Plant secondary substances and insects behaviour

Allelochemicals are storing in different location in plant tissues as inactive form. Number of identified compounds may now exceed 100,000. Environmental factors have an effect on allelochemicals concentration in plants. Many allelochemicals classified as toxins or deterrents for herbivorous insects. Allelochemicals play a major role in feeding or ovipositing stimulants for some specialist insects. Consumption and assimilation of herbivorous insects had affected by the type of allelochemicals in host plants. Allelochemicals have an acute or chronic toxicity on herbivorous insects. Most specialist herbivorous insects rely heavily of ingested plant allelochemicals. Plant allelochemicals may influence an insect's susceptibility to pathogens such as bacteria, fungi and nematode. Specialists herbivorous insect can be using the allelochemicals in their host plants as protection against natural enemies. Some herbivorous insects are synthesising the aggregation, attracting, alarm or mating pheromone from the allelochemicals in their host plants.     

Mechanisms for cellular transport and release of allelochemicals from plant roots into the rhizosphere

Allelochemicals and other metabolites released by plant roots play important roles in rhizosphere signalling, plant defence and responses to abiotic stresses. Plants use a variety of sequestration and transport mechanisms to move and export bioactive products safely into the rhizosphere. The use of mutants and molecular tools to study gene expression has revealed new information regarding the diverse group of transport proteins and conjugation processes employed by higher plants. Transport systems used for moving secondary products into and out of root cells are similar to those used elsewhere in the plant but are closely linked to soil environmental conditions and local root health. Root cells can rapidly generate and release large quantities of allelochemicals in response to stress or local rhizosphere conditions, so the production and transport of these compounds in cells are often closely linked. Plants need to manage the potentially toxic allelochemicals and metabolites they produce by sequestering them to the vacuole or other membrane-bound vesicles. These compartments provide secure storage areas and systems for safely moving bioactive chemicals throughout the cytosol. Release into the apoplast occurs either by exocytosis or through membrane-bound transport proteins. This review discusses the possible transport mechanisms involved in releasing specific root-produced allelochemicals by combining microscopic observations of the specialized root cells with the physical and chemical properties of the exudates.     

地黄对芝麻的化感作用及其化感物质的分离鉴定

通过分离地黄(Rehmannia glutinosa)组织中抑制芝麻(Sesamum indicum)生长发育的化感物质, 以弄清地黄茬种植芝麻造成芝麻严重减产的原因。以芝麻为受体的生物测定为检测跟踪手段, 通过浸提、萃取、硅胶柱层析分离方法及气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)鉴定方法, 分离鉴定了地黄组织影响芝麻的化感物质。对地黄不同组织的浸提液进行的生物测定结果表明: 影响芝麻生长发育的化感物质在地黄叶中含量高。地黄叶浸提液的不同有机相萃取组分的生物测定结果表明: 乙酸乙酯相化感活性最强, 乙酯乙酯相通过硅胶柱层析分离获得的洗脱组分Fr7化感活性最强。通过GC-MS及验证试验证明: 地黄抑制芝麻生长的化感物质是月桂酸和2,6-二叔丁基苯酚。研究表明地黄他感作用与自毒作用的化感物质是不同的。     

Allelopathy as a Tool in the Management of Biotic Resources in Agroecosystems

In modern agriculture, natural plant communities may be replaced by a single crop species. Weeds, some microorganisms, and viruses, as well as some herbivores are organisms that should be eliminated. Pesticides and fertilizers not only affect the pests and crops, but soil, non-pest species, water, food, and humans. In traditional agriculture weeds are components with an important ecological role in the maintenance of the system. Some weeds have been used as tools to control the growth of other weeds in traditional agroecosystems. Researchers on sustainable and organic agriculture get valuable information from traditional agriculture and currently are conducting research on plant breeding, soil fertility and tillage, crop protection, and cropping systems. Allelopathy and chemical ecology are directly involved in each of these fields and can play an important role in crop productivity, conservation of genetic diversity, and maintenance of ecosystems stability. Allelopathy has been shown to be related with problems of chemical interference between crops and weeds, crops and crops, toxicity of crops and weeds residues, and/or crops and weeds exudates. Problems of autotoxicity, orchard replanting, and forest regeneration are also referred as allelopathic. Allelopathy is strongly coupled with other stresses of the environment, including insects and disease, temperature extremes, nutrient and moisture variables, radiation, and herbicides. These stress conditions often enhance allelochemical production and increase the potential for allelopathic interference. Allelopathy offers potential for weed control through the production and release of allelochemicals from plants. Allelochemicals may impact the availability of nutrients through effects on the symbiotic microbes. Destruction and changes in the use of soils in the tropics have decreased biodiversity, bringing about the loss of valuable natural products. Many different types of useful products such as natural pesticides and drugs can arise from allelopathy studies. New methods must be generated for allelopathy as a part of the biotic resources management strategies.     

Ecophysiological aspects of allelopathy

Allelochemicals play an important role in explaining plant growth inhibition in interspecies interactions and in structuring the plant community. Five aspects of allelochemicals are discussed from an ecophysiological perspective: (i) biosynthesis, (ii) mode of release, (iii) mode of action, (iv) detoxification and prevention of autotoxicity, and (v) joint action of allelochemicals. A discussion on identifying a compound as an allelochemical is also presented.     

Erratum

The bottom panel of figure number 1 in the article, “Roles of Peritrophic Membranes in Protecting Herbivorous Insects From Ingested Plant Allelochemicals” by Raymond V. Barbehenn, Volume 47, Number 2, June 2001 on pages 86–99 was submitted incorrectly. The corrected figure and legend from page 88 are herein reprinted. The bottom panel is now on the right hand side.     

Weed and Crop Allelopathy

Allelopathy can be defined as an important mechanism of plant interference mediated by the addition of plant-produced secondary products to the soil rhizosphere. Allelochemicals are present in all types of plants and tissues and are released into the soil rhizosphere by a variety of mechanisms, including decomposition of residues, volatilization, and root exudation. Allelochemical structures and modes of action are diverse and may offer potential for the development of future herbicides. We have focused our review on a variety of weed and crop species that establish some form of potent allelopathic interference, either with other crops or weeds, in agricultural settings, in the managed landscape, or in naturalized settings. Recent research suggests that allelopathic properties can render one species more invasive to native species and thus potentially detrimental to both agricultural and naturalized settings. In contrast, allelopathic crops offer strong potential for the development of cultivars that are more highly weed suppressive in managed settings. Both environmental and genotypic effects impact allelochemical production and release over time. A new challenge that exists for future plant scientists is to generate additional information on allelochemical mechanisms of release, selectivity and persistence, mode of action, and genetic regulation. In this manner, we can further protect plant biodiversity and enhance weed management strategies in a variety of ecosystems. Referee: Dr. Steve Weller, Purdue University, Dept. of Horticulture, West Lafayette, IN 47907     

Cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase activity in the velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner

The activity of microsomal aldrin epoxidase was observed in various tissues of the last instar larva of the velvetbean caterpillar (Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner) with the midgut being the most active. Optimum conditions for assaying the enzyme were established. Allelochemicals (monoterpenes, indoles and flavones) and host plants (cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, soybeans and hairy indigo) were found to induce the monooxygenase. Piperonyl butoxide decreased and increased the toxicity of methomyl and methyl parathion, respectively, suggesting that the monooxygenase system of velvetbean caterpillars plays a major role in the detoxification of xenobiotics.     

大豆地上部水浸液的化感作用及化感物质的鉴定

研究了重迎茬大豆花荚期植株地上部水浸液及其提取物对大豆种子萌发及幼苗生长的化感作用 ,并鉴定了有明显化感作用组分的物质。结果表明 :与对照组比 ,0 .1 0 g DW/ ml重茬大豆水浸液显著地抑制了大豆胚根生长 ;3 .75× 1 0 - 2g DW/ ml、7.5 0× 1 0 - 2 g DW/ ml正茬、重茬、迎茬大豆水浸液对砂培大豆苗的生长有显著的化感抑制作用 ;重茬、正茬大豆水浸液乙酸乙酯提取的酸性组分、XAD-4树脂提取组分 ,在 0 .6～ 1 .2 g DW/ ml浓度下 ,对大豆种子萌发初期的萌发率及萌发过程中的胚根生长亦表现出显著的化感抑制作用 ;重茬水浸液乙酸乙酯提取的中性、碱性组分在 1 .2 g DW/ ml浓度下 ,对大豆胚根生长有显著抑制作用。上述各组分化感作用大小随组分浓度增加而增加。在相同浓度处理下水浸液及其提取物的化感抑制作用有重茬大于正茬的趋势 ,统计检验差异均不显著。 GC-MS鉴定结果显示 ,正茬、重茬乙酸乙酯酸性组分、XAD-4树脂提取组分中的有机化合物主要是 :丁二酸、苯甲酸、邻羟基苯甲酸、4-羟基苯甲酸、对羟基肉桂酸、2 -甲基苯酚、2 -甲氧基 -4-乙烯基苯酚、间苯三酚、2 -甲基苯甲醛、3 -甲基苯甲醛、5 ,6,7,7a-四氢 -4,4,7a-三甲基 -2 (4 H) -苯并呋喃酮、2 ,4-戊二烯腈等。     

基于化感物质释放特性的沉水植物抑藻作用模式研究进展

沉水植物对藻类的化感抑制作用,是沉水植物获取竞争优势和维持清水稳态的重要机制之一。化感物质是由植物产生并释放到水环境中的次生代谢产物,化感物质的有效释放和作用是实现沉水植物化感抑藻作用的关键环节。因此,在化感物质释放水平阐明沉水植物化感抑藻的作用模式、过程和机制具有重要意义。通过比较沉水植物化感物质释放到水环境中的种类、含量和常规急性毒性测试中化感物质的抑藻效果,发现沉水植物化感物质在释放水平上的作用模式不同于常规急性毒性试验中的单次作用。为了回答沉水植物化感物质在释放水平如何高效抑藻的问题,结合化感物质的释放特性,重点从化感物质的联合作用和持续作用等角度探讨沉水植物化感抑藻的作用模式,提出沉水植物可能通过多种化感物质低剂量持续释放的方式,实现对目标藻类的持续协同控制。今后有必要进一步结合沉水植物与目标藻类的共存系统与原位实验,借助分析化学、植物化学、细胞和分子生物学的技术手段,从生态学水平加强沉水植物化感抑藻作用机制研究。     

Perspectives on allelopathic disruption of plant mutualisms: a framework for individual- and population-level fitness consequences

Mutualisms with mycorrhizal fungi, pollinators, and seed dispersers are critical for plant survival and reproduction. However, mutualism effectiveness is highly sensitive to disturbance by environmental stressors. Allelopathy is often overlooked, yet likely important, as a potential stress on plant mutualism function. Allelochemicals can affect plant mutualisms by either directly interfering with the plant’s ability to produce resources and rewards for its mutualistic partners or by directly or indirectly altering the non-plant mutualist’s behavior. Here we explore the potential effects of allelochemicals on plant mutualisms. Since allelochemicals can reduce plant growth and carbon acquisition, we suggest that allelopathy could directly diminish: (1) carbon provisioning to mycorrhizal fungi, (2) flower, pollen, and nectar production for pollinators, and (3) fruit attractiveness to seed dispersers. Similarly, allelochemicals that directly affect mycorrhizal fungi functioning can reduce the flow of soil resources to their plant partner. Further, volatile allelochemicals or uptake of allelochemicals from the soil by the plant could alter pollen/nectar or fruit attractiveness and indirectly influence pollinator and seed disperser behavior. Finally, we explore the extent to which plant-produced chemicals could have a direct or indirect positive effect on plant mutualisms. We end using these questions to frame future avenues of research that could help to move studies of allelopathy into the broader ecological context of mutualisms.     

苜蓿化感作用的初步研究

利用生物测定法和气相色谱 /质谱 (GC/MS)联用技术对中国北方广为种植的紫花苜蓿的化感作用进行了初步研究。结果表明 ,紫花苜蓿全草的水和 95 %乙醇浸提液对玉米和小麦种子萌发均有显著的抑制作用 ,进一步用柱层析对苜蓿浸提液进行了初步分离 ,分离组份对玉米和小麦种子萌发的影响有所变化。抑制玉米萌发的活性物质主要在弱极性的二氯甲烷组份中 ,而抑制小麦萌发的活性物质不仅存在于二氯甲烷组份中 ,也存在于水中。采用GC/MS技术 ,初步推测苜蓿的化感物质是酚和皂甙两类化合物     

General and specific mechanisms of biochemical interactions between plants

There exist two main mechanisms of allelopathy: 1) direct transfer of metabolites between neighbouring plants during their life and 2) accumulation and transformation of bioactive substances in the environment with their subsequent influence on higher plants. The latter mechanism is similar to that causing soil sickness or soil toxicity. Allelochemicals affect all functions of the living system: photosynthesis, respiration, mineral nutrition, transpiration, immunity, and growth. The initial biochemical effect of allelochemicals seems to be on the synthesis of protein mediated by RNA/DNA. Knowledge of the mechanisms of concrete signals during realization of hereditary codes would serve as a powerful tool for the improvement of crop plant development and productivity. This paper is based on and employs a broader definition of allelopathy than most other contributions to this collection of colloquium reports, in that it includes all interactions of plants, not merely inhibitory ones.     

Combined effects of allelochemical-fed and scarce prey on the generalist insect predator Podisusmaculiventris

1. The simultaneous effects of allelochemicals ingested by herbivorous insect prey and prey scarcity on the performance of a generalist insect predator were examined.
2. Fifth-instar predatory stinkbugs ( Podisus maculiventris : Pentatomidae) were fed caterpillars ( Manduca sexta : Sphingidae) in three prey scarcity treatments: every day (unlimited amount), one caterpillar every third day, one caterpillar every fifth day. The caterpillars were fed either a plain diet or a diet containing rutin, chlorogenic acid and tomatine, which are three of the major allelochemicals in tomato leaves ( Lycopersicon esculentum : Solanaceae), the preferred food of these caterpillars.
3. Food consumed, efficiency of conversion of ingested food to biomass (ECI), biomass gained, stadium duration and relative growth rate (RGR) of predators were negatively affected by prey scarcity. The allelochemicals negatively affected food consumed and ECI.
4. There were prey scarcity by allelochemical interactions for ECI, biomass gained and RGR. For ECI, the allelochemicals had a greater negative impact on the predatory stinkbugs when prey were scarce. When prey diet contained allelochemicals, biomass gained and RGR declined more steeply with increased prey scarcity. There was an allelochemical by predator gender interaction for biomass gained. Allelochemicals had no effect on biomass gained by female stinkbugs, whereas biomass gained declined more steeply with increased prey scarcity for male stinkbugs fed caterpillars containing allelochemicals than for males fed control caterpillars.     

腐解3个月后杉木枯枝落叶及腐殖土中的化感成分对杉木种子的化感效应

对腐解3个月后杉木〔Cunninghamia lanceolata(Lamb.) Hook.〕枯枝落叶及腐殖土中的化感成分进行了提取分离,并用杉木种子进行了生物检测。结果表明,与对照相比,杉木枯枝落叶中的极性和弱极性化感成分以及腐殖土中的弱极性化感成分对杉木种子的绝对发芽率、绝对发芽势、胚根长和胚轴长均有一定的抑制作用,但对幼苗干质量的抑制作用不明显。随浓度的提高,杉木枯枝落叶中的弱极性化感成分对杉木种子的绝对发芽势和胚轴长的抑制作用明显提高,极性化感成分对胚根长的抑制作用不断减小。随腐殖土中弱极性化感成分浓度的提高,对杉木种子绝对发芽率的抑制作用增加;腐殖土中的极性化感成分对杉木种子的绝对发芽率、绝对发芽势及胚轴长的抑制作用均随着浓度的升高而逐渐增强。     

腐解6个月后杉木枯枝落叶及腐殖土中的化感成分对杉木种子的化感效应

对腐解6个月后杉木[Cunninghamia lanceolata（Lamb．）Hook．]枯枝落叶及腐殖土中的化感成分进行了提取分离及生物检测。结果表明,枯枝落叶及腐殖土中的极性和弱极性化感成分对杉木种子的绝对发芽率、绝对发芽势、胚根长和胚轴长均有一定的抑制作用。随浓度的提高,枯枝落叶中的弱极性化感成分对绝对发芽率、胚轴长及幼苗干质量的抑制作用及极性化感成分对绝对发芽势、胚轴长的抑制作用均逐渐增强;腐殖土中的弱极性化感成分对绝对发芽率、绝对发芽势、胚根长及胚轴长的抑制作用及极性化感成分对胚轴长的抑制作用也逐渐增强。枯枝落叶中的化感成分对绝对发芽率、绝对发芽势及幼苗干质量的抑制效应高于腐殖土中的化感成分。     

Bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria and their potential in the preservation of fruit products

Bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are well-recognized for their potential as natural food preservatives. These antimicrobial peptides usually do not change the sensorial properties of food products and can be used in combination with traditional preservation methods to ensure microbial stability. In recent years, fruit products are increasingly being associated with food-borne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms, and bacteriocins are important candidates to preserve these products. Bacteriocins have been extensively studied to preserve foods of animal origin. However, little information is available for their use in vegetable products, especially in minimally processed ready-to-eat fruits. Although, many bacteriocins possess useful characteristics that can be used to preserve fruit products, to date, only nisin, enterocin AS-48, bovicin HC5, enterocin 416K1, pediocin and bificin C6165 have been tested for their activity against spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms in these products. Among these, only nisin and pediocin are approved to be commercially used as food additives, and their use in fruit products is still limited to certain countries. Considering the increasing demand for fresh-tasting fruit products and concern for public safety, the study of other bacteriocins with biochemical characteristics that make them candidates for the preservation of these products are of great interest. Efforts for their approval as food additives are also important. In this review, we discuss why the study of bacteriocins as an alternative method to preserve fruit products is important; we detail the biotechnological approaches for the use of bacteriocins in fruit products; and describe some bacteriocins that have been tested and have potential to be tested for the preservation of fruit products.     

WHO informal consultation on regulatory evaluation of therapeutic biological medicinal products held at WHO Headquarters, Geneva, 19-20 April 2007.

This report reflects the discussion and conclusions of an informal consultation held on 19-20 April 2007 at the World Health Organization concerning the regulatory evaluation of therapeutic biological medicinal products. The objectives of this meeting were to discuss the current status of so-called "similar" biological medicinal products (biosimilars) and to review regulatory pathways and challenges in evaluating the quality, safety and efficacy of these products. Biosimilars are products that are subject to licensing with a reduced data package due to a proven 'similarity' to the licensed reference product. The meeting was attended by experts in biotherapeutics from regulatory agencies, industry and academia representing 16 countries worldwide. Dr. Elwyn Griffiths (Canada) acted as Chairman and Dr. James Robertson (UK) was the Rapporteur. The meeting strongly focused on the usage of biosimilars and the current regulatory situation in many different countries. The application of International Nonproprietary Names (INN) to biosimilars, their potential immunogenicity, and WHO international standards and reference materials were also discussed, alongside presentations from the innovator and generic manufacturing industries. The consultation recognized the importance of the terminology as well as a definition of biosimilars for future considerations of these products. However, achieving a global consensus on the terminology for these new challenging products was not attempted at the Consultation, and it was decided that a future WHO working group should act on this issue as a next step. For purposes of this meeting report only, the term 'biosimilars' is temporarily used to refer to this category of products. It became clear that biotherapeutics authorized on the basis of a reduced data package are available and being used in some countries, with more appearing on the market. The existence of divergent approaches to the regulatory oversight of biosimilars in different countries revealed a need for defining regulatory expectations for these products at the global level. While many countries are following the guideline developed within the EU for quality aspects, discrepancies remain regarding the non-clinical and clinical studies of these products. The Consultation recommended that the WHO should develop a guideline in this area in order to provide a framework for the development of regulatory pathways for these products worldwide. For this purpose, agreement on the scope, definition and terminology of these products was deemed necessary. The interchangeability and substitution of products were also flagged as areas in need of harmonization. A WHO working group should be established to develop a guideline that would promote global consensus on the regulation of biosimilars, assist in their registration and enhance the availability of safe and effective biosimilar products worldwide.     

Biomimetic syntheses of racemic natural products

Racemic natural products are rarely produced in plants and microorganisms and are thought to be the result of nonenzymatic, spontaneous reactions. These compounds are often highly complex with multiple contiguous chiral centers that present a challenge to organic synthesis. Formation of these racemates often occurs by cyclization reactions that can generate multiple stereocenters from achiral precursors. Biomimetic synthesis of these racemic natural products provides support for their proposed nonenzymatic spontaneous biosynthesis. These elegant syntheses also provide scalable and efficient routes to these complex natural products. Although the number of reported racemic natural products is relatively low, an isolated natural product that has a very small optical rotation has been shown to be a true racemate. Thus, the occurrence of racemic natural products could be more common than thought.     

Biomarker of food intake for assessing the consumption of dairy and egg products

Dairy and egg products constitute an important part of Western diets as they represent an excellent source of high-quality proteins, vitamins, minerals and fats. Dairy and egg products are highly diverse and their associations with a range of nutritional and health outcomes are therefore heterogeneous. Such associations are also often weak or debated due to the difficulty in establishing correct assessments of dietary intake. Therefore, in order to better characterize associations between the consumption of these foods and health outcomes, it is important to identify reliable biomarkers of their intake. Biomarkers of food intake (BFIs) provide an accurate measure of intake, which is independent of the memory and sincerity of the subjects as well as of their knowledge about the consumed foods. We have, therefore, conducted a systematic search of the scientific literature to evaluate the current status of potential BFIs for dairy products and BFIs for egg products commonly consumed in Europe. Strikingly, only a limited number of compounds have been reported as markers for the intake of these products and none of them have been sufficiently validated. A series of challenges hinders the identification and validation of BFI for dairy and egg products, in particular, the heterogeneous composition of these foods and the lack of specificity of the markers identified so far. Further studies are, therefore, necessary to validate these compounds and to discover new candidate BFIs. Untargeted metabolomic strategies may allow the identification of novel biomarkers, which, when taken separately or in combination, could be used to assess the intake of dairy and egg products.