Light‐induced pigment degradation in leaves and ripening fruits studied in situ with reflectance spectroscopy

Pigment breakdown mediated by activated oxygen species is a consequence and a general symptom of oxidative stress and injury to plants. We have attempted to estimate the patterns of pigment bleaching and follow pigment susceptibility to irradiation as related to the process of senescence/ripening. Light‐induced pigment breakdown was studied in situ in the leaves of a shade‐requiring plant, wax flower ( Hoya carnosa R. Br.), as well as in apple ( Malus domestica Borlh. cv. Zhigulevskoe) and lemon ( Citrus limon Burm. cv. Pavlovsky) fruits, using reflectance spectroscopy. It was found that the sensitivity of plant pigments to photobleaching increases as ripening progresses in lemon fruit. Kinetic analysis showed that in all systems a rapid breakdown of the pigment occurs after a lag‐phase. The signature analysis revealed a common pattern of chlorophyll and carotenoid changes, but degradation of the individual pigments was found to be inhomogeneous. Both in lemon and apple fruits a decrease in reflectance in the band of carotenoid absorption preceded pigment photodestruction. In the fruits, the bulk of chlorophyll b and the long‐wavelength chlorophyll a forms were degraded at early stages of the process whereas the breakdown of both chlorophylls in H. carnosa leaves was more synchronous. Prolonged irradiation induced bleaching of the main chlorophyll a band with maximum at 678 nm in the difference spectra, as well as carotenoids. Some features of reflectance spectra in the bands of chlorophyll and carotenoid absorption were found to be suitable for the differentiation of photo‐induced pigment breakdown from the transformation of the pigments taking place during senescence.     

Effect of aVirido-Xantha mutation in barley on the content of individual plastid pigments

Summary A virido-xantha (vx) barley mutant with reduced chlorophyll content when grown at 15°C was investigated to determine quantitative and qualitative changes in the plastid pigments. Both chlorophyll and the capacity to produce protochlorophyllide from exogeneously supplied δ-aminolevulinic acid are reduced in the mutant. The total carotenoid content is also reduced in the mutant, but individual carotenoids are not reduced coordinately. Antheraxanthin actually accumulates in the mutant, and zeaxanthin was found in significant amounts in mutant seedlings but could not be detected in normal barley seedlings. Included in the methods is a procedure for the preliminary identification of zeaxanthin employing spectrophotometric analysis of fractions eluted from a sucrose column. The presence of recessive suppressors of thevx mutant results in increased contents of the chlorophyll pigments accompanied by a partial reversal of the changes in carotenoid indicated above. The changes in chlorophyll and carotenoid contents are also partially reversed when mutant seedlings are grown at 21°C. Research supported under contract AT(11-1)-332 with the United States Atomic Energy Commission.     

高压静电场对黄瓜种子萌发期生理指标的影响

采用20 kV/cm高压静电场强度,分别以20、30、40 s处理黄瓜种子,结果表明:处理20 s的黄瓜种子在萌发期间各项生理指标均显著高于对照组。随处理时间延长,高压静电场对黄瓜种子萌发的促进作用减弱甚至产生抑制作用。     

Influence of Bentonite Proportion in Natural Clay on Pb2+ ions Sorption: Response Surface Methodology,Kinetics and Equilibrium Studies

The influence of natural clay's bentonite proportion on Pb²⁺ sorption capacity was investigated using response surface methodology (RSM), kinetics and equilibrium studies. Experiments were conducted at different initial pH (3–7), bentonite to clay ratio (0–100%), initial Pb²⁺ ions concentration (20–120 mg/L) and sorbent dosage (0.2–1 g). Under the RSM study, data obtained from 27 experiments undertaken were found to fitted second-order polynomial model (R² = 0.998 and R²-predicted = 0.994). Analysis of variance showed that the Pb²⁺ sorption capacity was influenced according to the order; initial concentration> mass of adsorbent > initial pH > bentonite proportion. Optimal operating conditions were obtained at initial pH 5, 0.2 g sorbent dosage, 30% bentonite to clay ratio and 100 mg/L Pb²⁺ ion concentration. Regardless of the bentonite proportion, Pb²⁺ sorption kinetics followed pseudo-second-order associated with intra-particle diffusion. The sorption isotherm for the clay which was described by Freundlich yielded higher adsorption capacity (25 mg/g) while that of the bentonite was described by Langmuir model with lower maximum sorption capacity of 15 mg/g. These results suggest that sorption of the Pb²⁺ ions was not likely to significantly impact on the removal of Pb²⁺ ions during electrokinetic remediation process of clay having different proportion of bentonite.     

Studies on red pigments excreted by cells of Chlorella protothecoides during the process of bleaching induced by glucose or acetate II. Mode of formation of the red pigments

In parallel with the studies reported in the preceding paper(I), the modes of production of characteristic red pigmentsby Chlorella protothecoides cells were investigated under variousculture conditions, (i) During the course of "acetate-bleaching"of algal cells, excretion of red pigments in the medium proceededwith simultaneous disappearance of chlorophyll from algal cells.The total amount (weight) of the red pigments excreted intomedium was slightly less than that of the chlorophyll lost.No red pigment was detectable within the bleaching algal cells.Carotenoids were found to increase or remain nearly constantin their quantities per culture during the process of bleaching,(ii) In a later phase of "glucose-bleaching" some red pigmentswere found to be present inside as well as outside the algalcells, and the excreted pigments underwent further changes turningcolourless, (iii) Both the production of red pigments and disappearanceof chlorophyll were suppressed by light and this light effectwas insensitive to CMU. (iv) During the process of "regreening"of "glucose-bleached" algal cells, no production of red pigmentswas observed either in or outside the algal cells. Based on these results we concluded that the red pigments areproduced from chlorophyll during the bleaching process of algalcells induced by an organic carbon source. (Received July 23, 1968; )     

静电场对植物光合器官结构和功能变化的影响

静电场促进水萝卜对矿质元素的吸收,叶片光合色素的含量及光合、呼吸活性增加,使叶片光合细胞的数目、细胞中叶绿体数目、叶绿体中基粒及类囊体片尾数都趋增加。结果表明,先合结构及活性的改善与静电场促进植物的离子吸收有关,从而改善了植物的营养状况。     

EFFECTS OF IRON AND LIGHT STRESS ON THE BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF ANTARCTIC PHAEOCYSTIS SP. (PRYMNESIOPHYCEAE). II. PIGMENT COMPOSITION

A strain of Phaeocystis sp., isolated in the Southern Ocean, was cultured under iron- and light-limited conditions. The cellular content of chlorophyll a and accessory light-harvesting (LH) pigments increased under low light intensities. Iron limitation resulted in a decrease of all light-harvesting pigments. However, this decrease was greatly compensated for by a decrease in cell volume. Cellular concentrations of the LH pigments were similar for both iron-replete and iron-deplete cells. Concentrations of chlorophyll a were affected only under low light conditions, wherein concentrations were suppressed by iron limitation. Ratios of the LH pigments to chlorophyll a were highest for iron-deplete cells under both light conditions. The photoprotective cycle of diato/diadinoxanthin was activated under high light conditions, and enhanced by iron stress. The ratio of diatoxanthin to diadinoxanthin was highest under high light, low iron conditions.   Iron limitation induced synthesis of 19'-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin and 19'-butanoyloxyfucoxanthin at the cost of fucoxanthin. Fucoxanthin formed the main carotenoid in iron-replete Phaeocystis cells, whereas for iron-deplete cells 19'-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin was found to be the main carotenoid. This shift in carotenoid composition is of importance in view of the marker function of both pigments, especially in areas where Phaeocystis sp. and diatoms occur simultaneously. A hypothesis is presented to explain the transformation of fucoxanthin into 19'-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin and 19'-butanoyloxyfucoxanthin, referring to their roles as a light-harvesting pigment.     

Separation and quantification of pigments from natural phototrophic microbial populations

Abstract A simple high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method is described for the rapid (approx. 20 min) simultaneous separation and identification of the major chlorophylls and carotenoids from phytoplankton cells and phototrophic sulfur bacteria. Lyophilized samples were extracted with acetone in the dark at room temperature. Pigments were eluted from a silica column with a hexane-acetone mixture (80: 20, v/v). About 20 algal and bacterial chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments could be separated in one run. The method allowed for the detection of trace amounts of major carotenoids (> approx. 6 ng · 1⁻¹) and of chlorophylls and pheophytins (> approx. 200 ng · 1⁻¹) in natural samples. The method has been applied to samples from the metalimnion of Lake Vechten (The Netherlands) and has proved very useful in estimating algal and bacterial pigments simultaneously with respect to depth distribution and biomass changes of the microbial populations.     

Growth,photosynthetic pigment content and oil yield ofPogostemon cablin grown under sun and shade conditions

Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin Benth.) plants grown under shade (LI) showed an increased height due to internodal elongation, leaf area, leaf area index, and chlorophyll (Chl)b, Chl (a+b) and carotenoid (Car) contents compared to the plants grown in sunlight (HI). The number of branches and green leaves decreased under LI treatment, with a marginal variation in the patchouli oil yield. A comparison between the relative contents of photosynthetic pigments indicated that Chlb and Car accumuled preferentially over Chla in the LI grown plants.     

高压静电场对离子溶液中过氧化氢酶的作用研究

研究了 KBr、磷酸缓冲液、Na Cl对高压静电场对过氧化氢酶作用的影响。结果表明 :浓度在 0 .0 2 m mol/L～ 0 .0 5 m mol/L的低浓度的无机离子对高压静电场对过氧化氢酶的作用影响很小。浓度在 0 .1mmol/L～0 .4 0 m mol/L的无机离子对高压静电压对过氧化氢酶的活力影响较大 ,过氧化氢酶在 3× 10 3V /cm的电场作用下活力只会升高。而对照出现先下降后上升的现象。浓度高于 0 .80 m mol/L时 ,无机离子可以保护过氧化氢酶不受高压静电场的影响。无机离子的这种效应可能是无机离子在高压静电场的作用下 ,产生反抗电场降低了高压静电场的强度所致。     

Effect of modification of soybean lipoxygenase-1 with N-bromosuccinimide on linoleate oxidation,pigment bleaching and carbonyl production

Essential tryptophan residues were specifically modified in soybean lipoxygenase-1 by N-bromosuccinimide (NBS). Both linoleate oxidation and pigment bleaching (β-carotene or chlorophyll a) activities were significantly reduced with the modified enzyme under aerobic conditions. However, the effect on the reduction of linoleate oxidation was more marked. Pigment bleaching under anaerobic conditions was almost completely blocked with the modified enzyme. On the basis of spectral studies it was elucidated that soybean lipoxygenase-1 contains two essential tryptophan residues in its active site.     

民用塑料释放的HCl对田间大豆光合作用和生长的影响

民用塑料纱网在高温和强光照射下会分解释放出有害的HCl气体,本研究以大豆为材料,在田间研究了HCl气体对大豆生长和光合作用的影响。研究表明,同酸雨、酸雾以及SO2等伤害作用一样,HCl气体可使大豆光合色素含量下降,净光合作用（Pn)降低,胞间CO2浓度（Ci)升高,气孔导度（Gs)和蒸腾作用（E）强度下降,导致田间大豆生长减慢,株高、生物量明显减小。     

Carotenoid stabilized gold and silver nanoparticles derived from the Actinomycete Gordonia amicalis HS-11 as effective free radical scavengers

The Actinomycete Gordonia amicalis HS-11 produced orange pigments when cultivated on n-hexadecane as the sole carbon source. When cells of this pigmented bacterium were incubated with 1 mM chloroauric acid (HAuCl₄) or silver nitrate (AgNO₃), pH 9.0, at 25 °C, gold and silver nanoparticles, respectively, were obtained in a cell associated manner. It was hypothesized that the pigments present in the cells may be mediating metal reduction reactions. After solvent extraction and High Performance Liquid Chromatography, two major pigments displaying UV–vis spectra characteristic of carotenoids were isolated. These were identified on the basis of Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry (APCI-MS) in the positive mode as 1′-OH-4-keto-γ-carotene (Carotenoid K) and 1′-OH-γ-carotene (Carotenoid B). The hydroxyl groups present in the carotenoids were eliminated under alkaline conditions and provided the reducing equivalents necessary for synthesizing nanoparticles. Cell associated and carotenoid stabilized nanoparticles were characterized by different analytical techniques. In vitro free radical scavenging activities of cells (control, gold and silver nanoparticle loaded), purified carotenoids and carotenoid stabilized gold and silver nanoparticles were evaluated. Silver nanoparticle loaded cells and carotenoid stabilized silver nanoparticles exhibited improved nitric oxide (NO) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activities compared to their control and gold counterparts. This paper thus reports cell associated nanoparticle synthesis by G. amicalis, describes for the first time the role of carotenoid pigments in metal reduction processes and demonstrates enhanced free radical scavenging activities of the carotenoid stabilized nanoparticles.     

Profiles of photosynthetic pigment accumulation and expression of photosynthesis-related genes in the marine cyanobacteria Synechococcus sp.: Effects of LED wavelengths

Light quality is a significant environmental factor that influences photosynthetic pigments in cyanobacteria. In the present study, we illuminated the marine cyanobacteria Synechococcus sp. with white (350 ～ 700 nm), red (630 nm), green (530 nm), and blue (450 nm) light emitting diodes (LEDs) and measured pigment levels (chlorophyll, carotenoid, and phycobiliprotein) and expression of photosynthesis-related genes (pebA, psbB, and psaE). The amount of photosynthetic pigments (total pigments, chlorophyll, and phycobiliproteins) was higher in the green and blue LED groups than in the white and red LED groups after 8 days of culture. The cells were prepared in a 1.5 mL solution for the analysis of the total pigments, chlorophyll, and carotenoid, and in a 2 mL for analysis of phycobiliproteins. The mRNA expression levels of pebA and psbB significantly increased after 8 days of cultivation under green and blue light, while the mRNA expression levels of psaE decreased. These results indicate that green and blue light increase the accumulation of photosynthetic pigments. In contrast red light induced mRNA expression of psaE and stimulated cell growth in Synechococcus sp.     

The impact of coral bleaching on the pigment profile of the symbiotic alga, Symbiodinium

Bleaching of corals by loss of symbiotic dinoflagellate algae and/or photosynthetic pigments is commonly triggered by elevated temperatures coupled with high irradiance, and is a first-order threat to coral reef communities. In this study, a high-resolution high-performance liquid chromatography method integrated with mass spectrometry was applied to obtain the first definitive identification of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments of three clades of symbiotic dinoflagellate algae (Symbiodinium) in corals, and their response to experimentally elevated temperature and irradiance. The carotenoids peridinin, dinoxanthin, diadinoxanthin (Dn), diatoxanthin (Dt) and beta-carotene were detected, together with chlorophylls a and c2, and phaeophytin a, in all three algal clades in unstressed corals. On exposure to elevated temperature and irradiance, three coral species (Montastrea franksi and Favia fragum with clade B algae, and Montastrea cavernosa with clade C) bleached by loss of 50-80% of their algal cells, with no significant impact to chlorophyll a or c2, or peridinin in retained algal cells. One species (Agaricia sp. with clade C) showed no significant reduction in algal cells at elevated temperature and irradiance, but lost substantial amounts of chlorophyll a and carotenoid pigments, presumably through photo-oxidative processes. Two coral species (Porites astreoides and Porites porites both bearing clade A algae) did not bleach. The impact of elevated temperature and irradiance on the levels of the photoprotective xanthophylls (Dn + Dt) and beta-carotene varied among the corals, both in pool size and xanthophyll cycling, and was not correlated to coral bleaching resistance.     

Biological responses to environmental contamination. How can metal pollution impact signal honesty in avian species?

Environmental pollution, for example with metals, can significantly affect the ecosystem balance leading to severe changes. Biologically active pigments are relevant for the appearance and condition of birds. Melanin and carotenoid particles are the most frequently deposited pigments in avian integument. They are responsible for the majority of colors of bird plumage. The phenotypic expression can be affected by metal contamination. It can be manifested as color bleaching or differences in the size of plumage badges. In this study, we performed a comprehensive review of related studies in order to estimate the underlying population effect of this potential dependency. The study is based on the review of the literature regarding several avian species. It was designed to identify an area where the effect of the exposure is still poorly known. The analysis was specifically conducted to investigate the correlation between trace element concentration and eumelanin deposition. Moreover, we searched for factors that could affect spectral properties of feathers with carotenoid‐based pigmentation. As a result, we found carotenoid‐based pigmentation to be of a good use in terms of visual condition assessment. Changes in melanin‐based pattern should be analyzed separately for eu‐ and pheomelanin as well as for a range of essential and toxic elements. Comprehensive studies on the subject are still scarce. Therefore, the issue requires further investigation.     

Impacts of Soil Organic Matter and Temperature on Sorption of Acetazolamide on Four Soils

Batch sorptions of acetazolamide (AZ) were conducted using four soils from China. Sorption of AZ was found to be impacted by OC, clay content, and soil pH, with higher k_d values for soils with higher clay content. The k_d values of SOM-removed soils are much lower than those of bulk soils. Sorption data were well fitted with a Freundlich model (r² > 0.99). Chelating with the metal ions on the surfaces of soil particles was probably involved. With pH increase, the electrostatic attraction between anionic AZ and positively charged soil surface may increase. The sorption capacity decreased when the temperature increased from 20 to 40°C, and the calculated thermodynamics parameters of ΔG₀, ΔH₀, and ΔS₀ indicated that the sorption was a non-spontaneous, physisorption, and exothermic process. Sorption coefficients (k_d) for the compound in soil were low (ranging from 0.42 to 1.19 L·kg^?1) and indicated that low level sorption of AZ with appreciable risk of ground water contamination.     

Effects of High-voltage Electric Field Treatment on the Water Activity of Bread

Treating bread dough by a high-voltage electric field (HVEF) during the first fermentation enabled the bread dough to retain water in the gluten fibers. The microstructure of the gluten fibers was still visible even with an HVEF treatment at 50 kV for 20 min, but could no longer be observed when the gluten was treated for more than 30 min. The crumb temperature of the HVEF treated bread during baking began to rise a few minutes sooner than that of the untreated bread, but the maximum temperature reached was the same in both cases: 99°C. The fact that the water activity of the HVEF-treated bread was 0.987 ± 0.0056, being higher than that of the untreated bread by 0.011, is in good agreement with the growing tests of Rhizopus nigricans. Furthermore, a distinct decrease in the water loss of the baked gluten was observed after the HVEF treatment. These results suggest that the HVEF treatment increased the ability of the gluten fibers, rather than the starch granules, to absorb and retain water; the state of the remaining water is considered to have become immobile, so that migration of moisture to the starch granules in the bread could be minimized.     

Pigment composition in Norway spruce needles suffering from different types of nutrient deficiency

 Concentrations of pigments in needles of yellowish Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst] trees suffering from either N, Mg or K deficiency in field sites in southeast Norway are reported. The yellowish trees had a considerably lower (roughly 50%) pigment concentration, as well as a lower chlorophyll/carotenoid ratio, compared to green trees within the same sites. Yellowing was interpreted as a general bleaching of colour, as well as a slight turn from the green (chlorophylls) towards yellow (lutein). Concentrations of pigments were highly intercorrelated. N deficiency was especially associated with low α-carotene concentrations. This was interpreted as α-carotene being the most sensitive pigment to stress. However, this pigment might be specifically sensitive to N deficiency. Carbohydrate concentrations were slightly higher in yellowish trees. Received: 5 June 1997 / Accepted: 29 August 1997     

Absence of nitrate reductase activity in San 9789 bleached leaves of barley seedlings (Hordeum vulgare cv. Midas)

Abstract San 9789 (norflurazone) blocks carotenoid synthesis which allows chlorophyll bleaching in the light, and has been used recently as a tool to study phytochrome responses without interference from photosynthetic pigments. By using this herbicide, we have found that nitrate reductase activity and light dependent nitrite reduction were lost simultaneously from achlorophyllous areas of barley leaves, with the green areas of the leaf tip still showing high activities. By contrast nitrate reductase is still present in the roots of herbicide treated plants. We suggest that intact chloroplasts are required for the presence of nitrate reductase in barley leaves.