Carbohydrate and amino acid composition of dissolved organic matter leached from soil

Low molecular weight organic substances (LMWOS) in soil and soil solution include mainly amino acids, carboxylic acids, and carbohydrates. Due to their high bioavailability they play a crucial role in the cycles of C and nutrients in soils. The variety of soil processes that involve LMWOS requires identifying their composition to elucidate reactions and transformations. In most studies, LMWOS are extracted under artificial conditions, e.g. batch experiments, which may overestimate the actual concentrations. This study measures the composition of carbohydrates and amino acids in solution of a Haplic Luvisol leached in a column experiment. A combined system for simultaneous leaching and blowout of CO₂ was used to estimate LMWOS decomposition. ¹⁴C-labeled glucose was added as a highly sensitive tracer to control the efficiency of the LMWOS extraction by leaching and to estimate LMWOS decomposition during leaching. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), optimized for soil extracts, was used to analyze LMWOS composition. For HPLC optimization, different preparations of leached solutions (filtration vs. centrifugation, and drying vs. no-drying) were compared. For sugar determination, drying had no influence on the solution concentrations. In contrast, amino acid concentrations significantly decreased by drying LMWOS eluted substances. Combining the HPLC identification of eluted substances with ¹⁴C tracer application revealed that about 5% of the glucose could be leached unchanged within 786 min (13.1 h), whereas about 84% remained in the soil, 9% were decomposed to CO₂, and 2% were transformed to other LMWOS and recovered in the soil solution. The total amino acid concentration (TAC) in soil solution was about 8.2 μmol l⁻¹, dominated by alanine (14.4% of TAC), glycine (13.4%), glutamic acid (9.9%), serine (9.4%), and leucine (9.3%). The total carbohydrate concentration was about 2.4 μM, dominated by glucose (29.9%), glucuronic acid (26.8%), and galacturonic acid (17.3%). Ratios of hexoses to pentoses, amino sugars glucosamine to galactosamine, and neutral sugars to uronic acids were determined. All three parameters pointed to the dominant influence of plants as the source of LMWOS in the leached soil solution. Within the small contribution of microorganisms, bacteria dominated over fungi. These used biomarker ratios as well as LMWOS concentrations differed widely from the ones obtained with conventional batch extraction. More research is necessary to evaluate the application of these biomarkers to soil solutions.     

Polysaccharides and monosaccharides in the hyphosphere of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus E3 and Glomus tenue

 Plants colonised with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus E3 and Glomus tenue were grown in microcosms that permitted separation into root:hyphae and hyphae compartments. Hydrolysed polysaccharides from the hyphae and water-soluble sugars released into the hyphosphere were assayed using chromatography. Total sugars and most monosaccharides were elevated in the hyphosphere of Glomus E3 but not in the hyphosphere of G. tenue. Differences in the levels of sugars did not depend on hyphal surface area. It is suggested the diversity in sugars produced in the hyphosphere of AMF may drive some of the spatial and temporal variation in microbial diversity and function in soils.     

Changes in oil,sugars and nitrogenous components during germination of sunflower seeds,Helianthus annuus

Since germination has been found to improve the nutritional quality of grains, sunflower seeds Helianthus annuus were germinated for up to five days, and the cotyledons were analyzed for oil, sugar, free amino acid, non-protein nitrogen, lysine, tryptophan and methionine contents. Protein was fractionated. Soaking and germination increased the non-protein nitrogen, total free amino acid, lysine and tryptophan contents. Protein content and dry weight decreased. The oil content decreased significantly after 72 hours of germination. The reducing sugars increased gradually until day five of germination.The saline soluble albumin and globulin fractions decreased while the glutelin content increased during germination. No changes were noticed in the prolamin and methionine contents.     

糖类对苜蓿叶蛋白中SOD的冻干保护作用

研究海藻糖(0.1%,0.2%,0.3%)、蔗糖(0.1%,0.2%,0.3%)、乳糖(0.1%,0.2%,0.3%)和蔗糖+乳糖(0.1%+0.2%,0.15%+0.15%,0.2%+0.1%)对苜蓿叶蛋白中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性的影响及苜蓿(Medicago sativaL.)叶蛋白的化学成分,探讨适合的冻干保护剂。结果表明:糖类冻干保护剂在一定浓度范围内对苜蓿叶蛋白中SOD活性具有保护作用,其中海藻糖处理(0.1%、0.2%和0.3%)、0.1%和0.2%乳糖处理、混合糖处理SOD活性保存率均显著高于对照(P<0.05),其中0.3%海藻糖处理和1:1比例的蔗糖和乳糖组合处理保护效果最好;0.3%蔗糖和0.3%乳糖处理对SOD未起到保护作用。苜蓿叶蛋白中富含蛋白质,而且各种氨基酸种类齐全,组成比例较为平衡,其中赖氨酸含量比较丰富。     

The effect of various nitrogen fertilization and foliar nutrition regimes on the concentrations of sugars,carotenoids and phenolic compounds in carrot (Daucus carota L.)

The aim of this research was to determine the influence of various forms, diverse doses, and dates of application of nitrogen fertilizers and foliar nutrition on the concentration of sugars, carotenoids and phenolics compound in carrot. Two field experiments (Experiment I in 2003–2005 and Experiment II in 2004–2005) with carrot ‘Kazan F₁’ were conducted in Trzciana (50°06′N; 21°85′E) in Poland. Both experiments were arranged in a split-plot design with four replications. Two sub-blocks were identified in both experiments: sub-block (A) without foliar nutrition and sub-block (B) with plant foliar nutrition. In sub-block (B), plants were sprayed three-times with: 2% (w/v) urea, a 1% (v/v) solution of multi-component ‘Supervit R’ fertilizer, and again with 2% (w/v) urea. Combinations with diversified nitrogen fertilization were distinguished within both sub-blocks. The treatments in Experiment I consisted of: (1) Control, (2) 70 kg N ha⁻¹ as Ca(NO₃)₂, (3) 70 + 70 kg N ha⁻¹ as Ca(NO₃)₂, (4) 70 kg N ha⁻¹ as (NH₄)₂SO₄ and (5) 70 + 70 kg N ha⁻¹ as (NH₄)₂SO₄, where 70 kg N ha⁻¹ was used preplant and 70 + 70 kg N ha⁻¹ was applied preplant and as a top dressing, respectively. The treatments in Experiment II consisted of: (1) Control, (2) 35 + 35 kg N ha⁻¹ as ENTEC-26, (3) 70 + 70 kg N ha⁻¹ as ENTEC-26, (4) 105 + 105 kg N ha⁻¹ as ENTEC-26, (5) 35 + 35 kg N ha⁻¹ as NH₄NO₃, (6) 70 + 70 kg N ha⁻¹ as NH₄NO₃, (7) 105 + 105 kg N ha⁻¹ as NH₄NO₃, where 35 + 35, 70 + 70, 105 + 105 kg N ha⁻¹ was applied preplant and as top dressing, respectively. Solid nitrogen fertilizer was added to the soil, as produced: Ca(NO₃)₂—Yara International ASA (Hydro), (NH₄)₂SO₄—Zak?ady Azotowe w Tarnowie, Poland, NH₄NO₃—Zak?ady Azotowe w Pu?awach, Poland and ENTEC-26–COMPO GmbH & Co., KG, Germany. In Experiment I, the highest sugar concentrations were found in carrot fertilized with (NH₄)₂SO₄ 70, while in Experiment II in the control and after fertilization with ENTEC-26 35 + 35 kg N ha⁻¹. In both experiments N-fertilization affected an increase in phenolic compound concentrations in comparison with the control. Experiment I revealed no significant effect of N-fertilization on carotenoid concentrations in carrot, however in Experiment II the highest concentration of these compounds was characteristic for the control plants and carrot fertilized with ENTEC-26 35 + 35. The foliar nutrition applied in Experiment I caused a decline in sugar concentration and an elevated carotenoid concentration, however it had no influence on the phenolic compound concentrations in carrot. Yet the foliar nutrition in Experiment II led to a decrease in phenolic and carotenoid compound concentrations, but it did not affect sugar concentration in carrot.     

不同时期甘蔗叶片生化指标与蔗茎糖分的相关及因子分析

不同无性系叶转化酶及糖有显著差异,且呈明显的季节性变化。叶转化酶活性前期较低,生长盛期升高,成熟期下降;叶糖含量前期较低,生长盛期上升,成熟期最高。相关分析表明成熟期的叶片转化酶活性与蔗茎田间锤度及蔗糖分有显著的负相关,叶片转化酶活性高不利于茎糖分积累。因子分析表明成熟期转化酶活性高是低糖无性系的重要特征,而生长盛期转化酶活性高,代谢旺盛的无性系不一定低糖。原始及标准化数据的回归分析显示转化酶对蔗茎糖分有较大的负作用,是重要的生化指标。     

王百合雄性不育突变体无性系花蕾花药的生化分析

对王百合及其雄性不育突变体无性系“白天使”金王二号‘花蕾和花药的游离氨基酸、糖、蛋白质含量，POD及CAT酶活性，POD酶谱进行了比较研究。结果表明：从花粉母细胞初期、减数分裂中期I至四分体-单核期，两不育系花药中游离氨基波合量、脯氨跋含量、还原糖合量、蛋白质合量都比王百合低，花蕾POD酶活性比王百合高；花药中总糖含量及CAT活性与王百合相近。减数分裂中期1不育系花药POD酶谱比王百多2—3带，又有些带比王百合深．表明POD酶活性比王百合强。上述物质含量、酶活性及酶谱的变化可能与花粉的败育有关。     

Effect of gamma irradiation on the physico-chemical and visual properties of mango (Mangifera indica L.), cv. ‘Dushehri’ and ‘Fazli’ stored at 20 °C

The effect of γ-irradiation doses (0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 6.0, 10.0 kGy) on different physico-chemical and visual properties of two Indian cultivars of mango, cv. ‘Dushehri’ and ‘Fazli’ was observed during storage at 20 °C for the evaluation of delayed ripening and extension of shelf-life. Visually all the irradiated fruit showed greener peel and lighter pulp throughout the storage, however, radiation injuries were present in ‘Dushehri’ treated with 6–10 kGy and in ‘Fazli’ with 1–10 kGy. Loss of fruit due to rotting was less in the irradiated samples, treated up to 1 kGy of both the cultivars. Irradiated fruit of both the cultivars at high doses (6–10 kGy) showed increased sugar content from 0 d, however, all the treated fruit registered a slower rate of increase of sugars with storage compared to the respective controls and those treated with the lower doses of 0.5 and 0.7 kGy attained peak sugar concentration later. Significant (p ≤ 0.05) textural deterioration could be detected immediately after irradiation, in ‘Dushehri’ at doses ≥1 kGy and in ‘Fazli’ at doses ≥0.7 kGy. However, low dose treated fruit (0.3–1 kGy) of both the cultivars softened at a considerably slower rate during storage and registered significantly greater fruit firmness (compression strength) throughout the storage period. Similarly, ‘Dushehri’ treated with 0.3–0.7 kGy and Fazli treated with 0.7 kGy registered significantly greater flesh firmness (shear strength). ‘Dushehri’ treated with 0.3–1 kGy and ‘Fazli’ with 0.5–1 kGy also registered significantly harder and tougher peel, as determined by puncture test, throughout the storage. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) performed on 3rd and 2nd d of storage of ‘Dushehri’ and ‘Fazli’ respectively, revealed microstructural breakdown at and above 1 kGy in both cultivars. Cell separation could be observed in ‘Fazli’ even at 0.7 kGy. SEM also revealed that the control fruit were in a more advanced stage of ripening than the low dose treated fruit. The study showed the feasibility of low dose γ-irradiation on ‘Dushehri’ (0.3–0.7 kGy) and ‘Fazli’ (0.5 and 0.7 kGy) that induced useful delay in ripening and extension of shelf-life by a minimum of 3 and 4 d, respectively.     

The effect of organic supplementation of solarized soil on the quality of tomato fruit

Soil solarization, used to control weeds and soil-borne pathogens in hot climates, has not yet been widely adapted as a commercial practice because of its lack of efficacy. Experiments were carried out in southern Italy over two growing seasons to study the effect of three levels (0, 0.35 and 0.7 kg m⁻²) of organic supplementation of the soil prior to solarization on soil mineral availability and fruit quality attributes. Soil temperature and chemical properties were monitored, together with changes in the physical characteristics and chemical composition of tomato fruits grown under commercial greenhouse conditions. Organic supplementation increased the soil temperature achieved through solarization by 3.9 to 5.5 °C. Organic supplementation increased (P ≤ 0.05) the soil concentration of NO₃⁻-N, exchangeable K₂O, Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and Mg²⁺ and the level of electrical conductivity in the soil extract. Physical characteristics of tomato fruits were improved by supplementation, with fresh and dry weight enhanced up to 11 and 21%, respectively, mesocarp thickness up to 19%, firmness up to 36% and skin redness (a^*/b^* ratio) up to 24%. As the supplementation rate was raised from 0 to 0.7 kg m⁻², the fruit content of reducing sugars increased (P ≤ 0.01) from 1.75 to 2.14 g per 100 g f.w., ash from 0.49 to 0.62%, soluble solid from 5.12 to 6.18 °Brix, titratable acidity from 0.16 to 0.19%, and ascorbic acid from 25.1 to 32.5 mg 100 mL⁻¹. We concluded that organic supplementation appears to be a valuable and environmentally friendly way to improve the mineral availability in the soil and improve fruit quality of tomato.     

Nutrient composition and electrophoretic pattern of protein in two distinct types of phalsa (Grewia subinequalis DC)

Two distinct types, i.e. tall and dwarf types of phalsa, were studied for the differences in their physical parameters, chemical compositions and electrophoretic patterns of seed proteins by SDS-PAGE. The two types did not show any remarkable variation in their fruit weight, edible portion, seed weight and juice yield. Tall type had higher content of reducing sugars whereas total and non-reducing sugars were higher in dwarf one. Qualitative analysis revealed the presence of sucrose and fructose in both the types whereas glucose was present only in tall one. Observed marked variations in the protein content of the fruit could be due to the differences in protein content of the seed rather than that of the pulp. Electrophoretic pattern of seed proteins revealed the complete absence of two protein bands of molecular weight 37, and 59 kD from the dwarf type.