Lethal and sublethal effects of rice polishing process on Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The mechanical impact of rice polishingon the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), and the subsequent postpolishing effects associated with rice quality were studied. "Brown" rice (not polished), "White (infest then polish)" rice, and "White (polish then infest)" rice were used with different polishing process intensities and different initial weevil densities. Weevil progeny were more numerous in Brown than in White (infest then polish) or White (polish then infest) rice. Polishing corresponding to a weight loss of 11% in rice generated an immediate mortality of approximately 40%; the subsequent mortality caused by rice quality was also 40% (total >80%). A polishing process corresponding to 14 and 16% of rice weight loss generated a drastic mortality in the weevil population (>95%). The progeny per adult weevil was similar with high and low initial weevil densities. The development of weevil progeny was also delayed by about 1 wk in White (infest then polish) rice compared with Brown rice. Furthermore, weevil adults of the progeny were significantly heavier in Brown than in White (infest then polish) or White (polish then infest) rice.     

High-quality genome assembly of Huazhan and Tianfeng,the parents of an elite rice hybrid Tian-you-hua-zhan

High-quality rice reference genomes have accelerated the comprehensive identification of genome-wide variations and research on functional genomics and breeding. Tian-you-hua-zhan has been a leading hybrid in China over the past decade. Here, de novo genome assembly strategy optimization for the rice indica lines Huazhan (HZ) and Tianfeng (TF), including sequencing platforms, assembly pipelines and sequence depth, was carried out. The PacBio and Nanopore platforms for long-read sequencing were utilized, with the Canu, wtdbg2, SMARTdenovo, Flye, Canu-wtdbg2, Canu-SMARTdenovo and Canu-Flye assemblers. The combination of PacBio and Canu was optimal, considering the contig N50 length, contig number, assembled genome size and polishing process. The assembled contigs were scaffolded with Hi-C data, resulting in two “golden quality” rice reference genomes, and evaluated using the scaffold N50, BUSCO, and LTR assembly index. Furthermore, 42,625 and 41,815 non-transposable element genes were annotated for HZ and TF, respectively. Based on our assembly of HZ and TF, as well as Zhenshan97, Minghui63, Shuhui498 and 9311, comprehensive variations were identified using Nipponbare as a reference. The de novo assembly strategy for rice we optimized and the “golden quality” rice genomes we produced for HZ and TF will benefit rice genomics and breeding research, especially with respect to uncovering the genomic basis of the elite traits of HZ and TF.

     

“Ethno-microbiology” of ethnic Indian fermented foods and alcoholic beverages

The concept of “ethno-microbiology” is to understand the indigenous knowledge of the Indian people for production of culturally and organoleptically acceptable fermented foods by natural fermentation. About 1000 types of common, uncommon, rare, exotic and artisan fermented foods and beverages are prepared and consumed in different geographical regions by multi-ethnic communities in India. Indian fermented foods are mostly acidic and some are alkaline, along with various types of alcoholic beverages. A colossal diversity of microorganisms comprising bacteria mostly belongs to phylum Firmicutes, filamentous moulds and enzyme- and alcohol-producing yeasts under phyla Ascomycota and Mucoromycota, and few bacteriophages and archaea have been reported from Indian fermented foods. Some microorganisms associated with fermented foods have functionalities and health promoting benefits. “Ethno-microbiology” of ethnic Indian people has exhibited the proper utilisation of substrates either singly or in combination such as fermented cereal-legume mixture (idli, dosa and dhokla) in South and West India, sticky fermented soybean food (kinema and related foods), fermented perishable leafy vegetable (gundruk and related foods), fermented bamboo shoots (soibum and related foods) and fermented fish (ngari and others) in North East India, and fermented meat and sausage-like products in the Indian Himalayas, fermented coconut beverage (toddy) in coastal regions, and various types of naturally fermented milk products (dahi and related products) in different regions of India. This review has also highlighted the “ethno-microbiology” knowledge of the people involving the consortia of essential microorganisms in traditionally prepared amylolytic starters for production of cereal-based alcoholic beverages. The novelty of this review is the interpretation of ethno-microbiological knowledge innovated by ethnic Indian people on the use of beneficial microorganisms for food fermentation to obtain the desired fermented food products for consumption.     

Nutritional evaluation of fermented black gram (Phaseolus mungo) seed meal in compound diets for rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton), fingerlings

Six isonitrogenous (approximately 35% crude protein) and isocaloric (approximately 4.0 kcal g⁻¹) diets were formulated incorporating raw and fermented black gram, Phaseolus mungo, seed meal at 20%, 30% and 40% levels by weight into a fishmeal‐based control diet fed to rohu, Labeo rohita, fingerlings (mean weight, 1.81 ± 0.21 g) for 80 days for a study of fish performance. A particular bacterial strain (Bacillus sp.) isolated from the intestine of adult common carp (Cyprinus carpio) reared in the wild having significant amylolytic, cellulolytic, lipolytic and proteolytic activities was used for fermentation of seed meal for 15 days at 37 ± 2°C. Fermentation of P. mungo seed meal was effective in significantly reducing the crude fibre content and antinutritional factors such as tannins and phytic acid, and enhancing available free amino acids and fatty acids. In terms of growth, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio, the 30% fermented black gram seed meal incorporated diet resulted in a significantly (P < 0.05) better performance of rohu fingerlings. In general, growth and feed utilization efficiencies of diets containing fermented seed meal were superior to diets containing raw seed meal. The apparent protein digestibility (APD) values decreased with increasing levels of raw seed meal in the diets. The APD for raw seed meal was lower at all levels of inclusion in comparison to those for the fermented seed meals. The maximum deposition of protein in the carcass was recorded in fish fed the diet containing 40% fermented seed meal. The results indicate that fermented black gram seed meal can be incorporated in carp diets up to the 30% level compared to the 10% level of raw seed meal.     

Flavour profile of idli batter prepared from defined microbial starter cultures

Idli is a traditional cereal/legume-based naturally fermented steamed product with a soft and spongy texture which is highly popular and widely consumed as a snack food item in India. The predominant fermentation microflora comprises lactic acid bacteria and yeasts and causes an improvement in the nutritional, textural and flavour characteristics of the final product. The flavour profile of idli batter prepared with initial levels of 2 × 10⁴ c.f.u. g⁻¹ of Candida versatilis CFR 505 and 2 × 10¹ c.f.u. g⁻¹ of Pediococcus pentosaceus CFR 2123 in 500 g idli batter, packed in polyester polylaminate pouches and stored at 30 ± 2 °C was periodically analysed by GC-MS. The desirable flavour compounds such as ketones, diols and acids were found to be present upto 8 days of storage, whereas undesirable flavours like sulphurous and oxazolidone compounds, ethanone and thiazole appeared in the batter subsequent to 6 days of storage. The sensory attributes of idlis (final product) prepared from the stored batter related well to the determined flavour profile. The present study appeared to indicate that the flavour profile of traditional fermented foods can be a reliable qualitative and quantitative parameter for objective assessment. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Development of a black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] linkage map and its comparison with an azuki bean [Vigna angularis (Willd.) Ohwi and Ohashi] linkage map

The Asian Vigna group of grain legumes consists of six domesticated species, among them black gram is widely grown in South Asia and to a lesser extent in Southeast Asia. We report the first genetic linkage map of black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper], constructed using a BC₁F₁ population consisting of 180 individuals. The BC₁F₁ population was analyzed in 61 SSR primer pairs, 56 RFLP probes, 27 AFLP loci and 1 morphological marker. About 148 marker loci could be assigned to the 11 linkage groups, which correspond to the haploid chromosome number of black gram. The linkage groups cover a total of 783 cM of the black gram genome. The number of markers per linkage group ranges from 6 to 23. The average distance between adjacent markers varied from 3.5 to 9.3 cM. The results of comparative genome mapping between black gram and azuki bean show that the linkage order of markers is highly conserved. However, inversions, insertions, deletions/duplications and a translocation were detected between the black gram and azuki bean linkage maps. The marker order on parts of linkage groups 1, 2 and 5 is reversed between the two species. One region on black gram linkage group 10 appears to correspond to part of azuki bean linkage group 1. The present study suggests that the azuki bean SSR markers can be widely used for Asian Vigna species and the black gram genetic linkage map will assist in improvement of this crop.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at and is accessible for authorized users.The first three authors contributed equally to this research     

Sequence polymorphisms in wild,weedy, and cultivated rice suggest seed‐shattering locus sh4 played a minor role in Asian rice domestication

The predominant view regarding Asian rice domestication is that the initial origin of nonshattering involved a single gene of large effect, specifically, the sh4 locus via the evolutionary replacement of a dominant allele for shattering with a recessive allele for reduced shattering. Data have accumulated to challenge this hypothesis. Specifically, a few studies have reported occasional seed‐shattering plants from populations of the wild progenitor of cultivated rice (Oryza rufipogon complex) being homozygous for the putative “nonshattering” sh4 alleles. We tested the sh4 hypothesis for the domestication of cultivated rice by obtaining genotypes and phenotypes for a diverse set of samples of wild, weedy, and cultivated rice accessions. The cultivars were fixed for the putative “nonshattering” allele and nonshattering phenotype, but wild rice accessions are highly polymorphic for the putative “nonshattering” allele (frequency ~26%) with shattering phenotype. All weedy rice accessions are the “nonshattering” genotype at the sh4 locus but with shattering phenotype. These data challenge the widely accepted hypothesis that a single nucleotide mutation (“G”/“T”) of the sh4 locus is the major driving force for rice domestication. Instead, we hypothesize that unidentified shattering loci are responsible for the initial domestication of cultivated rice through reduced seed shattering.     

Influence of Physicochemical Properties of Rice Flour on Oil Uptake of Tempura Frying Batter

The physicochemical properties of rice flour and wheat flour influenced the oil uptake of tempura frying batter. Rice flour was better than wheat flour in the overall quality and crispness of the fried tempura batter. Rice flour resisted oil absorption more than wheat flour, and a higher level of apparent starch amylose and higher consistency/breakdown ratio of the pasting properties led to a lower oil uptake of the batter. Super hard EM10 rice showed the highest apparent amylose content and higher consistency/breakdown ratio than the other flour samples, the batter from EM10 revealing the lowest oil content after frying among all the batters examined. The apparent amylose content, consistency/breakdown ratio and oil absorption index are proposed as useful guides for oil absorption when frying from among the physicochemical properties that influence the oil content of fried batter. Our proposal for the “oil absorption index” could be a simple, although not perfect method for estimating the oil content of batter flour.     

Control of root-knot nematode,Meloidogyne incognita and reniform nematode,Rotylenchulus reniformis on pigeonpea and linseed

Abstract

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) and linseed (Linum usitatissimum) are susceptible to Meloidogyne incognita and Rotylenchulus reniformis nematodes. Reduction in different growth parameters (length and weight of plant, number of pods), bulk density of pigeonpea stem, oil content of linseed, chlorophyll content of leaf and water absorption of roots caused by M. incognita and R. reniformis were statistically significant. Similar effects were also observed in plants raised from seeds soaked in different concentrations of water soluble fractions (WSF) of rice polish and pyridoxine solutions, however, the reductions were of a comparatively lesser extent. Higher concentrations of the solutions were more effective when compared to lower ones and pyridoxine was more beneficial than WSF for improving plant growth and reducing disease incidence.     

Endophytic Pseudomonas fluorescens Endo2 and Endo35 induce resistance in black gram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper) to the pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina

Abstract

The effect of endophytic Pseudomonas fluorescens isolates Endo2 and Endo35 on induced systemic disease protection against dry root rot of black gram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper) caused by Macrophomina phaseolina was investigated under glasshouse conditions. When the bacterized black gram plants were inoculated with dry root rot pathogen, the activities of peroxidase (PO), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) were stimulated in addition to accumulation of phenolics and lignin. Activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) reached the maximum 24 h after pathogen challenge inoculation, whereas the activities of PO and PPO reached the maximum at 72 h and 48 h, respectively. Isoform analysis revealed that a unique PPO3 isozyme was induced in bacterized black gram tissues inoculated with the pathogen. Phenolics were found to accumulate in bacterized black gram tissues challenged with M. phaseolina one day after pathogen challenge. The accumulation of phenolics reached maximum at the third day after pathogen inoculation. Similar observation was found in the lignin content of black gram plants. In untreated control plants, the accumulation of defence enzymes and chemicals started at the first day and drastically decreased 3 days after pathogen inoculation. These results suggest that induction of defense enzymes involved in phenylpropanoid pathway and accumulation of phenolics and PR-proteins might have contributed to restricting invasion of Macrophomina phaseolina in black gram roots.     

Nutritional composition of actual and potential insect prey for the Kasekela chimpanzees of Gombe National Park,Tanzania

Humans, all great ape species, and some lesser apes consume insects. Insects can provide comparable nutritional yields to meat on a gram‐for‐gram basis and may serve as an important source of energy, fat, protein, minerals, and vitamins for hominoids. Although potential insect prey are abundant in ape habitats, patterns of insectivory are not consistent across species or populations. Efforts to understand these patterns are complicated by a lack of nutritional data. We collected samples of insects consumed by the Kasekela chimpanzee community of Gombe National Park, Tanzania, as well as of some insects found within the community range and ignored by these chimpanzees but known to be preyed upon by Pan elsewhere. We determined the gross energy (GE), estimated metabolizable energy (ME), fat, protein, fiber, and ash content of these samples following standard methodologies. We use these data to test the hypothesis that Kasekela chimpanzees choose insect prey (at least in part) based on energy and/or macronutrient content. On a fresh‐weight, per‐gram basis, the insect prey consumed by Kasekela chimpanzees had significantly higher fat and lower ash content than other assayed insects, and on a fresh‐weight, per‐foraging‐unit (“per‐insect,” “per‐dip,” or “per‐nest”) basis were significantly higher in GE, fat, and protein. On a per‐gram basis, the assayed insects were generally comparable in energy and macronutrients to wild vertebrate meat. We conclude that Kasekela chimpanzees do favor insects that are high in energy, fat, and protein, and that the potential macronutrient yields from some forms of insectivory are not trivial. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Effects of herbicide-tolerant transgenic oilseed rape genotypes on honey bees and other pollinating insects under field condtions

Abstract Various parameters of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), such as ovipositional behaviour, development period, and ability of newly hatched larvae to utilise the host for further growth, are affected by host attributes that could be physical or chemical in nature. These factors were assessed using green‐ and black‐gram (Leguminosae) seed characteristics to explore whether they affected oviposition behaviour, fecundity, and breeding success in C. maculatus, and to determine whether the presence of cysteine proteinase inhibitor (CPI) within the seeds caused inhibition of proteinase activity in C. maculatus. Investigation revealed that green‐gram (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) varieties differed from black‐gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) varieties by having softer seeds with smoother seed coats. Green‐gram NM92 and the control had the heaviest seeds with the largest surface area and medium hardness, black‐gram had seeds with medium weight, medium surface area, and maximum hardness, and green‐gram NCM209 had the lightest seeds with smallest surface area and minimum hardness. Varieties with smooth seed coats and greater seed weight and surface area were preferred for oviposition. Grain texture was more important as an oviposition stimulus than grain surface area and size for the Islamabad biotype of C. maculatus. The level of CPI in seeds was not, on its own, responsible for the observed differences in insect development period or larval activity. Development period was shorter in green‐gram with softer seeds and was prolonged in black‐gram with harder seeds. Although C. maculatus did not suffer higher mortality in black‐gram seeds, the delay in development alone may lead to a considerable reduction in seed loss during storage, due to the low rate of multiplication and lower population growth.     

Studies on the Cereal Starches

Twenty purified rice starches of domestic and imported rices from eight countries including indica and japonica subspecies were submitted to the test of the chemical compositions, pasting characteristics and dynamic visco-elasticity of cold paste body. High correlations were found between some of these characteristics in which were observed obvious differences among the samples. For characterization of rice starches, the samples were classified in 4 groups, according to the degree of these starch characters, which were roughly expressed as “Sticky type” and “Non-sticky or Flaky type”     

HORMONAL REGULATION OF MORPHOGENESIS IN STREPTOCARPUS AND ITS RELEVANCE TO EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY OF THE GESNERIACEAE

Two morphogenetic patterns have contributed to phylogenetic diversification within the Gesneriaceae: accrescence of one of the paired cotyledons (anisocotyly), which serves to differentiate the subfamily Cyrtandroideae; sustained growth of the accrescent cotyledon accompanied by prolonged suppression and displacement of the embryonic apical meristem, which gives rise to an acaulescent, dorsiventral vegetative plant body (phyllomorph) and further serves to differentiate species of Cyrtandroideae found in two tribes and several genera including Streptocarpus. It was possible to prevent cotyledonary accrescence and induce caulescence at will, either by supplying exogenous GA₃ or inhibiting auxin transport in species of Streptocarpus that normally manifest an extreme, phyllomorphic morphology. It was also possible to induce sustained, phyllomorphic development of cotyledons that are normally non-accrescent with exogenous cytokinin. Therefore morphogenetic capacities previously thought to be “lost” or “lacking” in subgenus Streptocarpus and, with respect to isocotyly, the tribe Cyrtandroideae, are, in fact, present but suppressed. An hypothesis regarding the role of hormones with respect to morphogenesis and phylogeny of Streptocarpus is suggested.     

Lack of exposure to natural light in the workspace is associated with physiological,sleep and depressive symptoms

The diurnal light cycle has a crucial influence on all life on earth. Unfortunately, modern society has modified this life-governing cycle by stressing maximum production and by giving insufficient attention to the ecological balance and homeostasis of the human metabolism. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of exposure or lack of exposure to natural light in a rest/activity rhythm on cortisol and melatonin levels, as well as on psychological variables in humans under natural conditions. This is a cross-sectional study. The subjects were allocated split into two groups according to their workspace (10 employees in the “with window” group and 10 in the “without window” group). All participants were women and wore anactigraph (Actiwatch 2, Philips Respironics), which measures activity and ambient light exposure, for seven days. Concentrations of melatonin and cortisol were measured from the saliva samples. Participants were instructed to collect saliva during the last day of use of the actigraph at 08:00 am, 4:00 pm and 10:00 pm. The subjects answered the Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20 (SRQ-20) to measure the presence of minor psychiatric disorders; the Montgomery-Asberg (MA) scale was used to measure depression symptoms, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire (PSQI) was used to evaluate the quality of sleep. The Rayleigh analysis indicates that the two groups, “with window” an d “without window”, exhibited similar activities and light acrophases. In relation to light exposure, the mesor was significantly higher (t?=??2.651, p?=?0.023) in t he “with window” group (191.04?±?133.36) than in the “without window” group (73.8?±?42.05). Additionally, the “with window” group presented the highest amplitude of light exposure (298.07?±?222.97). Cortisol levels were significantly different between the groups at 10:00 pm (t?=?3.009, p?=?0.008; “without window” (4.01?±?0.91) “with window” (3.10?±?0.30)). In terms of the melatonin levels, the groups differed at two different times of day: 08:00 am (t?=?2.593, p?=?0.018) and 10:00 pm (t?=??2.939, p?=?0.009). The “with window” group had a lower melatonin level at 08:00 am (3.54?±?0.60) but a higher level at 10:00 pm (24.74?±?4.22) than the “without window” group. Higher cortisol levels were positively correlated with minor psychiatric disorders and depressive symptoms (MA) at 10:00 pm. Lower melatonin levels at 10:00 pm were correlated with depressive symptoms and poor quality of sleep (PSQI). Our study demonstrated that not only may light pollution affect human physiology but also lack of exposure to natural light is related to high levels of cortisol and lower levels of melatonin at night, and these, in turn, are related to depressive symptoms and poor quality of sleep.     

DISTRIBUTION, SYSTEMATICS, AND POLYMORPHISM OF THE AFRICAN WEAVER-BIRD QUELEA QUELEA

Quelea quelea is distributed throughout Africa south of the Sahara in the Grass Steppe, Dry Savanna, and Montane Grassland biomes. It is most numerous where its staple food–the seeds of annual grasses–is most plentiful. In all parts of the range, the males in nuptial plumage are dimorphic. Everywhere the “black—faced” morph is commoner, but with up to 25% of “white-faced”. Proportions of the morphs are given for samples from various parts of Africa. Only three races are accepted: quelea of western West Africa, aethiopica of the Sudan area, and lathami of southern Africa. In the Lake Chad basin there are hybrid swarms breeding (queleaj aethiopica), as there are in East Africa where aethiopica/lathami swarms occur.     

Carbon nanotube clusters as universal bacterial adsorbents and magnetic separation agents

The magnetic susceptibility and high bacterial affinity of carbon nanotube (CNT) clusters highlight their great potential as a magnetic bio‐separation agent. This article reports the CNT clusters' capability as “universal” bacterial adsorbents and magnetic separation agents by designing and testing a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) cluster‐based process for bacterial capturing and separation. The reaction system consisted of large clusters of MWNTs for bacterial capture and an external magnet for bio‐separation. The designed system was tested and optimized using Escherichia coli as a model bacterium, and further generalized by testing the process with other representative strains of both gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria. For all strains tested, bacterial adsorption to MWNT clusters occurred spontaneously, and the estimated MWNT clusters' adsorption capacities were nearly the same regardless of the types of strains. The bacteria‐bound MWNT clusters also responded almost instantaneously to the magnetic field by a rare‐earth magnet (0.68 Tesla), and completely separated from the bulk aqueous phase and retained in the system. The results clearly demonstrate their excellent potential as highly effective “universal” bacterial adsorbents for the spontaneous adsorption of any types of bacteria to the clusters and as paramagnetic complexes for the rapid and highly effective magnetic separations. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010