma T level rapidly increased at 8 months of age, and reached a peak (2.64 +/- 0.68 (SE) ng/ml) at 10 months of age. Three of 180 cats (1.67%) had unilateral cryptorchidism. These results suggest that the spermatogenic function in male cats becomes mature at 8 to 10 months of age.