Mycobiota of sunflower seeds and samples collected from vegetable oil refinery located in Tamilnadu,India

Sunflower seeds and its products are widely consumed as fodder and vegetable oil in India. The mycobiota is known to produce hazardous effects to the consumer by producing toxins. Hence the mycobiota starting from seed stage to kernel, Oiled Cake (OC), De-Oiled Cake (DOC), Solvent Extracted Oil (SEO), Expeller Oil (EO) and Refined Oil (RO) were studied using Czapek-Dox agar. Altogether 24 non-xerophilic species belonging to 12 genera were isolated. The fungus Aspergillus flavus was found to be predominant in seeds with 22.3 % contribution to the total. In the kernel, Mucor racemosus was dominant and contributed 31.6 %. In OC and DOC, Rhizopus stolonifer was dominant with 31.1 % and 45.9 % respectively. In EO and SEO, Aspergillus flavus and A. japonicus were dominant with 21 % and 32.4 % respectively. It was found that there was no fungal growth in RO. The study was conducted between the periods 2000–2001.     

Selection for high seed oil content in soybean families derived from plants regenerated from protoplasts and tissue cultures

Recurrent selection for high seed oil content was carried out with 2,008 progeny of 28 plants regenerated via embryogenesis, 95 via organogenesis and 25 from protoplasts via organogenesis from five different soybean cultivars. Two lines derived from plants regenerated from the cultivar Jack with small increases in seed oil content emerged after three selection cycles in the field but in both cases the protein content was decreased and the seed yield of one of the lines was also decreased. Apparently somaclonal variation for seed oil content can arise, but on the basis of the decreases in protein and yield found in this study, this small change is not useful for soybean improvement. Received: 22 July 2000 / Accepted: 28 July 2000     

不同产地山茱萸种子中油脂含量及脂肪酸组成分析

山茱萸( Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc.)为山茱萸科( Cornaceae)山茱萸属( Cornus Linn.)的多年生木本植物[1],主要产自中国的陕西、河南和浙江等地,在四川、安徽和山东等地亦有栽培[2]。山茱萸是世界三大名贵木本药材之一[3],临床上常以成熟果实去核后的果肉入药,而占山茱萸果实质量约80%的种子则被大量废弃。因此,对山茱萸种子资源的研究有利于提高山茱萸的综合利用价值。     

不同灌溉量夏玉米叶绿素含量的高光谱特征及其反演

植物叶绿素含量直接影响其光合作用,并与植物的光谱特征密切相关。以夏玉米为研究对象,采用人工控水方法研究了夏玉米七叶期不同灌溉量下冠层叶绿素含量特征及其与光谱特征之间的关系。结果表明：灌溉量越少,夏玉米叶片叶绿素含量越低,冠层光谱反射率越高,绿峰位置"红移",而红边位置"蓝移"。叶绿素含量与光谱特征参数、植被光谱指数之间存在极显著相关关系,据此建立了冠层叶绿素含量高光谱估算模型,且基于植被指数模型较基于单一光谱特征参数模型模拟效果更好。研究结果可为夏玉米叶绿素含量的快速无损测定以及夏玉米干旱监测提供依据。     

Changes in malondialdehyde content and in superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione reductase activities in sunflower seeds as related to deterioration during accelerated aging

Sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.) seeds progressively lost their ability to germinate at 25°C, the optimal temperature for germination, after accelerated aging was carried out at 45°C (a temperature too high to permit germination) in water or at 76 or 100% relative humidity (RH). The deleterious effects of the high-temperature treatment increased with increasing seed moisture content. Incubation of seeds at 45°C in water resulted in electrolyte leakage, which indicated a loss of membrane integrity. A relationship between leakage and loss of seed viability could not be assumed, since no increase in electrolyte efflux occurred after aging al 100% RH. Accelerated aging induced accumulation of malondialdehyde, suggesting that seed deterioration was associated with lipid peroxidation. However, there was no direct relationship between lipid peroxidation and deterioration in membrane integrity. Loss of seed viability was also associated with a decrease in superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione reductase activities. Finally, the results obtained suggest that sunflower seed deterioration during accelerated aging is closely related to a decrease in the activities of detoxifying enzymes and to lipid peroxidation.     

Impact of planting density and soaking seeds in melatonin solution on yield,secondary products content and antimicrobial activity of lovage plant

Many studies worldwide have been done on the effect of medicinal uses of lovage plant but, very little works have been done on its production. In this study the effect of different planting density and soaking seeds in different concentration of melatonin solution as well as their combination treatments on yield, secondary products content and antimicrobial activity of lovage plant were studied. It was observed that using planting space of 15 cm gave the maximum mean values of total phenolic and antioxidant content and essential oil percentage. Using 30 cm planting space gave the maximum mean values of plant height, yield of herb fresh and dry weight per hectare, yield of roots dry weight and essential oil per hectare. While the plant space of 45 cm recorded the maximum mean values of fresh and dry weight of herb and roots fresh weight per plant and chlorophyll content. For melatonin levels, using 100 µM melatonin solution had the minimum mean values of number of days to emergence. While, soaking seeds in 75 µM melatonin solution recorded the best results of all studied parameters. Regarding the combination treatments, measurements comprising of herb fresh and dry weight as well as essential oil yield per hectare showed that the combination treatment of 30 cm between plants in row plus soaking seeds in 75 µM melatonin solution was able to achieve the maximum values of these parameters. While the combination treatment of 15 cm between plants in row plus soaking solution of 75 µM melatonin is recommended for getting the maximum yield of root fresh and dry weight per hectare and the maximum total phenolic and antioxidant contents per herb in both cuts of both studied season. The first major compound of lovage essential oil of herb is α-terpinyle acetate followed by β-Phellandrene. The percentages of these compounds were affected by the applied treatments. The volatile oil of lovage plant exhibits high antibacterial and antifungal properties in the concentrations range of 75–100 µg mL⁻¹.Abbreviation: MBC, minimal bactericidal concentration; MFC, minimal fungicidal concentration     

Biological functions as affected by summer season-related multiple environmental stressors (heat,nutritional and walking stress) in Malpura rams under semi-arid tropical environment

The study was conducted with the primary objective to establish the impact of simultaneously imposed multiple stressors (thermal, nutritional and walking) on various biological functions in Malpura rams. The study was conducted for a period of 45 days. Twenty adult Malpura rams (average BW 44.9 Kg) were used in the present study. The rams were divided into two groups, CON (n = 10; Control) and MS (n = 10; multiple stressors). Both body weight (p < 0.05) and body condition scoring (p < 0.01) were lower in MS compared with CON rams. All the scrotal measurements reduced significantly (p < 0.01) in MS rams. All the testicular measurements also reduced significantly (p < 0.01) in MS as compared to CON rams. The seminal attributes, individual motility (p < 0.05), rapid motility (p < 0.05) and curvilinear velocity (p < 0.05) were significantly reduced in CON rams. However, slowness (p < 0.05), linearity (p < 0.05) and straightness (p < 0.05) parameters significantly increased in MS as compared to CON rams. In addition, plasma testosterone concentration was lower (p < 0.05) in MS rams. The study established the impact of multiple stressors on growth and reproductive performance of Malpura rams. Further, the results revealed that the only semen quality was affected by multiple stressors, but the semen production remained intact between the groups, indicating the extreme adaptive capability of Malpura rams to hot semi-arid tropical environment.     

Seasonal, populational and ontogenic variation in the volatile oil content and composition of individuals of Origanum vulgare subsp. Hirtum, assessed by GC headspace analysis and by SPME sampling of individual oil glands

Small-scale GC headspace analyses combined with SPME sampling of individual oil glands have been used to measure the variation in volatile content and composition in and within different oregano plants as affected by age, season and developmental state. The main monoterpenes found were p-cymene, carvacrol and their precursor gamma-terpinene. The early season preponderance of p-cymene over carvacrol was reversed as the season progressed and this pattern could also be seen at any time within the plant, from the latest leaves to be produced (low in cymene) to the earliest (high in cymene). Seedlings from the same mother plant developed this pattern at different rates. Within individual leaves the pattern was not observed, even within the youngest developing leaves. However it was found that the oil composition of individual glands within a single leaf varied considerably, most notably in respect of the production of carvacrol and its isomer thymol.     

Growth of spoilage mould and aflatoxin B1 production in naturally contaminated or artificially inoculated maize as influenced by moisture content under ambient tropical condition

Maize (cv. TSZB) samples were re-moistened to different moisture contents (m.c.s) of 13, 15, 17, 20, 25, 30 or 35% and stored with the natural microflora or sterilized before artificial inoculation with either single or mixed moulds (Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Penicilium purpurogenum and Fusarium moniliforme) and evaluated for initiation time for moulding, fungal populations and aflatoxin B₁ production. Whereas the fungal populations of naturally contaminated maize of 13% m.c. decreased significantly with storage, 17 and 20% m.c. maize increased with the latter showing maximum of about log₁₀ 7 colony forming units (cfu g⁻¹). Of the samples (13, 15, 17 or 20% m.c. maize), only those of ≥20% m.c. showed hazardous levels (>20 ppb) of aflatoxin B₁ production. The 20% m.c. sample also showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.92) between m.c. and fungal load but those of lower m.c.s exhibited poor correlations, probably reflecting the absence of changes in the m.c.s of the 13, 15 and 17% m.c. maize. Aflatoxin B₁ content of 25% m.c. maize increased with increase in inoculum concentration of A. flavus. Mixed mould inoculation of maize samples resulted in a reduction in aflatoxin concentration with co-cultures of A. flavus and P. purpurogenum showing the lowest production, while that inoculated with A. flavus alone (control) exhibiting the maximum production. Initiation time for moulding was most rapid in ≥20% m.c. maize irrespective of inoculum type, with A. flavus being the most invasive in singly inoculated samples. However, A flavus was most competitive in 20–30% m.c. maize inoculated with mixed moulds, while F. moniliformewas most competitive in the 35% m.c. maize.     

In vivo genotoxicity of ortho-phenylphenol, biphenyl, and thiabendazole detected in multiple mouse organs by the alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis assay

In Japan, ortho-phenylphenol (OPP), biphenyl (BP), and thiabendazole (2-(4'-thiazolyl)benzimidazole, TBZ) are commonly used as a postharvest treatment to preserve imported citrus fruits during transport and storage. We used a modification of the alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (SCG) (Comet) assay to test the in vivo genotoxicity of those agents in mouse stomach, liver, kidney, bladder, lung, brain, and bone marrow. CD-1 male mice were sacrificed 3, 8, and 24 h after oral administration of the test compounds. OPP (2000 mg/kg) induced DNA damage in the stomach, liver, kidney, bladder, and lung, BP (2000 mg/kg) and TBZ (200 mg/kg) induced DNA damage in all the organs studied. For OPP, increased DNA damage peaked at 3–8 h and tended to decrease at 24 h. For BP, on the contrary, increased DNA migration peaked at 24 h. That delay may have been due to the fact that OPP is metabolized by cytochrome 450 and prostaglandin H synthase to phenylbenzoquinone (PBQ), a DNA binding metabolite, and BP is metabolized to PBQ via OPP and m-phenylphenol. The positive response to TBZ, an aneugen, supports the in vivo DNA-damaging action of TBZ.     

不同土层测墒补灌对冬小麦耗水特性与光合速率和产量的影响

于2012—2014年两个冬小麦生长季,在大田条件下设置：全生育期不灌水(W₀)处理,当地定量节水灌溉(拔节期和开花期均灌水60 mm,W₁)处理,依据0～20 cm (W₂)、0～40 cm (W₃)、0～60 cm (W₄)和0～140 cm (W₅)土层土壤含水量测墒补灌处理,于拔节期和开花期补灌至土壤相对含水量为田间持水量的65%和70%,研究依据不同土层土壤含水量测墒补灌对冬小麦耗水特性、光合速率和籽粒产量的影响.结果表明：各处理拔节期灌水量为W₁、W₄＞W₃＞W₂、W₅,开花期灌水量和总灌水量均为W₅＞W₁、W₄＞W₃＞W₂,W₃总耗水量显著高于W₂处理,与W₁、W₄和W₅处理无显著差异.W₃土壤贮水消耗量高于W₁、W₄和W₅处理,其中,W₃在拔节至开花阶段和开花至成熟阶段对40～140 cm和60～140 cm土层土壤贮水消耗量均显著高于其余灌水处理.灌浆中期W₃处理小麦旗叶光合速率、蒸腾速率和水分利用效率最高,W₁和W₄处理次之,W₀处理最低.W₃处理两个生长季的籽粒产量分别为9077和9260 kg·hm^-2,水分利用效率分别为20.7和20.9 kg·hm-2·mm^-1,均显著高于其余处理,灌溉水生产效率最高.综合考虑灌水量、籽粒产量和水分利用效率,小麦拔节期和开花期适宜进行测墒补灌的土层深度为0～40 cm.     

Vegetative and reproductive responses,oil yield and composition from olive trees (Olea europaea) under contrasting water availability during the dry winter‐spring period in central Argentina

In Argentina, the climatic pattern of the olive production areas is characterised by a marked water deficit during winter and spring months. A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of water availability during the pre‐flowering–flowering period on vegetative, reproductive and yield responses of olive trees grown in central Argentina. From the end of autumn to mid‐spring, four irrigation treatments were imposed to olive trees (Olea europaea, cv. Arbequina and Manzanilla) at 0, 25, 50 and 75% estimated crop evapotranspiration (ETc). Also, a control treatment was kept at 100% ETc for the entire year. For the first crop year evaluated, water deficit applied at early June, approximately 4 months prior to bloom, reduced the vegetative shoot growth and delayed the flowering time, resulting in shortening of the fruit maturation period and, ultimately, decreased fructification. Trees irrigated with high (75% of ETc) and full (100% of ETc) winter‐spring water supply presented significantly higher values of flower density, fruit density and final fruit yield which resulted in water productivity (kg fruits mm^?1 of irrigation/ha) enhancements of about 500% (cv. Arbequina) and 330% (cv. Manzanilla) with respect to those obtained from the corresponding unirrigated treatments. Differences between treatments in oil content and composition were primarily attributed to variations in fruit maturity. Differences in fatty acid composition were stronger in cv. Arbequina where a gradual increase in oleic acid content was registered in parallel to the increase in irrigation water supply. From a practical stand point, results obtained from most of the analysed parameters were quite similar for both T75 and T100 treatments. Thus, the possible convenience of irrigation at T75% ETc should be considered since it may warrant profitable olive production while saving a considerably quantity of irrigation water in the olive production area in central Argentina.     

褐飞虱胁迫下两种水稻不同生育期玉米素核苷含量动态

应用酶联免疫吸附法（enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA）研究了在褐飞虱胁迫下镇稻2号（粳稻）和协优63（籼稻）抽穗期和灌浆期水稻叶片和根中玉米素核苷（zeatin riboside, ZR）含量变化情况。结果表明, 镇稻2号抽穗期ZR含量变化比灌浆期对褐飞虱侵害更为敏感,密度分别为15、30、60、120头/株的褐飞虱侵害水稻抽穗期3、6、9天后,叶片和根中ZR含量显著下降;灌浆期除各个褐飞虱密度侵害9天叶片中ZR含量和120头/株褐飞虱密度侵害9天根部ZR含量显著下降外,其他处理根和叶片中ZR含量下降不明显。协优63抽穗期受褐飞虱侵害后体内ZR的变化不同于镇稻2号,密度分别为15、30、60头/株的褐飞虱侵害3天后,叶片中ZR含量明显升高;在灌浆期,除30、60、120头/株褐飞虱密度侵害6天和120头/株褐飞虱密度侵害9天叶片中ZR含量有显著增加外,其他处理变化不明显。表明不同品种水稻在不同密度褐飞虱侵害下对根和叶片中ZR含量有不同的影响。