草莓果实发育成熟过程中糖苷酶和纤维素酶活性及细胞壁组成变化

以丰香和红丰草莓为试材,对果实发育成熟过程中细胞壁水解酶活性和细胞壁成份变化进行了研究．结果表明：半乳糖苷酶和α-甘露糖苷酶活性随草莓果实成熟而提高,葡萄糖苷酶活性不随草莓果实成熟而提高．随着果实发育成熟,纤维素酶活性、果胶酶活性不断提高．果实中未检测到内切多聚半乳糖醛酸酶活性,外切多聚半乳糖醛酸酶活性变化不随果实成熟软化而提高．随果实发育成熟,细胞壁中可溶性果胶和半纤维素增加,而离子结合果胶和共价结合果胶及纤维素减少．     

VARIATION IN AVERAGE SEED SIZE AND FRUIT SEEDINESS IN A FRUIT CROP OF A GUANACASTE TREE (LEGUMINOSAE: ENTEROLOBIUM CYCLOCARPUM)

A detailed examination of the ordinary 1980 fruit crop of an ordinary large adult guanacaste tree (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) in Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica (1980) shows that for fruits with about 6-16 seeds (range, 1-18 seeds per fruit) there is about ***1 g dry weight fruit tissue per seed (seeds averaging about 820 m each). Fruits that have about 1-5 seeds on average have 1.5-3 times as much dry fruit tissue per seed as do the seed-rich fruits, and also contain seeds that weigh about 8% more on average than the seeds in the seed-rich fruits. The average seed weight per fruit was found to decrease slightly if all sizes of fruits are considered, but to remain essentially constant over the range of 7-16-seeded fruits. This category contained 78% of the fruits. These findings suggest that different parts of the seed crop may end up in different dispersers and dispersers with different preferences for fruit seediness and tolerances for seed size may remove different portions of the seed crop.     

S-methylmethioninesulfonium hydrolase activity in plant and animal tissues

A gas-chromatographic technique is proposed for determining the activity of S-methylmethionine-sulphonium-salt hydrolase in homogenates of plant and animal tissues. The enzyme was found in flowers, leaves and fruits of different plants. The enzymatic hydrolysis of S-methylmethionine was found for the first time in different organs of animals, liver and kidneys possessing the highest enzyme activity.     

番茄(Solanum lycopersicum)类胡萝卜素降解关键基因筛选

类胡萝卜素衍生挥发物对提升番茄风味至关重要。为筛选调控类胡萝卜素衍生挥发物合成的关键基因,以90个番茄自交系中香气寡淡的TI4001和香气浓郁的CI1005为材料,分析了番茄类胡萝卜素裂解双加氧酶(SlCCDs)基因在不同组织及不同发育期果实中的表达量,果实不同成熟期类胡萝卜素及其衍生挥发物的含量。发现在7个SlCCDs基因中,SlCCD1A和SlCCD1B基因在番茄果实中表达量最高,且随着果实发育成熟表达量显著升高。果实中类胡萝卜素及其衍生挥发物含量也显著升高。SlCCD1A和SlCCD1B基因表达量与类胡萝卜素及其衍生挥发物含量之间极显著正相关。推测SlCCD1A和SlCCD1B基因是裂解类胡萝卜素合成挥发物的关键基因。     

Demethyloleuropein and beta-glucosidase activity in olive fruits

Demethyloleuropein plays a major role in the defense mechanism of olive fruits. To understand how this molecule is metabolized during different stages of maturation of olive fruits, a biomolecular approach to identify the demethyloleuropein chemistry was employed. The beta-glucosidase activity in crude extracts was assayed spectrophotometrically using the chromogenic substrate p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside. Demethyloleuropein was extracted and identified by HPLC-MS from both infected and uninfected olive fruits at different physiological stages. The release of more functionally relevant dialdehydes in uninfected fruits was investigated using ESIMS/ MS. In fruits harvested in October, the activity of beta-glucosidase was significantly enhanced in uninfected fruits when compared to the infected fruits. Quantitative differences in the demethyloleuropein content from uninfected fruits showed the highest values (5.09 mg/g) in October, whereas lower levels (4.44 mg/g) were found in infected fruits. The results demonstrated that demethyloleuropein derivatives could be influenced by beta-glucosidase activity to improve the quality of the olive products with the best dialdehyde nutraceutical content.     

盐生植物碱蓬二型果实表生细菌的群落组成及促生属性

【背景】碱蓬(Suaeda glauca Bunge)主要生长于含盐碱土壤,具有果实(种子)二型现象,而种子栖居有众多微生物,它们对种子萌发和幼苗建成具有重要影响。【目的】对碱蓬异型果实表生细菌的群落组成及相关细菌的促生属性进行观察研究,探讨不同类型果实表生细菌的群落组成及相关细菌的促生功能属性是否存在差异。【方法】利用纯培养方法对碱蓬二型果实的表生可培养细菌进行分离纯化,基于16S rRNA基因序列分析初步确定分离菌株的系统发育地位,并对获得菌株进行固氮、溶磷、解钾、产铁及产IAA能力的定性检测。【结果】碱蓬二型果实具有不同的表生细菌群落组成及分布比例,A型果实表生细菌分属于3纲15属,其优势属组成主要是短小杆菌属(34.33%)、芽孢杆菌属(13.43%)和泛菌属(10.45%);B型果实表生细菌分属于4纲20属,其优势属组成主要是短小杆菌属(12.77%)、芽孢杆菌属(17.02%)和冰冻小杆菌属(14.89%)。碱蓬二型果实的表生细菌多样性指数也存在差异,A型果实的Shannon多样性指数、Margalef丰富度指数和Shannon均匀度指数显著低于B型果实;而A型果实的Berger-Parker优势度指数显著高于B型果实。碱蓬二型果实表生细菌在固氮、溶磷、解钾、产铁及产IAA能力等促生属性上的菌株分布比例存在不同变化趋势,A型和B型果实均具有较高比例固氮菌株及较低比例溶磷菌株;但在解钾菌株和产IAA菌株分布比例上具有不同变化趋势,A型果实的解钾菌株所占比例显著高于B型果实,而产IAA能力菌株所占比例显著低于B型果实。【结论】盐生植物碱蓬具有明显不同的2种类型果实,其不同类型果实具有不同的表生细菌群落组成及分布比例,且在促生功能菌株的分布上也存在不同变化趋势。     

Phytomelatonin in the leaves and fruits of wild perennial plants

Phytomelatonin has been documented in numerous flowering plants, mostly in cultivated species consumed by humans. Although frugivorous animals feed on fruits, the phytomelatonin content of these organs has hardly ever been tested in wild plants. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of phytomelatonin in the leaves and fleshy fruits of 31 wild perennial species known to be eaten by herbivorous and frugivorous mammals and birds. Considerable levels of phytomelatonin were found in the leaves of all the tested species, and some contained melatonin in their fruits as well. The melatonin content was found to vary significantly in different life forms (trees, shrubs, and climbers), with trees possessing the highest levels. The analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between the phytomelatonin levels in the leaves and the fruits of various species. However, the concentration found in the fruits was generally lower than that found in the leaves of the same species. Despite the presence of phytomelatonin in the fleshy fruits of different families, there was no noticeable common attribute among them. Phytomelatonin was exhibited in both the seeds and the pulp, with no obvious preference for either one. Although it was determined that ingested melatonin enters the bloodstream of birds and mammals, its specific role is still not certain. The potential impact of edible phytomelatonin on the circadian rhythm of herbivores and frugivores is discussed on the basis of these findings.     

THE EFFECTS OF THE SIZE, POSITION AND MATURATION PERIOD OF INFLORESCENCES AND FRUITS ON ABNORMAL PIGMENTATION IN THE TOMATO VARIETY POTENTATE

A modification to an earlier classification of pigmentation abnormalities, enabling it to be used for varieties other than Potentate, is discussed. It is shown for Potentate that the proportion of fruits giving uniform ripening colour declines with increasing fruit weight, while the proportion of Grade C fruits steadily increases. The occurrence of Grade A fruits, however, is maximal in fruits of 80 to 120 g. The occurrence of pigmentation abnormalities was shown to be independent of the length of the maturation period of the fruit. It was found that Grade A fruits occurred with greater frequency in fruits developing on upper inflorescences, while Grade C fruits occurred more frequently on lower inflorescences. The number of fruits in an inflorescence was shown to have no consistent relation to pigmentation abnormalities, nor was there any relation between pigmentation and the position of fruits within the inflorescence. Frequent examples of an antithetic relation between the occurrence of Grades A and C symptoms are noted, suggesting that conditions that are favourable for the development of the one are unfavourable for the development of the other.     

The Morphological and Anatomical Characters of Bamboo Fruits with Relation to Systematics and Evolution

The morphological and anatomical characteristics of bamboo fruits of 39 species in 21 genera have been surveyed. The results showed that characters as the shape, the middle cross section, the morphology of pericarp, rostrum and embryo, the presence or absence of ventral groove and embryotega, and the thickness of aleurone layer of fruits were the important features in identifying different genera, and also in studying systematics and evolution of the bamboos. All the bamboo fruits examined herewith could be considered as caryopses, and they could be subdivided into four types viz. typical, bacoid, nucoid and seminucoid type. Type A,typical,as most grass fruits, with thin pericarp throughout or thickened only at apex, ventral groove (hilum) and embryotega, was found in the majority of bamboos, such as Fargesia and Arundinaria. Type B, bacoid, with thick and fleshy pericarp, was found in nine genera: Melocanna, Dicochloa, Ochlandra,Olrneca, Melocalarnus, Chirnonobarnbusa ,Qiongzhuea, Ferrocalamus and Alvirnia. Type C, nucoid, with hard pericarp, was found so far only in Dendrocalamus and Cephalostachyurn. Type D,semi-nucoid, the intermediate type between type A and C, with pericarp, as in type A, in the dorsum and pericarp, as in type C in the ventrum was found in Sinocalarnus, PhyUostachys and Thyrsostachys. Bacoid may be the primitive type, from which nueoid may have evolved. Semi-nucoid may have evolved from nucoid. Typical type may be advanced and have evolved from bocoid or semi-nucoid. The primitive fruits of bamboos may have characteristics such as follows: globose or spheroidal in shape, round middle cross section; thick and fleshy pericarp throughout, less differentiated, presence of vascular bundle; absence of ventral groove (hilum) and embryotega; aleurone layer composed of a number of cell layers; large and curved'or folded embryo. Bamboos with such a fruit have iterauctant inflorescences except Ferrocalamus.     

黄山安徽小檗一些分类学性状的变异式样研究

在安徽黄山以安徽小檗(Berberis anhweiensis Ahrendt)为例,对中国小檗属重要分类学性状的变异式样进行了研究.结果表明:在25株安徽小檗各10个果序中,每个果序的果实数目为3～18个,平均为10.12±3.26 个,不同植株之间差异极显著(P＜0.01).成熟果实形状为椭圆形或长圆形,并未见到原始文献描述的倒卵形.在总计2 529个果实中,果实内种子数为1～2个,其中含2粒种子与含1粒种子的果实数分别为1 575个和954个.各果序中含2粒种子果实及含1粒种子果实所占的比例均为0～100%,平均值分别为55.96%±22.94%和40.04%±22.94%,差异极显著(P＜0.01).在25株安徽小檗各2个1年生枝条上,共有427个叶刺,其中单刺所占的比例为76.35%,并且都位于枝条的顶端,2叉刺占5.39%,3叉刺占18.27%,3种类型叶刺在数目上差异极显著(P＜0.01).     

Correlated evolution of fig size and color supports the dispersal syndromes hypothesis

The influence of seed dispersers on the evolution of fruit traits remains controversial, largely because most studies have failed to account for phylogeny and or have focused on conservative taxonomic levels. Under the hypothesis that fruit traits have evolved in response to different sets of selective pressures by disparate types of seed dispersers (the dispersal syndromes hypothesis), we test for two dispersal syndromes, defined as groups of fruit traits that appear together more often than expected by chance. (1) Bird syndrome fruits are brightly colored and small, because birds have acute color vision, and commonly swallow fruits whole. (2) Mammal syndrome fruits are dull-colored and larger on average than bird syndrome fruits, because mammals do not rely heavily on visual cues for finding fruits, and can eat fruits piecemeal. If, instead, phylogenetic inertia determines the co-occurrence of fruit size and color, we will observe that specific combinations of size and color evolved in a small number of ancestral species. We performed a comparative analysis of fruit traits for 64 species of Ficus (Moraceae), based on a phylogeny we constructed using nuclear ribosomal DNA. Using a concentrated changes test and assuming fruit color is an independent variable, we found that small-sized fruits evolve on branches with red and purple figs, as predicted by the dispersal syndromes hypothesis. When using diameter as the independent variable, results vary with the combination of algorithms used, which is discussed in detail. A likelihood ratio test confirms the pattern found with the concentrated changes test using color as the independent variable. These results support the dispersal syndromes hypothesis.     

Fleshy fruit characteristics in a temperate deciduous forest of Japan: how unique are they?

This study investigated the fleshy fruit characteristics of 28 woody species in a Japanese temperate forest where large sedentary seed-dispersing mammals are present. We tested whether the findings in previous studies in temperate forests of Europe and North America are universal or not. Results have suggested that fruits of all species were eaten both by birds and mammals except for four species with larger fruits, which were eaten only by mammals. A gradient was found from a syndrome characterized by small, oily, and large-seeded fruits to a syndrome characterized by large, succulent, non-oily, and small-seeded fruits. The sizes and colors of the fruits were not conspicuously different from previous findings in Europe and North America. On the other hand, nitrogen and lipids in the fleshy part did not show seasonally increasing trends, or even seasonally decreasing trends in terms of dry weight. This result, suggesting the absence of community-level adaptation of fruit traits to migratory bird dispersers, contrasted with findings in Europe and North America. Large sedentary arboreal or tree-climbing mammals may have a greater effect on the evolution of fruit-disperser relations than opportunistic migratory birds.     

不同生长日龄罗汉果甙类成分变化研究

采集不同生长日龄的罗汉果 ,对果实中的甙类成分进行选择性提取 ,采用薄层色谱法对其甙类成分进行比较研究 ,初步找出了罗汉果甙类成分在生长过程中的积累规律 ,为罗汉果采收提供科学依据     

Food habits of Metachirus nudicaudatus (Didelphimorphia,Didelphidae) in a Brazilian Cerrado: diet composition and dietary seasonality

The diet of the brown four-eyed opossum (Metachirus nudicaudatus) at a riparian savanna in Brazil was analyzed using 22 fecal samples collected monthly from November 2009 to October 2011. A comparison was established between samples from rainy and dry seasons. Diet composition varied seasonally. Arthropods and fruits were consumed in different frequencies of occurrence, in both seasons, but small vertebrates were only found in the dry season. Diet differences among biomes (Atlantic Forest and Cerrado) were also assessed by comparing the frequency of food items in the fecal sample in our study with data from the literature. Invertebrates (100%) were the most frequent food category found, followed by fruits (59%) and vertebrates (13.6%). Small differences in the consumption of invertebrates were found among the biomes. Nevertheless, seed frequency was significantly higher in samples from the Cerrado than in those from the Atlantic Forest. In our study site, Metachirus nudicaudatus is opportunistic and has an omnivorous diet, tending to include more fruits in its natural diet than has been previously described.     

A putative plastidic glucose translocator is expressed in heterotrophic tissues that do not contain starch, during olive (Olea europea L.) fruit ripening

Metabolite-specific transporters are present in the inner membrane of the plastid envelope allowing transport between the plastid and other cellular compartments. A plastidic glucose translocator (pGlcT) in leaf mesophyll cells transports glucose from chloroplast stroma to the cytosol after amylolytic starch degradation at night. Here we report the cloning of a pGlcT expressed in olive fruits (Olea europea L.). Our results showed high expression of pGlcT in non-green heterotrophic fruit tissues. Expression of pGlcT in olive fruits was somewhat higher compared to leaves, and continued until the black, mature fruit stage. We cloned part of tomato pGlcT and found that it is also expressed throughout fruit development implying a role for pGlcT in heterotrophic tissues. Light and electron microscopic characterization of plastid structural changes during olive fruit ripening revealed the transition of chloroplast-like plastids into starchless, non-green plastids; in mature olive fruits only chromoplasts were present. Together, these findings suggest that olive pGlcT is abundant in chromoplasts during structural changes, and provide evidence that pGlcT may play different physiological roles in ripening fruits and possibly in other non-photosynthetic organs.     

Dimorphism of the seed-dispersing organ in a pantropical coastal plant,Scaevola taccada: heterogeneous population structures across islands

Scaevola taccada is characterized by dimorphic fruits, with one type having cork and pulp (C-morph) and the other type having only pulp (NC-morph). Although within-individual dimorphism has not been observed, both morphs can occur at the same sites. The cork floats on seawater, and the pulp is eaten by birds. Thus, the morphs may have different seed dispersal abilities, via sea currents and birds, respectively. This study aimed to determine the functional characteristics of the dimorphic fruits. First, the potential seed dispersal ability of sea currents and birds was compared between the two fruits morphs by conducting a floating test and by measuring the proportions of different parts of the fruits, respectively. Next, the frequencies of the two morphs across different substrates (beaches, rocks, and cliffs) in the southern islands around Japan were analyzed. Most C-morph fruits remained floating for more than 180 days in a seawater tank, whereas all NC-morph fruits sank after approximately 1 week. The NC-morph fruits had a more pulp volume and less indigestible material than the C-morph fruits. Although both types of plants were found on many islands and all substrates, the C-morph was dominant on beaches, whereas the NC-morph was most frequent on cliffs. The frequencies of the morphs on different substrates might be influenced by the differences in their seed dispersal abilities. The two morphs may differ in fitness on different substrates. These findings improve our understanding of plant adaptations for dispersal.     

Allozymic, morphological, and phenological diversity in cultivatedLuffa acutangula (Cucurbitaceae) from China, Laos, and Nepal, and Allozyme Divergence betweenL. acutangula andL. Aegyptiaca

The immature fruits of domesticated Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. are a common vegetable in Asia and India. To learn more about traditional cultivars, accessions were collected from southern Yunnan Province of China, northern Laos, and southeastern Nepal, and assessed for various parameters of genetic diversity. The size and shape of the fruits and seeds varied considerably. A form that we found cultivated only in Nepal bore clusters of small fruits that are produced by hermaphrodite flowers. Plants produced male flowers first, and the first node to bear flowers varied from the second to the twenty-seventh. Twenty-nine allozyme loci were assayed. Within L. acutangula one allozyme locus was polymorphic. Luffa acutangula andL. aegyptiaca are fixed for different alleles at nine loci, indicating that they are completely reproductively isolated from each other.     

Composition and seasonal dynamics of seed rain in broad-leaved Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) mixed forest in Changbai Mountain, China

To explore the composition and spatio-temporal dynamics of seed rain in broad-leaved Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) mixed forest, 150 seed traps were set up in a 25 hm2 plot in Changbai Mountain. Seeds, fruits, anthotaxy and others in seed traps were collected, identified and divided into 4 types. From 2005 to 2006, we collected 47 different types. Total number of seeds and fruits was 121291, including 23147 mature seeds and fruits (19.1% of the total). Tilia amurensis and Fraxinus mandshurica, with the most seeds and fruits, accounted for 90% of the total. The analysis on seasonal dynamics of seed rain showed that there were the largest number of seeds and fruits between July and October, which were composed of immature seeds and fruits. In mid-October, mature seeds and fruits reached their peak, but immature seeds and fruits still accounted for high proportion. There were 91 traps that contained 100–200 mature seeds and fruits, and one trap without any mature seed or fruit. The largest number of species found in a trap was 7, and usually 3 or 4 species were found in most of the traps. There were obvious relationships between spatial patterns of mature seeds and fruits and their parent trees, indicating that their mature seeds and fruits were not dispersed far from their parent trees.     

Chemical characterization of Azadirachta indica grafted on Melia azedarach and analyses of azadirachtin by HPLC‐MS‐MS (SRM) and meliatoxins by MALDI‐MS

Introduction – Melia azedarach adapted to cool climates was selected as rootstocks for vegetative propagation of Azadirachta indica. Cleft grafting of A. indica on M. azedarach rootstock showed excellent survival. Little is known about the chemistry of grafting. Objective – The roots, stems, leaves and seeds of this graft were examined in order to verify if grafted A. indica would produce limonoids different from those found in non‐grafted plants. Intact matured fruits were also studied to verify if they were free of meliatoxins. Methodology – After successive chromatographic separations the extracts afforded several limonoids. HPLC‐MS/MS and MALDI‐MS were used to develop sensitive methods for detecting azadirachtin on all aerial parts of this graft and meliatoxins in fruits, respectively. Results – The stem afforded the limonoid salannin, which was previously found in the oil seeds of A. indica. Salannin is also found in the root bark of M. azedarach. Thus, the finding of salannin in this study suggests that it could have been translocated from the M. azedarach rootstock to the A. indica graft. HPLC‐MS/MS analyses showed that azadirachtin was present in all parts of the fruits, stem, flowers and root, but absent in the leaves. The results of MALDI‐MS analyses confirmed the absence of meliatoxins in graft fruits. Conclusion – This study showed that A. indica grafted onto M. azedarach rootstock produces azadirachtin, and also that its fruits are free of meliatoxins from rootstocks, confirming that this graft forms an excellent basis for breeding vigorous Neem trees in cooler regions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.