Effect of repeated harvesting on the content of caffeic acid and seven species of caffeoylquinic acids in sweet potato leaves

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of repeated harvesting on the content of caffeic acid (CA) and seven species of caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) in sweet potato leaves using a newly developed high-performance liquid chromatography method. Six cultivars and two breeding lines were used in this study. Leaves were collected at monthly intervals from 1st harvest (May) to 4th harvest (August) in 2011 and 2012. ANOVA analysis revealed that the contents of CQAs were significantly different among all cultivars and breeding lines, but no significant differences were found for CA. No annual variation was confirmed in CA and CQAs. Repeated harvest of sweet potato leaves affected the content of only 4-CQA and 5-CQA. Post-hoc comparisons using Tukey’s method indicated that the contents of 4-CQA and 5-CQA in sweet potato leaves harvested at first time were significantly higher compared to those at the other harvest times.     

Mechanism of Cold Injury in Sweet Potatoes

The biochemical mechanism of cold injury occurring in sweet potatoes stored at 0°C was studied. Oxygen uptake and RC ratio of mitochondria from sweet potatoes kept at 0°C for about 15 days declined when succinate or malate was used as substrate. As sweet potatoes suffered slight cold injury, a decrease in the respiratory rate of state 3 of mitochondria was observed. This decrease could be restored approximately to the level of that of healthy sweet potato mitochondria by the addition of cytochrome c when succinate was used as substrate. When sweet potatoes suffered severe damage, only partial recovery was observed with cytochrome c. While it was found that the respiratory rate in state 3 of mitochondria from chilled sweet potatoes was less inhibited by cyanide than that of healthy sweet potato mitochondria, the inhibition could be restored to that of healthy sweet potato mitochondria by the addition of cytochrome c. When malate was used as substrate, no effect of cytochrome c and NADH₂ was observed. There was no difference between chilled and healthy sweet potato mitochondria in enzyme activities of the electron transport system except for malate dehydrogenase.     

甘薯品种营养成份与抗小象虫的相关性研究

通过田间和网室测定结果,抗小象虫较好的甘薯品种有抗虫1号、台农26、Tis2534、Ricin和鸡蛋黄;抗小象虫较弱的品种有新种花、惠红早、“329”、广薯15等。甘薯品种的营养成份与抗小象虫相关性分析结果表明,抗、感品种与粗纤维、粗脂肪含量无明显相关,与粗淀粉有显负相关,R1=-0．9935,而与粗蛋白和18种氨基酸总量有显正相关,R2=0．9741,R3=0．9621。表现粗淀粉含量高的品种,其虫害指敦较低,抗虫性强;而粗蛋白含量和18种氨基酸总量高的品种,其虫害指数较高,抗虫性则表现较弱。测定分析说明了甘薯品种营养成份与抗虫性存在一定的相关性。     

Enzymatic release of ferulic acid fromIpomoea batatas L. (sweet potato) stem

Ferulic acid is a phenolic compound that serves as a major biosynthetic precursor of vanillin in higher plants. We investigated the ability of the 3 commercial enzymes—Ultraflo L, Viscozyme L, and α-Amylase—to induce the release ferulic acid from theIpomoea batatas L. (sweet potato) stem. The rate of release for ferulic acid was optimal when Ultraflo L (1.0%) was used compared with the other enzymes, whereas Viscozyme L was most effective for the release of vanillic acid and vanillin. Thus, these enzymes may be useful for the large-scale production of ferulic acid and other phenolic compounds from sweet potato stem.     

Caffeic acid derivatives from a hairy root culture of Lactuca virosa

In a search for biologically active phenolics, a hydroalcoholic extract from the hairy roots of Lactuca virosa was fractionated by chromatographical methods. The procedure led to the isolation of a substantial amount of 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,5-DCQA)—a potent free radical scavenger. An analytical RP-HPLC separation of the hydroalcoholic extract from the hairy roots allowed identification of further hydroxycinnamates: caftaric acid (CTA), chlorogenic acid (5-CQA) and cichoric acid (DCTA), as well as small amounts of unbound phenolic acids. A time course of growth and caffeic acid derivatives accumulation in the hairy root culture was also investigated. The highest contents of the compounds in the examined roots were detected at the logarithmic phase of growth. The average content of 3,5-DCQA in the roots (ca. 2.5% DW) was at least one order of magnitude higher than that found in roots of Lactuca species and callus culture of L. virosa.     

The Effect of Gamma-Irradiation on the Sucrose Content in Sweet Potato Roots and Potato Tubers

The sucrose content in both potato tubers and sweet potato roots was considerably increased by gamma-irradiation. The maximum increase was achieved by an irradiation dose of 3 to 4 kGy for potatoes and 0.8 to 2 kGy for sweet potatoes. Cooling treatment (15°C, 2 weeks) for sweet potato roots also enhanced the sucrose content (almost 2 times) but was not additive to the irradiation treatment; the maximum sucrose content in irradiated sweet potato roots was in the range of 7 to 12% irrespective of the cooling treatment, depending on the variety of sweet potatoes. Irradiation made the sucrose content in the roots 2 to 4 times higher.     

Efficient release of ferulic acid from sweet potato (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ipomoea batatas</Emphasis>) stems by chemical hydrolysis

An efficient method for release of ferulic acid from sweet potato stems was developed. Ferulic acid along with phenolic compounds were released from stems by acid and alkaline treatments. The base hydrolysis with 0.1 N NaOH yielded the highest quantity of total extracts (471.1 mg/g). The stems released more phenolic compounds when 0.0125∼0.025 N NaOH was employed. Where as ferulic acid release was maximal with 0.05 N H₂SO₄ (0.32 mg/g). Ferulic acid was separated from phenolics by column chromatography. Among the elution solvents, ethyl acetate fractions (80%) contained ferulic acid. Ethyl acetate eluants were further fractionated with n-hexane/ethyl acetate/formic acid (100/50/0.5, v/v/v). All fractions showed ferulic acid and phenolic compounds. Fraction V among them was ascribed to ferulic acid with an yield of 5.41 mg/g of dry sweet potato tissue.     

Mechanism of Chilling Injury in Sweet Potatoes

1. 1. Both amounts of lipid phosphorus and acid-insoluble nitrogen in the mitochondrial fraction from chilling-injured sweet potatoes (var. Okinawa 100) were larger than in the fraction from healthy sweet potatoes. The N-amount appeared to be increased more by chilling-injury than the P-amount.

2. 2. Sweet potato, a tropical plant, showed lower value of the degree of unsaturation of fatty acids in mitochondrial fraction than white potato, a temperate-zone plant.

3. 3. The amount of unsaturated fatty acids of C₁₆, C₁₈ and C₂₀ as percentage of the total fatty acids was higher in mitochondrial fractions from chilling-injured sweet potatoes (var. Okinawa 100 and var. Norin 1) than in mitochondrial fractions from healthy sweet potatoes. However, in the case of white potato mitochondrial fraction no detectable difference was observed between storage at 0~1°C and at 10~14°C.

     

Natural products from Tolpis barbata (L.) Gaertn. (Asteraceae,Cichorieae)

One sesquiterpene lactone – 9α-hydroxy-3-deoxyzaluzanin C, three benzopyrans: desmethoxyencecalin (6-acetyl-2,2-dimethylchromene), desacetylripariochromen B and 6-(1-hydroxyethyl)-2,2-dimethylchromene, one coumarin – scopoletin and two eugenol derivatives were isolated from the roots of Tolpis barbata (L.) Gaertn, hitherto unexamined species. In the extract from aerial parts of the plant, five known phenolic compounds, namely: esculin, esculetin, chlorogenic acid (5-CQA), luteolin 7-O-glucoside and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,5-DCQA) were identified as major constituents. Except for the two coumarins – scopoletin and esculetin, which were previously obtained from Tolpis webbii Sch.Bip. and T. proustii Pit., the isolated and identified compounds have not been previously reported as constituents of Tolpis spp. Though benzopyrans were found in numerous species of the Asteraceae, their occurrence in the tribe Cichorieae has not been demonstrated before.     

Possible contribution of Bradyrhizobium on nitrogen fixation in sweet potatoes

Aims

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is known for its ability to grow under nitrogen-limited conditions. To clarify the possible contribution of biological nitrogen fixation, we tried to isolate and identify diazotrophic bacteria from sweet potatoes.

Methods

By using cultivation technique, we isolated putative endophytes, which possess nifH genes, from surface-sterilized sweet potatoes. Their nitrogen-fixing abilities were demonstrated by the acetylene reduction assay in a semi-solid malate medium and sweet potato extracts. We also examined the colonization of an isolated strain (AT1) in sweet potatoes and their influence on growth and nitrogen fixation in plants as assessed by an acetylene reduction assay and ¹⁵N-isotope dilution technique.

Results

The isolates were identified as strains of Bradyrhizobium sp. AT1, Paenibacillus sp. AS2 and Pseudomonas sp. T16 based on their 16S rRNA gene sequences. They showed acetylene reduction activity (ARA) in the semi-solid malate medium. Among them, B. sp. AT1 showed ARA in sweet potato extracts under micro-aerobic conditions whereas both P. sp. AS2 and P. sp. T16 showed no ARA. The inoculation of B. sp. AT1 to the sweet potatoes resulted in increases in the fresh weights and detection of ARA in the inoculated plants. Moreover, the reduction of ¹⁵N atom % was observed in the inoculated plants compared to uninoculated controls.

Conclusions

B. sp. AT1 actively expresses nitrogenase activity in sweet potatoes and may contribute to the nitrogen nutrition of host plants.     

Enhancement of adventitious root formation in mung bean cuttings by 3,5-dihalo-4-hydroxybenzoic acids and 2,4-dinitrophenol

3,5-Dihalo-4-hydroxybenzoic acids enhanced adventitious root formation in mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) cuttings. 3,5-Diiodo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid was more active than 3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxybenzoic acid, increasing the number of roots formed by about 4-fold. 2,4-Dinitrophenol also enhanced significantly adventitious root formation in mung bean cuttings. The phenolic compounds were active with or without indole-3-acetic acid. The possible mechanism by which these phenolic compounds enhance rooting is discussed.Abbreviations CCCP carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone - DIHB 3,5-diiodo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid - DNP 2,4-dinitrophenol     

"彩色马铃薯"块茎花色苷分子结构研究进展

“彩色马铃薯”是指块茎的“皮”和／或“肉”为红、紫、蓝或橙色的马铃薯,其块茎“皮”和“肉”变化多端的着色模式源于花色苷的积累,块茎各种颜色在根本上由花色素决定。在“彩色马铃薯”块茎中已发现6种花色素,即矮牵牛色素、花葵素、锦葵色素、芍药色素、花青素和花翠素;不同颜色块茎所含的花色素种类不同,同一颜色块茎所含花色素种类也可能不同;紫色块茎所含的花色素种类最为多样化。“彩色马铃薯”块茎的各种花色素一般在C3位经过氧一糖苷键实现1个芸香糖基取代,在苷元的C5位,要么以氧．糖苷键实现单葡萄糖基取代,要么不发生取代。“彩色马铃薯”块茎花色苷常在花色素C3位二糖取代基上或在C5位的单糖取代基上进一步发生反式单酰基取代,实现酰基取代的酚酸多为对香豆酸,其次为阿魏酸和咖啡酸。“彩色马铃薯”块茎矮牵牛素、锦葵色素、花葵素和芍药色素的对香豆酸酰化衍生物的惯用名分别为“petanin”,“malvanin”,“pelanin”和“peonanin”。本文可以为“彩色马铃薯”块茎颜色呈现的机理探索及其花色苷的分子结构鉴定提供参考。     

Assessment of risk of introduction of Cylas formicarius elegantulus (Coleoptera: Brentidae) into weevil-free areas in the southern United States

We assessed the risk associated with introduction of sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius elegantulus (Summers) (Coleoptera: Brentidae), from infested areas to noninfested areas via shipment of sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas (L.), roots within the southern United States. Our study quantifies the effectiveness of risk mitigation procedures of sweet potatoes before shipment in relation to introduction of the weevil. The risk assessment relied on literature and expert information to determine appropriate parameters. Using a computational model, Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to estimate the likelihood of introduction of sweet potato weevil. Risk management options were incorporated and the risk analyses were performed to assess how the risk could be reduced. The study found the risk of introduction of the weevil for both domestic shipment and imports of sweet potatoes into new areas within the southern United States to be low. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess model stability and the impact of parameter changes. Based on the sensitivity analysis, the most critical input was the postharvest mitigation, followed by the number of weevils per ton of sweet potatoes. We concluded that maintaining mitigations with monitoring in conjunction with public education to stop illegal transport of sweet potatoes and alternate hosts would significantly reduce the risk of introduction.     

苹果、杨树等林木根系浸取物对小麦生长的潜在影响

 从化学生态学的角度,了解树木根系对农作物生长的影响,针对泡桐树(Paulownia elongata)、苹果树(Malus pumila)、桃树(Prunus persica)和杨树(Populus canadensis)进行了实验。本文给出了实验结果。实验表明,泡桐根、苹果根、杨树根和桃树根的水浸液抑制小麦的种子萌发,抑制强度依次为;桃根>杨树根>苹果树根>泡桐根。树根水浸液同样抑制小麦幼苗根伸长。其作用强度为：杨树根>苹果树根>泡桐树根。根水浸液再用乙醚萃取,乙醚萃取液表现了更为明显的对小麦早期根和苗发育的抑制作用。抑制能力为：桃树根>杨树根>苹果树根>泡桐树根。苹果树根的根皮苷在土壤中或水中可依次降解产生根皮素,对羟基氢化肉桂酸,对羟基苯甲酸和间苯三酚。以此为例,取化学试剂对羟基苯甲酸和间苯三酚进行小麦种子萌发和早期发育试验。结果表明,当化合物浓度为1×10-2M时,可抑制小麦种子萌发和生长。在实验样地的土壤中检出了对羟基苯甲酸,这表明存在林木根系产生化学物质而影响作物生长的可能性。本文还分析了不利影响发生的条件.     

Evidence for the complex relationship between free amino acid and sugar concentrations and acrylamide‐forming potential in potato

Free amino acids and reducing sugars participate in the Maillard reaction during high‐temperature cooking and processing. This results not only in the formation of colour, aroma and flavour compounds, but also undesirable contaminants, including acrylamide, which forms when the amino acid that participates in the reaction is asparagine. In this study, tubers of 13 varieties of potato (Solanum tuberosum), which had been produced in a field trial in 2010 and sampled immediately after harvest or after storage for 6 months, were analysed to show the relationship between the concentrations of free asparagine, other free amino acids, sugars and acrylamide‐forming potential. The varieties comprised five that are normally used for crisping, seven that are used for French fry production and one that is used for boiling. Acrylamide formation was measured in heated flour, and correlated with glucose and fructose concentration. In French fry varieties, which contain higher concentrations of sugars, acrylamide formation also correlated with free asparagine concentration, demonstrating the complex relationship between precursor concentration and acrylamide‐forming potential in potato. Storage of the potatoes for 6 months at 9°C had a significant, variety‐dependent impact on sugar and amino acid concentrations and acrylamide‐forming potential.     

Uptake of phenolic compounds from plant foods in human intestinal Caco-2 cells

In continuation of our studies on the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds from food grains as influenced by domestic processing, we examined the uptake of phenolics from native/sprouted finger millet (Eleucine coracana) and green gram (Vigna radiata) and native/heat-processed onion (Allium cepa) in human Caco-2 cells. Absorption of pure phenolic compounds, as well as the uptake of phenolic compounds from finger millet, green gram, and onion, was investigated in Caco-2 monolayer model. Transport of individual phenolic compounds from apical compartment to the basolateral compartment across Caco-2 monolayer was also investigated. Sprouting enhanced the uptake of syringic acid from both these grains. Open-pan boiling reduced the uptake of quercetin from the onion. Among pure phenolic compounds, syringic acid was maximally absorbed, while the flavonoid isovitexin was least absorbed. Apparent permeability coefficient P_(app) of phenolic compounds from their standard solutions was 2.02 × 10^?6 cm/s to 8.94 × 10^?6 cm/s. Sprouting of grains enhanced the uptake of syringic acid by the Caco-2 cells. Open-pan boiling drastically reduced the uptake of quercetin from the onion. The permeability of phenolic acids across Caco-2 monolayer was higher than those of flavonoids.     

Screening of free radical scavengers from Erigeron breviscapus using on-line HPLC-ABTS/DPPH based assay and mass spectrometer detection

Erigeron breviscapus is a well-known traditional Chinese herbal medicine. In this study, on-line HPLC-ABTS/DPPH assay coupled with MS detection were applied to screen and identify the free radical scavengers in 70% methanol extracts of E. breviscapus. Using on-line HPLC-ABTS-MS and HPLC-DPPH-MS assay, 13 radical scavengers (including 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid (4-CQA) (1), 9-caffeoyl-2,7-anhydro-2-octulosonic acid (9-COA) (2), 3-caffeoyl-2,7-anhydro-3-deoxy-2-octulopyranosonic acid (3-CDOA) (3), erigeside I (4), quercetin-3-O-glucuronide (5), eriodictyol-7-O-glucuronide (6), scutellarin (7), 1,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (1,4-di-CQA) (8), 3,5-di-CQA (9), 1-malonyl-3,5-di-CQA (10), erigoster B (11), 4,5-di-CQA (12) and 4,9-di-CDOA (13)) and 9 radical scavengers (including 1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13) were discovered, respectively. Furthermore, the anti-oxidative activities of 4 compounds, including 7, 9, 11 and 12 were evaluated. Reverse anti-oxidative activity order of scutellarin and 3,5-di-CQA was observed in on-line HPLC-ABTS assay and on-line HPLC-DPPH assay. To validate their anti-oxidative activities, the off-line ABTS and DPPH assays were performed. Given sufficient reaction time, 3,5-di-CQA showed higher activity than scutellarin, which was consistent with the order obtained in on-line HPLC-ABTS assay. These results revealed that on-line HPLC-ABTS assay is a more sensitive method for screening and determining free radical scavengers, especially more suitable for those compounds with slower reaction kinetics.