Microbiological interactions with cold plasma

There is a diverse range of microbiological challenges facing the food, healthcare and clinical sectors. The increasing and pervasive resistance to broad‐spectrum antibiotics and health‐related concerns with many biocidal agents drives research for novel and complementary antimicrobial approaches. Biofilms display increased mechanical and antimicrobial stability and are the subject of extensive research. Cold plasmas (CP) have rapidly evolved as a technology for microbial decontamination, wound healing and cancer treatment, owing to the chemical and bio‐active radicals generated known collectively as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. This review outlines the basics of CP technology and discusses the interactions with a range of microbiological targets. Advances in mechanistic insights are presented and applications to food and clinical issues are discussed. The possibility of tailoring CP to control specific microbiological challenges is apparent. This review focuses on microbiological issues in relation to food‐ and healthcare‐associated human infections, the role of CP in their elimination and the current status of plasma mechanisms of action.     

Consolidated ethanol production from Jerusalem artichoke tubers at elevated temperature by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis> engineered with inulinase expression through cell surface display

Ethanol fermentation from Jerusalem artichoke tubers was performed at elevated temperatures by the consolidated bioprocessing strategy using Saccharomyces cerevisiae MK01 expressing inulinase through cell surface display. No significant difference was observed in yeast growth when temperature was controlled at 38 and 40 °C, respectively, but inulinase activity with yeast cells was substantially enhanced at 40 °C. As a result, enzymatic hydrolysis of inulin was facilitated and ethanol production was improved with 89.3 g/L ethanol produced within 72 h from 198.2 g/L total inulin sugars consumed. Similar results were also observed in ethanol production from Jerusalem artichoke tubers with 85.2 g/L ethanol produced within 72 h from 185.7 g/L total sugars consumed. On the other hand, capital investment on cooling facilities and energy consumption for running the facilities would be saved, since regular cooling water instead of chill water could be used to cool down the fermentation system.     

A genetic analysis of the quality of northern-style Chinese steamed bread

Dissecting the genetic basis for the traits of northern-style Chinese steamed bread (NCSB) is of great significance for wheat quality breeding. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for the processing quality of NCSB were studied using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) consisting of 173 lines derived from a “Shannong01–35 × Gaocheng9411” cross. Twenty-four putative additive QTLs were detected on chromosomes 1A, 1B, 1D, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5B, 6B, and 7B. Of these QTLs, QTex1A.1-27, QHei5B.5-488, and QGum4B.4-17 had the highest contribution and accounted for 9.33, 10.9, and 12.0% of the phenotypic variations, respectively. Several co-located QTLs with additive effects were detected on chromosomes 1A, 1D, 4B, and 5B. Two clusters (RFL_CONTIG2160_524-WSNP_CAP12_C2438_1180601 and EX_C101685_705-RAC875_C27536_611) for height, total score, and texture and for chewiness, gumminess, and hardness were detected on chromosomes 1A and 4B, respectively. Two QTLs for chewiness and hardness (QCh1D-4, QHa1D-4) with additive effects were detected; these alleles could be good targets for improving the processing quality of steamed bread from common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In addition, QTLs for wheat flour quality and the associated correlations with NCSB were simultaneously analyzed. Negative correlations were detected between chewiness and the wet/dry gluten content (WGC/DGC) or protein content. Two QTLs (QCh4B.4-17 and QPr4B.4-17) and three QTLs (QCh4B.4-13, QWG4B.4-13, and QDG4B.4-13) clustered in the same chromosomal region. The detected QTL clusters should be further investigated during wheat breeding and could be used by breeders to improve wheat quality and especially the processing quality of NCSB.     

Frequency of a natural truncated allele of <Emphasis Type="Italic">MdMLO19</Emphasis> in the germplasm of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Malus domestica</Emphasis>

Podosphaera leucotricha is the causal agent of powdery mildew (PM) in apple. To reduce the amount of fungicides required to control this pathogen, the development of resistant apple cultivars should become a priority. Resistance to PM was achieved in various crops by knocking out specific members of the MLO gene family that are responsible for PM susceptibility (S-genes). In apple, the knockdown of MdMLO19 resulted in PM resistance. However, since gene silencing technologies such as RNAi are perceived unfavorably in Europe, a different approach that exploits this type of resistance is needed. This work evaluates the presence of non-functional naturally occurring alleles of MdMLO19 in apple germplasm. The screening of the re-sequencing data of 63 apple individuals led to the identification of 627 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in five MLO genes (MdMLO5, MdMLO7, MdMLO11, MdMLO18, and MdMLO19), 127 of which were located in exons. The T-1201 insertion of a single nucleotide in MdMLO19 caused the formation of an early stop codon, resulting in a truncated protein lacking 185 amino acids, including the calmodulin-binding domain. The presence of the insertion was evaluated in 115 individuals. It was heterozygous in 64 and homozygous in 25. Twelve of the 25 individuals carrying the insertion in homozygosity were susceptible to PM. After barley, pea, cucumber, and tomato, apple would be the fifth species for which a natural non-functional mlo allele has been found.