Inheritance of seed resistance to bruchids in cultivated mungbean (Vigna radiata, L. Wilczek)

Bruchid beetles or seed weevils are the most devastating stored pests of grain legumes causing considerable loss to mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek). Breeding for bruchid resistance is a major goal in mungbean improvement. Few sources of resistance in cultivated genepool were identified and characterized, however, there has been no study on the genetic control of the resistance. In this study, we investigated the inheritance of seed resistance to Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) and C. maculatus (F.) in two landrace mungbean accessions, V2709BG and V2802BG. The F₁, F₂ and BC generations were developed from crosses between the resistant and susceptible accessions and evaluated for resistance to the insects. It was found that resistance to bruchids in seeds is controlled by maternal plant genotype. All F₁ plants derived from both direct and reciprocal crosses exhibited resistance to the bruchids. Segregation pattern of reaction to the beetles in the F₂ and backcross populations showed that the resistance is controlled by a major gene, with resistance is dominant at varying degrees of expressivity. Although the presence of modifiers was also observed. The gene is likely the same locus in both V2709BG and V2802BG. The resistant gene is considered very useful in breeding for seed resistance to bruchids in mungbean.     

An evaluation of three Thai phosphate rocks for agronomic use based upon their chemical and mineralogical properties

Ratchaburi phosphate rock (Rat-PR), Kanchanaburi-PR (Kan-PR), and Roi-Et-PR (Roi-PR) from Thailand, and North Carolina-PR (NCR-PR), were evaluated in the laboratory for agronomic use. NCR-PR consisted mostly of apatite (unit-cell a-value 9.336 Å, c-value 6.889 Å). Rat-PR contained apatite (a-value 9.428 Å and c-value 6.882 Å) and calcite as the main minerals. Kan-PR consisted mostly of apatite (a-value 9.406 Å and c-value 6.888 Å), crandallite, and calcite. Roi-RP consisted mostly of quartz and variscite. Dissolution kinetics of PRs in 2% formic acid (2% FA), 2% citric acid (2% CA), neutral ammonium citrate (NAC), alkaline ammonium citrate (AAC), and deionized (DI)-water were determined. The dissolution rate of phosphate from PRs in 2%FA, 2%CA, NAC, and DI-water was NCR-PR > Rat-PR > Kan-PR > Roi-PR. As Roi-PR is very poorly soluble, it is clearly unsuitable for direct application to soil.     

Potential Prebiotic Oligosaccharide Mixtures from Acidic Hydrolysis of Rice Bran and Cassava Pulp

Two agricultural wastes, rice bran and cassava pulp were subjected to acidic hydrolysis by 2 M sulfuric acid which resulted in hemicellulosic oligosaccharide mixtures. Monosaccharide component analysis of these mixtures revealed that the oligosaccharides of rice bran acid hydrolysate (RAHF) composed of glucose and arabinose while cassava pulp acid hydrolysate (CAHF) was found to be comprised of glucose, galactose and arabinose. Both RAHF and CAHF were able to fuel all of the tested three Lactobacillus, five Bifidobacterium and three Bacteroides strains indicating the prebiotic potential of these oligosaccharide mixtures. Moreover, Lb. gasseri grew significantly better on RAHF than on inulin, a benchmark prebiotic oligo- and polysaccharide mixture. When the digestibility of RAHF and CAHF were tested it was found that these oligosaccharide mixtures were only slightly hydrolyzed upon exposure to simulated human gastric (by less than 8%) and pancreatic juices (by less than 3%). Additionally, most sensory attributes of the above obtained oligosaccharide mixtures supplemented two model cereal drink formulations were generally not different from those of the control, while the overall acceptance was not affected significantly in one cereal drink formulation.     

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitory effect of mulberry (Morus alba) leaves on Caco-2

The effects of brewing time on dry weight content and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory active component released from mulberry (Morus alba) tea were studied. Different tea products showed significant differences in inhibitory activity against both sucrase and maltase. The most effective enzyme inhibition was observed when 3 to 5 min brewing time was applied in tea preparation. In a Caco-2 cell culture experiment the tea reduced the liberated glucose contents in both apical and basal sides of the cell monolayers. It can be concluded that hot water extract of mulberry leaves does have inhibitory effect against alpha-glucosidases, sucrase and maltase enzymes, and has a potential to be consumed as antidiabetic herb tea.