Bioconversion of bi- and tri-cyclic monophenols by alginate-entrapped cells of Mucuna pruriens L. and by the partially purified Mucuna-phenoloxidase

Although alginate-entrapped cells of Mucuna pruriens L. possess a low substrate specificity, only para-substituted monocyclic phenols have been ortho-hydroxylated into catechols so far. In this study, compounds with more complex chemical structures were found to be substrates using entrapped cells of M. pruriens as well as the partially purified Mucuna-phenoloxidase. Thus, 5-, 6- and 7-hydroxylated 2-aminotetralins and a tricyclic compound, 9-hydroxy N-n-propyl hexahydronaphthoxazine, were converted into catechols. After isolation using preparative HPLC, the identity of the products was confirmed by MS. In general, for the entrapped cells and the enzyme preparation identical substrate specificities were found.This publication is dedicated to the memory of Prof. Alan S. Horn, Ph.D., who deceased at January 2, 1990     

常春油麻藤有气味花蜜及其生态功能

一些被子植物能够分泌有气味的花蜜,但这一自然现象很少被关注.作为嗅觉信号线索,有气味的花蜜可能是将访花者和气味信号结合在一起的特征,它与传粉者及盗蜜者的关系值得探索.本研究以常春油麻藤(Mucuna sempervirens)为对象,研究了其开花动态及泊氏长吻松鼠(Dremomys pernyi)和赤腹松鼠(Callosciurus erythraeus)的访花行为,采用顶空固相微萃取和气相色谱-质谱法收集并分析了花蜜的挥发物成分,探讨了花蜜对中华蜜蜂(Apis cerana cerana)的吸引作用及对酸臭蚁(Tapinoma sp.)的毒杀作用.结果表明:常春油麻藤花蜜释放的挥发物以脂肪族化合物为主(87.2％),其中酮类占56.1％,无含硫挥发性成分,这和该属其他蝙蝠传粉种类花蜜释放含硫化合物的结果不一致.此外,常春油麻藤的花蜜对酸臭蚁有慢性毒杀作用,而对中华蜜蜂则有吸引作用.未发现蝙蝠访花,但观察到泊氏长吻松鼠和赤腹松鼠可能为常春油麻藤传粉.因此,常春油麻藤可能不属于蝙蝠传粉的种类.希望本研究能为该属亚洲类群的传粉机制提供数据,并为其他植物类群花蜜成分及功能研究提供新的视角.     

Ant-colonized domatia on fruits of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Mucuna interrupta</Emphasis> (Leguminosae)

Domatia of myrmecophytes have been reported only in vegetative organs so far. In this paper, we report the first record of domatia formed on the legume surface of Mucuna interrupta. The domatium consists of 12–16 vertical lamellae which traverse the fruit surface obliquely to form long, narrow hollows, providing two ant species with a nest site.     

In vitro rapid regeneration of plantlets from nodal explants of Mucuna pruriens– a valuable medicinal plant

A rapid and efficient protocol for the large‐scale propagation of a potential medicinal plant, Mucuna pruriens, through in vitro culture of nodal segment explants obtained from 15‐day‐old aseptic seedlings is described. Of the three different cytokinins, 6‐benzyladenine (BA), kinetin (Kin) and 2‐isopentenyl adenine (2‐iP) evaluated as supplements to Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, BA at an optimal concentration of 5.0 μM was effective in inducing multiple shoots. Strength of the basal media also influenced the efficiency of shoot regeneration. The frequency of shoot regeneration tended to increase when the salt concentration in the basal media was reduced. Highest number of multiple shoots (23.3) and maximum average length (5.6 cm) were standardised on half‐strength MS medium supplemented with 5.0 μM BA along with 0.5 μM α‐naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) at pH 5.8. Rooting was best induced in shoots excised from proliferated shoot cultures on MS medium augmented with an optimal concentration of 1.0 μM indole‐3‐butyric acid (IBA). The in vitro‐raised plantlets with well‐developed shoots and roots were successfully established in earthen pots containing garden soil and were grown in greenhouse with 90% survival rate. The results of this study provide the first report on in vitro plant regeneration of M. pruriens.     

Occurrence of L-DOPA and dopamine in plants and cell cultures ofMucuna pruriens and effects of 2,4-d and NaCl on these compounds

The development of the L-DOPA-content of roots, stems and leaves ofMucuna pruriens during growth of the plants is described. Besides L-DOPA, the leaves, but not the stems and the roots, also contain the related catechol dopamine. The time course of dopamine accumulation is compared to that of L-DOPA. In cell suspension cultures ofM. pruriens dopamine can be detected as well. Its level is strongly increased by addition of the growth regulator 2,4-d to the medium, a condition that suppresses cell growth and L-DOPA-accumulation. Dopamine induction appears to be a specific metabolic effect of 2,4-d. Salt stress, as caused by the addition of NaCl, gives no induction of dopamine formation, whereas L-DOPA is released into the medium.     

Pollination partners of Mucuna macrocarpa (Fabaceae) at the northern limit of its range

Mucuna macrocarpa is a plant found in tropical and subtropical regions that requires an “explosive opening.” Explosive opening is the process that exposes the stamen and pistil from the opening of the carina. This process is needed for cross pollination; however, the plant cannot open itself and opening by an animal is needed. The most common opener of Mucuna flowers is several nectar‐eating bats (e.g., Syconycteris), but the flying fox, Pteropus dasymallus, is the only opener of M. macrocarpa on the subtropical island of Okinawajima. Here, we present the explosive openers and possible pollinators in the northernmost and temperate Kamae region, Kyushu, Japan, where nectar‐eating bats are absent. The Japanese macaque, Macaca fuscata, and the Japanese marten, Martes melampus, were the explosive openers observed during our survey in Kamae. Martens opened flowers using their snout in a manner similar to that of the flying fox, whereas macaques opened flowers using their hands. This is the first time that an animal has been observed opening these flowers with its hands rather than snout. In total, 97% (n = 283) of explosively opened flowers were opened by macaques, and the macaque largely contributed to the overall flower opening. Because many pollen grains become attached to the explosive openers, they are considered to be primary pollinators. Furthermore, two bee species, Apis cerana japonica and Bombus ardens ardens, also visited opened flowers and collected pollen, and they were possibly secondary pollinators.     

Carboxylesterases from the seeds of an underutilized legume, Mucuna pruriens; isolation, purification and characterization

Two carboxylesterases (ME-III and ME-IV) have been purified to apparent homogeneity from the seeds of Mucuna pruriens employing ammonium sulfate fractionation, cation exchange chromatography on CM-cellulose, gel-permeation chromatography on Sephadex G-100 and preparative PAGE. The homogeneity of the purified preparations was confirmed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), gel-electrofocussing and SDS–PAGE. The molecular weights determined by gel-permeation chromatography on Sephadex G-200 were 20.89 kDa (ME-III) and 31.62 kDa (ME-IV). The molecular weights determined by SDS–PAGE both in the presence and absence of 2-mercaptoethanol were 21 kDa (ME-III) and 30.2 kDa (ME-IV) respectively, suggesting a monomeric structure for both the enzymes. The enzymes were found to have Stokes radius of 2.4 nm (ME-III) and 2.7 nm (ME-IV). The isoelectric pH values of the enzymes, ME-III and ME-IV, were 6.8 and 7.4, respectively. ME-III and ME-IV were classified as carboxylesterases employing PAGE in conjunction with substrate and inhibitor specificity. The K_m of ME-III and ME-IV with 1-naphthyl acetate as substrate was 0.1 and 0.166 mM while with 1-naphthyl propionate as substrate the K_m was 0.052 and 0.0454 mM, respectively. As the carbon chain length of the acyl group increased, the affinity of the substrate to the enzyme increased indicating hydrophobic nature of the acyl group binding site. The enzymes exhibited an optimum temperature of 45 °C (ME-III) and 37 °C (ME-IV), an optimum pH of 7.0 (ME-III) and 7.5 (ME-IV) and both the enzymes (ME-III and ME-IV) were stable up to 120 min at 35 °C. Both the enzymes were inhibited by organophosphates (dichlorvos and phosphamidon), but resistant towards carbamates (carbaryl and eserine sulfate) and sulphydryl inhibitors (p-chloromercuricbenzoate, PCMB).     

Study on the Chemical Constituens of Mucuna pruriens var. utilis (With Black seed Coat)

Five compounds were first isolated from the legumes of Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var. utilis (Wall. ex Wight) Baker ex Burck (M. atrocarpum Metcalf) with black seed coat. They were identified as L-dopa, stizolamine, D-erythro-neopterin, 6-hydroxymethylpterin and isoxanthopterin.     

中国豆科一稀见属及一裸名

本文论述中国豆科一稀见属,镰瓣豆属及一裸名,宁油麻藤。     

贵州植物二新种

陆生草本,株高130—160厘米,全体无毛。假鳞茎圆柱形,粗壮,高25—40厘米,直径4—4.5厘米,多纵棱,榄绿色,常具10—11节,节间长0.2—11厘米。叶片6—7,纸质,阔椭圆形至狭椭圆形,长98—140厘米,宽13—25厘米,先端渐尖,基部渐狭,边缘全缘,叶脉9—11条,在叶腹面下陷,在叶背面隆起;叶柄不明显.