Substrate specificity of beta-primeverosidase, a key enzyme in aroma formation during oolong tea and black tea manufacturing

We synthesized nine kinds of diglycosides and a monoglycoside of 2-phenylethanol to investigate the substrate specificity of the purified beta-primeverosidase from fresh leaves of a tea cultivar (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis cv. Yabukita) in comparison with the apparent substrate specificity of the crude enzyme extract from tea leaves. The crude enzyme extract mainly showed beta-primeverosidase activity, although monoglycosidases activity was present to some extent. The purified beta-primeverosidase showed very narrow substrate specificity with respect to the glycon moiety, and especially prominent specificity for the beta-primeverosyl (6-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl) moiety. The enzymes hydrolyzed naturally occurring diglycosides such as beta-primeveroside, beta-vicianoside, beta-acuminoside, beta-gentiobioside and 6-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, but were unable to hydrolyze synthetic unnatural diglycosides. The purified enzyme was inactive toward 2-phenylethyl beta-D-glucopyranoside. The enzyme hydrolyzed each of the diglycosides into the corresponding disaccharide and 2-phenylethanol. These results indicate the beta-primeverosidase, a diglycosidase, to be a key enzyme involved in aroma formation during the tea manufacturing process.     

(Z)-3-hexenyl and trans-linalool 3,7-oxide beta-primeverosides isolated as aroma precursors from leaves of a green tea cultivar.

6-O-beta-D-Xylopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosides (beta-primeverosides) of (Z)-3-hexenol and trans-linalool 3,7-oxide were newly isolated from fresh leaves of a tea cultivar (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis cv. Yabukita). In addition, the already identified beta-primeverosides of benzyl alcohol, methyl salicylate, and trans-linalool 3,6-oxide from an oolong tea cultivar were isolated from the Yabukita cultivar. It was confirmed that all aglycones of the linalool oxide glycosides isolated here were of the optically active S-form by chiral GC after enzymatic hydrolysis with glycosidase.     

The (3R,9R)-3-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-beta-ionol disaccharide glycoside is an aroma precursor in tea leaves

The disaccharide glycoside, (3R,9R)-3-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-beta-ionyl 6-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside was isolated as an aroma precursor from the leaves of Camellia sinensis var. sinensis cv. Yabukita. Its stereochemistry was elucidated on the basis of spectral data and chemical synthesis.     

Furcatin hydrolase from Viburnum furcatum Blume is a novel disaccharide-specific acuminosidase in glycosyl hydrolase family 1

Furcatin hydrolase (FH) is a unique disaccharide-specific acuminosidase, which hydrolyzes furcatin (p-allylphenyl 6-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (acuminoside)) into p-allylphenol and the disaccharide acuminose. We have isolated a cDNA coding for FH from Viburnum furcatum leaves. The open reading frame in the cDNA encoded a 538-amino acid polypeptide including a putative chloroplast transit peptide. The deduced protein showed 64% identity with tea leaf beta-primeverosidase, which is another disaccharide glycosidase specific to beta-primeverosides (6-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosides). The deduced FH also shared greater than 50% identity with various plant beta-glucosidases in glycosyl hydrolase family 1. The recombinant FH expressed in Escherichia coli exhibited the highest level of activity toward furcatin with a Km value of 2.2 mm and specifically hydrolyzed the beta-glycosidic bond between p-allylphenol and acuminose, confirming FH as a disaccharide glycosidase. The FH also hydrolyzed beta-primeverosides and beta-vicianoside (6-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside) but poorly hydrolyzed beta-gentiobiosides (6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-beta-d-glucopyranosides), indicating high substrate specificity for the disaccharide glycone moiety. The FH exhibited activity toward p-allylphenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside containing the same aglycone as furcatin but little activity toward the other beta-D-glucopyranosides. Stereochemical analysis using 1H NMR spectroscopy revealed that FH is a retaining glycosidase. The subcellular localization of FH was analyzed using green fluorescent protein fused with the putative N-terminal signal peptide, indicating that FH is localized to the chloroplast. Phylogenetic analysis of plant beta-glucosidases revealed that FH clusters with beta-primeverosidase, and this suggests that the disaccharide glycosidases will form a new subfamily in glycosyl hydrolase family 1.     

Analysis of tea plant resistance to tea green leafhopper,Empoasca onukii,by detecting stylet‐probing behavior with DC electropenetrography

The tea green leafhopper, Empoasca onukiiMatsuda (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae), is a serious pest of tea plants in East Asia. Previous work has shown that two tea germplasms, Cd19 and Cd289, sustain less hopperburn damage by E. onukii than does Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze cv. ‘Yabukita’ (Theaceae), and E. onukii excretes less honeydew on these germplasms than on the susceptible Yabukita. This study investigated the feeding behavior of E. onukii with a direct current electropenetrograph (DC EPG) to compare feeding behaviors, including ingestion, on resistant tea germplasms and Yabukita. Feeding behaviors on the resistant germplasms were significantly restricted, with few bouts of active ingestion of short duration and long periods of non‐probing, whereas E. onukii engaged in active ingestion of long duration many times on the susceptible cv. Yabukita. The tea germplasms, Cd19 and Cd289, therefore showed strong resistance to E. onukii. Furthermore, the shape of puncture holes left after probing was compared between the susceptible Yabukita and the resistant germplasms. The puncture holes on Cd19 and Cd289 were indistinct in shape and closed compared with those on Yabukita.     

Differentiation of Japanese green tea cultivars as revealed by RFLP analysis of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase DNA

Japanese green tea cultivars and 463 local tea plants including mountainous tea, yama-cha, were analyzed to determine the process of differentiation of Japanese tea plants using phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) as a DNA marker. The main DNA fragments detected by RFLP analysis, which were named A, B and D, were inherited as multiple allelic genes at one locus. Japanese tea cultivars were divided into five groups according to RFLPs: AA, AB, AD, BD and DD. The AA group included many cultivars selected from local tea plants. The BD group consisted of cv Yabukita or descendants from Yabukita produced by artificial crossing. There was no BB group of cultivars. Allelic frequencies of A, B and D were 0.66, 0.08 and 0.22, respectively, and these values were same in tea plants collected from all regions of Japan. Since the frequencies in yama-cha and local tea plants were also the same, it is thought that these teas have the same origin. These results indicate a process of differentiation from the ancestral material presumably introduced from China to the local tea plants and, finally, cultivars which were produced by selecting from local tea plants and crossing.     

Isolation and characterization of a beta-primeverosidase-like enzyme from Penicillium multicolor

p-Nitrophenyl and eugenyl beta-primeveroside (6-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside) hydrolytic activity was found in culture filtrate from Penicillium multicolor IAM7153, and the enzyme was isolated. The enzyme was purified as a beta-primeverosidase-like enzyme by precipitation with ammonium sulfate followed by successive chromatographies on Phenyl Sepharose, Mono Q, and beta-galactosylamidine affinity columns. The molecular mass was estimated to be 50 kDa by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration. The purified enzyme was highly specific toward the substrate p-nitrophenyl beta-primeveroside, which was cleaved in an endo-manner into primeverose and p-nitrophenol, but a series of beta-primeveroside as aroma precursors were hydrolyzed only slightly as substrates for the enzyme. In analyses of its hydrolytic action and kinetics, the enzyme showed narrow substrate specificity with respect to the aglycon and glycon moieties of the diglycoside. We conclude that the present enzyme is a kind of beta-diglycosidase rather than beta-primeverosidase.     

Improvement of catechin productivity in suspension cultures of tea callus cells

In the suspension cultures of tea callus cells, C.sinensis cv. Yabukita, the effects of the culture conditions, such as culture period and light irradiation, on cell growth and catechin production were investigated. The production of flavonoids (catechins + proanthocyanidins) was promoted by inoculating the cells into the fresh medium at the culture period giving the maximum flavonoid content in the cells. The cultivation under light irradiation was repeated several times by inoculating the cells with the maximum flavonoid content. The flavonoid production was significantly increased without inhibiting the cell growth. We obtained the maximum flavonoid production, 1.5 g/dm(3) medium, and the maximum content, 150 mg/(g of dry cell weight (DCW)). The latter value was larger than that in the leaves of the tea plant.     

茶树硝酸盐转运蛋白基因的克隆和表达分析

硝酸盐转运蛋白（NRT）是植物吸收和利用硝态氮的一种关键蛋白。运用RACE技术从茶树中扩增出NRT基因的cDNA,并利用实时荧光定量PCR检测了CsNRT基因在不同茶树器官与品种之间的差异表达。结果表明：CsNRT基因的cDNA全长2 061 bp,开放阅读框为1 818 bp,编码含由605个氨基酸组成的蛋白质,GenBank登录号为KJ160503,属于NRT2基因家族。CsNRT为组成型基因,对不同处理的水培茶苗进行定量表达分析显示,该基因在根、茎、叶中都有表达,其中在根部的表达水平最高,1.0 mmol·L-1的NO3-可诱导其表达量上升7.53倍。不同茶树品种中CsNRT基因的表达也有较大差异,‘龙井长叶’和‘凫早2号’的表达量较高,前者强烈响应0.5和1.0 mmol·L-1 NO3-的诱导,后者的响应浓度为1.0和2.0mmol·L-1,而‘舒茶早’在各浓度下的表达差异不明显。     

A Primeverosidase as a Main Glycosidase Concerned with the Alcoholic Aroma Formation in Tea Leaves

We isolated and characterized a primeverosidase from fresh tea leaves (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis cv. Yabukita) as a main glycosidase involved in alcoholic aroma (geraniol, linalool, benzyl alcohol, 2-phenylethanol, linalool oxides etc.) formation from their aroma precursors (β-primeverosides: 6-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosides) in tea leaves.     

Patterns of adenine metabolism and caffeine biosynthesis in different parts of tea seedlings

Contents of purine alkaloids in different parts of tea ( Camellia sinensis L. cv. Yabukita ) seedlings, seeds and tissue cultures were determined with high-performance liquid chromatography. More than 99% of the caffeine detected was in the leaves of the 4-month-old seedlings. The amount expressed per g fresh weight was higher in older leaves. Theobromine, a precursor of caffeine biosynthesis, was found only in younger leaves. Zero or only trace amounts of theophylline, a degradation product of caffeine, were found in the seedlings. Almost all the caffeine in tea seeds was found in the seed coats. Theobromine and theophilline could not be detected in any part of the seeds.
Tracer experiments using [8-¹⁴C]-adenine indicate that (i) caffeine biosynthesis from [8-¹⁴C]-adenine occurs only in younger leaves,(ii) "salvage" of [8-¹⁴C]-adenine for nucleic acid synthesis takes place in all parts of the seedlings, (iii) considerable degradation of [8-¹⁴C]-adenine by conventional purine degradation pathway via uric acid takes place in roots and lower parts of stem tissue.
The results strongly suggest that caffeine is synthesized in younger leaves and accumulated within the leaves. Both caffeine contents and its synthetic activity from adenine were extremely low in tissue culture of tea.     

湖南茶叶植物资源的评价

对城步峒茶、江华苦茶、汝城白毛茶和云台山种等湖南茶叶植物资源的主要化学成分、光合特性和生产性状进行了研究。结果表明,茶多酚与儿茶素含量从高到低依次为汝城白毛茶、江华苦茶、城步峒茶、云台山种;各资源的游离氨基酸、茶氨酸和咖啡碱含量均为正常水平;汝城白毛茶属高茶多酚资源,它所含生物碱的组成方式与毛叶茶龙门模式种不同,虽可可碱和茶叶碱含量比茶种高,但仍以咖啡碱为主。在阴天阴凉条件下的净光合速率为汝城白毛茶＞城步峒茶＞江华苦茶＞云台山种,净光合速率与光量子通量、叶面温度呈极显著正相关,与气孔阻力呈极显著负相关,相关系数分别为０９２７８、０９１１５和－０８９３７。在晴天高温度强光条件下,净光合速率为云台山种＞城步峒茶＞江华苦茶＞汝城白毛花,净光合速率与光量子通量、叶面温度和气孔阻力都呈极显著负相关,相关系数分别为－０９１６５、－０９３２８、－０９０３１。在主要生产性状中,汝城白毛茶能安全通过－６℃的低温,在高茶多酚资源中,抗寒性突出,是选育红茶良种的一个非常有益的关键性状。     

茶树HMG-CoA还原酶基因全长cDNA克隆及序列分析

香气是茶叶的重要品质之一,萜类物质不仅香气好,而且沸点普遍较高,是构成茶叶香气的重要物质基础,决定着茶叶的香气品质,也可作为茶叶香型划分的依据。在植物中,倍半萜、多萜醇等通过胞质中的甲瓦龙酸(MVA)途径合成。HMG-Co A还原酶(HMGR)催化HMG-Co A(3-羟基-3-甲基戊二酸单酰辅酶A)生成甲瓦龙酸,是依赖MVA萜类合成途径的关键限速反应。为了有助于理解茶树萜类合成的分子遗传机制,通过RACE-PCR方法从茶树中克隆了一个编码HMG-Co A还原酶的c DNA全长序列(命名为Cs HMGR1),该序列由1 979 bp组成,包含一个1 722 bp的完整开放阅读框,编码573个氨基酸。其推定的编码蛋白与橡胶树、旱莲木、人参、荔枝、西洋参、丹参、罗汉果及龙眼的同源蛋白具有80%~82%的序列一致性。利用Cs HMGR1和其它物种HMGR同源蛋白的催化区域构建系统发育树,表明其属于真核生物I类HMGR家族。结构分析表明,Cs HMGR1含有两个跨膜区,推测其与其它真核生物同源蛋白类似地定位于内质网上;含有两个HMG-Co A结合位点、两个NADPH结合位点、四个保守的催化活性残基及一个磷酸化位点,说明磷酸化/去磷酸化很可能也是其活性调节的重要方式。表达分析表明,Cs HMGR1在"大叶龙"叶芽、母株叶芽及花芽都有较强的表达。其表达调控及生理活性对茶叶品质可能有重要影响,并在其功能解析的基础上,有可能作为茶叶品质鉴定及育种的一个依据。     

用cDNA-AFLP及其改进的方法分析茶树花发育过程中的基因表达

利用cDNA-AFLP及其改进的cDNA-AFLP方法,分析茶树花发育过程中的基因表达。其发育过程中的基因表达可以分为3类:未成熟阶段发育特异基因;成熟阶段发育特异基因;茶树花发育过程中均表达的基因。利用改进的cDNA-AFLP方法,我们获得编码花药发育特异基因:pollen coat protein(Pcp)。用cDNA-AFLP方法,我们获得7个已知功能基因分别编码Cytchrome(P450),beta-primeverosidase,Dnaj-like protein,anthranilate phosphoribosyl transferase(AnPRT),Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenasesmall subunit(RubpS),alpha-tubulin和Carbonic anhydrase。用RACE方法获得pollen coat protein(Pcp),DnaJ-like protein和Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase small subunit等3个基因的全长,并已提交GenBank。     

Effects of intercropping with persimmon on the rhizosphere environment of tea

The rhizosphere environment of tea (Camelllia sinensis Kuntze) intercropped with persimmon (Diospyros kaki) differs from monocultures of tea.A trial was conducted to determine the effects of intercropping with persimmon on root exudates and soil nutrient condition of tea.Amino acid exuded in intercropping was three times higher than that in monoculture.Phenol,phenol/amino acid ration,dissolved sugar,and total organic acid were also lower in intercropping.The value of pH in soil was higher,and soil nutrient condition of rhizosphere,especially available nutrient,was not as well in intercropping as that in tea grown alone.While soil nutrient of non-rhizosphere was better than that in monoculture,tea quality and soil nutrient condition were better in intercropping ecosystem.     

萎凋处理对乌龙茶风味品质形成的转录组分析

乌龙茶是一种高香型半发酵茶,因其具有的花果香和鲜醇浓厚口感而广受消费者青睐.在鸟龙茶加工过程中,萎凋是促进乌龙茶风味品质形成的第一道工序.然而,乌龙茶萎凋过程中影响风味品质形成的分子机制尚不明确.利用转录组测序对乌龙茶鲜叶、室内萎凋叶和日光萎凋叶进行分析.结果 表明,从3个样品中共鉴定出10793个差异表达基因.KEG...     

SPME-GC/MS 联用分析六堡茶茶花香气成分

该研究采用顶空固相微萃取—气相色谱/质谱联用技术,对六堡本地三种茶树花的香气成分进行了分析。结果表明：大叶种茶树花中共鉴定出香气成分37种,主要为苯乙酮、4-甲基-1,5-庚二烯、苯甲酸甲酯、愈创木二烯、顺式芳樟醇氧化物、雪松烯、水杨酸甲酯、D-杜松烯、1-氨基-环戊醇、除虫菊酮,占总相对含量的89.48％;中叶种共鉴定出32种成分,主要为苯乙酮、紫苏烯、顺式-3-蒈烯、顺式α-榄香烯、苯甲酸乙酯、塞瑟尔烯、α-蒎烯、新丁香三环烯、衣兰烯、顺式芳樟醇氧化物,占总相对含量的83.88％;小叶种的茶树花中共鉴定出45种香气成分,主要为苯乙酮、紫苏烯、罗勒烯、顺式α-榄香烯、2-异丙基-5-甲基-9-亚甲基-二环[4.4.0]癸-1-烯、荜澄茄油烯醇、α-菖蒲二烯、α-红没药烯、衣兰烯、苯甲酸乙酯、白菖油萜和α-杜松烯,占总相对含量的82.34％。苯乙酮为三种茶树花共有的主要成分,分别占总相对含量的60.70％、42.46％和39.91％,这成分与其他成分一起构成了3个品种明显不同的茶树花花香。该研究结果为六堡茶树花的深加工提供了依据。     

Caffeine in tea plants [Camellia sinensis (L) O. Kuntze]: in situ lowering by Bacillus licheniformis (Weigmann) Chester

Tea plants (Camellia sinensis) contain 5-6% caffeine that is responsible for the stimulating effect of the beverage. As the tolerance to caffeine varies among individuals, low caffeine tea would be an ideal alternative. While assessing the potential of a few selected bacteria-Bacillus licheniformis, B. subtilis and B. firmus, to multiply on nutrient medium supplemented with glucose (5%) and tea leaf extract (2%), it was observed that only B. licheniformis could proliferate on this medium. Hence, B. licheniformis was used for further studies. Tea plants were sprayed with a suspension of B. licheniformis at a dilution of 5 x 10(8) CFU/ml containing 0.1% Tween 80 as surfactant. In situ lowering of caffeine from tea leaves was evident without affecting the quality of the other tea components. Further, there was no change in the morphological and physiological characteristics as well. It is suggested that spraying of B. licheniformis may be useful in yielding decaffeinated tea with good flavour and aroma.