Chemical modification of Cassia occidentalis seed gum: carbamoylethylation

The seeds of Cassia occidentalis, an annual weed occurring throughout India, is a rich source of galactomannan gum. The gum derived from seed endosperm can be potentially utilized in a number of industries to replace the conventional gums. With a view to utilize the gum for broader applications, carbamoylethylation of C. occidentalis seed gum was carried out with acrylamide in presence of sodium hydroxide under different reaction conditions. Variables studied were concentration of sodium hydroxide, acrylamide, gum–solvent ratio, reaction time and temperature. The nitrogen content, carboxyl content and total ether content were determined. The optimum condition for preparing carbamoylethyl C. occidentalis seed gum (%N=2.57) comprised concentration of acrylamide (0.070 mol), sodium hydroxide (0.125 mol), C. occidentalis seed gum (0.03 mol) at 30 °C for 3 h. Rheological properties of carbamoylethyl C. occidentalis seed gum solution showed non-Newtonian pseudo-plastic behavior, relatively high viscosity, cold water solubility and solution clarity vis-à-vis unmodified C. occidentalis seed gum.     

Molecular Weight and Chemical-Modifications of the Gum from the Seeds of Sesbania cannabina (RETZ.) PERS

The water-soluble polysaccharide is isolated and purified from the seeds of Sesbania cannabina (Retz.) Pers. Its physiochemical properties are investigated. The purified preparation seems to be homogeneous after ultra-centrifugation. The sedimentation coefficient of the gum obtained from alcoholic purification is 4.71 S, its intrinsic viscosity is 5.93 dl/g and its molecular weight is estimated to be 391,000. When it is obtained from copper alcoholic purification, however, its sedimentation coefficient is 2.82 S, its intrinsic viscosity 2.44 dl/g and its molecular weight 206,000. Several derivatives of the gum have been prepared, including carboxymethylated gum, hydroxyethylated gum and carboxymethylhydroxyethylated gum.     

Variability in Prosopis farcata in Israel: anatomical features of the seed

Anatomical features of seeds of Prosopis farcata (Banks & Solander) Eig, collected at nine localities from various geographical regions and habitats in Israel, were studied. The seeds differ in size, shape and colour, and also in the cracking ability of the surface layer and whether the palisade layer peels off from the rest of the testa upon imbibition or not.
The gum extruded during imbibition is formed in gum cavities extending from the endosperm throughout the testa up to the palisades.
Water penetration is apparently barred by the outermost wall layers of the external cells of the testa (palisade caps).     

Immunohistochemical localization of β-amylase in resting barley seeds

The cellular localization of β-amylase (EC 3.2.1.2) in resting barley seeds was investigated by immunohistochemistry. The monospecificity of the antibodies used was shown by immunoelectrophoresis and western blotting. An adaptation of the immunofluorescence technique allowed the localization of β-amylase. free of autofluorescence, in the different parts of the seed. In endosperm, there was β-amylase protein in aleurone layers, only in the starchy endosperm, where the distribution of the enzyme was not uniform. The β-amylase of starchy endosperm. which can be in a free or a hound form, was mainly localized around starch granules of different sizes. In the embryo. β-amylase was present only in the part of the scutellum in front of the first leaf. By immunoquantitation after separation of the seed parts, its was shown that the ratio between the amounts of enzyme in embryo and endosperm was less than 1/3000.     

白芨多糖胶-瓜尔胶复配溶液的流变性

考察了瓜尔胶溶液和白芨多糖胶-瓜尔胶复配溶液的流变特性。两组溶液呈现典型的假塑性,不同浓度下两组溶液表观黏度(ηa)随剪切速率(τ)的变化可以用Ostwald-Dewaele方程描述。白芨多糖胶和瓜尔胶复配产生协同增效作用,复配溶液的ηa大于单一组分的白芨多糖胶溶液或瓜尔胶溶液的ηa。复配溶液中白芨多糖胶与瓜尔胶的最佳配比是质量比为9∶1。     

Synthesis of oxidized guar gum by dry method and its application in reactive dye printing

The aim of this study was to prepare oxidized guar gum with a simple dry method, basing on guar gum, hydrogen peroxide and a small amount of solvent. To obtain a product with suitable viscosity for reactive dye printing, the effects of various factors such as the amount of oxidant and solvent, reaction temperature and time were studied with respect to the viscosity of reaction products. The product was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography, scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The hydrated rate of guar gum and oxidized guar gum was estimated through measuring the required time when their solutions (1%, w/v) reached the maximum viscosity. The effects of the salt concentration and pH on viscosity of the resultant product were studied. The mixed paste containing oxidized guar gum and carboxymethyl starch was prepared and its viscosity was determined by the viscometer. The rheological property of the mixed paste was appraised by the printing viscosity index. In addition, the applied effect of mixed paste in reactive dye printing was examined by assessing the fabric stiffness, color yield and sharp edge to the printed image in comparison with sodium alginate. And the results indicated that the mixed paste could partially replace sodium alginate as thickener in reactive dye printing. The study also showed that the method was low cost and eco-friendly and the product would have an extensive application in reactive dye printing.     

Evaluation of <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Sterculia foetida</Emphasis> Gum as Controlled Release Excipient

The purpose of the research was to evaluate Sterculia foetida gum as a hydrophilic matrix polymer for controlled release preparation. For evaluation as a matrix polymer; characterization of Sterculia foetida gum was done. Viscosity, pH, scanning electronmicrographs were determined. Different formulation aspects considered were: gum concentration (10–40%), particle size (75–420 μm) and type of fillers and those for dissolution studies; pH, and stirring speed were considered. Tablets prepared with Sterculia foetida gum were compared with tablets prepared with Hydroxymethylcellulose K15M. The release rate profiles were evaluated through different kinetic equations: zero-order, first-order, Higuchi, Hixon-Crowell and Korsemeyer and Peppas models. The scanning electronmicrographs showed that the gum particles were somewhat triangular. The viscosity of 1% solution was found to be 950 centipoise and pH was in range of 4–5. Suitable matrix release profile could be obtained at 40% gum concentration. Higher sustained release profiles were obtained for Sterculia foetida gum particles in size range of 76–125 μm. Notable influences were obtained for type of fillers. Significant differences were also observed with rotational speed and dissolution media pH. The in vitro release profiles indicated that tablets prepared from Sterculia foetida gum had higher retarding capacity than tablets prepared with Hydroxymethylcellulose K15M prepared tablets. The differential scanning calorimetry results indicated that there are no interactions of Sterculia foetida gum with diltiazem hydrochloride. It was observed that release of the drug followed through surface erosion and anomalous diffusion. Thus, it could be concluded that Sterculia foetida gum could be used a controlled release matrix polymer.     

Purification and Characterization at Phosphomannomutase from Fresh Seeds of Sesbania cannabina

Phosphomannomutase (PMM) was isolated and further purified from the fresh seeds of Sesbania cannabina by using preparative Sephadex G-200 slab IEF. The pH of Sesbania PMM was 5.0. Purified PMM showed a distinct band on SDS-PAGE with the molecular weight of 41 kD. The pH value for optimum catalysis of the enzyme was 7.3 at 30℃, and the equilibrium constant of PMM reaction was 16.2. In addition, the amino acid composition of the purified PMM was measured which conformed the property of acidic protein.     

Enzymic Mechanism of Starch Breakdown in Germinating Rice Seeds: 8. Immunohistochemical Localization of beta-Amylase

Rabbit antiserum against β-amylase isolated from germinating seeds of rice was produced, and its specific cross-reactivity with β-amylase was confirmed by means of Ouchterlony double immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis procedures. The cellular localization of β-amylase was studied by indirect fluorescence microscopy of thin sectioned germinating rice seed specimens (1-day stage) which had been fixed and treated with purified rabbit anti-β-amylase immunoglobulin G followed by conjugation with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled goat antirabbit immunoglobulin G. It has been demonstrated that β-amylase is uniformly associated with the periphery of starch granules in the starchy endosperm cells. The finding is discussed in relation to the general notion concerning the presence of the latent form of β-amylase bound to protein bodies in cereal seeds.     

羟乙基改性野皂荚胶的合成研究

本文介绍了以野皂荚胶粉为原料,在80％乙醇溶液中与环氧乙烷进行醚化反应制备羟乙基改性胶的方法;分析测定了产品的取代度和粘度性质。     

苏铁(Cycas revoluta Thunb.)种子的胚与胚乳解剖结构研究

对苏铁(Cycas revoluta Thunb.)种子的胚和胚乳组织进行了解剖研究。结果表明:苏铁种子为有胚乳种子,兼有胚乳和外胚乳,成熟时具直立型胚。胚乳的表层细胞含有角蜡质,胞核大,不含淀粉粒;中层细胞胞核明显;内层细胞胞核不明显,富含淀粉颗粒,淀粉粒单脐点明显。胚孔端的胚乳内陷成一凹槽,似贮藏窖。成熟的子叶胚为倒生胚胎,位于胚乳细胞解体后形成的囊腔中,子叶胚长度在胚乳中占到种子的1/3至2/3,已达到生理成熟阶段。双子叶直立,半合生。胚状体基部呈喙状突起,喙状突起下端连着一根肠叠着的丝状吸器,吸器基部连着一个小气囊。胚芽由顶端分生组织和数枚真叶组成,此时真叶已具羽状叶原基和绒毛原始体。在胚状体中发现有长管细胞及螺纹加厚的导管,在子叶中脉有数条并列的螺环纹导管。     

The effect of phase viscosity ratio on the rheology of liquid two phase gelatin-locust bean gum systems

The rheological behaviour of liquid two phase gelatin–locust bean gum (LBG) systems, comprising of (a) liquid LBG enriched continuous phase, and (b) flow-deformable gelatin-enriched dispersed particles seems to be determined, at the same phase composition, by phase viscosity ratio (μ). In the μ range from 0.03 to 0.21, viscosity dropped to values noticeably lower (13–40 times) than those of the corresponding LBG solution. Decrease in the viscosity of the mixtures was not observed at μ=0.5–0.6, corresponding that to the maximum energy scatter inside the droplets, in agreement with Mason’s conception of droplet deformation and disruption of liquid Newtonian emulsions.     

Effects of APETALA2 on embryo, endosperm, and seed coat development determine seed size in Arabidopsis

Arabidopsis APETALA2 (AP2) controls seed mass maternally, with ap2 mutants producing larger seeds than wild type. Here, we show that AP2 influences development of the three major seed compartments: embryo, endosperm, and seed coat. AP2 appears to have a significant effect on endosperm development. ap2 mutant seeds undergo an extended period of rapid endosperm growth early in development relative to wild type. This early expanded growth period in ap2 seeds is associated with delayed endosperm cellularization and overgrowth of the endosperm central vacuole. The subsequent period of moderate endosperm growth is also extended in ap2 seeds largely due to persistent cell divisions at the endosperm periphery. The effect of AP2 on endosperm development is mediated by different mechanisms than parent-of-origin effects on seed size observed in interploidy crosses. Seed coat development is affected; integument cells of ap2 mutants are more elongated than wild type. We conclude that endosperm overgrowth and/or integument cell elongation create a larger postfertilization embryo sac into which the ap2 embryo can grow. Morphological development of the embryo is initially delayed in ap2 compared with wild-type seeds, but ap2 embryos become larger than wild type after the bent-cotyledon stage of development. ap2 embryos are able to fill the enlarged postfertilization embryo sac, because they undergo extended periods of cell proliferation and seed filling. We discuss potential mechanisms by which maternally acting AP2 influences development of the zygotic embryo and endosperm to repress seed size.     

Structural elucidation, modification and characterization of seed gum from Cassia javahikai seeds: A non-traditional source of industrial gums

A water-soluble seed gum was isolated from seed endosperm of Cassia javahikai. The acid-catalyzed fragmentation, methylation, selective enzymatic degradation and periodate oxidation suggested a heteropolymeric structure for the polysaccharide. The polysaccharide was shown to have a linear chain of β(1 → 4) linked d-mannopyranosyls units with side chains of α(1 → 6) d-galactopyranosyl units. Grafting of polyacrylamide onto the gum was performed using K₂S₂O₈/ascorbic acid redox system in presence of Ag⁺ as catalyst at 35 ± 2 °C. The viscosity of the gum solution increased on grafting and the grafted gum was observed to resist biodegradation for more than 256 h. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that grafted gum was more thermally stable than native gum.     

改性黄原胶酯化条件的优化及结构的表征

为了提高黄原胶的速溶性和粘度,将黄原胶进行改性处理。将黄原胶与马来酸酐进行酯化反应,探讨了黄原胶与马来酸酐摩尔比、反应时间和反应温度等因素的影响,以取代度为指标,利用响应面方法确定,该酯化反应的最优条件为:黄原胶与马来酸酐摩尔比1∶11.5、反应时间24.4 h、反应温度66℃。对改性黄原胶进行红外光谱、光散射和X-射线衍射等结构表征,表明酯化改性成功,且进一步解释了速溶性和粘度提高的原因。改性黄原胶细胞毒性实验,显示无毒性。结果表明,改性黄原胶的速溶性和粘度有很大提高,0.2%改性黄原胶的速溶性和粘度较对照提高了近3倍,在食品、药品等领域具有潜在的应用价值。     

Physicochemical properties of endosperm and pericarp starches during maize development

Endosperm starch and pericarp starch were isolated from maize (B73) kernels at different developmental stages. Starch granules, with small size (2–4 μm diameter), were first observed in the endosperm on 5 days after pollination (DAP). The size of endosperm-starch granules remained similar until 12DAP, but the number increased extensively. A substantial increase in granule size was observed from 14DAP (diameter 4–7 μm) to 30DAP (diameter10–23 μm). The size of starch granules on 30DAP is similar to that of the mature and dried endosperm-starch granules harvested on 45DAP. The starch content of the endosperm was little before 12DAP (less than 2%) and increased rapidly from 10.7% on 14DAP to 88.9% on 30DAP. The amylose content of the endosperm starch increased from 9.2% on 14DAP to 24.2% on 30DAP and 24.4% on 45DAP (mature and dried). The average amylopectin branch chain-length of the endosperm amylopectin increased from DP23.6 on 10DAP to DP26.9 on14DAP and then decreased to DP25.4 on 30DAP and DP24.9 on 45DAP. The onset gelatinization temperature of the endosperm starch increased from 61.3 °C on 8DAP to 69.0 °C on 14DAP and then decreased to 62.8 °C on 45DAP. The results indicated that the structure of endosperm starch was not synthesized consistently through the maturation of kernel. The pericarp starch, however, showed similar granule size, starch content, amylose content, amylopectin structure and thermal properties at different developmental stages of the kernel.     

葫芦巴籽深加工工艺的研究

葫芦巴籽由种皮、胚乳和胚组成。采用物理方法将胚乳层中的多糖剥离纯化,残渣分别用溶剂提取葫芦巴油、用含有活性物水溶液提取薯芋皂甙,最后得到蛋白粉。同时对提取物进行分析检测,结果显示我们提出的深加工工艺具有产业化前景。     

Molecular mechanisms and hormonal regulation underpinning morphological dormancy: a case study using Apium graveolens (Apiaceae)

Underdeveloped (small) embryos embedded in abundant endosperm tissue, and thus having morphological dormancy (MD) or morphophysiological dormancy (MPD), are considered to be the ancestral state in seed dormancy evolution. This trait is retained in the Apiaceae family, which provides excellent model systems for investigating the underpinning mechanisms. We investigated Apium graveolens (celery) MD by combined innovative imaging and embryo growth assays with the quantification of hormone metabolism, as well as the analysis of hormone and cell-wall related gene expression. The integrated experimental results demonstrated that embryo growth occurred inside imbibed celery fruits in association with endosperm degradation, and that a critical embryo size was required for radicle emergence. The regulation of these processes depends on gene expression leading to gibberellin and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production by the embryo and on crosstalk between the fruit compartments. ABA degradation associated with distinct spatiotemporal patterns in ABA sensitivity control embryo growth, endosperm breakdown and radicle emergence. This complex interaction between gibberellins, IAA and ABA metabolism, and changes in the tissue-specific sensitivities to these hormones is distinct from non-MD seeds. We conclude that the embryo growth to reach the critical size and the associated endosperm breakdown inside MD fruits constitute a unique germination programme.     

我国半乳甘露聚糖胶资源利用前景初探

半乳甘露聚糖植物胶加工是我国70年代中期兴起的新兴产业。本文从我国植物资源发展的角度。重点论证了瓜尔豆（Cyanopsis tetragonoloba（L.）Taubert.）、田菁（Sesbania cannabina(Retz.)Pers.)、胡芦巴（Trigonella foenum-graecum L.）的生产情况,认为胡芦巴适应性强、产量高、易于机械化大面积种植与轮作,并具有改良土壤以及经济效益好等优势。因此,发展半乳甘露聚糖胶资源,大量种植胡芦巴是最好的选择。