Simultaneous Demonstration of Lipids and Starch in Plant Tissues

A rapid and easy technique for the simultaneous demonstration of lipids and starch in the same histological section is described. Tissues are prepared by the clamical fixing and Araldite in embedding techniques of election microscopy. Semithin sections are directly stained for 1 hour at 60C with saturated Sudan black B in 70% ethanol without removing the embedding resin. Lipids stain black; stain is shown as white grains contrasting with the blue-grey embedding resin.     

亚临界水萃取植物酚类物质研究进展

亚临界水作为一种无毒、无污染、廉价的溶剂,已应用于天然产物的提取.植物酚类物质是一种特殊的天然产物,其大部分具有很强的抗氧化活性.许多研究结果表明:亚临界水萃取植物酚类物质行之有效.本文概述了亚临界水萃取的原理、影响因素,并总结了国内外利用亚临界水萃取天然酚类物质的发展趋势.     

The Use of an Improved Fluorescent Antibody Procedure in the Demonstration of Leptospira in Animal Tissues

Increased sensitivity of the fluorescent antibody procedure was achieved by modification of the method employed. Specimens collected from experimentally infected laboratory animals and naturally infected domestic and wild animals were examined by means of this method. The results compared very favorably with those obtained by other investigators who used serological, cultural, animal inoculation and silver impregnation procedures on the same specimens.     

Reversal of ABA-Induced Stomatal Closure by Phenolic Compounds

Vanillic acid, gallic acid, salicylic acid, cinnamic acid, p-coumaricacid, ferulic acid, coumarin, chlorogenic acid, rutin and morinantagonize the ABA-induced stomatal closure. This suggests thepossibility of a regulatory role of phenolic compounds in thestomatal mechanism. Stomata respond variably to the individualphenolic compound. Some, such as vanillic acid, promote thestomatal opening while others, such as coumarin, inhibit theprocess. Key words: Phenolic compounds, ABA-induced stomatal closure     

Composition and Distribution of Cell Wall Phenolic Compounds in Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) Stem Tissues

Cell wall phenolic compounds were analysed in xylem and bastfibre-rich peels of flax stems by biochemical, histochemicaland ultrastructural approaches. Localization of cell wall phenolicsby the enzyme-gold method using laccase revealed several goldparticle distribution patterns. One of the major types (an evendistribution of single gold particles) was present mainly inxylem, while the other (compact branched groups of ten–40gold particles) was found both in xylem and fibre cells. Thelignin content of the stem parts was estimated by the Klasonprocedure and by the thioglycolic acid assay, and the phenolicproducts recovered after alkaline cupric oxide oxidation ofcell walls were analysed by GC. By combining chemical analysisdata and the frequency of various gold particle types withinthe tissues, different patterns of gold particle distributioncould be ascribed to certain cell wall phenolics; lignin wasstained as evenly distributed single gold particles, while branchedclusters represented hydroxycinnamic acids. The Klason proceduredid not remove all the non-lignin components from flax fibres,known for their highly crystalline cellulose, and considerablyoverestimated the lignin content. The thioglycolic acid assayresults were consistent with GC and microscopic observations.Copyright 2000 Annals of Botany Company Linum usitatissimum L., bast fibres, cell wall, lignin, hydroxycinnamic acids     

An Adaptable Staining Schedule for Plant Tissues

A general schedule for staining meristematic, maturing, and mature plant tissues is described. Treatment with a dilute aqueous solution of Delafield's hematoxylin is followed with staining in 0.1% safranin in 60% alcohol. Destaining of safranin may be partly accomplished in alcohol and completed by counterstaining with dilute fast green FCF in a xylene and alcohol mixture. Various modifications and adaptations are briefly discussed.     

Detection of Phenolic Compounds by Chromatography in Beet Sugar Molasses

Detection of phenolic compounds in beet sugar molasses was carried out by paper chromatography. Some of the phenolic compounds were identified with catechol, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, melilotic acid, salicylic acid, syringic acid, vanillin and vanillic acid and three other phenolic compounds were detected though they have not been identified.     

Biosynthesis of Auxin by the Gram-Positive Phytopathogen Rhodococcus fascians Is Controlled by Compounds Specific to Infected Plant Tissues

The role and metabolism of indole-3-acetic acid in gram-negative bacteria is well documented, but little is known about indole-3-acetic acid biosynthesis and regulation in gram-positive bacteria. The phytopathogen Rhodococcus fascians, a gram-positive organism, incites diverse developmental alterations, such as leafy galls, on a wide range of plants. Phenotypic analysis of a leafy gall suggests that auxin may play an important role in the development of the symptoms. We show here for the first time that R. fascians produces and secretes the auxin indole-3-acetic acid. Interestingly, whereas noninfected-tobacco extracts have no effect, indole-3-acetic acid synthesis is highly induced in the presence of infected-tobacco extracts when tryptophan is not limiting. Indole-3-acetic acid production by a plasmid-free strain shows that the biosynthetic genes are located on the bacterial chromosome, although plasmid-encoded genes contribute to the kinetics and regulation of indole-3-acetic acid biosynthesis. The indole-3-acetic acid intermediates present in bacterial cells and secreted into the growth media show that the main biosynthetic route used by R. fascians is the indole-3-pyruvic acid pathway with a possible rate-limiting role for indole-3-ethanol. The relationship between indole-3-acetic acid production and the symptoms induced by R. fascians is discussed.     

Maceration of Plant Tissues by Pectin trans-Eliminase

Methyl (±)-11-(2-hydroxyethyl)thio-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-2-carboxylate (5) was enantioselectively acylated with acetic anhydride in an organic medium by Lipase Amano P to give methyl (–)-11-(2-acetoxyethyl)thio-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-2-carboxylate (8), and the (+)-enantiomer by Lipase Sigma Type VII. Using Lipase Amano P, (+)- and (–)-(5) could be prepared with high optical purity (84–94% e.e.). These products were respectively converted to (+)- and (–)-KW-4099, which had antiallergic activity with complete retention of the optical purity.     

The Metabolism of Acetaldehyde by Plant Tissues

Apples and oranges can absorb appreciable amounts of acetaldehydevapour, but acetaldehyde does not accumulate in the tissues,in the presence or absence of oxygen. When the fruit is givenacetaldehyde the loss of carbon as CO₂ + ethanol equals thatlost from carbohydrate + acid+acetaldehyde. Part of the addedacetaldehyde is reduced to ethanol by NADH₂ and the rate ofglycolysis is increased; the remainder is oxidized to CO₂. Respiration of apples is limited by oxygen; the output of CO₂is only slightly increased at the beginning of the treatmentwith acetaldehyde, but afterwards it declines; acetaldehydespares oxidation of carbohydrate. In oranges, availability of substrate limits respiration, andacetaldehyde stimulates CO₂-production and O₂-uptake. In theabsence of oxygen, acetaldehyde is reduced to ethanol, and thequotient CO₂/ethanol falls.     

Oxidation of Phenolic Compounds by Peroxidase in the Presence of Soluble Polymers

The kinetics of Coprinus cinereus peroxidase-catalyzed 1-naphthol, 2-naphthol, and 4-hydroxybiphenyl oxidation was investigated. The initial rates of the naphthols' and 4-hydroxybiphenyl oxidations were linearly dependent on enzyme concentration. The rates depended on substrate concentration and saturated at concentrations above 100 microM of hydrogen peroxide, 25-50 microM of naphthols, and 10 microM of 4-hydroxybiphenyl. At the peroxide concentration 100 microM calculated K(m) and the maximal rate (V(max)) were 74.7 microM and 0.53 microM/sec or 175 microM and 2.0 microM/sec for 1- or 2-naphthol, respectively, and 29.68 microM and 0.42 microM/sec for 4-hydroxybiphenyl. Kinetic measurements of exhaustive naphthol and 4-hydroxybiphenyl oxidation showed that peroxidase is inactivated during the oxidation of the substrates. Different factors and additives, water soluble polymers and albumins (PEG, PEI, PL, BSA, HSA), influenced the initial naphthols and 4-hydroxybiphenyl oxidation rates, peroxidase inactivation rates, and the degree of the substrate conversion. Addition of albumin increased turnover number of naphthols oxidation 1.5-4 times. Light scattering increase was observed when peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation reaction was investigated and suggested that insoluble particles were formed during the process. The addition of polymers, change of concentration and ionic strength of the solution as well as the number of other factors influenced the observed light scattering. The number of particles formed during peroxidase-catalyzed naphthols' and 4-hydroxybiphenyl oxidation and their distribution according to size in the interval 2.5-300 microm were detected by particle counting in solutions.     

Microbial Metabolism of the Plant Phenolic Compounds Ferulic and Syringic Acids under Three Anaerobic Conditions

Abstract Ferulic and syringic acids are methoxylated aromatic compounds that often serve as models of the subunits of lignin. Although these compounds have important implications for global carbon cycles, there is limited information on their fate in anoxic environments. Enrichment cultures were established on these two model compounds under methanogenic, sulfidogenic, and denitrifying conditions, using a Raritan River (New Jersey) marsh sediment as the inoculum. All cultures completely degraded ∼1.5 mm of both substrates. Methane production in the methanogenic cultures corresponded to the stoichiometric values expected for complete mineralization to CO₂ and CH₄. Sulfate and nitrate reduction in their respective cultures were both greater than 60% of the amounts predicted for complete mineralization. Aromatic intermediates of ferulic and syringic acid metabolism were identified, and pathways of degradation under sulfidogenic and denitrifying conditions are proposed. Syringic acid is sequentially O-demethylated to gallic acid under both sulfate and nitrate-reducing conditions before ring cleavage occurs. Ferulic acid undergoes propenoate side chain reduction, O-demethylation, removal of an acetate moiety from the side chain, and decarboxylation to form catechol. Catechol is further degraded under sulfidogenic conditions. Under denitrifying conditions, ferulic acid undergoes loss of an acetate moiety, prior to O-demethylation, to form protocatechuic acid, the last product detected before ring cleavage. Received: 23 February 1996; Revised: 20 May 1996; Accepted: 24 May 1996     

An Improved Microbiological Procedure for Detection of Streptomycin Residues in Milk and Animal Tissues

A method is described which allows detection of 0.025 µg streptomycin sulfate per ml. This represents an improvement of sensitivity by 8 times when compared with the currently used method. By adding penicillin to the assay medium in subinhibitory concentrations, a synergistic effect of streptomycin and penicillin is exerted towards the test organism, Bacillus subtilis, resulting in an increased sensitivity to streptomycin.     

Freeze-Sectioning of Plant Tissues

Techniques are described for freeze-sectioning a wide range of both fresh and fixed plant tissues. Gelatin-antifreeze media are used to support but not infiltrate the tissue during sectioning. At cryostat temperatures of -10 to -15 C, 15% gelatin (w/v) containing 0.8% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), or 1.5% ethanediol (ethylene glycol), or 2% glycerol is used. Lower concentrations of gelatin and higher concentrations of antifreezes are required for sectioning at -24 C. Petri plates of media are stored at 2 C, and used by simply melting a hole in the medium. Fresh tissues can be placed directly in the hole, or prefrozen at temperature of liquid nitrogen, or equilibrated in antifreeze solution, before freeze-sectioning in the gelatin antifreeze medium. Many plant tissues have highly vacuolated cells and need equilibration in antifreeze solutions prior to freeze-sectioning. Fixed tissues are rehydrated and washed in water or buffer for 15-24 hr before equilibrating in a 10% solution of either DMSO, ethanediol or glycerol (named in order of rapidity of equilibration). Pretreatment in 10% DMSO is usually for 1-6 hr at 2 C for histochemical studies; or in 10% ethanediol or glycerol for 15-24 hr at either room temperature or 37 C for morphological studies. These methods permit serial cryostat sections free from freezing and thawing artifacts to be cut as thin as 2 μ.     

Visualization of Plant Tissues by Optical Coherence Tomography

The internal structure of plant tissues was visualized with optical coherence tomography (OCT). This noninvasive method is suitable for examining intact plants; it produces two-dimensional images of plant tissues at a penetration depth of 1–2 mm from the surface. The potential use of OCT was assessed on Tradescantia blossfeldiana Mild. Plant tissue images measuring 1.5 × 2 mm were obtained in vivo with a spatial resolution of 15 m. The radiation power incident on a sample was 0.5 mW. The acquisition of a two-dimensional image consisting of 200 × 200 pixels required 1–3 s. The OCT method can be used to visualize not only plant tissues and tissue boundaries but also the structure of individual cells.     

高速逆流色谱制备玫瑰红景天中的三种酚性化合物

采用高速逆流色谱方法(HSCCC,High-speed Counter-current Chromatography)同时分离三种玫瑰红景天酚性化合物。玫瑰红景天提取物经聚酰胺吸附多酚后经硅胶柱分级得预分离样品,采用正己烷∶乙酸乙酯∶甲醇∶水(4∶5∶4∶5,v/v/v/v)组成的两相溶剂系统对预分离样品进行分离纯化,一次进样150 mg,一次色谱分离得到化合物1:68.5 mg、化合物2:8.5 mg、化合物3:45.5 mg,纯度都超过98%。通过ESI-MS、1H NMR对其结构进行鉴定化合物1为没食子酸(Gallic acid),化合物2为没食子酸甲酯(Methyl gallate),化合物3为山奈酚(Kaempferol)。结果表明利用HSCCC可以成功分离三种酚性化合物,分离效果好,产品纯度高。